Android smartphones will begin receiving a range of new software features in September, with most of the upcoming additions centered on Google's Gemini artificial intelligence neural network, according to a report by Android Authority.
While the full rollout is scheduled to take place throughout September, Google already began releasing the new capabilities to smartphones running Android 17 in August, the technology publication noted.
A major focus of the update is the new Find Hub option. The tool enables smartphone users to take a photo note and subsequently ask the built-in artificial intelligence assistant to set a reminder for it.
In addition, Google is introducing a visual support capability for Gemini Live. Smartphone owners can activate their device camera while interacting with the artificial intelligence system, allowing the neural network to perceive and analyze the surrounding physical environment in real time.
Android is the mobile operating system developed by Google that powers millions of smartphones and handheld devices globally. Gemini is Google's family of multimodal artificial intelligence models, designed to integrate voice, text and visual data across its mobile software ecosystem.
Messaging integration and design customization
The September software package also introduces direct integration between Google Messages, the standard Android communication application, and the Google Keep note-taking platform. Under the update, users can insert their saved notes directly into active chat conversations within the messaging software.
Personalization options for Google Messages are also being expanded. Journalists at Android Authority explained that users will be able to configure custom chat themes inside the application to personalize the visual presentation of their text message threads.
Google Messages operates as the primary SMS and Rich Communication Services messaging client on Android devices, while Google Keep is a cloud-based note-taking service designed for creating text notes and lists.
Motion sickness prevention and performance tuning
To assist users who experience physical discomfort during travel, Android is introducing a feature called Motion Assist. The tool is designed to reduce motion sickness by displaying visual movement signals on the smartphone screen while the user is traveling inside a moving vehicle.
Motion sickness, also known as kinetosis, occurs when the brain receives conflicting signals from the eyes and the inner ear balance system, a condition frequently triggered when reading or viewing screens while in motion.
The announcement follows a separate analysis published in late August by technology website MakeUseOf. Journalists at the publication stated that turning off select background Google features on an Android smartphone can help extend the device's operational lifespan and overall battery performance.
MakeUseOf specifically identified the Now Playing background song identification feature and the Hey Google hands-free voice activation command as tools that continuously run in the background and consume system resources.
MakeUseOf is an international consumer technology publication that produces tutorials, software guides and hardware reviews for computer and mobile operating systems.
