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 may 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 is probably not as useful as you’d assume, and Gemini’s usefulness on watches, TVs, and AR headsets stays to be seen in observe.

Upfront, I will admit that I am on report 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 — akin to voice instructions — and I like the truth that it is open-source, even when {hardware} makers do not have a lot alternative however to license Google companies. It might be unusual to purchase an Android cellphone with out Gmail able to go, in spite of everything.

I am wanting ahead to making an attempt gadgets with

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

iOS 18
did — which is to say, not very a lot. Enhancements are all the time welcome, but based mostly on what Google’s proven to date, its newest OS nonetheless appears like a minor evolution. Let’s speak about a couple of examples of what I imply.

Associated

5 products that lock you into Apple and Google’s ecosystems

Think twice earlier than you sink cash into these gadgets.

1

Materials 3 Expressive

A brand new coat of (physics-based) paint

Hyperlink Picture

Android 16 definitely appears good. There are up to date dynamic colour 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 get pleasure from 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 criticism 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, akin to the power to each resize and reorder Fast Settings icons (a la iOS 18’s Management Heart), or monitor deliveries and rideshares through Reside Updates (one other factor borrowed from Apple). A 12 months from now, persons are going to care much 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, not less than, these types 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 because of its visible tweaks, that can rely for one thing.

The Smart Stack on the Apple Watch Series 9 over a yellow background.

Associated

How to toggle Live Activities in watchOS 11

You possibly can cease actions from hijacking your Apple Watch’s show.

Helpful in idea, however how about in observe?

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 best sharing of your real-time location with different individuals, in idea, serving to family and friends reunite after 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 highway journey. Sharers can select to time-limit this monitoring or go away it on indefinitely.

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

I am certain some individuals will profit enormously, however that is one other function 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, despite the fact that I am out on the fitness center three nights per week, and our travels typically take us to the other facet 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 persons are inherently uncomfortable with sharing their exact location over the web, regardless of any Google assurances about encryption. To essentially benefit from Discover Hub, you may additionally want the individuals you are sharing with to have it, too.

Mockingly, I feel Discover Hub’s expanded merchandise monitoring is a much bigger deal. Help for UWB (ultra-wideband) will make some gadgets and tag equipment less complicated to search out, and Google is increasing its companion record, as an example, including the power to share Bluetooth tag information 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.

Associated

What’s the difference between Bluetooth tracking and ultra-wideband?

They’re actually companions in the identical job.

3

Gemini coming to extra gadgets

The place’s my Google Nest help?

Google

Gemini does belong in additional locations, significantly vehicles. Generally it is tough sufficient to decide on music or a preset vacation spot whereas driving, by no means thoughts the belongings 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 handle buried in Gmail, or finding an EV charging station that additionally has a restaurant close by. When you’re bored or curious, you can ask questions on all the things from the Grand Canyon to the Spanish Inquisition.

I wish 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 nicely, however I am skeptical of the way it’ll work on these platforms. Smartwatches typically really feel underpowered for what they’re already operating, 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 information fallacious.

Android XR, in the meantime, is an unknown amount, since there are no suitable glasses or headsets out there to the general public but. After 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 wish 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 could be a pure match. It might be a less complicated means of making sensible house automations, and a dialog is lots 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 presupposed to be dropping by.