The yearly update for your smartphone is now here. Android 15 has officially launched for Pixel phones, and here’s what’s new.
Expand Expanding CloseEvery single new feature in Android 15 [Video]
Author
Damien is 9to5Google‘s resident Video Producer and has over a decade of UK media experience. He worked within the sports industry and with numerous sports-focused publications — including golfing publication National Club Golfer — prior to joining the 9to5Google team.
After completing a BSc in Computer Science at the University of Hull with a major focus on data analytics and UX, he joined the Press Association (now PA Media), developing growing sports data products for the Barclay’s Premier League. These’s data packages included the now-defunct ACTIM Index which eventually evolved into the EA Sports Player Performance Index.
While working with the UK’s largest media agency, he attained a MA in Journalism at Sheffield Hallam University after completing his studies in 2014. This is where a love affair with all things videography surfaced after a brief stint in student TV. A major interest and constantly growing know-how of technology and videography have seen Damien lead 9to5Google’s official YouTube channel since 2018. He previously hosted the 9to5Google Daily podcast from 2019 to 2021.
Damien’s expertise and focus area lie in a number of beats including Android and OEM software updates, mobile applications, smartphone and accessory reviews, and just about anything that makes a modern mobile nerd tick. He says that he is “platform agnostic” despite primarily using Android devices and attempts to regularly test the iOS waters to better understand the nuances of the tech he covers on a day-to-day basis.
Outside of the tech space Damien is an avid supporter of his boyhood soccer team Hull City and is even a fully qualified Barista — with 3 years of experience making speciality coffee. Be sure to follow him on Threads, Bluesky, LinkedIn, and Instagram for insights and upcoming video updates and tidbits. If you are interested, you can also check out just what video gear he is currently using on his dedicated Kit.co page.
YouTube for Android TV gets new dual-column channel side menu
YouTube for Android TV has a new dual-column channel side menu that obscures less of the content you’re trying to watch.
Expand Expanding CloseCircle to Search is coming to Honor 200 series and Magic V3
Circle to Search is set to expand further as the AI-powered function is confirmed as coming to the Honor 200 series and recently released Magic V3 foldable.
Expand Expanding CloseYouTube for Android TV gets ‘Who’s watching’ account switcher launch screen
YouTube’s constant evolution on Android TV continues unabated, with an updated ‘slight’ “Who’s watching” account switcher launch screen.
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The OnePlus 12 at $599 is simply the best Android deal out there right now
With Amazon throwing out deals like they might go out of fashion, the OnePlus 12 is now at a price that is simply hard to beat.
Expand Expanding CloseRCS messaging from Android to iPhone: Everything you can currently do [Video]
RCS messaging isn’t the silver bullet for cross-platform communications that it ought to be, but it’s a start – especially for iPhone-heavy regions where messaging can be an ordeal. What can you do that you couldn’t before with RCS between Android and iPhone? Well, here’s everything you need to know.
Expand Expanding ClosePixel 9 Pro XL vs. iPhone 16 Pro Max: The AI phone face-off [Video]
We’ve seen Google take a few cues from Apple over the years. The result of following a tried-and-tested playbook is a very similar-looking handset no matter what side of the fence you fall on. How does the Pixel 9 Pro XL stack up against the iPhone 16 Pro Max? Here’s what you need to know.
Expand Expanding CloseArc Search for Android is now available in beta
After The Browser Company teased the launch at the end of August, Arc Search is now officially available on Android in an early beta phase.
Expand Expanding CloseThomson’s Streaming Box Plus 270 is the Walmart Onn Pro – but for Europe
It feels weird to say that Walmart has the best Google TV streaming box but here we are. While that’s great, for those of us in the rest of the world, the new Thomson Streaming Box Plus 270 looks like the rebranded Onn Pro we’ve been hoping for.
Expand Expanding CloseAndroid Automotive gains Google Maps incident reporting function
Android Automotive is getting feature parity with Auto as live incident reporting in Google Maps is rolling out right now for the in-car OS.
Expand Expanding CloseThunderbird for Android email client arrives in beta
Designed, developed and published by Mozilla, the Thunderbird email client is finally here for Android in the first beta release.
Expand Expanding CloseChromecast vs. Google TV Streamer: Are the upgrades enough? [Video]
Two years after the launch of the 1080p-only Chromecast with Google TV and four years after the 4K launchpad for Google TV, we have the highly anticipated Google TV Streamer. Is it the upgrade we’ve waited for or a misfire for home streaming? Here’s everything you need to know.
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PSA: BBC iPlayer is not yet available on Google TV Streamer
Despite the global launch just a few days ago, the immensely popular BBC iPlayer is not yet available to download on the Google TV Streamer.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle Phone appears to be testing a new incoming call UI
The Google Phone app doesn’t often receive huge updates, but a new change to the incoming call UI appears to be in the works.
Expand Expanding ClosePixel Buds Pro vs. Pixel Buds Pro 2: Are there enough upgrades? [Video]
Google’s last Pixel hardware launch is here, the Pixel Buds Pro 2 replace the original Pixel Buds Pro after they hit the market back in 2022. Are they worth upgrading to? Here’s everything you need to know.
Expand Expanding CloseGalaxy S24 Ultra long-term review: Still the frontrunner? [Video]
We’re practically at the end of the 2024 smartphone release cycle and the Galaxy S24 Ultra hit the market right at the beginning. With all the other big-name players playing their hands, where does Samsung’s biggest and brightest rank? This is our long-term review of the Galaxy S24 Ultra.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle Gemini is coming to all Pixel Buds
Google has confirmed that all Google Pixel Buds will get access to the Gemini LLM as part of an update to how AI assistants work on Bluetooth earbuds.
Expand Expanding CloseGalaxy S24 FE showcased in leaked official unboxing video
While we wait for concrete official information, a leaked unboxing video has basically revealed the upcoming Galaxy S24 FE.
Expand Expanding CloseYouTube Premium is getting major price increases in Europe
With numerous recorded price increases, YouTube Premium is set for another price hike in a number of European regions.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle TV Streamer review: The new ‘big hub’ of your home [Video]
Four years after debuting Google TV on an underpowered but ultimately acceptable Chromecast 4K, we finally have the follow-up we’ve been waiting for – this is our review of the Google TV Streamer.
Expand Expanding CloseSome of the best apps not on the Google Play Store [Video]
Not all good things are available via “official” channels, even some of the best applications on Android can’t be grabbed from the Google app storefront. Here are some of our favorite apps you won’t find on the Google Play Store.
Expand Expanding CloseAre your iOS contacts using RCS messaging yet? [Poll]
As we all know, RCS messaging is a game-changer, offering a much richer and more feature-packed experience compared to traditional SMS. But are your iPhone-using contacts taking advantage of this technology?
Expand Expanding CloseYouTube for Android TV frustratingly fuses the ‘like’ and ‘dislike’ buttons
Google is well known for tinkering, but the latest change is a fused ‘like’ and ‘dislike’ button in the YouTube app for Android TV.
Expand Expanding CloseThe best Android emulators for playing your favorite classic games [Video]
Gaming on mobile is super diverse, but sometimes you want to bust out some of the classics and game on the go. Android has a ton of emulators that let you play thousands of the best games from as far back as the 70s – here are some of our favorites.
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