With the October Pixel Drop, the Pixel Watch got a pair of new features and the new Google Contacts Wear OS Tile is now available.
Expand Expanding CloseNew Google Contacts Wear OS Tile rolls out on Pixel Watch
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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.
Project Astra shipping ‘as early as 2025,’ Google sees ‘strong demand’ for Pixel 9
Google showed off Project Astra at I/O 2024 in May and said it was coming to Gemini Live “later this year.” CEO Sundar Pichai briefly talked about Project Astra, and the Pixel 9, during Alphabet’s Q3 2024 earnings call.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle Maps now has over 2 billion monthly users
During Alphabet’s Q3 2024 earnings, CEO Sundar Pichai shared that Google Maps is the “latest product to surpass the 2 billion user milestone.”
Expand Expanding CloseAlphabet reports Q3 2024 revenue of $88.3 billion
Alphabet today announced Q3 2024 earnings with $88.27 billion in revenue. These numbers range from July to September.
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Gemini adds split-screen on Android tablets, foldables
After introducing for the latest Samsung foldables earlier this year, the Gemini overlay now has a shortcut that lets you quickly enter split-screen multitasking on large-screen Android devices.
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Google adds seasonal Audio Emoji to Pixel Phone app
Ahead of Halloween on Thursday, seasonal Audio Emoji has arrived for Pixel users in the Google Phone app.
Expand Expanding CloseGboard is testing new Dynamic Color themes [Gallery]
The themes in Gboard for Android haven’t changed in quite a bit — save for a splash, but Google is now testing a redesign of the existing Dynamic Color light and dark themes.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle Chrome adding ‘Performance issue alerts’ to desktop
Last year, Chrome introduced Memory and Energy Saver modes, and Google is now updating its desktop browser with Performance issue alerts.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle Messages beta bug brings back old text field design [U]
With the latest beta version of Google Messages, some users are seeing the old text field accidentally return.
Expand Expanding CloseWhat’s new in the October 2024 Google System Updates [U: 10/28]
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.
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Android 15 QPR1 Beta 3 feedback survey now available
Following last week’s update, Google has released the feedback survey for Android 15 QPR1 Beta 3. Our outstanding issue is Pixel Screenshots still not working, but captures now work consistently.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle Store now sells Certified Refurbished Pixel phones, from $249+
The Google Store’s Refurbished section has been empty for a few years now, but that’s changing today with a “Certified Refurbished Phone program” for the Pixel 6 and newer in the US.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle Search AI Overviews rolling out to 100 countries
After launching in the US this May and six more countries in August, Google Search is bringing AI Overviews to more than 100 countries and territories worldwide.
Expand Expanding CloseYouTube Music finally rolls out ‘Speed dial’ redesign of ‘Listen again’
Just over a year after it was previewed, YouTube Music for Android and iOS have finally replaced “Listen again” with a new “Speed dial” section.
Expand Expanding CloseYouTube Music gets updated menus on Android, iOS
A small change to YouTube Music updates the design of the three-dot overflow menu to match the look of the main YouTube app.
Expand Expanding ClosePixel 10 might support 4K60 HDR recording, on-device ‘Ultra Low Light video’ by Pixel 11
We already have an idea of what specs the Tensor G5 and Tensor G6 might have, but the latest leak reveals what camera and video features could be made possible on the Pixel 10 and 11.
Expand Expanding ClosePixel 11 might add face unlock that works in the dark
The biggest limitation of Google’s camera-based face unlock is that it doesn’t work in the dark or other low-light conditions, and the Pixel 11 with Tensor G6 might address that with a dedicated system.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle’s AR (and Gemini) ambitions should really start with Ray-Ban competitors
According to the latest rumors, Google is not making consumer XR hardware, including headsets or glasses, and instead opting for an OEM model where it just develops the Android OS and services, presumably partnering with Samsung. That should be fine for the first few generations until the underlying display technology is miniaturized and perfected. However, I do hope that Google is making its own display-less glasses that feature a camera and headphones for Gemini.
Expand Expanding CloseReport: Google preps ‘Jarvis’ AI agent that works in Chrome
At I/O 2024 in May, Google gave two examples of agentive experiences that you’d access through Gemini. Google might be ready to share more about agents that work in Chrome and are powered by Gemini 2.0 this December with Project Jarvis.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle rolls out ‘Hold close to cast’ for UWB Pixel phones and Tablet [U]
As announced with the October Pixel (Feature) Drop last week, Google is rolling out “Hold close to cast,” or tap to cast, between Pixel Pro phones and the Pixel Tablet.
Expand Expanding ClosePixelated 029: (Pixel) Watch and Listen
Welcome to episode 29 of Pixelated, a podcast by 9to5Google. This week, we talk about living with the Pixel Watch 3 and Pixel Buds Pro 2.
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Gemini app gets a slightly better dark theme
After switching to an “Ask Gemini” prompt at the start of this week, Google is making even more tweaks to Gemini on Android that make the app look better in dark theme.
Expand Expanding CloseReport: Google targeting December launch for Gemini 2.0
In December of 2023, Google announced the first version of Gemini and the company is reportedly planning to launch Gemini 2.0 a year later.
Expand Expanding CloseDesktop Google Chrome adds ‘toast’ messages when copying links
Toast messages are quite common in Android apps, and you’ll now see them in desktop Google Chrome.
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