Yesterday, Google published “COSMO,” an “experimental AI assistant application for Android devices” on the Play Store.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle releases experimental ‘COSMO’ AI assistant app on Play Store [U]
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.
Gemini app rolls out notebooks to Android as iOS gets Liquid Glass
Following the launch earlier this month, Gemini notebooks are now available on Android and iOS, while the iPhone has been updated with Liquid Glass.
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Google Nest Wifi router and point get April 2026 update
Following a Nest Wifi Pro update earlier this year, Google has released new firmware for the Nest Wifi router and point.
Expand Expanding CloseSundar Pichai teases I/O 2026 as Google starts selling TPUs and YouTube Premium grows
Alphabet held its Q1 2026 earnings today, and CEO Sundar Pichai gave the first tease of what to expect at I/O next month.
Expand Expanding CloseAlphabet reports Q1 2026 revenue of $109.9 billion
Alphabet today announced Q1 2026 earnings with $109.9 billion in revenue. These numbers range from January to March and wrap up the fiscal year.
Expand Expanding CloseYouTube starts rolling out free picture-in-picture (PiP) globally on Android, iOS
After offering in the US, YouTube is making picture-in-picture (PiP) mode free for all users around the world.
Expand Expanding CloseGemini app can now generate Google Docs, PDF, Word, and other files
You can now ask the Gemini app to directly generate “downloadable and ready-to-share files.” Google wants you to “quickly move from a brainstorm to a complete file without ever leaving the Gemini app.”
Expand Expanding CloseAndroid’s ‘Search’ bar now lets you ‘Ask Google’ and AI Mode
Google’s expansion of AI Mode continues today with an integration into the Search bar on Android devices.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle Photos ‘Wardrobe’ digitizes your closet and helps find what to wear
Motorola today announced its 2026 flip-style Razr lineup with a new AI-powered Google Photos feature called “Wardrobe.”
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle Wallet gets gradient icon redesign that subtly glows
Google Wallet is the latest first-party app to get a gradient icon, but this redesign is quite subtle in the grand scheme.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle Home app modernizes camera & media controls, Gemini voice assistant gets speed upgrades
Google is ending April with a rather sizable Home app and Gemini for Home voice assistant updates.
Expand Expanding CloseGemini replacing Google Assistant on Android Automotive for 4 million GM cars
Following Android Auto, Gemini is coming to GM cars with Android Automotive (officially known as Google built-in).
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle Translate is now 20 years old, adds pronunciation practice
Google Translate launched on April 28, 2006. To mark its 20th anniversary, Google is adding a pronunciation tool to Translate for Android.
Expand Expanding CloseWhat’s new in Android’s April 2026 Google System Updates [U]
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 CloseGoogle Messages read receipts redesign continues with old icons, swipe for time
Earlier this year, Google Messages seemed to have settled on a new design for read receipts. The RCS app rolled that back, but is now pursuing one element of that big redesign.
Expand Expanding CloseGemini app preps ‘Proactive Assistance’ and new Gemini voices
Google’s goal with Gemini is to build a personal, proactive, and powerful assistant. The final tentpole is the underlying model, while Personal Intelligence became free earlier this year. The Gemini app is now readying “Proactive Assistance.”
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle’s new gradient icons for Gmail, Calendar, Drive, and other apps are radical redesigns
So far, five Google icons have undergone gradient updates. 9to5Google can now report on a complete gradient redesign for Gmail and other Google Workspace apps.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle Wallet adds support for three more digital passport IDs on Android
Following the initial launch in two countries, Google Wallet for Android now supports three more passport IDs.
Expand Expanding CloseThe 10th Google Store is opening in May
Last year saw four Google Store openings, and the next one in San Diego marks the company’s 10th retail location in the US.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle redesigning the Fitbit, Home & Nest Community forums
Google today teased an upcoming redesign of the “Fitbit Community” and “Google Home & Nest Community.”
Expand Expanding CloseFitbit 4.68 rolling out sleep editing, motivational Coach messages, more personalization
In addition to the Sleep Score redesign, Fitbit this week is rolling out version 4.68 of the Android and iOS apps as a sizable update.
Expand Expanding CloseThis is the Google Health logo that might replace the Fitbit app
Over the weekend, we reported on the Fitbit Air and Google Health. We now have our first look at the Google Health brand.
Expand Expanding CloseYouTube Music rolls out split-view Now Playing redesign on Android, iOS [U]
The split-view Now Playing redesign that YouTube Music has been working on since last year is now widely rolling out.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle releases Android 17 QPR1 Beta 1 for Pixel
With the final scheduled release for the Android 17 Beta coming last week, Google today is already moving on to Android 17 QPR1 Beta 1.
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