Latest Android features to look out for

Android is the world’s most popular mobile operating system. The smartphones running Android has been at the bleeding edge of technological innovation, not only because of the hardware powering them, but also because of the software that makes the new technology work well. With every release of a new version of Android, Google tends to introduce several advanced features that further elevate your smartphone experience.

With the release of Android 14 last year and some incremental updates that followed, Android has only gotten better. Every new release of Android has focussed on delivering improved privacy, security, and performance. However, the Android 14 release brings improved experience for larger screens like tablets and foldables. Here is a look at the latest Android features you can experience on your new smartphone.

1. Chat with Gemini in Messages

Earlier this year, Google brought its AI model or large language model called Gemini to its messaging application. The feature rolled out in beta in English allows users to access Gemini right in Google Messages on their Android smartphone. The feature builds on the fundamental idea of generative AI.

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With the release of Chat with Gemini, Google Messages users can use the generative AI tech to draft messages. The feature can also be used to brainstorm ideas, plan events or simply quiz the brain behind this AI model. It is not much different from trying Gemini on the web, but the ease of using the model without leaving the Messages app might win you over. Do remember though that your Chat with Gemini isn’t end-to-end encrypted.

2. Uninterrupted Spotify with new casting controls

Another new feature that will appeal to a lot of Android users is the new uninterrupted Spotify experience. The output switcher on Android’s home screen already helps users to easily switch between their devices when playing YouTube Music.

Whether it’s your phone speaker, headphones, smart speakers, or TV, the output switcher makes it easy to choose the output device. Now, Google is extending that support to Spotify. So when you are playing media on Spotify, the output switcher will now show Spotify Connect devices. It is a great tool that eliminates the need to go to the app to simply switch the output device.

3. Handwritten markups in Google Docs

With Google Docs markups, you can now add handwritten annotations to Docs using just your finger or stylus from your Android smartphone or tablet. There is a selection of markup tools to choose from including different pen colours and highlighters. The new feature is designed to make reviewing documents and providing feedback fast, flexible, and easy.

4. Emoji Kitchen Stickers in Gboard

Whether it’s Apple’s iOS or Google’s Android, new emojis have become table stakes with the new software version. While expanding on the current set of emojis is an obvious choice for software makers, Google wants to put the power of emoji customisation in the hands of its users.

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With Emoji Kitchen Stickers in Gboard, you no longer have to respond to that text message from your friend with a grinning face. The feature allows Gboard users to remix their favourite emoji and share them as stickers. The feature seems limited to compatible emoji and might require a download, but it is a fun way to respond.

5. Improved accessibility

For years, smartphone operating systems haven’t been designed with accessibility in mind but that is changing really fast. Google has updated Android with new accessibility features including image captions in Lookout, a feature designed with blind and low-vision communities. With this feature, Android users can listen to auto-generated AI descriptions of photos, online images, and pictures included in messages.

There is an enhanced screen reader support for Lens in Maps that helps users explore and identify nearby places like ATMs, restaurants, and transit stations. All you need to do is point your phone’s camera at your surroundings and TalkBack will read the place’s information out loud like its business hours, rating or directions on how to get there. Finally, Google has stopped putting hearing aids in the same group as other Bluetooth devices.

6. Seamless logging in with a security key

If you use the FIDO2 security key then Google has added an option to set a custom PIN on your FIDO2 security keys for websites or apps that request user verification. This is another step towards a world where you don’t need to deal with entering or remembering cumbersome passwords.

This new custom PIN feature for FIDO2 security keys also adds a layer of security wherein your information won’t be compromised even if your physical key is lost or stolen. Even if someone gains unauthorised access to your physical key, they will need the custom PIN to use your credentials.

7. Enhanced security

One of the ways Google is protecting Android users from malware that targets older versions of its mobile operating system is by limiting app installations. With Android 14, Google won’t let you install older apps from Android 5.1 and earlier. This paired with authentication with passkeys is Google’s way of further enhancing security on Android. Sure, Google needs to do its bit to ensure more devices run the latest version of Android but it is a step in the right direction.

8. Data protection

With the release of Android 14, Google will send users a monthly warning when apps have changed their data-sharing habits. Let’s admit that we cannot keep track of what apps and games are doing with our data. Most of the time we install an app, give access to necessary permissions and forget about it.

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The release of Android 14 ensures that the permissions you granted based on their policy at the time of installing the app are not exploited. This is particularly useful if your favourite app is acquired by another company or the app developer changes their policies. This will prevent your data from falling into the hands of advertisers or third parties without your consent.

9. Improved battery life

Nothing major but Google has brought some efficiency improvements to Android that will reduce battery drain on your smartphone. There are underlying improvements to how Android handles background tasks, downloads, and uploads, alongside other tweaks. While these improvements should result in additional screen time, Google has also reportedly brought back “screen time since last full charge” in the battery settings menu.

10. Better apps for large screens

Android really stands out for the variety it offers in terms of hardware. Now that foldable devices are becoming mainstream, there was this persistent issue with how apps scaled on different form factors. With Android 14, Google’s first action was to help developers build apps that dynamically adapted to different screen sizes. This is an attempt to make apps work better across smartphones, foldable phones, and tablets.

These are some of the latest features being introduced by Google with Android 14 but not all features will arrive on your device right away. There is a possibility that your smartphone maker will have their own interpretation of these features. But one thing is certain, even after 15 years of its introduction, Google has not run out of ideas when it comes to its mobile operating system.