With spring swiftly approaching, it’s almost time to get our hands on the Pixel 8a. Ahead of its expected launch, the Google Pixel 8a has been submitted for approval from the FCC.
Expand Expanding CloseAuthor
Kyle Bradshaw joined 9to5Google in 2018 with a special interest in Google’s Fuchsia OS, rooted in his experience of being the first to offer a visual preview of the revolutionary design of the in-development operating system. Since then, his attention has broadened to include the secrets hidden within other areas of Google’s public codebases.
By reading the public Fuchsia code, Kyle was able to prove the existence of the Nest Mini and the Nest Hub Max months ahead of their respective announcements. With evidence from Chromium, he reported on Google’s since-canceled efforts to create an offshoot of Android designed for “touchless” feature phones.
In 2018, Kyle reported on three distinct Made by Google Chromebooks in development, the Pixel Slate, the Pixelbook Go — a full year before its release — and “Meowth,” the original version of the Pixel Slate that was canceled due to Intel’s delays that year. For ChromeOS itself, Kyle was the first to demonstrate the upcoming light theme redesign in action.
Looking at the early evidence of the Pixel 5’s specs, Kyle accurately predicted in February 2020 that the Pixel 5 might not be a traditional “flagship” phone. In 2021, he reported that Google’s next headset would be the “Pixel Buds A.”
Kyle was the first to report that the Pixel 6 would mark the debut of Google’s in-house processors, later revealed to be the Tensor chips.
Kyle contributes to the APK Insight column at 9to5Google, discovering the hidden changes in Google’s apps. These efforts have revealed hotly anticipated features, details about upcoming devices, and unexpected connections between companies.
He can be reached for tips or just friendly chat by Threads, Mastodon, Bluesky, or email. If you’re looking for his other works or side projects, head over to Kyle’s personal portfolio.
You can soon play GOG games on Amazon Luna
PC gaming storefront GOG has announced a partnership with Amazon Luna, allowing supported games in your library to be played in the cloud.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle just trademarked a signature Pixel design trait
While quite a few things have changed about Pixel phones over the years, one key part of the design has remained the same, and now Google has filed a US trademark for it.
Expand Expanding ClosePeloton app may soon let you form teams with friends and family
The latest update to the Peloton app includes preparations to let members form teams with their friends and family members.
Expand Expanding CloseRare, unreleased Android Mini figures will be sold by Dead Zebra soon
Dead Zebra, the long-time creator of the beloved Android Mini figures, is preparing a massive warehouse fundraising sale that will include quite a few rare and previously unreleased collectibles.
Expand Expanding CloseAndroid Beta Feedback update breaks Google sign-in [U: Fixed]
Amidst the ongoing testing of Android 14 QPR3 and Android 15, Google’s dedicated feedback app has received an update that broke the ability to sign in.
Update: A newer update has been released, fixing this issue.
Expand Expanding CloseExclusive: Peloton preps graphic adventure games for Tread and Bike [Gallery]
Following the success of Lanebreak, Peloton is preparing to launch a few more games for its Tread and Bike devices and these are unlike anything you could imagine for exercise equipment.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle to upgrade Watch Unlock with UWB ahead of Pixel Watch 3
Google is working to upgrade Watch Unlock to use ultra-wideband (UWB) connectivity, potentially hinting at Pixel Watch 3 functionality.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle is preparing an ‘App Mall’ for Chromebooks
Google is readying a new online ‘App Mall’ to help you discover your next favorite app or game for your Chromebook.
Expand Expanding CloseFuchsia version 16 rolling out to Nest Hub devices, here’s what’s new
Google has begun rolling out version 16 of its Fuchsia operating system to Nest Hub devices, bringing improvements to Bluetooth, Matter, and Thread.
Expand Expanding CloseYet another Chromecast with Google TV has appeared
According to a recent Google Home app update, another new Chromecast with Google TV device appears to be in the works.
Expand Expanding CloseNo, Gmail is not ‘sunsetting’
A fake email being spread on Twitter/X claims that Google is “sunsetting” Gmail in 2024, but this is a blatant hoax.
Expand Expanding CloseUbisoft’s Skull and Bones directly supports the Google Stadia Controller
While Google Stadia may have shut down, its memory lives on through the official controller and the platform’s avid community. Ubisoft has even seen fit to visually support the Google Stadia Controller in its hotly anticipated high-seas adventure Skull and Bones.
Expand Expanding CloseAndroid 15 DP1: ‘Notification cooldown’ makes noisy group chats less annoying
One of the more practical new features introduced with this week’s Android 15 preview, Notification Cooldown, helps prevent your phone from incessantly alerting at full volume when a group text gets into a lively conversation.
Expand Expanding CloseUpcoming Samsung Chromebook to feature Assistant key
Following Google’s significant drive to introduce AI features to ChromeOS via Chromebook Plus, it seems that Samsung is looking to release a new Chromebook that features an Assistant key.
Expand Expanding CloseThe first Android 15 preview is coming this week
According to a public-facing comment, Google is set to launch its first preview of Android 15 later this week.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle’s sign-in page teases a ‘new look’ coming soon
Google has begun teasing that its sign-in page is about to receive a redesign.
Expand Expanding CloseDespite fake render, Nothing Phone (2a) will keep Glyph lights [Updated]
After being officially announced last month, a newly leaked “official” render of the Nothing Phone (2a) shows a completely different design that entirely removes the signature Glyph lighting. Meanwhile, a hands-on image seems to confirm the originally leaked design.
Update: The leaked render of the Nothing Phone (2a) has been found to be outright false.
Expand Expanding CloseNew codenames suggest Pixel Tablet 2 may be in the works
Two new codenames have surfaced in the latest Android beta release, both of which suggest that a next-generation Pixel Tablet 2 is in development.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle Pixel Fold 2 leaks with wild new rear camera, new hinge, taller display
Following leaked renders of the Pixel 9 series, it seems the Pixel Fold 2 is joining the “prominent camera bump” crew, based on newly leaked images of an early prototype of Google’s next foldable.
Expand Expanding CloseCheck out the new Wear OS app grid on Pixel Watch – or try it yourself [Gallery]
Last week, we reported that Wear OS (at least on the Pixel Watch) was preparing a new grid-style app drawer to replace the scrolling list. Now, instructions have surfaced to show off the feature early and even enable it on your own watch.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle is preparing to fully rename Bard to Gemini
In a somewhat surprising move, it seems that Google is ditching the “Bard” branding altogether across the web app and the upcoming phone experience, switching entirely to “Gemini.”
Expand Expanding CloseWear OS preps Material You arrival, hints at grid app launcher
Ahead of this year’s expected arrival of Wear OS 5, Google is finally preparing to launch Material You color theming alongside a hint at a redesign for the app launcher.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle shuts down ‘Earth View’ wallpaper collection
Without any warning or prior notice, Google appears to have shut down the website for its “Earth View” collection of satellite-captured wallpapers and Chromecast backgrounds.
Expand Expanding Close