Pixel 11 starts testing ‘Call for Me’ to have Gemini phone on your behalf
Latest
Gemini app replacing Gems with skills in November
In 2024, Google introduced Gems as “custom versions of Gemini.” The Gemini app will soon replace Gems with “skills.”
Expand Expanding CloseWhat new Google Messages features are rolling out [September 2026]
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.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle Pixel can use Tensor as long as it wants; it’s all the other specs I’m jealous of
This week saw the debut of Qualcomm’s latest Snapdragon chips and, with it, the usual onslaught of Tensor hate around Google’s Pixel phones. Personally, I don’t care about those, but new launches around Qualcomm’s event have shown off a lot of other specs I’d much rather see Pixel adopt.
9to5Google Weekender by Ben Schoon is a part of our free newsletter that also includes ‘Inbox,’ a twice-weekly roundup of key stories from around the web by Daniel Bader. Sign up here to get Weekender delivered to your inbox every Sunday along with ‘Inbox’ on Tuesday and Thursday. You can find past issues here.
Expand Expanding Close
Google combines Material 3 Expressive & Liquid Glass on the iPhone [Gallery]
With Liquid Glass now a year old, Google apps on iOS are beginning to incorporate the translucent material alongside its Material 3 Expressive design language.
Expand Expanding ClosePixelated 118: Googlebook begins
Welcome to Pixelated episode 118. This week, Damien and Abner share their hands-on impressions of Google’s new laptop lineup with Will. What’s it like to use an Android-powered laptop? How different is the Googlebook platform from ChromeOS? And what steps does Google need to take post-launch to give it as strong of a chance at succeeding as possible? All those questions and more and more as the Android ecosystem grows even larger.
Enjoy the show? You can listen to our weekly members-only Pixelated Pro bonus episode by signing up for 9to5Google Pro for just $5 per month, or about $1 per episode.
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.
Subscribe
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle Health 5.09 rolling out: Cardio Load from third-party workouts, more
Following yesterday’s announcement, Google Health 5.09 is rolling out with support for the new Health Guardian features on the Pixel Watch.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle brings back Android Dev Summit with Android 18 ‘powerful new graphics features’ tease
The Android Dev Summit is returning in 2026 after Google’s last focused developer conference in 2022. Additionally, the agenda comes with a mention of Android 18.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle Messages rolls out new swipe for timestamps & reply gesture
Following the long-press menu, Google Messages is widely rolling out new ways to access timestamps and direct replies.
Expand Expanding Close
Deals: Nothing Ear (3a) $79, Anker smart display charger, Ring Battery Doorbell $40, Z Fold 8 $250 off, Copilot PCs, more
Alongside the now updated early fall Prime Day sale at Amazon, we are now tracking a host of notable Nothing deals including Ear (3a) at $79, the new Buds Neo at the $21 all-time low, Headphone (a) at up to 30% off, and Phone (4a) from $449, among others. Those deals join ASUS’ latest 16-inch Ryzen AI Copilot+ PC down to its best price yet at $200 off, Anker’s 140W 4-port MacBook charger with smart display down to its lowest price today at $56, and a giant deal on the latest wireless Ring Battery Doorbell 2K at just $40 (60% off, all-time low). Just be sure to check out Galaxy Z Fold 8 at $250 off while you still can (Amazon low), and even more down below.
Expand Expanding Close
Microsoft quietly ending ‘Copilot+ PC’ branding for Windows laptops
After a couple of years of relentlessly pushing it, Microsoft is seemingly ending its Copilot+ PC branding for Windows laptops.
Expand Expanding Close
Pixel Weather homescreen widget adds manual refresh button
Following last month’s icon update, Pixel Weather is getting a slightly more substantial update with a refresh button for the homescreen widget.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle Messages finally rolls out new long-press menu with precise copying
After testing got underway in January, Google Messages is finally widely rolling out a new long-press menu in conversations.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle rolling out Android 17 QPR2 Beta 6 for Pixel
Android 17 QPR2 Beta 6 is now available for Pixel devices, barely a week after Beta 5 launched.
Expand Expanding CloseBig Pixel VIPs widget redesign starts rolling out
Following the version 2.0 update rolling out earlier this week, Google is now beginning to launch the Pixel VIPs widget redesign announced in the September Feature Drop.
Expand Expanding CloseBellroy’s leather Pixel 11 Pro case is a keeper
Like any sane capitalist, I love getting new stuff. But there’s something heartening about those new things settling into age, like a fecund garden becoming slightly unwieldy, or a pair of shoes getting more comfortable as you use them.
Similarly, I’ve always enjoyed the way a well-made leather case ages as it weathers the trials and tribulations of everyday life. Traditionally called a patina, it’s the lived-in quality that a piece of leather inherits as it absorbs skin oils, scratches, and the unpredictability of weather.
Expand Expanding CloseAndroid’s Create My Widget ‘app’ detailed on phones, Googlebooks
Create My Widget will debut in early October on Googlebooks. Ahead of that, a Play Store listing details what the interface will look like, including on Android phones.
Expand Expanding Close
Motorola Signature 27 confirmed to support GrapheneOS
It’s confirmed: The mysterious Motorola phone getting support for the privacy-focused GrapheneOS will be the Motorola Signature 27 that was announced earlier this week.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle Photos rolling out Redact tool, Mood filters, & more
Google Photos is rolling out a handful of new features, including a Redact Markup tool and “Moods” on Android.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle rolling out blood pressure & insulin resistance, more on Pixel Watch 3, 4, 5
As previewed during last month’s Pixel Watch 5 launch, Google is now starting to roll out blood pressure trends, insulin resistance trends, and sleep breathing quality metrics.
Expand Expanding CloseChrome now saves scroll position, filled forms when sending tabs between devices
Google today announced a trio of new study-focused Chrome features, with the most notable being how the browser will now save scroll position when you send tabs between devices.
Expand Expanding CloseSamsung open-ear Galaxy Buds On images show what they look like when worn
Once rumored to go by a different name, Samsung’s Galaxy Buds On open-ear designs have appeared with a little more detail in new images, suggesting these earbuds might become official sooner rather than later.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle Messages adding official chat thread that showcases features [Gallery]
If you open Google Messages, you might see a prompt on the main screen to join the “official chat” that delivers a WhatsApp-like thread for official updates on new features.
Expand Expanding CloseSamsung starts rolling out Android 17, One UI 9 to Galaxy S26 in the US following delay
After a slight delay, Samsung is rolling out its Android 17-based One UI 9 update to Galaxy S26 owners in the US, though not to everyone just yet.
Expand Expanding CloseThe Googlebook has an opportunity to build Android like nothing else [Video]
Despite having effectively zero market share right now, there is an opportunity for Googlebook to do something that basically nobody else could do, but can they do it?
Expand Expanding Close