As we head into I/O 2026, Google is tweaking the Gemini app icon to be a touch more colorful.
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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.
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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.
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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.
The 2026 Amazon Memorial Day sale is now live and we are starting today’s 9to5Toys Lunch Break off with Samsung now offering $350 off all Galaxy Tab S11 Ultra models alongside the 512GB Galaxy Z Fold 7 at as much as $819 off. Just be sure to scope out Samsung’s 27-inch Odyssey G50D QHD 180Hz gaming monitor down at $200 ($150 off) and this new Amazon low on the regularly $1,100 LG UltraGear 34-inch 240Hz OLED ultrawide monitor at $658. Head below for a closer look.
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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.
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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.
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Google has rolled out version 4.69 of Fitbit for Android as the last update before the Google Health rebrand.
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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.
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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?
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Google is giving developers of third-party calling apps the ability to integrate with Phone by Google and other system dialers.
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Google today released Android Canary 2605, with this preview build adding much more blur to the system UI on Pixel devices.
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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.”
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Your afternoon lineup of the best Android game and app deals is now ready to roll, including titles like Subnautica: Below Zero, Subnautica, Kingdom Rush Vengeance TD Game, Kingdom Rush 5: Alliance TD, Iron Marines 2 – Invasion RTS, The Wild Case Adventure (Full), Aces of the Luftwaffe Premium, Angelo and Deemon (Full), and more. We also have Galaxy Tab S11 at $250 off, Galaxy S26 Ultra 512GB up to $435 off, and new Amazon all-time lows on Galaxy S26+ – just be sure to check out this ongoing offer on 41mm Pixel Watch 4 at nearly $100 off. The apps await below.
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As a part of its latest Brandcast, YouTube has announced new features for the platform including the ability to buy products you see in a video directly from your TV.
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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.
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Today’s 9to5Toys Lunch Break is headlined by Galaxy S26+ hitting new Amazon all-time lows at $235 off alongside Best Buy open-box units up to $465 off and Galaxy S26 Ultra 512GB up to $435 off. We also have the now regularly $1,000 mid-range Galaxy Tab S11 at $250 off and the latest Retinal 4K Ring Wired Doorbell Pro back at its best price ever (2K model down at $50). Head below for a closer look at the details.
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Yes, Sony actually seems to think that image you’re seeing above looks better after running through an “AI Camera Assistant.” In promoting its new Xperia 1 VIII, Sony is rightfully seeing backlash around the output of these new AI changes – and I can’t help but think about how this is just the worst possible form of the problem facing so many modern smartphone cameras.
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Following last week’s launch, Snapseed 4.0.1 for Android is rolling out with a shortcut to quickly launch the new Camera experience.
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Google has made a notable change to its account storage policy, limiting the usual 15GB of free storage only to accounts that are verified with a phone number.
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After a few years of flip phone-only foldables, Motorola is finally releasing a book-style device in the Razr Fold. I’ve been keen to use it after a couple of early looks at trade shows earlier this year and, now that I’ve been using it as my main phone for the past week, I’m sold – the Motorola Razr Fold isn’t just good, it might be the best foldable*.
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Motorola’s new Razr foldables are now available for pre-order in the US, with flip phones and the book-style Razr Fold shipping later this month.
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Ahead of the upcoming release of Google Home Speaker, a new “Google Home Display” has appeared in Google app code, suggesting a new Nest Hub-esque device is in the works.
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Google is using on-device AI to analyze how you use your Android phone and provide “Contextual suggestions.”
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