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Get Ready: Google Unveils 8 Game-Changing Android Updates
Google’s annual I/O developer conference is a hub for exciting product updates. This year, “The Android Show: I/O edition” offered an early preview of Android’s future. Packed with groundbreaking news, these updates will transform our Android interactions.
Android, the world’s most popular OS with over 3 billion active devices, continues to innovate, bringing practical benefits and new possibilities.
For people in Africa, these advancements promise easier, safer, and more personal digital lives. Let’s dive into how Android’s latest offerings empower users across the continent:
1. Your Device, Your Canvas: The Expressive Evolution of Android and Wear OS
Tired of a generic phone look? Android 16 and Wear OS 6 introduce Material 3 Expressive, a significant design makeover. It’s about making your devices truly personal and easier to use. Imagine animations reacting to your touch, like icons subtly shifting when you dismiss a message, making interactions feel alive. Born from research with over 18,000 users, the result is beautiful, enjoyable interfaces.
Customize phone colours and quick settings – place your flashlight for easy access. On smartwatches, the design wraps smoothly around round screens, and your watch face theme will colour the entire system. For users in Kenya, South Africa, and Nigeria, where personal expression is key, this means technology that truly reflects you.
Availability: Coming to Android 16 and Wear OS 6. Pixel devices first later this year, then other manufacturers.
2. Driving Just Got Smarter: Gemini Becomes Your Ultimate Co-Pilot
Remember when your car was just for driving? Now, with Gemini, Google’s smart AI assistant, coming to your car, every journey becomes more productive and enjoyable. Whether you use Android Auto with your phone or have a car with Google built-in, Gemini is designed to be your ultimate co-pilot.
Imagine talking naturally to your car, without needing to remember specific commands. You can ask Gemini to find the best local food along your route and even get summaries of reviews. If you’re messaging a friend who prefers a different language, Gemini can remember to always translate your messages for them. It can even help you find the location of your child’s soccer game that got buried in your email!
But Gemini isn’t just for navigation. On longer drives, you can ask it to summarise the news, or give you a quick rundown of a book for your book club. It’s like having a knowledgeable friend riding shotgun, ready to help with anything from finding a charging station near a park to helping you prepare for a big meeting.
This smart integration means less distraction and more convenience, making your time on the road in Nairobi, Johannesburg, or Lagos more efficient and fun.
Availability: Android Auto in coming months; Google Built-in later this year (new Lincoln Nautilus, Renault R5, Honda Passport).
3. Beyond the Phone: Gemini Smarts Extend to Your Watch, TV, and More
Gemini’s intelligence is expanding beyond your phone to your Wear OS smartwatch, TV, and future Android XR smart glasses. On your Wear OS watch, get help hands-free: set gym locker reminders while baking or find restaurant details from an email. Google TV will get Gemini later this year for movie recommendations or educational content for kids.
Future Android XR headsets (starting with Samsung) will use Gemini for immersive experiences like vacation planning. Expect personalized, proactive help for a seamless, intelligent experience across your Android devices. Gemini Live’s camera and screen sharing capabilities are available now for Android users (no Advanced subscription required).
Availability: Wear OS in coming months. Google TV later this year. Android XR with Samsung’s first headset later this year.
4. Never Lose Anything Again: Find Hub for All Your Belongings
Android’s “Find My Device” is evolving into Find Hub, a central spot to locate tagged items and track friends and family (with permission). Easily track luggage, keys, or confirm a loved one’s safe arrival from one app. Find Hub supports more devices and Bluetooth tags (July, Mokobara, Pixbee). Ultra-wideband (UWB) tech (first on moto tag) offers precise tracking down to a few feet.
Later this year, satellite connectivity arrives for supported devices, enabling tracking without mobile coverage – ideal for adventures. Airline partnerships (e.g., British Airways, Singapore Airlines) will help locate luggage by sharing tag locations. For those in Africa facing varied network coverage or frequent travel, Find Hub is a powerful tool.
Availability: Rolling out with new compatible devices/tags later this month (UWB on moto tag). Satellite connectivity later this year. Airline partnerships early next year.
5. Crystal Clear Communication: RCS Messaging Soars
Android has championed RCS (Rich Communication Services) for simple, reliable, feature-rich messaging, regardless of phone type. Success is clear: over a billion daily RCS messages in the U.S. alone enable high-quality photo/video sharing and improved group chats. RCS offers features like read receipts, typing indicators, and large file sharing directly in your standard messaging app for seamless communication.
Availability: Globally available within Google Messages.
6. Smarter App Management: Google Play Protect Gets More Intelligent
Malicious apps are a constant threat, and Android is making it even harder for them to hide and cause trouble. Google Play Protect, Android’s built-in security scanner, is getting smarter to keep you even safer.
One tricky tactic used by bad apps is to hide or change their icon, making them hard to find and remove from your device. Now, Google Play Protect’s live threat detection will spot this sneaky behaviour and alert you, so you can easily remove the unsafe app.
Google Play Protect also checks every app before it’s installed on your device, no matter where you download it from. It uses advanced on-device machine learning to quickly identify new and emerging threats. This means if an app shows suspicious patterns – like trying to steal information or control your device – Play Protect can warn you before you even install it! These rules are updated frequently to ensure you’re protected from the latest malware.
These updates mean better, faster protection against unwanted and harmful apps, keeping your phone and data safe without you having to do anything extra.
Availability: Google Play Protect updates for faster malware detection (using new on-device rules) are now available globally for all Android users with Google Play services. Live threat detection for hidden app icons will be available for Google Pixel 6+ and a selection of new devices from other manufacturers in the coming months.
7. Comprehensive Mobile Theft Protection: Stronger Than Ever
The loss or theft of a phone can be devastating, not just for the device itself, but for the sensitive information it contains. Android has been a leader in theft protection, and these new updates make it even harder for thieves to access your data or reset your device.
Building on last year’s comprehensive suite of features, Android is further hardening its Factory Reset protections. This means that if a thief tries to wipe your phone without your authorization, key functionalities will be restricted. You’ll also get more control over the Remote Lock feature, with the addition of a security question to prevent unauthorized actions.
A key new protection in Android 16 targets a common scam tactic: thieves trying to access one-time passwords (OTPs) on your locked screen. In high-risk scenarios – when your phone isn’t connected to Wi-Fi and hasn’t been recently unlocked – Android will hide OTPs on your lock screen. This ensures that only you can see them after unlocking your device, protecting your online accounts.
These continuous improvements demonstrate Android’s commitment to keeping your personal and financial information safe, even if your phone falls into the wrong hands.
Availability: Hardened Factory Reset protections and enhanced Remote Lock (with security question) are coming later this year. OTP lock screen protection (hiding OTPs in high-risk scenarios) will be available in Android 16. Identity Check for Pixel and Samsung One UI 7 devices is expanding to more manufacturers on supported Android 16 devices.
Taiwo Oyedele, Chairman of the Presidential Committee on Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms, has dismissed reports that bank accounts not linked to a Tax Identification Number (TIN) will be frozen or automatically debited from January 1, 2026.
Taiwo Oyedele
Oyedele described the claims as false and misleading, warning Nigerians against panic over misinformation surrounding recent tax and financial reforms.
In a post on his X handle Tuesday morning, he wrote: “Don’t let anyone manipulate you. Your bank account is safe. Misinformation makes you panic and fear a reform that is designed to help you.
“When they tell you that your account will be frozen or automatically debited from January 2026, ask them for the evidence in the new law. Be wise.”
He stressed that no provision in the new tax laws authorises the freezing of bank accounts, adding that the rumours are part of widespread misrepresentation of the reforms.
The committee chairman reiterated that the reforms are intended to simplify Nigeria’s tax system and ease the burden on ordinary citizens, not to impose punitive measures on bank customers.
US tech giant, Amazon has disclosed that it blocked more than 1,800 North Koreans from applying for jobs, amid growing concerns that Pyongyang is deploying large numbers of IT workers overseas to earn and launder funds.
Amazon
In a LinkedIn post, Amazon’s Chief Security Officer, Stephen Schmidt, said North Korean nationals have been attempting to secure remote IT roles with companies around the world, particularly in the United States.
He noted that the company recorded nearly a one-third increase in such applications over the past year.
According to Schmidt, many of the applicants operate through so-called “laptop farms” — computers physically located in the US but remotely controlled from abroad.
He warned that the issue is not unique to Amazon and is likely occurring at scale across the tech industry.
He added that common red flags include incorrectly formatted phone numbers and questionable academic credentials.
The issue has previously drawn the attention of US authorities. In July, a woman in Arizona was sentenced to more than eight years in prison for running a laptop farm that helped North Korean IT workers obtain remote jobs at more than 300 US companies.
Officials said the scheme generated over $17 million in revenue for both the woman and North Korea.
Last year, South Korea’s intelligence agency also warned that North Korean operatives were using LinkedIn to pose as recruiters, approaching South Koreans working at defence companies in an attempt to steal sensitive technological information.
“North Korea is actively training cyber personnel and infiltrating key locations worldwide,” Hong Min, an analyst at the Korea Institute for National Unification, told AFP.
He added that, given Amazon’s business model, the motivation behind such operations is largely economic, with a high likelihood of attempts to steal financial assets.
North Korea’s cyber warfare programme dates back to at least the mid-1990s and has since expanded into a cyber unit of about 6,000 personnel known as Bureau 121, according to a 2020 US military report.
In November, Washington announced sanctions against eight individuals accused of being state-sponsored hackers, alleging their illicit activities were carried out to fund North Korea’s nuclear weapons programme.
The US Treasury has also accused North Korea-linked cybercriminals of stealing more than $3 billion over the past three years, primarily through cryptocurrency-related crimes.
Treepz, Africa’s leading mobility and travel technology company, has officially launched direct flight bookings on its platform, enabling customers to search, compare and book flights to more than 210 destinations worldwide, including the United Kingdom, Canada and the United Arab Emirates.
Web
The development marks a major milestone in Treepz’s transition from a mobility provider into a fully integrated travel platform. With the new service, travelers can now complete the entire booking process — from flight search to payment — directly on the Treepz website without relying on multiple agents or third-party platforms.
Speaking on the launch, Mr. Onyeka Akumah, Chief Executive Officer and Founder of Treepz, described the initiative as a defining moment for the company and for travel access across Africa.
He said launching flight bookings to serve customers with flights to over 200 destinations was a major achievement, noting that travelers could now search for flights, enter their details, make payments with their cards, and complete bookings instantly on the platform without delays or switching between multiple websites.
The launch comes at a critical time for the African travel market. December is widely regarded as the busiest travel season on the continent, driven by holiday vacations, family reunions, weddings, festivals and end-of-year celebrations.
Millions of Africans travel locally and internationally during this period, often facing challenges with slow booking systems, unclear pricing and fragmented services.
Treepz’s new flight booking system is designed to address these challenges by offering a faster, more intuitive and reliable experience.
Customers can now search and book flight tickets directly on the Treepz website, compare prices and travel options in real time, make payments using any card option, and complete bookings faster without switching platforms.
Treepz has outlined ambitious plans for 2026, including unlocking access to over six million hotels globally, which will allow travelers to book flights and accommodation together in one seamless flow.
The company also plans to expand its car rental services into Europe and South America, further strengthening its position as a one-stop travel ecosystem.
According to Akumah, these developments will significantly reduce planning time for both leisure and corporate travelers, while giving customers more control and convenience.
Treepz has already facilitated more than six million movements across multiple cities and countries, ranging from daily commutes and corporate transportation to group travel and event logistics. With active operations across Africa and recent expansion into Canada, the company continues to grow its international footprint.
The addition of flight bookings strengthens Treepz’s ability to serve global travelers while maintaining its reputation for reliability and customer-focused service.
By integrating flights, accommodation, ground transportation and experiences into one platform, Treepz is positioning itself as more than a mobility provider.
The company is evolving into a comprehensive travel solution designed for modern travelers who value speed, clarity and convenience.
Industry analysts say the move could redefine travel access across Africa, particularly during peak seasons when demand for efficient booking systems is highest.
With this launch, Treepz has taken a bold step toward building a unified, tech-driven travel ecosystem that connects Africa to the world.
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