Google Reveals Android 16: Important Features You Need to Know
Android 16 Beta 2, which includes new privacy features and enhanced photography capabilities like hybrid auto-exposure mode and UltraHDR HEIC photos, is now available to developers and testers. The update is now available on a select few Google Pixel smartphones (Pixel 6 and later), with a stable version expected in Q2 2025.
Updates for Android 16
New privacy enhancements are available to you. Additionally, the stable version of Android 16 is anticipated to be made available to qualified Google Pixel handsets by the business.
A new hybrid auto-exposure mode is now available to developers. Access to auto-exposure adjustments is made possible by this. Consequently, you can modify the exposure time and ISO. The Camera2 API includes these modifications. Enhancing the Android smartphone experience for expert users is the goal.
In the future, professional video recording software will also be able to precisely change the white balance according to the associated colour temperature.
Android 16’s Privacy and Health Features
New safeguards against intent redirection attacks, which allow a maliciously designed app to access private files or components, will be included in Android 16. For a more immersive appearance, developers will have to extend their apps’ content to the screen’s edges since they will no longer be able to choose not to use edge-to-edge display mode.
Play services, Play Store, and Play system updates for Wear OS, Google/Android TV, Android phones and tablets, PCs, and cars.
New Camera Tools
Numerous new photography capabilities, many targeted at professionals, are being introduced by Android 16.
A new hybrid auto-exposure option, which falls halfway between the existing automated and full manual settings, lets users manually adjust ISO and exposure time while the phone takes care of exposure.
A Fresh Shortcut for Google Wallet
For Google Wallet users, Google has included a convenient new shortcut with Android 16 Beta 2 that will save time while using your smartphone to make purchases.
Double-pressing the power button, which on the majority of Android phones opens the camera by default, may now be used to launch the Google Wallet app.
Improved App Resizing
With Android 16, apps will no longer be able to restrict the size and orientation of their screens on larger screens, like those on tablets or the inner screen of folding phones. As a result, users of these devices should be able to enjoy a greater variety of apps and programs that better use huge panels.
Real-time Updates
With Android’s upcoming version, a new notification type called Live Updates will be available. Its purpose is to assist users monitor events and other live happenings as they happen by placing a notification on the lock screen that takes precedence over other notifications.
Extensions for Gemini
The Android Developers Blog simply explained that Google is “working to make this functionality available on even more form factors”.
