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Google's latest updates include a smattering of features for Pixels and other Android phones.
Material 3 Expressive is rolling out. Credit: Ryan Whitwam
Google has spent the last few weeks hyping up its new Pixel 10 phones, which are very nice devices. They're just not a big leap over last year's phones. If you've decided to hang onto your Android phone a bit longer, there are some new goodies headed your way. If you've got a Pixel, Google's revamped Material 3 Expressive interface is rolling out.
Google's Pixel Drop updates, which arrive quarterly, are not quite a new version of Android, but they include more than the bug fixes and security patches you get in other monthly updates. The September Pixel Drop (previously tested as Android 16 QPR1) is beginning its rollout today with one big change and a few little ones.
At the top of the list is the new Material 3 Expressive interface. Google revealed Material 3 in May, promising it would come to Android 16 phones later, but it didn't intend to include it with the initial OS release. Indeed, Android 16 launched without Material 3 earlier this summer. Google's new Pixel 10 series shipped with the new UI, and now more of the Pixel lineup is following.
Material 3 Expressive comes to more phones.
Google says it's adding Material 3 Expressive to all of its phones from the Pixel 6 onward. This interface makes better use of theme colors, which are automatically extracted from your wallpaper. Google also included more bouncy animations, resizable quick settings, custom call screens, and more. While Google didn't mention it, the new update should also have the new desktop mode experience.
Pixel phones are also getting a few more features for connected accessories. Later this month, Google will enable Adaptive Audio on the Pixel Buds Pro 2. This will allow the buds to adjust volume based on ambient noise levels. If you've got an Android smartwatch paired with your Pixel, Google Maps will open automatically when you begin navigation on your phone.
Updates for the wider Android ecosystem
No Pixel? Don't despair—there are still a few Android-based upgrades on the way. If you use Google's Gboard for text input, you'll soon see some new AI features.
, shocking. However, the new writing tools might be of more use than most generative AI intrusions. Gboard will be able to proofread and rewrite text for you in any app, and all the processing happens on-device for better privacy.
Credit: Google
Android devices are also getting audio sharing over Bluetooth, which relies on Auracast technology. When enabled, you can pair two LE Bluetooth devices to listen to the audio output on a single device. It supports both Fast Pair and QR code pairing for devices. However, LE Audio Auracast is not supported on all phones. Google says you'll see it on the Pixel 8 and newer, Samsung Galaxy S and Z phones from 2023 and later, and recent Xiaomi and POCO models. Auracast can also be used for shared audio at events and venues.
Lastly, Google is rolling out a redesign of the Quick Share dialog, which is supported on most Android devices. It makes toggling between sending and receiving easier, and it includes image previews and transfer progress indicators.
The new Androidify
While this isn't part of any pending system update, Google has also taken the opportunity to announce that it has revived Androidify. Some years back, this tool allowed you to mix and match Android-themed pieces to create Bugdroid characters. The Bugdroid is still around, but the new Androidify has, you guessed it, a healthy dose of generative AI—specifically, Gemini 2.5 Flash and Veo 3. The new Androidify is available as an Android app or a web app. All you have to do is feed it an image or a text prompt to get a custom Bugdroid.
Material 3 Expressive is rolling out. Credit: Ryan Whitwam
Google has spent the last few weeks hyping up its new Pixel 10 phones, which are very nice devices. They're just not a big leap over last year's phones. If you've decided to hang onto your Android phone a bit longer, there are some new goodies headed your way. If you've got a Pixel, Google's revamped Material 3 Expressive interface is rolling out.
Google's Pixel Drop updates, which arrive quarterly, are not quite a new version of Android, but they include more than the bug fixes and security patches you get in other monthly updates. The September Pixel Drop (previously tested as Android 16 QPR1) is beginning its rollout today with one big change and a few little ones.
At the top of the list is the new Material 3 Expressive interface. Google revealed Material 3 in May, promising it would come to Android 16 phones later, but it didn't intend to include it with the initial OS release. Indeed, Android 16 launched without Material 3 earlier this summer. Google's new Pixel 10 series shipped with the new UI, and now more of the Pixel lineup is following.
Material 3 Expressive comes to more phones.
Google says it's adding Material 3 Expressive to all of its phones from the Pixel 6 onward. This interface makes better use of theme colors, which are automatically extracted from your wallpaper. Google also included more bouncy animations, resizable quick settings, custom call screens, and more. While Google didn't mention it, the new update should also have the new desktop mode experience.
Pixel phones are also getting a few more features for connected accessories. Later this month, Google will enable Adaptive Audio on the Pixel Buds Pro 2. This will allow the buds to adjust volume based on ambient noise levels. If you've got an Android smartwatch paired with your Pixel, Google Maps will open automatically when you begin navigation on your phone.
Updates for the wider Android ecosystem
No Pixel? Don't despair—there are still a few Android-based upgrades on the way. If you use Google's Gboard for text input, you'll soon see some new AI features.
, shocking. However, the new writing tools might be of more use than most generative AI intrusions. Gboard will be able to proofread and rewrite text for you in any app, and all the processing happens on-device for better privacy.
Credit: Google
Android devices are also getting audio sharing over Bluetooth, which relies on Auracast technology. When enabled, you can pair two LE Bluetooth devices to listen to the audio output on a single device. It supports both Fast Pair and QR code pairing for devices. However, LE Audio Auracast is not supported on all phones. Google says you'll see it on the Pixel 8 and newer, Samsung Galaxy S and Z phones from 2023 and later, and recent Xiaomi and POCO models. Auracast can also be used for shared audio at events and venues.
Lastly, Google is rolling out a redesign of the Quick Share dialog, which is supported on most Android devices. It makes toggling between sending and receiving easier, and it includes image previews and transfer progress indicators.
The new Androidify
While this isn't part of any pending system update, Google has also taken the opportunity to announce that it has revived Androidify. Some years back, this tool allowed you to mix and match Android-themed pieces to create Bugdroid characters. The Bugdroid is still around, but the new Androidify has, you guessed it, a healthy dose of generative AI—specifically, Gemini 2.5 Flash and Veo 3. The new Androidify is available as an Android app or a web app. All you have to do is feed it an image or a text prompt to get a custom Bugdroid.
