Home
News
You are here

Google shares new Android features and updates for your smartphones, watches, and TV devices

By Johanna Romero

Published: Nov 30, 2023, 6:08 PM

0comments

Google shares new Android features and updates for your smartphones, watches, and TV devices

Android is introducing a suite of new features and updates designed to enhance device personalization, accessibility, and overall user experience. These updates span across Android smartphones, tablets, Wear OS smartwatches, and Google TV devices, and are in addition to the new Google Messages app and RCS features that were also announced today.

Express Yourself with New Emoji Kitchen Combinations

Android users can now express themselves in more creative ways with new Emoji Kitchen sticker combinations and Voice Moods. Emoji Kitchen allows users to remix their favorite emoji into unique stickers.

Using Emoji Kitchen on an Android phone to create and share a camera emoji mashed up with a tongue-out happy face emoji.

Source: The Keyword

More Free Google TV Channels

Google TV is expanding its free TV channel offerings with over 10 new channels, providing users with more entertainment options without additional subscriptions. This brings Google TV's free channel lineup count up to 115.

Exploring free TV channels on Google TV.

Source: The Keyword

Enhanced Wear OS Smart Home Controls, Smart Home Status, and Assistant Routines

Wear OS smartwatches now offer enhanced smart home controls, allowing users to control multiple lights simultaneously and set the mood for various occasions. They can also easily set their Google Home status to Home or Away, ensuring that smart home devices are configured accordingly. Additionally, Assistant Routines are coming soon to Wear OS, allowing users to start routines with voice commands for a more hands-free experience.

Using Google Home on a Wear OS smartwatch to change the colors of multiple lights at one time.

Using Google Home on a Wear OS smartwatch to change home presence from Home to Away.

Using Google Assistant on a Wear OS smartwatch to start a Routine by saying “Hey Google, commuting to work” and then the watch displays the weather, that day’s calendar, and that it’s playing music on the phone.

Source: The Keyword

Enhanced Security and Accessibility Features

Android is also introducing new features to enhance security and accessibility. Users can now set custom PINs for FIDO2 security keys, providing an additional layer of protection for online accounts. Additionally, TalkBack is gaining AI-powered image descriptions, enabling users who are blind and low-vision to understand the content of images.

Setting up a security key with a custom PIN to authenticate access to a website.

Source: The Keyword

Live Captions for Phone Calls and Media

Live Caption is expanding its language support, making it more accessible to users worldwide. Additionally, users will soon be able to reply to phone calls with text messages, enabling them to communicate without needing to hear or speak.

View Full Bio

Johanna 'Jojo the Techie' is a skilled mobile technology expert with over 15 years of hands-on experience, specializing in the Google ecosystem and Pixel devices. Known for her user-friendly approach, she leverages her vast tech support background to provide accessible and insightful coverage on latest technology trends. As a recognized thought leader and official member of #TeamPixel, Johanna ensures she stays at the forefront of Google services and products, making her a reliable source for all things Pixel and ChromeOS.