Android 15 Beta 4 is available today as the last scheduled update for Pixel devices, though there might still be .x patches in the coming weeks.
Expand Expanding CloseHere’s everything new in Android 15 Beta 4 [Gallery]
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 teases the Pixel 9 Pro Fold [Video]
In addition to the Pixel 9 Pro tease today, Google today is “Introducing the Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold” this afternoon.
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[Fixed] Google Assistant home commands failing in Pixel Tablet Hub Mode
Over the past few days, Pixel Tablet owners have noticed an issue where smart home-related Google Assistant commands do not work in Hub Mode.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle’s goo․gl links will stop working in August 2025
After Google stopped generating new goo.gl URLs in March of 2019, those links will stop working on August 25, 2025.
Expand Expanding CloseAndroid 15 Beta 4 rolling out for Pixel as ‘last scheduled update’
Following Platform Stability last month, Android 15 Beta 4 is rolling out today for Pixel devices. This is officially a near-final build and the “last scheduled update” of this preview cycle. Google says “these OTAs will begin this evening PDT.”
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle teases Pixel 9 Pro as a ‘phone built for the Gemini era’ [Video]
Google today provided a very good look at the Pixel 9 Pro and is continuing to tease this upcoming device as “magical” thanks to Gemini.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle partners with Team USA & NBC to promote Gemini, AI Overviews at 2024 Olympics
With the Paris 2024 Olympics kicking off next week, Google today announced a partnership with Team USA and NBCUniversal to “spotlight helpful Google features” across broadcast, online, and social platforms.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle Play Store adding Cash App as new payment method
Cash App announced today that it will soon be a “preferred alternative payment option when checking out” in the Google Play Store on Android.
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Google’s Emoji Kitchen now has 100,000 drawings, coming to YouTube Shorts
In honor of World Emoji Day, Google shared some updates about Emoji Kitchen, like a YouTube Shorts integration, and when we can expect the newest characters on Android.
Expand Expanding ClosePixel Watch Find My Device network support is coming
The Find My Device network’s offline capabilities work with Android phones and tablets, as well as trackers, today, with Wear OS — and Pixel Watch — support in the works.
Expand Expanding ClosePixel Watch 3 price leak reveals difference between 41 and 45 mm models
The focus in the lead up to Made by Google 2024 has been on the Pixel 9, but we now have leaked European prices for the Pixel Watch 3.
Expand Expanding CloseGemini now answers ‘general questions’ when your Android phone is locked
After initially being limited to Google Assistant-level commands, activating Gemini on the Android lockscreen now lets you ask “general questions.”
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle bringing Android Studio app development to the web with Project IDX
Project IDX is Google’s web-based development environment, and the technology is now being used to bring Android Studio to the web.
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Google Docs adding Markdown import and export
After expanding Markdown syntax support in 2022, Google Docs is adding some “highly-requested features” to improve interoperability “with other Markdown supporting tools.”
Expand Expanding CloseNew Google 45W USB-C charger leaks, launching with Pixel 9
Google is readying a new 45W USB-C charger that will presumably launch with the Pixel 9 series next month.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle Search ending ‘Notes’ experiment
Back in November, Google Search Labs launched a Notes experiment and it’s now coming to an end with the feature ultimately not launching.
Expand Expanding ClosePixel 9, 9 Pro, 9 Pro XL, and 9 Pro Fold teardowns, more leaked by regulator [Gallery]
The latest Pixel 9 series leak comes from a regulatory agency, with everything from close-up shots to even basic teardowns.
Expand Expanding ClosePixel 9 Pro rumored to use last year’s main camera, but new telephoto, UW, & selfie sensor
Photography is the original claim to fame for Google’s phones, and a Pixel 9 Pro camera leak today details what to expect this year.
Expand Expanding ClosePrime Day beats Google Store ‘Summer savings’: $1,199 Pixel Fold, $699 8 Pro, & $299 Tablet
The US Google Store is kicking off “Summer savings” that coincide with Amazon’s Prime Day. Discounts on Pixel phones, Tablet, Watch, Buds, and accessories end on July 24, 2024 at 11:59 p.m. PT. There are also Nest smart home offers that end on July 21.
Expand Expanding CloseNew ‘Data Commons’ Gemini Extension lets you ‘visualize data about complex topics’
Gemini today offers six first-party extensions and it’s now getting a seventh from Data Commons, which is a Google initiative that aims to organize “the world’s publicly available data and makes it more accessible and useful.”
Expand Expanding CloseYouTube Music finally adds ‘Mark as played’ for podcasts
In addition to announcing sound search and AI-generated conversation radio today, YouTube Music is rolling out “Mark as played” for podcasts.
Expand Expanding CloseHere are the new Google Weather widgets [Gallery]
The Google app is working on new Weather homescreen widgets. They look to overhaul/replace the existing set of widgets that are currently exclusive to Pixel, and will hopefully be available for all Android devices.
Expand Expanding CloseNew Material 3 components include Floating App Bar, FAB menu, more [Gallery]
Google is working on the latest set of Material 3 components, including a Floating App Bar and FAB menu. Keep in mind that Google has yet to announce these components, so they’re still a work-in-progress and might change.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle Fi rolls out new ‘line separation in case of domestic abuse’ process
After rolling out Number Lock last week to follow the latest FCC rules around SIM swapping, Google Fi is now complying with the regulatory agency’s Safe Connections Act (PDF).
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