Google has brought back a collection of Android, YouTube, and other company swag that you can redeem your Play Points for.
Expand Expanding CloseYou can now redeem Play Points for Android ‘Bot’ and more Google swag
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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 testing Audio Overviews for Search results
Following NotebookLM, the Gemini app, and Discover’s Daily Listen, Audio Overviews are coming to Google Search results as a part of new Search Labs experiment.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle rolling out Pixel Camera 9.9 with Social Share missing
The June 2025 Feature Drop continues with Pixel Camera 9.9 beginning to roll out. Officially, this update is supposed to add an “education hub,” but Google has also removed Social Share.
Expand Expanding CloseAndroid 16 QPR1 Beta 2 updates status bar chip for phone calls, Gemini Live
With Android 16 QPR1 Beta 2, it’s slightly easier to manage ongoing calls, including Gemini Live, from the status bar chip.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle surprisingly brings back Snapseed with major 3.0 update on iPhone
Google today surprisingly released a major 3.0 update for Snapseed that entirely redesigns the photo editing app on iPhone and iPad.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle updates Pixel Magnifier with real-time text search [U]
Following version 2.0 at Made by Google last year, the latest update to Pixel Magnifier introduces live text search.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle Play removing ‘legacy’ Wear OS watch faces in 2026
Wear OS is unsurprisingly going all-in on the Watch Face Format introduced two years ago, with support for all other “legacy” types going away in early 2026.
Expand Expanding ClosePixel 10 ‘Magic Cue’ leaks as AI that proactively suggests ‘info and actions’
Earlier this year, “Pixel Sense” leaked as “predictive suggestions” for this year’s flagships. As the Pixel 10 launch nears, the latest leak reveals that it has been renamed to “Magic Cues,” while we have an actual example of what it can do.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle releases Weather Lab with AI-based cyclone predictions
Another place AI is marking a particular big impact is weather forecasting. Google is continuing its work in the area with a new Weather Lab website and experimental cyclone, or hurricane, predictions.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle says Android Open Source Project not being ‘discontinued’ amidst Pixel change impacting custom ROMs
With the launch of Android 16 earlier this week, Google did not release the Pixel hardware repos and device trees that are particularly important for custom ROM developers. This led to speculation by some that “AOSP is being discontinued.” Google has denied that, but the Pixel change does look to be intentional.
Expand Expanding CloseAndroid 16 QPR1 Beta redesigns the Pixel Launcher search bar, adds AI Mode
With Android 16 QPR1 Beta 2, the Pixel Launcher search bar is getting a redesign to match the Google app’s updated homescreen widget.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle rolling Pixel Buds Pro 2 firmware 3.154 update
Along with updates for Pixel phones and the Watch this week, Google is rolling out new firmware for the Pixel Buds Pro 2 today.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle rolling out Pixel VIPs: How to access the widget
Following yesterday’s announcement, Google is widely rolling out the new Pixel VIPs widget to the Pixel 6+ on Android 16 (and QPR1).
Expand Expanding CloseGboard can now generate stickers with Pixel Studio, starts rolling out
As announced with the June 2025 Feature Drop, Gboard is getting deeper integration with Pixel Studio that lets you generate custom AI stickers. This is beginning to roll out on the Pixel 9 and newer.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle homepage tests AI Mode button right in the Search bar
Following Android and iOS, Google Search on the web wants to add an “AI Mode” shortcut right on the iconic homepage.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle reportedly working on ‘Pixelsnap’ Qi2 accessories for Pixel 10
Visually, Google’s upcoming phones look the same, but the big hardware hope is the presence of Qi2 wireless charging with magnetic attachment. The latest Pixel 10 rumor suggests Google is preparing first-party Qi2 accessories called “Pixelsnap.”
Expand Expanding CloseAndroid 16 adds Battery health percentage & ‘assistance’ on newer Pixel phones
The Android 16 update introduces “Battery health,” though specific functionality depends on what Pixel phone you have.
Expand Expanding CloseAndroid 16 QPR1 Beta 2 tweaks the brightness and volume sliders
Besides Connected displays support, Beta 2 of Android 16 QPR1 is focussed on refining Material 3 Expressive, including the volume and brightness sliders.
Expand Expanding CloseThe first Google Beam device is the $24,999 HP Dimension
Following the news at I/O 2025, HP today announced the “HP Dimension with Google Beam.”
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle Home web app getting more controls, Gemini will let you send broadcasts
In addition to all the Android announcements, Google Home previewed a number of upcoming updates and features today.
Expand Expanding ClosePixel Launcher search bar gets new Google ‘G’ logo with Android 16 QPR1 Beta
One small tweak in Android 16 QPR1 Beta 2 sees the new Google ‘G’ logo come to the Pixel Launcher search bar.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle Pixel Watch June 2025 update rolling out
Following the last release in April that brought Wear OS 5.1 to all users, Google is releasing a June 2025 update to all Pixel Watch owners.
Expand Expanding CloseAndroid 16 June update rolling out with Pixel fingerprint, cellular fixes
The Android 16 update with the June 2025 security patch is rolling out today 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, and 9a. There are Pixel fixes across Biometrics, Bluetooth, Camera, Display & Graphics, Framework, Sensors, System, Telephony, and User Interface.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle Messages upgrading group chats, Google Home gets device-specific Favorites, more
Alongside the Android 16 launch and June 2025 Pixel Drop, Google is highlighting the latest (app) features for all Android devices.
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