Gemini app rolling out Gemini 4 Argon to AI Pro and AI Ultra
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The smart home may be too messy even for Google
Good morning! Today I’m watching this epic discussion between Thom Yorke and Harry Styles, reading everything I can about the new Ocarina of Time remake, playing MMO Solitaire with 400 other people, and jamming to Remi Wolf’s new album, Mud.
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 CloseOld Google Home and Nest speakers getting big firmware update
Google is testing a big firmware update for the Google Home, Home Mini, Nest Mini, and Nest Audio.
Expand Expanding CloseYouTube begins rolling out GIF support for comments very slowly; it’s for a reason
It’s been less than a month since YouTube said it planned to let users post GIFs in the comments section. The time has come, and this is just the beginning of a gradual rollout.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle Home app gets local Matter control over Philips Hue lights
The latest Google Home app is improving support for local network control over Matter devices, including Philips Hue lights.
Expand Expanding CloseGemini AI Plus subscribers will lose access to Pro models next month
Google has begun emailing Gemini AI Plus members to inform them when their Gemini subscription will no longer include access to the advanced models – just Flash.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle Home update rolling out with improved Favorites, more app & Gemini fixes
Google Home is getting a fresh update with improvements to reordering your favorite devices, redesigned controls for third-party smart home devices, and some much-needed fixes for Gemini commands.
Expand Expanding CloseYouTube Music rolling out AI labels in the Now Playing screen
In response to more AI-generated content appearing on streaming services, YouTube Music is adding a new AI label directly to the player.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle Fitbit Edge hands-on: Pixel Watch Lite, take two
Google’s new Fitbit Edge tracker launches later this month and, as we get our review together, here’s a quick hands-on look at the new middle child of Google’s wearable lineup.
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Mid-week Android app deals and freebies: Lia, Star Wars, Florescue, more
Your mid-week Google Play app and game deals are ready, including Lia: Hacking Destiny, STAR WARS: KOTOR II, Meridian 157: Chapter 1, Florescue, Mini Restaurant Premium, INKS, and more. Just be sure to dive into these Pixel Watch 5 deals and one of the best prices to date on Anker’s all-new Nano 10-in-1 Smart Display Hub. The apps await below.
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You can now join a WhatsApp call without an account
WhatsApp is making it easier to makes calls with everyone by introducing the ability for non-WhatsApp users to join a call without needing an account.
Expand Expanding CloseSamsung rolling out major Health update with Sleep & Running coach, meal scanning
The Samsung Health app is getting a pretty major update this week with support for new coaches for sleep and running, as well as support for scanning meals to track calories and macros.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle Messages adding ‘enhanced protection mode’ as Android works to combat phone scam
For Cybersecurity Awareness Month, Google is announcing new Android features to help combat messaging and phone scams, including enhanced protection mode in Google Messages.
Expand Expanding CloseSamsung’s most useful Galaxy AI features are expanding with support for more languages
Unlike a lot of AI features, most of Samsung’s Galaxy AI tools are genuinely useful. Transcript, Call, and Note Assist are awesome tools, and Samsung is bringing those and more to more users and languages.
Expand Expanding ClosePocket Casts app now available on Android TV
After first coming to Apple TV, the official Pocket Casts app is now available to download on Android TV and Google TV devices.
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Deals: Pixel Watch 5 up to $108 off, TCL NXTPAPER phone $200, Anker’s new Smart Display Hub, more from $20
Today’s 9to5Toys Lunch Break is headlined by Best Buy serving up Pixel Watch 5 models at up to $108 off alongside TCL’s ultra-affordable 60 XE NXTPAPER 5G Android phone down at $200 today. Just be sure to scope out the FREE $200 Amazon gift cards you can score with your new Samsung Galaxy Tab S12 before you dive into deals on Anker’s all-new Nano 10-in-1 Smart Display Hub with dual-monitor support down at $80 and its new Nano Neo 45W/60W dynamic charger at just $20, as well as TP-Link’s tiny portable router at just $45. Head below for a closer look.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle Home bug turns your smart home device list into a mess
A bug in the Google Home app has left device lists messy for some users, with no obvious way to fix it for the time being.
Expand Expanding CloseRocket Money’s Rowan is a financial AI assistant you’ll actually want to text
We have all watched AI assistants become a permanent fixture on our phones over the last few months, yet finding one that genuinely takes everyday chores off your plate is still surprisingly rare. Most general-purpose AI chatbots are great if you want to brainstorm ideas or summarize an article, but they hit a wall when it comes to practical, real-world tasks like managing your personal finances.
Nothing reportedly launching two pairs of smart glasses, one with barely any AI
A reliable source says that Nothing is building out its own AI smart glasses that feature ChatGPT integration, a camera, and two very different models.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle’s new ‘Shop devices’ tab sells Pixel and Samsung Galaxy devices side by side
Google has launched a new “Shop devices” portal that lets interested buyers pick up a Samsung Galaxy smartphone from the Google Store, right alongside a Pixel phone or Watch.
Expand Expanding CloseChrome 155 for Googlebook brings expanded web app installs, integration
With Chrome 155, Googlebooks now better support web apps by allowing for expanded installation and system integration.
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OnePlus 16 goes official with 9,000 mAh battery, and it just makes me sad
The OnePlus 16 is official this week and looks beastly – too bad most of the world won’t be able to buy it.
Expand Expanding CloseThe Sideload 047: The highs and lows of Pixel at 10
Welcome to episode 47 of The Sideload, a 9to5Google podcast. This week, Will is joined by 9to5Google’s own Ben Schoon and Android Authority’s Joe Maring for a roundtable discussion on a decade of Pixel phones and some speculation on what’s to come. Plus, we play a rapid-fire quiz game to see who can identify the most Pixel devices from the least amount of visual information. Happy birthday, Pixel!
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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Expand Expanding CloseAndroid Auto 18.0 update starts rolling out, continues to gear up for redesign
Announced earlier this year, Google continues to set the stage for its next Android Auto redesign behind the scenes, which might be codenamed “Cielo.”
Expand Expanding CloseHey Google, where is the next Nest Hub?
Apple’s long-rumored smart home display is finally here and it begs the question – why hasn’t Google released a new Nest Hub in half a decade?
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