Peeking at the neighbors: iOS 16 features inherited from Android

We regularly praise Apple for the new features and products it brings to the market. Likewise with regard to iOS 16: a wonderful update coming to your iPhone next fall.

There are a lot of functionalities that we can be excited about, but not everything is equally original. There are certain additions that people with an Android smartphone can use for a while.

iOS 16: these features are inherited from Android

The following iOS 16 features already work on Android at this point. This article is not intended as commentary, but it is always fun (and good) to keep an eye on the other side of the market.

#1 Dictation smarter

With the introduction of iOS 16, iPhone users can dictate more easily. For example, it is possible to describe Emoji and the system also recognizes punctuation. The former is something Android users cannot do, but the latter is equally possible. Not all users though. It is currently only possible for people with a Google Pixel 6 and 6 Pro to use Google Assistant Voice Typing.

#2 iOS 16: Widgets on the Lock Screen

One of iOS 16’s biggest additions is, of course, the redesigned lock screen. Besides the fact that you can arrange these completely to your own taste, it is also possible to add widgets. Something that was already introduced by Android 4.2 in 2012. From a clock to a diary, they could all be displayed on the screen.

Unfortunately for Android users, Google removed the functionality again with the 5.0 update. In 2022 it is still possible to add such a widget, for example, thanks to Samsung One UI.

#3 iOS 16: Live Captions

Thanks to iOS 16, your iPhone will soon have Live Captions. This functionality converts any kind of audio content into plain text. Not only handy when listening to content, but also during a conversation in FaceTime, for example. Live Captions are not new, but they are very useful. We have seen that with Google’s variant that also supports telephone calls, video calls and audio messages.

#4 A shared photo library

Your iPhone’s photo library is getting a nice facelift. iOS 16 makes it possible to create a shared library with loved ones so that each of you can access certain photos. It is even possible to recognize the people from the shared album, so that the photos are added automatically.

Over the past few years, this has proven to work very well. Google has been able to do the same for some time with its Photos app. Now I understand if you think: “that’s a Google Photo feature, iPhone users were already able to do that”. Certainly true, but with some models, Google Photos is the device’s photo library. And of course it’s ideal that you can just use the app from Apple.

#5 Stops in Apple Maps

Apple Maps finally makes it possible to add multiple stops for your journey with iOS 16. Handy if, for example, you need to fill up on the road, or quickly drop something off at an acquaintance. In that regard, it is nice that Apple is also looking at Google, which has already offered such functionality in Maps over the past few years.