I’ve realized to not hope for a lot from Android updates and began appreciating the subtleties. The promise of main enhancements as soon as meant one thing till Google deserted its progressive spirit for minor refinements.
It is a good factor I swap between OEM telephones, or I’d be pissed off. The customized options sitting on prime of Android enhance my day-to-day use considerably.
Nonetheless, this yr’s Android 16 brings some surprisingly helpful modifications. They’re small, however particular as a result of customers ought to’ve had them way back. These 4 are my favorites.
6 options that Android 16 must rejuvenate the OS
There’s loads of room for Google to make these essential modifications
I now know when my cellphone’s battery will pack up
It is an iPhone characteristic I’ve all the time needed on Android
The battery well being characteristic has been a well-known a part of my iOS expertise since my first iPhone 11. I’ve checked all of it the way in which as much as my present iPhone 13, ever since discovering how cellphone software program tracks full cost cycles from 0 to 100%.
It is even a sensible software for getting second-hand gadgets, because it tells me greater than the floor situation of a cellphone. Misleading electronics shops may show clear, refurbished telephones. However the battery cells may very well be degraded.
On older software program variations, I used to be restricted to checking battery proportion. It solely signifies how a lot cost stays within the upper-right nook of the display screen, which helps me resolve when to recharge.
Now on Android 16, battery well being is within the settings menu. Go to Battery & Energy Saving > Battery Well being & Charging to see it.
My present standing is an ideal 100% since I not too long ago upgraded to the brand new cellphone.
However as a heavy person, my frequent cost cycles are positive to have an effect. It is one thing I am not frightened about as my machine gives controls for adjusting habits earlier than its situation worsens.
AI Charging Safety learns my routine and stalls the battery at 80% throughout lengthy expenses. It tops up solely when wanted.
In the meantime, Low-Temp Cost slows charging to scale back warmth, which is a recognized silent killer of long-term battery well being.
I now know what to do with my latest apps
A drop-down button was a essential indicator
The latest apps display screen reveals a stack of preview playing cards with logos above them. Every card is a dwell snapshot of an app’s present state, and you may shortly swap between a number of applications.
You in all probability by no means thought of long-pressing their logos. When you do, it expands options equivalent to locking apps to the display screen, blurring their preview, enabling split-screen mode, and leaping to the data display screen.
Android 16 launched a tiny drop-down arrow subsequent to the app title on the prime of every card. It makes it apparent that tapping opens an inventory, and also you not should long-press.
In any other case, these options are simple to overlook if somebody does not present you.
I can now change my regional measurement system
I not gauge my actuality by common requirements
Cellphone makers have all the time optimized the out-of-the-box expertise for the most important markets, which embody the US, Western Europe, and components of Asia. These markets have the very best gross sales volumes.
When you’re exterior these precedence areas, there’s little inclusiveness. For instance, Nigeria makes use of the Celsius scale for temperature and the metric system of meters, kilometers, kilograms, and liters for measurements.
Earlier than, the preset area alternative was america. Therefore, my cellphone was set to the imperial unit system. I modified it to English (United Kingdom) to get the closest approximation to my nation’s customary.
It was merely a workaround, on condition that the UK nonetheless makes use of miles as a substitute of kilometers for street distances and stones as a substitute of kilograms for physique weight.
Now, I can go away my language setting and individually select my measurements. It is simpler to see 32°C on my Climate app and know it is a scorching afternoon with out making any psychological conversions.
It is notably helpful after I journey exterior the nation, the place I am not pressured to adapt to new techniques. My Google Calendar, health, scheduling, and Maps apps have since been re-adjusted to mirror these modifications.
Go to Settings > System > Languages & Enter. Scroll up and configure the choices underneath Area choice to your liking.
I relaxation simple understanding precisely the place my packages are
I do not even should do something
Dwell Updates aren’t new. Samsung launched the thought with One UI 7 (primarily based on Android 15) when it unveiled the Now Bar.
It later expanded with One UI 8 (primarily based on Android 16), the place Samsung added Audio broadcast and Commute providers. Google is lastly bringing it to everybody else.
The true-time alerts are the rationale I not obsess over supply ETAs. You may see a progress bar while you broaden it within the notification panel. It actively strikes as you, or whoever you are monitoring, navigate in direction of locations.
When you do not pull down the panel, you will see a tiny indicator within the upper-right nook of the standing bar. I as soon as ordered meals on my favourite native grocery app, Chowdeck. I used to be alerted about every part from the restaurant dealing with to my doorstep with out opening the app.
When you’re desperate to attempt the characteristic, however you have no lively deliveries or rides to check it with, use the Android Easter Egg. It has been up to date to run on autopilot and chase down every planet, which triggers a dwell replace.
Go to Settings and faucet your cellphone title. Choose Android Model. Once more, faucet Android Model shortly to disclose the Easter Egg.
Lengthy-press the Android 16 brand to launch the spaceship. Then faucet Auto within the lower-right nook. Develop the notification panel and faucet the drop-down arrow beside the Easter Egg alert to see its progress.
Android 16 retains studying my thoughts and I am not mad about it
I did not inform my cellphone what I needed, however one way or the other it knew
Baklava bakes in a smoother expertise
Android 16’s options are designed to talk to you personally, and never be dramatic. Battery and notification administration are a number of of the issues customers already work together with quite a few occasions a day.
Maybe that is why Google targeted its efforts on these locations.
Personally, I really like the new notification cooldown characteristic. It permits alerts, however steadily reduces the noise once they arrive in bursts.
My set off response to their annoyances is not to close them off fully or allow Do Not Disturb.