It’s time to Feature Drops and on the occasion of MWC 2024 Google announces a series of truly rich innovations, ranging from Android Auto to Gemini nei messages and also include Fitbit And WearOS. Lots of AI, but also accessibility and even Spotify: let’s see all the functions coming soon (some not in Italy, unfortunately), but not before reminding you of our guides on how to update Pixels with OTA files or factory image.
What’s new coming with the next Feature Drop
AI comes to Android Auto
Let’s start with Android Auto. With the new update (also anticipated at Galaxy Unpacked), Android Auto can now be used artificial intelligence to summarize notifications, as well as also suggest relevant responses and actions. All you have to do is tap a button to send a message, share your arrival time or start a call.
Lens on Maps is more accessible
With the latest update in January, Lens on Maps is increasingly useful for taking advantage of augmented reality in order to find information on nearby shops.
Now, this feature has been updated with screen reading support, so you can point your phone’s camera at your surroundings and have it TalkBack read the site information aloud.
Take notes in Docs
You can now add handwritten annotations to Google Docs from your phone or tablet using your finger or stylus, with the ability to choose from a selection of tools such as different pen colors and highlighters.
Spotify Connect devices arrive on the lock screen
At CES 2023 Google announced the implementation of Spotify in the tool that allows you to choose which devices to play audio content on, currently active for YouTube Music, and now it has finally arrived.
So when you are playing media on Spotifythe output selector will now show Spotify Connect devices.
Fitbit receives data from Health Connection
The Fitbit app now receives your health and fitness data from other apps that support the Android Health Connection platform.
This means you can see your data from services like AllTrails, Oura Ring e MyFitnessPal, directly from the Fitbit app.
In the tab “You”, you can see the data of connected apps next to your Fitbit data while in the tab “Today”, You can see data like exercise, steps, calories burned and more from Health Connection-compatible apps.
Gemini comes in messages
English beta users can now chat with Gemini directly in the app Google Messages on Android, and they will be able to ask the chatbot to create draft messages, think of a prank to play on friends, plan events. Unfortunately, there is no word on when it will arrive for users of other languages.
AI-generated image descriptions are here
Also for English language users, Google is releasing a global level the function Description of AI Imageswhich launched in September in the US, UK and Canada.
Designed for people with visual difficulties, the tool uses artificial intelligence to automatically generate image descriptions and read them aloud, whether it’s a photo you just took, an image on apps or social media, or image messages sent by friends.
Google Wallet on Wear OS is no longer just credit cards
Google Wallet for smartwatches WearOS Now shows boarding passes, gym memberships, loyalty cards and more, and you can choose what content to hide or show.
The feature was already introduced last month, but is expected to be available to a larger number of people.
Google Maps on Wear OS now supports public transportation
Finally, Google Maps for Wear OS now supports public transport directions, meaning you can use your smartwatch to look up departure times for buses, trains or ferries and get compass-guided navigation directions to your destination.
And if you prefer, you can also report the directions from your phone to your watch if you prefer to navigate without having to use your hands.
