HomeWorld Welcomes Android 16 with iPhone-Inspired Live Activities Feature
Android 16 has officially arrived, debuting first on Pixel devices with Google's answer to iOS Live Activities. On Tuesday, Google announced the rollout of Live Updates for ride-sharing and food delivery apps, providing persistent, real-time notifications to track your order or ride status.
Google began developing Live Updates last year, launching a beta version in January. The feature may soon expand beyond deliveries and rides, as users spotted Google Maps testing real-time navigation alerts in the Android 16 beta. Live Updates will display in the Now Bar on Samsung devices and as Live Alerts on Oppo and OnePlus phones.
However, Google notes that Live Updates will reach their full potential in a future release. The latest update also excludes the major Material 3 redesign.
Live Updates simplify tracking deliveries and rides. GIF: GoogleIn addition to Live Updates, Android 16 organizes your notification drawer by automatically grouping alerts from the same application.
Another enhancement improves call quality for hearing aid users. Currently, most LE hearing devices utilize front-facing microphones designed to capture others' voices rather than your own. With Android 16, you can switch to your phone's microphone during calls. The update includes native hearing device controls for adjusting volume, setting call microphone preferences, and more.
Switch to your phone's microphone when using hearing aids during calls. Image: GoogleAdvanced Protection is now available for mobile, safeguarding vulnerable users from malicious apps, dangerous websites, and cyber threats. Google is also preparing a DeX-like desktop experience for Android with customizable keyboard shortcuts, available for developer testing today ahead of a broader release later this year.
Other notable app updates include custom icon settings for RCS group chats in Google Messages and timed mute options for group notifications. Google Photos' redesigned editor is expanding to more devices, alongside extended Safety Check timers.
Google Messages introduces custom icons for group chats. GIF: GoogleGoogle Home's update simplifies managing smart devices across locations by allowing shortcuts for specific devices in Favorites. This enables pinning security cameras to Google TV or thermostat controls to Wear OS watches. Wear OS users can now tap transit cards without opening Google Wallet.
Android 16 launches first on Pixel devices, with more Material 3 Expressive design updates coming to Android 16 and Wear OS 6 on Pixels later this year.
Update, June 10th: Clarified that Live Updates will be "fully realized" in a future update.
Related article
Google rolls out Gemini in Chrome to India
On Wednesday, Google announced it is expanding Gemini integration for Chrome to new regions, including India, Canada, and New Zealand. This rollout allows desktop users to access Gemini via a sidebar, where they can ask Google’s AI chatbot about on-s
Barry Diller: Trust in Sam Altman irrelevant as AGI nears
Barry Diller, the billionaire media titan, does not believe OpenAI CEO Sam Altman is untrustworthy, despite recent reports suggesting otherwise. Speaking at the Wall Street Journal's "Future of Everything" conference this week, Diller defended Altman
YouTube expands AI deepfake detection to politicians, government officials, and journalists
On Tuesday, YouTube announced it is expanding its deepfake detection technology to a select group of government officials, political candidates, and journalists. The tool identifies AI-generated likenesses and lets pilot participants request the remo
Related Special Topic Recommendations
writing
Best AI Xianxia & Wuxia Assistants: Write Epic Cultivation Progression & Martial Arts Choreography
Discover the 2026 best AI assistants for crafting epic xianxia & wuxia tales. XIX.AI's curated list features top-rated, game-changing tools to master cultivation progression and martial arts choreography. Compare free vs paid options with real-world tests. Unlock your creative potential and start writing today!
10 tools
xix.ai
code
AI Mobile App Coding Tools: Generate Cross-Platform Flutter & React Native Code from Prompts
Discover the 2026 best AI mobile app coding tools for Flutter & React Native. Our curated, top-rated list features powerful, game-changing solutions that generate cross-platform code from prompts. Compare free vs paid options with real-world tests. Unlock faster development and build better apps. Explore the rankings on XIX.AI now!
10 tools
xix.ai
code
Best AI Chrome Extension Generators: Create Custom Browser Add-ons with Zero Coding Experience
Discover the 2026 best AI Chrome extension generators on XIX.AI. Our curated list features top-rated, must-try tools that let you create custom browser add-ons with zero coding. Compare free vs paid options, see real-world tests, and unlock your productivity. Explore the latest rankings and find your perfect tool today!
10 tools
xix.ai
Text-to-speech
Best AI Multilingual TTS: Generate Authentic Native-Accent Speech in 50+ Languages
Discover the 2026 best AI multilingual TTS tools for authentic native-accent speech in 50+ languages. Explore our top-rated, curated rankings with free vs paid comparisons and real-world tests. Find your perfect voice tool on XIX.AI and unlock global communication today.
10 tools
xix.ai
Meeting Assistant
Best AI Meeting Automation Tools for Smarter and Faster Collaboration
Discover the 2026 latest top-rated AI meeting automation tools for smarter, faster collaboration. Our curated list features powerful, game-changing solutions to automate notes, summaries, and action items. Compare free vs paid options with real-world tests and weekly updated rankings. Unlock peak team productivity. Explore the best picks now at XIX.AI.
10 tools
xix.ai
Prompt
AI Prompts for Infrastructure-as-Code: Deploy Terraform & Docker Configurations Safely
Discover the 2026 latest top-rated AI prompts for Infrastructure-as-Code. XIX.AI's curated selection helps you safely deploy Terraform & Docker configurations, automate cloud setups, and boost DevOps productivity. Compare free vs paid options with real-world tests. Explore now and unlock your AI edge.
10 tools
xix.ai
Comments (2)
0/500
![WilliamYoung]()
Interessant, aber ist das nicht einfach wieder so 'Apple macht's vor, Google kopiert'? 😅 Ich frage mich, ob das bei Android 16 wirklich so nahtlos funktioniert wie bei iOS. Die Live-Benachrichtigungen für Liefer-Apps klingen praktisch, aber ich hoffe, dass sie nicht zu viel Akku fressen. Mal sehen, wann mein Phone das Update bekommt.
![JonathanRoberts]()
Ah non, copier iOS encore ? 🙄 Les Live Activities étaient cool, mais sur Android ça fait gadget. Pourquoi pas inventer autre chose ? En plus, sur Pixel d'abord... Encore un truc pour vendre les téléphones Google. J'espère que ça marchera mieux que les précédents "emprunts" à Apple ! 😅
Android 16 has officially arrived, debuting first on Pixel devices with Google's answer to iOS Live Activities. On Tuesday, Google announced the rollout of Live Updates for ride-sharing and food delivery apps, providing persistent, real-time notifications to track your order or ride status.
Google began developing Live Updates last year, launching a beta version in January. The feature may soon expand beyond deliveries and rides, as users spotted Google Maps testing real-time navigation alerts in the Android 16 beta. Live Updates will display in the Now Bar on Samsung devices and as Live Alerts on Oppo and OnePlus phones.
However, Google notes that Live Updates will reach their full potential in a future release. The latest update also excludes the major Material 3 redesign.
In addition to Live Updates, Android 16 organizes your notification drawer by automatically grouping alerts from the same application.
Another enhancement improves call quality for hearing aid users. Currently, most LE hearing devices utilize front-facing microphones designed to capture others' voices rather than your own. With Android 16, you can switch to your phone's microphone during calls. The update includes native hearing device controls for adjusting volume, setting call microphone preferences, and more.
Advanced Protection is now available for mobile, safeguarding vulnerable users from malicious apps, dangerous websites, and cyber threats. Google is also preparing a DeX-like desktop experience for Android with customizable keyboard shortcuts, available for developer testing today ahead of a broader release later this year.
Other notable app updates include custom icon settings for RCS group chats in Google Messages and timed mute options for group notifications. Google Photos' redesigned editor is expanding to more devices, alongside extended Safety Check timers.
Google Home's update simplifies managing smart devices across locations by allowing shortcuts for specific devices in Favorites. This enables pinning security cameras to Google TV or thermostat controls to Wear OS watches. Wear OS users can now tap transit cards without opening Google Wallet.
Android 16 launches first on Pixel devices, with more Material 3 Expressive design updates coming to Android 16 and Wear OS 6 on Pixels later this year.
Update, June 10th: Clarified that Live Updates will be "fully realized" in a future update.
Google rolls out Gemini in Chrome to India
On Wednesday, Google announced it is expanding Gemini integration for Chrome to new regions, including India, Canada, and New Zealand. This rollout allows desktop users to access Gemini via a sidebar, where they can ask Google’s AI chatbot about on-s
Barry Diller: Trust in Sam Altman irrelevant as AGI nears
Barry Diller, the billionaire media titan, does not believe OpenAI CEO Sam Altman is untrustworthy, despite recent reports suggesting otherwise. Speaking at the Wall Street Journal's "Future of Everything" conference this week, Diller defended Altman
YouTube expands AI deepfake detection to politicians, government officials, and journalists
On Tuesday, YouTube announced it is expanding its deepfake detection technology to a select group of government officials, political candidates, and journalists. The tool identifies AI-generated likenesses and lets pilot participants request the remo
Discover the 2026 best AI assistants for crafting epic xianxia & wuxia tales. XIX.AI's curated list features top-rated, game-changing tools to master cultivation progression and martial arts choreography. Compare free vs paid options with real-world tests. Unlock your creative potential and start writing today!
10 tools
xix.ai
Discover the 2026 best AI mobile app coding tools for Flutter & React Native. Our curated, top-rated list features powerful, game-changing solutions that generate cross-platform code from prompts. Compare free vs paid options with real-world tests. Unlock faster development and build better apps. Explore the rankings on XIX.AI now!
10 tools
xix.ai
Discover the 2026 best AI Chrome extension generators on XIX.AI. Our curated list features top-rated, must-try tools that let you create custom browser add-ons with zero coding. Compare free vs paid options, see real-world tests, and unlock your productivity. Explore the latest rankings and find your perfect tool today!
10 tools
xix.ai
Discover the 2026 best AI multilingual TTS tools for authentic native-accent speech in 50+ languages. Explore our top-rated, curated rankings with free vs paid comparisons and real-world tests. Find your perfect voice tool on XIX.AI and unlock global communication today.
10 tools
xix.ai
Discover the 2026 latest top-rated AI meeting automation tools for smarter, faster collaboration. Our curated list features powerful, game-changing solutions to automate notes, summaries, and action items. Compare free vs paid options with real-world tests and weekly updated rankings. Unlock peak team productivity. Explore the best picks now at XIX.AI.
10 tools
xix.ai
Discover the 2026 latest top-rated AI prompts for Infrastructure-as-Code. XIX.AI's curated selection helps you safely deploy Terraform & Docker configurations, automate cloud setups, and boost DevOps productivity. Compare free vs paid options with real-world tests. Explore now and unlock your AI edge.
10 tools
xix.ai
Interessant, aber ist das nicht einfach wieder so 'Apple macht's vor, Google kopiert'? 😅 Ich frage mich, ob das bei Android 16 wirklich so nahtlos funktioniert wie bei iOS. Die Live-Benachrichtigungen für Liefer-Apps klingen praktisch, aber ich hoffe, dass sie nicht zu viel Akku fressen. Mal sehen, wann mein Phone das Update bekommt.
Ah non, copier iOS encore ? 🙄 Les Live Activities étaient cool, mais sur Android ça fait gadget. Pourquoi pas inventer autre chose ? En plus, sur Pixel d'abord... Encore un truc pour vendre les téléphones Google. J'espère que ça marchera mieux que les précédents "emprunts" à Apple ! 😅
