In another sign that we’re in the Gemini era, Google has added the AI sparkle to the boot screen of the Pixel 9, 9 Pro, 9 Pro XL, and 9 Pro Fold.
Expand Expanding ClosePixel 9 adds a touch of Gemini to the new boot screen [Video]
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 Magnifier updated with text search, Live Transcribe adds dual-screen mode, more
With the launch of the Pixel 9 series, Google has a handful of accessibility updates and features, including an update to the Magnifier app.
Expand Expanding CloseRecorder app and Google TV Remote coming to Pixel Watch 3
Besides updating existing apps to show more content on the bigger screen, Google is bringing Recorder to the Pixel Watch 3. Google Home for Wear OS is also picking up some new features, like a Google TV Remote Tile.
Expand Expanding CloseWhen the Pixel 9, Pixel Watch 3, and Pixel Buds Pro 2 will ship
Besides launching the Pixel 9 with Android 14, another impact of Google’s decision to host its annual hardware event about two months early are the staggered ship dates.
Expand Expanding CloseHands-on: How the Pixel Screenshots app works [Gallery]
Pixel Screenshots is one of the headlining features of Google’s new Pixel 9 series. The app leverages on-device Gemini Nano with Multimodality to summarize your screenshots and make them searchable.
Expand Expanding ClosePixel 9 adds Call Notes recording & transcription, free Satellite SOS for two years
The Pixel 9 series will get a “Satellite SOS” feature that lets you reach emergency services when you’re out of cellular connectivity, while Call Notes adds recording and transcription to the Phone by Google app.
Expand Expanding CloseThe Pixel Watch 3 is using its battery for more features, like Loss of Pulse Detection
Earlier this year, the first Wear OS devices that touted up to 100 hours of battery launched. This was made possible by the Wear OS hybrid interface built on top of dual-chipsets. Google’s wearables have long used a hybrid architecture and the Pixel Watch 3 uses that for richer experiences and more features, like Loss of Pulse Detection, over battery life.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle’s new Pixel Weather app has a precipitation map, ‘AI Weather Report’
The Google Weather redesign introduced last year with the Pixel Tablet and Fold is already quite nice. Google’s first-party devices, starting with the Pixel 9 series, are now getting a native Pixel Weather app.
Expand Expanding ClosePixel 9 series launches with Android 14
In a first, Google’s new phones are not launching with the latest version of Android. Instead of launching with Android 15, the Pixel 9 series runs Android 14 out of the box.
Expand Expanding CloseGemini is the default Pixel 9 assistant as Gemini Live starts rolling out on Android
The big AI feature for the Pixel 9 is a conversational experience called Gemini Live that allows for “free-flowing conversations” and requires an Advanced subscription. Google pitches it as being able to talk to an expert on any subject matter.
Expand Expanding ClosePixel Watch 3 hands-on: Go big for the best Wear OS
As someone with smaller wrists, I’m glad that the Pixel Watch started out at 41 mm. Going into the Pixel Watch 3, I fully expected to be happy with the smaller model’s tiny screen increase due to shrunken bezels, but the 45 mm version is giving me the best kind of doubts.
Expand Expanding ClosePixel Buds Pro 2 feature Gemini Live, Tensor A1 chip, and 2x ANC for $229
Alongside the Pixel 9 series and Watch 3, Google today announced the Pixel Buds Pro 2. They come two years after the original with a new design that should address some existing complaints.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle announces Pixel Watch 3 in 41 and 45 mm
Besides being offered in a bigger size, the Google Pixel Watch 3 looks exactly like last year’s wearable, with software and under-the-hood changes being the name of the game in 2024.
Expand Expanding CloseMade by Google 2024 Live Blog + News Hub: Pixel 9, Pixel Watch 3, and more
Compared to past years, Google is hosting its annual hardware event around two months early. At Made by Google 2024, we’ll see the Pixel 9 series, Pixel Watch 3, and Pixel Buds Pro 2.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle Messages now lets you hide the Gemini button
After rolling out at the end of last month, Google Messages on Android now lets you turn off the Gemini button.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle Wallet widely rolling out ‘Everything else’ pass creator in the US
As announced at I/O 2024 in May, Google Wallet for Android now has an expanded “Everything else” option for creating digital passes.
Expand Expanding CloseFiles by Google adds Circle to Search for images, preps AI summaries
After redesigning Recents on the homescreen, Files by Google now has a shortcut for Circle to Search when viewing images.
Expand Expanding CloseYouTube Music tweaks Home feed design on Android, iOS
In recent weeks, YouTube Music has made subtle changes to the design of the Home feed on Android and iOS.
Expand Expanding CloseAndroid and Made by Google will jointly livestream the Pixel 9 keynote
Ahead of the Pixel 9 keynote on Tuesday, Google has posted the livestreams for Made by Google 2024, with the Android channel on YouTube also broadcasting it.
Expand Expanding CloseSusan Wojcicki, former YouTube CEO, has died
On Friday evening, Alphabet and Google Sundar Pichai shared that Susan Wojcicki has died. She was 56.
Expand Expanding ClosePixelated 020: Chromecast flies the Nest
Welcome to the twentieth episode of Pixelated, a podcast by 9to5Google. This week, we talk about the Google TV Streamer, 4th-gen Nest Learning Thermostat, and the final Pixel 9 rumors.
Subscribe
Expand Expanding Close
Google Authenticator finally gets Material You redesign, search, more
Following the last update over a year ago, Google Authenticator 7.0 on Android is rolling out with a Material You redesign and other new features.
Expand Expanding Close
[Fixed] Gmail and Google Drive having issues with attachments, uploads
Gmail users this afternoon are having issues adding attachments, while Google Drive uploads are also failing.
Expand Expanding CloseGboard generically rebrands Google ‘Assistant voice typing’ on Pixel
Assistant voice typing in Gboard was introduced with the Pixel 6 in 2021 as one of Google’s best features. With Google Assistant going out the door on phones, Gboard has been updated accordingly.
Expand Expanding Close