Google is testing AI-generated summaries in the Discover feed on Android and iOS, as well as easier bookmarking.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle Discover testing AI story summaries
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.
Google Messages addressing redesign complaint with separate camera, gallery access
Google Messages is addressing a big complaint of the combined gallery and camera redesign by letting users access each separately.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle specifies how it will be the ‘ChromeOS experience on top of Android’
In June of 2024, Google said ChromeOS would be built on Android going forward, with an interview last week describing it as a “single platform.” We now have a bit more clarity on what’s happening to ChromeOS in the future.
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NotebookLM adding ‘featured notebooks’ from publications, authors
To help demonstrate what NotebookLM can do, Google is introducing “featured notebooks” on various topics.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle Contacts adds ‘Recent activity’ card with messages and calls, like Pixel VIPs
One of the most useful aspects of Pixel VIPs is how it shows recent calls and messages, and the Google Contacts app is now gaining that functionality with “Recent activity.”
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle Fi device protection switches provider, now 2 loss & theft claims
Like Pixel Preferred Care earlier this year, Google Fi device protection now has a new “device protection provider” with one benefit improving.
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Google rolling out chat search to Gemini app on Android
After coming to the web and iOS, the Gemini app is beginning to roll out chat search on Android.
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Pixel VPN by Google update brings Material 3 Expressive tweaks
A small update to Pixel VPN by Google is rolling out that adds Material 3 Expressive and makes some tweaks to the Quick Settings Tile.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle Drive for desktop redesign adds centralized interface
Introduced in 2021, “Google Drive for desktop” is getting a visual redesign that centralizes controls and management in one window.
Expand Expanding CloseYouTube Music getting more obvious shuffle and repeat buttons
While we wait for the bigger Now Playing redesign, YouTube Music is updating the shuffle and repeat buttons.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle Phone beta starts rolling out Home and Keypad tabs with nav drawer
Phone by Google, like Messages, is taking a piecemeal approach to rolling out its previously announced redesign. Following the Favorites tab removal that most, if not all, Google Phone beta users got yesterday, the Home and Keypad redesign is beginning to roll out with a navigation drawer.
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New Gemini logo goes live on the web
Following Android and iOS last week, the new Gemini logo is now available on the web.
Expand Expanding CloseAndroid Canary tests colorful weather icons, removing AI Mode from Pixel Launcher
The first Android Canary has a number of user-facing tweaks for the Pixel Launcher that let you remove the AI Mode shortcut, while bringing back the colorful At a Glance weather icons.
Expand Expanding CloseEverything new in the first Android Canary update (July 10) [Gallery]
Google just announced the Android Canary release channel to replace the traditional developer previews. There are a lot of unknowns today, especially in regards to how often they will be released, but how’s everything new in the first Android Canary update.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle announces new Android Canary channel to replace Developer Previews
Google today is “announcing a significant evolution in [its] pre-release program” for Android. Instead of Developer Previews, we’re now getting an Android Canary release channel. The goal is to “provide earlier, more consistent access to in-development features.”
Expand Expanding CloseYouTube removing the Trending page in favor of Charts, recommendations
YouTube launched the Trending page in 2015, and is now planning to retire it as people’s viewing and discovery habits have changed.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle Phone app starts removing the ‘Favorites’ tab on Android
Ahead of the full Material 3 Expressive redesign, Phone by Google is widely removing the Favorites tab for users enrolled in the beta program.
Expand Expanding CloseGemini app rolling out Veo 3 photo-to-video generation
After bringing Veo 3 to subscribers around the world last week, Google is now rolling out photo-to-video generation in the Gemini app.
Expand Expanding Close‘Google Gemini on Wear OS’ rolling out via the Play Store
Following the announcement on Wednesday, Gemini is rolling out to Wear OS via a Play Store update, with the Google Assistant replacement already live for some users.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle TV Streamer gets tweaked box that’s more conventional and secure
Last year, Google introduced new Plastic-Free Packaging across all its hardware as part of its 2025 goal announced in 2020. The company has now adjusted the box for the Google TV Streamer.
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Chrome for Android tweaks the controls for Tab Groups
The tweaks to Tab Groups in Chrome for Android continue today with Google rearranging the bottom strip of controls.
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How Android 16’s Advanced Protection secures Chrome
With Android 16, users can enable Advanced Protection to “activate Google’s strongest security for mobile devices.” The Chrome for Android team has now detailed how Advanced Protection works.
Expand Expanding CloseCircle to Search adding AI Mode and gaming help on Android
As part of the Galaxy Fold 7 and Flip 7 launch, Google is announcing the latest Circle to Search, which is now available on 300 million Android devices, features for everyone. Google’s other big update today is Gemini for Wear OS.
Expand Expanding CloseGemini for Wear OS rolling out to Pixel Watch, Samsung, and more
After announcing in May at The Android Show: I/O Edition, Google is now beginning to roll out Gemini for Wear OS.
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