9to5Google

As Meta continues to double down on smart glasses, the company is apparently gearing up to launch a pair of Ray-Ban smart glasses that are specifically designed for those who already wear prescription glasses.

Google finally announced its long-awaited “advanced flow” for enabling sideloading from unverified developers last week, set to roll out later this year to all Android phones. It addressed a lot of the concerns we had with the future of installing third-party APKs, but that’s not to say it delivered every answer under the sun. Thankfully, a new FAQ video is going a long way in filling in some of the gaps, including confirming you won’t need to repeat this process when you get a new phone.

Welcome to episode 93 of Pixelated, a podcast by 9to5Google. This week, Damien, Abner, and Will discuss Google’s new “advanced flow” for enabling sideloading on Android, set to launch on all Play-supported devices later this year. It’s a change built with security and safety in mind, and your hosts are pretty impressed with how the company has designed this shift. Then they dig into the potential news that OnePlus could be preparing to exit the global market, leaving an enthusiast-shaped hole in its place.

Subscribe

• YouTube Podcasts
• Pocket Casts
• Spotify
• Apple Podcasts
• Overcast

Sponsored by Proton Unlimited: Pixelated listeners can save 30% on an annual subscription by signing up for Proton Unlimited using this link. Thanks to Proton Unlimited for sponsoring this week’s episode.

Following Lyria 3 Pro, Gemini 3.1 Flash Live, and importing, Google has a few other Gemini app updates, starting with Personal Intelligence seeing wide US availability.

Google released Android 17 Beta 3 yesterday with a handful of interesting additions, but as is often the case, the coolest features are the ones typically hidden just below the surface — or, in this case, behind some secret flags. The company appears to be working on a new way for Pixel users to automatically fill their home screen with suggested apps, widgets, and more, and it could completely change how you layout your smartphone’s launcher.

Google made several key deals to ensure its products would be integrated into the upcoming FIFA World Cup 2026, including sponsorships and partnerships with some of the biggest national teams – Argentina and France.

Android 17 features a number of location privacy updates, with the latest introduced in Beta 3 being the “location button.”

Android always has an Easter egg with each new version buried in the Settings menu, but something different is happening this year, with each new beta release tweaking the Android 17 logo just a little bit, and maybe hinting at something bigger in the pipeline.

The latest data reveals that, roughly a month into sales, Samsung’s new Galaxy Buds 4 Pro are a massive hit, and that’s likely in part because they’re a product that deserves your attention.

There’s nothing better than opening up the windows on a beautiful spring day while you get to work cleaning junk from drawers and dust from the windowsills. 

Spring is also the perfect time to save hundreds of dollars on a Waterdrop Filter Reverse Osmosis water filtration system. Whether you’re looking to add the popular G3P800 Tankless RO System, Waterdrop Filter’s best-selling under-sink RO solution, or the more affordable TSU Ultrafiltration system, there’s a Waterdrop Filter’s product at every budget.

Google has finally decided to restore the ability to quickly enable and disable your Wi-Fi connection with a single tap of the QS toggle in Android 17 Beta 3.

Android 16 introduced translucency to the notification shade and Quick Settings last year. As rumored, Android 17 Beta 3 continues that blur trend.

Hot on the heels of our first look at the entry-level Moto Razr earlier this month, we’re getting our first glimpse at Motorola’s flagship clamshell for 2026. Unfortunately for anyone hoping this year’s model would come with a slimmer chassis, it seems like the brand is moving in the opposite direction.

Google is adding a new option in Android 17 Beta 3 that gives users granular control over which apps can be forced into “Expanded” dark theme modes.

After launching in last week’s Android Canary update, Google has added its redesigned screen recording menu to today’s Android 17 Beta 3, setting the stage for an all-but-guaranteed stable rollout later this year.

For a very, very long time, Android has combined mobile data and Wi-Fi into one Quick Settings button. It looks like data and Wi-Fi are splitting up in the latest Android 17 Beta 3 update.

It might be unfair to say that Android 17 Beta 3’s Bubbles are a new feature, but the premise has definitely expanded. Now live in the latest update, apps beyond Messenger can use the function, and it’s especially useful for multitasking on larger displays.

Google today rolled out Android 17 Beta 3 for Pixel devices. This comes a month after the second release.