Googlebook OS hands-on: It’s Android, stupid
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Oh no, here come the AI Tamagotchis
Good morning. Today I’m watching yet another Fire Emblem: Fortune’s Weave review (watch this for context), getting started on my Booker Prize shortlist read-through, and reading as much as I can about Ella Langley’s “Choosin’ Texas” now that it’s the longest-running #1 hit of all time.
As a reminder, Inbox is the tech newsletter that goes beyond the news cycle. We cover the most important 9to5Google stories from the last couple of days along with a few highlights from around the web. We publish every Tuesday and Thursday, and if you like what you read, please subscribe.
Expand Expanding CloseMeta is launching ‘VR Glasses’ next year for $1,300
Alongside its new audio-only and Ray-Ban smart glasses, Meta today also unveiled new “VR Glasses” which take the experience of a Quest into a far slimmer form factor with an external processing puck.
Expand Expanding CloseMeta launches audio-only glasses and Gen 3 Ray-Ban with slimmer designs
Meta today introduced its new Ray-Ban Meta (Gen 3) smart glasses with a slimmer design and longer battery life alongside a new audio-only lineup, and a new $250 entry-level release.
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Microsoft launches 12-inch Surface Pro with Snapdragon X2 Plus & 5G, 13-inch Surface Laptop too
Microsoft is rolling out refreshes to its smaller Surface Laptop and Surface Pro machines powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon X2 Plus starting at a price of $1,149.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle Maps update shows traffic lights and stop signs at your next turn on Android Auto, more
Google Maps is rolling out a new update on Android Auto that makes it easier to know what to expect at your next turn, with a visual indicator to show upcoming traffic lights or stop signs.
Expand Expanding CloseQualcomm announces Snapdragon Sound Elite Gen 2 for AI ‘hearables,’ even ones with cameras
Qualcomm announced the Snapdragon Sound Elite Gen 2 as a substantial chipset for upcoming audio devices, with a massive focus on better AI performance for audio wearables.
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Mid-week Android app deals and freebies: Dwarves, Hitman GO, Hitman Sniper, more
Today’s best Google Play app and game deals are ready, including Dwarves: Glory, Death and Loot, Hitman GO, Hitman Sniper, Deus Ex GO, Metal Soldiers 4 Pro, Tower Defense: Epic Turret Pro, and more. Alongside the mid-week app deals, we also have first discount on the new Nothing CMF Buds Neo with ANC at $21, the return of all-time low pricing on Nothing CMF Clip Pro, and Galaxy Z Fold 8 at up to $380 off. The apps await below.
Read MoreGoogle Beam 3D meeting booths coming to co-working spaces
Google today announced the latest expansion of its 3D meeting booths, including a partnership that brings Google Beam to co-working spaces in the US.
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Google TV now has over 300 free channels – here’s the full list
Google TV has always been a destination for finding content, and now there’s a ton more with the addition of free channels available directly on the homescreen. Here’s everything that’s available.
Expand Expanding CloseDisney+ starts rolling out another price hike, no ad plans starting at $21.49/month
Yet another price hike is imminent for Disney+ and Hulu, with the new plans going up by around $2 per month.
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Deals: Nothing CMF Buds Neo $21 all-time low, Galaxy Z Fold 8 $380 off, huge laptop discounts up to $1,050 off, more
Alongside some deep ongoing deals on Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 at up to $380 off, today’s 9to5Toys Lunch Break is headlined by the first deal on Nothing CMF Buds Neo with ANC at just $21 and a return all-time low the Nothing CMF Clip Pro, as well as Headphone (a) at 30% off. From there, we move over to the PC deals with a giant $1,051 off this Alienware 16-inch OLED gaming laptop for GeForce Week and Lenovo’s 2026 2K touchscreen IdeaPad Slim Copilot+ PC hitting a new all-time low at $620 off, not to mention new all-time lows on the latest Ring Doorbell 4K Pro models at $100 off in the now live early fall Prime Day sale. Check it out below.
Expand Expanding CloseYouTube announces Custom Feeds, GIF comments, and ’Your podcast lineup’
At Made on YouTube 2026 today, YouTube announced a slew of new features. We’ve highlighted the capabilities that will impact the viewer experience over the coming months.
Expand Expanding CloseYouTube Music adding corner access to ‘Ask Music’ with Gemini
As part of Made on YouTube 2026, a handful of updates to YouTube Music that are coming later this year were previewed.
Expand Expanding CloseGalaxy Tab S12 Ultra leak shows another side, confirming minimal changes
The Galaxy Tab S12 Ultra showed up in a leak in August, but a new one has surfaced as the October launch date gets closer. The most recent images further confirm little about the design will change.
Expand Expanding CloseXiaomi 18 Pro series goes official with ‘privacy screen,’ 8,500 mAh battery, and Snapdragon 8 Elite Extreme Gen 6
Xiaomi has just launched its new Xiaomi 18 Pro and Xiaomi 18 Pro Max in China with flagship specs, massive batteries, and a pair of 200MP cameras too.
Expand Expanding CloseNest Doorbell has been triggering Gemini’s American accent, no matter what language you speak; fix coming
Google Home is experiencing a unique bug that announces Nest Doorbell notifications in an American accent, even if your preferences are set to literally any other language/dialect.
Expand Expanding CloseThe Sideload 045: If everything’s important, nothing’s important
Welcome to episode 45 of The Sideload, a 9to5Google podcast. This week, Will is joined by Daniel Bader as they sit down with Kevin Michaluk (aka Crackberry Kevin) and Jeff Gadway from Clicks to discuss the upcoming launch of the Clicks Communicator. They discuss launching a first-gen smartphone during the RAM crisis, what it’s like to return to physical keyboards, and how you build a product that avoids becoming a jack of all trades, master of none.
Sponsored by NordVPN: Listeners to The Sideload can save up to 76% on a two-year subscription alongside four extra months for absolutely free by signing up for NordVPN using this link. Thanks to NordVPN for sponsoring this week’s episode.
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Motorola Signature 27 officially gets a North American launch in the ‘coming months’
Following a tease at Snapdragon Summit, Motorola has confirmed that its Signature 27 flagship is officially coming to North American markets, but with a bit of a wait.
Expand Expanding CloseClaude Opus 5.5 and OpenAI GPT-6 Sol & Luna both launch today with lower costs
Anthropic and OpenAI are both launching new model updates today, with Claude Opus 5.5 and GPT-6 Sol & Luna both being announced within roughly an hour of each other.
Expand Expanding CloseMotorola Signature 27 is a proper flagship with Snapdragon 8 Elite Extreme Gen 6
Alongside Qualcomm’s latest announcements, Motorola has officially shown off the Motorola Signature 27, a true flagship offering that’s set to launch before the end of this year.
Expand Expanding CloseQualcomm announces the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6 and 8 Elite Extreme Gen 6
Qualcomm today announced the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6 and Snapdragon 8 Elite Extreme Gen 6 to power the next generation of Android smartphones.
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Today’s Android app deals and freebies: Sea of Stars, Singing Monsters, Avalar, more
Today’s best Google Play app and game deals are ready, including My Singing Monsters Composer, Sea of Stars, My Singing Monsters Thumpies, Same Room Same Day: Premium, Epic King Heroes: Premium TD, King of Defense Premium, King of Defense 2: TD Premium, Avalar: Shadow War Premium, and more. We also have Nothing Ear (3a) back down at the lowest price to date, Nothing’s 2026 Headphone (a) at 30% off, and the ongoing Googlebook pre-order deals. The apps await below.
Read MoreThe tiny magnetic e-readers from Xteink that attach to your Pixel are on sale right now
Qi2 or MagSafe have always been one of the wildest but useful additions to phones like the Google Pixel or iPhone, and the best accessory might just be another display on its own. Xteink’s magnetic mini e-readers, like the X4 Pro, are on sale while stock lasts during its autumn sale.
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As Android XR nears, smart glasses are only getting more popular despite Meta backlash
There’s been a near-constant stream of backlash against Meta’s Ray-Ban smart glasses in recent months, but that hasn’t stopped people from buying them, as a new report reveals that shipments have grown by over 250%.
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