The new Android update adds helpful features that let you share your live location, discover apps, find your lost luggage, and more. Meanwhile, the latest Pixel Drop adds enhanced features for both Google Pixel phones and the Pixel Watch.
Android Updates
There are some exciting and fun new updates for compatible Android devices from any brand.
Find Your Friends
You can now share your locations directly in Google Messages without having to leave an active chat using Find Hub. This allows you to see one another on a real-time map. It’s ideal if you’re meeting friends for an event, getting picked up at a venue, or navigating a busy park. You can stop sharing the location at any time, like once you meet up.
Find Lost Luggage
Who hasn’t lost their luggage at least once, or had an airline lose it? Using Google’s Find Hub, you can securely share the location of a Find Hub-compatible tag or network accessory with the airline to help them locate your suitcase. The item appears on a map where you can generate a secure link to its location to share with a staff member at the airport so they have the necessary information to locate it. Stop sharing once you have reunited with the bag. If you forget, the link automatically expires after seven days and sharing is disabled once your phone detects that the item is back in your possession.
Google has partnered with more than 10 major global airlines for this feature, including Ajet, Air India, China Airlines, the Lufthansa Group (Lufthansa, Austrian Airlines, Brussels Airlines, and Swiss International Airlines), Saudia Airlines, Scandinavian Airlines, and Turkish Airlines. More like Qantas, are coming in the near future. The company has also joined forced with both SITA and Reunitus to integrate this technology into the WorldTracer and NetTracer baggage-tracing systems. Additionally, Google is working with Samsonite to embed Find Hub technology directly into its latest designs so compatible Samsonite suitcases will come ready to pair with the Find Hub network out of the box.
Discover New Apps
Using Google Play Shorts, you will soon be able to scroll through a feed of short-form videos on everything from wellness to photography, shopping, and webtoons, to learn how an app works, if it meets your needs, and if you should get it, all without having to leave the Google Play store.
Custom Calling Card
Design a Custom Calling Card so your friends see your chosen photo, font, and colour as part of your caller ID. You can share it with everyone or only saved contacts. Edit or remove the Calling Card at any time.
Teacher-Approved Kids Games on Android Auto
Looking to entertain the kids while you’re on a long road trip or stuck in traffic? There are new Teacher-approved games on Android Auto that are both fun and educational. Accessible right from the dashboard, the games are catered to kids aged 3-12, and include titles like Kids Games: For Toddlers 3-5, LetraKid: Writing ABC for Kids, Disney Coloring World, Marvel HQ: Kids Super Hero Fun, Draw a Stickman: EPIC 3, and more.
Emoji Kitchen Stickers
There’s a new selection of Emoji Kitchen stickers to add fun to your conversations. Think cheesy gestures and funky skunks, unique ways to express yourself and share in Gboard.
March Pixel Drop
There are some minor but useful upgrades with the latest Pixel Drop for both Pixel smartphones and the Pixel Watch.
Google Pixel Phones
Circle to Search upgrades: You can now identify individual pieces of an outfit from images and use Try on with Circle to Search to see how clothing looks on you from videos, social content or images.
Restaurant recommendations with Magic Cue: Magic Cue with Gemini proactively suggests a search for restaurants, giving you tailored results.
My Commute: Receive real-time transit updates on your home and lock screen. You phone’s ringer and Bluetooth settings are also optimized with Transit Mode.
Sports scores: See real-time game score updates for all followed teams during live matches.
Finance: See end-of-day updates from top movers in your Google Finance watchlist.
Gemini with task assistance: Start UI automations for new cases and use Magic Cue integration to suggest shortcuts on the spot.
Pixel Watch
Securing Your Phone: The update includes left behind phone reminders, phone lock on disconnect, and mobile trusted location via Watch.
Pixel Watch can proactively secure your phone with instant alerts if you accidentally leave it behind and an automatic lock as soon as you move out of range. A connected watch and phone now offer faster identity checks for smooth, secure access.
Express Pay: Pay conveniently by turning and tapping your Pixel Watch to a retail terminal without opening the Wallet app.
One-handed gestures: Intuitive one-handed gestures are expanding to Pixel Watch 3.
Earthquake alerts: The new standalone earthquake alerts notify you of nearby earthquakes in real-time, providing seconds of warning before the shaking starts.
Satellite SOS: First introduced on Pixel Watch 4 in the U.S., Satellite SOS will be expanding to more users in Canada.