Your Android phone just got 3 useful upgrades for free (Samsung models included)

Google / Elyse Betters Picaro / ZDNET

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ZDNET’s key takeaways

• A new Google update is adding several features to Android phones.
• A new AI writing tool for Gboard is on the way.
• An upgraded Emoji Keyboard will help you find the perfect emoji.

Your Android phone is getting an upgrade, and it might have a big impact on how you communicate.

Also: Google is killing the Android phone feature that once made them popular – and there’s a big reason why

Google announced on Wednesday a number of upgrades to its operating system, among them a new AI-powered tool to easily revamp your writing, improved emojis, and a redesigned Quick Share. Here’s a look at what’s new:

1. A new way to improve your writing

Google is unveiling new AI writing tools for Gboard, the virtual keyboard for Android devices (it’s available on iOS too, though). When you open the new interface, you’ll see a tool that lets you revise your tone to be more formal, expressive, or concise, plus fix spelling and grammar mistakes. Google notes that everything happens on device, meaning your data stays secure.

2. An upgraded Emoji Keyboard

If you can’t find the perfect sticker or emoji, Google has a new way to help. There’s a new browse function that lets you look through multiple options, and new sticker combinations that let you remix and create your own. A demo video from Google showcases a user combining a butterfly emoji and a sneaker to create a sneaker with butterfly wings, but the possibilities are endless. 

Also: How to clear your Android phone cache (and the hidden problem it actually fixes)

This isn’t quite to the level of Apple’s Genmoji feature that lets you create an emoji with a text description, but it’s a fun new way to get creative.

3. Redesigned Quick Share

Sharing files, photos, links, and more between nearby Android devices (plus Chromebooks or Windows PCs) is getting a new look that should make things easier to use. Google explains that you can now toggle between sending and receiving files, see live updates with a progress indicator, and more.

Also: 3 Android calendar apps that beat Google’s default hands down – and they’re all free

Also new in this update are audio sharing capabilities (including the ability for two users to pair LE headphones) and the ability to create your own custom Android bot by uploading a selfie or typing a prompt. 

Rolling out

These new updates generally take a little time to roll out, so if you don’t see them yet, you should soon.