Google rolls out Android 16’s first public beta, launches dynamic notifications, AI assistants, foldable optimisations – Firstpost

Google has launched the primary public beta of Android 16, providing a sneak peek on the subsequent iteration of the working system. This replace brings some thrilling modifications, together with dynamic notifications for dwell actions, improved help for foldable units and tablets, and an elevated give attention to making apps extra versatile throughout completely different display screen sizes. As extra units incorporate bigger and foldable screens, these enhancements purpose to offer customers with a smoother expertise when switching between completely different display screen sorts.

The general public beta introduces a number of notable options that may change the way in which customers work together with Android. Stay Updates, a characteristic just like Apple’s Stay Actions, enable customers to trace real-time actions like ride-sharing, meals deliveries, and navigation immediately from their notifications. Android 16 focuses on particular app actions, maintaining customers up to date with related, progress-tracking data. This method contrasts with Apple’s broader help for numerous dwell actions, however Android’s answer stays aligned with its cleaner, extra streamlined notification design.

Dynamic notifications

Android 16 introduces a dynamic notification characteristic known as Stay Updates, designed to maintain customers knowledgeable about ongoing actions in real-time. Whether or not it’s a meals supply, a ride-sharing replace, or a navigation tracker, these notifications will sit on the high of the notification panel, offering fast and related data with out overcrowding the display screen. In contrast to Apple’s Stay Actions, which caters to a variety of dwell updates equivalent to sports activities scores or procuring alerts, Android’s Stay Updates give attention to progress-tracking notifications that give customers solely the important particulars.

Along with this, Samsung’s Galaxy S25 additionally launched an identical characteristic known as the Now Bar, which reveals dwell updates as a floating bar on the lock display screen. Android’s model, nonetheless, opts for an easier method by positioning Stay Updates immediately within the notification stack for simpler entry.

Improved help for foldables and bigger screens

Android 16 brings important enhancements to how apps operate on foldable units and tablets. The brand new replace requires builders to make their apps resizable, guaranteeing they operate effectively on giant screens. This implies apps will open in full-screen mode on bigger units, giving customers a seamless expertise when utilizing tablets or foldable telephones.

At present, builders can decide out of this requirement, however by Android 17, this may turn out to be a compulsory characteristic, apart from video games. This transfer is designed to make multitasking simpler and enhance the general efficiency of apps on bigger screens.

New options and Gemini AI assistant

Android 16 additionally introduces a number of different notable options. The APV (Superior Skilled Video) codec is now supported, which improves video high quality, significantly for skilled content material. There’s additionally higher vertical textual content rendering, scene detection for computerized night time mode in digital camera apps, and extra refined haptic controls. Moreover, the Well being Join app now allows customers to securely share medical information throughout apps, offering higher integration for well being monitoring.

Google can be increasing its Gemini AI assistant, which now helps multi-app prompts. Whereas Gemini at present works with a restricted variety of Google and third-party apps like Spotify and WhatsApp, Google plans to roll out broader help within the close to future.

The Android 16 public beta is offered for Pixel 6 and newer units, in addition to the Pixel Pill. For individuals who choose to attend, the steady model is anticipated to launch by Q2 this 12 months, forward of Google’s typical late-summer launch timeline.