Google unveils Android winter updates: New emoji sticker combos, enhanced messaging, and more
Google has unveiled a comprehensive set of updates across its Android ecosystem. The Winter 2023 updates cover a spectrum of devices, including Android smartphones, tablets, Wear OS smartwatches, and Google TV, introducing new features, enhancing accessibility, and providing users with novel ways to express themselves.
One of the key highlights of these updates is the introduction of new Emoji Kitchen sticker combinations, empowering Android users to infuse creativity into their messaging conversations. Emoji Kitchen allows users to remix their favorite emojis into unique stickers, fostering more expressive and personalized communication, and users can share said emojis with friends as stickers via Gboard as well.
Taking messaging a step further, Google Messages for Android introduces a beta feature called Voice Moods. This feature adds a distinctive background and an animated emoji to voice messages, enabling users to convey emotions dynamically. The aim is to offer users a nuanced and expressive platform for communication, and the addition of the beta feature Voice Moods allows users to enhance their voice messages with vibrant backgrounds and dynamic emojis. Google says that it will help users better express how they’re “feeling in the moment.”
With AI being the name of the game in the tech sector, Google would be remiss to not include it in its winter update. Now, the TalkBack feature now leverages artificial intelligence to generate image descriptions for users with low vision. This AI-powered capability reads aloud descriptions of images, whether sourced from the internet or user-generated photos. Furthermore, Google expands the language support for its Live Caption feature, enhancing accessibility for users across the globe.
Google’s Android is not the only one to receive the early Christmas gifts. The Wear OS platform receives a significant boost with enhancements geared towards smart home control and automation. Users can now exercise more control over a broader array of smart home devices and light groups directly from their Wear OS smartwatches. This includes the ability to set the mood by adjusting light groups for various occasions, adding a layer of ambiance to the smart home experience, as well as turn on and dock compatible smart appliances like vacuums and mops from the Wear OS smartwatch.
An upcoming feature, Assistant Routines, promises to bring automation to daily tasks. Users will soon be able to initiate routines through voice commands, allowing for a seamless and hands-free experience. The introduction of an Assistant at a Glance shortcut on the watch face offers users quick access to relevant information, such as weather updates and traffic data, while they can let their smart home devices know when they are home or not by changing their Google Home status.
Furthermore, Google TV, the tech giant’s foray into smart television, expands its content offerings with the addition of ten new free channels, bringing the total count to well over 800. These channels, available without additional subscription requirements, offer diverse content, including movies, game shows, and sports. While the updates begin rolling out today, Google notes that it may take a few weeks for all users to receive them.
