The update is tailored for a growing segment of users, including traders, freelancers, and recurring converters, who rely on seamless conversion of digital assets into naira.

With the enhanced experience, users can generate a receiving address within the app, view exchange rates upfront before initiating transactions, send funds from any exchange, and receive naira directly into their Nigerian bank accounts in under 60 seconds.

The latest improvements focus on speed and clarity, particularly for users handling larger transaction volumes.

According to the company, settlement times have been further optimised across supported assets, including USDT, USDC, and BTC, while rate confirmation is now provided before funds are transferred, eliminating uncertainty in the conversion process.

“For many active crypto users, the challenge is not receiving digital assets—it’s being able to convert them into naira quickly and with confidence, especially at higher volumes,” said Ikenna Eneje, CEO of Breedjr. “What we are building goes beyond speed. It’s about creating a payout experience user can trust when transaction size truly matters.”

The milestone and product update signal a strategic shift in Breedjr’s positioning within Nigeria’s crypto-to-naira market.

The platform’s growth has been driven largely by high-frequency users generating significant transaction volumes, a trend the company is now leaning into as it sharpens its focus on this segment.

This evolution comes amid rapid changes in Nigeria’s crypto landscape. The country ranked among the top globally in crypto transaction volume in early 2026 and continues to lead in peer-to-peer trading activity.

Stablecoins such as USDT and USDC play a central role, serving as both a hedge against naira volatility and a key channel for receiving international payments.

At the same time, the regulatory environment has become more structured following the enactment of the Investments and Securities Act 2025, which places virtual asset service providers under the oversight of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), raising compliance expectations across the ecosystem.

Breedjr’s mobile application is currently available on both Android and iOS, providing users with a streamlined interface for converting crypto assets into naira quickly and securely.

The Android feature, called “Tap to Share”, is built into Quick Share and uses near-field communication (NFC) to start the transfer. Once the devices connect, Quick Share handles the file exchange in the background.

Reports revealed that this is not based on a single test. The feature has appeared across Samsung’s One UI 9, Google Play Services, and early versions of Android 17. 

That spread shows it is being built as a core Android function, not a limited add-on.

Samsung first tested the idea in 2025 through an experimental setting in One UI 8.5. At the time, it looked like a closed test, but now, in newer builds, the feature appears more complete. 

It carries an instruction: “Just hold the top of your phone close to the device, and the files will be sent.”

That change shows the feature has moved beyond testing and into active development.

At the same time, Google has been working on a related system inside Google Play Services. Earlier versions focused on sharing contact details by bringing two devices together. Internally, that system was called “Gesture Exchange”.

Now, both systems appear linked. References inside Quick Share imply the same trigger can start file transfers, not just contact sharing. In essence, NFC acts as the signal, while Quick Share moves the files.

Google has also confirmed that Quick Share will expand across the full Android ecosystem in 2026. That means the feature will not be limited to Pixel or Samsung devices. It is expected to work across different brands.

This global rollout could remove the gap between Android and Apple. Apple introduced AirDrop in 2011, making it easy to share files between iPhones and Macs. In 2024, it added NameDrop, which allows users to share contacts by tapping devices together.

Android has offered file sharing for years, but the experience has usually depended on device brands. Samsung, for instance, pushed its own version through Quick Share before working more closely with Google.

Now, both companies are aligned with a goal for a single system that works across Android devices, regardless of manufacturer.

Instead of opening apps or scanning for devices, users can just bring two phones together to start sharing. The Android Tap to Share feature is expected to support contacts, photos, videos, and other files.

It may take time before the rollout reaches all devices. However, the presence of the feature in Android 17 builds means it could launch alongside the next major Android release.

If that happens, Android users will finally get a built-in sharing tool that works the same way across devices. 

At the same time, the company is rolling out a redesigned navigation system that shows routes in a more detailed 3D view and offers clearer driving guidance.

The update was announced on Thursday and affects both exploration and driving features in the mapping service.

Google says the new tool, called Ask Maps, allows people to search for places using natural language. Instead of typing short queries, users can ask full questions about real-world situations.

For example, someone could ask where to charge a dying phone without waiting in a coffee shop queue. Another query might be about public tennis courts with lights available at night.

The feature can also help with trip planning. A user heading to locations such as the Grand Canyon, Horseshoe Bend and Coral Dunes could ask for recommended stops along the route. Maps then provides directions, estimated travel times and suggestions drawn from reviews and tips shared by other users.

Google says the answers are personalised as the system uses signals from a person’s past searches and saved locations in their account. If someone often searches for vegan restaurants, the service may prioritise restaurants with vegan options when suggesting places to meet friends.

The company says the feature draws on information from more than 300 million places listed in Maps and reviews contributed by over 500 million community members.

Ask Maps is now rolling out in the United States and India on Android and iOS devices. Google says desktop access will follow later.

Alongside the conversational tool, Google is also updating the app’s navigation system with a new experience called Immersive Navigation.

The update brings a 3D view that reflects nearby buildings, overpasses and terrain. It also highlights important road details, including lanes, traffic lights, crosswalks and stop signs, giving drivers a clearer sense of their surroundings.

Maps will also provide a wider preview of the route ahead. Smart zoom features and transparent buildings help drivers prepare for lane changes or difficult turns earlier.

Voice instructions are also changing. Instead of standard directions, the app now provides more natural guidance. For example, drivers approaching a highway exit may hear instructions such as, “Go past this exit and take the next one for Illinois 43 South.”

In addition, the system explains alternative routes and the trade-offs involved. A longer route with lighter traffic or a faster route that includes toll roads may both appear, allowing drivers to choose.

The app will also alert drivers to disruptions along their route, including crashes or road construction. Google says these updates rely on information shared by users across both Maps and Waze communities.

Before starting a trip, users can preview their destination using Street View imagery. Maps can suggest parking areas and, as drivers get closer, highlight the correct entrance to a building and the side of the street where it is located.

“Our team set out to redesign the driving experience with the objective of taking the guesswork out of trips,” said Miriam Daniel during a briefing with reporters.

 “Immersive navigation is a complete transformation of the navigation experience. It’s got redesigned visuals, fresh real-world information that’s brought to you just in time, and more intuitive guidance.”

Immersive Navigation begins rolling out in the United States from Thursday. Google says the feature will gradually reach supported Android and iOS devices, as well as Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and vehicles with Google built-in systems.

Google had already begun integrating Gemini into Maps last year. That earlier update allowed the assistant to answer questions about locations along a route and use landmarks identified through Street View imagery to improve navigation directions.

This update allows speakers of both Nigerian languages to utilize AI-powered Search experiences in their mother tongue for quick summaries and conversational exploration.

This expansion is part of a broader effort to make AI more inclusive across the continent, with support now extending to a total of 13 African languages.

For Nigerians, this means that existing AI features in Google Search are now accessible to people like the student in Kano asking a question in Hausa, and the trader in Ibadan seeking advice in Yorùbá.

By addressing language barriers, this update ensures that technology reflects the identity and culture of the people it serves.

With this expansion, more people can now use AI Mode to ask complex questions in their preferred language, while exploring the web more deeply and naturally through text or voice.

The 13 languages now supported across Africa include Afrikaans, Akan, Amharic, Hausa, Kinyarwanda, Afaan Oromoo, Somali, Sesotho, Kiswahili, Setswana, Wolof, Yorùbá, and isiZulu.

These languages were chosen based on the vibrant search activity across the continent, ensuring that our AI experiences reach the communities that need them most.

How to use AI Overviews and AI Mode in your language:

1. Open the Google app on your Android or iOS device. Also available via the Web.
2. Tap on AI Mode within the Search experience.
3. Type or speak your question in your preferred language, such as Hausa or Yorùbá, and let the AI guide your journey.

The rollout, which is currently open to Alexa+ Early Access participants across all subscription plans, enhances how the company wants people to discover and interact with music.

Unlike the traditional Alexa that responded to straightforward commands, Alexa+ brings a more conversational and intelligent approach. 

It’s built to talk with users like a knowledgeable music companion, someone who not only takes requests but also understands curiosity. With Alexa+, users can dig into the details of songs, artists, or even eras of music. 

You can ask who influenced a particular artist, what a song means, or find that elusive track you only remember from a movie scene.

Amazon said it’s already seeing strong engagement from users testing the feature. Listeners who used Alexa+ explored three times more songs than those using the old version, and users asking for recommendations listened to nearly 70% more music. 

Those numbers show that people are no longer just pressing play; they’re conversing with their music app.

The feature’s conversational depth is what sets it apart. A user might say, “Play pop songs from the ’90s including Madonna, but skip the boy bands,” or “Make a playlist of 2010s hits that keep me moving fast, starting with a track from Nicki Minaj.” 

Alexa+ then builds dynamic playlists based on tone, tempo, and personal taste. You can even request something as niche as, “Create a music playlist that sounds like a Parisian café and only include songs in French.”

Beyond playlist creation, Alexa+ acts as a musical researcher in your pocket. It can explain the story behind lyrics, trace the origins of samples, or connect artists by genre or geography. 

Asking, “What’s the story behind the lyrics to Hotel California?” or “Recommend some artists from the London punk scene in the ’70s” now leads to detailed, conversational responses rather than robotic answers.

Spotify recently integrated similar conversational features, and Amazon’s move places Alexa+ as a competitor capable of deep engagement and contextual understanding.

The rollout also reveals Amazon’s larger investment in embedding intelligent systems across its ecosystem. Earlier this year, Alexa+ was unveiled as part of Amazon’s broader plan to bring “agent-level” assistance to everyday use, handling not just music, but tasks such as restaurant bookings and grocery orders.

For now, the new feature remains limited to early access users, but a wider release is expected soon. To try it, Amazon Music users can simply update their app, tap the “a” button in the lower right corner, and start talking.

Amazon says, “Alexa+ transforms the way we discover music by offering a more intuitive, conversation-based approach, turning what used to be a basic search function into an interactive discussion guided by your own curiosity.”

The messaging platform now allows users to secure and access their backups using passkeys. This lets users secure their chat history using fingerprint, facial recognition, or screen lock code. 

Replacing the old method that required WhatsApp users to store a 64-character encryption key or recall a backup password, the passkey makes security become as effortless as unlocking your phone, a simple tap or glance is all it takes to protect or restore your chat history.

WhatsApp says users can now restore their chats seamlessly even after losing a device, without having to hunt for passwords or manually enter encryption keys. The system relies on biometric or device-level authentication, giving users a faster way to protect their data.

“Many of us carry years of precious memories in our WhatsApp chats – photos, heartfelt voice notes, and important conversations,” the company said. “That’s why protecting them if you ever lose your phone or need to transfer to a new device is so important.”

The passkey upgrade expands on the WhatsApp end-to-end encrypted backups introduced in 2021, reiterating the company’s focus on a password-free app.

It also builds on the platform’s earlier rollout of passkeys for account logins, making it clear that WhatsApp wants to make strong security simpler for everyone.

WhatsApp, which now serves over 3 billion users worldwide, said the new feature will roll out gradually over the next few weeks and months on both Android and iOS..

To activate the feature once available, users can open Settings > Chats > Chat Backup > End-to-End Encrypted Backup, then choose to secure their backups using a passkey.

The new feature, available on both Android and iPhone, is aimed at breaking down communication limitations among WhatsApp’s global community of more than three billion people. 

Android users will initially access six languages, including English, Spanish, Hindi, Portuguese, Russian, and Arabic, while iPhone users will have access to over 19 languages from the start. More will be added over time.

To use the feature, a user only needs to long-press a message and select the “Translate” option. The translated version will appear instantly, and preferred languages can be saved for quicker future use. It works in one-on-one conversations, group chats, and even Channel updates.

Android users have an additional option: automatic translation of an entire chat thread. Once enabled, every incoming message in that conversation will be translated by default.

Meta noted that the function is built with privacy in mind. “Message translations were designed to protect the privacy of your chats. That’s why translations occur on your device where WhatsApp cannot see them,” the company explained.

The update is being introduced gradually and will reach users in different regions in phases. In embedding translation directly into the app, WhatsApp hopes to make communication easier and more seamless across cultures, ensuring users no longer have to rely on third-party tools.

This will allow Android users to replace small contact photos with full-screen images, styled text, and custom backgrounds.

The feature shows Apple’s Contact Posters, which launched for iPhone users in 2023, but Google has tailored its version to fit into Android’s Material 3 Expressive design update. 

With Calling Cards, users can choose photos from their gallery, camera, or Google Photos, and then pair them with different fonts and colour options for displaying names.

Unlike Apple’s system, Google’s approach is device-specific. That means you can design Calling Cards for yourself and for your contacts, but they will only appear on your own device. Your contacts will not be able to edit how they show up on your phone.

The feature first appeared in beta testing earlier this month but is now being released publicly with version v188 of the Google Phone app. Google confirmed it is a phased rollout, available worldwide. 

Users should expect to see a banner inside the app introducing the option, or they can find it directly in the Contacts menu.

In addition to Calling Cards, Google has launched another tool called Take a Message. This lets the Phone app automatically answer missed calls, record a voicemail, and create a transcript. Users can either write a custom greeting or select from Google’s preset options. All messages, according to the company, are “stored privately on your device.”

The voicemail transcription feature is available on Pixel 4 and newer models, as well as on the Pixel Watch 2 when paired with a Pixel 6 or newer handset.

With Calling Cards and the Take a Message update, Google is aiming to make the everyday phone experience more personal and less mechanical, whether through customised visuals or smarter voicemail handling.

The company is officially merging both platforms into a single unified system that will span phones, tablets, laptops, wearables, and foldables. Sameer Samat, Google’s president of Android ecosystem, said: “We’re going to be combining Chrome OS and Android into a single platform.”

The merger, formally announced on July 14, 2025, means ChromeOS will no longer stand as an independent operating system. Instead, Android will become the foundation across all Google-powered devices, designed to challenge Apple’s place in the tablet and productivity space.

Why now? Android 16, Google’s latest iteration, introduces several desktop-focused features: resizable windows, multi-window support, external display compatibility, and even Linux terminal integration. ChromeOS already shared Android’s Linux base, but now Google is rebuilding the entire system on the Android stack.

Google wants users to experience the same operating system whether they’re on a Pixel phone or a Pixel laptop, a prototype of which is reportedly undergoing internal testing. “I’m interested in how people are using their laptops these days,” Samat said, pointing at how much wider Android’s reach could become.

For users, this promises fewer compatibility issues and a consistent app experience across devices. Developers, on the other hand, are set to benefit from a unified toolchain and a larger Android user base, now expanded to include Chromebook users.

The strategic change also aligns with Google’s vision to embed AI into everyday productivity. Android’s merger with ChromeOS paves the way for Gemini-powered AI tools to run natively across phones, tablets, and laptops without fragmented software support.

Yet, the announcement leaves serious questions unanswered. Will the new Android-based platform retain ChromeOS’s automatic updates and robust security model? Will Android’s desktop mode feel genuinely native or simply like a stretched-out mobile experience? 

The fate of millions of existing Chromebooks, especially older Intel-based models, is also not clear. Will they receive updates or become obsolete overnight?

Though rumours of a merger date back to 2015, and even industry analysts at The Verge once called the move “perfect sense,” this is the first time Google has admitted publicly that it’s happening. 

However, history says Google doesn’t move fast when overhauling platforms, despite ChromeOS’s global market share collapsing to 1.25%, triggering urgent calls for change.

In short, Google’s two-headed OS experiment is over. Android is now the future, not just for mobile, but for everything.

Under the spotlight at this year’s “Android Show: I/O Edition” were improvements that moved beyond aesthetics, going deep into personalisation, security, device intelligence, and cross-platform integration. 

Android, which powers over three billion devices globally, is entering a more personal, more proactive, and much harder to compromise phase.

Android and Wear OS Now Let You Design the Experience Your Way

Tired of a generic phone look? Android 16 and Wear OS 6 introduce Material 3 Expressive, a significant design makeover. It’s about making your devices truly personal and easier to use. Imagine animations reacting to your touch, like icons subtly shifting when you dismiss a message, making interactions feel alive. Born from research with over 18,000 users, the result is beautiful, enjoyable interfaces.

Customise phone colours and quick settings – place your flashlight for easy access. On smartwatches, the design wraps smoothly around round screens, and your watch face theme will colour the entire system. For users in Kenya, South Africa, and Nigeria, where personal expression is key, this means technology that truly reflects you.

• Availability: Coming to Android 16 and Wear OS 6. Pixel devices first later this year, then other manufacturers.

Driving: Android Auto Gets Smarter with Gemini Becoming Your Co-pilot

Remember when your car was just for driving? Now, with Gemini, Google’s smart AI assistant, coming to your car, every journey becomes more productive and enjoyable. Whether you use Android Auto with your phone or have a car with Google built-in, Gemini is designed to be your ultimate co-pilot.

Imagine talking naturally to your car, without needing to remember specific commands. You can ask Gemini to find the best local food along your route and even get summaries of reviews.

If you’re messaging a friend who prefers a different language, Gemini can remember to always translate your messages for them. It can even help you find the location of your child’s soccer game that got buried in your email!

But Gemini isn’t just for navigation. On longer drives, you can ask it to summarise the news, or give you a quick rundown of a book for your book club. It’s like having a knowledgeable friend riding shotgun, ready to help with anything from finding a charging station near a park to helping you prepare for a big meeting.

This smart integration means less distraction and more convenience, making your time on the road in Nairobi, Johannesburg, or Lagos more efficient and fun.

• Availability: Android Auto in coming months; Google Built-in later this year (new Lincoln Nautilus, Renault R5, Honda Passport).

Your Watch, TV, and Even Smart Glasses Now Think Like Your Phone

Gemini’s intelligence is expanding beyond your phone to your Wear OS smartwatch, TV, and future Android XR smart glasses. On your Wear OS watch, get help hands-free: set gym locker reminders while baking or find restaurant details from an email. Google TV will get Gemini later this year for movie recommendations or educational content for kids.

Future Android XR headsets (starting with Samsung) will use Gemini for immersive experiences like vacation planning. Expect personalised, proactive help for a seamless, intelligent experience across your Android devices. Gemini Live’s camera and screen sharing capabilities are available now for Android users (no Advanced subscription required).

• Availability: Wear OS in coming months. Google TV later this year. Android XR with Samsung’s first headset later this year.

Find Hub: Smarter Tracking for Everything and Everyone

Android’s “Find My Device” is evolving into Find Hub, a central spot to locate tagged items and track friends and family (with permission). Easily track luggage, keys, or confirm a loved one’s safe arrival from one app. Find Hub supports more devices and Bluetooth tags (July, Mokobara, Pixbee). Ultra-wideband (UWB) tech (first on moto tag) offers precise tracking down to a few feet.

Later this year, satellite connectivity arrives for supported devices, enabling tracking without mobile coverage – ideal for adventures. Airline partnerships (e.g., British Airways, Singapore Airlines) will help locate luggage by sharing tag locations. For those in Africa facing varied network coverage or frequent travel, Find Hub is a powerful tool.

• Availability: Rolling out with new compatible devices/tags later this month (UWB on moto tag). Satellite connectivity later this year. Airline partnerships early next year.

Crystal Clear Communication: RCS Messaging Soars

Android has championed RCS (Rich Communication Services) for simple, reliable, feature-rich messaging, regardless of phone type. Success is clear: over a billion daily RCS messages in the U.S. alone enable high-quality photo/video sharing and improved group chats. RCS offers features like read receipts, typing indicators, and large file sharing directly in your standard messaging app for seamless communication.

• Availability: Globally available within Google Messages.

Enhanced App Security Through Smarter Scanning

Google Play Protect is tightening the screws on malicious apps. The built-in Android security system now leverages real-time threat detection using local device scanning rules.

A growing issue has been malicious apps hiding their icons or switching them after installation to avoid detection. Live threat detection will now expose these apps before they can cause harm.

Google says, “We’re expanding Play Protect to conduct real-time scans using on-device machine learning to detect emerging threats. This means safer apps—before you even install them.”

Every app, no matter where it’s downloaded from, will be scanned. If the system picks up suspicious behaviour, like unusual permission requests or data exfiltration patterns, it can block installation or alert users before damage is done.

Live threat detection, including hidden icon detection, will begin rolling out on Pixel 6 and newer, as well as selected devices from other manufacturers in the coming months.

Improved Theft Protection That Actually Works

Android is taking theft protection seriously. Building on its existing security layers, Android 16 introduces more stringent Factory Reset protections. Now, if a phone is stolen and someone attempts to wipe it, core functionalities remain locked unless the original owner confirms the action.

Additionally, Remote Lock is getting more secure with a new identity check step. A security question will be introduced, giving users more control over unauthorised access attempts.

But there’s a more specific threat being addressed. Thieves often aim to access one-time passwords (OTPs) from the lock screen to break into banking or messaging apps. Android 16 adds a high-risk protection feature.

If the phone hasn’t been recently unlocked and is offline, OTPs will no longer display on the lock screen. You’ll only see them after unlocking the device.

These changes point to a more aggressive stance by Google in protecting personal data. Identity Check, already available on Pixel and Samsung One UI 7 devices, will expand to more Android 16 devices across different brands.

Availability Timeline Recap:

• Material 3 Expressive: Android 16 and Wear OS 6, starting with Pixel phones later this year.
• Gemini for Android Auto: Coming in months; Google built-in cars later this year.
• Gemini on Wear OS, Google TV, Android XR: Rolling out over the next few months; XR with Samsung’s headset later in the year.
• Find Hub + UWB + Satellite Tracking: Moto tag and new Bluetooth tags later this month; satellite tracking later this year; airline support early next year.
• RCS Messaging: Now available worldwide via Google Messages.
• Google Play Protect Upgrades: Available globally now; live threat detection for Pixel 6+ and select OEMs coming soon.
• Theft Protection Enhancements: Rolling out with Android 16 later this year.