The journey to Google I/O 2026 is well underway this morning with a puzzle to figure out the dates for the developer conference.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle teases I/O 2026 with ‘Make Build Unlock’ puzzle
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 getting new ‘local file backup’ feature via Google Drive
According to the latest release notes for Google Play services, Android phones will be getting a “new local file backup feature” powered by Google Drive.
Expand Expanding CloseHere’s how you’ll control and navigate Android XR glasses
Android XR glasses are coming in 2026. Here’s what you can expect from the user interface and experience.
Expand Expanding CloseGemini app makes sharing more prominent in chats, boosts icon
Gemini for Android has rolled out tweaks to the chat page that make sharing and the overflow menu more prominent actions.
Expand Expanding CloseGboard rolls out ‘auto-switch after apostrophes’ & M3 Expressive Settings redesign [U]
As we wait for the broader redesign, Gboard for Android is getting a nice quality-of-life improvement with the “auto-switch after apostrophes” shortcut.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle sets accelerated Android 17 release schedule
Besides replacing Developer Previews, the Android 17 Beta cycle is operating on a faster release schedule.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle Pixel getting ‘dedicated’ Now Playing app, coming to Play Store
Now Playing is one of the Pixel’s oldest features and Google is getting ready to give it a big app “upgrade.”
Expand Expanding CloseApp ‘Handoff’ coming to Android 17 for cross-device continuity
Besides what was detailed in Google’s blog post, another new “cross-device continuity” feature coming to Android 17 is “Handoff.”
Expand Expanding CloseHere’s everything new in Android 17 Beta 1 [Gallery]
Google today officially announced Android 17 Beta 1 for Pixel devices. This joins the stable Android 16 QPR2 release and 16 QPR3 Beta that’s winding down.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle is now rolling out Android 17 Beta 1 for Pixel [U]
Update: After a two-day delay, Android 17 Beta 1 is now rolling out to Pixel devices with CP21.260116.011. You can find the OTA images here.
Here’s everything new in Android 17 Beta 1 [Gallery]
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle Docs rolling out Gemini-powered audio summaries
After introducing text-to-speech in August, Google Docs is now rolling out audio summaries.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle Photos rolling out floating toolbar to replace bottom bar
The vast majority of Google’s Android apps have switched to a short bottom bar. Google Photos was the big exception, but we now know it’s moving to a floating toolbar, starting on iOS.
Expand Expanding CloseGemini 3 Deep Think gets ‘major upgrade’ aimed at practical applications
Deep Think is Gemini’s “specialized reasoning mode,” and Google today announced a “major upgrade” to let it “solve modern challenges across science, research, and engineering.”
Expand Expanding CloseChrome for Android rolling out pinned tabs
After announcing in December, Google is more widely rolling out tab pinning in Chrome for Android.
Expand Expanding ClosePixel VPN by Google update adds status to Quick Settings Tile
A small update to the Pixel VPN by Google lets you more easily check connection status from the Quick Settings (QS) Tile.
Expand Expanding CloseGmail for Android finally lets you create new labels
The Gmail mobile apps lack a handful of features found on the website, but Google is now adding the ability to create new labels on Android.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle cancels today’s Android 17 Beta 1 release
Android 17 Beta 1 was supposed to launch today, but Google has since pulled the release.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle says the Android 17 Beta is coming soon
Following the release of Android 16 QPR3 Beta 2.1 earlier today, Google has revealed that the Android 17 Beta is starting soon.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle rolling out Android 16 QPR3 Beta 2.1 patch
Android 16 QPR3 Beta 2.1 is rolling out to Pixel devices today. This patch comes almost four weeks after the last release, and is surprisingly not Beta 3.
Expand Expanding CloseFitbit Coach preview expanding internationally, coming to iOS
After the initial Public Preview in October, Google is bringing its Fitbit personal health coach preview to international Premium users.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle ‘Results about you’ Search removal tool now covers Social Security & IDs, more
As part of Safer Internet Day, Google Search is rolling out a pair of updates to Results about you and the non-consensual explicit images removal tool.
Expand Expanding CloseGemini on Android desktop will have persistent icon, keyboard shortcut
When the Android desktop interface leaked last month, there was a Gemini icon in the status bar. We now know a bit more about that persistent access.
Expand Expanding CloseYouTube TV Plans launch this week from $55/month with $65 Sports Plan
After teasing in December, “YouTube TV Plans” are rolling out this week as cheaper alternatives to paying $82.99 per month for over 100 channels.
Expand Expanding CloseYouTube Music lyrics now require a Premium subscription
After testing in recent months, YouTube Music looks to be widely rolling out a Premium paywall for lyrics.
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