Google announces new Android features at MWC 2024

Main points

• New Android features include AI summarization of text messages and AI captioning of images, appealing to tech-savvy users around the world.
• Access Google’s artificial intelligence model Gemini in the Messages app to easily draft messages, brainstorm ideas and plan events; available in beta.
• Google Maps and Lens have teamed up to provide audio capabilities for reading business information, while Docs allows handwritten notes for feedback on Android.

Google kicked off MWC 2024 by announcing a number of new features for Android phones, tablets, and Wear OS devices. Android Auto even incorporates the fun of artificial intelligence with a new feature that can summarize long text messages or noisy group chats (we’re all at least one of those). As is the current trend with all tech companies and announcements, Google’s latest Android feature has a ton of artificial intelligence at its disposal, whether you like it or not.

Google says the new features will start rolling out immediately, but as any Android user knows, just because the rollout has started, it can take a while for them to reach your device. So be patient. In the meantime, here’s a quick look at all the features coming to your Android device.

Chat with Gemini in Messages

When no one responds to your text messages

Gemini, Google’s generative AI, is coming to Google’s messaging app, where you can talk to the AI ​​just like you would a friend. Google says you can use the Chat with Gemini feature to draft new messages, brainstorm ideas, plan activities (like a trip or date night with friends), or have a conversation with an artificial intelligence. Gemini, the messaging app, will be available in English beta. Using “Chat with Gemini” sounds much easier than visiting a separate website or launching a separate app to talk to Google’s artificial intelligence.

Android just got easier to use

Listen to AI-generated image subtitles

Another artificial intelligence feature in Android could be a game-changer for those with visual impairments. Once available on Android devices, you can listen to AI-generated captions for photos, online images, and images included in messages. The feature is rolling out globally, first in English, but we fully expect Google to release it in other languages ​​at some point.

Google Maps will read business information aloud

Google Maps and Lens work well together, and they’ll become even more useful as Google adds the ability to point your phone’s camera at an object in your field of view and have TalkBack read that location to you. This new feature will come in handy if you want to quickly know opening hours, ratings or directions, whether you have low vision or not.

Handwritten feedback in Google Docs

Google Docs is an application better suited for larger devices with full keyboards. However, that’s about to change, as Google is rolling out a feature designed to let you suggest changes and provide feedback using handwritten notes right from your Android phone or tablet. According to Google, you can use your finger or stylus, which means markup in documents isn’t limited to the latest Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra and the like. There are different pen colors and highlighters so you can provide personalized feedback on your documents.

health and wellness improvements

Google is improving the redesigned Fitbit app with Health Connect and adding data from other wearables and apps like AllTrails, Oura Ring and MyFitnessPal.Improved, you can now access you tag In the Fitbit app on your Android phone, you can view data from connected apps alongside Fitbit data to create a more cohesive health app. It’s similar to how Apple Health works on the iPhone and is a welcome addition to Fitbit and Google’s fitness tracking capabilities.