Beta 4 of Android 16 is now available as Google’s next major OS update nears the end of the development process.
Expand Expanding CloseHere’s everything new in Android 16 Beta 4 [Gallery]
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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.
Android 16 Beta 4 rolling out for Pixel
Google is rolling out Android 16 Beta 4 today to Pixel devices as the first release candidate build ahead of the consumer launch. It’s available now as an on-device OTA, with factory images not yet live.
Expand Expanding CloseGemini 2.5 Flash with ‘thinking budget’ rolling out to devs, Gemini app
After briefly detailing last week, Google is rolling out Gemini 2.5 Flash in preview today. A “thinking budget” lets developers control how much reasoning occurs depending on the prompt and use case.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle Store posts its own Pixel 9a vs. iPhone 16e comparison
Over the years, Google marketing has compared the Pixel to the iPhone. There was notably the Phone X vs. Pixel 3a Night Sight campaign in 2019. The latest example — Pixel 9a vs. iPhone 16e — makes for the most explicit comparison to date.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle offering free Gemini Advanced, 2 TB storage, & more for college students
After previously offering a 50% discount, Google is now giving US college students free Gemini Advanced and Google One AI Premium for 15 months.
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Google on how it maintains Search reliability and speed
Google is out with a blog post today detailing its Search infrastructure, and how it keeps in mind speed and reliability when developing new features.
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Android 16 Beta 4 update set for tomorrow
For the third release in a row, Google has teased that the next Android 16 preview update is officially coming Thursday, April 17 with Beta 4.
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Google releases Pixel Camera 9.8 patch update [U]
Google is rolling out an update to Pixel Camera 9.8 that presumably addresses some bugs. This is the first patch for the Pixel 9a following last week’s launch.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle makes Gemini Live camera & screen sharing free on Android
Last week, Google started widely rolling out Gemini Live camera and screen sharing to Advanced subscribers, and the Project Astra-powered capabilities will soon be free for all Android users.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle Wallet app adding real-time status to train tickets
After previewing back in September, the Google Wallet Android app can now show the real-time status of trains, starting in two countries.
Expand Expanding Close[Update: Optional] Google rolling out auto-restart security feature to Android
With the latest Google Play services update, Android is rolling out a new security feature that automatically restarts (or auto-reboots) devices that have been “locked for 3 consecutive days.”
Expand Expanding CloseChrome for Android starts rolling out bottom address bar, redesigns settings
After testing started in earnest last October, Google Chrome is beginning to roll out the bottom address bar option on Android to the stable channel.
Expand Expanding CloseAndroid addressing ‘excessive’ battery drain with new app wake locks metric
Given how excessive battery drain is one “one of the most significant frustrations for Android users,” Google is starting a new effort to help developers optimize the wake lock behavior of their apps.
Expand Expanding CloseGemini app rolling out Veo 2 video generation for Advanced users
Following images and audio, Google is bringing video generation powered by its Veo 2 model to the Gemini app if you’re an Advanced subscriber.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle Search switching to google․com around the world
Historically, Google users around the world have visited country-specific sites like google.com.br (Brazil), google.fr (France), or google.co.uk (UK). Google Search is now getting rid of these country code top-level domain names (ccTLD) in favor of using google.com globally.
Expand Expanding CloseGemini will come to Wear OS as an app update [APK Insight]
Google confirmed that Gemini was replacing Assistant on watches last month. Gemini should arrive on Wear OS as a straightforward app update.
Expand Expanding CloseGemini app rolling out Google Photos integration on Android
After previewing last month, the Google Photos app/Extension/integration is now rolling out to the Gemini app on Android.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle tests new Search bar to access AI Mode on Android
As AI Mode testing continues, Google is trialing a new way to launch the generative experience from the Search bar on Android.
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Google app removing Assistant settings on Android
Ahead of this year’s mobile deprecation, the Google app is no longer providing a link to Assistant settings.
Expand Expanding CloseGboard Emoji Kitchen ‘Browse’ redesign more widely rolling out to Pixel
With the December 2024 Pixel Feature Drop, Google announced “updated navigation” for Emoji Kitchen, and this new Gboard Browse UI is more widely rolling out.
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[Fixed] Gemini app is failing to generate Audio Overviews
Besides 2.0 Experimental Advanced mysteriously appearing (and disappearing) earlier today, a bug with the Gemini app has resulted in users losing the ability to create Audio Overview podcasts.
Expand Expanding ClosePixelated 049: Reviewing the Pixel 9a
Welcome to episode 49 of Pixelated, a podcast by 9to5Google. This week, we talk about our review of the Pixel 9a.
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Google on other designs it explored for the Pixel 9a camera
Following the Pixel 9a release, Google shared more about the phone’s design, including other looks it explored for the camera.
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Somehow gemini-exp-1206 returned to the Gemini app
In what’s presumably a bug, the Gemini app is showing and letting users access the 2.0 Experimental Advanced (gemini-exp-1206) model again.
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