All Android phone users set for big free software | Tech News

For the longest time, Android telephones had been the wild west when it got here to software updates. Unless you got a Google Pixel (or Nexus back within the day), there was little readability on once you’d get the most recent Android options – if in any respect.

Luckily, that’s not the case in 2026. Google nonetheless builds Android’s newest options, however the firm works a lot nearer with different Android phone makers to make sure these perks roll out quicker than ever.

That means in case you have a phone made by Samsung, Xiaomi, Motorola, Honor or Oppo, you must see sure options come your means, even when they launch on Google Pixel first.

Google’s newest replace to Android has simply been introduced, and the company mentioned it’s introducing seven new issues that improve personalisation or security.

The means Android works these days means in case you have a comparatively new handset, you need to be getting these options quickly. That’s as a result of they work as core elements of the software expertise or within Google apps, moderately than optionally available extras that producers can select to implement or not.

Fake call detection

The first replace is pretend call detection. Scammers are getting cleverer, and it’s now attainable to obtain calls from people impersonating your contacts. Phones with Android 12 or later will quickly be good enough to detect when a call is pretend after you decide up, because the system can detect AI deepfakes, a technology that may impersonate voices.

It’s scary stuff, however Android ought to be on call to help you out.

Circle to Search outfits

A more enjoyable new function is one I’ve already used, which is utilizing Circle to Search to determine clothes gadgets precisely. Circle to Search works on most Android telephones by holding the underside bar (or Home Button) to freeze your screen. You then use your finger to circle what you wish to Google image search.

In the advert, Paris Hilton makes use of it to determine a Karl Lagerfeld gown from a social media post. In a humbling flip of occasions, my major use is figuring out real retro soccer shirts on Vinted.

Google Photos wardrobe

In addition, Google Photos will quickly allow you to just about attempt on garments. This works by cataloguing particular person clothes gadgets you’re sporting from images of you in your library after which turning them into a digital wardrobe the place you possibly can attempt totally different combos on an avatar of your self.

You’ll both discover it inspiring or dystopian. Perhaps it may be each.

Personal Safety app

If you may have given an Android phone to your baby who’s below 13, they may quickly be getting more options within the Personal Safety app, which can have the ability to show any related medical data and emergency contacts in case of an emergency. These particulars may be accessed by anybody from the phone’s lock screen.

Children will even have the ability to activate car crash detection that may routinely call emergency providers and set emergency contacts within the occasion of an accident.

Google additionally mentioned older teenage Android users will have the ability to use the Personal Safety app to share their location in actual time in an emergency and use Safety Check. This is when you possibly can set Android to alert your contact should you don’t verify in at a sure anticipated time.

Book Insights

In a change of tempo, Google is paying some consideration to its Kindle rival app Google Play Books by including an AI function known as Book Insights. It provides recaps of what you’ve learn up to now, which received’t reveal spoilers for what you haven’t learn but (hopefully).

You can even spotlight passages after which ask questions on themes, context or characters. It’s out there in “select English titles” based on Google, together with free titles which are out there because the copyright has lapsed.

Quick Share with AirDrop

Finally, Android works with AirDrop. It’s already performing on some units, however Google is working to convey it to more handsets as quickly as attainable. It works identical to AirDrop does with Apple units, by utilizing the Bluetooth and Wi-Fi radios on every phone to set up a short-term bridge to wirelessly switch images, video and different paperwork. Rejoice.

Emoji Kitchen

This is a sluggish burn function that I assumed was throwaway after I first heard about it, however really is one of the more enjoyable latest additions to Android.

It works routinely with Gboard, which is the default keyboard on many Android telephones however isn’t on Samsung Galaxy units – so make sure to put in and allow Gboard if needed. You then kind any two emojis into the textual content discipline and your phone will create a number of emojis by combining the look of the 2 chosen. Google’s instance is a rat and a coronary heart, which mixed makes the rat maintain the center. You actually can decide any two, so you will get a poo crying, a child’s bottle with sun shades or a detective with a car for a head with a magnifying glass. To show I actually created that final one:

All these options are both already rolling out to Android telephones, or will likely be within the coming weeks.