Just Ahead of Android 14, a New Logo and Some New Features

Google could finalize Android 14 any day now, but it has separately announced a new Android logo and several new features for the over 3 billion people that currently use Android.

“Today, Android is announcing a new look, as well as new features for the Google apps and devices you use every day,” Google senior director Eve Andersson writes.

Let’s start with the logo.

Google has changed the Android logo several times since its initial release in 2008, and it is perhaps not surprising that the new visuals draw inspiration from Material design and the Google brand palette. First, Google is moving away from the stylized lowercase “android” text and will now capitalize the “A” while using a rounded font that looks more balanced next to the Google logo. Second, the Android robot, called the “bugdroid,” is now 3D and dynamic so it can reflect individual passions, personality, and context.

The new Android logo will begin appearing “on Android devices and in more places starting this year,” Google says.

As for the new features, there are several in this quarterly drop:

AI in the At a Glance widget. The At a Glance home screen widget now uses AI for high-precision weather alerts, dynamic travel updates, and upcoming event reminders.

Image Q&A in Lookout. The Lookout app (download here) has a new feature called Image Q&A that uses AI to generate image descriptions and answer any questions you may have, and it can be controlled by typing or with voice. There are also 11 new languages available on its app, including Japanese, Korean, and Chinese, bringing the total number of supported languages to 34.

Pass photo import in Google Wallet. You can now import everyday tickets and passes with barcodes or QR codes into Google Wallet more easily by scanning the codes and uploading them.

Unknown tracker alerts. Android will now notify you when it detects an unidentified tracking device (like Apple AirTag, a key tool for stalkers and other criminals) moving along with you so you can find it and disable it.

Earlier Earthquake warnings. Android now offers early earthquake alerts in over 95 countries.

RCS chat encryption. All RCS chats are now encrypted end-to-end. Yes, including group chats.

New communications apps in Android Auto. Webex and Zoom are now available in Android Auto so you can start and join conference calls by audio and browse meeting schedules from your car display. “Active calls are managed through Android Auto, so you can mute your microphone when needed and end the call when finished,” Google notes.

Fitbit and Google Fit integration with Google Assistant Routines. Fitbit and Google Fit users can now create routines that say your hours slept, sleep start time, and/or step count. (You can learn more about Routines here.)

New WearOS apps. WhatsApp and Google Maps are now available for Wear OS smartwatches. And Messages by Google now supports voice messages.

Automatic language translation in Gmail. When Gmail for Android detects a foreign language in an email, it will now prompt you to translate it to your preferred language.

Google Meet. Google Meet now offers a simplified experience on mobile, making it easier to take calls on the go.

AI curation in Google Photos. Google Photos now uses AI to curate your photos so that you can revisit special moments.

You can learn more about the Android September 2023 new features on the Android website.