Five New Features Are Coming to Android Devices.
Another month, another “update.” This week, Google announced new features for Android devices that will be included in the September Android Drop update. While the list is relatively short, all five new features seem quite useful. In fact, with this update, Google seems to be trying to dissuade users from purchasing one of its newest products.
Tracks your items without using a tracker.
Google is a funny company. It finally releases its AirTag competitor, the Pixel Tag , and then immediately undermines it with its new Find Hub feature. “Coming soon,” Google says, you’ll be able to ask Gemini to remember where you put your things, allowing you to track their location without the need for a separate tracker.
Google says this feature is designed for “things you don’t attach a tracker to,” like your passport or spare key, but there are no specific rules. You can simply ask Gemini to remember that you put your keys in your bedside drawer, and it will save the location. You can even add a photo if you need extra help. If you can’t find something, you can ask Gemini where it is or check the new “Remembered Items” tab in Find Hub. Google isn’t giving a specific timeline for this feature’s launch, but it says it will work with Android 16 and later in countries that support both Gemini and Find Hub.
Android will have its own anti-motion sickness feature.
In iOS 18, Apple introduced ” Car Motion Cues ,” a feature designed to reduce motion sickness by placing a series of dots on the screen. As the car moves, the dots also move. This way, the brain isn’t confused by looking at a stationary screen in a moving vehicle; it thinks the screen is moving, which is thought to help maintain balance.
While developers brought this concept to Android devices through third-party apps , Google now has its own version of the feature. Google’s version is called “Motion Assist” and works almost identically to Apple’s. Like Vehicle Motion Cues, you can customize the appearance of these dots; in this case, you can control their shape, color, and opacity. You can choose to have the feature turn on automatically or pin it as a Quick Settings tile for access at any time. Google says this feature will be available on all phones running Android 17.
Guided Vision is coming to Gemini Live.
Almost every tech company with an AI platform offers a “Live” feature that allows AI to “see” through your device’s camera and help answer questions about your surroundings. For Google, this is Gemini Live .
Google is now adding a “Guided Vision” feature to Gemini Live, designed for blind and visually impaired users. “Guided Vision” uses Gemini Live to help you navigate your environment in a more accessible way: instead of simply answering questions like “what plant is this” or “when was this building built,” Google claims “Guided Vision” can help you read the fine print on a nutrition label or distinguish different dishes on a restaurant menu in low light. Additionally, “Guided Vision” can help you correctly point the camera if you’re pointing it in the wrong place. This feature will be coming to more devices than some others, as Google says it will be available on Android 9 and newer devices where Gemini is available.
Google Messages now has Google Keep integration for collaboration.
If you have a friend or group chat where you frequently collaborate on lists (like shopping lists or vacation plans), Google Messages is getting a helpful update. With this Pixel Drop update, Google Messages users will notice a new Google Keep icon in the menu (+). Once activated, you’ll be able to create and edit new notes directly within your chats. Instead of switching between Google Keep and Google Messages, you’ll be able to communicate and collaborate within a single app. As an iOS user, I hope Apple—ahem—takes this into account.
Google Messages now offers new chat customization options.
Google Messages will also introduce new chat customization options. You can now change your chat background to any color, including photos from your library. Text bubbles will automatically change to match the image’s color scheme. However, you can customize the colors or change the appearance of the bubbles without changing the background.