With the vacations actively upon us, you’d suppose there would not be a lot Android information this week — however by some means, the calendar had the alternative impact. With solely days left till Q1 2025 is underway, main gamers like Google, Samsung, and OpenAI apparently felt the necessity to give us one thing to recollect them by as we unplug from our standard schedules.
Google stunned us with three updates to pre-release Android builds this week, starting from the following Pixel Function Drop to Android 16. In the meantime, it is clear that Samsung is simply bursting on the seams to point out us its subsequent flagship telephones, as a result of the Galaxy S25 leaks have been flowing like water, and we even acquired a date to circle in January. The 2 greatest names in AI had a while within the highlight, too, so the week in mobile actually was a busy one.
Android goes virtual and Google gives Pixels a practical new power in last week’s news
And does Gemini’s rise imply the demise of ‘OK Google’?
The Android dev workforce ties up free ends earlier than the vacation break
Any week that sees three main Android releases is a enjoyable one, however like presents beneath a tree, some updates are extra thrilling than others. Within the stocking stuffer class, Google released a build of Android 15 QPR1 for individuals who had opted in to check the December Pixel Function Drop and did not wish to keep on the beta channel indefinitely. Now, these customers can replace their Pixels to the steady channel by accepting the OTA.
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Android 15 QPR1 Beta 3.1 users can now exit beta without wiping their device
This can take you to the December 2024 safety patch
Google had a pleasant, sensible reward for these nonetheless within the beta program, releasing Android 15 QPR2 Beta 2 with stability enhancements because the journey season kicked into excessive gear. The replace, which went out to most individuals enrolled within the Android Beta Program, fastened a laundry listing of bugs in what is going to finally turn into the March 2025 Pixel Function Drop.
However the massive field beneath the tree was positively Android 16 Developer Preview 2. Certain, some Ikea-level assembly is required to put in it, and sure, it is nonetheless meant solely for builders to check their apps on the brand new OS. However this second model gave us our first good take a look at what Android 16 is all about, revealing among the user-facing modifications that can outline this launch.
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Android 16 Developer Preview 2 is here: Everything you need to know
Subsequent cease, public beta
The user-facing aspect of Android 16 begins taking form
Even earlier than Android 16 DP2 got here out, AOSP code skilled Mishaal Rahman was following breadcrumbs suggesting that Android 16 will debut an automatic categorization system for notifications. A brand new Settings menu known as Bundled notifications was uncovered, showcasing choices that may group alerts collectively beneath classes like Promotions, Information, Social, and Suggestions.
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Android 16 could bring order to your chaotic notification panel
One other notification-related enchancment
All through the week, different Android 16 particulars trickled in, like Google Keep potentially becoming a system app with the replace. And with AI instruments like Google’s Assist Me Write turning into extra prevalent, it looks as if Android 16 will let apps define text fields that should be hidden away from AI helpers for safety causes. In an analogous vein, apps like Instagram and Snapchat seem like in for some Night Mode photography improvements.
However much more user-centric Android 16 modifications have been revealed within the final seven days. Google’s take on the new Unicode 16.0 emojis is now stay on Developer Preview 2, revealing highlights like “Face with Baggage Underneath Eyes” and “Fingerprint.” On that final notice, probably the most thrilling user-facing change noticed was a brand new setting that allows Pixel 9 users to unlock their phones with the screen entirely off — no always-on show wanted for fingerprint entry.
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Android 16 makes the Pixel 9’s ultrasonic fingerprint sensor even easier to use
New screen-off fingerprint unlock function is loopy quick
The Galaxy S25 is simply days away, and the inflow of rumors exhibits it
We have now heard from a really dependable supply that the Galaxy S25 series will be unveiled on January 22, which is regarded as the identical day Samsung will unleash a more powerful Bixby assistant. On the occasion, we’re anticipating to see the S25, S25+, and S25 Extremely, and all three fashions have been the topics of rumors this week.
Although we have seen all three fashions in varied leaks earlier than, we’re now listening to that the base Galaxy S25 will get a massive RAM boost, possible to assist with AI duties. We additionally noticed live hands-on images of the Galaxy S25+, showcasing a really acquainted design from all angles. And whereas we had seen some colour choices earlier than, a brand new leak coated the manufacturing volume for each shade on the Galaxy S25 Ultra, giving us a glimpse of what Samsung thinks would be the telephone’s hottest colorways.
Gemini goes by way of an experimental section
When Google introduced Gemini 2.0 final week, we have been a bit of underwhelmed, if just for the shortage of availability. On the time, solely probably the most light-weight mannequin was out there, and even then solely on desktop and the cellular internet. This week, the Gemini app for Android lastly acquired a drop-down menu for selecting a different model, and the primary new entrant was 2.0 Flash Experimental, making it out there within the app solely days after its internet debut.
However Google did not cease there. Later within the week, an experimental model of Gemini 2.0 Advanced debuted, once more on the net earlier than the cellular app. Whereas this model is Google’s most succesful mannequin, it is solely out there for paid Gemini customers (and people who acquired free entry with their Pixel 9 Professional, in fact). Then, in the direction of the tip of the week, Google launched yet another new experimental Gemini model — this time, one that may cause with you.
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Google’s most advanced Gemini 2.0 model is finally here, but not for everyone
Your Pixel’s free subscription may turn out to be useful
Now even rotary telephones have a greater digital assistant than Siri
Siri acquired a giant replace with iOS 18, however let’s be sincere — it is nonetheless nicely behind choices like Gemini, with most iPhone customers saying they see little to no value in Apple Intelligence, as many haven’t noticed the upgrades it dropped at the digital assistant. In the meantime, although ChatGPT might not have the ecosystem connections of a first-party software from Apple, it nonetheless fills most of the identical wants as Siri whereas being able to a lot, way more.
This week, ChatGPT came to landlines with a brand new toll-free quantity (1-800-CHATGPT, consider it or not) that you may name from any telephone to speak to the AI. Folks within the US will get 15 free minutes of time every month to entry the software, at the very least to begin. OpenAI used that very same telephone quantity to create a enterprise account on WhatsApp, so you may also chat with GPT on the platform if you happen to’re not loving Meta AI.
