Google has released the Android 16 Beta 1 update for Pixel phones, and it brings some helpful new features. One of the key additions is battery health information, which is now available in the settings. Pixel users can now see the battery’s manufacturing date, charge cycles, and overall health score. This can help people understand how well their battery is holding up over time. While this feature is currently hidden under developer options, it might be fully added in a future update.

At the same time, Google is also working to improve the Pixel Fold. With Android 16 Beta 1, there’s a new system that better detects when the phone is opened or closed. This new method uses the hinge angle to more accurately understand the device’s position. Unlike older systems that could be affected by software bugs or slow response times, this new one seems to be more reliable and faster.

These changes are important for people who use foldable phones like the Pixel Fold, as better hinge detection can lead to smoother app transitions and fewer bugs. And for all Pixel users, having detailed battery info can help with managing phone performance and deciding when it’s time for a battery replacement.

Overall, Android 16 Beta 1 focuses on giving users more control and smoother experiences, especially for those with foldables.

Google has started rolling out Android 16 Beta 4, and it comes with a few noticeable changes and updates. One of the biggest highlights is that the Pixel 9a is now officially part of the Android 16 Beta program. If you own this device, you can now enroll and try out the latest beta version.

In this beta, the media player on the lock screen and notification panel has been updated. It now uses a darker color style, making it easier on the eyes and better suited for dark mode. The background shade becomes even darker when the album art has a black or dark tone, giving the media player a cleaner look.

Another small but nice change is seen in the Always-on Display (AOD) clocks. They now show a new color for the time when your phone is locked. For instance, in Beta 4, the clock on the lock screen now appears in blue, while the AOD clock changes to a yellowish shade. This helps make the time more readable at a glance and adds a bit of style.

Android 16 Beta 4 is available for a wide range of Pixel devices, including Pixel 6 and newer models, as well as the Pixel Fold and Pixel Tablet. Google is expected to release more updates leading up to the final Android 16 release later this year.

If you’re using a Pixel phone and want to test out the new features, this beta might be worth trying.

At a recent event in San Francisco, Google gave a first look at some exciting new AI and hardware projects. One of the main highlights was Gemini 2.5 Flash, a lighter and faster version of its Gemini AI model.

Gemini 2.5 Flash is designed for quick tasks and works better with live data like charts, tables, and videos. It’s not as powerful as Gemini 2.5 Pro, but it’s much faster and uses fewer computing resources, making it ideal for real-time experiences. Google plans to release Flash for public use soon on the Gemini API and in Vertex AI. It’s also available now in preview through Google AI Studio.

Alongside this, Google also gave a live demo of its new Android-based XR (extended reality) smart glasses. These glasses can recognize people and objects in real time and display useful information right in front of your eyes. During the demo, someone wearing the glasses looked at a person, and the glasses showed the person’s name, job title, and location — all using Gemini AI. This shows how well Gemini can understand the world visually and provide helpful info instantly.

These announcements give a peek at how Google is blending AI with new technology — making it not just smarter but also more useful in everyday life. From faster AI models to smart glasses that help you understand your surroundings, Google’s new tools are shaping the future of how we interact with tech.