Android’s Latest Update Lets You Share Digital Cars Key

It’s time for an additional Android software program update bundle! There are goodies for all Pixel and non-Pixel customers this time—there’s even one thing for iPhone customers.

If you’ve got a automotive with keyless entry through your smartphone, the newest Android replace will allow you to share that digital key with trusted family and friends. The characteristic is barely obtainable on Pixel smartphones, although you may share your key with iPhone customers who’re on suitable units. Google says this digital automotive key characteristic is “coming soon” to different units working Android 12 and up. A similar ability got here to iOS earlier this 12 months.

Goodies are coming to different Android customers, too—particularly holiday-themed ones, which I’m in all probability going to make use of to harass my iOS-using associates. The Emoji Kitchen is likely one of the greatest issues Google’s cooked up. There’s an replace coming to Gboard particularly, and you will get the brand new stickers by typing vacation emojis like ☃and❄. I’m in all probability going to make use of these all over the place.

Google Photos can be getting some vacation aptitude. Now you should use the collage editor to make a digital vacation card out of your photographs, utilizing templates from two new artists: Australian husband-and-wife duo DABSMYLA and watercolor artist Yao Cheng Design. You may in all probability use this characteristic for cooking up some vacation picture presents—I’ve made picture books with Google Photos earlier than, and it’s been efficient at making folks emote. Even within the digital age, I discovered that individuals nonetheless like getting bodily photographs of completely happy occasions.

There are additionally non-holiday performs coming with the replace. The most intriguing is the brand new Reading mode on Android, which Google says creates an accessible studying expertise for people who’re imaginative and prescient impaired or dyslexic. The characteristic provides customizable show choices so you may alter the distinction, font, and measurement to your liking. There’s additionally a useful text-to-speech perform with controllable playback. As with most assistive options, Android’s new Reading mode will profit numerous folks, regardless of skill. I may see myself utilizing this, as generally black-on-white web sites are an excessive amount of for my delicate eyes.

Lastly, for those who’re an avid YouTube watcher, this Android replace introduces a brand new search widget on your dwelling display. And for those who’re watching issues on Google TV, you should use the Google TV app to forged on to a suitable display in your sensible dwelling. Finally! These options can be found to anybody working Android 6 and up.

New options on Wear OS

Wear OS continues to be discovering its footing—sure, a few years after Google launched the wearables platform—however that’s additionally what makes software program updates value noting. This time round, there are new tiles to take a look at. Apps like Google Keep allow you to see your notes in your smartwatch simply as they look in your smartphone. A brand new Google Maps tile permits vacationers to navigate to fast hits like dwelling or work. There’s additionally a tile to maintain observe of the sundown and dawn and a tile for Contacts to name oft-called customers. These options are coming to all Wear OS units working OS 3 and above.

Wear OS nonetheless has strides to go earlier than it’s a bonafide health platform, however with each new suitable app, it strikes an inch nearer. Google has added the power to leap into an train with the Adidas Running app by utilizing the Assistant. You can say, “Hey Google, start a run with Adidas Running,” after which dash into the winter sundown (I hope you’re carrying layers). The app tracks exercises, pace, distance, and coronary heart fee. It’s suitable with Wear OS 3 units with Google Assistant put in.