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

[Stuwil]

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).

Exactly I believe google got them to change that regarding drivers getting updated

If you have a current pixel or Samsung device like s24 ultra then these will handles software updates fairly easily over the next 3 to 4 years as I’ve have people who keep them that long before they upgrade & they never have problems

 

[Dr McKay]

…but do they have Dynamic Island?

Some handset makers like HONOR or RealMe have it. HONOR introduced it before iPhone but realme was after the iPhone.

 

[xxFoxtail]

I respect Android's design change, but there's just something about it that I don’t really like, like it's too expressive. The video and images probably are just over-exaggerating it and it's fine to actually use. Or maybe I’m just getting old and no longer like change.

 

[Stuwil]

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

Yeah it is
Because by the nature of the beast
Android needs to innovate more to entice more new users
Yet Apple doesn’t have to do that as much
Because a lot of their customers will buy there products regardless

 

[Ferrandix]

so boring the two platforms are so identical

 

[Paradoxally]

so boring the two platforms are so identical

That's good, makes it easier to switch.

 

[nxt3]

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.

You’re correct, it was called Ongoing Notifications or something like that. Android has had this concept for much longer than iOS.

 

[Sophytaylor6@]

As an iPhone user, this feature is amazing. For Android, it is something new, but they are still taking ideas from Apple.

 

[Dr McKay]

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

I would argue it is, as long as I can remember, whenever there is an article about an OS getting a feature that a “rival” OS already had, the comments descend into fanatics screeching about copying. It doesn’t matter if it’s iOS or android, MacOS or Windows. Maybe it’s because I still do and always have gotten my tech news from a wide variety of websites, it’s especially noticeable on sites that are platform neutral where you see it from all sides. The fans crying obviously felt very one sided on sites like MacRumors, WinRumors, or AndroidAuthority.

What is doubly funny to me is when it comes to mobileOS articles, most of the time it seems to be a feature that WebOS had from the start before iOS or android.

 

[Morgenland]

Android is eating iApples iLunch for iBreakfast

iPad Demand Soars as Apple Widens Lead Over Samsung and Xiaomi

Apple led the global tablet market in the first quarter of 2025, achieving 14% year-over-year shipment growth amid heightened demand for iPads,...

www.macrumors.com

 

[robvalentine]

iPad Demand Soars as Apple Widens Lead Over Samsung and Xiaomi

Apple led the global tablet market in the first quarter of 2025, achieving 14% year-over-year shipment growth amid heightened demand for iPads,...

www.macrumors.com

Apple has nailed tablets (although I much prefer my galaxy tab s9+ for note taking as the pen, whilst cheap feeling, writes better (more friction) and comes with the tablet), apps aren't optimised for android tablets, so don't look as good.

Phones are a different story as outside of the US, Android is king

 

[The Game 161]

At last but the issue is Android developers and getting them to add it

 

[TJFDenver]

…but do they have Dynamic Island?

It’s coming … code name Survivor Season 22

 

[JonathanX64]

Isn't this feature present in Android for quite some time already?

On Pixel, if I navigate somewhere with Google Maps or order a taxi or something, there is a pinned notification which stays on top.

I do wonder what exactly they've changed.

 

[nxt3]

Isn't this feature present in Android for quite some time already?

On Pixel, if I navigate somewhere with Google Maps or order a taxi or something, there is a pinned notification which stays on top.

I do wonder what exactly they've changed.

Yup

https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/android-16-getting-live-updates-similar-to-iphones-live-activity.2457032/post-33903946

This is why I switched to iPhone lol, Google has features like this long before Apple but never does anything with them really until Apple makes the feature desirable. 🙃

Apple is driving Google's ship.