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 consider.
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 invaluable as you’d suppose, 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 nowadays. My day by day driver is an

iPhone 16 Pro
. However I’ve owned a number of Android telephones through the years, and I nonetheless recognize the platform to this present day. There are issues that it does higher than iOS — resembling 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 companies. It would be unusual to purchase an Android telephone with out Gmail able to go, in spite of everything.

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 based mostly on what Google’s proven to date, its newest OS nonetheless seems like a minor evolution. Let’s discuss a number of 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 coloration themes, new font kinds, and much more interface animations, together with bounces and ripples for actions like swiping away your notifications. New aesthetics are literally one in all my favourite issues about updating any OS, since I get pleasure from personalizing my telephone as a lot as attainable — with out severe 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, resembling the power 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 much more about checking how quickly their

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

I might be stood corrected down the road. Typically, a minimum of, 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 may depend for one thing.

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

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Helpful in concept, however how about in observe?

Sharing personal location via Android 16's Find Hub. — Google

Google

As a complete, I approve of the Discover Hub, a rebrand/redesign of Android’s Discover My Units app. Considered one of its signature options is best sharing of your real-time location with different folks, in concept, serving to family and friends reunite after they get misplaced, or test 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 depart it on indefinitely.

Paradoxically, I feel Discover Hub’s expanded merchandise monitoring is an even bigger deal.

I am certain some folks 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 nearly by no means use Discover My for following one another, although 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 telephone name or textual content message is normally a pleasant method 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 reap the benefits of Discover Hub, you may additionally want the folks you are sharing with to have it, too.

Paradoxically, I feel Discover Hub’s expanded merchandise monitoring is an even 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 listing, for example, including the power 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, significantly vehicles. Typically it is troublesome sufficient to decide on music or a preset vacation spot whereas driving, by no means thoughts the stuff you’d usually do in your telephone. 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. Should you’re bored or curious, you can ask questions on every part 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 effectively, 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 displaying me YouTube movies. Even well-meaning YouTube channels typically get their information improper.

Android XR, in the meantime, is an unknown amount, since there are no suitable glasses or headsets obtainable to the general public but. Once they do arrive, Gemini goes to need to show superb 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 dwelling enchancment — however there’s some severe 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 expertise, which you’d suppose can be a pure match. It would be a less complicated method of making sensible dwelling automations, and a dialog is quite a bit simpler with out having to carry a telephone or distant in entrance of your face.

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