Google has officially released the first public beta of Android 16, introducing a range of new features and improvements to the popular mobile operating system. Among the most notable additions are Live Updates, dynamic lockscreen notifications that provide real-time information on ride-sharing, food delivery, and navigation apps.

Live Updates are Android's take on Apple's Live Activities, which were introduced in 2022. However, unlike Apple's implementation, Android 16's Live Updates are currently limited to a specific set of use cases, with Google suggesting they should only be used for ride-sharing, food delivery, and navigation apps. Samsung, which recently unveiled a similar feature in its Galaxy S25 phones, has a more comprehensive approach, supporting a range of app and notification types, including live sports scores.

Another significant change in the public beta release is the restriction on developers' ability to lock the size and orientation of their app windows. This move aims to ensure that apps "work seamlessly" on devices "regardless of display size and form factor," making them open full-screen on larger devices like tablets and foldables, and allowing for free resizing for multi-tasking. Games are exempt from this change, and app developers can opt out for this release, but won't have that option by the time Android 17 rolls around in 2026.

In addition to Live Updates and app resizability, the public beta includes support for the Advanced Professional Video (APV) codec, scene detection to enable night mode in camera apps, and better support for vertical text rendering. These features join previously revealed improvements to Android's photo picker menu, richer haptic controls, and a Health Connect app for sharing medical information.

Google has also confirmed that it's working on adding more Gemini Extensions, following the launch of its AI assistant's ability to act across multiple apps in a single prompt. Currently, Gemini only works with Google's own apps, a few of Samsung's, and a handful of third-party options, including Spotify and WhatsApp, but Google promises support for "more apps with more OEMs on more devices across more form factors."

The Android 16 beta is rolling out today to any Google Pixel phone since the Pixel 6, plus the Pixel Tablet. This marks the wider public's first chance to try out the new Android version, but those who prefer to wait for the final release won't have long to wait. Google is changing its update cadence this year, with Android 16 expected to be released fully sometime in Q2, following a final beta release in April, much earlier than its usual Q3 release window.

With the public beta release, Android users can get a glimpse of what's to come in the final version of Android 16. While the current implementation of Live Updates is limited, it's likely that Google will expand its capabilities in future updates. The app resizability feature, meanwhile, is a significant step towards ensuring a seamless user experience across different devices and form factors.

As the Android ecosystem continues to evolve, it will be interesting to see how developers and users respond to these new features and changes. With Google's commitment to releasing Android 16 in Q2, it's clear that the company is pushing to stay ahead of the curve in the competitive mobile landscape.