After previously being limited to a monthly plan, Google AI Pro is now available as an annual subscription for $199.99.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle AI Pro now available as annual $200 subscription
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.
Android 16 QPR1 Beta 2.1 rolling out with Pixel bug fixes, June 2025 patch
Google is rolling out Android 16 QPR1 Beta 2.1 today with the June 2025 security patch and Pixel bug fixes.
Expand Expanding CloseGemini Live rolls out captions on Android and iOS
After appearing for some users earlier this month, Gemini Live now lets you enable captions on Android and iOS.
Expand Expanding CloseNo, Gemini is not making a ‘concerning’ privacy change to read your texts – it’s actually getting better
An email Google sent out to Gemini users is being misunderstood by some, and greatly misconstrued by several publications. Here is what’s actually happening.
Expand Expanding CloseGemini CLI brings Google’s AI agent to your terminal for free
Google’s latest AI tool for developers is Gemini CLI, which brings 2.5 Pro to your command line interface or terminal.
Expand Expanding CloseGemini will soon work as your Android assistant even with ‘Activity’ disabled
Google has announced (via email) that Gemini app users can soon access basic smart assistant capabilities on their Android phone without having usage “Activity” saved.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle Fi rolling out visual voicemail support for the iPhone
As previewed in April, Google Fi Wireless is rolling out support for visual voicemail on the iPhone. With this update, voicemail will no longer be available in the Fi app.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle Wallet adds support for seventh state ID on Android
As previewed last September, Google Wallet for Android is now rolling out support for Iowa state IDs.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle finally rolling out Chrome for Android’s bottom address bar
In a move that has been a long time coming, Google is now letting Chrome for Android users have a bottom address bar.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle Phone’s M3 Expressive update redesigns bottom bar with Home, Keypad tabs
Following the initial rollout for some beta users last week, Google shared more details about the Phone app’s upcoming Material 3 Expressive redesign, including a big revamp of bottom bar navigation.
Expand Expanding CloseNew Android 14 update for Chromecast with Google TV rolling out
Back in March, Android 14 for the Chromecast with Google TV started rolling out after missing it’s expected 2024 deadline. There were some issues and Google pulled the OTA. A new Android 14 update for the Chromecast is now rolling out.
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Google Earth turns 20, adding historical Street View imagery
Like Google Maps, Google Earth is marking its 20th birthday this year. Other first-party milestones (10 years) in 2025 include Google Photos, Fi Wireless, and YouTube Music.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle AI Mode suggesting prompts based on your past searches
To encourage people to try AI Mode, Google is now suggesting prompts based on your Search history. This is a pretty nice way to inform people about the kind of questions that work well.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle Pixel Camera 9.9 rolls out: Social Share removed, icon tweaks
Google is widely rolling out an updated version of Pixel Camera 9.9 today with a pair of changes.
Expand Expanding CloseChromebooks are better than ever, but is that enough for Google?
I’d argue that ChromeOS is enough for most people’s personal usage these days given the online services they mainly use and the advancement of web apps. However, I don’t think Chromebooks being third behind Windows and Mac is enough for Google, and that’s why we’re seeing what I’d call “desktop Android” in the near future.
Expand Expanding CloseGemini in Android Studio adding ‘Agent Mode’
Following the preview at I/O 2025, Google is releasing an “Agent Mode” for Gemini in Android Studio.
Expand Expanding CloseChromebook Plus getting its own Circle to Search with more actions
In addition to the Lenovo Chromebook Plus 14, Google today announced the latest ChromeOS AI features, like “Select to search with Lens.”
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Google Home Routines creator has edge-to-edge Android 16 bug on Pixel
Pixel owners on Android 16 are having edge-to-edge issues with the Routines creator and editor in the Google Home app.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle Meet’s Material 3 Expressive redesign has ludicrously capacious buttons
Google Meet is joining Gmail, Messages, and Phone in getting Material 3 Expressive, though it’s a slightly smaller — ironically — redesign than Google’s other communication apps.
Expand Expanding CloseEvery Google app with the fullscreen Account switcher redesign [U: Gmail]
Google is redesigning the Account switcher that appears in the top-right corner of every first-party app to be a fullscreen experience instead of a floating window that preserves context.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle Drive redesigns file upload, video player on Android
Google Drive has rolled out a pair of redesigns to the Android app that modernizes the file upload experience and video player.
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Gemini on Android can finally identify music with Song Search
Ahead of the Google Assistant deprecation later in 2025, the Gemini app on Android can now identify songs with help from Google Search.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle Phone app rolling out Material 3 Expressive redesign
The Phone by Google app is getting an all-encompassing Material 3 Expressive redesign that also adds “Horizontal swipe” or “Single tap” options for answering calls. Like Google Messages, this is beginning to roll out to the beta channel.
Expand Expanding CloseGemini app rolls out video upload on Android, iPhone, & web
Besides the new navigation drawer and 2.5 Pro going stable, the Gemini app is rolling out video upload and analysis. This lets you add a clip to your prompt.
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