9to5Google Weekender

If there’s one thing Google is good at with Pixel, it’s color. This year, “Indigo” is the standout color, even if it’s not on the flagship series, and my new Pixel Watch band reminded me just how good “Indigo” is.

The arrival of native Qi2 support in the Pixel 10 series has let me dive headfirst into a new world of accessories, and Qi2 battery banks have very quickly become my favorite accessory to have on hand.

In my switch to the Galaxy Z Fold 7 as my main phone in recent months, there’s just one thing that continues to annoy me. Samsung seemingly feels the need to ruin Android notifications, and it’s the most bizarre self-sabotage.

Following new announcements this week, the future of Google Home is brighter than ever, and that’s exciting.

Over the years, the Google Home ecosystem – Nest included – has changed a lot, largely to fit Google’s priorities of the time. But, more often than not, any one step forward has resulted in taking two steps back which, as a user, means there’s always some annoyance at play. As Google prepares to present Home and Nest news next week, what’s the one thing you would change about Google Home if you could?

Google is preparing a redesign of the Home app that focuses in on Gemini and AI features, and I’m a little nervous about it, but still optimistic.

Samsung appears to be adopting Qi2 magnets in the Galaxy S26 series, but there’s a key problem with that, and it’s going to require Samsung to eventually redesign its Galaxy phones to fully embrace the standard.

Over the past few days I’ve been on the ground in Berlin covering IFA 2025, and one of the most common things to see on the show floor has been Qi2 accessories. With the Pixel 10 finally adding magnets, I was like a kid in a candy store, so here are some of my favorite Qi2 accessories from IFA.

Google’s Tensor reboot of the Pixel lineup has never been about adding more power, but rather about creating an experience tailored to what Google wants your phone to be. With the Pixel 10, Tensor G5 takes a big step in the right direction, but its increased gap with the competition begs the question – is Tensor enough for the Pixel 10?

One of the big new announcements coming out of Google’s Pixel 10 launch this week was that the Fitbit app is about to get a massive redesign and, after spending some time playing around with it and getting an overview of all of the new features, I think Google is putting together something that’s going to be incredibly helpful, but bordering on information overload.

I’ve carried a Pixel as my daily smartphone for years now because, often, it just provides the experience I want the most. That said, I’ve always had a soft spot for Samsung’s foldables, and the Galaxy Z Fold 7 was finally enough to replace my Pixel as my main smartphone thanks to its drastically upgraded hardware and ever-improving software. But there’s one broken Android feature that continues to irk me.

The Pixel Watch 4 is set to introduce a brand new charger – the third one in four generations of Google’s smartwatch – and while it really seems like the pros outweigh the cons here, I’m dreading a couple of small things.

As we near the launch of Pixel 10, I’m getting some déjà vu with Google’s new devices, as the company has been pushing forward with its flagship phones for the betterment of the entire Android ecosystem, rather than just its own benefit. Sound familiar?

It’s no secret at this point that the Pixel 10 series is not going to be a massive upgrade, but with that in mind, leaks point towards it being perhaps the best kind of subtle upgrade. Here’s why.

Google this week revealed that Nest Aware, the service required to make the most out of Nest Cam, is getting a major price hike, and it’s a tough one to accept as the hardware just keeps aging.

Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold 7 is an impressive jump for the company’s book-style foldable, delivering a needed upgrade and some major improvements. But if we’re looking to crown the biggest upgrade in foldable history, I think Google’s Pixel 9 Pro Fold still earns that title.

Nothing’s new Phone (3) is the company’s self-described first “true flagship,” a designation that, personally, I think is a mistake. But it also brings up the question, if the Nothing Phone (3) isn’t a “true flagship,” is Google’s Pixel?

AI has taken over basically everything in tech. Whether it’s search, social media, or basically every other app on your phone, AI is just everywhere. It demands your attention and is often not optional, but Google Photos just showcased an increasingly rare example of building out AI features with a sense of compromise and care for the end user.

Samsung’s stagnation in the foldable market is finally coming to an end, as the Galaxy Z Fold 7 is catching up with the competition in some major ways. However, Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold 7 actually has me pretty excited, and not just because it’s going to be super thin.

Google released Android 16 to Pixel users this week, an early release and a big milestone. But despite this update truly having a lot to offer in the long run, it has made an incredibly boring debut for users, and at a time where Android really has a chance to shine above its main competition.

The Nintendo Switch 2 is here and, despite most of my time on it spent playing MarioKart, the thing I can’t get out of my head so far is how many of the delightful little animations and sounds remind me of Google’s best designs, especially those scattered throughout Pixel.