Android 16 now features iOS-style live notifications on the lock screen for real-time updates and Google’s new Material 3 Expressive design language. There are new capabilities for safeguarding against theft and scams, along with an updated advanced protection mode to maintain security and privacy for public figures.

Google has launched the new mobile operating system, Android 16, for millions of smartphone users. The design has been revamped and numerous customisation features added. It will soon be available to users of Pixel smartphones.

Apple has revamped multitasking and productivity in iPadOS 26 and having used it for two days, it's already shown these four things that Google needs to add to Android.

Google's latest changes to AOSP will have a major impact if you run LineageOS or another custom ROM on your Pixel. That's a dwindling number, though, as custom ROMs are no longer as popular as they once were. Still, it's a major setback for leading custom ROM projects, like LineageOS and GrapheneOS.

With the launch of Android 16 earlier this week, Google did not release the Pixel hardware repos and device trees that are particularly important for custom ROM developers. This led to speculation by some that “AOSP is being discontinued.” Google denies that, but it does seem that the Pixel change is intentional.

The latest phone to come a cropper is the Pixel 6a, released in 2022. Android Authority spotted clues in the code for Android 16, the latest version, that Google has discovered a battery overheating issue and will push an update soon that will limit battery life and charging speed.

Android 16 also adds support for hearing aids with LE audio, letting you connect them to your phone and enjoy clearer calls in noisy environments. This update also includes native controls for hearing aids, designed to make the control process easier to access and more consistent.

Google has released the desktop mode for Android for developers to test with the Android 16 QPR1 Beta 2 update – Pixel 8 or 9 required.

For reference, currently, when you initiate a Google Lens image search, either from the saved photos in your gallery, or via the camera's live view, the app takes you straight into a Google Search instance. Right at the bottom, users have a search bar to refine and narrow down their search.