Android just got 6 big upgrades — how to try them now

Android just got 6 big upgrades — how to try them at present

(Paradigm credit: Google)

Android is in the news a lot lately, mostly considering of the get-go Android 12 Developer Preview dropped terminal week. Merely Google isn't content to balance on its laurels — the tech behemothic is releasing 6 new features for existing versions of its popular mobile operating arrangement.

These features focus around safety and convenience, with some awesome enhancements to accessibility thrown in for good measure out. Android Auto is also getting some dearest.

How to install Android 12 Developer Preview on your Pixel
Android vs. iOS
Plus: Android 12 Developer Preview is here

Google does a quarterly feature drop for its Pixel phones, simply these new features go beyond the company's own hardware line. These are now rolling out to everyone, though it might take some time for your Android phone to receive them. So without farther ado, here'south what new.

New Android features

There are six new features, some of which incorporate a bit more item than the others.

Password Checkup: Available in Chrome, Password Checkup is a mode for Google to allow yous know if whatsoever of your saved passwords has been compromised. Countersign Checkup is coming to Android, so when you lot use Autofill to fill in a password, the Bone will check that credential against a list of known compromised passwords. You'll get an alarm if one of yours turns up. Countersign Checkup will be available on devices running Android nine and to a higher place.

Schedule transport in Messages: If you use Google's Messages app for SMS, you'll now be able to schedule a text to send later. So you can write something up now and have it transport tomorrow. Scheduled letters is pretty simple, and it'll exist available for all devices running Android seven and to a higher place.

New TalkBack features: TalkBack is ane of Android's accessibility features and it's been around for a really long time. It reads off the content of the screen for the visually-impaired, but Google is drastically improving TalkBack. It'll offer spoken feedback and new gestures to make using the telephone easier without having to wait at it. This update will exist available in the Play Shop.

Assistant lock screen cards: Google Assistant continues to amend, now offering info cards on the lock screen without requiring you to unlock the telephone. With this update, you tin can at present upshot Banana commands from across the room, like sending a text or setting an alert. You'll demand to enable Lock Screen Personal Results to get started.

Google Maps dark mode: Google Maps introduced a night style during dark navigation a while ago, but now you can fix information technology to be always agile. There's a new Always in Dark Theme option.

Android Machine updates: Android Auto gets several new features, including custom wallpapers and vocalisation-based games like Jeopardy. Google also added shortcuts to the dwelling house screen (like contacts and thermostat) and split-screen for broad-screen displays.

Motorcar will too become a new privacy characteristic, allowing you to set when the interface displays on the screen. This update volition striking all devices running Android 6 and above, as long your phone is connected to a compatible auto.

More: Android 12 just reinvented moving picture-in-picture on phones

Jordan is the Phones Editor for Tom's Guide, covering all things phone-related. He'due south written about phones for over five years and plans to go on for a long while to come. He loves nothing more than relaxing in his home with a book, game, or his latest personal writing project. Hashemite kingdom of jordan likes finding new things to dive into, from books and games to new mechanical keyboard switches and fun keycap sets. Jordan tends to lurk on social media, simply y'all can best achieve him on Twitter.