We’ve already seen Pixel Watch packaging from the top, and now Google’s wearable has undergone an unboxing ahead of the Thursday announcement.
Expand Expanding ClosePixel Watch gets early unboxing and physical look at the bezel [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 fixes nine Android 13 issues for Pixel with October update
Ahead of new Pixel phones, the Android 13 October update is rolling out with nine fixes.
Expand Expanding CloseAndroid 13 with October security patch live, download Pixel OTA image now
The second update to Android 13 is rolling out today with the October security patch for the Pixel 4/XL, 4a, 4a 5G, 5, 5a, 6, 6 Pro, and 6a.
Expand Expanding CloseGmail and Google News updates add iOS 16 Lock Screen widgets
Following Chrome and Google Drive last week, Google has rolled out the iOS 16 Lock Screen widget updates to Gmail and Google News.
Expand Expanding ClosePixel Watch ad leaks ‘Help by Google’ & ‘Health by Fitbit’ tagline, metal bands coming later
In addition to the 7 and 7 Pro, an ad for the Pixel Watch leaked today with a look at what features Google is planning to focus on with its inaugural Wear OS 3 wearable.
Expand Expanding CloseNew wired Nest Doorbell appears on store shelves early, price revealed
Back in September, the Google Home app leaked the new wired Nest Doorbell that the company pre-announced last year. It’s already showing up in stores with availability as soon as this week.
Expand Expanding CloseLeaked Pixel 7 ads reveal what features Google is highlighting, like 7 Pro ‘Macro Focus’ [Video]
Google ads for the Pixel 7 and 7 Pro leaked today that reveal the tentpole features the company will be promoting this year.
Expand Expanding ClosePixel Watch’s Photos face and Google Home for Wear OS shown off on Play Store
We now know what the Google Photos watch face we spotted last month looks like, with Play Store listings today also showing off more of Google Home and Personal Safety for the Pixel Watch.
Expand Expanding ClosePixel Watch could be the Pixel 7 Pro’s pre-order perk in parts of Europe
When buying Google phones at launch, Europeans get great pre-order perks and that looks to continue with the Pixel Watch possibly getting bundled with the Pixel 7 Pro.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle ad shows Pixel 7 Pro camera zoom, Pixel Watch UI and new bands [Video]
For the past week, Google has been running a Pixel 7 ad on YouTube that happens to reveal a lot more of the Pixel Watch than we’ve previously seen.
Expand Expanding CloseGboard is available in a new physical form factor, courtesy of Google Japan [Video]
A year after introducing the “teacup version,” Google Japan is back with a new physical form factor for Android’s default keyboard app: the Gboard bar.
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Google Account switcher on Android getting Material You tweaks
One of the most common UI components across first-party Google apps is the account switcher, and it’s picking up more Material You elements.
Expand Expanding CloseFacebook app will replace Android System WebView but still won’t use Custom Tabs
When you open a link while in another app, it usually launches in your browser (e.g., Chrome) or a Custom Tab. Facebook opens pages in its own in-app browser, which is powered by the Android System WebView. The main Facebook app will soon change what underpins its in-app browser.
Expand Expanding CloseSmart Lock ‘Trusted places’ missing for some, including Pixel on Android 13 QPR1 [U: Fix]
The Android 13 QPR1 Beta has been relatively stable, but some Pixel owners have now noticed that the “Trust places” Smart Lock option has disappeared for them.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle Messages getting ability to react to SMS, as annoying as iMessage equivalent
A day after it emerged that Apple is taking credit for Google adding iMessage reactions on Android, the Messages app is beginning to roll out the ability to leave reactions on SMS texts, which is already possible with RCS.
Expand Expanding CloseChrome for Android’s tab count now includes pages within Tab Groups
Google rolled out Tab Groups to Chrome for Android last year and is now changing the behavior of the open tab count to be more accurate.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle Play Store redesign for Wear OS rolling out [U]
As telegraphed by September’s Google Play system update, the Wear OS Play Store is beginning to get its new redesign.
Expand Expanding ClosePixel 7 design video highlights Lemongrass as both sizes look to support face unlock
Made by Google’s third (and presumably final) design video ahead of the October 6 event is for the Pixel 7, while it looks like the smaller phone — in addition to the larger — will be getting face unlock.
Expand Expanding CloseYouTube Music rolls out filters to customize Autoplay queue [U: Web]
After making it easy to “Save” your queue as a playlist, YouTube Music’s Autoplay is testing suggestion chips to customize the queue.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle Play Store tablet redesign gets underway with navigation rail [Gallery]
The Play Store is one of the 20 first-party apps getting optimized for tablets and Google is kicking off the redesign with a navigation rail.
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Google Fi lets Unlimited Plus subscribers add free lines for the rest of 2022
Following a similar offer to attract former subscribers, Google Fi is letting those on Unlimited Plus add free lines at “no additional cost for the rest of 2022.”
Expand Expanding CloseApple is taking credit for Google adding iMessage reactions on Android
Before Google’s “Get The Message” campaign in August, Android’s Messages app was updated with iMessage reactions at the start of this year. In a very weird turn of events, Apple appears to be taking credit for Google adding iMessage reactions on Android.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle will let you directly search for dishes at nearby restaurants and adds more shopping features
Google is becoming a better place for restaurant browsing by letting you search directly for dishes, while Search is also set to get a slew of new shopping features.
Expand Expanding CloseAndroid apps are getting a ‘major’ Google TTS quality upgrade
“Speech Services by Google” is responsible for providing text-to-speech (TTS) and speech-to-text (transcription) capabilities for Android apps. Google is now rolling out a major TTS audio quality upgrade for 64-bit Android devices.
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