Google Play Store now says TikTok ‘isn’t available’
In addition to the in-app shutdown notice, TikTok is no longer available to download from the Google Play Store.
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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.
Google Store showing Pixel 9 prices that assume trade-ins
The Google Store has made an interesting change that shows the price of Pixel 9 phones if the buyer trades-in a device.
Expand Expanding ClosePixelated 037: The Big G outlook for 2025
Welcome to episode 37 of Pixelated, a podcast by 9to5Google. This week, we preview Google’s product plans for 2025.
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Fitbit prompting Pixel Watch users to update Wear OS app
Most of the user-facing health and exercise features on the Pixel Watch are powered by the Fitbit Wear OS app and an update is rolling out today.
Expand Expanding CloseHow to customize the Google Chrome toolbar with shortcuts on Mac, Windows
Chrome 132 started rolling out this week as Google’s first major browser update of 2025, and one new feature the company is finally making official is the ability to customize the toolbar on desktop.
Expand Expanding CloseYouTube Music adds ‘Samples’ to artist pages as a new way to discover songs
In 2023, YouTube Music rolled out the “Samples” feed as a “personalized music discovery feature,” and it’s now accessible from artist pages.
Expand Expanding CloseWhat features are coming next to the Gemini app?
Going into 2025, Google has telegraphed that the Gemini app will continue to see a lot of new features, and there are quite a few things consumers, especially on Android, are waiting for.
Expand Expanding CloseSamsung Galaxy S25 leak shows new Gemini overlay, hotword, and more
Ahead of next week’s Samsung event, the Galaxy S25 leaks continue and the latest marketing reveals the Gemini experience.
Expand Expanding CloseGemini app getting more real-time information with news partnership
Google today announced a news partnership with The Associated Press (AP) to “provide fresh results for the Gemini app.”
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle fully details 2025 Workspace price increase
With Gemini now included in all business tiers, Google is increasing the price of Workspace plans in 2025.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle Workspace business users getting full Gemini experience, price increasing
Previously, Google charged an additional $20+ per user/month for Gemini in Gmail, Docs, Meet, and other Workspace apps. The full Gemini experience is now coming to Google Workspace business users as part of a price increase.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle Home app starts rolling out Nest Protect and Matter smart lock support
Starting in the Public Preview program, Google Home is finally adding support for the Nest Protect, as well as Matter-certified smart locks. Android app support is rolling out starting today.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle app showing new bottom toolbar for Search, Discover pages
The Google app on Android has long made use of a Chrome Custom Tab and there’s now a new toolbar when opening Search results and Discover articles.
Expand Expanding CloseYouTube Premium code takes $100 off Pixel 9, stacks with existing $150 discount
Some YouTube Premium subscribers are getting promo codes that discount the Pixel 9 series by $100. Notably, this can be combined with an existing Google Store sale.
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YouTube Music fixes Top Listener badge for December 2024 [U]
YouTube officially announced the “badges” features in October, but YouTube Music users are now seeing existing ones doubled instead of getting their December Top Listener badge.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle Lens now immediately opens to the camera
Now that we have Circle to Search, Google Lens has been updated so that it immediately starts the camera viewfinder upon launch on Android and iOS.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle Home app finally rolling out Dynamic Color theming [U]
Despite the big Material You redesign happening in 2022, the Google Home app did not adopt Dynamic Color, though that’s finally changing.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle tests simpler Circle to Search design
Since launch last year, Google has tweaked the design of Circle to Search a bit, and the latest change aims to simplify the UI.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle Photos rolling out ‘Memories’ tab removal on Android
Following iOS, Google Photos for Android is simplifying the bottom bar by removing the “Memories” tab, though the auto-organizing feed — now called “Moments” — remains available.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle Messages more widely rolling out dual SIM RCS support [U]
Google Messages has been working on dual SIM RCS since the start of this year, and support is now more widely rolling out in beta.
Expand Expanding CloseGemini app gains 2.0 Experimental Advanced access on Android, iOS
After introducing in mid-December, Gemini Advanced subscribers can now access 2.0 Experimental Advanced in the Gemini app on Android and iOS.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle Messages now lets you set your own photos for contacts, replacing profile sharing
Late last year, Google widely rolled out “profile sharing” wherein you set what name and contact photo other people see in the Messages app. This resulted in people seeing different profile images, but Google Messages is now letting you override that with “Set as chat picture.”
Expand Expanding ClosePixel 9, 9 Pro, and 9 Pro Fold back on sale at Google Store
With the first US Google Store discounts of 2025 focused on the Pixel Watch, Fitbit, and Pixel Buds, the next sale is for the Pixel 9 series.
Expand Expanding CloseYouTube Music adds Top songs carousel to artist pages
In what should be the first rolled out change of 2025, artist pages on YouTube Music now feature a Top songs carousel.
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