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Title: Android 16 is out on all eligible Pixel phones, with new live update
notifications feature

Date: Mon, 16 Jun 2025 19:04:24 +0000
Link: https://www.engadget.com/mobile/android-16-is...

Google has released Android 16 to the masses, as it's now available for
compatible handsets. The company says new devices will come preloaded with
the OS in "the coming months." As usual, it's first coming to Google's own
Pixel phones.

The update includes several notable features. The biggest one might be live
updates in notifications. This means that stuff like ride-shares and food
deliveries will get a progress bar directly in the notification, so folks
won't have to constantly open and close the app to wonder why a burrito seems
to be stuck four blocks away.

Google

Also, notifications from the same app will now be automatically grouped
together to reduce clutter and pings. There's now support for LE audio
hearing aids, with a native control option. Users can also switch to the
phone's microphone when using one of these hearing devices for clearer audio
in noisy places.

Google has tied all of its security features together, so users can now be
protected from "online attacks, harmful apps, unsafe websites, scam calls and
more in just a tap." This includes new scam detection features that were
previewed back in May.

Google

Shutterbugs are getting a fairly robust suite of new features, including
automatic night mode scene detection, hybrid auto exposure and more precise
color temperature adjustments. UltraHDR images have been improved, with
support for HEIC encoding, and Android 16 offers integration with the high-
end Advanced Professional Video (APV) codec.

Google

The company is finally bringing desktop windowing to Android, but it's not
ready just yet. That feature will be available to general users later in the
year, but Android 16 QPR 3 Beta 2 is currently previewing the feature.

There's also a neat Android ecosystem update with some nifty features. This
includes upgraded RCS group chats, with custom icons and the ability to mute
threads. Google Photos now offers an AI-enhanced image editor that will
recommend suggested edits. Emoji Kitchen is receiving new sticker
combinations and Wear OS devices can now pay for transit fares without having
to open a dedicated app.

Google

Finally, Google has offered details on the Pixel Drop for June. New features
include a Pixel VIPs widget that displays information on preferred contacts
and more expressive captions on videos.

Obviously, Android 16 is going to come to more phones than just the Pixel
series. As noted by Android Authority, Motorola released its list of all its
device that'll officially run the new OS. It's also worth being aware that
there are some bugs being reported on Pixel phones, so just keep that in mind
if you're installing the latest version of Android.

Update, June 10, 2PM ET: Well, we jumped the gun on that a little bit.
Android 16 should now be available, as previously (and incorrectly) stated.
We regret the error.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at
https://www.engadget.com/mobile/android-16-is...
for-pixel-phones-including-live-notification-updates-170006935.html?src=rss

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