Google’s September Android Drop introduces new Gemini, accessibility, motion-sickness and messaging features designed to make phones more useful.
Google has announced five new features as part of its September Android Drop, bringing new tools for everyday tasks, accessibility, motion sickness and personalization.
One of the key additions allows users to ask Gemini to remember where they have placed important items that do not have tracking tags. For example, users can tell Gemini that a passport is in a bedroom drawer or spare keys are stored in a particular location.
The information will be saved in Find Hub, allowing users to later ask Gemini where an item was placed or check their remembered items in Find Hub. Users can also attach a photo when saving an item. The feature will be available on devices running Android 16 or later in supported countries.
Google is also introducing Motion Assist for people who experience motion sickness while using their phones during travel. The feature displays a small bubble overlay that moves with the vehicle, helping reduce the mismatch between visual information and the body’s sense of motion.
Motion Assist will be available on phones running Android 17. Users can enable it automatically or add it to Quick Settings. The appearance of the bubbles can also be customized, including their shape, color and opacity.
Another accessibility-focused addition is Guided vision in Gemini Live. Designed for blind and low-vision users, the feature allows users to share their phone’s camera with Gemini and receive spoken descriptions of their surroundings.
Guided vision can help users read small text, understand menus and identify objects. Gemini can also provide voice guidance when the camera needs to be repositioned, including instructions to move, reframe or center the view. The feature is coming to phones running Android 9 and newer in regions where Gemini is available.
Google is also expanding collaboration through Google Keep and Google Messages. Users can create or edit notes and lists directly within conversations, which can be useful for grocery lists, travel plans and other shared tasks. People in a conversation can view, edit and add information without switching between apps. The rollout has started in Google Messages.
Finally, Google Messages is adding Chat themes, giving users more ways to personalize conversations. Users can select different backgrounds, including their own photos, and customize chat colors. Text bubbles can automatically match the selected background or be assigned custom colors.
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