Enhanced AI Capabilities and New Features on the Horizon

Google is gearing up to release the next iteration of its Android operating system, Android 16 QPR2, which promises to bring a host of exciting new features and improvements. According to recent leaks and code changes, Android 16 QPR2 will introduce several key enhancements, including the ability for AI agents to control other apps and improved parental controls.

One of the most significant features of Android 16 QPR2 is the introduction of a new API called App Functions, which will allow developers to expose their app’s key features to the device’s default assistant. This could enable Google Gemini, the default assistant on Android, to perform far more actions in third-party apps than it currently can. For example, a restaurant app could expose an ‘order food’ function, allowing users to place an order with a voice command without even opening the app.

However, this feature has been quieted by Google, and it may be because there’s currently no way to restrict an assistant’s ability to use the API without disabling the assistant entirely. This could be a major concern for users who want to maintain control over their device’s behavior.

To address this issue, Android 16 QPR2 may introduce a new page that lets users manage which assistant apps can perform actions on their behalf. This page will be accessible from the device’s settings app and will allow users to control which assistants can perform actions on their device and in other apps.

Another significant improvement in Android 16 QPR2 is the enhanced parental controls. Currently, parents can remotely manage the apps and settings on their children’s devices using Google Family Link, but this system has a limitation: for multiple parents to manage the same child’s device, they must all be in the same Google family group. This can pose a problem for separated or mixed families, as it forces parents to comingle their various Google apps and family payment methods.

Android 16 QPR2 may solve this issue with the new “local supervision” feature, which will allow parents to manage their child’s device without having to be part of the same Google family group. This feature will enable parents to set daily screen time limits, schedule downtime, and apply time limits to specific apps, all without having to enter a parent’s Google account password.

Additionally, Android 16 QPR2 will introduce support for a new version of ultra-wideband (UWB), which will enable more sophisticated UWB use cases, such as public transport fare collection, contactless payments, and logical access control. Google is preparing to upgrade Android’s UWB stack with features from the FiRa 3.0 core specification, which will improve data transfer, enhance the quality and integrity of UWB pulses, and boost the security of the protocol’s physical layer.

The new UWB features will be a major upgrade for Android users, enabling them to take advantage of advanced UWB capabilities such as:

• Hybrid UWB scheduling: This feature will allow multiple UWB applications and features to run concurrently, improving overall system performance and efficiency.
• Exclusive airtime allocation: This feature will enable UWB applications to allocate exclusive airtime, reducing interference and improving data transfer performance.
• Improved pulse quality and integrity: This feature will enhance the quality and integrity of UWB pulses, improving overall system performance and reliability.
• Enhanced security: This feature will boost the security of the protocol’s physical layer, protecting against potential security threats and ensuring a secure UWB experience.

The stable version of Android 16 QPR2 is expected to arrive sometime in December 2025, with Google targeting a release date of December 2. However, the company has changed its release plans in the past, so it’s unclear if the date will hold.

Overall, Android 16 QPR2 promises to bring a host of exciting new features and improvements to the Android operating system, including enhanced AI capabilities, improved parental controls, and enhanced UWB support. While the exact release date is still uncertain, it’s clear that Google is working hard to make Android 16 QPR2 a major upgrade for Android users.