Despite the big Material You redesign happening in 2022, the Google Home app did not adopt Dynamic Color, though that’s finally changing.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle Home app finally rolling out Dynamic Color theming [U]
Author
Send tips/talk to abner@9to5mac.com or @technacity (open DMs).
Abner Li has worked at 9to5Google since 2015 and in late 2020 took on the role of editor-in-chief. He is keenly focused on tracking what happens at Google, and is often the first to spot new features in Google’s ever-growing family of applications that are updated on a daily basis, including Search, Assistant, Maps, Workspace, Android, Chrome/OS, Wear OS, and YouTube Music.
To him, what Google does greatly impacts the technology space and modern life. Inside the company, he is particularly interested in the key products mentioned above, as well as services like Google Podcasts and Google Lens. Each are massive platforms that can be unwieldy to grasp, with Abner keenly bent on understanding their philosophy and future direction. He is most excited about Google’s plans for augmented reality glasses.
Abner spearheads the APK Insight program at 9to5Google to chronicle all changes in the company’s Android apps, often finding new features before they are officially announced. This includes redesigns and revamps, launches, and new products.
A big area of interest is Google’s hardware division, including Pixel, Fitbit, and Nest. He detailed all of the Pixel 3’s camera features before launch and scooped the 2nd-generation Nest Hub’s Soli-powered Sleep Sensing capability, including how it would integrate with Google Fit.
Recently, Abner detailed the Pixel Watch’s specs in full before launch, including bands and pricing. He also got wind of the Pixel Tablet’s ultimate form factor.
Google tests simpler Circle to Search design
Since launch last year, Google has tweaked the design of Circle to Search a bit, and the latest change aims to simplify the UI.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle Photos rolling out ‘Memories’ tab removal on Android
Following iOS, Google Photos for Android is simplifying the bottom bar by removing the “Memories” tab, though the auto-organizing feed — now called “Moments” — remains available.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle Messages more widely rolling out dual SIM RCS support [U]
Google Messages has been working on dual SIM RCS since the start of this year, and support is now more widely rolling out in beta.
Expand Expanding CloseWhat’s new in Android’s January 2025 Google System Updates [U: 1/13]
The monthly “Google System Release Notes” primarily detail what’s new in Play services, Play Store, and Play system update across Android phones/tablets, Wear OS, Google/Android TV, Auto, and PC. Some features apply to end users, while others are aimed at developers.
Expand Expanding CloseGemini app gains 2.0 Experimental Advanced access on Android, iOS
After introducing in mid-December, Gemini Advanced subscribers can now access 2.0 Experimental Advanced in the Gemini app on Android and iOS.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle Messages now lets you set your own photos for contacts, replacing profile sharing
Late last year, Google widely rolled out “profile sharing” wherein you set what name and contact photo other people see in the Messages app. This resulted in people seeing different profile images, but Google Messages is now letting you override that with “Set as chat picture.”
Expand Expanding ClosePixel 9, 9 Pro, and 9 Pro Fold back on sale at Google Store
With the first US Google Store discounts of 2025 focused on the Pixel Watch, Fitbit, and Pixel Buds, the next sale is for the Pixel 9 series.
Expand Expanding CloseYouTube Music adds Top songs carousel to artist pages
In what should be the first rolled out change of 2025, artist pages on YouTube Music now feature a Top songs carousel.
Expand Expanding ClosePixelated 036: AcCESs Gemini
Welcome to episode 36 of Pixelated, a podcast by 9to5Google. This week, we talk about the OnePlus 13, Gemini on Google TV at CES 2025, and more.
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Google Drive desktop app gets faster sync with differential uploads
Google Drive for desktop on Mac and Windows has been updated with faster file sync thanks to differential uploads.
Expand Expanding CloseOn Daily Listen showcasing the promise of Google Discover
I like Google Discover and the feed — for the most part — surfaces interesting articles aligned with my interests. Reading, rather than listening, is how I usually consume information, but Google’s new Daily Listen is remarkably compelling and boosts Discover in a meaningful way.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle TV missing the ability to buy some movies [U: Fix coming]
Last year, Google TV lost the ability to purchase all television shows. In recent weeks, we’ve noticed that Google TV is no longer letting you buy certain movies.
Expand Expanding CloseFirst Chromecast with Google TV update of 2025 rolling out
Last year, Google released eight updates for its streaming dongles. The first Chromecast with Google TV update of 2025 is now rolling out, with Android 14 not yet here.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle starts rolling out Gemini overlay redesign on Android
The first big redesign of the Gemini overlay on Android is beginning to roll out for some users.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle rolling out Android 15 QPR2 Beta 2.1 with Pixel bug fixes
Following the last update in December, Android 15 QPR2 Beta 2.1 is rolling out to Pixel devices. It addresses some of the bugs that testers have encountered.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle details its Chromium contributions, like hundreds of millions in ‘maintenance costs’
Google today announced a “Supporters of Chromium-based Browsers” initiative in partnership with The Linux Foundation, while detailing its contributions to the open-source browser project.
Expand Expanding CloseGemini app rolls out ‘Make calls and send messages without unlocking’ setting [U]
Google’s work on adding more basic features that make Gemini a good phone assistant continues today with the ability to place calls and send messages without unlocking your device.
Expand Expanding CloseSundar Pichai teases new Google AI products, features in ‘next few months’
As 2025 gets underway, CEO Sundar Pichai reiterated to Googlers how the next few months will see new AI products and features.
Expand Expanding ClosePixel Phone app redesigns in-call UI with easier Call Notes access
Google is rolling out a redesign of the Pixel Phone app’s in-call UI that gives more prominence to Call Notes and Audio Emoji.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle releases new Pixel 4a update, some free battery replacements offered [U]
Google has reached out to Pixel 4a owners today about an upcoming software update that will “improve the stability of their battery’s performance.” This is part of a “Pixel 4a Battery Performance Program.”
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle Home presence sensing tests using your media devices
In addition to your phone, Nest smart devices, and Nest display/speakers, Google Home’s presence sensing feature, which aids Home & Away status and Routines, is now testing the ability to use “smart media devices.”
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle’s ‘Daily Listen’ lab is a personalized podcast based on your Discover feed
Google is kicking off a new experiment in Search Labs today called “Daily Listen.” It’s a bit like NotebookLM’s Audio Overviews, while there are also podcast parallels.
Expand Expanding CloseGemini overlay rolling out ‘Ask about this PDF’ on Android
As previewed at I/O 2024 in May, the Gemini overlay on Android is widely rolling out its “Ask about this PDF” integration.
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