As announced last month, the Google Home Gemini Extension is no longer in preview and widely available. This stable rollout took a few weeks.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle Home Gemini Extension widely rolls out: How to enable
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.
First Google TV Streamer update of 2025 rolling out
Last year, the Google TV Streamer got a small update about a month after it launched. The first Google TV Streamer update of 2025 is now rolling out and it’s more sizable.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle rolling out file upload, analysis for free Gemini tier
After introducing for paid Advanced subscribers last year, free Gemini users are starting to get the ability to upload and analyze files.
Expand Expanding CloseYouTube TV could lose CBS, more due to Paramount dispute [U: Extension]
YouTube TV shared this afternoon that negotiations with Paramount have failed to result in an agreement. If there’s no deal, “all Paramount content, including CBS and CBS Sports, will be unavailable on YouTube TV.”
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle Chat will let you rename group chats, adding ‘board’ tab
A nice quality-of-life improvement for Google Chat will let you rename group conversations, while teams will benefit from a new “board” feature.
Expand Expanding CloseGemini Advanced can now recall and use your past chats
Google today is rolling out a new Gemini app feature for Advanced subscribers that can recall and “reference past chats for more tailored help.”
Expand Expanding CloseAndroid 16 Beta 2 adds ‘Switch users’ widget on Pixel
With Android 16 Beta 2, Google has added a “Switch users” homescreen widget for Pixel devices.
Expand Expanding CloseHere’s everything new in Android 16 Beta 2 [Gallery]
Beta 2 of Android 16 is available today as Google’s next major OS version proceeds through the development process.
Expand Expanding CloseAndroid 16 Beta 2 rolling out for Pixel
Following last month’s quieter release, Google is rolling out Android 16 Beta 2 to Pixel devices today as an “Incremental Beta-quality release.”
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Google Drive showing a ludicrously capacious (Large) FAB for some
Material 3 offers three size options for the floating action button, with Google Drive for Android possibly adopting the Large FAB.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle updating Gemini Live to be ‘more dynamic and engaging’
Following Talk Live about this, Gemini Live is getting a model update that will “make your conversations even more dynamic and engaging.”
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Google teases Android 16 Beta 2 release tomorrow
The Android 16 preview cycle continues with the next beta officially set to arrive on Thursday, February 13. We’ve always known that Android 16 Beta 2 is coming this month, but Google providing an explicit teaser is somewhat unexpected.
Expand Expanding CloseHands-on: Apple TV finally comes to Android phones, tablets
Using the web (and later PWA) to watch Apple TV+ on Android devices for the past five or so years has not been particularly ideal. That’s now changing with an Apple TV app for Android phones and tablets available in the Google Play Store.
Expand Expanding CloseYouTube Design on its new red color and magenta gradient
Towards the end of last year, YouTube introduced a “new, softer shade of red” and a magenta gradient alongside other design changes to the app. The team behind it has now detailed the changes.
Expand Expanding CloseGmail for Android update brings menu redesign
A small redesign for Gmail on Android improves the readability of each overflow menu by adding icons and more thematic organization. It makes for nice quality-of-life improvements.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle rolling out Family Link redesign, School Time for kids’ Android phones, more
Google today announced a suite of new features for parents and kids, including a Family Link redesign.
Expand Expanding ClosePixel Camera tweak keeps Video Boost enabled
Google has made an update so that Video Boost no longer has to be enabled every time you open the Pixel Camera app.
Expand Expanding CloseYouTube for Android fixes some miniplayer bugs
YouTube has gotten around to fixing some visual bugs with the in-app miniplayer on Android. The redesign was introduced back in October.
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Google Photos will replace prints, photo books lost in LA fires
Google shared today that those in Los Angeles that lost Google Photos canvas, prints, or photo books in last month’s fires can get their orders replaced for free.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle I/O 2025 set for May 20-21
Following the “Prism Shift” puzzle this morning, Google has announced that I/O 2025 is taking place Tuesday, May 20 to Wednesday, May 21.
Expand Expanding CloseYouTube on TVs replace mobile as ‘primary’ viewing device, 2025 goals detailed
YouTube CEO Neal Mohan today is out with an overview of “big bets for 2025,” with this year marking the site’s 20th birthday.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle teases I/O 2025 with ‘Prism Shift’ puzzle
The road to Google I/O 2025 is underway this morning with a puzzle to figure out the date for the developer conference.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle touts 2x phishing, scam protection by enabling Chrome’s Enhanced Safe Browsing
As part of Safer Internet Day, Google shared that Safe Browsing’s Enhanced Protection mode has been enabled by over 1 billion Chrome users.
Expand Expanding CloseGemini Deep Research now rolling out to iPhone app
Earlier this month, Google launched Deep Research in Gemini for Android, and it’s now rolling out to the iPhone app if you’re a Gemini Advanced subscriber.
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