Following its official debut last month, Google is now rolling out Android 17 to compatible Pixel phones, alongside additional exclusive features as part of the June Pixel Drop. Not every feature announced alongside the OS at the pre-I/O Android Show is available today, though.
Android 17 itself is arriving on Pixel phones today, and Google says other manufacturers will be issuing the update throughout 2026. The biggest user interface update is the introduction of Bubbles, floating app windows that you can open with a long press — similar floating windows are already found in many Android skins, but are now an official part of 17. Google is making them more useful on bigger screens, with a dedicated “bubble bar” dock at the bottom of the screen for easier multitasking on foldables and tablets.
The update also includes Screen Reactions, which make it easy to record selfie video while you screen-record, taking the hassle out of recording a reaction video for social media. Foldables are also getting new gaming controls that display a touchscreen gamepad on the bottom half of the display, while the game itself sits on top, and all Android phones will get native controller remappping. Various expanded parental controls and security features are also included in the update.
There are more new features rolling out exclusively to Pixel phones, though most are wider expansions of existing abilities. The new Gemini Omni model will become available in the Gemini app to create video from text prompts, while Lyria 3 lets you do the same for music. AirDrop support through Quick Share is expanding to the Pixel 8A and 9A, Voice Translate for phone calls is coming to the 10A, and Take a Message will now be available on every Pixel from the 6 onward (except in India, where it’s still limited to the 10 series only). Finally, conversational editing in Google Photos is expanding to the UK, Germany, France, Spain, and Italy, while Magic Cue suggestions will appear in new messaging apps — though Google didn’t specify which.
There are plenty of features announced at the Android Show that aren’t included in today’s rollout. Google says that its array of new Gemini Intelligence features will arrive on “select advanced devices” later this summer. Those should include the Rambler transcription tool, AI-generated widgets, and expanded Task Automation. Google hasn’t confirmed when other features, like redesigned emoji and the Pause Point well-being tool, will get an official release.
Read the full article here
