Android lovers are excited since Google shared a sneak peek into what Android 16 will bring. Google has given limited app developers access to Android 16 to test the new features before launch.
The early version, ‘Developer Preview,’ aims to help Google identify potential flaws, facilitating timely fixes before their big launch. This means users can expect fewer bugs, smoother performance, and incredible new features.
If you’re curious to explore what Android 16 has in store, you must check the following 12 capabilities we’re sure you will love.
Embedded Photo Picker
Android 16 will make it easier to share photos with apps without granting them full access to your photo gallery.
Previously, some apps refused to give access to certain features if you didn’t grant them full access to your phone’s entire media gallery. It was intrusive and raised privacy concerns among many Android users. The embedded photo picker is a privacy-related improvement in Android 16 that will allow users to share select media with apps without giving overly broad permissions.
Health Records Integration
The Android 16 update will enable users to access and manage their medical records inside their Android devices.
Android’s Health Connect lets apps read and write your Electrical Health Records (EHRs) in the standardized FHIR format. The app will ask you for explicit user consent before accessing your health-related data and entering it directly into the records. This feature can help Android users manage and share medical data across different healthcare apps, ensuring your health information is readily accessible.
Privacy Sandbox
Privacy Sandbox is Google’s initiative to boost user privacy by minimizing cross-app and cross-site tracking. However, it isn’t designed to harm digital businesses.
This new feature protects users’ online privacy while giving digital businesses the necessary tools to thrive. Android 16 will introduce effective and privacy-enhancing advertising solutions that create a win-win situation for users and advertisers.
Audio Sharing
One of the most exciting feature updates of Android 16 is its audio-sharing capability. Users can now use their Android phones to simultaneously broadcast audio from their phones to multiple Bluetooth devices.
It can be beneficial when you want others near you to hear the same audio you’re listening to without putting your phone on speaker. It is also helpful when you cannot individually pair each device but want multiple people to hear something you’re listening to on your phone.
Notification Cooldown
Designed to reduce notification spam from apps, Android 16’s notification cooldown feature is a blessing for people who get easily distracted by the constant notification buzz.
This feature will allow users to lower their device’s volume and minimize all unimportant alerts for up to two minutes. However, essential notifications from your alarm, calls, messages, and other priority conversations won’t be affected.
Enhanced Haptic Feedback
Android 16 will introduce APIs to let apps define haptic effect amplitude and frequency curves. It means all the interactions within your Android device will feel more personalized and responsive.
The enhanced haptic feedback will ensure apps within your device deliver precise cues for accessibility needs, more immersive vibrations for gaming, and improved overall tactile interaction with the device.
Adaptive Refresh Rate (ARR) Support
The Adaptive Refresh Rate (ARR) was previously introduced in the Android 15 update. It enables the display refresh rate on supported hardware to adapt content frame rates using VSync steps seamlessly.
This means the feature allows displays on your phone to adjust their refresh rate based on the content being viewed. This leads to smoother visuals and improved battery efficiency. Android 16 will make it easier for your device apps to take advantage of this feature.
Predictive Back Navigation
Google plans to introduce predictive back navigation in the Android 16 update to improve user experience and system UI. This feature will help users see a preview animation of where their back gesture will take them before completing the swipe.
It can prevent users from accidentally exiting an app, especially during important app interactions like making online payments, filling out a form, etc. The predictive back navigation will make the device navigation experience more intuitive and visually consistent.
Ranging with Enhanced Security
Android 16 is gearing to strengthen location-based features. Devices with Wi-Fi 6’s 802.11az (advanced Wi-Fi technology) will enable apps to combine greater scalability, dynamic scheduling of protocol with security enhancements like AES-256 encryption, and higher accuracy.
This new feature will make it easier for apps and devices to pinpoint your device with greater precision and protect against Man-in-the-Middle (MITM) attacks, securing your data from hackers and eavesdropping.
Google Keep as a System App
Google Keep, Google’s free note-taking app, has been upgraded to a ‘system app’ in the Android 16 update. Users cannot uninstall this app unless it is removed from the root directory.
While Google is yet to release statements on why this upgrade has been made, users contemplate that it may later be infused with advanced features that complement other core Android features.
Deprecating Disruptive Accessibility Announcements
Google announced this feature for the Android 16 update to create a more consistent and intuitive user experience. It will change how apps communicate essential notifications or updates to users who rely on accessibility tools like screen readers or TalkBack.
Earlier, developers followed a different method for this approach that led to notification spam and confusion due to inconsistent and irrelevant information. The new feature will contribute to smoother, less disruptive, and more meaningful experiences relying on assistive technology.
System-Triggered Profiling
Another great feature launched to improve performance and battery is system-triggered profiling. This app significantly improves how apps collect performance data to identify and fix problems. Earlier, most apps could gather profiling data if they started the process themselves.
It made it challenging to track critical issues like cold starts, ANRs (Apps Not Responding Errors), etc. With Android 16, the system will automatically start and stop profiling for these scenarios, even if the app doesn’t initiate it. This feature will facilitate faster bug fixes so users can enjoy the best app experience.
