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2026 could be a blockbuster year for Google after some serious success across almost all areas in 2025. What should and could we expect? Here are a few early-year thoughts and expectations.

On a Google support page, the company says it is rolling out a new option to let users change their email address even if it is an “@gmail.com” address.

Google’s parent company Alphabet has announced an acquisition of Intersect, a “data center and energy infrastructure” company that aims to provide additional support for building out its capacity for AI.

Over the last few weeks of staggered rollouts, some users have gained access to Gemini for Home, which adds Google’s AI assistant to existing Nest devices. The upgrade seems to be breaking some automations, though.

One of the lesser-known features that Google offers is a “Dark Web Report” monitoring tool, but it’s about to shut down in early 2026.

Disney announced a billion dollar agreement with OpenAI this morning over use of its characters, and Google’s going to have to pray it doesn’t alter the deal any further.

Google is rolling out an update to the Gemini app today that better displays information pulled from the Google Maps extension.

After launching the “Remix” tool in August in a server-side update, Google Photos is bringing the image-to-cartoon feature to more users in a much wider rollout.

Google’s various AI tools have been proving their worth as of late, but a common criticism is how Google has built these tools by scraping the work of publishers and creators across the web without explicit permission or compensation, and now the EU is launching an investigation into the matter.

Google Maps has recently rolled out a change where, at least on iOS, the app will automatically detect that you’ve parked your vehicle and save that location, and it will also now show it with a custom icon.

Circle to Search is getting a new trick that detects suspicious messages or web content, letting users know why it could be part of a scam.

Android 16 QPR2 is here today, but Google’s not solely focusing on new features and changes. Alongside those announcements, the company is also bringing a whole host of improvements and changes to accessibility on Android. In addition to some helpful changes to hearing aids, captions, and more, Google is also building Gemini models into Smart Dictation and Guided Frame on Pixel devices for improved responses.

Following the Feature Drop announcement two weeks ago, Google Maps is rolling out Power Saving mode on the Pixel 10 series.

Following the announcement at the start of November, Google Maps is beginning to roll out navigation with Gemini. It joins availability in place listings, which is getting an update, and is coming soon to Lens.

Just a few weeks after launching its first AI-generated ad, Google has returned with something a little more realistic, but just as timely. Ahead of the holidays, the company is throwing a Love Actually reunion in its latest Pixel ad, even if the star might not be as famous as he thinks he is.

If you’ve seen scattered reports across social media regarding Gmail’s newfound focus on training Google’s AI models on your emails, you can take a deep breath, as the company says these reports are “misleading.”

Just like sponsored cards that appear in any normal Google Search results, ads are reportedly starting to creep into AI Mode searches.

Following the big Gemini updates earlier this month, Google Maps is adding a handful of new features, like review nicknames.

Google Maps for Android Auto is picking up some new features for EV owners, with new filters in the works for charging speed and payment method when you’re searching for a charging station.

Google has announced a lawsuit in the US that aims to take down “Lighthouse,” an organization that sends scam phishing texts such as the USPS scams that everyone seems to get.

It’s been less than a week since Disney-owned channels went off the air for YouTube TV subscribers, but we’re still seeing some unintended effects ripple through the industry. Following Disney’s move to pull its vast collection of original and acquired entertainment, Movies Anywhere is the next platform to see a hit from the House of Mouse.

Google has released a handful of new merch ahead of the holiday season, with the latest batch including a familiar Android plushie and more.