After rolling out “Talk Live about this” last week, Gemini Live is now starting to use phone call-style notifications on Android.
Expand Expanding CloseGemini Live switching to phone call-style notifications on Android
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.
Gboard for Android rolls out tweaked Dynamic Color theme
After testing last year, Gboard has widely rolled out tweaks to the Dynamic Color theme via a server-side update.
Expand Expanding CloseGemini 2.0 Flash rolling out to Gemini app on Android, iOS
Following Thursday’s announcement, Gemini 2.0 Flash is now appearing in the Gemini app on Android and iOS.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle Search widget now lets you set a custom shortcut on Android
After testing last year, the Google app on Android will now let you set a custom Shortcut in the Search widget.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle Photos tones down Gemini’s ‘Ask Photos’ search UI
Google Photos started testing Ask Photos in September. An update to Google Photos for Android today tones down the UI of this Gemini-powered search capability.
Expand Expanding CloseGemini Extensions can be accessed when your Android phone is locked
It took a year from launch, but Gemini on Android is now a much better phone assistant. The latest update lets you access Gemini Extensions from the Android lockscreen.
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Google Sheets now loads and works faster
Last year, Google updated Sheets on the web to perform calculations twice as fast, and a new round of performance improvements are now available.
Expand Expanding ClosePixelated 039: The Pixel in our 9 Pro XL
Welcome to episode 39 of Pixelated, a podcast by 9to5Google. This week, we talk about our long-term Pixel 9 Pro XL review.
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Google Prompt 2FA requiring fingerprint, PIN authentication on Android
Google Prompt is a pretty good 2-factor authentication (2FA) option for the vast majority of users, with Google now adding fingerprint or PIN authentication to the process.
Expand Expanding CloseFind My Device Wear OS app spotted in Pixel Watch 3 ad
Google might be working on a Find My Device app for Wear OS as revealed months ago in the Pixel Watch 3’s intro video.
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Google releases Pixel Camera 9.7 patch update
Google today widely rolled out version 9.7.047.702121536.18 of Pixel Camera, but it’s just a smaller patch update.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle updates Gmail for iPhone with Material 3 redesign
Compared to Android, only some of Google’s iOS apps use the latest version of Material Design. Gmail for iPhone and iPad was finally updated with a Material 3 redesign today.
Expand Expanding Close‘Gemini 2.0 Pro Experimental’ mentioned, but is not here yet [U]
Update: Google has revised the Gemini release notes (to 2025.01.30) and removed the “2.0 Pro Experimental” announcement. In releasing 2.0 Flash today, it looks like a previous/earlier version (2025.01.28) of the changelog was used. Nevertheless, it seems like Google is continuing its “Flash” and “Pro” branding this generation.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle Photos now has a dark theme on the web
After Drive and Calendar in recent months, Google Photos on the web now has a dark theme.
Expand Expanding CloseGemini 2.0 Flash hits stable, rolling out to Gemini app
After entering preview last month, Google is now rolling out the stable version of Gemini 2.0 Flash to the Gemini app.
Expand Expanding Close‘Google Workspace with Gemini’ getting 50 local small biz ads at Super Bowl 2025
For Super Bowl 2025, Google is taking a different approach to ads. Each of the 50 states will see a different Super Bowl commercial promoting a local small business or nonprofit that uses “Google Workspace with Gemini.”
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle Search’s new ‘Ask for me’ calls local businesses for availability, pricing
Following Daily Listen in early January, Google is launching a new Search Lab called “Ask for me.”
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle offering ‘voluntary exit’ for employees working on Pixel, Android
Last year, the teams responsible for Pixel hardware and Android software were merged into one division, and Google today announced a “voluntary exit program” for employees working in the Platforms & Devices group.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle Search adds new ‘Block Breaker’ game
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.
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‘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.
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