Google has officially begun rolling out the first public beta of Android 16, marking the start of a new era for the Android ecosystem with several exciting new features. The beta, which is set to be released in four stages ahead of the full launch in Q2 2025, introduces dynamic lockscreen notifications and advanced app resizing capabilities, designed specifically for foldables and tablets.
Dynamic Notifications for Real-Time Updates
One of the standout features in this initial beta is the introduction of Live Updates, a new notification system that provides real-time updates for ongoing activities such as food delivery, ride-sharing, and navigation. These notifications, which are pinned at the top of the notification stack, allow users to quickly access time-sensitive information.
This feature draws clear parallels to Apple’s Live Activities, first introduced in 2022, and Samsung’s Now Bar, unveiled with the Galaxy S25. While Apple and Samsung support a wide range of use cases, Google is initially focusing on progress trackers for specific use cases, including ride-sharing and food delivery apps.
Enhanced App Resizing for Larger Screens
As foldables and tablets continue to rise in popularity, Android 16 delivers a significant upgrade to enhance the user experience on these larger displays. Developers can no longer lock app size or orientation, ensuring apps dynamically adjust to fit the screen, providing full-screen functionality and seamless multitasking. Although games are exempt from this update, developers have until Android 17 in 2026 to fully adapt their apps for this functionality.
Google showcased this improvement with examples of apps that now automatically resize, offering a more fluid experience for users on foldables and tablets.
Additional Features in Android 16 Beta
In addition to the core updates mentioned above, the Android 16 beta also introduces several notable enhancements:
Advanced Professional Video (APV) Codec: Improved video playback quality, supporting higher resolutions and better overall viewing experiences.
Scene Detection for Night Mode: Camera apps will now automatically detect scenes and switch to night mode for optimal photography in low-light conditions.
Enhanced Vertical Text Rendering: This feature ensures better support for Asian languages, improving readability for users in regions that use vertical text.
Richer Haptic Feedback: Offering a more immersive and responsive experience through haptic technology.
Health Connect App: A secure method for sharing medical data across compatible devices, further enhancing user privacy and security.
These features build upon improvements teased in earlier developer betas, including an upgraded photo picker menu for better management of images and files.
Expanding AI Integration
Android 16 also sees Google intensifying its focus on AI, particularly through expanded support for Gemini Extensions, its advanced AI assistant. Currently, Gemini is capable of managing tasks across apps like Spotify, WhatsApp, and select Samsung applications. Google has promised broader compatibility in future updates, furthering its vision of seamless AI integration across the Android ecosystem.
Availability and Release Schedule
The Android 16 beta is available starting today for Google Pixel devices from the Pixel 6 onwards, as well as the Pixel Tablet. The accelerated release schedule places the full rollout of Android 16 in Q2 2025, ahead of the traditional Q3 release cycle.
As Android 16 continues to evolve over the course of the upcoming beta phases, users can look forward to even more features and improvements, making this update one of the most eagerly anticipated Android releases in recent years.
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