Aesthetics And Operations: 10 Features The New Android 10 Update Is Bringing To Your Smartphone

People were excited about Android Q when Google announced it earlier this year. And after quite a few months in beta, the new OS version is now starting to roll out to users. Of course, you should also remember it doesn't have a special name, just Android 10.

This time around, Google says it's "working with a number of partners to launch or upgrade devices to Android 10 this year." That means though Pixel devices will get the OS first as usual, other Android devices shouldn't take as long as usual. So here are some of the features you can look forward to.

1. No more buttons

Android will for the first time have a completely button-less experience. Instead you use gestures to get around. Swipe up goes to the Home, swipe up and hold to access the multitasking menu, and a swipe from the left or right edge of the screen goes back.

If you're not comfortable with that yet, don't worry. Android 10 also allows you to go to back to Android Pie's two-button navigation system (which was missing a back button), or the traditional three buttons you're used too. At least that option is available to everyone, it's unclear if Pixel users will get it too, especially the Pixel 4 which will ship with Android 10

2. Coloured themes

Android 10 now also allows a little more customisation. Deep in the developer options of your Android settings is a new 'Theming' section that allows you to change the colour of the interface accents. The default is the iconic blue, but you can now switch it to black, green, purple, cinnamon, ocean, space, and orchid

3. Dark Mode

Another first here is the system-wide Dark Mode, after years of fans begging and pleading for the feature. You can turn it on and off at any time through the toggle in your drop-down Quick Settings. Additionally, Google has also released an API so developers can have their apps go dark when your phone does as well. It might take some time for everyone else to adopt, but it's easy enough so you can probably expect most of your apps to have it soon.

4. Sound Amplifier

This feature, though again specifically designed for those hard of hearing, should also help the average user. It lets the device automatically boost sound when your watching a video or listening to a podcast, while simultaneously having your headphones attempt to filter out background noise.

5. Smart Reply

Smart Reply basically lets you respond to messages directly in your notifications with recommended actions. For instance, if someone is asking to meet you at a coffee shop, the suggestions might include responding with a yes or no, as well as a shortcut to find that place on Google Maps.

6. Improved permissions

With privacy now so public an issue, Google is taking no chances. It's implemented new permissions features for apps, helping you understand exactly what they have access to. For apps that ask for your location, Android 10 has a pop-up asking if you want to grant them location access only when they're in use, all the time, or not at all.

Additionally, "Users will be able to control apps' access to the Photos and Videos or the Audio collections via new runtime permissions. For Downloads, apps must use the system file picker, which allows the user to decide which Download files the app can access," Google says.

7. Live Captions

This feature is mostly an assistive one for people hard of hearing, but it might come in handy for those too-soft YouTube videos too. It detects when a video, game, or podcast features words being spoken, and automatically transcribes them into captions on your phone in real time. You don't even need to be connected to the Internet for this to work.

8. Family Link

Family Link basically lets you sync your device to your kids', set screen time limits for them, and manage what content they say. That second one looks a little shady, but not as much as the third, which lets you see your kids' device location. If you want to try helicopter parenting, this is one easy way to do it (though we don't recommend it).

9. Focus Mode

Focus Mode lets you turn off distracting notifications when you need to get in the zone and work. Just tap the button in your quick settings and it'll "pause" apps like Gmail, Google News, and YouTube, graying out the app icons. You can of course pick and chose which apps should be paused. It's currently only launching in beta, but should be out fully soon.

10. Faster updates

This feature isn't really visible to users, but it might be the most important one in this version. With this, Android can push out critical security updates faster, directly through Google Play, instead of waiting for manufacturers and carriers to distribute them.

The update is rolling out over the next few days for Pixel users, so don't worry if you don't have it right away. For the rest of you Android folks, you're going to have to wait a while before your phone manufacturer releases an update.