3 Android 16 modifications that simply do not impress me in any respect

Abstract

Android 16 is a welcome improve, however a few of its modifications do not actually matter as a lot as Google may need you to consider.
Materials 3 Expressive is extra daring, however only a new coat of paint with out the OS’s accompanying interface enhancements.
The Discover Hub’s location sharing will not be as helpful as you’d suppose, and Gemini’s usefulness on watches, TVs, and AR headsets stays to be seen in apply.

Upfront, I will admit that I am on document as preferring iPhones as of late. My day by day driver is an

iPhone 16 Pro
. However I’ve owned a number of Android telephones through the years, and I nonetheless admire the platform to at the present time. There are issues that it does higher than iOS — reminiscent of voice instructions — and I like the truth that it is open-source, even when {hardware} makers haven’t got a lot alternative however to license Google providers. It might be unusual to purchase an Android telephone with out Gmail able to go, in any case.

I am wanting ahead to attempting gadgets with

Android 16
pre-loaded. Nevertheless, the interface impresses me as a lot as

iOS 18
did — which is to say, not very a lot. Enhancements are all the time welcome, but primarily based on what Google’s proven to date, its newest OS nonetheless appears like a minor evolution. Let’s discuss just a few examples of what I imply.

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1

Materials 3 Expressive

A brand new coat of (physics-based) paint

Hyperlink Picture

Android 16 definitely seems good. There are up to date dynamic coloration themes, new font kinds, and much more interface animations, together with bounces and ripples for actions like swiping away your notifications. New aesthetics are literally one among my favourite issues about updating any OS, since I get pleasure from personalizing my telephone as a lot as potential — with out critical modding work, anyway.

For all of the hype round Materials 3 Expressive, it is not a radical leap past what you see in Android 15.

My criticism is simply that, for all of the hype round Materials 3 Expressive, it is not a radical leap past what you see in Android 15. If something, what issues extra are Google’s sensible interface modifications, reminiscent of the flexibility to each resize and reorder Fast Settings icons (a la iOS 18’s Management Middle), or monitor deliveries and rideshares through Stay Updates (one other factor borrowed from Apple). A yr from now, persons are going to care way more about checking how quickly their

Uber
goes to reach than what widget colours they’ve obtainable.

I might be stood corrected down the road. Generally, a minimum of, these kinds of interface modifications have a cumulative impact that may’t be conveyed by movies or screenshots. If Android 16 feels genuinely higher to make use of day-to-day because of its visible tweaks, that may depend for one thing.

The Smart Stack on the Apple Watch Series 9 over a yellow background.

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Helpful in idea, however how about in apply?

Sharing personal location via Android 16's Find Hub. — Google

Google

As a complete, I approve of the Discover Hub, a rebrand/redesign of Android’s Discover My Gadgets app. Considered one of its signature options is best sharing of your real-time location with different individuals, in idea, serving to family and friends reunite after they get misplaced, or examine in on one another’s security — say if somebody’s doing a sundown jog or coming again late from a street journey. Sharers can select to time-limit this monitoring or go away it on indefinitely.

Satirically, I feel Discover Hub’s expanded merchandise monitoring is a much bigger deal.

I am certain some individuals will profit significantly, however that is one other characteristic copied from Apple, particularly the Discover My app. And let me say — on my iPhone, my spouse and I virtually by no means use Discover My for following one another, though I am out on the health club three nights per week, and our travels generally take us to the other facet of North America. A telephone name or textual content message is often a pleasant approach of updating somebody on what you are doing, and a few persons are inherently uncomfortable with sharing their exact location over the web, regardless of any Google assurances about encryption. To essentially reap the benefits of Discover Hub, you will additionally want the individuals you are sharing with to have it, too.

Satirically, I feel Discover Hub’s expanded merchandise monitoring is a much bigger deal. Help for UWB (ultra-wideband) will make some gadgets and tag equipment less complicated to seek out, and Google is increasing its companion checklist, for example, including the flexibility to share Bluetooth tag knowledge with choose airways, beginning in 2026. That is one other transfer copied from Apple.

An AirTag with an iPhone 13 Pro on a wooden table.

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3

Gemini coming to extra gadgets

The place’s my Google Nest assist?

Google

Gemini does belong in additional locations, significantly vehicles. Generally it is tough sufficient to decide on music or a preset vacation spot whereas driving, by no means thoughts the stuff you’d usually do in your telephone. With Gemini,

Android Auto
(and the confusingly-named

Android Automotive
) will allow you to use your voice for duties like unearthing an handle buried in Gmail, or finding an EV charging station that additionally has a restaurant close by. When you’re bored or curious, you can ask questions on all the things from the Grand Canyon to the Spanish Inquisition.

I need to like Gemini, however I am not going to be impressed by its wider footprint till I see it in real-world conditions.

The AI assistant is coming to Put on OS, Google TV, and

Android XR
as nicely, however I am skeptical of the way it’ll work on these platforms. Smartwatches generally really feel underpowered for what they’re already working, and I do not know that I belief Gemini for film and present suggestions, not to mention answering questions by exhibiting me YouTube movies. Even well-meaning YouTube channels generally get their details flawed.

Android XR, in the meantime, is an unknown amount, since there are not any appropriate glasses or headsets obtainable to the general public but. After they do arrive, Gemini goes to need to show superb object recognition to be helpful, and that is on prime of minimizing the “hallucinations” (botched solutions) it generally gives. Google suggests utilizing Gemini on Android XR for duties like house enchancment — however there’s some critical hazard potential if it makes errors about issues like electrical energy or plumbing.

I need to like Gemini, however I am not going to be impressed by its wider footprint till I see it in real-world conditions. And Google has but to replace any of its Nest audio system or shows with the expertise, which you’d suppose could be a pure match. It might be an easier approach of making sensible house automations, and a dialog is rather a lot simpler with out having to carry a telephone or distant in entrance of your face.

Heck, think about your Nest Hub with the ability to inform you that it is a mailman on the door, not your good friend who’s imagined to be dropping by.