Android’s major interface overhaul, Material 3 Expressive, was announced earlier this year and comes pre-installed on the new Pixel 10 series smartphones. Now is the time to update older Pixel devices thanks to September’s Pixel Drop.
Material 3 Expressive is now available for Pixel 6 and later devices, including the Pixel Tablet. Google’s goal in revamping its user interface is to make Android overall more personal, colorful and vibrant. It’s easier to identify what actions you want to perform in apps, and the colorful accents make the OS look a little young and fresh.
While some Android phones only get major releases and security updates, Pixel owners usually get not only those updates first, but also Pixel Drop updates. These updates happen quarterly and can take the form of a system update, Google app updates with new features, or both. The update also includes the latest news. Security updates for supported Pixel devicesfix the most recently identified vulnerabilities.
While the big news with this update is the integration of Material 3 Expressive, a a handful of other features Also added in the latest version:
- Google’s Gboard keyboard gets new AI input tools that fix grammatical errors and change the tone of your messages faster writing tool Click the button that appears in the keyboard suggestion field.
- Emoji Kitchen, Google’s emoji remix, is now better than ever. Now you can browse your entire sticker library and add them to your favorites for faster access.
- Now you can share audio directly with someone or create a private stream that others can join by simply scanning a QR code.
- Android’s Quick Share menu has been redesigned to allow you to switch between sending and receiving files for a smoother experience.
Pixel Buds Pro 2 news
Later this month, the Pixel Buds Pro 2 will also receive an update that will also bring some welcome new features. The following are coming soon:
- Adaptive sound automatically adapts to your environment so you can better perceive your surroundings.
- High noise protection also protects your ears from loud noises.
- Enjoy a quiet experience with Gemini when your environment is particularly noisy, such as when the TV is on or other people around you are talking.
- Soon you will be able to answer calls or refuse to answer texts by nodding or shaking your head.
For more information, check out our hands-on experience with Samsung’s latest Galaxy Tab S11 tablets.