Android 16 Getting Live Updates, Similar to iPhone's Live Activity

[MacRumors]

Google today previewed the next-generation version of Android, which has an updated design language that's more expressive, and a range of new features. One of the main new additions is Live Updates, a feature that mirrors Live Activity on the iPhone.

Live Updates lets Android users track progress notifications from apps in real-time, much like Live Activity. Google says that Live Updates will work with top delivery, ride share, and navigation apps.

With Live Activity, incoming food deliveries, sports games, and more can be tracked from the iPhone's Lock Screen or with the Dynamic Island, and Google's feature works in a similar way. Android users will see Live Updates on the lock screen and home screen, and can tap into a menu bar option to get more information.

Google is revamping Android with an interface focused on color, movement, and haptics, and it'll be interesting to see how it compares to the rumored iOS 19 redesign that Apple has in the works.

Google took some cues from Apple on security, adding a Find Hub that's similar to the Find My app for tracking people, items, and devices, with Google even teaming up with airlines for luggage recovery. There's also an Advanced Protection option that looks similar to Lockdown Mode, offering additional safeguards against malware and suspicious contact for journalists and politicians.

More new features that are coming to Android 16 will be introduced at Google I/O next week.

Article Link: Android 16 Getting Live Updates, Similar to iPhone's Live Activity

 

[turbineseaplane]

Good!

Nice feature that all should have.

 

[CPmav]

Good!

Nice feature that all should have.

This is exactly the type of comment I was hoping to see! Good features should be available to all, regardless of iOS or Android. There’s plenty of Android features I wish would come to iPhone.

 

[russell_314]

This is exactly the type of comment I was hoping to see! Good features should be available to all, regardless of iOS or Android. There’s plenty of Android features I wish would come to iPhone.

I agree with this to a point. The question is what are “good features”. I think having them different allows people to have a choice between one or the other. I may not want some of Google’s good features on my iPhone. I don’t care if Google copies live activities or Apple copies something off of Google’s phone but when they start making it too close then I feel like it’s the same thing.

 

[antiprotest]

I wish Android well. As someone who plans to stay with Apple for the foreseeable future, the more pressure on Apple, the better it will be for me.

 

[nfl46]

Nice! I love their redesign. It appears that they are providing users with a wide range of stock options to customize the user interface. Now, the question arises: will Google actually implement these changes to its own stock apps? Lol.

It’s amusing to consider that both Android and iOS are undergoing significant design language updates this year.

Only three weeks remain until we can witness Apple’s offerings.

 

[tasa]

Google today previewed the [next-generation version of Android](https://blog.google/products/android/material-3-expressive-android-wearos-launch/), which has an updated design language that's more expressive, and a range of new features. One of the main new additions is Live Updates, a feature that mirrors Live Activity on the iPhone.

Live Updates lets Android users track progress notifications from apps in real-time, much like Live Activity. Google says that Live Updates will work with top delivery, ride share, and navigation apps.

With Live Activity, incoming food deliveries, sports games, and more can be tracked from the iPhone's Lock Screen or with the Dynamic Island, and Google's feature works in a similar way. Android users will see Live Updates on the lock screen and home screen, and can tap into a menu bar option to get more information.

Google is revamping Android with an interface focused on color, movement, and haptics, and it'll be interesting to see how it compares to the rumored iOS 19 redesign that Apple has in the works.

Google took some cues from Apple on security, adding a Find Hub that's similar to the Find My app for tracking people, items, and devices, with Google even teaming up with airlines for luggage recovery. There's also an Advanced Protection option that looks similar to Lockdown Mode, offering additional safeguards against malware and suspicious contact for journalists and politicians.

More new features that are coming to Android 16 will be introduced at Google I/O next week.

Article Link: Android 16 Getting Live Updates, Similar to iPhone's Live Activity

VERY GOOD GOOGLE, for providing users with all the options; Apple should copy good features & provide users with as many options as possible

 

[Exxhara]

Good!

Nice feature that all should have.

ah, of course, but when Apple does it, it's "they're fresh out of ideas and can't innovate anymore" Android fans are a mess. It's ok if Google or Samsung copy iOS right down to the UI and features but pitchforks out if Apple does it..

 

[turbineseaplane]

ah, of course, but when Apple does it, it's "they're fresh out of ideas and can't innovate anymore" Android fans are a mess. It's ok if Google or Samsung copy iOS right down to the UI and features but pitchforks out if Apple does it..

There's just no need to be like this
They both copy each other -- it's all fine

 

[nxt3]

There's just no need to be like this
They both copy each other -- it's all fine

Exactly this.

I say this as a 13yr Android user who switched to Apple with the 14 Pro: the two OSes have been converging for quite some time. Every year Apple takes things from Android and Android does the from Apple.

 

[ProbablyDylan]

Did I imagine Android having updatable notifications before? I swear I used to have some with progress bars, etc. Right on the notification that would update in real time.

 

[russell_314]

There's just no need to be like this
They both copy each other -- it's all fine

This is true, but I find you’ll see more negativity if Apple copies or even remotely make something similar to what Google or Samsung does.

 

[TJFDenver]

Android is eating iApples iLunch for iBreakfast

 

[azhava]

So then the only question is if you own an Android phone that will get the update.

At least on my iPhone I know that every OS update will be available to me no matter what phone I have, until that model isn't supported anymore (so for at least 5 years, which is longer than I've ever kept one phone).

 

[ZZ9pluralZalpha]

The wisdom of Steve strikes again: “We have to let go of this notion that for Apple to win, Microsoft Android has to lose”

 

[Stuwil]

ah, of course, but when Apple does it, it's "they're fresh out of ideas and can't innovate anymore" Android fans are a mess. It's ok if Google or Samsung copy iOS right down to the UI and features but pitchforks out if Apple does it..

The big difference is this most things that Apple has eventually implemented on iOS has been on android first
So that is why Apple gets some criticism

 

[Stuwil]

So then the only question is if you own an Android phone that will get the update.

At least on my iPhone I know that every OS update will be available to me no matter what phone I have, until that model isn't supported anymore (so for at least 5 years, which is longer than I've ever kept one phone).

Because it’s a fundamental difference in how both companies are setup

 

[Stuwil]

This is true, but I find you’ll see more negativity if Apple copies or even remotely make something similar to what Google or Samsung does.

Well it’s about perception that’s why there are more negativity towards Apple when they implement similar based things that the competition has previously implemented

 

[Dr McKay]

ah, of course, but when Apple does it, it's "they're fresh out of ideas and can't innovate anymore" Android fans are a mess. It's ok if Google or Samsung copy iOS right down to the UI and features but pitchforks out if Apple does it..

How large is the rock that you must live under if you think the fanboyism only goes one way? I’m guessing pretty sizable.

 

[svish]

Good to know about this. Expecting to hear more in the coming week with the next version of Android.

 

[bluecoast]

Nice! I love their redesign. It appears that they are providing users with a wide range of stock options to customize the user interface. Now, the question arises: will Google actually implement these changes to its own stock apps? Lol.

It’s amusing to consider that both Android and iOS are undergoing significant design language updates this year.

Only three weeks remain until we can witness Apple’s offerings.

It’s interesting how each company deals with UI updates.

With apple you tend to get a big bang release where everything in the app changes at once.

With google they are obviously working under a scrum or devops approach and push things when they’re ready. So you’ll get a slight odd situation where you see say the toolbar updated to the new look with the rest of the app staying the same. Then the other events will slowly appear. It’s kinda odd.

 

[AMTYVLE]

…but do they have Dynamic Island?

 

[robvalentine]

So then the only question is if you own an Android phone that will get the update.

At least on my iPhone I know that every OS update will be available to me no matter what phone I have, until that model isn't supported anymore (so for at least 5 years, which is longer than I've ever kept one phone).

That's fair point, but you also have to realise that it's the device manufacturer that is responsible, not necessarily Google, or even component suppliers (short update cycle was down to QUALCOMM stopping driver updates after a year or 2).

Having said all of that, I have a pixel 9 pro, so I am set update wise as I doubt this phone will last 7 years (I've never had a phone longer than 2 years tbf).

 

[robvalentine]

…but do they have Dynamic Island?

Thankfully no, the camera is only a small circle, not a massive black pill across half the screen.

 

[LighteningMcqueen]

Well it’s about perception that’s why there are more negativity towards Apple when they implement similar based things that the competition has previously implemented

Its absolutely not a perception!!
All hell breaks loose when Apple copies. 2 years on Android users would be thinking it was them who did it first. I have seen it time and time again over the last 12 years