New features are the best part of any software update, but surprise new features are even better. Google just announced a new feature drop today, complete with eight new features to try on your Android device. Surprisingly, these features don't have too much to do with AI, Google's big focus right now. Seeing as its AI Overviews project is going quite poorly, it's almost refreshing to see a handful of traditionally useful features coming to Android.
Google is finally rolling out the ability to edit your RCS messages after you've sent them. You have 15 minutes after sending a message to make any changes. To find the option, long-press on the message. Google didn't clarify whether there was a limit to the number of times you could change a message before that 15 minute timer expired, but the change puts the company in line with other messaging platforms like iMessage and WhatsApp.
Emoji Kitchen is a feature that lets you combine compatible emojis together to create something brand new. (For example, a winking emoji and a ghost emoji become a winking ghost.) Google is now releasing new combinations for the feature, but they haven't listed all possible combos just yet. In the press release, they highlight only one combination, headphones and disco ball, as a way to "get ready for festival season." Presumably, there are more to discover, however.
Going forward, you'll be able to jump between your connected devices while on a Google Meet call. To do so, tap the Cast button and swap from, say, your web browser to your Android phone or tablet. This is a great feature for those of us who need to leave our desktops during a meeting, but want to keep up with the call. It's also great for the opposite: If someone calls you on your phone while you're out and about, but you're still chatting when you get back home, you can switch to your computer and wrap up the call from your desk.
Google is rolling out "instant hotspot," which will let you connect your Android tablet or Chromebook to your phone's hotspot without needing to punch in the password each time. It's a small but welcome change that should make connecting to your hotspot feel a bit more like connecting to a known wifi network. (Even if you still have to choose to connect to your hotspot each time.)
The Google Home Favorites widget is now available on the home screen for those who sign up for Public Preview. With it, you can control smart devices from your phone's home screen without needing to open the Google Home app first. I can see this being particularly convenient for quick actions, like turning smart lights on and off, or checking in on stats for devices like smart thermostats.
In addition, Google is making a Google Home Favorites tile and complication (essentially a feature on the watch face) for your Wear OS smartwatch. So, same deal as above, just on your watch, if you'd prefer to adjust your smart home devices from your wrist.
In an update to Google Wallet, PayPal is now an option when paying for something with your Wear OS smartwatch, at least if you're in the U.S. or Germany.
Google is taking this moment to roll out digital car keys on Android, starting with "select MINI models," and extending to select Mercedes-Benz and Polestar models at a later date. When you have a car that supports the feature, you'll be able to lock, unlock, or start your car with your phone, as well as share digital car keys with trusted contacts. Digital car keys, like those on iOS, are a slow-growing technology for a myriad of reasons, including cybersecurity and a lack of standardization. The more companies like Google embrace the tech, the likelier it is auto manufacturers will want to add the feature to their cars.
If you're looking for a new Android phone to try out these new features (as well as the rest Android has to offer), check out some of these recommendations from our sister site PCMag:
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