AI appears to be taking on many features of Android units. Whereas AI could be useful, its integration into quite a few options can generally be annoying—particularly should you don’t use these options usually. Google seems to be engaged on giving customers higher management over which AI functionalities seem on their Android units, beginning with keyboards in Android 16.
Google lately launched the second developer preview (DP2) of Android 16, highlighting system-level enhancements akin to enhanced haptics, cloud-based picture picker help, and extra secure refresh charge dealing with. Nevertheless, hidden inside the replace is a brand new Writing Instruments API.
What the brand new Android 16 Writing Instruments API does
In line with documentation uncovered (by way of Android Authority), this API permits apps to disable AI-powered writing instruments like textual content era and proofreading from the keyboard when customers enter delicate data akin to passwords or bank card numbers on the textual content fields.
This performance improves the accuracy of how keyboards work together with totally different enter fields in apps. Extra importantly, it gives customers larger management over which AI options are enabled on their keyboards. From a privateness and safety perspective, this might assist forestall AI-powered instruments from accessing delicate information that customers enter into the fields.
Notably, Google’s Gboard already adjusts its format primarily based on the kind of enter subject in use. Nevertheless, the brand new Writing Instruments API would prolong this performance to customized and third-party keyboards, making the characteristic extra universally out there.
Particulars on different potential features of the Writing Instruments API stay unclear. Google would possibly reveal extra in future developer previews or upcoming beta releases of Android 16.
Along with the brand new API, Android 16 DP2 contains superior haptic APIs that permit exact tuning of vibration amplitude and frequency. There’s additionally a brand new lock display screen shortcut, which customers can customise to rapidly launch a notes app. For an entire listing of options and updates in Android 16, try our Android 16 hub.
What different options would you wish to see in Android 16? Share your ideas within the feedback beneath!
Supply:
Android Authority
