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Android users are brace to receivenearly a 12 new featuresin the latest firing of the nomadic operating system , including updates designed for smartphones , tablet , fatigue OS smartwatches and even Google TV equipment . Alongside the launch , Google is celebrate a newfangled RCS milepost of over 1 billion monthly combat-ready users of the SMS replacement technology — which Apple , front regulatory press , has begrudginglynow harmonize to support .
That figure is up from 800 million monthly active user in May 2023 , Google also noted .
Among the highlights from the newfangled variation of Android are several improvements to message , including a beta feature called “ Voice Moods ” that add together a colourful ground and emoji theme to your articulation messages so recipient get a better sensation of your emotions , whether that ’s surprise , laughing , feeling loved and more .
Google Messages will also gain “ Reaction Effects , ” another beta feature that will create a full - blind animated emoji — somewhat similar to themessage consequence featureon Apple ’s iMessage , but design to respond to an individual subject matter instead of a simple-minded thumbs up , for object lesson .
Plus , Google ’s Emoji Kitchen — the lineament that let users remix emojis into new combinations — will include new stumper combination that can be share as stickers via the Gboard keyboard app .
Across other Android platforms , smartwatch users will now be able-bodied to verify their smart home gimmick and light-colored groups from their watch ’s lowly covert . This includes smart appliances like automaton vacuums and mops . Users can also set the mood by adjusting their promiscuous group for unlike themes — like focus time , reading , dinner and more . In addition , users will be capable to correct their Google Home position to “ Home ” or “ off ” from their smartwatch , shutting lights off , turning cameras on and operate threshold and more when leave , and the reverse upon their return .
While not yet usable at launch , another smart base feature film coming soon will let Wear OS user to start their Assistant Routines from their watch using articulation commands . That way , they could say something like “ permute to workplace ” that launches piloting , checks the weather condition and reads their Clarence Day ’s agenda from their calendar , for deterrent example .
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The watch will also gain a new “ Assistant At a Glance ” shortcut that will show you authoritative information like weather and change of location alarum , consequence reminder , and more , standardised to theSiri determine faceon the Apple Watch .
The update additionally brings accessibility and security improvements , including an AI - power TalkBack characteristic that will use AI to create a verbal description of ikon that do n’t have accurate text description and understand it aloud for blind and low - imagination users . Over the next few weeks , the Live Captions calling feature article , which adds caption to phone margin call , will patronise more language and users will be able-bodied to respond during a call by texting a reception .
On the security side , users will be able to set a impost PIN on their FIDO2 security key for websites or apps that quest user check , allowing passwordless logins .
Meanwhile , Android - power Google TV will reach more than 10 fresh free channel to round out the batting order , which now includes over 100 free channels boast pic , plot shows , sports and more .
Google says the features will somewhat vary ground on the platform and individual requirements . For instance , the Wear OS updates are for Wear OS 3 + , while the Live Captions update is available for Android 10 + , and the Talkback update is for Android 11 + .
In a separate announcement , Google also sharedmore Messages - specific update , including Photomoji which turns your photos ’ subject into stickers via on - gadget AI , another feature that ’s similar to one available on iOS , Screen Effects ( another lineament found in iMessage ) , tradition bubbles ( exchange the bubble color and backdrop for conversations ) , animated emoji , user profiles and more .
