Android 16 has officially rolled out to Pixel devices, marking the earliest stable Android launch in over a decade. Meanwhile, Apple has shifted gears with its new iOS naming scheme and unveiled iOS 26, complete with a divisive new design language called Liquid Glass — and a rather embarrassing demo fail. To top it all off, Vivo has stirred the pot by claiming its upcoming Android phone will be the first to connect with an Apple Watch, a feat many think is nearly impossible. Let’s dive into everything you need to know about these latest developments in tech.
Table of Contents
- 📱 Android 16 Launches: Early but Underwhelming
- 🍏 Apple’s iOS 26 and the Controversial Liquid Glass Design
- ⌚ Vivo Claims First Android Phone to Connect with Apple Watch
- 🔍 FAQ
- Wrapping Up
📱 Android 16 Launches: Early but Underwhelming
For Android enthusiasts, this week’s biggest news is the stable rollout of Android 16 for Pixel devices. This release is notable because it’s arriving earlier than usual — typically, new Android versions don’t reach stable status until the fall, but Android 16 is already on millions of devices before summer officially begins.
However, if you were expecting a flashy update packed with new features, you might be disappointed. The much-anticipated Material You Expressive redesign is still missing. This overhaul was previewed by Google a few weeks ago and promises a fresh look across Android, including revamped icons in the status bar, updated quick tiles, and a blurred app drawer background that lets you see your wallpaper through it. Unfortunately, none of these are in Android 16 yet, but they’re expected to arrive in a future update, likely this fall.
Similarly, the upcoming desktop mode — which would allow Android phones to offer a PC-like experience — is also absent from this release. So what exactly does Android 16 bring right now?
Primarily, Google has laid the groundwork for several new features that will be coming soon. One example is Live Updates, a feature inspired by the iPhone that shows persistent notifications updating you on background tasks. Imagine tracking your Uber Eats order progress directly from a notification, without reopening the app repeatedly. While Live Updates itself isn’t active yet, the underlying system to support it is included in Android 16.
Beyond that, Android 16 enforces some long-standing design changes. For instance, edge-to-edge app design, which was optional since Android 10, is now mandatory. This means apps must fully utilize the device’s display, no longer hiding content behind the status bar or navigation bar. Other enforced changes include the predictive back gesture and app adaptivity, which requires apps to scale properly on large displays like tablets and foldables. This is a big step toward a more seamless experience across device types.
Security also gets a boost with a new feature called Advanced Protection, a system-wide security mode that enhances your phone’s defenses against malicious attacks. It’s designed to be simple to use — just one tap to activate, and your device gets fortified.
For a deeper dive into Android 16’s rollout and upcoming features, my colleague Paul has put together a detailed video that covers all the nuances. But hang tight — there’s more tech news coming your way.
🍏 Apple’s iOS 26 and the Controversial Liquid Glass Design
Apple, the “small company named after a fruit,” also launched a major software upgrade this week: iOS 26. Yes, you read that right — Apple has shifted its iOS naming convention to match the year of release, so instead of iOS 19 or iOS 20, we’re jumping straight to 2026. Welcome to the future!
The headline feature of iOS 26 is its new design language called Liquid Glass. This aesthetic makes UI elements like icons and notifications transparent, giving the OS a see-through, glass-like appearance. While innovative, it has drawn immediate comparisons to Windows Vista, the much-maligned Microsoft OS from 2007. Some say the resemblance is uncanny — though I’ll admit, I don’t remember Vista myself. I’m definitely not old enough to recall Windows XP’s launch either!
More amusing than the design, however, was a demo during the iOS 26 keynote showcasing a feature that’s clearly a clone of Google’s “Circle to Search,” which debuted about a year ago on Android. Apple’s version, however, didn’t quite hit the mark. In the demo, a user attempts to search for a jacket by circling it in a photo, but none of the search results actually show the jacket he was looking for. The same happens later with a quirky lamp shaped like a mushroom — the results don’t match the item at all.
When I use Circle to Search on Android, I get accurate results for the item I circled, not vague approximations that require you to squint and ignore reality. Of course, this feature is still in developer beta, so Apple might improve it over time. Catching up takes time, after all. Good luck, Apple!
⌚ Vivo Claims First Android Phone to Connect with Apple Watch
Just when you thought the week was over, Vivo dropped a bombshell. A product manager from the Chinese smartphone maker posted on social media claiming that the upcoming Vivo X Fold 5 will be the first Android phone to support connectivity with an Apple Watch. Yes, you read that correctly — an Android phone working with an Apple Watch.
Here’s the backstory: Apple originally intended for the Apple Watch to work with Android phones as well as iPhones but abandoned the idea because it wouldn’t lock users into the Apple ecosystem strongly enough. That’s why today, you still need an iPhone for your Apple Watch to function.
So how is Vivo planning to achieve this breakthrough? Unfortunately, the company hasn’t provided details. It’s hard to imagine a straightforward connection that bypasses Apple’s restrictions without some clunky workaround. Perhaps the Vivo X Fold 5 will relay data from the Apple Watch via an iPhone or a Mac computer acting as an intermediary. Or maybe there will be some virtual iPhone environment involved. Whatever the method, it’s unlikely to be as simple as plugging in the watch to an Android device — Apple’s “walled garden” approach is notoriously tough to crack.
We’ll have to wait and see when the Vivo X Fold 5 launches in the coming weeks.
🔍 FAQ
What devices are currently receiving Android 16?
Android 16 is rolling out primarily to Pixel devices as a stable update, reaching millions of users earlier than usual.
When will the Material You Expressive redesign arrive?
The new design overhaul is expected to arrive in a future update, likely in the fall of this year.
What is the Live Updates feature in Android 16?
Live Updates will provide persistent notifications that keep you informed about ongoing background activities, like tracking the progress of a food delivery, without needing to open the app repeatedly.
Why is Apple renaming iOS versions by year?
Apple switched to naming iOS versions after the release year to better align with their annual update cycle, which is why the latest version is called iOS 26.
What is the Liquid Glass design in iOS 26?
Liquid Glass is a new transparent design language that makes UI elements like icons and notifications see-through, creating a glass-like effect.
Will Vivo really allow Apple Watch to connect to Android phones?
Vivo claims it will, but no concrete details have been shared yet. It’s likely to involve some form of workaround rather than a native connection, given Apple’s ecosystem restrictions.
Wrapping Up
Android 16’s stable rollout might feel a bit underwhelming now, but it sets the stage for exciting features coming later this year. Apple’s iOS 26, meanwhile, continues its bold design experiments with Liquid Glass — though not without some hiccups. And Vivo’s claim to bridge the Apple Watch and Android gap could shake up the ecosystem if it pans out. Stay tuned for more updates as these stories develop.
For those interested in diving deeper, I’ve included links below to detailed articles and videos covering these topics. Don’t forget to follow for the latest tech news and insights!
