Pixelated 86: A blurry vision of Android

Welcome to episode 86 of Pixelated, a podcast by 9to5Google. This week, Abner, Damien, and Will dig into an early Android 17 build that includes one big visual change: blurred backdrops. Is this a sign of things to come for Google’s vision of its OS, or a more minor system-level tweak? The crew also checks out a leaked look at Android’s new — albeit really familiar — desktop mode, Google’s more affordable AI Plus plan for Gemini, and Chrome’s agentic AI tools.

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Timecodes

• 00:00 – Intro and Android 17 first look
• 18:30 – Android’s new desktop UI leaks
• 31:02 – Google’s new AI Plus plan
• 39:21 – Chrome’s “auto browse” agentic AI tools
• 54:56 – Forums announcement and wrap-up

Hosts

• Abner Li
• Damien Wilde
• Will Sattelberg

Read more

• This is Android 17’s blur, new screen recorder, & more in leaked screenshots [Gallery]
• Google adding blur to Android 17’s system UI on Pixel
• Android’s full desktop interface leaks: New status bar, Chrome Extensions, more [Video]
• Google AI Plus comes to US for $7.99, Google One 2 TB upgraded
• Chrome rolling out Gemini 3-powered ‘auto browse’ with Google AI Pro 
• Introducing 9to5Google Forums
  • Check out our new forums here!

Listen to more 9to5 Podcasts

• The Sideload
• 9to5Mac Happy Hour
• Electrek
• Space Explored

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