Google Introduces New Animations, Color Themes, and Live Updates in Android 16 and Wear OS 6.
Google has announced a new design update for Android and Wear OS: Material 3 Expressive. The update aims to make Android visually richer, more intuitive, and more personal.
Depth and Emotion
Material 3 Expressive builds upon Material You from 2021, bringing smoother animations, haptic feedback, and subtle blurring effects. For instance, you’ll feel a vibration when dismissing a notification and see a fluid transition when closing apps or adjusting the volume control. The system also becomes visually deeper: background blurs help you focus better on what you’re doing.
Also new are expanded dynamic color themes and custom typography that spread across the entire system and Google apps like Gmail and Google Photos. ‘Quick Settings’ become more flexible: users can more easily add favorite functions like ‘flashlight’ or ‘Do Not Disturb’.
Live Updates and Smart Watches
New to Android is also Live Updates, a feature that shows updates from apps, such as an ongoing bol.com order, in real-time, similar to Live Activities on iOS. “We want people to stay informed about important information without distraction,” says Mindy Brooks from Google.
On Wear OS, the same design comes to the wrist with fluid scrolling movements, custom color themes, and interface buttons that better utilize the circular shape of the screen. The update will first appear on the Pixel Watch with Wear OS 6. Google hopes to give Android a more human and visually appealing face.
The update will be available later this year and will first come to Pixel phones.