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Of all the first-party apps, Google Maps probably offered the worst settings experience, but a redesign is finally cleaning things up.

After the 2022 removal and restoration for some users last year, Pixel Launcher search is once again letting you open apps using the keyboard.

Privacy often feels like an impossibility in the modern age of the internet, as your data is constantly tracked and shared by just about everything you do. That’s why privacy smartphones and privacy-focused forks of Android keep popping up. With the new Punkt MC03, though, I just found the first privacy Android phone I might be willing to try out.

With the launch of “in-line AI experiences” in Gmail yesterday, Google has shared that the Gemini side panel is going away for AI Pro and Ultra subscribers in the US.

Samsung is reworking its long-standing Bixby assistant this year with AI, and new screenshots are showing off how that will copy from of Google’s AI tools.

With the previous round of offers ending last week, the US Google Store is running New Year’s deals ahead of 2026.

Nothing is taking the abundance of feedback it received on Lock Glimpse (lockscreen ads) and has decided to walk back the feature by removing it. At least, for most of its devices.

Anker launched a new Nano 45W USB-C charger at CES 2026 that has a couple of clever new features but, sadly, loses one of its best when connected to an Android phone.

There are a ton of different form factors, features, and designs for Find Hub trackers on Android, but many end up sharing the same core makeup and hardware. But with its new generation of Android Find Hub trackers, “Nimble” is not only delivering some nice designs and form factors, but offering something new in sustainable paper-based batteries.

Following phones and watches, the Google Fi store is getting its first tablet with the Samsung Galaxy Tab A11+ 5G.

Google One is running a “limited time” discount for 2026 where new subscribers can get 50% off 2 TB and AI Pro annual plans.

IKEA took to CES for the first time ever this year in an effort to show off its new smart home tech, which continues to get better and better, but there’s one big asterisk for Google Home users based on early user impressions.

YouTube is rolling out updates to its video search filters that include renames, removals, and other adjustments. These changes aim to “align better with your expectations.”

Announced at CES 2026 this week, the new 8BitDo Flip Pad is a USB-C controller for Android phones (and iPhones too) that sits on top of your display and seems just perfect for emulators.

It’s not a new concept, but what is it with Android OEMs and straight-up ripping off or copying Apple so brazenly lately? Let’s get into the reasons why.

The price of RAM has skyrocketed over the past few months, raising concerns that Android devices will only become more expensive as traditional memory becomes relatively unavailable. Despite that, Samsung’s DRAM division broke records and made up 40% of the company’s profit in Q4 2025.

Besides previewing the future of Gmail today, Google is making a number of AI features that previously required a subscription free for personal accounts. 

Google today previewed the future of Gmail, with new features like AI Overviews for search that are rolling out starting today and the upcoming ”AI Inbox.” This comes as Gmail has over 3 billion monthly active users.