Google’s refreshed emoji designs left many wondering if AI generation was involved, but Android 17’s 3D emoji are, in fact, “hand-modeled.”
Expand Expanding CloseNo, Android 17’s new 3D emoji are not AI generated
Author
Ben Schoon is a Senior Editor at 9to5Google, working for the publication as one of its primary news writers since 2016.
In 2013, Ben helped start an independent tech publication where he learned the skills used at 9to5Google including writing, product photography, and videography. He is located in the city of Winston-Salem in North Carolina where he lives with his wife Melissa. Ben is an avid disc golf player.
He primarily covers Android products, including Google Pixel devices, Samsung Galaxy smartphones, as well as devices from OnePlus, Oppo, Motorola, and more. Beyond just covering news about these products, Ben also spends time using these products himself, speaking from experience with the articles he writes. Some of Ben’s most recent hands-on reviews include; Pixel 8 Pro, Pixel Watch 2, Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5, Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra, Motorola Razr+, HP Dragonfly Pro Chromebook, and more.
Ben is also a leading source for information about Google’s Android TV, diving deeply into important parts of the platform including its powerful Operator Tier, explaining future changes to the platform, and reviewing its products such as Chromecast with Google TV, Nvidia Shield TV, and more.
In 2019, Ben leaked one of the first in-person photos of the Pixel 4 before later revealing the Recorder and Pixel Themes apps months ahead of launch. In 2020, Ben also reported on multiple upcoming Pixel devices including Pixel 5a and the first report of Google working on a foldable Pixel smartphone. That same month, he was also the first to correctly report the $49 price point of what became the Chromecast with Google TV.
Ben Schoon is active on Twitter, @nexusben, but can also be found on Instagram and LinkedIn. For questions or tips, you can email him directly, and his portfolio is also available online.
Email: schoon@9to5mac.com | Encrypted Email: benschoon@protonmail.com
Sony Xperia 1 VIII packs a redesign, flagship specs, microSD, 3.5mm jack from €1,500
Sony’s latest flagship is here, with the new Xperia 1 VIII offering some powerful specs for the usual lofty price tag, this time with a major hardware redesign.
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Apple is dominating US phone sales, but it sounds like Google Pixel is holding on
A new report shows that, perhaps even more so than usual, Apple’s iPhone is dominating phone sales in the US market, but Google Pixel is apparently holding onto its sliver.
Expand Expanding CloseHere’s the changelog for Samsung’s Android 17 update, One UI 9
Samsung is rolling out the first beta update for One UI 9 which, for Galaxy devices, will bring Android 17 under the hood, and the changelog reveals that not much is actually going on here – at least not yet.
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Adobe Premiere is coming to Android ‘soon,’ Google says
Adobe’s Premiere app is finally heading to Android, with Google providing a slightly more specific timeline compared to what Adobe previously left us with.
Expand Expanding CloseSamsung reportedly bringing Galaxy Glasses, Galaxy Watch 9 to Fold 8’s July event
According to a new report, Samsung is set to bring its first pair of Android XR-powered glasses, “Galaxy Glasses,” and a new Galaxy Watch 9 to its July 22 event that will also launch the Galaxy Z Fold 8 and other foldables.
Expand Expanding CloseAndroid’s desktop OS for ‘Googlebook’ leaks with basic features, virtual desktops, terminal [Video]
Android’s upcoming desktop OS experience is set to power “Googlebook” laptops in the not-too-distant future, and a 16-minute video has revealed some of the features found in this platform including its Android roots, some familiar ChromeOS features, and desktop-style features like folders on the desktop and terminal.
Expand Expanding CloseLeak shows Android 17 with custom color picker for Material You, preset variants, blur [Gallery]
Google’s Material You is finally getting an update everyone has been asking for – the ability to pick custom colors, as showcased in a new leak.
Expand Expanding Close‘Googlebooks’ have a premium focus, some Chromebooks can be upgraded
During The Android Show earlier today, Google revealed its “Googlebook” project that will replace Chromebooks, but with so much mystery around what’s to come, there are a lot of questions, but only a few answers. Here are a few additional details.
Expand Expanding CloseAndroid Auto is getting video apps, music updates, and more Gemini smarts
Google is delivering some major Android Auto updates over the course of 2026, including support for video apps and new Gemini features.
Expand Expanding CloseAndroid 17 is getting redesigned emoji, and Google is clearly never bringing back the blobs [Gallery]
Google is introducing a new collection of emoji in Android 17 that delivers 3D textures for the entire catalog of emoji in Android and other Google products, but it’s abundantly clear that the beloved blobs are never coming back.
Expand Expanding CloseAndroid Auto is getting a redesign that takes up your whole display, adds widget support, more
Google has announced an incoming redesign for Android Auto that, while not a major leap forward, improves support for car displays, brings in a bit of Material 3 Expressive, and supports widgets.
Expand Expanding ClosePebblebee drops its latest batch of colorful Android Find Hub trackers – ‘Heatwave Hijinks’
Pebblebee is continuing its lineup of colorful Android Find Hub trackers, with the Clip 5 now getting a “Heatwave Hijinks” release that includes new orange and blue colors.
Expand Expanding CloseSpotify ‘Party of the Year(s)’ recaps your entire music streaming history
Spotify’s end-of-year “Wrapped” is a fun way to look back on the past year of tunes, but the app is now rolling out “Party of the Year(s)” as a recap of your entire streaming history.
Expand Expanding CloseWalmart has another Google TV streaming stick, but you won’t care about the changes
New findings reveal that Walmart has yet another Google TV streaming stick launching soon, but this one doesn’t have any changes you as a buyer would actually care about.
Expand Expanding CloseSamsung launching One UI 9 beta, based on Android 17, for Galaxy S26 this week
Samsung will officially launch One UI 9, its Android 17 build, in beta for Galaxy S26 devices later this week.
Expand Expanding CloseLatest Google Home update speeds up Gemini, ‘Ask Home’ now works with voice commands
Yet another Google Home update rolling out this week speeds up Gemini while adding “Ask Home” functionality to voice commands and more.
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Spotify is investigating why Google Cast, Chromecast devices won’t show in Connect
Some Spotify users have noticed that Google Cast (Chromecast) devices are not showing up in Connect when trying to start playback on a nearby speaker, and the issue is under investigation.
Expand Expanding CloseSamsung widely rolling out stable One UI 8.5 update, five months after the beta started
Samsung has gotten much faster at software updates over the past few years, but One UI 8.5 is an odd case, only now rolling out after over five months in beta.
Expand Expanding CloseGemini ‘Omni’ video model shows up with some early demos
A new video generation model is apparently coming to Gemini, with “Omni” producing some pretty impressive inital results.
Expand Expanding CloseSamsung will let you block apps that spam notifications with ads
Samsung has a new feature for Galaxy phones that gives users the ability to easily block apps that are spamming your notifications with ads.
Expand Expanding CloseNothing Ear (open) now available in a soft blue color that would look great on phones [Gallery]
Nothing’s Ear (open) earbuds are now available in a blue colorway, and one that’s unique to Nothing’s lineup, for $99.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle Health kills the Fitbit we knew, but maybe that’s not a bad thing
Alongside its new Fitbit Air, Google this week announced that the Fitbit app is dead, to be replaced by “Google Health.” If you’d told me this would happen a few months ago, I’d be worried, but the end result actually seems like an overall win for everyone involved. Let’s take a closer look.
Expand Expanding CloseReview: I want to love Belkin’s 3-in-1 Pixel Watch charging dock, but Google ruined it [Gallery]
Four generations in, perhaps the most annoying thing about Google’s Pixel Watch lineup is the lack of accessories and, in particular, charging stations. The appeal of a multi-device charging station that tops off your phone, earbuds, and smartwatch is obvious, but one that Pixel Watch owners are sadly left out of. Belkin is now showcasing what is easily the best Pixel Watch-compatible charging station I’ve seen, but Google’s seeming inability to stick with a decision basically ruins it.
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