- Google has released the September 2026 edition of “Android Drop,” introducing new features rolling out to Android devices.
- A total of 11 new features are announced, including a new “Find Hub” capability to remember where items are placed, “Motion Assist” to help reduce motion sickness, and the new “Gemini Live” feature “Guided vision.”
- Numerous new features are also added to enhance daily communication, such as the integration of “Google Keep” into “Google Messages” and chat theme customization.
On Tuesday, September 1, 2026, local time, Google released the September 2026 edition of “Android Drop,” highlighting new features rolling out to Android devices.
The September 2026 “Android Drop” announces a total of 11 new features, including a new capability in “Find Hub” to remember where items are placed, “Motion Assist” to reduce motion sickness, and the new “Gemini Live” feature “Guided vision.” Additionally, many new features are being added to make daily communication more convenient, such as “Google Keep” integration in “Google Messages” and chat theme customization.
Remember Where You Put Important Items in “Find Hub”
A new feature is rolling out that lets you have “Gemini” remember where you placed important items and save that location information in the “Find Hub” app.
For items that cannot take a Bluetooth tracker, such as a passport or spare keys, you can simply say something like, “Ok Google, remember that I put my passport in the bedroom drawer,” and the location of the item will be automatically recorded, optionally with an attached photo. When you want to find it, just ask “Gemini” for the location or check the “Remembered Items” tab within the “Find Hub” app.
The “Remembered Items” tab in the “Find Hub” app does not track the real-time location of items, and accuracy depends on the information entered by the user. “Find Hub” is available on devices running Android 16 or later in countries and regions where “Gemini” and “Find Hub” are supported.
“Find Hub” App Link
Motion Sickness Reduction with “Motion Assist”
“Motion Assist” is a new feature that helps reduce motion sickness while continuing to use your smartphone during travel.
It is designed to bridge the gap between what your eyes see and the movement of the vehicle by displaying subtle, animated bubble overlays on the screen that move in sync with the vehicle’s motion. You can set it to turn on automatically when traveling, add it to your Quick Settings tiles, and customize the shape, color, and opacity of the bubbles to your preference.
“Motion Assist” is available globally and in all languages on smartphones powered by “Android 17.”
Gemini Live “Guided vision”
A new feature called “Guided vision” is rolling out to “Gemini Live,” allowing you to share your camera and receive audio descriptions about what is right in front of you.
Designed for and with the blind and low-vision community, the new “Guided vision” feature in “Gemini Live” helps you read small text on food labels, order from a menu in a dimly lit restaurant, or identify items around the house. If the camera is misaligned, audio feedback guides you to adjust the camera angle, pan across space, or center the subject to ensure you get the answers you need.
For quick access to “Guided vision,” you can add it to your Accessibility shortcut or enable it directly from the TalkBack menu or Gemini app settings. It will be rolling out soon in countries where Gemini is available on devices running Android 9 or later.
“Gemini” App Link
“Google Keep” Integration in Google Messages
“Google Keep” is being integrated into the “Google Messages” app, allowing you to share and update shopping lists, travel notes, and more without ever leaving your chat.
With “Google Keep” integrated into the “Google Messages” app, everyone in a group can view, edit, and add to lists and notes, enabling seamless real-time collaboration without switching apps. Simply tap the “+” icon in the chat screen within the “Google Messages” app to bring up “Google Keep.”
Rolling out globally across all languages starting today. Note that enabling RCS is required.
“Google Messages” App Link
Google Messages “Chat Themes”
The “Chat Themes” feature in the “Google Messages” app now lets you customize unique backgrounds and color schemes for individual chats.
With the “Chat Themes” feature, selecting a wallpaper or using your own photo automatically adjusts text bubble colors to match harmoniously, and you can also freely change colors to craft your preferred style. Note that “Chat Themes” are only visible to the person who created the theme. Enabling RCS is also required.
The “Chat Themes” feature in the “Google Messages” app is available globally and in all languages.
“Google Messages” App Link
Google Messages Adopts “Remix (Nano Banana 2)”
The image generation feature “Remix” in the “Google Messages” app now adopts the “Nano Banana 2” generative AI model, enabling image generation with sharper text rendering and broader world knowledge.
You can create party invitations or feature your friends in a movie poster without ever leaving the “Google Messages” app.
“Google Messages” App Link
Google Photos “AI Enhance”
The “Google Photos” app is adding an “AI Enhance” feature that eliminates tedious editing tasks and makes your favorite photos shine with a single tap.
“AI Enhance” in the “Google Photos” app analyzes your photos and instantly applies the most effective corrections, such as color toning and cropping. It is available globally across all languages.
“Google Photos” App Link
“Ask Photos” AI Image Editing
The “Google Photos” app is adding “Ask Photos,” an AI image editing feature that applies edits in seconds simply by describing what you want, eliminating the need to choose tools or adjust sliders.
Edits like removing people from the background or adding new elements to a scene can be completed just by talking to it. The “Ask Photos” AI image editing feature is available in the US, UK, Germany, India, France, Italy, Australia, Spain, and Japan, in English, French, German, Bengali, Gujarati, Hindi, Italian, Marathi, Spanish, Tamil, Telugu, and Japanese.
“Google Photos” App Link
“Search Live” Global Expansion
“Search Live,” the conversational AI search feature in the “Google” app that has already been rolling out in Japan, is expanding its availability globally for all languages.
“Google” App Link
Gemini Live Powered by “Nano Banana”
The conversational feature “Gemini Live” is now powered by the “Nano Banana” generative AI model, allowing you to transform images of your surrounding scenery simply by pointing your camera and talking.
Out loud, you can request to redecorate your bedroom or feature a friend in a Renaissance painting, and your idea will be generated as a new image in seconds. “Nano Banana” image transformation in “Gemini Live” is available on Android 10 and later.
Android Auto “Gemini Live”
The conversational feature “Gemini Live” is now available in the car operating system “Android Auto.”
It is available on Android 11 and later.
“Android Auto” App Link
Source: Google (https://blog.google/products-and-platforms/platforms/android/android-drop-september-2026/)