by Although Android 16 earlier than expected, in terms of function, it seems that it will be an incremental update-with a heavy focus, not surprising, on Gemini, the AI model of Google. However, a function that people should make enthusiastic is the introduction of live updates, which now pops up for Google Maps in the Android 16 Beta 2.1, according to Android Authority.
Live updates are Google’s answer to the live activity function of Apple, which was introduced in iOS 16 a few years ago. The function gets relevant and timely information from an app, such as a delivery service, to keep track of something that you have purchased as it goes from order to delivery.
Android 16 is expected to be launched in the second quarter of this year, a few months earlier than the typical launch of the third quarter. Google’s step is to get functions at an accelerated pace, which is why it is planning to drop two SDK releases per year: one large release in the second quarter and a smaller one in the fourth quarter. Android 16 should arrive around June.
You can test the function yourself, since you have a supported pixel device.
For more information, view the best Android telephones to buy in 2025.
This is what the live updates chip look like when using Turn by Turn Navigation in Google Maps.
The live activities of Apple can be seen via the dynamic island of an iPhone, the Lockscreen or an affiliated Apple Watch. The live updates from Android are added as a chip to your notification bar with the latest status update from the app. Given the children’s shoes of the Android function, we do not expect that it is almost as robust as the current iOS offering, but it is a step in the right direction.
If you perform the latest Android 16 -Bèta (2.1) and installed the latest version of Google Maps, this must all be necessary to view the function. You can try it out by navigating somewhere using Turn-by-Turn Route description, which bring up a small chip that shows you time until your next turn or your ETA to your destination.
I installed the newest beta on my Pixel tablet to see if I could get the function to activate, and as soon as I had mini -navigation -overlay the chip appeared. Tapping on the chip brings a pop-up with the current navigation step.
Although live updates have not seen nothing before, it is a meaningful new function for Android that should make your next delivery or Lyft -Rit easier to keep track of.
Miss the Android security and privacy functions for more information you need to know.
