Google releases Android 16 with AI edits, RCS group chat, and Pixel upgrades
Google launched Android 16 for Pixel phones on Tuesday, introducing RCS group chat, AI-powered edit suggestions for Google Photos, and corporate badge support in Google Wallet. The release emphasizes accessibility and customization for messaging and contacts.
Android 16 incorporates iOS-style live notifications on the lock screen, Google’s Material 3 Expressive design language, and enhanced security features against theft and scams, including an updated advanced protection mode for public figures.
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Support for Bluetooth Low Energy (LE) audio devices has been added, allowing users to utilize them instead of the phone’s microphone for improved call quality. Volume control on devices from phones is now enabled through native controls.
Later this year, Android tablets will gain desktop-style windowing support, along with custom keyboard shortcuts for defining actions, such as finding an app through user-defined hotkeys.
Google Messages will receive an update adding RCS group chat support across Android 16 and other supported versions of Android. This update will enable users to select custom icons and mute notifications for specified periods within chats.
HDR screenshots, adaptive refresh rate, and forced grouping for notifications, designed to reduce notification drawer clutter, are also included in Android 16.
Google Photos will soon offer AI-driven editing suggestions, proposing tools like erase, move, or “reimagine” for specific image sections. Users can now favorite devices in the Google Home app, and Google Wallet on Wear OS devices supports payments for public transit.
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Accompanying Android 16, Google is releasing its latest monthly Pixel feature upgrades, including a “Pixel VIPs” widget. The new “Pixel VIPs” widget allows users to view interactions with priority contacts. It displays recent calls and messages, including those from WhatsApp, as well as updates such as birthdays and location if shared by the contact.
Pixel phones will also now provide more detailed captions for video content, including descriptions of sounds such as whispering, yawning, or throat clearing.
Users can create custom stickers using text prompts directly within Google’s Gboard keyboard. The Recorder app gains AI-powered summaries in French and German, and Android’s Emergency SOS satellite connectivity is now available for users in Australia.
A battery health indicator has been added for Pixel 8a and newer Pixel devices, excluding the Pixel 8 and 8 Pro. Pixel 5 and later devices now benefit from a new accessibility feature within the Magnifier app. This feature allows users to describe what they are searching for, with the app highlighting matching items and providing haptic feedback.
Enterprise Android users can now store corporate badges in Google Wallet. They can also utilize Google’s Gemini chatbot app within Google Docs on Android to summarize content, gain insights, and translate text. Google has also improved Chrome on Android’s handling of PDFs with linked document viewing.
June’s Pixel Drop updates began rolling out on Tuesday.