Welcome to episode 91 of Pixelated, a podcast by 9to5Google. This week, with Abner and Damien out at MWC, Will invites Andrew Romero to join him on a whirlwind tour of two new OS upgrades from Google: Android 16 QPR3, and Android 17 Beta 2. The two discuss AI-generated wallpapers, that new Now Playing app, and Android’s new bubbles — not to be confused with its own bubbles — while Andrew introduces his SPI: Sandwich Price Index.
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Timecodes
- 00:00 – Intro and Android 16 QPR3
- 03:53 – AI-generated icons
- 13:15 – Now Playing app and flashlight toggle
- 22:05 – Pixel Desktop experience, At a Glance, and Gemini Automation
- 34:18 – Pixel Watch Drop, briefly
- 36:09 – Android 17 Beta 2 and Bubbles
- 43:32 – Beta 2 grab bag
- 50:52 – Wrap-up
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- Android 16 QPR3 rolling out with March 2026 security update
- March 2026 Feature Drop: Pixel 10 ‘Comfort’ view, custom AI icons, At a Glance ‘My commute,’ & more
- Pixel Watch Feature Drop: Express Pay, phone reminders, and more
- Pixel homescreens are getting custom icons, but Google’s keeping them locked to AI
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