On Thursday, Google announced seven new Android features for apps like Meet, Home, Messages and Wear OS. One of the highlights of the latest Android feature drop is the ability to edit RCS messages within 15 minutes of sending them. Unlike the announcements made at Google I/O 2024, where some features were limited to Pixel smartphones, these features are expected to be available for Android devices across devices and regions, although some features may be limited by region, in where the user lives.
Editing RCS messages
In a blog post, Google announced that it is offering a feature that allows users to edit RCS messages within 15 minutes of sending them. The feature is reportedly available through Google Messages, the company’s text messaging app.
To edit a message, press and hold a sent RCS message and a new edit icon will appear on the top banner. According to the company, users can tap the icon to edit their message if it was sent within the last 15 minutes.
Instant hotspot and device switching
Google says it will soon introduce an “instant hotspot” feature that will allow users to connect a tablet or Chromebook to an Android smartphone’s hotspot without having to enter a password. It also brings updates to cross-device services that will allow users to switch between devices such as smartphones, web browsers or tablets for video calling.
Google claims that Android smartphones can now also be used as digital car keys with functions to lock/unlock and start the car. This feature has been rolled out with support for select MINI models and will soon be extended to Mercedes-Benz and Polestar vehicles.
Additionally, the company says users can now control their smart devices with the Google Home Favorites widget on Android smartphones and the Google Home Favorites tile and complexity on WearOS-based smartwatches.
Google Wallet users using WearOS-based smartwatches in the US and Germany can now make payments using PayPal, according to the company. Finally, it says that new Emoji Kitchen sticker combinations will be coming soon, which can be shared as stickers by typing two emojis through Gboard.
