Android 16, WearOS 6 to bring Material-3 UI, Gemini AI features and more

Ahead of Google I/O 2025, Android team has confirmed that the Gemini AI is coming to Pixel Watch, Google TVs, Android Auto devices and cars with built-in Google system.

File Photo: Google is expected to pre-pone the Android OS update release by a few months in 2025.

[In Picture: Android bot displayed at Google I/O Connect Bengaluru 2024 event.]

Credit: DH Photo/KVN Rohit

With an active user base of more than three billion in 190 nations, Android is the most popular mobile OS platform in the world.

Now, Google's Android team is bringing all-new features with Android 16 OS and Wear OS 6 later this year.

Android has incorporated the Material-3 (M3) Expressive design system in the new Android 16. It is expected to be massive upgrades to the Android design system since the launch of Material design concept in 2014.

It will be more fluid in terms of smooth transition, a natural expressive animation while launching an app or while switching between apps. And, in some compatible phones, it will support haptic rumble to offer a physical tactile feel for the fingers while navigating on the phone's display.

The Android 16 will bring updated colour themes, a refined home screen grid and more customisable options.

Also, Android 16 ensures the device gets faster and more responsive and does not affect the battery life.

Material-3 Expressive Design system.

Credit: Google

Another notable new feature coming with Android 16 is the live updates. It offers options to certain apps such as cab service, food delivery and e-commerce to show live feed on the lock screen about the latest status update of the delivery or estimated time of arrival of the taxi.

Even the new WearOS 6 will get several aforementioned features too. The big new feature is the Gemini AI support.

Users will be able to ask Gemini for all their queries just by lifting the wrist. There is no requirement to remember any particular command phrase to get a task done. Users can speak naturally to Gemini AI similar to how two individuals speak to each other. Gemini AI can understand complex questions and be able to deliver apt answers.

Google Gemini AI on Pixel Watch 3.

Credit: Google

Also, Gemini AI is capable of understanding queries in more than 40 international languages including Hindi in India.

Further, Gemini is also coming to Android Auto and Cars with a built-in Google system.

Also, Google TV devices and soon-to-be-launched Android XR from Samsung will support Gemini Live.

All the Android-powered devices will also be getting several Anti-fraud and scam detection features on the Android messages app. It will work entirely on-device and no information will leave the device.

Another big Android update is the Find Hub. It will be the new one-stop destination to view all the connected Android devices including Bluetooth-based tags and to see the live locations of the family members and friends, provided they have granted permission to access it.

Moto Tags will be the first of the smart tag devices to support Find Hub.

More details will be revealed during the Google I/O 2025 event, which is slated to kick off on May 21, 2025.

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