Google Rolls Out Major Android Update: AI Writing Tools, Redesigned Quick Share, and Audio Sharing Features

Android's Quick Share Gets a Makeover, and Audio Sharing Lets Friends Tune In Together

With more than a decade of experience, Nelson covers Apple and Google and writes about iPhone and Android features, privacy and security settings, and more. Google is rolling out a bundle of updates Wednesday across Android and Pixel that aim to make sharing files and listening together feel more seamless. The two headliners are a redesigned Quick Share that pares back taps and confusion, and a new Audio sharing feature that lets two people (or more) listen to the same thing from one phone on their own headphones. Beyond sharing, the update includes AI writing tools in Gboard, a revived Androidify with generative smarts and a Pixel Drop bringing theming, audio and on-wrist navigation to the Pixel Phone, Pixel Tablet, Pixel Watch and Wear OS devices. Quick Share, Android's built-in way to send files, photos and links between nearby devices, gets a clean coat of paint and a simpler flow. The new interface makes one choice impossible to miss -- are you sending or receiving? A prominent toggle helps you switch modes without having to traverse through menus, and once a transfer starts, live progress indicators show what's happening in real time. It's the kind of quality-of-life tweak you only notice when it isn't there: fewer failed sends in a crowded room, clearer feedback when you're helping a friend grab a video and a little less "did it go through?" small talk. Audio sharing is the other new update, turning one phone into a mini transmitter for group listening. Using LE Audio, two people can pair their compatible Bluetooth headphones to a single phone and listen to a playlist, podcast or movie together without splitters or earbud swapping. There's also a private broadcast option: start a session on your phone, generate a QR code and let nearby friends join the stream on their own compatible headphones. Google says LE Audio capabilities are expanding to Sony headphones, and Auracast support is coming to compatible Pixel phones, adding to existing support on select Samsung Galaxy and Xiaomi devices. For long flights, gym sessions or a "you have to watch this" moment, the pitch is simple: synchronized sound, separate earbuds. Gboard adds AI writing tools to polish what you've already typed. You can adjust tone, proofread and fix errors, and get caption help. Meme generation and caption suggestions are built in, so you can draft and post without switching apps. The Emoji Keyboard adds a browse view for faster sticker hunting, plus new remix combos. Androidify, the discontinued Android Bot avatar creator, returns with AI that can caption, generate and even animate your bot. Upload a selfie or type a prompt and Google's models -- Gemini 2.5 Flash, Imagen and Veo 3 -- build a personalized Android figure. On the Pixel side, the latest Drop focuses on personalization, audio smarts and glanceable navigation. Material 3 Expressive theming lands on the Pixel 6 (and newer phones) and Pixel Tablet. Pixel Buds Pro 2 get Adaptive Audio and Loud Noise Protection. And Google Maps now auto-launches on Pixel Watch and other Wear OS devices when you start walking or biking navigation on your phone.

Your Android phone just got 3 useful upgrades for free (Samsung models included)

Also: Google is killing the Android phone feature that once made them popular - and there's a big reason why Google announced on Wednesday a number of upgrades to its operating system, among them a new AI-powered tool to easily revamp your writing, improved emojis, and a redesigned Quick Share. Here's a look at what's new: Google is unveiling new AI writing tools for Gboard, the virtual keyboard for Android devices (it's available on iOS too, though). When you open the new interface, you'll see a tool that lets you revise your tone to be more formal, expressive, or concise, plus fix spelling and grammar mistakes. Google notes that everything happens on device, meaning your data stays secure. If you can't find the perfect sticker or emoji, Google has a new way to help. There's a new browse function that lets you look through multiple options, and new sticker combinations that let you remix and create your own. A demo video from Google showcases a user combining a butterfly emoji and a sneaker to create a sneaker with butterfly wings, but the possibilities are endless. Also: How to clear your Android phone cache (and the hidden problem it actually fixes) This isn't quite to the level of Apple's Genmoji feature that lets you create an emoji with a text description, but it's a fun new way to get creative. Sharing files, photos, links, and more between nearby Android devices (plus Chromebooks or Windows PCs) is getting a new look that should make things easier to use. Google explains that you can now toggle between sending and receiving files, see live updates with a progress indicator, and more. Also: 3 Android calendar apps that beat Google's default hands down - and they're all free Also new in this update are audio sharing capabilities (including the ability for two users to pair LE headphones) and the ability to create your own custom Android bot by uploading a selfie or typing a prompt. These new updates generally take a little time to roll out, so if you don't see them yet, you should soon.

Your Android phone just got 3 free upgrades - including a big one for Quick Share

Also: Google is killing the Android phone feature that once made them popular - and there's a big reason why Google has announced a number of upgrades to its operating system, among them a new AI-powered tool to easily revamp your writing, improved emojis, and a redesigned Quick Share. Here's a look at what's new: Google is unveiling new AI writing tools for Gboard, the virtual keyboard for Android devices (it's available on iOS too, though). When you open the new interface, you'll see a tool that lets you revise your tone to be more formal, expressive, or concise, plus fix spelling and grammar mistakes. Google notes that everything happens on device, meaning your data stays secure. If you can't find the perfect sticker or emoji, Google has a new way to help. There's a new browse function that lets you look through multiple options, and new sticker combinations that let you remix and create your own. A demo video from Google showcases a user combining a butterfly emoji and a sneaker to create a sneaker with butterfly wings, but the possibilities are endless. Also: How to clear your Android phone cache (and the hidden problem it actually fixes) This isn't quite to the level of Apple's Genmoji feature that lets you create an emoji with a text description, but it's a fun new way to get creative. Sharing files, photos, links, and more between nearby Android devices (plus Chromebooks or Windows PCs) is getting a new look that should make things easier to use. Google explains that you can now toggle between sending and receiving files, see live updates with a progress indicator, and more. Also: 3 Android calendar apps that beat Google's default hands down - and they're all free Also new in this update are audio sharing capabilities (including the ability for two users to pair LE headphones) and the ability to create your own custom Android bot by uploading a selfie or typing a prompt. These new updates generally take a little time to roll out, so if you don't see them yet, you should soon.

Your Android phone just got 3 useful upgrades for free - including a big one for audio

Also: Google is killing the Android phone feature that once made them popular - and there's a big reason why Google announced last week a number of upgrades to its operating system, among them a new AI-powered tool to easily revamp your writing, improved emojis, and a redesigned Quick Share. Here's a look at what's new: Google is unveiling new AI writing tools for Gboard, the virtual keyboard for Android devices (it's available on iOS too, though). When you open the new interface, you'll see a tool that lets you revise your tone to be more formal, expressive, or concise, plus fix spelling and grammar mistakes. Google notes that everything happens on device, meaning your data stays secure. If you can't find the perfect sticker or emoji, Google has a new way to help. There's a new browse function that lets you look through multiple options, and new sticker combinations that let you remix and create your own. A demo video from Google showcases a user combining a butterfly emoji and a sneaker to create a sneaker with butterfly wings, but the possibilities are endless. Also: How to clear your Android phone cache (and the hidden problem it actually fixes) This isn't quite to the level of Apple's Genmoji feature that lets you create an emoji with a text description, but it's a fun new way to get creative. Sharing files, photos, links, and more between nearby Android devices (plus Chromebooks or Windows PCs) is getting a new look that should make things easier to use. Google explains that you can now toggle between sending and receiving files, see live updates with a progress indicator, and more. Also: 3 Android calendar apps that beat Google's default hands down - and they're all free Also new in this update are audio sharing capabilities (including the ability for two users to pair LE headphones) and the ability to create your own custom Android bot by uploading a selfie or typing a prompt. These new updates generally take a little time to roll out, so if you don't see them yet, you should soon.

Android Update Brings AI to Gboard App, Redesigned Quick Share, More

An example of Material 3 Expressive for Pixel phones (Credit: Google) Don't miss out on our latest stories. Add PCMag as a preferred source on Google. 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.

New Android Features Arrive: Gboard Writing Tools, Bluetooth Audio Sharing, and Quick Share Redesign

My Laptop Setup Isn't Complete Without This Plugable USB-C Hub Summary Gboard gains on-device Gemini for writing edits and tone; Emoji Kitchen adds remix search and favorites. Pair two LE Audio headphones or share group audio via QR to create private broadcasts. Quick Share redesign adds send/receive toggle, previews, and immediate file opening; uses Android 16 Live Updates. Google is sharing a bunch of new stuff today, but it's not all reserved for Pixel users. The Gboard app is getting some new writing tools and easier access to Emoji Kitchen stickers, nifty audio sharing features are rolling out, and the Quick Share menu gets redesigned yet again. Gboard Gets AI Writing Tools and Emoji Kitchen Search If you're the type of person who doesn't mind letting AI do your talking, Google is adding some AI writing tools to Gboard. The new "Writing Tools" button gives you the ability to use Gemini to proofread, rephrase, add emoji, and adjust the tone of text. All of the rewriting and proofreading happens on your phone, so your data stays private. Emoji Kitchen is one of the most fun features of Gboard, and now it's even easier to use. When you enter an emoji, you can now see all the available remixes without needing to enter a second emoji. And when you do choose another emoji, even more suggestions appear. You can also favorite your creations for easy use later on. Sharing Bluetooth Audio Sharing audio from your phone with friends should be easier in the age of Bluetooth, right? In reality, it's not a great experience, and Google is trying to fix that. Now, you can pair two LE Audio Bluetooth headphones to your phone directly from the Bluetooth pop-up menu. You can also share audio with a group using a QR code. This lets you create a private broadcast, allowing everyone to listen in with their own headphones. Quick Share is Getting a Redesign Google has pretty much never stopped messing around with the Quick Share menu, and it's getting yet another redesign. Sharing photos and videos with a friend should get a bit easier -- at least that's the hope. Now you can quickly switch between sending and receiving files, get a preview of the photos you're sharing, and open files you get immediately. There's also now takes advantage of Android 16's Live Updates feature. Google didn't share specific timelines for when to expect these features to roll out. However, I would expect to see them relatively soon, as they don't rely on full system updates. Source: Google

Google Drops Four New Android Features Right After QPR1 Update - Phandroid

Google isn't slowing down after yesterday's Android 16 QPR1 release. The company just announced four new features rolling out to Android phones this September, and the timing feels like Google wants to keep the momentum going from Material 3 Expressive. The biggest news is that Gboard's AI writing tools are finally escaping Pixel exclusivity. If your phone has a Snapdragon 8 Elite or MediaTek Dimensity 9400 chip, you can now proofread, rephrase, and adjust your message tone without leaving the keyboard. Everything happens on-device using Gemini Nano, so your embarrassing typos stay private. Emoji Kitchen is also getting an upgrade with better browsing and the ability to favorite your custom emoji creations. Now you can finally save that perfect crying-laughing taco combo for later use. Google's taking another shot at making Bluetooth audio sharing useful. You can pair two LE Audio headphones to one phone, so both people can listen to the same thing in perfect sync. For groups, there's Auracast broadcasting through QR codes - basically turning your phone into a private radio station for friends with compatible headphones. After years of Quick Share working mostly in the background, Google finally gave it a proper user interface. The redesigned Quick Share now shows file previews, lets you toggle between sending and receiving modes, and uses Android 16's Live Updates to show transfer progress. It's small changes, but they make sharing files feel less like a guessing game.

Google rolls out Android features -- AI writing in Gboard, Emoji Kitchen stickers, Dual audio sharing, Quick Share improvements

Google has introduced new features for Android devices, including AI-powered writing tools in Gboard, upgraded Emoji Kitchen stickers, and enhanced options for sharing audio and files. These updates streamline messaging, creative expression, and media sharing. AI Writing Suggestions in Gboard Gboard now offers AI features to adjust messages to formal, expressive, or concise tones. Users can also apply spelling and grammar corrections or proofread entire messages with a single tap. All text processing occurs on-device, ensuring user data remains private. The Emoji Kitchen library has been updated for easier browsing and personalization. Users can explore suggested emoji combinations, save favorites, and access a variety of unique visual expressions tailored to their chats. You can now connect two LE Audio Bluetooth headphones to an Android device and share audio simultaneously. Group sharing is available via a QR code, allowing multiple people to listen to the same content on their own headphones, suitable for personal listening sessions or gatherings. Quick Share has been updated to allow instant toggling between sending and receiving files. Users can preview shared photos and videos, access received content immediately, and view a live progress indicator showing transfer completion.