9to5Google

Following our report last month, Google is beginning to roll out its gradient icon redesign for Workspace apps.

Robot vacuums aren’t a new idea, but if you’ve been using the same old one for years, you’d be shocked at what newer models are capable of. One of those highly-capable new models is Narwal Freo Z10 Turbo, which packs flagship-tier features that would often cost upwards of $1,000 into a package that costs just $599, but only for a limited time.

Earlier this week, Google revealed a first look at some new 3D redesigns for the emoji found on Google Pixel phones and other Google products, and now we’re getting a closer look at all of the changes ahead of their Android 17 release.

Ahead of I/O 2026, Google continues to roll out Gemini app features, with some users now seeing a “Thinking level” option.

We’ve been hearing about Google’s behind-the-scenes work to move its laptop efforts over to Android, but now that we’ve seen “Googlebook,” I’m not really sure I’m sold yet. Honestly, I don’t think Google has shown any reason for these laptops to exist at all.

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.

If you’re currently sitting at a desk for work or gaming and feel that little ache in your back, you’re not along. Thankfully, LiberNovo has a solution in its Maxis and Omni chairs that are designed not only to be the ultimate ergonomic solution – Omni is the world’s first dynamic ergonomic chair and the winner of the Red Dot Product Design and iF Design awards for 2026, with GreenGuard Gold Certified on top of that – but also designed for you in mind, not just the “Average Joe.”

Welcome to episode 34 of The Sideload, a 9to5Google podcast. This week, Will is joined by 9to5‘s own Ben Schoon as he breaking his usual release schedule to bring you a guide on what to expect next week at Google I/O 2026.

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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As we head into I/O 2026, Google is tweaking the Gemini app icon to be a touch more colorful.

Google’s new Gemini Intelligence push was announced this week and it has pretty steep requirements for Android devices to support the new features, cutting off the Pixel 9 series and even last year’s Galaxy Z Fold 7 due to one spec.

The Google Home app has largely taken over for most Nest users, but if you still prefer to access older hardware via the Nest app, a widespread outage has broken functionality for many.

Welcome to episode 100 of Pixelated, a podcast by 9to5Google. This week, Abner, Damien, and Will celebrate the milestone by diving into Google’s latest Android Show announcements, including Android Intelligence, user-generated widgets, and, of course, Googlebook.

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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OnePlus has been in a rapid downward spiral over the past few months, with the latest blow being the removal of OnePlus devices from Best Buy stores in favor of Nothing Phones.

As Android XR glasses crest the horizon, Meta is looking to improve on its Ray-Ban Display glasses, opening up support for third-party apps.

Google has rolled out version 4.69 of Fitbit for Android as the last update before the Google Health rebrand.

The Honor Robot Phone is an interesting concept, but one that’s also felt a little like it might not be real. Honor says it’s actually happening, though, committing to a Q3 2026 release date for the Robot Phone and teasing imaging enhancements from its partner, ARRI.

While Android 17 itself wasn’t really a focus of “The Android Show” earlier this week, we did hear about a few new changes coming. One of those changes includes a redesigned 3D emoji set coming to Android 17 starting on Google Pixel phones. What do you think of the new look?

Google is giving developers of third-party calling apps the ability to integrate with Phone by Google and other system dialers.

Google today released Android Canary 2605, with this preview build adding much more blur to the system UI on Pixel devices.

In the ramp up to I/O 2026, Google has been working on adding a more advanced agent capability to the Gemini app. It now looks like it will be branded as “Gemini Spark.”

What should a modern fitness tracker be in 2026? With smartwatches readily available — and for not much more than your run-of-the-mill Fitbit — it’s a tricky proposition, especially for brands like Google that live in both spaces. The Fitbit Air feels like an admission from Google that Whoop, the obvious competitor for something like this, is on the right path, offering a minimalist band that exists to gather data, not to serve as a miniature wrist-based computer. So far, I’m liking what I’m seeing from my time with the device, but not without some unsurprising concerns surrounding its AI coach.