Whereas we watch for Android 14’s steady launch, Google has determined to grace its customers with an up to date brand for the upcoming Android model. The working system has a brand new look, and the corporate is rolling out a number of new options to rejoice the event. They embrace AI enhancements for the At a Look widget and Lookout, one among Android’s accessibility instruments. You may as well add a library card to your Google Pockets and take extra convention calls within the automobile.
Android rebrands
Android has been in a years-long transformation to determine its aesthetic and the way it desires to current itself as a platform. It could have lastly discovered its look. Google has formally rebranded Android with a brand new look and enhancements to the long-lasting inexperienced Android determine. The emblem has been up to date in order that Android is now current with a capital “A,” which Google mentioned makes the letter stand out extra prominently towards the remainder of the letters. The brand new brand has “extra curves” and “persona”; Google even exhibits how the brand new “Android” brand matches squarely on high of the Google brand, suggesting a unification between the father or mother model and cellular platform that hasn’t been current in a while.
Fortunately, Google didn’t cast off the bug droid, Android’s longtime mascot. The Android robotic is extra three-dimensional than ever, and it’s again to displaying off its complete physique as an alternative of simply its head, as the brand has been the previous few years. You may take a look at Google’s post if you wish to learn the entire story behind the brand new look.
Android’s AI-enhanced enhancements
To commemorate this new search for Android, Google is including a number of new options, and it doesn’t appear unique to Pixel smartphone customers. The brand new At a Glance widget could have extra outstanding iconography and an additional info line. The pattern smartphone displaying off the characteristic is a Samsung Galaxy S23 Extremely, together with Samsung’s OneUI fashion of icons within the Residence row.
I noticed how helpful At a Look might be whereas flying final week—getting the small print you want whereas dashing to get someplace is tremendous useful. However I missed it on the high of my Residence Display as a result of it doesn’t stand out a lot. This new tweak will give the characteristic extra prominence on the Residence display screen, exactly the purpose. Google desires you to see its AI enhancements working in plain sight.
Android customers who’re visually impaired and depend on apps like Lookout for help are additionally getting a hefty replace beginning in the present day. AI will assist the Picture Q&A characteristic on Lookout generate extra detailed descriptions of what’s forward or on display screen. When you’ve inputted your picture, you may ask questions by way of textual content or voice to know the picture’s context. Lookout additionally provides 11 new languages to its repertoire, together with Japanese, Korean, and Chinese language. It now helps 24 languages.
Library playing cards in Google Pockets
Admittedly, I don’t have a library account. I exploit my daughter’s card for all the things from trying out books in individual to grabbing audiobooks off Libby. However it’s inconvenient after I don’t have her card close by, particularly when she desires a spontaneous journey to choose up new books.
This newest characteristic drop helps you to digitize passes with a barcode or QR code that solely works in particular settings, together with library playing cards and gymnasium passes. All you must do is snap a picture of the go for Pockets to retailer it.
A couple of extra issues
Android Auto customers, I perceive having to take a convention name within the automobile when you’re in bumper-to-bumper site visitors. That doesn’t change the truth that we want higher infrastructure in order that we’re not having to juggle such a factor whereas behind the wheel. However on the very least, Android Auto can now handle each Webex and Zoom calls natively, so you should use the large display screen in your automobile to handle the decision as an alternative of pawing at a smaller cellphone display screen.
Those that use Fitbit and Google Match can now hear your sleep outcomes as a part of your every day wake-up routine with the Assistant.
The brand new look to Android will begin popping up in future software program updates and cellphone releases. And the brand new options ought to begin rolling out to everybody this week.
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