Android 16 has officially rolled out to Pixel devices (public stable began on 2025-06-10), marking the earliest stable Android launch in over a decade (Android Authority, 2025-06-10). Meanwhile, Apple has shifted gears with its new iOS naming scheme and unveiled iOS 26 (previewed 2025-06-09; public release 2025-09-15 — AppleInsider, 2025-09-15), complete with a divisive new design language called Liquid Glass — and a rather embarrassing demo fail that drew criticism (Android Authority, 2025-06-10). 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 (teased by a Vivo PM on Weibo; coverage: 9to5Google, 2025-06-10; post-launch nuance: Cult of Mac, 2025-06-25). 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 — the public stable hit Pixels on 2025-06-10 (Android Authority).
However, if you were expecting a flashy update packed with new features, you might be disappointed. The much-anticipated Material 3 Expressive redesign was not part of the initial stable. Google began broader rollout with the September Pixel Feature Drop on 2025-09-03 (AndroidSage, 2025-09-03). This overhaul 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. If you don’t see it yet, it’s continuing to roll out this fall (The Verge, 2025-06).
Similarly, the upcoming desktop mode — which would allow Android phones to offer a PC-like experience — wasn’t in the first stable build. Early previews are available in Android 16 QPR betas, but it’s still not ready for everyday use (9to5Google, 2025-06-10; Android Authority hands-on). So what exactly does Android 16 bring right now?
Primarily, Google has laid the groundwork for several new features that are rolling out over time. One example is Live updates, a feature that shows persistent notifications updating you on background tasks (think tracking your food delivery) — with broader app support landing through QPRs (Android Police, 2025-07).
Beyond that, Android 16 enforces some long-standing design changes. For instance, edge-to-edge app design is effectively required when targeting Android 16 (Android 15 forced the behavior broadly; opt-outs are removed on 16 — Android Police). Other changes include the evolving predictive back gesture (now supported across navigation modes — Android Authority) and app adaptivity, which pushes apps to scale properly on large displays like tablets and foldables (Android Developers).
Security also gets a boost with a new feature called Advanced Protection, a system-wide mode that consolidates Android’s strongest defenses under a single toggle. It’s designed to be simple — just one tap — with additional integrations rolling out through 2025 (Android Authority, 2025-06-10).
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: iOS 26 (public release on 2025-09-15; previewed 2025-06-09), and a new naming convention that aligns version numbers with the year (Apple Newsroom).
The headline feature of iOS 26 is its new design language called Liquid Glass (Apple Developer). 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.
More amusing than the design, however, was a keynote demo of Apple’s visual intelligence that drew criticism for poor results — a feature many compared to Google’s Circle to Search (Android Authority, 2025-06-10). Of course, this is still in developer beta, so Apple may 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 would be the first Android phone to support connectivity with an Apple Watch (9to5Google, 2025-06-10). The phone has since launched internationally (press release 2025-07-14), and reporting indicates Apple Watch features may require an iPhone pairing and companion apps, with fuller support via a software update (Cult of Mac, 2025-06-25).
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? The company hasn’t provided technical details. It’s hard to imagine a straightforward connection that bypasses Apple’s restrictions without some clunky workaround. Early reports suggest the Vivo X Fold 5 experience may depend on an iPhone or Mac and companion software rather than native pairing — so expectations should be tempered (see sources above).
🔍 FAQ
What devices are currently receiving Android 16?
Android 16 began rolling out as a stable update to Pixel 6 and newer devices (including Pixel Fold/Tablet) on 2025-06-10 (Android Authority).
When will the Material You Expressive redesign arrive?
It’s now called Material 3 Expressive. It started rolling out with the September Pixel Feature Drop on 2025-09-03 and will continue expanding this fall (AndroidSage; The Verge).
What is the Live Updates feature in Android 16?
Live updates provide persistent notifications that keep you informed about ongoing background activities (e.g., food delivery) — it’s part of Android 16, with availability depending on app support (Android.com).
Why is Apple renaming iOS versions by year?
Apple switched to naming iOS versions after the release year; iOS 26 was previewed on 2025-06-09 and released publicly on 2025-09-15 (Apple Newsroom; AppleInsider).
What is the Liquid Glass design in iOS 26?
Liquid Glass is a new translucent design language making UI elements appear glass-like across system surfaces (Apple Developer).
Will Vivo really allow Apple Watch to connect to Android phones?
Vivo claims it will, but details are still limited. Early coverage suggests dependence on an iPhone pairing and companion apps, with broader support coming via software updates (Cult of Mac).
Wrapping Up
Android 16’s stable rollout might feel a bit underwhelming now, but it sets the stage for features landing through fall 2025. Apple’s iOS 26 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 above to detailed articles and videos covering these topics. Don’t forget to follow for the latest tech news and insights!
