Internally, Android releases are still codenamed after desserts, and the Android 15 statue reflects that “Vanilla Ice Cream” nature.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle’s Android 15 statue is pretty ‘vanilla’
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.
Pixel 9a rumored to use Tensor G4 but older modem
The Pixel 9a, which I think looks nice if those leaked images pan out, is unsurprisingly using Tensor G4, according to a new rumor today, but will be paired with an older modem.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle Contacts removes recently added section, preps ‘Pixel Besties’ widget
Google Contacts for Android added a Highlights tab in late 2022, but a small tweak in recent days removes the recently added section.
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Pixel 9 Pro XL is sometimes ignoring corner taps
Some owners have noticed that the Pixel 9 Pro XL will sometimes not register corner screen taps, like when trying to close Gboard.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle sticking to three years of Wear OS updates on Pixel Watch 3
While phones are at 7 seven years, the Pixel Watch 3 is still set to get three years of updates after launch.
Expand Expanding CloseHow Pixel Recorder is using Gemini Nano with Multimodality, which is ~2x larger than 1.0
Like the Screenshots app, Recorder is using Gemini Nano with Multimodality on the Pixel 9 series. Google shared more details about the integration earlier this week.
Expand Expanding CloseThis Pixel Watch 3 shipped very early and gets unboxed [Gallery]
Like a Pixel 9 Pro Fold earlier this week, somebody has received their 45 mm Pixel Watch 3 pretty early and has promptly unboxed it.
Expand Expanding ClosePixelated 023: *distracted boyfriend stares at 9a while Pixel 9 Pro looks shocked*
Welcome to episode 23 of Pixelated, a podcast by 9to5Google. This week, we talk more about the Pixel 9 Pro and 9 Pro XL, as well as the Pixel 9a leak.
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Free Gemini gets faster 1.5 Flash responses, Google Tasks Extension rolling out
Last month, the Gemini free tier was upgraded with 1.5 Flash and Google now says those responses are “up to 50% faster.”
Expand Expanding CloseLive Nest Cam streaming won’t be exclusive to Pixel Watch 3
With the Pixel Watch 3, you can go beyond Nest Cam notifications and stream the live feed on your wrist. This capability is coming “soon” to other Wear OS devices.
Expand Expanding CloseYou cannot charge the Pixel 9 Pro Fold with Pixel Stand 2 — here’s why
Ahead of the Pixel 9 Pro Fold launch next week, buyers should be aware that the Pixel Stand 2 cannot be used to charge the 2024 Google foldable.
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Updated Pixel Watch 3 Weather Tile comes to all Wear OS devices
As part of optimizing Wear OS apps for the bigger Pixel Watch 3, Google boosted the information density of its Weather Tile, and the update is now available for all wearables.
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Google Store adds new Pixel Watch 3 accessories: cases, stand, more
Ahead of the Pixel Watch 3 launching next month, the Google Store is adding new third-party accessories.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle rolling out Android 15 QPR1 Beta 1.1 for Pixel 9
Following last week’s initial release, Android 15 QPR1 Beta 1.1 is rolling out to Pixel devices. Notably, the Pixel 9 and 9 Pro XL are now supported.
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Circle to Search now lets you quickly crop and share
At Made by Google 2024, Google announced a small Circle to Search addition that lets you share what you’ve highlighted, and it’s now rolling out.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle posts Pixel 9, 9 Pro, 9 Pro XL, and 9 Pro Fold repair manuals
Back in December, Google started offering Pixel repair guides in English (after originally limiting to just French). Repair manuals for the Pixel 9 series are now available.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle releases Pixel 9 Pro Fold ‘comet’ factory images
A full week before the launch, Google has published the Android 14 factory images for the Pixel 9 Pro Fold.
Expand Expanding CloseYouTube adds QR codes to share channels
Following handles for easier IDs and mentions, YouTube now offers QR codes as another way to share channels.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle Clock rolling out new Timer Starter widget
The last big update to Google Clock introduced weather integration on Pixel devices and the app is now adding a new “Timer Starter” widget.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle rolling out Gems and Imagen 3, with people generation, to Gemini Advanced
Following the preview at I/O 2024 in May, Gemini is rolling out Gems, as well as Imagen 3, to Advanced subscribers.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle Keep and Tasks Gemini Extensions coming soon to more devices
In addition to Live and the floating overlay panel, the Pixel 9 series debuted the Google Keep and Tasks Gemini Extensions.
Expand Expanding ClosePixel 9 Pro XL battery is hard to remove amid difficult disassembly [Video]
The consensus between two teardowns of the Pixel 9 Pro XL is that the battery is harder to remove this year.
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Google Search redesigns web stopwatch and timer
Google Search is home to a number of built-in tools, with the stopwatch and timer recently getting a redesign.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle Maps rolling out redesigned pin shape and colors
After rolling out the simplified bottom bar on mobile, a Google Maps redesign of pins introduces new colors and shapes.
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