9to5Google

Like other Google apps, Messages for Android A/B tests many features. It can take the RCS/SMS client a rather long time to actually launch new functionality in stable. From various reports, Google announcements, and devices we’ve checked, this is the current state of Messages.

I told myself the Fitbit Air would be a nice addition to my EDC. A simple, complementary tracker that I don’t need to worry about charging as often. I also told myself it won’t ever replace a dedicated smartwatch. It turns out I was very wrong.

At I/O 2026, Google announced the concept of “Search agents,” with information agents now rolling out in AI Mode for AI Ultra subscribers.

Welcome to episode 104 of Pixelated, a podcast by 9to5Google. This week, Abner, Damien, and Will hop over the walled garden to discuss Siri AI, changes to Liquid Glass and its ripple effects on Android, and plenty of other WWDC thoughts. Plus, Paris Hilton loves Android and Google releases a fourth QPR1 beta.

Sponsored by Bitwarden: Pixelated listeners can get started with Bitwarden’s free individual plan by clicking this link. Thanks to Bitwarden for sponsoring!

Sponsored by Proton Unlimited: Pixelated listeners can save 30% on an annual subscription to the company’s suite of privacy-friendly services by signing up using our link. Thanks to Proton Unlimited for sponsoring the podcast.

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Google is rolling out the latest version of the Gemini app for macOS today with a handful of updates.

Google’s Fitbit Air might be sweeping the fitness landscape right now — I, for one, think it’s an excellent tracker at its core — but for plenty of Android users, you just can’t swap sway from a real smartwatch. If you’ve been looking to refresh your existing Pixel Watch, you can pick up one of Google’s official bands for as low as $10 right now, and you won’t even have to give up your timepiece to do it.

Despite a single-digit market share in practically every global region, Google still has a fairly strong foothold in the smartphone space with the Pixel, but why?

Nothing Ear (3) launched earlier this year as a solid pair of wireless earbuds, but it’s also been hard to beat the budget-focused Nothing Ear (a) from 2024. But, apparently, Nothing is giving it a shot with the first Nothing Ear (3a) details now leaking.

Google has released another set of benchmark results to determine the best AI models for Android coding, along with how much each model costs per token. Google’s Gemini 3.5 Flash is easily the most resource-intensive in Android development, and it doesn’t even make the top five.

Google has filed a lawsuit against a cybercrime organization that was using Gemini to power its financial scams, while Google is also pushing for stricter laws that are more relevant to an AI era.

To celebrate the World Cup 2026, Google has quietly dropped a clever new limited-edition “Chrome Dino FC” Android figurine on its merchandise store.

Nothing has officially announced a partnership with Best Buy that will bring Nothing Phone devices as well as the company’s audio products into Best Buy stores in the US, as well as online.

After a couple of years of trying to get my dad to switch from a battered and bruised iPhone 8, I wondered to myself why. If it ain’t (too) broke, don’t fix it, but I thought about what would be the oldest phone I could actively consider using daily.

If you’re on the hunt for a wireless Android Auto (or CarPlay) adapter, one of our favorites is now on sale, with the AAWireless TWO series currently seeing an increasingly-rare discount of as much as 20% off the usual price – with one tiny little catch.

Whether you’re a summer person or not, staying cool will be your top priority as it heats up. These unique gadgets are some of our favorite items to have on hand in the summer heat.

In testing for several months now, Waze is starting to roll out traffic lights more widely in navigation, but it’s still not available to everyone.

Five years after killing its Wear OS app, Telegram is reviving support for Android smartwatches with its latest update.

A tweak to the Google Messages chat interface this week prominently themes the voice memo button.

Google sent an email to customers today thanking Gemini for Home early access testers for their feedback, and laying the groundwork for the upcoming Google Home Speaker.