To celebrate the holiday season, Google has announced a plethora of new features coming to Android in the upcoming weeks. Google Photos, Wear OS, and other parts of the system will all be influenced by these updates.
- Cast to watch on Google TV
The Google TV app will now allow you to cast content directly to your TV with a single tap. You’ll be able to browse for content on your phone while you are watching something on the TV and also use your phone as a remote control.
- New reading mode on Android
Android’s new Reading mode brings accessibility features for a better reading experience. You can customize the display font type, size, color, text-to-speech and playback speed.
- New YouTube Home screen Search widget
Easily access content from YouTube on your home screen with a quick tap. The new YouTube Home screen widget lets you access your subscription feed, favorite videos and Shorts right from your home screen.
- Digital Car Key sharing
Compatible digital car keys can now be shared to other Google Pixel phones or iPhones via your phone’s digital wallet app.
- New festive photo designs in Google Photos
Google Photos is getting new festive photo design options created by Yao Cheng Design. Users can pick their own photos and then have them arranged in one of several new design options.
- New emoji sticker options
You can now combine more emojis into stickers via Gboard.
- New Wear OS features
Wear OS Tiles are easy to navigate shortcuts to apps like contacts, Google Maps, Weather. Google Keep has been updated with an improved look that’s better look suited to smartwatch screens. Adidas Running now supports Google Assitant voice commands.
Availability
All the above-mentioned new features will be rolled out in the coming weeks.