Google is preparing a major wave of Android upgrades to launch alongside Samsung Unpacked on February 25, introducing new AI-powered features designed to simplify tasks, improve search and increase user security. The updates, rolling out to devices like the Samsung Galaxy S26 and Google Pixel 10, mark one of the most significant additions to the Android ecosystem this year.
Android deepens AI integration in everyday tasks
The biggest upgrade comes with Gemini, Google’s AI assistant, which can now complete complex, multi-step tasks completely in the background. Available in beta on select devices in the US and Korea, users can offload time-consuming activities – like ordering a ride or building a shopping cart – to Gemini with a single request. While Gemini processes the task in the corresponding app, users can continue texting, browsing, or doing anything else on their phone without interruption.
The feature will initially roll out with select food, grocery and ride-sharing apps, but its design suggests broader expansion over time. This is a strategic move to make Android devices more autonomous and reduce the friction of juggling multiple apps and errands.
This shift is important because it points to a future in which smartphones proactively complete tasks rather than just enable them – a development that will particularly benefit users who rely heavily on phones for their daily logistics.
Circle To Search gets smarter and expands visual understanding
Circle to Search, Google’s screen-based gesture tool that lets users circle around anything to learn more about it, is also getting a big boost. The latest update expands its search capabilities from individual items to entire looks and complete outfits, identifying clothing, shoes, accessories and more with a single gesture.
This update makes Circle to Search much more useful for shopping, inspiration, and visual discovery. For users who increasingly rely on mobile search for lifestyle and style decisions, the ability to identify “the whole look” simplifies previously multiple searches into one.
The expanded feature begins rolling out this week for Galaxy S26 and Pixel 10 devices, underscoring Google’s strategy to make visual search as important as text-based queries.
There is stronger fraud protection for calls and text messages
Google is also improving security with improved fraud detection based on the on-device Gemini model. The feature, previously limited to Google’s own apps, is now available in the Samsung Phone app on Galaxy S26 devices in the US for English-speaking users.
The system listens for suspicious conversation patterns – such as urgent requests for money or scam tactics – and issues an alert before users can fall victim. Google Messages is also receiving improvements to fraud detection for text messages, providing further protection against increasing fraud attempts.
These improvements are important because scams often target users through calls and text messages, and on-device AI enables real-time detection without the need to send audio or data to the cloud.
What’s next?
The company is expected to expand Gemini’s background tasks capabilities to more apps, expand Circle to Search support across devices, and expand fraud protection to more regions and languages.
For Android users, these updates signal a platform increasingly dominated by AI – not as a novelty, but as a practical assistant built into the fabric of everyday device use.
