In May, Google revealed all of the main new features you can look forward to in the next major version of Android.
Android 15 brings features such as Private Space, partial screen recording, satellite connectivity and improved PDF editing, but you don’t need to wait until then for new functionality.
In fact, there are seven new features that have recently been added to Android phones and could improve your everyday life:
1. Edit messages after they have been sent
In Google Messages, it is now possible to edit messages after they have been sent. To do this, tap and hold a sent message to make changes afterwards. This works up to 15 minutes after the message has been sent.
Many people will already be familiar with this function from WhatsApp or other messenger services – it makes everyday writing much easier.
2. Hotspot sharing and device switching for video calls
It will soon be possible to connect your Android tablet or Chromebook to your phone’s hotspot with just one tap using the “Instant Hotspot” function. You no longer have to enter a password to share the hotspot.
In addition, you can now simply switch devices during an ongoing Google Meet call by tapping the cast icon. This should make it possible to switch seamlessly between connected devices or the web browser.
3. New combinations for Emoji Kitchen
The function known as “Emoji Kitchen” for combining stickers is getting some new options. The new sticker combinations are primarily intended to combine party emojis such as the disco ball or headphones into new images.
The whole thing works simply by tapping two compatible stickers in succession to select the combined version within the Gboard keyboard.
4. Google Home device control via the home screen
You can now use the Google Home favourites widget on your smartphone to manage and control your most frequently used smart devices. This allows you to check the room temperature at a glance or select smart home functions, for example to switch off the light.
To do this, simply add the Google Home favourites widget to the home screen of an Android phone and adjust its size. This widget is available to anyone who signs up for the public preview for the Google Home app.
5. Manage favourite devices via Wear OS watch
Also practical for the smart home: you can now quickly view all smart home devices at a glance on your smartwatch with the Google Home favourites tile. You can also directly access important functions such as door unlocking, light dimming or room temperature.
You can find the Google Home favourites tile on your Wear OS smartwatch by swiping to the left.
6. Paying with PayPal on your Wear OS watch
For Wear OS users, there are also more ways to pay easily via smartwatch. You can now use your Wear OS watch to make secure payments with PayPal via Google Wallet.
To do this, you must first add your PayPal account to Google Wallet on an Android phone so that it can be used for payments on a Wear OS smartwatch.
7. Digital car key for more vehicles
Google’s digital car key is now available for more vehicle models. Owners of selected Mini models already have the function, with Mercedes-Benz and Polestar vehicles to follow soon.
With the digital car key, it is possible to lock, unlock and even start the vehicle using only the phone. Automatic unlocking as soon as you approach your vehicle is also possible.
This article originally appeared on our sister publication PC-WELT and was translated and adapted from German.
