Material You Update: Expressive Design Comes to Pixel 6 & Newer

Google Unveils New Features for Android and Pixel Devices

On Wednesday, Google revealed a comprehensive set of new functionalities designed for the Android ecosystem and its Pixel line of devices. The company is rolling out Material 3 Expressive to Pixel phones, Adaptive Audio for the Pixel Buds Pro 2, enhanced on-wrist navigation for the Pixel Watch, innovative AI writing tools within Gboard, improved audio sharing options, and the capability to design personalized Android bots, among other updates.

Material 3 Expressive and Personalization

Beginning this Wednesday, Material 3 Expressive is becoming available for Pixel 6 and subsequent models, as well as the Pixel Tablet. Google asserts that this update will further personalize the user experience. Users can now leverage Live effects to incorporate dynamic animations into their lock screen wallpapers and craft unique calling cards for their contacts.

Adaptive Audio and Pixel Buds Pro 2

Later this month, Adaptive Audio will be implemented in the Pixel Buds Pro 2. This feature allows the earbuds to intelligently adjust to the surrounding environment, ensuring users remain aware of their surroundings while enjoying audio. Furthermore, clear communication with Gemini will be possible even in noisy settings using the earbuds.

Head gestures are also being introduced; users can now accept or reject incoming calls simply by nodding or shaking their head.

Pixel Watch Navigation Enhancements

Pixel Watch users will benefit from the ability to initiate walking or biking navigation on their smartphone via Google Maps. The navigation instructions will then be automatically mirrored onto their smartwatch display.

Gboard's AI-Powered Writing Tools

New AI writing tools are being integrated into Gboard. These tools enable users to modify the tone of their writing to be more formal, expressive, or concise. Additionally, spelling and grammar corrections are now readily available.

Google emphasizes that all proofreading and rewriting processes occur directly on the device, thereby safeguarding user data privacy.

Enhanced Audio Sharing Capabilities

Users can now connect two LE Audio Bluetooth headphones to an Android phone, facilitating simultaneous listening for two individuals. This audio sharing feature allows for shared music experiences or collaborative movie viewing using individual headphones.

Google suggests this functionality is particularly useful in environments such as busy cafes or during commutes.

Private Audio Broadcasts and Silent Discos

A QR code can be generated to share audio with a group through a private broadcast. This allows multiple listeners to enjoy the same playlist independently. Google proposes this could be utilized for events like silent discos.

Quick Share Improvements

The redesigned Quick Share feature on Android streamlines content sharing and receiving. Instant switching between sending and receiving is now possible, along with photo previews before sharing and immediate opening of received files. A new progress indicator provides real-time updates on file transfer percentages.

Introducing Androidify

Google is introducing Androidify, a platform for creating custom Android bots. Users can upload a selfie or provide a text prompt to initiate the process. Gemini 2.5 Flash is used to generate captions, and Imagen creates the bot’s visual representation.

In certain instances, Veo 3, Google’s latest video generation model, is employed to animate the created bot.