After testing earlier this year, Google Messages is now rolling out a big redesign and modernization of its photo viewer.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle Messages rolling out big photo viewer redesign
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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.
Google rolling out Gemini 3 Deep Think to AI Ultra
After previewing last month with the launch of Gemini 3 Pro, the new Deep Think mode is now available for Google AI Ultra subscribers.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle Recorder update brings ‘Create music’ to Pixel 9, more
Google is rolling out the latest update to Pixel Recorder and it brings “Create music” to the Pixel 9 series, as well as other interface tweaks.
Expand Expanding CloseThis is how Google Fi’s new Web Calls and RCS system works, rolling out now
Back in October, Google said Fi Wireless would “update web calls and messages.” This works by introducing a new Google Fi Web Calls page, while RCS is now handled by Google Messages for web.
Expand Expanding CloseContinuous Circle to Search translation comes to Pixel after Samsung exclusivity
As part of yesterday’s Android 16 QPR2 launch and new features drop, Google is ending Samsung’s exclusivity on continuous Circle to Search translations.
Expand Expanding CloseGemini gets web redesign with new dark theme, ‘My Stuff’ folder
Following Android and iOS last month, the Gemini web app is getting its redesign, with Google aiming for a “clean, modern look.”
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle launches Workspace Studio to create automated Gemini-powered agents
After teasing at I/O 2024 and announcing this April, Google today is launching Workspace Studio as a new automation tool that lets you “design, manage, and share AI agents” powered by Gemini 3’s multimodal understanding.
Expand Expanding CloseAndroid scam protection pilot pauses screen sharing after opening bank apps
Android is testing new scam protections in the US to combat sophisticated social engineering tactics that “trick users into sharing their phone screen” and bank apps.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle Photos 2025 Recap rolling out with stats, Gemini, more
Following YouTube and YouTube Music, Google Photos is continuing the annual retrospectives with its 2025 Recap.
Expand Expanding ClosePixel December 2025 update fixes 33 issues: Battery limit, UI, more
Besides the new features introduced with Android 16 QPR2, the December 2025 Pixel update includes several bug fixes across Audio, Battery & Charging, Bluetooth, Camera, Display & Graphics, Framework, Sensors, System, Telephony, Touch, User Interface, and Wi-Fi.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle Phone adding ‘Urgent’ calling, Messages app getting ‘Unknown’ group chat alerts
In addition to Android 16 QPR2, Google today is rolling out a pair of updates to the Messages (group chat warnings) and Phone (Urgent call reasons) apps.
Expand Expanding CloseAndroid 16 QPR2 rolling out with December 2025 security update
With the December 2025 security patch, Google is rolling out the stable Android 16 QPR2 update for the Pixel 6, 6 Pro, 6a, 7, 7 Pro, 7a, Tablet, Fold, 8, 8 Pro, 8a, 9, 9 Pro, 9 Pro XL, 9 Pro Fold, Pixel 10, Pixel 10 Pro, Pixel 10 Pro XL, and Pixel 10 Pro Fold.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle Search adding seamless transition from AI Overviews to AI Mode
Google is making AI Mode more ubiquitous with a new design that transitions users from AI Overviews, while Gemini 3 Pro is expanding internationally.
Expand Expanding CloseNew Android document scanner with M3 Expressive redesign seeing wider beta
In September, Google started testing a new document scanner on Android, and this Material 3 Expressive redesign is now seeing wider beta availability.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle teases ‘exciting’ Android XR updates about glasses, headsets next week
Last December, Android XR was officially announced. Google is now following that up with a “future of Android XR” livestream on December 8.
Expand Expanding CloseAndroid’s QR code scanner redesign is rolling back out
Back in July, Google widely introduced a redesign of the Android QR code scanner, but then rolled it back. The updated interface is now starting to reappear.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle Home trick lets you enable the new Gemini voices immediately
The Gemini for Home voice assistant started rolling out at the end of October, with Early Access availability currently quite limited. A trick today does not enable the new LLM-powered assistant, but does give you access to the new Gemini voices.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle Weather app for Android might be replaced by redesign in Search
Over the years, the Google Weather Android “app” has seen infrequent updates, and the company looks to now be getting rid of it entirely for a Google Search experience that has just been redesigned.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle Keep slowly rolling out Tasks integration
Following last month’s announcement, the migration of Google Keep reminders to Google Tasks is slowly rolling out.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle Messages redesigning link and YouTube previews
Google Messages for Android is redesigning how link and YouTube previews look inside conversations.
Expand Expanding CloseCarriers, cellular, & customization: How much will Google’s new laptops copy from Android phones
I think Android laptops are happening in part because Google does not see a future where Chromebooks rival Mac and Windows for market share. All the success Google has in various consumer form factors comes down to Android. To that end, one of my biggest questions about this reboot of Google’s desktop strategy is how much will Android laptops try to copy the success of smartphones.
Expand Expanding CloseWhat’s new in Android’s November 2025 Google System Updates [U]
The monthly “Google System Release Notes” primarily detail what’s new in Play services, Play Store, and Play system update across Android phones/tablets, Wear OS, Google/Android TV, Auto, and PC. Some features apply to end users, while others are aimed at developers.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle Account settings on the web gets M3 Expressive redesign
Following the Android version in June, the Google Account page on the web has been redesigned and simplified with Material 3 Expressive elements.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle changes Gemini 3 Pro free access limits due to ‘high demand’
Since the launch of Gemini 3 Pro and Nano Banana Pro, Google looks to have limited what free users can access in response to high demand.
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