Android is the mobile operating system used by the majority of smartphones sold globally. It competes with Apple's iOS as the operating system of choice for most people.
Unlike iOS, which is only available on iPhones, Android can be found on a variety of devices, including smartphones, tablets, and televisions. What's more, it's used by multiple brands including Samsung, Sony, Xiaomi and of course its creator, Google. As a result of Android’s flexibility and adaptability, you can find Android phones at every price point, with features such as fast charging, high-resolution displays, and multiple cameras.
As Apple does with iOS, Google releases new Android versions on a yearly basis, though different Android manufacturers will often bundle it with their own features and brand it as something different. For example, Android 13 made its debut as OneUI 5 on Samsung phones and ColorOS 13 on Oppo phones.
Android 14 is expected to release on Google Pixel phones towards the end of 2023 and could focus on generative AI, with other smartphone brands following shortly.
Latest about Android
Android 16 could bring an improved Samsung DeX-style desktop mode to more phones
Let's talk about DeX
Android 16 beta users are reporting major battery drain issues – but I’m not too worried about it
Drained out
Android 16 brings a much-needed upgrade to Google Maps that iOS users already have
Google Maps has become the first app to get live update support with the latest Android 16 beta, with the app now able to show directions and other information on your phone’s lock screen.
Android's Find My Device can now let you track your friends – and I can't decide if that's cool or creepy
Android's Find My Device network now lets you track friends and family alongside your belongings, thanks to a new beta feature. And that sounds both useful and slightly creepy.
Google is working on its own version of Apple’s Hide My Email, and you might soon be able to try it yourself
Google is reportedly working on a new Shielded Email feature that will hide your email address when signing up for accounts, similar to the existing Hide My Email feature offered by Apple.
Your next Android phone could get up to eight years of software updates – but there are catches
Android phones running the Snapdragon 8 Elite chip will get up to eight years of software and security support, with more to come.
Google Messages could soon tell you which group chat members have read your messages - and I'm ready to snoop like never before
Snoop after you send
Google Messages will soon get a big upgrade for photo and video quality – and I’m going to use this a lot
Google Messages is making a change to its camera and gallery functions that should make it much easier to send photos and videos to your friends and family in their original quality.
