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

Abstract

Android 16 is a welcome improve, however a few of its adjustments do not actually matter as a lot as Google would possibly need you to imagine.
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 priceless as you’d assume, and Gemini’s usefulness on watches, TVs, and AR headsets stays to be seen in apply.

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

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

I am wanting ahead to attempting gadgets with

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

iOS 18
did — which is to say, not very a lot. Enhancements are at all times welcome, but primarily based on what Google’s proven to this point, its newest OS nonetheless seems like a minor evolution. Let’s speak about 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 appears to be like good. There are up to date dynamic shade themes, new font types, 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 take pleasure in personalizing my cellphone as a lot as doable — with out critical modding work, anyway.

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

My grievance is simply that, for all of the hype round Materials 3 Expressive, it isn’t a radical leap past what you see in Android 15. If something, what issues extra are Google’s sensible interface adjustments, comparable to the flexibility to each resize and reorder Fast Settings icons (a la iOS 18’s Management Middle), or monitor deliveries and rideshares by way of Reside Updates (one other factor borrowed from Apple). A 12 months from now, individuals are going to care way more about checking how quickly their

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

I may very well be stood corrected down the road. Generally, at the very least, these kinds of interface adjustments 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 on account of its visible tweaks, that can 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 an entire, I approve of the Discover Hub, a rebrand/redesign of Android’s Discover My Units app. One among its signature options is healthier sharing of your real-time location with different individuals, in idea, serving to family and friends reunite once 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.

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

I am positive some individuals will profit tremendously, 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 fitness center three nights every week, and our travels typically take us to the alternative aspect of North America. A cellphone name or textual content message is normally a pleasant means of updating somebody on what you are doing, and a few individuals are inherently uncomfortable with sharing their exact location over the web, irrespective of any Google assurances about encryption. To essentially make the most of Discover Hub, you may additionally want the individuals you are sharing with to have it, too.

Paradoxically, I feel Discover Hub’s expanded merchandise monitoring is a much bigger deal. Assist for UWB (ultra-wideband) will make some gadgets and tag equipment less complicated to search out, and Google is increasing its accomplice listing, 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, notably automobiles. 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 cellphone. With Gemini,

Android Auto
(and the confusingly-named

Android Automotive
) will allow you to use your voice for duties like unearthing an deal with buried in Gmail, or finding an EV charging station that additionally has a restaurant close by. In the event you’re bored or curious, you’ll ask questions on the whole lot 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 properly, however I am skeptical of the way it’ll work on these platforms. Smartwatches typically 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 typically get their details fallacious.

Android XR, in the meantime, is an unknown amount, since there are not any suitable glasses or headsets out there to the general public but. Once they do arrive, Gemini goes to must show wonderful object recognition to be helpful, and that is on prime of minimizing the “hallucinations” (botched solutions) it typically offers. 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 know-how, which you’d assume can be a pure match. It would be a less complicated means of making good house automations, and a dialog is rather a lot simpler with out having to carry a cellphone or distant in entrance of your face.

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