Google has released a new “Theme packs” app on the Play Store for its devices that “Personalize your Pixel in one tap.”
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle releases new Pixel ‘Theme packs’ app on the Play Store
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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.
Gemini Deep Research can tap into your Gmail and Google Drive
After adding PDF support in May, Gemini Deep Research can now directly tap information stored in your Gmail and Google Chat conversations, as well as Google Drive files.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle AI Mode comes to Chrome for Android & iOS, expands agentic booking
After giving AI Mode new floating controls on Android, the new Search experience is expanding its presence on Chrome and getting more agentic features.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle rolling out new Pixel ringtones, alarms with ‘Sounds’ update [U]
Pixel devices are getting a set of new ringtones, notification alerts, and alarm sounds via an update to the Sounds app.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle Maps rolling out landmark-based navigation, Gemini-powered Lens
Besides navigating with Gemini, Google Maps is rolling out other AI-powered features, like landmark-based navigation.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle Maps gets Gemini for conversational navigation & traffic reporting on Android, iOS
In Google Maps, Gemini already exists in place listings, and it’s now coming to the navigation experience on Android and iOS. Google equates this “hands-free, conversational driving experience” to having a “knowledgeable friend in the passenger seat who can confidently help you get where you’re going.”
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle’s next moonshot is putting TPUs in space with ‘Project Suncatcher’
Google is starting a new research moonshot called Project Suncatcher to “one day scale machine learning in space.”
Expand Expanding CloseNew Google Maps live lane guidance uses AI, camera on Android Automotive
Google Maps on Android Automotive (“Google built-in”) is tapping into how modern vehicles are smartphones on wheels with a new live lane guidance capability for the Polestar 4. This essentially lets Google Maps “see” the road like a driver.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle updates Search Live with floating controls on Android
After a number of Google AI Mode updates in recent weeks, the Search Live conversational experience is getting new floating controls on Android.
Expand Expanding CloseChrome can now autofill driver’s license, vehicle info, and more
Google is updating Chrome Autofill to support passport, driver’s license number, and vehicle info.
Expand Expanding ClosePixel 10 series gets deep discounts, boosted trade-in ahead of Black Friday
Ahead of Black Friday 2025, the US Google Store is unexpectedly running a deep sale on the Pixel 10 series.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle Translate adding model picker for ‘Advanced’ or ‘Fast’ translations
Following AI-powered live translation and language practice capability, Google Translate is adding a model picker with “Fast” and “Advanced” options.
Expand Expanding CloseThese are the new Google Photos and Maps icons with a gradient redesign
Following the ‘G’ and Gemini icons, Google is updating its logos for the AI era. Here’s a sneak peek at the new gradient icons for Google Photos and Maps.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle TV Streamer down to $75 as new Nest Cams get first discount
Ahead of Black Friday, the US Google Store is discounting the new Nest Cam Indoor and Outdoor.
Expand Expanding CloseNew Google Pixel October 2025 update with ‘performance improvements’ rolls out [U]
Google today released new October builds for the Pixel 7-10 series, with Verizon shedding some light on what this update brings.
Expand Expanding CloseNest Audio, Mini, and Home Mini get updated lights with Gemini
With the Gemini for Home voice assistant, Google has updated the LED lights on the Home Mini, Nest Mini, and Nest Audio.
Expand Expanding CloseThis is Google’s first AI-generated TV ad [Video]
Google today released its first TV ad — for Search’s AI Mode — created entirely with generative AI (Veo 3).
Expand Expanding CloseSamsung Galaxy XR review: For those who have been waiting
My vision of the future was heavily shaped by the “One Day” concept video Google released 13 years ago to show the potential of augmented reality and how we’d use it day-to-day. With Galaxy XR this past week, I got an unexpected approximation of what AR smart glasses will feel like in a form factor that I’ve been bearish about since living with Vision Pro.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle Clock for Wear OS is now exclusive to the Pixel Watch
Like the Weather app, Google officially announced today that Clock for Wear OS is now only available for the Pixel Watch.
Expand Expanding CloseGemini app hits 650+ million monthly users as Google/YouTube reports 300M subscribers
Alphabet today reported Q3 2025 earnings, and CEO Sundar Pichai shared that the Gemini app has over 650 million active users.
Expand Expanding CloseAndroid 16 QPR2 Beta 3.2 rolling out with Pixel bug fixes
Google is following last week’s patch after the initial release with Android 16 QPR2 Beta 3.2 today for Pixel devices.
Expand Expanding CloseAlphabet reports Q3 2025 revenue of $102.3 billion
Alphabet today announced Q3 2025 earnings with $102.3 billion in revenue. These numbers range from July to September. This is Alphabet’s “first-ever $100 billion quarter.”
Expand Expanding CloseWhat’s new in Google Home app 4.2 for Android, iOS
Following the last edition on Friday (which the Gemini for Home voice assistant requires), release notes for Google Home 4.2 are now available.
Expand Expanding CloseNotebookLM gets ‘significantly improved’ chat: Saved history, 1M token context window
The chat feature in NotebookLM is getting significant improvements today to “performance, quality, and contextual understanding,” as well as the ability to set goals.
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