At MWC 2024 in Barcelona, Google introduced it would ship new Android updates that ship quite a few new options to its Android ecosystem, together with enhancements to navigation on Put on OS smartwatches and Gemini on Google Messages. Here is what these new options are about.
Transit instructions and Google Pockets passes come to Put on OS
Google will enhance navigation with Put on OS-powered smartwatches within the newest replace. Google Maps on Put on OS helps public transit instructions now. In different phrases, you’ll be able to depend on your wearable when hopping on a practice, bus, or ferry to get round. This additionally exhibits the schedule of exits along with guided navigation when utilizing your most popular mode of transportation.
![New Android Updates Add Options to Increase Android Watches and Telephones – Insta News Hub New Android Updates Add Options to Increase Android Watches and Telephones – Insta News Hub](https://fs.npstatic.com/userfiles/7734655/image/Google-Maps-wear-os-w782.png)
One other Put on OS characteristic in Google Pockets on Put on OS can be the power so as to add boarding passes. This lets customers view and entry boarding passes similar to these of airplanes and trains, occasion tickets, loyalty playing cards and memberships. Journey particulars and notifications can be found to depict the date and time whereas prompting you of your upcoming journeys, all in your smartwatch.
![Google Wallet features on Wear OS Google Wallet features on Wear OS](https://fs.npstatic.com/userfiles/7734655/image/Google-Wallet-passes-feature-tickets-airline-w782.png)
New Android options for cell
AI on Messages and Android Auto
On the cell degree, there are new updates to introduce Gemini in Google Messages on Android. The chatbot will probably be accessible in a devoted chat part the place you’ll be able to compose and draft messages and let Gemini refine or modify these. As well as, you can too plan occasions or carry out different traditional prompts like asking Gemini questions.
Gemini for Messages is offered within the messaging app’s beta model which you must enrol beforehand. It’s suitable with the Google Pixel 6 and later fashions and Pixel Fold, Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold and Z Flip sequence, and Galaxy S22 and later fashions, together with the latest Galaxy S24 series. At the moment, solely the English language is supported whereas these residing in Canada can have the French language supported.
Google will even add AI to its automotive infotainment platform. If you join your handset to a car, Android Auto can summarize lengthy messages and a number of messages from group chats and subsequently counsel good replies. You possibly can ship beneficial replies in addition to your ETA or carry out a name with only a faucet.
Accessibility instruments
There are updates to Android’s accessibility instruments as effectively. Firstly, the Lookout app permits customers to take heed to AI-generated captions of photographs and photos from the online and messages.
In Google Maps for cell, a brand new accessibility characteristic is added to Lens on Maps. If you level your digicam utilizing Google Maps, it would learn the title and particulars of the focus aloud by way of the display reader. For instance, it will possibly inform you the title of a restaurant, the kinds of dishes served, and the space out of your present location.
Output switcher now works with Spotify
Pixel telephones and tablets have been capable of make the most of the machine or output switcher on their house display when utilizing YouTube and YouTube Music. Now, the replace will develop this characteristic to Spotify, which lets you choose which audio system or headphones to attach and play your media with only a faucet together with a helpful slider for quantity management.
![Google's new Android updates improve Messages, Spotify and Fitbit Google's new Android updates improve Messages, Spotify and Fitbit](https://fs.npstatic.com/userfiles/7734655/image/Google-Gemini-on-messages-spotify-connect-fitbit-app-w782.png)
Different new options: Google Docs and Fitbit app
Should you’ve been utilizing Google Docs for work or college, including handwritten annotations is now attainable. It really works on Android smartphones and tablets and markups can be carried out utilizing a stylus or pens.
Google is overhauling the Fitbit app on Android by giving a extra in-depth view of your well being and wellness information from linked apps and units. Tapping the You tab presents the record of units whereas the Right now tab exhibits recorded important statistics together with the variety of steps taken, energy burned, and distance from these units and apps.
The February Android updates are already rolling out to suitable units. As traditional, its availability for non-Pixel units would rely on the person producers.