Google has only just released Android 16 QPR1 Beta 3.1, but attention is already shifting to the next update — QPR2. The anticipation is justified: Google is preparing to introduce a built-in AI agent capable of handling tasks in third-party apps, along with redesigned parental controls.
Your Smartphone as an AI Agent
The headline feature is called App Functions. This tool will allow developers to expose key capabilities of their apps to the system assistant. In practice, this means Gemini could act as a real AI agent — ordering food, booking tickets, or completing other tasks without the user needing to open the apps manually.
A new settings section, “Agent control of other apps”, will let users decide which assistants can access specific apps.
This marks a step toward a hands-free smartphone experience. A similar concept already exists in Honor’s ecosystem through its YOYO assistant, but Google’s approach aims to provide a system-wide solution for all Android devices.
Parental Controls 2.0
The second major upgrade is a reworked Parental Controls system. Android 16 will introduce Local Supervision, a simpler way for parents to manage children’s device use. With just a PIN code, parents will be able to set screen time limits, apply content filters, and enforce restrictions — all without needing to configure a family group or complex account settings.
What This Means for Users
With QPR2, Google is signaling its ambition to make AI a core part of Android, not just an add-on inside individual apps. This opens the door to powerful new use cases, but also raises important questions around privacy and access control.
For now, it remains an early experiment. But if these features arrive as expected, Android 16 QPR2 could mark a turning point in how AI integrates into everyday life.
