Google is rolling out a handful of new Android features as Mobile World Congress kicks off in Barcelona. Updates embody an AI enhance to Messages, Android Auto upgrades and the power to entry boarding passes and tickets proper out of your Put on OS smartwatch.
Beginning this week, in beta, you can entry AI mannequin Gemini instantly from Google Messages on Android. You possibly can have the mannequin draft messages, plan occasions, assist you to brainstorm concepts or help with different duties, all with out leaving the Messages app. (Earlier this month, Google renamed its Bard AI chatbot to Gemini, to match the AI mannequin it rolled out in December.)
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Android Auto can also be getting an AI replace. The interface will use AI to routinely summarize lengthy texts or group chats whilst you’re on the street, so you are not distracted. It might additionally counsel replies, which you’ll be able to simply faucet to ship, in addition to different actions like sharing an ETA or beginning a name.Â
Google can also be rolling out its AI-generated picture description function globally. Constructed into its Lookout app, which helps people who find themselves blind or low-vision establish objects and browse paperwork, the picture caption function generates audio descriptions of photographs on-line or in messages utilizing AI. Google debuted the feature back in September, but it surely was solely obtainable in English within the US, UK and Canada. Now you can entry picture captions in Lookout on Android units around the globe — however nonetheless solely in English, for now.
And this is one other accessibility replace, for the Lens feature in Maps. Lens makes use of — you guessed it — AI and augmented actuality to pinpoint restaurants, transit stations, ATMs and other places around you as you pan your cellphone round your environment. Now, Google’s TalkBack display reader also can say a location’s data, like enterprise hours, scores or instructions, out loud. This may be useful for people who find themselves blind or low-vision.Â
Google can also be including an replace to Docs, enabling you so as to add handwritten annotations from an Android cellphone or pill. Now, if you happen to favor to edit paperwork the old school means, you need to use your finger or stylus to make notes in several pen colours or spotlight sure sections.
Now you can simply select which machine to beam Spotify music to.
Switching between totally different units when enjoying from YouTube Music is comparatively easy, because of the output switcher on Android’s house display, which helps you to faucet the place you need to beam a tune. Now, that functionality is increasing to Spotify, so you’ll be able to simply hop between enjoying music in your cellphone, headphones, sensible show or TV with the faucet of a button.Â
There’s additionally a well being improve within the combine. Now you can get an summary of your well being knowledge within the redesigned Fitbit app by means of Android’s Health Connect function, which pulls from wearables and apps together with AllTrails, Oura Ring and MyFitnessPal. In your Android cellphone, go to the Fitbit app and faucet the You tab to see knowledge from any linked apps, alongside your Fitbit knowledge. The Immediately tab will present data like steps, energy burned and distance traveled from appropriate apps.
And eventually, a pair Wear OS updates: Now you can entry Google Wallet passes like tickets, boarding passes and health club memberships out of your smartwatch. You may also get public transit instructions in your wrist, because of Google Maps assist on Put on OS. Which means you’ll be able to see departure instances for a bus, prepare or ferry, in addition to guided navigation.Â
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Watch this: What to Anticipate from Cell World Congress 2024
