Alongside the Android 15 source code, Google is rolling out four new Android features today. Thankfully, these aren’t limited just to Pixel devices and will be available across a wider range of Android phones.
Let’s unpack what’s new.
Circle to Search can now identify songs near you
First up, Google is improving the utility of Circle to Search by adding a new song lookup capability — that is, it can now find the songs playing near you or on your phone.
I doubt this will be useful for Pixel users since they already have a “Now Playing” feature that effortlessly shows the songs playing nearby on the lock screen. For the rest of the Android crowd, though, it eliminates the need to download a third-party app like Shazam.
To identify songs via Circle to Search, you can tap the music note icon that appears alongside the search bar. It can also now scan QR and barcodes. Neat!
Listen to web pages aloud in Chrome
Speaking of convenience, Chrome’s “Listen to this page” feature is finally graduating from experimental to official. Accessible via the three-dot menu on the top-right, you can use it to have any webpage read aloud.
Thoughtful enough, Google has given it its own dedicated dock bar with options to play/pause, rewind/forward, or adjust the playback speed. You can even change the voice characters if you like.
TalkBack gets an AI boost
TalkBack, the default Android screen reader, is also getting an upgrade in the latest feature drop. It will soon be able to use Google’s Gemini AI model to generate detailed audio descriptions for images across your device – from online shopping to your personal photo library.
Google hasn’t pinned down a specific rollout date, but confirms it will be a tiered rollout.
Earthquake Alert
The update also brings Android Earthquake Alerts to the US, a life-saving feature that leverages smartphone sensors to detect tremors and warn users of potential danger. The feature is already available in 97 other countries.
WearOS gets offline map support
For those who like to explore off the beaten path, offline maps are finally coming to Wear OS smartwatches. Google says that when you download a map for offline use on your phone, it’ll now sync to your watch as well. It is accessible via the new “Offline Maps” section just above the Settings in your watch apps.
For added convenience, two new shortcuts are rolling out on Google Maps for Wear OS. You can search for destinations using your voice, but it works only when you’re online. And you can view your location with just a tap on your watch face.
