Alongside the reveal of Android 17 and how it reshapes our phone experience, Google also focused on improving some of the key apps we use every day, including Instagram and Adobe.
Introducing Screen Reactions
Reaction videos are super popular on social media, but creating compelling ones can be quite challenging. Google sets out to address challenges by launching Screen Reactions.
Why spend hours on a reaction video? | Video by Google
It lets you create a reaction video with just a few taps by recording both your screen and your authentic reaction. The feature is set to roll out on Pixel devices in the summer.
Instagram is getting a major upgrade
If you have ever tried to capture a special moment at night, you probably know how challenging that can be. And it gets even more stressful when you try to share it on social media. Well, Android 17 changes that.
The company is also integrating Ultra HDR capture and playback into the social media app. This helps create content that looks much more realistic while saving creators hours on editing. Built-in video stabilization is coming to Instagram as well, keeping videos steady and sharp even when you’re moving.
Ultra HDR support makes Instagram content truly pop. | Video by Google
Full-screen mode is here
For quite some time, Instagram users couldn’t get the perfect experience on foldable devices and tablets. Now, Google addresses this by adapting the app for Android tablets so it feels much more natural on larger screens. What’s more, it adds a multi-column layout, allowing users to view content and browse through reactions at the same time.
Instagram now looks more natural on larger screens. | Image by Google
Instagram’s Edits app is receiving notable upgrades as well. Relying on on-device AI, users can reimagine content with a single tap. The app uses on-device AI to enhance videos and photos, ensuring optimal results.
But it goes further than visuals, as Google includes sound separation in the Edits app. AI analyzes and separates all noises, boosting desired sounds and filtering background noise.
A new app for creators is coming
Enhancing photos is super intuitive. | Video by Google
Adobe Premiere is one of the most popular video editing tools, used by creators and filmmakers alike. For now, the full version of the tool is available exclusively on desktop, but Google is bringing it to phones this summer. During the Android Show, the company announced that the upcoming Premiere app will bring special effects and exclusive templates right on your smartphone. Users will also be able to share content on YouTube Shorts straight from the app.
Unleash your creative nature with these features. | Video by Google
A big year ahead
Google is clearly refining its Android, turning it into much more than a simple OS. By bringing on-device AI, professional editing tools to phones and streamlining the entire content sharing process, it gives creators the ability to produce, share, and edit content much faster.
This approach is impressive, but it’s hard to see how it helps all users. To me, it feels more like catering to a special audience than designing a one-for-all solution.
Either way, I don’t see that as a problem. Even if I only use features like Ultra HDR once in a while, it’s still nice knowing they’re there when I need them.
