Google Search is home to a number of built-in tools and Easter Eggs, with a new “Block Breaker” game being the most recent addition.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle Search adds new ‘Block Breaker’ game
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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.
‘Identity Check’ widely rolling out to Google Pixel
Following last week’s announcement, Android’s Identity Check security feature is seeing wider availability on Google Pixel phones.
Expand Expanding ClosePixel Buds Pro 2 update gets Google changelog
Firmware version 3.144 started rolling out to the Pixel Buds Pro 2 on Monday, and Google is now out with an official changelog for the update.
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Google Pixel 9a reportedly launching March 26
With last year’s A-Series phone, Google moved up the launch by a week, and the Pixel 9a is rumored to be getting an even earlier March unveil.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle Play Protect cannot be disabled during phone and video calls
Google’s annual blog post recapping Play Store and Android protections in 2024 is now available. It highlights new safety measures, like how Google Play Protect cannot be turned off during calls.
Expand Expanding CloseGemini in Google Sheets will write Python code to generate insights, charts
The Gemini side panel in Google Sheets is being updated to let you more easily visualize and analyze data through insights and charts. It goes beyond summarizing spreadsheets or creating tables.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle app on Android, Search testing a blue dark theme
In recent weeks (if not longer), Google Search has been testing a new dark theme that is blue and a bit darker.
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‘Google Play Store keeps stopping’ on Android
Over the last day, Android phones and tablets have encountered a ‘Google Play Store keeps stopping’ error message.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle Play Store adding ‘Verified’ badge for VPN apps
After introducing a “Government” badge last year, the Google Play Store is adding one called “Verified” for consumer-facing VPN apps.
Expand Expanding ClosePixel Buds Pro 2 3.144 update adds ‘Bud return’ sound
Yesterday, Google started rolling out firmware version 3.144 to the Pixel Buds Pro 2 and the update comes with some new features.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle rolling out first Pixel Buds Pro 2 update
The first post-launch update for the Google Pixel Buds Pro 2 is beginning to roll out for some users.
Expand Expanding CloseHere’s an extended look at Gemini’s Project Astra in Android XR
When I got a chance to use Android XR in December, my favorite aspect was getting to use the Gemini experience powered by Project Astra and Gemini 2.0. There’s now an extended look at that from MKBHD.
Expand Expanding CloseWhat’s new in Android’s January 2025 Google System Updates [U: 1/27]
The monthly “Google System Release Notes” primarily detail what’s new in Play services, Play Store, and Play system update across Android phones/tablets, Wear OS, Google/Android TV, Auto, and PC. Some features apply to end users, while others are aimed at developers.
Expand Expanding CloseGemini app rolling out ‘Talk Live about this’ on Pixel 9
Following last week’s announcement, we are now seeing Gemini’s new “Talk Live about this” capability on the Pixel 9 series.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle on how Pixel 9’s Add Me camera uses AR, TPU
Add Me is one of the Pixel 9’s tentpole camera features, and Google has a blog post today explaining how it was developed. Personally, I’ve noticed that people didn’t really use Add Me until the holiday season.
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Android 16 Beta 1 feedback survey now live
Following last week’s release, Google has released the feedback survey for Android 16 Beta 1. So far, it’s a quiet update.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle Chromecast bug shrinks the time and weather on Ambient Mode
A bug with Ambient Mode on Cast-powered Chromecasts drastically shrinks the time and weather that’s displayed in the bottom-right corner.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle removes old Pixel 4a updates after battery patch
At the start of 2025, Google announced a Pixel 4a Battery Performance Program with a new Android 13 OTA update, free battery replacement, and/or appeasement option. As part of this, Google has removed all previous Pixel 4a updates.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle Messages read receipts redesign gets a bit bolder
Still in testing, Google Messages has made a small color tweak to the upcoming redesign of RCS read receipts that makes the indicator bolder.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle on how it tests Pixel phones for durability
Officially, the Pixel 9 is “twice as durable as Pixel 8,” with Google crediting the new design language. A new blog post from the company this week discusses the internal testing process.
Expand Expanding ClosePixelated 038: It takes Gemini to S25
Welcome to episode 38 of Pixelated, a podcast by 9to5Google. This week, we talk about the Galaxy S25 launch event and new Gemini app features.
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Gmail rolls out redesigned Google Calendar card to Android, iOS
Back in October, Gmail redesigned its summary cards to be more glanceable and actionable, with the updated Google Calendar card now available.
Expand Expanding CloseThis probably isn’t an unreleased Pixel… but what is it?
Google on Friday published a blog post on Friday sharing some details about how the Pixel goes through stress, durability and temperature tests. As part of that, there’s a short drop test video, but we’re not too sure what Google Pixel is being shown.
Expand Expanding ClosePixel Sounds preps custom vibration patterns for ringtones, notifications
The last big update to the Pixel Sounds app/service introduced a “Gems” ringtone and alarm collection with the Pixel 8 in 2023. Google is now working on letting you set different Pixel vibration patterns.
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