Google I/O Yes On May 20, but the annual developer meeting will be so full of announcements that Google is opening the valve to release some news early. Today, during a virtual event, the company has shown several features of Android 16 on Android 16, starting with a redesign.

This is all new to Google's mobile operating system. Some of these features will be released first on Pixel phones later this summer (presumably Google's Pixel 10 series), but most will be part of a large Android update that is expected to arrive earlier than usual in June this year.

Also, be sure to read our overview of the new scam detection capabilities that use Android using on-board AI.

Fresh face

Android is remodeled with a new design language called Material 3 Expractive, and this time the focus is on personalization.

The last major redesign was the debut of Material 3 four years ago. That said, Google says it's not "Material 4" and Material 3 Exandive is not the new version of the system. Expression yes Through 46 studies conducted with more than 18,000 participants, “the update of most studies”.

Google claims that the expression language scattered throughout the operating system is advantaged by people of all ages and scores highly on attributes such as entertainment, energy, creativity and friendliness. Crucially, Google claims: “Users are more likely to switch products using M3 expression components and technology to.” This is important when a recent survey showed that 87% of teenagers have iPhones without a switch plan.

There are some fresh animations that feel more sensitive, such as how to sweep notifications from notification drawers will feel more resilient to tactile feedback, and notifications above and below will react to the action. When you unpack the app in the Recents menu, play the volume slider, you may expect subtle animations to change even when you lower the quick setting shadows - you'll see blurry effects on the home screen.

With more emphasis on fonts and layouts, Android 16 has a more dynamic color theme, and you have better control over the appearance of your operating system even in supported applications. Most of it is also functional - Google lets you squeeze more settings into the quick settings drawer, so you can quickly access flashlights (such as flashlights) or uninterrupted mode.

Android 16 also draws clues from Apple's live activity feature, with fixed notifications from apps like Doordash, Uber, or Google Maps on the lock screen, so you don't have to keep jumping into the app for checking. Even if the phone goes into standby mode, they will remain on the screen.