If we talk about software present at MWC 2024, It is undeniable that Android plays a key role, as it plays a vital role as the operating system of a large part of the devices that the Barcelona fair focuses on. But it is true that on many occasions it is usually in a discreet background, overshadowed by the devices themselves or by the software functions of their manufacturers, as we could see for example yesterday in the case of Samsung.

However, on this occasion Google, which will not be showing new devices at MWC 2024 due to its launch schedule, wanted to focus on Android, and also thanks to the technology in which it can finally demonstrate its power in recent months: artificial intelligence. And the announcement of the Gemini Mini last December marked the before and after of what mobile devices can do with AI.

Personally, I think it’s not only right, but even fair, that Android is at the forefront of event-related headlines on this occasion, and it undoubtedly deserves it, because withGoogle has announced some very interesting news for your operating system. Now we have to keep in mind that their deployment adapts to different calendars and that the English version will arrive first for the United States, so the jump to other languages ​​and geographies will be later.

Having clarified this, it is also important to remember that everything announced is limited to Android 14, that is, it is not a preview of the future version of the operating system, which will be released in October. No, in all cases we are talking about features that sooner or later we can expect in its current version. And what news is this? We see them below.

Integration of Gemini in News

Although the arrival of AI on Android has focused on the assistant of the operating system, the truth is that its scope is much, much wider, and “Chat with Gemini” is a perfect example of this, since we are talking about another of the generative functions that have become the most popular in recent months. We can use a model with it so that it writes all types of messages for us with some instructions in this regard. This feature will start rolling out this week, but yes, for now only in English and to a limited extent.

AI is coming to Android Auto

Distracted driving is a risk to be avoided, but on many occasions it happens that due to confusion or lack of awareness in this regard, we take our eyes (and attention) away from driving to read the message we just received. To avoid this risk, artificial intelligence will be able to analyze, summarize and read our messages, whether individual or group, and also suggest possible responses that we can send automatically through this new feature.

Lookout will analyze and describe the images

The main innovation in terms of accessibility is related to the type of content that inherently has accessibility issues. To make it easier for people with visual impairments or any other type of circumstances that prevent them from seeing normally, Lookout will now be able to analyze the image and describe its content to the user, which is a key thing. for images that do not have a text description.

Better lens integration in Google Maps

We are not abandoning accessibility, but we are now moving to integrate Lens into Google Maps and then TalkBack. Thanks to this combination, it will now be possible to define a certain part of the map and automatically get information in accessible formats about everything we find in that area, with location data, timetables and other useful information already present on the maps.

Handwritten notes in Documents

On many occasions, it happens that using the on-screen keyboard is not the most convenient option when we want to add something to a document. Thinking about these use cases and taking advantage of the touch capabilities of screens, Android now allows us to make handwritten notes in documents created in Google Docs, using both a pointing device and our own hand. In addition, it will also be possible to adjust certain parameters of said writing, such as the color of the text.

Unified health data

The abundance of quantification devices with their corresponding apps means that many users have their health data spread across several apps, uploaded to different services, etc., which is not at all practical when we want to be able to review (and even more review) it. To end this distraction, the Fitbit and Health Sync group will finally be able to add all information from other sources, such as Oura and MyFitnessPal, among others, into the Fitbit software.

More Spotify integration

The latest figures indicate that globally Spotify is the most used music streaming service with around a third of the market share. Android already allows you to display controls on your home screen to manage which output we want to use to play said content (integrated speaker, headphones, etc.), but Google announced today that similar controls will be added to this service as well.

Wallet extends its reach to WearOS

WearOS is also getting new features in conjunction with Android, such as Google Wallet coming to the wearable operating system. In this way, and if we have a compatible smart watch, it will no longer be necessary to take out the mobile phone to access boarding cards, loyalty cards, tickets and in general everything that we can store and use from the Android digital wallet. . This innovation undoubtedly provides a new and very interesting function to the smartwatch.

Google Maps is growing on WearOS

Another very interesting novelty of the operating system for wearable devices is that it significantly improves the integration of the Google maps service. So one of the most interesting features of the service, routes and information about public transport, goes to the smart watch, where we can check timetables, as well as see instructions on how to get to stations and so on. In addition, if we have already performed the search on the mobile, we can send it from it to the watch.

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