Will Sattelberg

As has become tradition, Google Play has returned to mark the end of another year with its roundup of the best Android apps and games from 2025.

Welcome to The Sideload episode 13, a 9to5Google podcast. This week, Will welcomes Android Authority‘s News Editor Stephen Schenck to the show to discuss some of their collective favorite tech failures of all time. From relitigating whether Stadia could’ve been a success to fawning over the sheer simplicity of the Chromecast Audio, it’s a walk through some of tech’s roughest moments — moments that we might’ve loved even if the rest of the world did not.

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Welcome to episode 78 of Pixelated, a podcast by 9to5Google. This week, Abner, Damien, and Will tackle Google’s surprise Pixel Drop, a jam-packed update filled with new features like low-power maps, notification summaries, and a Wicked-inspired theme pack. Then Will walks through his thoughts on the OnePlus 15, a device that crushes in the battery life department but falls a bit short when it comes to, well, everything else.

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These days, there’s a pretty good chance whatever movie or TV show you’re looking for is available for streaming — the question is, which streaming app is it actually on? Google is attempting to make your Friday night process of finding something to watch a little easier with an upgrade to search in the Play Store.

We’ve known the Galaxy S26 lineup has been in flux for a while now, despite Samsung’s usual launch window well within reach. Now, we’re gaining some insight on what the company has in store for its smallest flagship, and it might be shedding some light on what was up with all of those Galaxy S26 “Pro” rumors from earlier this year.

YouTube TV subscribers are about to enter their third straight week of Disney-owned properties being held off-the-air as part of a carriage dispute between the two brands, and while momentum is seemingly building towards a deal, there doesn’t appear to be an end in sight.

The OnePlus 15’s global launch is today, but if you’re in the US, you’re going to be waiting a little while longer. Thanks to the (newly-ended) government shutdown, OnePlus is still waiting on its final FCC certification.

No matter how it’s translated into raw sales or market share, OnePlus has been on a tear in the lead-up to the OnePlus 15. The OnePlus Open remains one of my favorite foldables ever, and I continue to hope for an eventual follow-up to compete against Samsung and Google’s efforts in the US. The OnePlus 12 and 13, meanwhile, offered exceptional rivals to the usual suspects lining your carrier’s shelves; this year’s OnePlus 13, in particular, felt like something special.

Alongside a new console-like PC, VR headset, and controller, Valve is bringing support for Android games natively to Steam, and it could make for an exciting addition to the PC gaming storefront.

The Galaxy Z Fold 7 might be the foldable we’ve always wanted from Samsung, but the Galaxy Z Flip 7 received a much smaller reworking this year. Despite the thinner chassis overall, Samsung’s flip phone still feels pretty bulky, even compared to the thicker Moto Razr lineup. After a quiet couple of years for the Flip series, though, that obsession with slimness could finally make its way to the Galaxy Z Flip lineup next year.

Welcome to The Sideload episode 12, a 9to5Google podcast. This week, Will welcomes Ben Schoon back to the show to discuss his experience using Gemini for Home, Google’s AI-optimized suite of tools now available in early access. It’s a surprisingly positive experience in Ben’s eyes, but does that just make its letdowns sting that much more? Plus, Ben and Will talk through how Gemini can shine on Google TV, whether it’s improving the right parts of Android Auto, and Ben’s favorite smartphone of 2025.

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For several years now, Samsung has celebrated Earth Day by adding a new lineup of flagships to its “Certified Re-Newed” program. The company appears to be changing up its schedule, however, as the mainline Galaxy S25 series and the Galaxy Z Fold 6 are both now available months ahead of schedule.

The fight between Disney and YouTube TV might seem fairly commonplace on the surface, especially if you’ve followed any carriage disputes in the pre-streaming era. But despite Google’s cable replacement showing no signs of slowing down its growth, the stalemate between it and the House of Mouse has already expanded well beyond its usual scope, without any signs of peace coming any time soon.

Welcome to episode 77 of Pixelated, a podcast by 9to5Google. This week, Abner, Damien, and Will discuss the latest AI improvements making their way to Google Maps in the coming months, including improved conversational guidance along routes and landmark navigation. From there, we cover Google’s ongoing feud with Disney following the expiration of their shared YouTube TV contract, before finishing up with a dive into some extremely impressive Pixel 10 sales numbers.

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Niagara Launcher has long been one of the best alternative launchers you can find on the Play Store, and today, a new update is rolling out that brings a colorful, artistic touch to practically every aspect of the UI.

It’s been less than a week since Disney-owned channels went off the air for YouTube TV subscribers, but we’re still seeing some unintended effects ripple through the industry. Following Disney’s move to pull its vast collection of original and acquired entertainment, Movies Anywhere is the next platform to see a hit from the House of Mouse.

Samsung’s upcoming Galaxy S26 series might seem a little messy to outside observers, but no amount of drama or rumored Edge cancellations could seemingly dampen what the company sees as a slam-dunk hit set to arrive in just a few months.

Welcome to The Sideload episode 11, a 9to5Google podcast. This week, Will is joined by Nick Sutrich, Senior Content Producer at Android Central, to discuss everything VR, AR, and whatever lies in between. This isn’t just a conversation surrounding the launch of Galaxy XR and the Android XR platform — together, Nick and Will walk through the entire XR landscape, ranging from the ongoing dominance of Meta Quest to the failure of PSVR2, and, of course, a look at the smart glasses that could shape our future.

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The Pixel 10 is about as good a smartphone as we’ve seen from Google yet, and you don’t have to take our word for it. Google’s seeing some unprecedented success on the back of its latest hardware launch, and while it’s a far cry from the likes of Apple and Samsung, it’s something worth getting excited about.

We’re entering our first full week of Google’s fight with Disney over its YouTube TV agreements, and the pain is starting to spread. In addition to the looming threat of missing out on Monday Night Football, Disney has seemingly pulled its content from Google Play over its failed negotiations.

While one Android flagship is seeing a launch so early, it’s beating out the holiday season, Samsung appears content to take its time building up to the Galaxy S26 series.