(Credit: Google)
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Less than two weeks after Google’s big Pixel 10 launch, the company is back with further changes for Android phones.
Pixel phones get most of the perks, the most notable of which is the Material 3 Expressive design language. These changes were first detailed in May ahead of the Pixel 10 launch. Now, all devices released after the Pixel 6, including the Pixel Tablet, will get them.
It brings what the company calls “springier” animations, more rounded icons for buttons, richer color options, and blurring on some elements to suggest depth within the UI.
The first feature coming to all Android phones is AI-powered writing tools for the Gboard keyboard app, which Google says will "improve your writing by adjusting your writing style, proofreading, and correcting text."
Google is also making changes to audio sharing across Android devices. If you have LE Bluetooth Audio-compatible headphones, two people can listen to the same audio.
Additionally, Google is launching what it calls "private broadcast" to share audio with a larger group of people. The feature creates a QR code that, if someone with compatible headphones scans, will tune them into the same playlist. Google uses a makeshift silent disco as an example of why you may find this helpful.
The brand has also redesigned its Quick Share menu for Android, which some users have spotted on their phones over the last few days. It now lets you swap between either sending or receiving modes. There's also a progress indicator to show how far you're through sharing a file, which will be especially helpful for larger media.
The last big AI announcement is an online tool to create customized versions of its iconic Bugdroid mascot. With this Androidify tool, available on the web or an Android app, you take a selfie, and a combination of AI models, including Gemini 2.5 Flash, Imagen, and Veo 3, work together to turn you into an Android. You can animate it and also enter prompts to create your own creations.
Finally, there’s a small change for those with Wear OS smartwatches who regularly use Google Maps. A new auto-launch feature means when you start a walking or biking journey on your smartphone, it'll automatically appear on your smartwatch to help you track where you're going.