Google is testing a big firmware update for the Google Home, Home Mini, Nest Mini, and Nest Audio.
Expand Expanding CloseOld Google Home and Nest speakers getting big firmware update
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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.
YouTube Music rolling out AI labels in the Now Playing screen
In response to more AI-generated content appearing on streaming services, YouTube Music is adding a new AI label directly to the player.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle Messages adding ‘enhanced protection mode’ as Android works to combat phone scam
For Cybersecurity Awareness Month, Google is announcing new Android features to help combat messaging and phone scams, including enhanced protection mode in Google Messages.
Expand Expanding CloseChrome 155 for Googlebook brings expanded web app installs, integration
With Chrome 155, Googlebooks now better support web apps by allowing for expanded installation and system integration.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle Play adding ‘personal library’ to access your vibe-coded Android apps
Google today announced a slew of Play Store updates across vibe-coding, game discovery, social features, and more.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle Antigravity is now built into Gemini app for macOS
As part of today’s Gemini 4 Argon rollout, Google is making a big update to the Gemini app for macOS by integrating Antigravity.
Expand Expanding CloseGemini app rolling out Gemini 4 Argon to AI Pro and AI Ultra
Following the announcement at the end of September, Gemini 4 Argon is starting to roll out to the Gemini app, Google Antigravity, and more.
Expand Expanding CloseGemini ‘Task’ redesign integrates Spark into the main chat app
In addition to revamping settings and the navigation drawer, Google is combining its Spark personal agent with the main Gemini chat experience.
Expand Expanding CloseChromecast with Google TV gets first update of 2026
Following the last release 11 months ago, Google is rolling out the first update of 2026 to the Chromecast with Google TV (4K).
Expand Expanding CloseGooglebook OS review: A post-smartphone PC, if Google can keep it
All attempts to bring the lessons and benefits of the touch era to PCs have failed, from Windows 8 to the era after the iPad when the Mac gained fullscreen apps. From an experience perspective, the iPad came closest because it was built on iOS, but it still failed due to the locked-down limitations at its core.
After using Googlebook OS for over a week, I think Google has the beginnings of a desktop OS for the Android smartphone generation, but the inherent strategy reset makes for a rough first take.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle announces $179 Fitbit Edge tracker with display, GPS
Google is following the Fitbit Air launched in May with a second tracker that features a screen called the Fitbit Edge.
Expand Expanding CloseWhere Google Wallet state IDs are available on Android
States across the US are slowly rolling out support for adding your driver’s license or ID to the Google Wallet app on Android.
Expand Expanding CloseFree Gemini users now on ‘Auto’ models as app adds thinking levels
As announced last week, Google is rolling out a big change to the Gemini app experience for users on the free plan. Additionally, everyone is getting access to thinking or “effort” levels.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle Health 5.10 rolling out for Android, iOS
Google Health 5.10 is rolling out as a smaller update this week with a trio of new features across the app.
Expand Expanding CloseNext-gen Google TV Streamer in the works with microphones, presence sensing, & new remote
9to5Google can report that development on a next-generation Google TV Streamer is underway.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle rolling out Android 17 QPR2 Beta 7 for Pixel
Android 17 QPR2 Beta 7 is now available for Pixel devices even as testing on QPR3 got underway last week.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle Cloud announces ‘Gemini agent’ as ‘universal agent for work’
At Gemini at Work 2026, Google Cloud today announced the “Gemini agent” for enterprise customers.
Expand Expanding ClosePixel 11 series still not on Android 17 QPR1 with October update
With yesterday’s October 2026 update, the Pixel 11 series is not yet running Android 17 QPR1.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle Labs announces ‘Playground’ for prompt-based game creation
Google today announced an “experimental gaming platform” called Playground that lets you “create, play, and share” browser-based games. The goal is to “make game creation more approachable and ignite everyday creativity.”
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle Wallet rolling out stacked card list redesign on Android
After updating the bottom half of the homepage earlier this year, Google Wallet for Android is rolling out a stacked list redesign for accessing credit and debit cards.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle rolling out ‘massive’ Pixel Buds Pro 2 and 2a update [U]
Following last month’s addition of Gemini control, Google is rolling out a sizable Pixel Buds Pro 2 and Pixel Buds 2a firmware update.
Expand Expanding CloseAndroid 17 October update rolling out with three Pixel fixes
Following last month’s big QPR1 update, Google is rolling out the October 2026 security patch for Android 17 on the Pixel 6, Pixel 6 Pro, Pixel 6a, 7, 7 Pro, 7a, Tablet, Fold, 8, 8 Pro, 8a, 9, 9 Pro, 9 Pro XL, 9 Pro Fold, 9a, Pixel 10, Pixel 10 Pro, Pixel 10 Pro XL, Pixel 10 Pro Fold, Pixel 10a, Pixel 11, Pixel 11 Pro, Pixel 11 Pro XL, and Pixel 11 Pro Fold.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle AI Edge Foresight for Mac turns scribbles into full notes using offline recordings
Google today announced its new EmbeddingGemma 2 model that can be used to “organize, search, and connect information directly on consumer hardware.” To show off its potential, Google created an AI Edge Foresight Mac app for “intelligent notetaking.”
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle Wallet for Android getting vertically stacked card list [U]
Following the homepage redesign and fullscreen passes revamp this year, Google Wallet is trialing a vertically stacked card list.
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