🤖 Google has announced the first beta version of Android 16.

The company has announced the first of four planned public beta versions of Android 16. Signing up for the beta test for the over-the-air update is available for owners of Pixel 6 and newer. Once you upgrade to this version, you won't be able to leave the beta test without losing data until the release of Android 16.

New Features:
• New “Live Updates” — new class of notifications displayed in the status bar or on the lock screen. These notifications intended for important ongoing activities, like an incoming rideshare pickup, food delivery alert, navigation, and more.
• Support for Advanced Professional Video (APV) codec
• Predictive back gesture is now enabled by default for apps with Target SDK 36.
• Predictive back gesture now works for three-button navigation (while holding the back button).
• and other under-the-hood changes

🔗 More on Android Police

Build number: BP22.250103.008
Security patch: January 2025

🔗 Factory images
🔗 OTA images
🔗 Sign up for the beta test for the over-the-air upgrade

#Android16

😎 Google News | En

Android 16 Beta 1: New 'Contacts storage' settings page.

There is a new 'Contacts storage' page in system Settings / Apps. Here you will be able to choose where contacts will be saved and synchronized by default, to cloud storage and device or only device.

This option already existed in the Google Contacts app settings, and now it has appeared in the system settings.

#Android16

😎 Google News | En

Pixel Buds Pro 2 have received a firmware update.

The new firmware update version 3.144 adds “audio quality improvements” as well as the ability to customize the sounds produced by the charging case. Once the headphones are updated, a new “Case Sounds” page will appear under About Device / More Settings.

Here you will be able to enable or disable the sound when the headphones are properly placed in the charging case and other alerts such as start charging, low battery, successful pairing and errors.

You can manually check for headphone updates under About Device / More Settings / Firmware Update, or wait for them to update automatically while you're using them (you'll need to put the headphones back in the case for ~10 minutes to complete the update).

😎 Google News | En

February 2025 Android 15 security patch for Pixel devices has been released.

This update only applies to the Android 15 stable update channel. Security Patch updates for the betas are released in a separate update channel.

Fixed issues:

Audio
• Fix for issue with audio output in Android Auto under certain conditions*[Pixel 6, 6 Pro, 6a, 7, 7 Pro, 7a, 8, 8 Pro, 8a, Fold, Tablet, 9, 9 Pro, 9 Pro XL, 9 Pro Fold]

Bluetooth
• Fix for issue occasionally preventing connection with certain Bluetooth devices or accessories*[Pixel 9, 9 Pro, 9 Pro XL, 9 Pro Fold]

Build Number: AP4A.250205.002
Security Patch: February 2025

🔗 Android Security Bulletin — February 2025
🔗 Pixel Update Bulletin — February 2025

🔗 Factory Images
🔗 OTA-images

😎 Google News | En

🌐 Google I/O 2025 will take place on May 20-21!

The company has announced the dates for its annual developer conference. The presentation will begin with main keynote hosted by CEO Sundar Pichai at the Shoreline Amphitheater in Mountain View, followed by the developer keynote and technical sessions.

The schedule and list of sessions will appear closer to I/O 2025. In the meantime, online registration is available for everyone.

😎 Google News | En

The March 2025 Pixel Feature Drop based on the stable Android 15 QPR2 has been released.

As always, the quarterly update introduces new features in Google apps in conjunction with the release of Android 15 QPR2. The official list of new features:

• Connected Cameras for the Pixel 9 series - the ability to connect a GoPro HERO10 or Pixel 6 and newer models as external cameras to stream from different angles.
• Automatic transcribe in Recorder for cloud recordings.
• Location sharing with trusted contacts in Find My Device.
• Scam Detection in Google Messages.
• Scam Detection for calls on the Pixel 9 series with Gemini Nano.
• Dual-screen preview for video mode for Pixel Fold.
• Dual-screen preview for Add Me mode for Pixel 9 Pro Fold.
• Generating images of people in Pixel Studio for the Pixel 9 series.
• Pixel Screenshots now automatically suggests screenshots to add to your collection. And it's now available in work profiles [Pixel 9 series]
• Messaging via satellite for Verizon and T-Mobile carriers [Pixel 9 Series]
• New regions with access to Satellite SOS: Hawaii, Alaska, Europe, and Canada [Pixel 9 Series]

Also added some new features along with Android 15 QPR2, which will be covered in a separate post.

Build number: BP1A.250305.020
Security Patch: March 2025

Available for Pixel 6 and newer devices.

🔗 Google Announcement
🔗 Pixel Help Post

🔗 Android Security Bulletin
🔗 Pixel Update Bulletin

🔗 Factory Images
🔗 OTA-images

😎 Google News | En