Google AI Plus is now available in 40 more countries
After announcing two weeks ago for one emerging market, the Google AI Plus subscription is now available in 40 more countries.
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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 Home for web rolls out smart device controls
After rolling out over the past few weeks, device controls are now widely rolled out to the Google Home web app.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle Photos rolling out conversational ‘Help me edit’ beyond Pixel 10
After introducing on the Pixel 10 series, Google Photos is bringing the conversational “Help me edit” experience to all Android users in the US.
Expand Expanding CloseApple Music 5.0 update adds iOS 26 features to Android
After beta testing got underway last month, version 5.0 of Apple Music is rolling out to the stable channel following the release of iOS 26 last week.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle Play adding You tab, new gaming profile, Q&A posts, and more
Besides Sidekick, Google Play is introducing a slew of updates today across gaming and personalization on Android.
Expand Expanding ClosePlay Games Sidekick is Gemini Live for Android games
Google is bringing Gemini Live to Android gaming with Play Games Sidekick. Billed as a coach, it’s meant to be a “helpful in-game overlay available while playing games downloaded from Play.”
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle Clock for Wear OS gets new M3 Expressive app icons
As part of the upcoming M3 Expressive redesign, Google Clock for Wear OS has new app icons for Alarm, Stopwatch, and Timer.
Expand Expanding CloseYouTube Music recaps five months of new features
Compared to previous years, new feature recaps from the YouTube Music team have slowed down in 2025, but the latest April to August edition is now available.
Expand Expanding CloseChrome is Google’s first iPhone app with Liquid Glass
With the launch of iOS 26 earlier this week, Google Chrome 141 rolled out with Liquid Glass tweaks on iPhone and iPad.
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Google Pixel Now Playing history loses ‘Favorites’ tab
Google really needs to overhaul the Pixel’s Now Playing capability. Until then, Now Playing history has lost its “Favorites” tab.
Expand Expanding CloseWhat’s new in Google Home app 3.40 for Android, iOS
Release notes for Google Home 3.40 are now available even as version 3.41 is beginning to roll out with a number of details about the redesigned app and “Google Home Speaker.”
Expand Expanding CloseA quick look at the Google Home app redesign with ‘Ask Home’
As part of Gemini for Home, there will be a redesign of the Google Home app and here’s a quick look at it.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle One might include Google Home Premium, redesigned Home app coming
Besides “Google Home Speaker,” there are more details about the “Home Premium” subscription that is replacing Nest Aware.
Expand Expanding Close‘Google Home Speaker’ branding leaks with ‘360 audio’ touted
On October 1, Google is set to reveal updated 2K Nest Cams and a smart speaker. We might now know what the latter will be called: “Google Home Speaker.”
Expand Expanding CloseUpgraded Gemini in Chrome rolling out to free users, agentic browsing coming soon
Gemini in Chrome for Mac and Windows will no longer require an AI Pro or AI Ultra subscription, while Google today also announced a number of upgrades.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle now lets you share Gemini Gems
As previewed in June, Google now lets you share Gemini Gems with other users.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle Maps for Android getting Material 3 Expressive tweaks
Since the Pixel 10 and Android 16 launch, the pace of M3 Expressive updates has slowed down, but Google Maps is readying some tweaks.
Expand Expanding CloseHere’s everything new in Android 16 QPR2 Beta 2 [Gallery]
Android 16 QPR2 is another big quarterly update with Beta 2 rolling out today for Google Pixel devices.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle rolling out Android 16 QPR2 Beta 2 for Pixel
The Android 16 Beta Program continues today with QPR2 Beta 2 for Google devices, including the Pixel 10 series.
Expand Expanding CloseGemini 2.5 Deep Think scores competitive coding gold in ‘profound leap’ for abstract problem-solving
After a mathematics win in July, Gemini 2.5 Deep Think has now earned a gold-medal level performance in competitive coding.
Expand Expanding CloseAsk Gemini coming to Google Meet for Workspace customers
As previewed in April, Google Meet is rolling out an “Ask Gemini” capability for Workspace users. It’s framed as a “personal in-meeting advisor.”
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle Discover getting more customization with ability to ‘Follow’ sites
Google sees Discover as a way to “catch up on your interests and the world,” and is rolling out two updates that allow for better personalization (“Follow on Google”) and variety.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle rolling out new September 2025 OTA update to Pixel 10 and 10 Pro
Google today is rolling out another September 2025 OTA update for the Pixel 10, 10 Pro, and 10 Pro XL.
Expand Expanding CloseNew ‘Google app for Windows’ brings Spotlight-esque local, Drive, web, and Lens search
Outside of Chrome, Drive, and Quick Share, Google rarely makes native desktop apps with everything usually being based in the browser. That’s changing today with a new experimental “Google app for Windows.”
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