Welcome to the third episode of Pixelated, a podcast by 9to5Google. We talk all about Fitbit, or rather Google Fitbit, this week.

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Fitbit has had a number of back-to-back announcements and changes in recent weeks. I don’t think it was particularly planned to be that away, but the flurry of activity is more promising than not. It starts with a “Google Fitbit” name that cements how the brand is firmly a part of Google, just like “Google Nest.” If Google Fitbit was always the plan, they should have really done that from the start instead of picking a “Fitbit by Google” stopgap that was shown to people for sometime on product packaging and marketing. 

With Android 13 QPR2 last year, Google removed the persistent Taskbar from Pixel devices. Android 15 DP2 reintroduces “Always shows Taskbar.”

In recent days, some Google Wallet users have noticed that they’re being prompted to always unlock their Android phone for tap to pay regardless of the transaction amount.

After adding the “Scan Text” OCR tool, Gboard’s latest feature is a “Quality Bug Report” shortcut that opens Google’s standard tool for submitting issues and feedback on Android.

Today’s best deals have Pixel 7 Pro dropping to a better value than Google’s newer handsets at $369 off. Plus, a rare chance to save on the ASUS Chromebox 5 means you can get a desktop Chrome OS machine with Thunderbolt 4 for $439. Hit the jump for all that and more in the latest 9to5Toys Lunch Break.

Google has announced that, in a few months, third-party apps and watch faces will be removed from all Fitbit smartwatches used in the European Union.

The S Pen is one of Samsung’s most iconic smartphone features, but it’s also one that’s change a lot over the years. Nowadays, the legacy of the Galaxy Note’s S Pen lives on through the Galaxy S Ultra series, but the new S Pen’s kinda stink – no, literally.

Officially, 14 public Android builds have been made available by Google. In an ideal world, your device would have the latest stable Android version. However, whether it’s dubious OEM promises, slow rollouts, or just neglect from brands, the reality is that there is a disparity between devices.

As part of the March Feature Drop, the original Pixel Watch is getting the new Fitbit Workout UI introduced with the second-generation wearable.

Profile discovery was announced last November and it’s now seeing a wider Google Messages rollout with the most obvious change being updated contact photos.

Android 15 Developer Preview 2 is rolling out today and integrates app archiving right into system Settings. 

If you’ve ever wanted to listen to music or watch a video with a friend without disturbing others nearby, Android 15’s new “Audio sharing” feature may be just what you’re looking for.

It’s taken way too long, but after the better part of eight years now, Samsung has finally adopted Android’s Seamless Updates on its latest Galaxy devices.

The next Android 15 Developer Preview is available today, and we are looking at DP2 to find what’s new.

Another year, another Android version. The second Android 15 Developer Preview is now available for Google Pixel devices. Here’s how to install it, and why you might want to wait a little while.

Google is rolling out Android 15 Developer Preview 2 today ahead of next month’s first beta. It continues work on a number of tentpoles with more capabilities taking shape in this release.