Android 16 adds bluetooth audio sharing and gives sites more control over AI summaries

Android 16 is bringing two key changes that focus on audio and AI. First, it will support Bluetooth LE Audio sharing using Auracast. This feature lets users stream audio from one device to many nearby devices at the same time. For example, you can play music or a podcast on your phone, and your friends can listen to it on their own Bluetooth headphones—no wires needed. It’s perfect for group listening in public or at home. It will also help in places like gyms, airports, and museums where shared audio systems are used.

The feature showed up in the Android 16 beta and is expected to launch fully with the QPR1 update later this year, likely with the Pixel 9 series. Users will be able to manage it under the “Audio Sharing” option in settings.

The second change is about Google Search. The company’s new AI Overviews feature shows quick summaries at the top of search results using AI. But now, website owners can choose whether their content is used in these summaries. If they don’t want their content included, they can opt out using new tools. This gives publishers more control, especially those worried about losing web traffic because users might not click through to their sites.

Google says this update won’t affect how content appears in regular search results—only in AI summaries. Both changes show that Google is trying to improve user experience while giving more control to users and creators alike.