Earlier this month, Google started testing Gemini in Google Assistant on the Nest Mini and Audio, and here are the new voices.
Expand Expanding CloseHere are the new Google Assistant Gemini voices on Nest Mini [Video]
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.
3-button ‘Gesture navigation’ exists in Android XR
Android XR will support several input methods, with Google even building a “Gesture navigation” system that uses the familiar 3-button layout.
Expand Expanding ClosePixelated 035: 2 Gemini 2 Android
Welcome to episode 35 of Pixelated, a podcast by 9to5Google. This week, we talk about Gemini 2.0 and the 2 Android beta/preview releases.
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Pixel Tablet gets new ‘Swirling petals’ wallpapers [Download]
For the Pixel 9 series, Google introduced a “Swirling petals” collection, and a subset of those wallpapers are now available for the Pixel Tablet.
Expand Expanding CloseGemini Advanced rolls out ‘Deep Research’ as first agentic feature [U]
Gemini Advanced subscribers are getting access to a new “Deep Research” capability. It is the “first feature in Gemini” to bring Google’s vision of agents that can perform complex actions on your behalf.
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Google Photos now shows what Albums images & videos are in
A nice quality-of-life improvement to Google Photos for Android (and the web) shows “Albums” status in the Info panel.
Expand Expanding CloseFiles by Google will support Gemini’s ‘Ask about this PDF’
After rolling out a new PDF viewer, Files by Google has detailed a trio of new features, including integration with Gemini’s upcoming “Ask about this PDF” functionality.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle Fiber has new Core 1 Gig, Home 3 Gig, and Edge 8 Gig plans/branding
Over the past few weeks, Google Fiber — or “GFiber” — introduced new plans (Core 1 Gig, Home 3 Gig, and Edge 8 Gig) with updated branding and features in two cities.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle Keep making users ‘reload’ notes, rounds corners on Android
Google Keep users this week are being prompted to “reload” their notes, while there’s also a small design tweak on Android that curves corners.
Expand Expanding CloseGemini app widely rolling out 2.0 Flash model switcher on Android
After hitting the Google app beta channel on Monday, access to 2.0 Flash Experimental in the Gemini app on Android is now rolling out to stable users.
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Android 15 QPR1 Beta 3.1 to stable update now available for Pixel
Google today is rolling out the OTA update that takes Pixel devices on Android 15 QPR1 Beta 3.1 to the stable release.
Expand Expanding Close‘Gemini 2.0 Flash Thinking’ is Google’s first reasoning model
Google today released an experimental “Gemini 2.0 Flash Thinking” model that “explicitly shows its thoughts” to solve complex problems.
Expand Expanding CloseHere’s everything new in Android 16 Developer Preview 2 [Gallery]
The second developer preview of Android 16 is available today, and we are looking at DP2 to find what new features have been introduced. So far, this isn’t a big release.
Expand Expanding CloseAndroid 16 Developer Preview 2 rolling out for Pixel
Ahead of the Q2 2025 launch, Google is rolling out Developer Preview 2 of Android 16 to Pixel devices. This should be the last Android update of the year, with 15 QPR2 Beta 2 arriving earlier this week.
Expand Expanding CloseNest Wifi Pro December 2024 update improves Mesh performance
After the last firmware release in August, Google is rolling out a new software update to the Nest Wifi Pro with Mesh improvements. The router is over two years old at this point.
Expand Expanding CloseGemini app on iPhone update adds model picker for 2.0 Flash
Following Android, Google is rolling out an update to the Gemini app on iPhone that lets users select 2.0 Flash Experimental.
Expand Expanding ClosePixel ‘Enhance Now Playing’ update rolling out with album artwork, default music player
As announced with the December 2024 Feature Drop, Google is rolling out an “Enhance Now Playing” setting for Pixel devices.
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Gmail’s latest AI models helping block more scams this holiday season
As “scammers go into overdrive during the holiday season,” Gmail’s latest AI-powered protections have resulted in “35% fewer scams (phishing, malware, etc.) hitting inboxes.”
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Pixel Phone app tests making Audio Emoji more prominent
Introduced with the Pixel 8a in May, Audio Emoji continues to see updates, like seasonal animations, with Google now testing a more prominent access point in the Phone app.
Expand Expanding CloseInstagram’s ‘Night Mode’ camera is available on these Android phones
Instagram for Android is taking advantage of Android’s Camera Extensions API to power a “Night Mode” on the latest Google Pixel and Samsung Galaxy phones.
Expand Expanding CloseFitbit Cardio and Target Load rolling out to more watches, trackers
Fitbit introduced Cardio Load and Target Load with the Pixel Watch 3, and the metrics are now rolling out to the Pixel Watch and Pixel Watch 2, as well as Fitbit smartwatches and trackers.
Expand Expanding CloseGemini subscribers can now use ‘2.0 Experimental Advanced’ with ‘significantly improved performance’
Following Gemini 2.0 Flash Experimental in the past week, Google is now letting Gemini Advanced customers access a new 2.0 Experimental Advanced model.
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Google simplifies Generative AI Prohibited Use Policy
Google first introduced its Generative AI Prohibited Use Policy in March of 2023, and an update today aims to simplify the list of what isn’t allowed for Gemini and other first-party tools.
Expand Expanding CloseCircle to Search shimmer getting new Google color scheme
After adding Pixel Screenshots “Save” integration, Circle to Search is updating its shimmer animation to use the four Google colors.
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