Pixel features Archives

AppWizard

February 17, 2026

One of the best Pixel features is coming to more Android phones

Google's 'Now Playing' feature, which identifies background music automatically, will soon be available as a dedicated app for a wider audience of Android users beyond Pixel phones. This transition was revealed in the latest Android System Intelligence version B.21, indicating that non-Google Android devices will gain access to the Now Playing functionality. The feature continuously listens for music, identifies songs, and logs past discoveries. The new standalone app will prompt users to download it and will include settings and song history. Additionally, the first beta version of Android 17 has been released, featuring a redesigned Home Screen search bar, an option to remove the At a Glance widget, and improvements for larger screens and the volume panel, with a public release expected in June 2026.

AppWizard

June 10, 2025

Google details its future Android 16 plans this year, and highlights new features

Google's developer blog details the upcoming Android 16 SDK release, set for a significant update in Q4 2025, with a Q3 update introducing the Material 3 Expressive redesign. The official launch of Android 16 on June 10 includes features such as "outline text" for Accessibility settings, Adaptive Apps for foldable devices, and consistent progress notifications. Beta testers can opt out of the program to receive the stable version if they haven't joined the Android 16 QPR1 Beta. Key enhancements focus on app experiences on larger displays, including adaptive functionality and real-time tracking for activities. Improvements in mobile photography include night mode scene detection and UltraHDR capabilities. Accessibility is improved with the new "outline text," and privacy features include defenses against intent redirection attacks and location masking when pairing devices. Additional performance optimizations involve 16KB pages and updates to JobScheduler and Android Runtime. The Google Pixel 9 Pro XL features a 6.8-inch display, advanced AI software, and a larger battery.

AppWizard

December 5, 2024

Android 15’s first major update has arrived

New features are being introduced to Android phones and Pixel devices, including: - Expressive Captions: Descriptive video captions that include annotations for non-verbal moments, such as [gasp] or [applause]. - Lookout App Enhancements: The Lookout app will now feature the Gemini 1.5 model for more detailed audio descriptions of photos and objects for users with low vision or blindness. - Gemini Assistant Expansions: New extensions for Gemini Assistant, including a Spotify extension for music playback and a Utilities extension for performing tasks like making calls and sending emails. - Pixel 9 Features: The call screening feature now includes contextual reply suggestions, and the Screenshots app allows users to save searches made with the Circle to Search feature and suggests search phrases based on saved screenshots. - Updates for Previous Pixel Models: Features like Identity Check for additional security are rolling out for Pixel 6 and newer devices. - Compatibility: The updates are not linked to Android 15 and are supported by various earlier Android versions.