With the March 2026 Pixel Drop, the Pixel Watch is also getting a sizable update with new features and backports.
Expand Expanding ClosePixel Watch Feature Drop: Express Pay, phone reminders, and more
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 QPR3 rolling out with March 2026 security update
Android 16 QPR3 is rolling out today with the March 2026 security patch for the Pixel 6, 6 Pro, 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, and Pixel 10a. We also have the latest Pixel Feature Drop.
Expand Expanding CloseMarch 2026 Feature Drop: Pixel 10 ‘Comfort’ view, custom AI icons, At a Glance ‘My commute,’ & more
With the Android 16 QPR3 update, Google today announced the March 2026 Feature Drop and this is a pretty sizable release.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle Chrome is switching to a two-week release cycle
Later this year, Google will release major updates for its Chrome browser on all platforms every two weeks to “get features [out] faster.”
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle Maps for Android, iOS rolling out gradient icon redesign
As we previously reported, Google Maps is now rolling out a new gradient icon on Android and iOS.
Expand Expanding ClosePixel Now Playing redesign with M3 Expressive rolling out
As we’ve been expecting, Google is rolling out a complete redesign of Pixel Now Playing with a dedicated app that’s available via the Play Store.
Expand Expanding CloseQualcomm announces Snapdragon Wear Elite for next gen of Wear OS, Galaxy Watch
At MWC 2026, Qualcomm announced the premium Snapdragon Wear Elite for Wear OS and other AI form factors.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle Phone app rolling out ability to set ‘your calling card’ for everyone
Calling cards in Phone by Google let you personalize calls to your contacts with a fullscreen image. The Google Phone app is now adding the ability to set “your calling card” that other people will see.
Expand Expanding CloseGemini Live rolling out floating pill redesign [U]
Since launch, Gemini Live has primarily been a fullscreen experience, but Google is now rolling out a floating pill redesign on Android.
Expand Expanding ClosePixel At a Glance rolling out Sports and Finance updates
Pixel At a Glance is getting its first new information types in quite some time today with Sports and Finance.
Expand Expanding CloseChrome for Android rolls out always-available Reading mode redesign [U]
Chrome on Android has offered a Reading mode for several years now, and Google is now significantly redesigning it.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle Photos for Android rolls out sticker creation
After rolling out to iOS in August, Google Photos for Android now lets you create stickers from your images.
Expand Expanding Close
Google Photos rolling out shortcut to local folders
Google Photos for Android is adding a rather convenient shortcut to access your local folders from anywhere in the app.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle is winding down the Pixel Studio app
Pixel Studio was introduced in 2024 with the Pixel 9 alongside Screenshots and Weather. In light of other Google image generation features and integrations, Pixel Studio is going away.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle Messages rolling out real-time location sharing
After we spotted earlier this week, Google Messages is beginning to roll out its new real-time location sharing powered by Find Hub.
Expand Expanding CloseHere’s everything new in Android 17 Beta 2 [Gallery]
Google today released Android 17 Beta 2 for Pixel devices. This comes less than two weeks after the first release.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle is now rolling out Android 17 Beta 2 for Pixel
Less than two weeks after the inaugural release, Android 17 Beta 2 is already rolling out to Pixel devices.
Expand Expanding CloseGemini app rolling out ‘Past Chats’ personalization to free users
Google is now beginning to roll out the “Past Chats” feature to free users of the Gemini app around the world.
Expand Expanding CloseNano Banana 2 brings Pro quality at Flash speeds, rolling out to Gemini app
Google today announced Nano Banana 2 as its latest image model rolling out now to the Gemini app.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle details MCP-like ‘AppFunctions’ that let Gemini use Android apps
Following the Gemini automation announcement today, Google is detailing how all this works under the hood on Android.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle releases ‘Gemini Enterprise’ mobile app, adds @Google Chat for Workspace
Last October, Google announced Gemini Enterprise for business users, and the mobile apps are now available. Meanwhile, @Google Chat is now available in the Gemini app for Workspace users.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle teases ‘amazing things’ in Android 17
Google’s Sameer Samat took the stage at Galaxy Unpacked today and teased “amazing things” coming to Android 17.
Expand Expanding CloseScam Detection comes to Samsung’s S26 Phone app as Google Messages gets Gemini boost
At Samsung’s Galaxy Unpacked, Google announced Scam Detection updates for calls and its Messages app.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle upgrades Circle to Search with Gemini 3 for multi-search, bottom chat UI
Besides Gemini automation, Google today announced the latest Circle to Search features for the Galaxy S26 and Pixel 10.
Expand Expanding Close