As the Gemini app picks up more features, Google is improving organization of the Tools menu on the web with Experimental Labs.
Expand Expanding CloseGemini app Tools menu adds ‘Labs’ section, Personal Intelligence toggle
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.
Android 16 QPR3: Pixel adds Adaptive Connectivity auto-switch, battery settings
With Android 16 QPR3, Google is introducing more granular Adaptive Connectivity settings on Pixel phones.
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Google reduces Nest Cam ‘Video not available’ error with Home app 4.8
Version 4.8 of the Google Home app widely rolled out today with a “foundational fix” for the “Video not available” error with Nest Cams.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle Phone app rolls out ‘Keep portrait mode’ call setting on Android
After testing in December, Phone by Google has now rolled out a “Keep portrait mode on calls” setting to prevent automatic landscape rotation.
Expand Expanding ClosePixel 10 and Pixel Watch 4 discounts return to the Google Store
After the inaugural 2026 deals, the US Google Store has brought back the same discounts on the Pixel 10 series and Pixel Watch 4.
Expand Expanding CloseYouTube TV for Android updated with new icon style
Following the Live guide redesign earlier this month, YouTube TV for Android now uses the new YouTube icon style.
Expand Expanding CloseShould you downgrade to Google AI Plus?
Google AI Plus came to the US this week as the more affordable alternative to AI Pro, which previously served as the entry point to premium Gemini features. Whether it’s worth downgrading comes down to how you use Google AI.
Expand Expanding CloseWorthwhile Gemini integrations in Google apps are finally here
There was a genericness to the first wave of AI features in Google products. Absolutely everyone was doing straightforward text and image generation, and that contributed to the tacked-on nature. Fortunately, we’ve moved past that and Gemini integrations are starting to feel highly unique and play to Google’s strengths.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle adds Video Overviews to NotebookLM app on Android, iOS
NotebookLM is adding Video Overviews support and the ability to customize Infographics to the Android and iOS apps.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle rolling out ‘Project Genie’ to generate playable worlds
Genie 3 is a “general-purpose world model capable of generating diverse, interactive environments.” Google is now letting AI Ultra subscribers in the US access it with Project Genie.
Expand Expanding CloseGemini app can now access your shared, secondary Google Calendars
Gemini today is rolling out a “major upgrade” to the Google Calendar “tool” that allows you to manage shared and secondary calendars.
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Gemini expands to Google Maps walking, cycling navigation
After debuting for driving directions in November, Gemini in Google Maps navigation is now officially available when walking and cycling.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle Fiber upgrading 1 Gig service to new 3 Gig default
Google Fiber (which is increasingly going by “GFiber” these days) is upgrading its service to start at 3 Gig as part of its multi-gig future, beginning in Des Moines.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle confirms ‘Take a Message’ microphone bug, disabling on old Pixel phones
For a small number of users, the Pixel Phone app’s “Take a Message” feature inadvertently sent audio to the caller. Google has now confirmed the issue and is disabling it on the Pixel 4 and 5 series.
Expand Expanding CloseGemini in Chrome gets side panel UI, inline Gmail compose, & more
Alongside auto browse, Google today announced a number of additional updates to Gemini in Chrome, including the new side panel.
Expand Expanding CloseChrome rolling out Gemini 3-powered ‘auto browse’ with Google AI Pro
Google today announced “Chrome auto browse” as a “powerful agentic experience that handles multi-step chores on your behalf.”
Expand Expanding CloseGemini details AI Plus limits, rolls out NotebookLM integration on iOS
Google brought AI Plus to the US yesterday, and here’s how it upgrades usage limits in the Gemini app.
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Google Messages uses Android’s new embedded photo picker
A post on the Android Developers Blog today highlights the “new” embedded photo picker and its use in Google Messages.
Expand Expanding CloseAndroid’s full desktop interface leaks: New status bar, Chrome Extensions, more [Video]
A Google bug report on the Chromium Issue Tracker today has inadvertently leaked the Android desktop interface for the first time.
Expand Expanding CloseGemini 3 Flash’s new ‘Agentic Vision’ improves image responses
Agentic Vision is a new capability for the Gemini 3 Flash model to make image-related tasks more accurate by “grounding answers in visual evidence.”
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle AI Plus comes to US for $7.99, Google One 2 TB upgraded
After introducing the plan internationally in September, Google is bringing its AI Plus subscription to 35 new countries, including the US.
Expand Expanding CloseAndroid adds ‘Failed Authentication Lock’ setting, boosts failed passcode lockout
Google today detailed the latest device theft protection features for Android across stronger authentication and enhanced recovery tools.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle AI Overviews get Gemini 3 upgrade, seamless AI Mode transfer
Google is rolling out two notable updates to AI Overviews in Search, starting with Gemini 3.
Expand Expanding CloseIntroducing 9to5Google Forums
We have a great community of commenters at 9to5Google. The team appreciates everyone who takes the time to read and further the discussion. To build upon that, we’re introducing 9to5Google Forums.
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