Google is updating some of its best Android apps just in time for summer

Google has also announced that it's rolling out end-to-end encryption in Google Messages. The post has been updated to reflect the new information.

What you need to know

• Google is launching several new features for Android devices this summer.
• Google Messages is getting starred messages, Android Auto gets more customization options, and Google is improving on some accessibility features.
• The new features will roll out starting today and through the coming weeks.

Google is launching several updates for some of its apps and features focusing on safety, accessibility, and making things easier for users. The latest feature bundle is similar to the quarterly feature drops that arrive for devices like the Google Pixel 5, but these are coming to all the best Android phones, not just Pixel devices.

Google Messages and GBoard

Google is making it easier to keep track of important messages with a new feature that allows users to star an individual message. This way, it'll be easier to locate if you may need to bring up an address, email address, photo, or an important bit of information. And users will be able to filter out these messages by tapping on the starred category in the search field.

Another change coming to Google Messages is end-to-end encryption. It's a feature that rolled out to beta users last year, and it seems like Google is making it available to all users. As long as Chat features are turned on, end-to-end encryption will be turned on automatically to ensure that conversations are kept secure. We can show you how to enable and use end-to-end encryption in Google Messages, although the feature is only available for one-on-one conversations.

Lastly, Google is rolling out a new update to Gboard to introduce new contextual emojis in the Emoji Kitchen. You can already mix and match your favorite emojis, but soon Google will make it easy to pull up fun emojis based on the messages you type, including the return of Android's emoji blobs.

Starred messages will arrive on Google Messages within the coming weeks, and Google says the new Emoji Kitchen suggestions will be available this summer for users who type in English, Spanish, and Portuguese. Gboard beta users should gain Emoji Kitchen suggestions as soon as today.

Better accessibility

The Voice Access app is gaining useful new features that should make it easier to use for persons with disabilities. It allows you to navigate your phone just by using your voice, and now with gaze detection, users can set the feature to work only when you're looking at your screen. This should make it easier to switch between navigating your phone and talking to friends.

Passwords will also be easier to vocalize with Voice Access. You will be able to input passwords with your voice more naturally by spelling them out with individual letters, numbers, and symbols.

Google also highlights how users can just straight into their favorite apps with just their voice thanks to Google Assistant shortcuts. It seems that the feature is being extended to support even more apps like Strava and Capital One, so you can quickly resume your workout and paying bills with just your voice.

Gaze detection is currently in beta, and the new Voice Access and Google Assistant features should be available for you to use.

More Customization in Android Auto

Android Auto is much easier to use thanks to new customization options and app features. You can customize your launcher more easily from your smartphone, and Google is introducing features like an A to Z scroll bar, a "back to top" button, and tabs for media apps, making it much easier to navigate. You can even manually set dark mode without having to dig into Developer Mode.

Google is also highlighting better support for messaging apps like WhatsApp so users can keep their eyes on the road, as well as new EV apps to help vehicles easily find parking and charging. Google says the setup process for Android Auto has also been improved and should make it quicker to get started.

Expanding Earthquake Detection

Lastly, Google is continuing to expand its Earthquake Detection to more devices in more countries. The potentially life-saving feature is now available in Turkey, the Philippines, Kazakhstan, the Kyrgyz Republic, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan. You can find the feature in your smartphone location settings, and it should be turned on by default.