Google has announced its latest Android Drop, which promises to bring a host of new features to a whole range of Android phones and tablets.
While Google has become known for its quarterly (more or less) Pixel Drops, which bring major new features to its own-branded Pixel phones, Android Drops offer more general updates to Google apps for all Android devices, sometimes with those Pixel-exclusive features being made more widely available.
The next Pixel Drop is technically going to be Android 17 itself, but that doesn’t mean there isn’t plenty of interesting stuff in the June Android Drop.
Scammer spotting
As part of the June Android Drop, Google’s Phone app will gain the ability to detect when a scammer is attempting to disguise themself as a trusted contact.
The example used is the generic name ‘Mom’, which would instantly raise suspicions here in the UK, but which is likely used by millions upon millions of North American users.
The Phone app will pop up a warning that “This may not be Mom” when it detects such an imposter, along with a prompt to hang up the call.
Circle to Search gets fashionable
Circle to Search is a magical tool, and it’s about to get a lot more fashion-conscious. Circle a whole outfit in Google’s AI search tool, and Google will pull together the whole outfit for you from wherever they live on the internet.
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As does Google Photos
Google isn’t the dorky, schlubby brand we used to know and love. Or at least, it’s trying not to be.
As well as the aforementioned Circle to Search enhancement, Google Photos is getting something of a fashion makeover. Google Photos wardrobe will catalogue the clothes you’re wearing in your photo library and turn them into snapshots, ready to assemble new looks.
This one’s coming next week, but only to Android users in the US, India and Brazil for now.
Personal Safety gets some kid-friendly features
Google’s Personal Safety app is adding helpful features for under-13s, such as the ability to display medical information and beaming emergency contacts onto their lock screen.
Car crash detection is also being added, while teens will be able to use Safety Check and real-time sharing with emergency contacts.
Google Play Books gets some love
Google is giving its Play Books app some welcome love in the June Android Drop. Following the update, you’ll be able to have the app catch you up with a recap on what’s been read so far.
You’ll also be able to highlight passages and perform a deep dive on them without being taken out of the book.
AirDrop comes to more phones
The ability to share files locally with your iPhone-owning contacts has been trickling out for some time now, but the June Android Drop adds a swathe of new devices.
Quick Share now has AirDrop support on lots of devices from Samsung, Xiaomi, OnePlus, Oppo, Vivo, and Honor, with more coming soon. Check out the full compatibility list here.
Cook up some new emoji
Emoji Kitchen is the name Google is giving to a new Gboard feature that lets you create expressive icon combinations, such as a mouse hugging a heart or “blingy bees”. Don’t blame me – that’s exactly what it says here about the ability to combine the bee and diamond ring emoji.
