In May, Google revealed all the major new features you can expect from the next major version of Android.
Android 15 brings features like Private Space, partial screen recording, satellite connectivity, and improved PDF editing, but you don’t need to wait until then for new features.
In fact, seven new features have recently been added to Android phones that could improve your daily life:
1. Edit messages after sending
In Google Messages, it is now possible to edit messages after they have been sent. To do this, long-press on a sent message to make changes later. This works up to 15 minutes after sending the message.
Many people are already familiar with this feature from WhatsApp or other messaging services – it makes everyday writing much easier.
2. Hotspot sharing and device switching for video calls
It will soon be possible to connect your Android tablet or Chromebook to your phone’s hotspot with just one click thanks to the “Instant Hotspot” function. You no longer need to enter a password to share the hotspot.
Additionally, you can now simply switch devices during an ongoing Google Meet call by tapping the Cast icon. This should allow for seamless switching between connected devices or the web browser.
3. New combinations for Emoji Kitchen
The feature known as “Emoji Kitchen” for combining stickers is getting new options. The new sticker combinations are mainly intended to combine party emojis such as the disco ball or headphones into new images.
The whole thing works simply by pressing two compatible stickers in succession to select the combined version in the Gboard keyboard.
4. Controlling Google Home Devices via Home Screen
You can now use the Google Home Favorites widget on your smartphone to manage and control your most frequently used smart devices. This allows you to check the room temperature at a glance or select smart home functions, for example to turn off the lights.
To do this, simply add the Google Home Favorites widget to the home screen of an Android phone and adjust its size. This widget is available to anyone who signs up for the public preview of the Google Home app.
5. Manage your favorite devices via Wear OS watch
Also handy for the smart home: Now you can quickly view all smart home devices at a glance on your smartwatch with the Google Home Favorites tile. You can also directly access important functions such as unlocking the doors, dimming the light or the room temperature.
You can find the Google Home favorites tile on your Wear OS smartwatch by swiping to the left.
6. Pay with PayPal on your Wear OS watch
For Wear OS users, there are also other ways to easily pay via a smartwatch. You can now use your Wear OS watch to make secure payments with PayPal through Google Wallet.
To do this, you must first add your PayPal account to Google Wallet on an Android phone so that it can be used for payments on a Wear OS smartwatch.
7. Digital Car Key for More Vehicles
Google’s digital car key is now available for more vehicle models. Owners of some Mini models already have this feature, and Mercedes-Benz and Polestar vehicles will soon follow.
With the digital car key, it is possible to lock, unlock and even start the vehicle using only the phone. Automatic unlocking as soon as you approach your vehicle is also possible.
This article was originally published on our sister publication PC-WELT and has been translated and adapted from German.
Table of Contents
