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All the Android updates coming to the Samsung Galaxy S25 series and more
Gemini prompt box with “Ask Google Gemini” text. Around is a collection of features and UI components like a black watch, a Gemini Live conversation, a sports score on a Now Bar, and a Circle to Search result with AI Overview in a Galaxy S25 Ultra device.
Today at Galaxy Unpacked in San Jose, we showed you how we’re continuing to reimagine the Android smartphone experience with AI at the core. Together with Samsung, here are all the Android updates we’re bringing to the Galaxy S25 series and more.
1. Experience the power of Gemini in more ways
With Gemini on Android, you get a more powerful mobile assistant that provides contextual help based on what’s on your screen. And now, Gemini is easily accessible on your Samsung devices, with a simple press of the side button.
A blue hotspot long presses the Samsung Galaxy S25 power button and a Gemini prompt box appears at the bottom of the phone screen.
Extensions in Gemini tap into apps and services across your device, helping you quickly complete tasks. In addition to Google Maps, YouTube, Google Messages, Spotify and more, we’re introducing new Gemini Extensions for Samsung Reminder, Samsung Calendar, Samsung Notes and Samsung Clock. This means you can ask Gemini to tell you about an upcoming appointment, save a note or set a reminder.
In a single prompt, you can now ask Gemini to take multiple actions across apps and services. For example, if you’re looking for outdoor restaurants nearby and want to share the options with a friend, Gemini can connect to Google Maps to find the perfect spots and draft a ready-to-send text via Google Messages.
The prompt “Hi Google Gemini, find a few Italian, pet-friendly restaurants with outdoor seating nearby and text them to Luca” is added to the Gemini prompt box followed by Gemini finding a short list of restaurants that fit the criteria.
Gemini Live is a conversational experience that helps you brainstorm ideas, simplify complex topics and rehearse for important moments with real-time, spoken responses. Starting to roll out today, you can now add images, files and YouTube videos to the conversation, making Gemini Live more multimodal, personal and contextual to you.
An image of a painting is added to Gemini Live and the user asks, “What makes this painting so famous?”
Also in the coming months, we’ll introduce Project Astra capabilities like screen sharing and live video streaming first to the Gemini app on Android and the Galaxy S25 series.
2. Stay up to date on sports and directions with Galaxy S25’s Now Bar
Galaxy S25’s Now Bar brings relevant updates right to your lock screen. For sports fans, Galaxy S25’s Now Bar will ensure you are clued into all the action by bringing key match updates about the teams you follow on Google right to your lock screen. With a single glance at your phone, you’ll know when a match is on and be able to follow live with scores and more. If you want to dive deeper, simply tap the card to get perspectives, stats and news on Google Search.
A sport score of 1-0 is shown on the lock screen.
With Google Maps in the Now Bar, you can also save time and stay on schedule. See directions at a glance when you’re on the go and get timely notifications on events, like when to leave for an appointment based on current traffic.
3. Get more helpful information with AI Overviews and one-tap actions in Circle to Search
Last year, we launched Circle to Search as a new way to search anything on your phone without having to switch between apps.
Today, we’re expanding AI Overviews to even more visual searches on Circle to Search so you can quickly and easily see a snapshot of information about your search with links to learn more from the web. Whether you circle an image of a viral dish, a landmark or a rare antique you saw online, you’ll get an AI Overview for more responses — so you can find what you need, faster and more effortlessly.
Circle to Search is invoked on a green dessert. An AI Overview appears in Search identifying the dessert as a Matcha Mont Blanc cake.
And Circle to Search now has one-tap actions, so it’s easier to get things done on your phone. Circle to Search automatically identifies phone numbers, email addresses and URLs on your screen. Simply tap the chip that appears to call, email or visit a website.
Circle to Search is invoked and an action chip showing a phone icon appears over a phone number.
4. Enjoy improved hearing aid and braille display experiences on Android
For people who are d/Deaf or hard of hearing, we’ve brought LE audio features, the next generation of Bluetooth, to Galaxy S25 devices. This update enables hands-free calling, easy-to-use personalized audio adjustments and a low-latency connection to GN Hearing and Oticon Intent hearing aids when paired with a Galaxy S25 device using Android 15.
Android phone settings with hearing aid controls including altering presets to outdoors and the charge level of right and left.
And for people who are blind or have low vision, TalkBack 15 on Galaxy S25 devices will now be compatible with braille displays that use HID, a popular way to connect to Bluetooth devices. Following feedback from the community, this compatibility will ensure people can use their braille displays without additional steps, making Galaxy S25 devices even more accessible. In the coming weeks, TalkBack on Galaxy S25 devices will also provide more detailed image descriptions, powered by Gemini models.
5. Stay connected with the Galaxy Watch for Kids experience
With Google Family Link, parents can use their phone to set up and manage Galaxy Watch7 LTE smartwatches with a Galaxy Watch for Kids experience. This allows parents to approve contacts, monitor their child’s watch’s location, manage apps and set up school time to limit distractions during school hours.
This update starts rolling out today in the U.S. with support from major carriers including AT&T, T-Mobile and Verizon.
Three Galaxy Watch7 LTEs with colorful kids bands featuring watch faces from Groot, Crayola and Barbie.
Learn more about Samsung’s new Galaxy S25 smartphones now.
[1] Availability may vary by device, country and language. Results are for illustrative purposes and may vary. Check responses for accuracy. Internet connection and compatible operating system required.
[2] Features may differ depending on device or subscription and results may vary. Some extensions require setup. Country availability may vary. Check responses for accuracy.
[3] Compatible with certain features and with certain accounts. Internet connection required. Available on select devices, languages, and countries. Results for illustrative purposes and may vary. Check responses for accuracy.
[4] Requires Google account and Internet connection. Available on select devices and availability varies by sport, league, language and is based on the user’s device settings.
[5] Available on select devices and internet connection required. Works on compatible apps and surfaces. Results may vary depending on visual matches. Results are for illustrative purposes and may vary. Check responses for accuracy.
Millions of citizens across Africa are being denied access to essential services due to the rapid imposition of biometric digital-ID systems, a new report by the African Digital Rights Network has revealed.
Biometric
The study, published by the Institute of Development Studies (IDS), found that citizens are increasingly required to provide biometric and personal information as a condition for accessing fundamental rights and government services such as voting, education, healthcare, and social protection payments.
According to the report, marginalised groups including persons with disabilities, the illiterate, and those unable to afford mobile data or electricity for phone charging face significant barriers to registration, deepening existing inequalities.
It noted that many citizens also refuse to enrol due to fears of data breaches and mistrust of governments, with biometric identifiers such as fingerprints, iris scans, and facial recognition raising privacy concerns.
Dr Tony Roberts, Research Fellow at IDS and co-editor of the report, said: “Worryingly, fundamental human rights, like education, healthcare and the right to vote are rapidly becoming conditional on enrolment in biometric digital-ID systems.”
He added that some visually impaired citizens are forced to pay others to help them use their digital-ID on mobile phones to access social protection payments.
‘Gbenga Sesan, Executive Director of Paradigm Initiative and co-editor of the report, said: “Many citizens do not want to enrol for a biometric digital-ID because they have good reason not to trust their governments with their biometrics and personal information.”
The report highlighted examples of massive data breaches and cases where personal data was used to surveil critics and opposition leaders.
It warned that most systems, estimated to cost at least US$1 billion across Africa, lack adequate legal frameworks, robust digital security, and accountability mechanisms for remedy when errors or breaches occur.
The authors concluded that governments must adopt strong legislation to protect citizens’ rights and privacy before rolling out biometric IDs, stressing that systems should be developed with citizen participation rather than imposed top-down.
The report, Biometric Digital-ID in Africa: Progress and Challenges to Date – Ten Country Case Studies, covers Botswana, Namibia, Malawi, Côte d’Ivoire, Senegal, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Liberia, Ethiopia, Egypt, and Tunisia.
Senator Natasha Akpoti has emerged as the most searched personality in Nigeria, according to Google’s 2025 Year in Search report, which highlights the interests and concerns that shaped the nation’s online activity during the year.
The report showed that political conversations dominated searches, with Akpoti’s prominence underscoring the intensity of national discourse. Nigerians also followed global developments closely, including the Israel-Iran War and the United States elections.
The country mourned the passing of former whose deaths prompted widespread searches recalling their legacies and contributions to national life.
Entertainment trends reflected Nigeria’s cultural vibrancy, with gospel hit “Oluwatosin (Jesus Is Enough)” by Tkeyz featuring Steve Hills topping charts, alongside Afrobeats collaborations such as Davido and Omah Lay’s “With You.” Director Kemi Adetiba and the local series “To Kill a Monkey” also drew significant attention.
Google noted that Nigerians displayed curiosity in language and lifestyle, decoding slang like “Labubu” and exploring recipes ranging from Pornstar Martini to traditional Chinchin.
Technology searches were led by interest in the iPhone 17 and Tecno Pop 10, reflecting the country’s embrace of new devices.
“This data offers a real-time window into the Nigerian psyche in 2025, showing a nation engaged, reflective, and creatively vibrant,” said Taiwo Kola-Ogunlade, Google’s Communications Manager for West Africa.
14-year-old Oreoluwa Alayande has been crowned the winner of the MTN mPulse Spelling Bee 2025, following a thrilling grand finale that saw the top 20 contestants from schools across the country compete head-to-head.
MTN mPulse 2025 Spelling Bee
The grand finale of the MTN mPulse Spelling Bee 2025 competition was held on Saturday, November 29, at the MTN Plaza Rooftop. The event also had in attendance the Senior Special Assistant to the Lagos State Governor on Basic and Secondary Education, Opeyemi Eniola and mPulse Spelling Bee 2024 winner, Ikenna Ikechukwu.
As the 2025 MTN mPulse Champion, Oreoluwa was awarded an Educational Grant of N5 Million Naira, the opportunity to be the MTN CEO for a Day, a brand new laptop and smartphone, and the title of the face of mPulse for a year. Her victory also benefits her school, which will receive a N10 Million flagship gift, 10 laptops, and 10 MTN 5G routers, while her teacher receives a N500,000 cash prize.
Oreoluwa, a student of St. Lawrence Metropolitan College, Ado Ekiti, Ekiti State, expressed her gratitude. “I’d like to use this opportunity to thank MTN for providing a platform that empowers youths and increases the vocabulary of students,” she said. “I’d also like to thank my family, everyone who has supported me so far, and my school,” she said.
Speaking at the grand finale, Babatunde Oyeleye, Chief Strategy and Innovation Officer, MTN Nigeria, acknowledged the parents and teachers. “Every year, we bring you all together to see who becomes the exceptional speller in Nigeria, and the participants always perform exceptionally,” Oyeleye stated. “I’d like to say a big thank you to the parents and the teachers. You dedicate your time to nurturing these children, and the feeling of pride is always evident on your faces. We are glad to be enablers of that smile and pride you feel,” Oyeleye said.
The second position, Samuel Babalola, was rewarded with a N2.5 Million Educational Grant, 1 laptop, and 1 smartphone, with his teacher receiving an N300,000 cash prize. Levi Kelechi Ebisike, in third place, won a N1.5 Million Educational Grant, 1 laptop, and 1 smartphone, along with an N200,000 cash prize for his teacher.
The grand finale was streamed live on the MTN Nigeria YouTube channel and on the Holiday Channel 198 on both DStv and GOtv, allowing Nigerians nationwide to watch the brilliant spellers.
The MTN mPulse Spelling Bee continues to be one of Nigeria’s most impactful development initiatives, reiterating MTN’s commitment to promoting literacy and digital inclusivity. The competition, a flagship initiative under the MTN mPulse umbrella, is designed to foster digital literacy, academic excellence, and healthy competition among Nigerian students.
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