After the last round that started with the Pixel 10 launch ended in February, the Pixel Referral Program is back.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle brings back Pixel Referral Program: 10% off phones, $50 Store credit
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 Search to classify ‘back button hijacking’ as spam
Websites that engage in “back button hijacking” might soon appear less prominently in Google Search results as part of a new spam policy.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle preps Gemini-powered ‘proactive feed’ called ‘Your Day’
The dream of Google Now and Assistant Snapshot (pictured above) might be returning as Google works on Gemini “Your Day.”
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle Messages for Android rolls out Trash folder
Following the announcement last month, Google Messages has widely rolled out its new Trash folder to save you from accidental deletions.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle AI Mode getting ‘plus’ redesign as agentic booking expands globally
Like the Gemini app, Google AI Mode is also seeing a redesign of its prompt box, while the tool can now book restaurants for users internationally.
Expand Expanding CloseFitbit Public Preview coming to more countries, adds VO2 Max, & US health records
After adding water and food logging, as well as making available to free users, the Fitbit Public Preview is now coming to more countries.
Expand Expanding ClosePixel Now Playing brings back ‘Tap to see what’s playing’ lockscreen search
Google is bringing back Pixel Now Playing’s ability to manually start a song search from the lockscreen.
Expand Expanding ClosePixel At a Glance preps showing nearby Google Wallet passes, ‘Restaurant insights’
Google is working on two location-based features for the Pixel At a Glance widget with “Passes nearby” and “Restaurant insights.”
Expand Expanding ClosePixel Phone app starts rolling out custom Take a Message greetings
The Pixel’s Take a Message feature that answers calls on your behalf and lets you view live transcripts is now adding custom greetings.
Expand Expanding CloseYouTube Shorts will use AI to make avatars that look and sound like you
YouTube is now letting users create an AI avatar that looks and sounds like them for use in Shorts. This feature was teased earlier this year.
Expand Expanding CloseGemini app rolling out ‘notebooks’ to organize chats & files, integrates with NotebookLM
The Gemini app is getting deeper NotebookLM integration after the initial source support introduced last year. Google is introducing the concept of “notebooks.”
Expand Expanding CloseGemini overlay and Gemini Live start rolling out big Android redesign [Gallery]
After redesigns in February and March, Google is rolling out another big revamp for the Gemini overlay and Gemini Live. These visual updates are arriving in surprisingly quick succession.
Expand Expanding CloseFitbit 4.66 for Android rolls out water, food, & mood logging, more [U]
Fitbit is rolling out version 4.66 of the Android app with all the new Public Preview features announced earlier this week.
Expand Expanding CloseAndroid 16 April update rolling out: Pixel UI, app crash fixes
Google is rolling out the April 2026 security patch for Android 16 QPR3 on the Pixel 6, 6 Pro, 6a, 7, 7 Pro, 7a, Tablet, Fold, 8, 8 Pro, 8a, 9, 9 Pro, 9 Pro XL, 9 Pro Fold, 9a, Pixel 10, Pixel 10 Pro, Pixel 10 Pro XL, Pixel 10 Pro Fold, and Pixel 10a.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle Chrome rolling out vertical tabs and fullscreen reading mode
Google is introducing two big updates for desktop Chrome with vertical tabs and immersive reading mode.
Expand Expanding CloseAndroid XR brings app pinning, resume, & auto-spatialization to Galaxy XR
Google is rolling out a new Android XR update that brings quality-of-life improvements to the Galaxy XR and new apps.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle updates Gemini to improve mental health responses
In a reflection of one increasingly common AI use case, Google today announced a series of Gemini updates to help when users ask about mental health. The company believes that “responsible AI can play a positive role for people’s mental well-being.”
Expand Expanding Close‘Google AI Edge Eloquent’ is an offline, subscription-less voice dictation app
Google today released a new app on iOS called “Google AI Edge Eloquent” that’s rather curious. It’s somewhere between an experiment and a user-facing tool.
Expand Expanding CloseSamsung Messages will be discontinued in July as part of Google Messages upgrade
Samsung has shared an “End of Service Announcement” for its Messages app in the US. Set for July 2026, Google Messages is the intended replacement, with Samsung offering a guided transition. This has been a long time coming.
Expand Expanding Close
Google rolling out Pixel Buds A-Series update
Google on Friday evening announced a new firmware update for the original Pixel Buds A-Series.
Expand Expanding Close
Google releases first Pixel Now Playing app update
After launching in early March, Google has released the first update to its new Now Playing app for Pixel phones.
Expand Expanding CloseChrome for Android gets Material 3 Expressive Settings
Google is giving Chrome for Android more Material 3 Expressive with a redesign of the Settings page.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle Meet now on Apple CarPlay, Android Auto coming ‘soon’
Google Meet is now available on Apple CarPlay for iPhone users to “join meetings safely while on the road.”
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle previews Gemini Nano 4 for Android AICore, coming this year
In addition to Gemma 4, Google today also detailed Gemini Nano 4 for Android.
Expand Expanding Close