Your Android phone just got a major feature upgrade for free - including these Pixel models

Android 16 is officially here, and Google has some big upgrades on the way. 

Instead of releasing a new OS and a new phone lineup at the same time, Google is making the same move it did with Android 15 and giving both software and hardware their time to shine.

Also: Why Denmark is dumping Microsoft Office and Windows for LibreOffice and Linux

This is the earliest Google has launched a major Android release in a while (for comparison, Android 15 was released on Oct. 15, 2024, and Android 14 was released on Oct. 4, 2023). 

Here's a look at four of the biggest upgrades in Android 16. All of these features will drop for Pixel devices first, including models as old as the Pixel 6 and 7 series, and other devices later in the year. 

1. Streamlined updates and lock screen app updates:

Don ...