Android Logo Gets a Makeover with 3D Bugdroid

The release of Android 14 is just around the corner, but before Google unveils the highly anticipated mobile operating system alongside its newest Pixel devices, the company has unveiled an updated Android logo.

Jason Fournier, director of consumer brand management at Android, wrote in a blog post that the company wanted the bugdroid to “look as dynamic as Android itself.” By revamping the look of the mascot’s entire body, we hope to make it easier for the bugdroid to look consistent in both digital and real environments. The updated bugdroid and updated logo will start appearing on Android devices and elsewhere later this year.

In addition to the rebrand, Google has revealed details of its quarterly Android feature drop. The headline feature is a new widget called Assistant At a Glance. The purpose of this is to bring useful information such as weather alerts, event reminders and travel updates. The widget uses artificial intelligence to bring out these details.

A very useful-sounding accessibility feature is coming to Android. It’s called Image Q&A on Lookout. You can use voice commands or type questions to learn more about AI-generated audio descriptions of visual content. Google designed the feature with blind and visually impaired people in mind.

You’ll soon be able to add cards with barcodes and QR codes (like library and gym cards) to Google Wallet so you don’t have to carry them with you. You can add Fitbit/Google Fit activity and sleep data to personal Routines to track your wellness goals. Meanwhile, Google has redesigned the Personal Safety app, which aims to make it easier for users to share their live location, record their surroundings and call 911.

Last but not least is the Android Auto update. Webex and Zoom support is coming soon. You can join conference calls by voice and view meeting schedules on the car screen. We’ve seen automakers bring conferencing apps to their infotainment systems, but Android Auto support could mean a conference call can’t be avoided.

These features, which Google is gradually rolling out, will start arriving today on the Pixel 5, Pixel 5a, and Pixel 4a. They will come to the Pixel 6 and Pixel 7 series phones and the Pixel Fold in the coming weeks. You can expect all these features in the latest batch of Pixel devices that Google will release next month as well.