Android 16 QPR3 will finally let you adjust the brightness of your Pixel’s flashlight from the Quick Settings Tile.
Expand Expanding CloseAndroid 16 QPR3 lets you adjust flashlight brightness on Pixel
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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.
Here’s everything new in Android 16 QPR3 Beta 1 [Gallery]
Android 16 QPR3 is the next notable quarterly update coming in March 2026, and Beta 1 is rolling out today for Pixel devices.
Expand Expanding CloseAndroid 16 QPR3 lets you remove At a Glance from your Pixel’s homescreen
With Android 16 QPR3 Beta 1, Google is finally letting Pixel owners remove At a Glance from their homescreen.
Expand Expanding CloseAndroid 16 QPR3 Beta 1 rolling out for Google Pixel
The preview cycle continues today with Android 16 QPR3 Beta 1 now available for Google Pixel devices. This follows the stable QPR2 launch at the start of December.
Expand Expanding CloseGemini app adds NotebookLM integration, details Thinking/Pro usage limits
Besides Gemini 3 Flash today, the Gemini app on the web is rolling out a new NotebookLM integration.
Expand Expanding Close‘Google News Audio Briefing’ rolling out with new Listen tab on Android
Following last week’s announcement, the Google News Audio Briefing is beginning to roll out on Android.
Expand Expanding CloseGemini app adds 3 Flash ‘Fast’ and ‘Thinking’ models, with 3 ‘Pro’
With today’s launch, Gemini 3 Flash is widely rolling out to the Gemini app and AI Mode in Search. This is one of Google’s speediest model rollouts.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle releases Find Hub app for Wear OS
As previously spotted in a promo video for the Pixel Watch 3, Google has released a Find Hub app for Wear OS.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle announces Gemini 3 Flash with Pro-level performance, rolling out now
Following last month’s launch of Gemini 3 Pro, Google today announced Gemini 3 Flash for consumers and developers.
Expand Expanding CloseThe Google app is intentionally replacing Pixel Launcher search
In the past few days, tapping the Pixel Launcher search bar opens a different screen powered by the Google app. This is not a bug and an intentional change.
Expand Expanding CloseNotebookLM rolls out chat history, adds AI Ultra tier
After announcing in October, NotebookLM has fully rolled out chat history, while Google AI Ultra subscribers now have expanded usage limits.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle survey asks about the Thermometer app on Pixel 10 Pro
Pixel 10 Pro users today might have received a survey from Google to help improve the thermometer.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle Labs testing ‘CC’ productivity AI agent that connects to Gmail & Drive, waitlist open
Google Labs today announced a “new experimental AI productivity agent” called “CC.” It will generate and send a “Your Day Ahead” briefing to your inbox every morning.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle updates AI Mode homepage with new model switcher, greeting
After adding a ‘plus’ menu to the homepage, Google is updating the AI Mode UI on desktop web with a new greeting and model switcher.
Expand Expanding CloseGemini Deep Research can now generate images, charts, and simulations
After detailing upcoming updates last week, the Gemini app has a new Deep Research capability that will let AI Ultra subscribers “visualize complex information instantly” with images and more.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle rolling out update for original Pixel Buds Pro
Google on Monday evening announced a new firmware update for the original Pixel Buds Pro.
Expand Expanding CloseNew Mous Pixel Watch 4 Charger is the first 3rd-party dock with ‘official’ hardware
Mous has released the first official, third-party dock for the Pixel Watch 4. It comes just over two months after the wearable launched with its new charging system.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle Docs for Android rolls out Material 3 Expressive redesign [U]
Following the editor updates in August, the Google Docs, Sheets, and Slides homepages are now getting a Material 3 Expressive redesign.
Expand Expanding CloseApple TV app update brings Google Cast support on Android
An update to the Apple TV app on Android phones and tablets today finally introduces Google Cast support, thus closing a big functionality gap since the launch earlier this year.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle letting you customize Discover using prompts with ‘Tailor your feed’ Lab
Google is testing a new “Tailor your feed” Labs experiment that lets you tell Discover exactly “what you want to see.”
Expand Expanding Close[Fixed] Google Weather for Wear OS breaks on Pixel Watch, Galaxy Watch
Back in September, Google stopped offering its Weather app for new Wear OS 6 devices. Google Weather has now stopped working on the original Pixel Watch and other devices due to a bug.
Expand Expanding CloseThe Google Search homepage adds a ‘plus’ menu
Historically, google.com does not change very often. After adding an AI Mode shortcut earlier this year, there’s now a ‘plus’ menu on the Google Search homepage.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle Phone beta rolling out ‘urgent’ Expressive Calling that can break through DND
Following the announcement at the start of this month, Phone by Google’s new “Expressive Calling” feature is beginning to roll out for beta users.
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Pixel Launcher device search replaced by Google app [U: Not a bug]
A curious bug today sees Google app device search replace the modern Pixel Launcher experience.
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