Google rolls out Android 17 with Gemini AI, caller message recording, new security features and more

Google has begun rolling out Android 17 and Wear OS 7 first to Pixel devices. The updates place AI, safety tools and smarter cross-device features at the centre of Google's software push.

In Short

• Pixel phones get newer models including Gemini Omni, AudioLM and Lyria 3
• Users can set audio greetings and expand interactive voicemail features
• Bubble Bar keeps recent apps floating for quicker switching between tasks

Google has started rolling out Android 17, introducing a mix of artificial intelligence upgrades, communication tools, security improvements and smartwatch features. The latest version of Android is arriving first on Pixel smartphones, alongside a new Pixel Drop update that adds several exclusive capabilities powered by Google's newest AI models.

The software release gives a clearer picture of where Google wants Android to go next. Instead of treating AI as a separate feature, the company is placing it at the centre of everyday smartphone experiences, from content creation and communication to productivity and personal assistance.

Among the biggest additions is support for Google's latest AI technologies. Pixel users will gain access to newer models such as Gemini Omni, AudioLM and Lyria 3, which are designed to handle tasks ranging from multimodal interactions to speech-based experiences and AI-generated music. These tools are expected to power a number of new features across Google's devices.

Android 17 also introduces a new way to manage calls. Users can now create a personalised audio greeting that plays when they are unable to answer incoming calls. Google's "Take a Message" feature, which allows callers to leave messages in a more interactive way, is also expanding to additional regions.

Google has also focused on improving multitasking. A new interface element called the Bubble Bar places recently used apps in floating bubbles near the bottom of the screen, allowing users to switch between tasks more quickly. The company says the feature is designed to make working across multiple apps more convenient.

Content creators and social media users are getting a new recording option as well. Android 17 allows people to capture their phone screen while simultaneously recording themselves through the front camera. This makes it easier to create reaction videos, tutorials and other content commonly shared on platforms such as YouTube, Instagram and TikTok.

Security and parental controls have received attention in the new update. Android 17 adds a "Mark as Lost" option within Find Hub, making it easier for users to secure misplaced devices. Google has also included new threat detection protections and expanded safety tools for families. Parents can now set screen-time limits and content restrictions using a PIN, without necessarily linking a Google account.

Foldable smartphone users are receiving a dedicated gaming experience. A new gaming mode introduces a split-screen layout that turns part of the foldable display into a dynamic game controller while gameplay continues on the remaining portion of the screen.

The accompanying Pixel Drop update extends several safety features to Google's smartwatch lineup. Pixel Watch devices can now automatically seek help if they detect situations such as a severe fall, a car crash or even a loss of pulse. In such cases, the watch can contact emergency services and alert selected emergency contacts.

Google is also preparing more AI-focused upgrades for Wear OS 7. Later this summer, smartwatch users will be able to create personalised widgets simply by describing what they want. The company is additionally working on what it calls "Personal Intelligence", which will use information from connected Google apps and chat history to provide more tailored assistance through Gemini.

Wear OS 7 also improves the connection between smartwatches and Google's broader hardware ecosystem. Live updates from smartphone apps can now appear directly on Pixel Watches, while future devices such as Google's AI-powered glasses and connected audio products are expected to work more closely with the platform.

Alongside these changes, Google claims Wear OS 7 will deliver battery-life improvements of up to 10 percent. The update will also introduce support for more advanced multi-step automations, allowing users to create smarter routines across their devices.

With Android 17 and Wear OS 7 now rolling out, Google is using its software platforms to bring its latest AI developments directly into the hands of users, while also expanding practical features related to communication, safety and everyday productivity.

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