– Android 17 launches today for Pixel 6 and newer devices, with a full rollout expected in days.
– New gaming mode for foldables turns half the screen into a virtual gamepad.
– “Screen Reactions” overlays a selfie video onto screen recordings for social media sharing.
– Enhanced granular privacy controls: limit app access to specific contacts and temporary precise location.
– Pixel-exclusive features arrive via June 2026 Feature Drop, including Gemini-powered video creation and song generation.
Android 17 and Wear OS 7 Launch Together
Together with Wear OS 7, Google also released Android 17 today for Pixel smartphones starting with the Google Pixel 6. In addition to the general new features of Android 17, Pixel devices will recieve a few additional features via the June 2026 Feature Drop. As usual, it will likely take a few days for the update to become avaliable to all users of compatible smartphones.
Gemini Intelligence and New Gaming Mode
Gemini Intelligence, the AI assistant capable of performing tasks autonomously, is scheduled to be released later this summer. Android 17 introduces a new gaming mode for foldable smartphones like the Google Pixel 10 Pro Fold ($1,499 on Amazon), in which one half of the display acts as a virtual gamepad, while the other half can be partially folded for better ergonomics, giving the device a form factor reminiscent of handhelds like the Nintendo DS. Android 17 is also expected to improve the gaming performance.
Screen Reactions and Enhanced Security
A new feature called “Screen Reactions” lets you overlay a selfie video on a screen recording to quickly react to images or videos online and share that reaction on social media. Google has improved its security features so that, for example, you can grant an app access only to selected contacts instead of your entire address book, while your precise location can be shared only for a limited time.
Gemini Omini Video Editing and Bubbles
Pixel smartphones also gain the ability to create or edit videos using Gemini Omini via voice prompts. Gemini can now also generate songs based on a description. Multitasking is enhanced by “Bubbles” – app icons can float in the foreground on the screen, allowing for quick access to these apps at any time.
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