While we Wait for Android 12 will be officially released later this year, Google has a lot of tweaks and updates coming to Android this spring.
Following the 2019 Update for Chrome, Google is now bringing Password verification to Android to help alert you to potential data breaches or breaches that may have exposed your existing passwords to hackers. Password verification will be implemented on devices running Android 9 and above and will automatically check passwords already saved on Android along with new ones. If Google detects that your password has been exposed, you will receive an alert suggesting that you change it.
Password verification is important, but let’s get to the good things: Google Maps is finally getting the long-long awaited official dark mode. Is at Google messages on Android 7 and above, Google is adding the ability to send scheduled messages, similar to From Gmail scheduled email feature. All you need to do is write a message as normal and then hold the send button, which makes a new menu appear allowing you to set the exact time when your text will be sent.
Even the Google Assistant is receiving a small update, with the ability to make calls, set timers and alarms and play music on your phone using voice commands. This means that your Android phone can now function as a smart speaker and helps expand the Google Assistant function as something that simply answers questions with these additional automation features.
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Android Auto is also being updated. Google added new car-inspired backgrounds and voice-activated games like Danger to help those long trips go a little faster. And to help make things like contacts easier to access, Google is also adding shortcuts to Android Auto, and cars with widescreen screens get a new split screen mode so you can see Google Maps and its media controls at the same time.
Finally, for people who are blind or have low vision, Google is also launching a new version of its Talkback app featuring a redesigned menu, more intuitive gesture recognition, improved reading controls and more.
The new Android software updates from Google will start rolling out today, with Talkback version 9.1 now available on the Google Play Store and the update for Android Auto is expected to be available “in the next few days”.