Google has officially launched the first public beta of Android 16, providing early testers the opportunity to experience the latest version of the company’s operating system before its full release. This beta introduces a host of new features and significant updates aimed at enhancing the overall user experience. Among the most exciting updates are dynamic notifications for live activities and a concerted effort to optimize apps for larger screens, such as those found on foldable devices and tablets. These changes underscore Google’s commitment to improving Android’s functionality and user experience across all types of devices.
One of the standout features in Android 16 is Live Updates, a new notification system designed to deliver real-time information to users. The feature primarily focuses on helping users keep track of ongoing activities such as ride-sharing, food deliveries, and navigation, offering a more efficient way to stay updated. Live Updates are Android's answer to Apple’s Live Activities, a feature introduced in 2022. While Apple’s Live Activities support a wide range of notifications — from sports scores to shopping alerts — Google has taken a more focused approach with its version. Currently, Android’s Live Updates are designed to handle progress tracking for specific apps, offering users timely and relevant information on their ongoing activities. The feature aims to make users’ lives more convenient by providing updates in real-time for important tasks that require immediate attention.
In terms of presentation, Android 16’s Live Updates are designed to appear at the top of the notification stack. This simple and intuitive layout aligns with Android’s philosophy of maintaining a clean, user-friendly design. On the other hand, Samsung’s Galaxy S25 phones introduced a similar live notification feature called the Now Bar during its Galaxy Unpacked event. The Now Bar is a floating bar located at the bottom of the lock screen, which displays updates from various apps, including sports scores, and serves a similar purpose to Android’s Live Updates. While both systems offer real-time information, the key difference lies in their design approach — Android’s Live Updates stay true to the platform’s minimalist style, while Samsung’s Now Bar provides a more interactive, screen-positioned experience for users.
Another notable addition in Android 16 is the emphasis on improving app resizability. As part of this update, developers are required to make their apps resizable to ensure better compatibility with devices that have larger screens, such as tablets and foldable phones. This means that apps will now open in full-screen mode when used on larger displays, improving the overall multitasking experience. For developers, this update ensures that Android apps will be better optimized for the growing number of devices with non-traditional screen sizes. Currently, developers can opt out of this requirement, but by the time Android 17 is released in 2026, making apps resizable will be a mandatory requirement — with the notable exception of games.
Android 16 doesn’t stop at improving app layout; it also brings a host of other new features. One of these is support for the Advanced Professional Video (APV) codec, which enhances video handling on Android devices, offering improved quality for users who enjoy consuming or creating high-definition media. The update also includes vertical text rendering, a much-needed feature for languages that are written vertically, making it easier for users who read languages like Chinese, Japanese, and Korean to interact with their devices. Additionally, scene detection in the camera apps is a noteworthy addition, with the system now automatically triggering night mode when low-light conditions are detected, resulting in better photographs in darker environments.
In terms of user experience, Android 16 continues to build upon features introduced in earlier developer betas, such as richer haptic feedback controls and a more intuitive photo picker menu. It also introduces the Health Connect app, which allows users to share medical data across different apps securely, giving users more control over their health data and privacy.
Another key development in Android 16 is the advancement of Google’s Gemini AI assistant. This version of Gemini now supports multi-app prompts, enabling users to interact with the assistant across a wider range of apps. While compatibility is still limited to Google apps, select apps from Samsung, and third-party platforms like Spotify and WhatsApp, Google has promised that broader support will be rolled out shortly. The integration of Gemini into Android’s core functions is a clear indication of the growing importance of artificial intelligence in enhancing the Android ecosystem. By introducing multi-app support, Google is moving closer to delivering a seamless, AI-powered experience that can assist users across different platforms and applications.
For those eager to test Android 16, the public beta is currently available for Pixel 6 and newer devices, as well as the Pixel Tablet. Users who prefer to wait for a stable experience will not have to wait long — Google plans to release the stable version of Android 16 by Q2 2025, a departure from its typical late-summer release schedule. This earlier release timeline demonstrates Google’s commitment to getting feedback from users during the beta phase and delivering a polished final version of the operating system.
Overall, Android 16 introduces a wealth of new features that continue to push the boundaries of what an operating system can do. From real-time notifications and app optimization to the expansion of AI functionality, the new update highlights Google’s ongoing dedication to improving Android for a wide range of devices and use cases. With Android 16, users can expect a more fluid and optimized experience, whether they’re interacting with everyday apps or using the system’s cutting-edge AI capabilities. As the operating system continues to evolve, it will be exciting to see how Android 16 shapes the future of mobile technology and app development.
