The latest version of Wear OS has landed, just in time for Android 17 to start rolling out on Pixel smartphones. Wear OS 7 is not a huge departure from Wear OS 6, but the update brings a handful of new features that are either available now or coming soon.

It's not immediately clear what's new with Wear OS 7 when you update your smartwatch. Fortunately, we're going to highlight the biggest changes coming to your smartwatch that you'll want to take advantage of.

Wear OS 7: Devices and availability

Right now, Wear OS 7 is rolling out to smartwatches running Wear OS 6. However, future Wear OS models, such as the Galaxy Watch 9, could arrive with the new update preloaded out of the box. The current devices eligible for the update include:

• Google Pixel Watch 4
• Google Pixel Watch 3
• Google Pixel Watch 2

In addition to the Pixel Watch series, we expect Wear OS 7 to appear on older Galaxy Watch models, including the latest Galaxy Watch 8 series. OnePlus watches, such as the OnePlus Watch 3, will likely also be updated, though it's unclear when they will arrive on Wear OS outside the Pixel Watch series.

We will update this section when companies announce their Wear OS 7 release schedules.

Wear OS 7: New features

Visually, Wear OS 7 is not a huge departure from Wear OS 6 and still employs Google's Material Expressive design language. However, the company made notable under-the-hood changes and introduced new features that are either available now or will arrive later.

Live Updates

Android's Live Update notifications are a useful way to keep an eye on the status of things like deliveries, sports scores and more. These are coming to Wear OS 7 devices, and will be accessible via the notifications view, which you can access by tapping the notification icon.

Remote Media routing and per-app auto launch

Changes to how your watch handles media are coming. With Wear OS 7, you can choose which apps auto-launch the media player, including YouTube, YouTube Music, and Spotify.

Additionally, when playing media, users can route the audio output directly from the watch. If you're playing music on your phone, you can use the watch to instead have audio played from another connected device, such as a smart speaker.

Android XR control

Android XR devices are coming later this year, and with Wear OS 7, you'll be able to control these wearables directly from your wrist. Google highlights one example in which, when you take a photo with connected Android XR glasses, the preview appears on the watch. It's unclear at the moment what other ways Wear OS 7 watches will connect to Android XR glasses.

Gemini updates

Gemini is getting some noteworthy changes, starting with the new Neural Expressive design language for a more fluid UI. But beyond looks, Gemini becomes more functional with the help of Gemini Intelligence. Users on Wear OS 7 can trigger automated tasks on their phones directly from Gemini on their wrists, and they can track the progress and completion of these processes on the watch.

Additionally, with Personal Intelligence, Gemini on your watch will be able to take your personal context from connected apps like Gmail, Search, and Messages to make more informed decisions and suggestions, providing more relevant responses.

Widgets

Widgets are the new evolution of Wear OS tiles, allowing developers to create more flexible and dynamic dashboards for your favorite apps to match those on your phones. Furthermore, using Gemini Intelligence, you can create your own widgets by telling Gemini what you want using natural language, allowing you to get the type of glanceable information you want.

Google Contact app updates

The Google Contacts app is getting some quality-of-life updates to make it more functional. When searching for a contact in the Google Messages app, there is now a three-button layout with the keyboard and voice text to make it easier to find the contact you're looking for.

Additionally, improvements have been made to the UI, including an updated Favorites list, new quick action buttons, and a larger contact photo.

Emergency Sharing updates

Loss of Pulse, Car Crash, and Fall Detection features in the Safety & Emergency settings now have the option to toggle on Emergency sharing. This will share your location and other information with emergency services if there is no response from you and the phone detects a fall, car crash, or loss of pulse.

Wear Workout Tracker

Wear OS watches often offer their own fitness and workout apps, but to help reduce development time and resources, Wear OS 7 now has a built-in Workout Tracker. Later this year, fitness apps like ASICS Runkeeper can tap into the heart rate monitor, media controls, and more, which can help standardize the fitness tracking experience across Wear OS devices.

Battery life improvements

Perhaps one of the most important improvements coming with Wear OS 7 is the boost in battery life. According to Google, users can expect up to a 10% improvement in battery life thanks to system-level power optimizations. This could mean at least a few hours of additional battery life, which is a lot for smartwatches.

One UI 9 Watch

Samsung's version of Wear OS is built with its own One UI skin on top, which it calls One UI Watch. With Wear OS 7, we expect Samsung to roll out One UI 9 Watch, which should bring new features and changes compared to One UI 8 Watch.

We don't know much about One UI 9 Watch at the moment, but it is expected to feature a similar, yet refreshed, interface. We can also expect new features and customizations, with Samsung set to release new Blood Pressure Trends with the update to replace Vascular Load.

One UI 9 Watch firmware has reportedly been spotted on Galaxy Watch 8 models, which suggests it's likely close to landing on our smartwatches.

We can expect One UI 9 Watch to arrive with the Galaxy Watch 9 series, which is expected in July alongside the Galaxy Z Fold 8. The update will likely arrive soon after on eligible Galaxy smartwatches.

What you need to know

• Google Photos received another reimagining tool called "Video Remix."
• Similar to its other Remix option, Video Remix lets users reimagine a video with new lighting, an entirely different theme or style, and more.
• The Create tab's Remix was our introduction to this for photos in 2025, and a Remix option as since hit Google TV.

New AI capabilities are rolling out in Google Photos. Reality can be nice, but there are times when you wish you could remix it into something better.

This afternoon (July 8), Google Photos announced a new feature rolling out called "Video Remix." The Create tab in the Photos app is where you can get started. Google states Video Remix "transforms ordinary videos into share-worthy moments in just a few taps." The feature leans on Google's Gemini Omni model to handle the user's editing prompt.

On one hand, users can leverage Video Remix's easy templates for quick edits. However, you can also tell the AI what you'd like to change, such as lighting or style/theme. Video Remix can also reimagine your video's background. In an example, Google says users can take their video from out on the street to a greenhouse.

Video Remix is rolling out today (July 8) for eligible Google AI Plus, Pro and Ultra subscribers. The following countries will see this: U.S., Argentina, Bangladesh, Brazil, Colombia, Egypt, India, Indonesia, Japan, Mexico, Pakistan, Philippines, South Korea, Turkey.

Create tab welcomes videos

We're no strangers to remixing things in Google Photos. After all, the Create tab was the main event in the app's update last summer. Google Photos received the same photo-to-video capabilities that Gemini did. "Remix" only concerned images at the time. Users could upload a photo and tell the AI to turn it into a Christmas party or a still straight from a comic book or anime.

At the time, Google said Remix and the other features in the Create tab were experimental. They only rolled out to U.S. users initially before others. Now, it seems Google has learned some lessons about how its remixing feature can help users, so we're seeing better availability.

AI creations have expanded this year, as Google TV got in on the AI hype. Photos that you've stored in your Google account can be turned into a "dynamic slideshow" for your TV's screensaver. What's more, even TVs got a Remix option. This works like all the rest: capable of reimaging images with totally wacky and fun styles.

What you need to know

• Meta AI announced Muse Image, its newest image generator that builds off what it started with Muse Spark.
• Muse Image is "rooted" in the user's social circle (or anyone publicly on Instagram), able of adding people into an image if they're @-mentioned.
• The latest AI also brings image generation to WhatsApp chats and 30 new effects for Instagram Stories.

Meta AI introduced us to its new direction with Muse Spark, and now the company's unveiling an AI model for image generation.

Meta got off to a fast start, stating Muse Image is capable of producing "precise edits and more personalized creations through Instagram." What's more, Muse Image pairs well with Muse Spark from its Superintelligent Labs. Muse Spark featured some hefty reasoning capabilities for user prompts, and Meta says the same tech is available in Muse Image. Its image generator understands complex prompts, and it can browse the web for context.

What truly stands out for Muse Image is how Meta says this AI is "rooted in your world." In Meta AI, users can @-mention someone they know from Instagram. The company says Muse Image will bring those profiles' images directly into your AI creations. The AI can only grab publicly available photos. Meta says it's giving users an easy way to manage how their content can be used for AI.

Once Muse Image is done, users can share what the AI created in Instagram Stories and group chat. Speaking of Stories, Meta says Muse Image brings 30 new AI effects for this feature, as well as image generation capabilities in chats on WhatsApp; however, this is starting "in limited countries with more on the way."

The AI's ability to understand the user's prompt is an important aspect. To make this as painless as possible, Meta says Muse Image can understand "simple, conversational language." Other than "high-quality" images, Muse Image can create infographics or how-to guides with fully rendered, legible text. Additionally, Meta says this text will be "styled to match" whatever you're going for, but users can likely tweak this further if necessary.

All about people

The ideas won't flow every day, and that's where Meta AI's "suggested presets" come into play. If you've uploaded a photo, Muse Image will have a few suggestions on what you can do with it. Perhaps you want to restore its former glory or reimagine it with a wacky theme. Elsewhere, Muse Image in Meta AI can help users redesign rooms with products sourced from the web and the Facebook Marketplace.

Moreover, users can edit photos directly in Meta AI, thanks to Muse Image.

While Muse Image's availability is limited for now, the company is preparing to roll it out to more countries and users who have Meta AI. Also, Muse Image is eyeing a home on Facebook and Messenger with additional updates for Instagram and WhatsApp.

Muse Image is the next step for Meta AI after it debuted Muse Spark in April. The company said this AI model was to bring us into a "people first" era. Muse Spark leverages multiple AI agents to handle user tasks with speed and accuracy. Muse Spark can help people create a small minigame and find answers for troubleshooting problems. More than that, Meta says that it wants to bring health assistance to the AI.

The company states that it's been working with over 1,000 physicians to provide curated training data.

What you need to know

• Meta is rolling out a mandatory update that disables the camera entirely if the glasses' privacy light is tampered with or covered.
• Earlier glasses only showed a prompt when the LED was covered, but users bypassed it by drilling holes or using mods.
• Meta will also remove ads and posts promoting tampering services and take action against any accounts linked to them.
• The change follows growing misuse of Meta's AI glasses and public backlash over the company ignoring the issue for so long.

Something that should've been here from day one has finally happened. Meta is rolling out an update that blocks users from recording with its smart glasses if they tamper with the privacy light.

Smart glasses are inherently a privacy nightmare. To this day, plenty of people don't realize that the glowing LED on Meta's AI glasses means they're being recorded, and Meta has finally taken a step to curb this creepy behavior.

The company has started rolling out a mandatory update for all Ray-Ban Meta and Meta's new glasses that will now disable the camera entirely if the privacy light is destroyed or tampered with.

Starting with its second-generation glasses, Meta tried to stop users from covering the LED with tape or other objects by showing a prompt asking them to uncover the recording light before continuing.

Tampering with the privacy light now kills the camera

Even then, users found workarounds like drilling into the holes, and modders came up with more sophisticated methods, but that shouldn't be possible anymore.

In its latest FAQ, Meta explains that the camera will now be physically disabled if the glasses detect that the privacy light has been tampered with or covered.

The company also says it's working across its platforms to remove ads and posts advertising these kinds of tampering services, and that it will take action against any accounts tied to them.

There's been growing misuse of Meta's AI glasses, along with plenty of public backlash over the company failing to address this creepy behavior sooner. It seems Meta has finally listened, and this is an important privacy change.

It's also worth noting that the update will be mandatory for all Meta and Ray-Ban Meta users.

Android Central's Take

About time, honestly. Meta let this creepy behavior slide for far too long, and it took public backlash to force a fix. I'm glad it's here, but I can't help wondering why it wasn't baked in from the start.

Google pulled a Google on Pixel Studio image generation, meaning the feature was killed just like countless other projects before it. Now that the AI image-generating feature is gone, there are still quite a few ways to create custom stickers on a Pixel phone.

Of the many ways, the easiest is as quick as a long press, whereas the other options require a few more steps. So, here are some ways I like to create custom stickers on my Pixel 10 Pro without Pixel Studio.

Note that my Pixel is running Android 17, but Pixels running Android 16 with recent updates should also have access to the same features. Make sure you update your phone and apps to the latest available versions in case you still don't see these features on your Pixel phone.

How to create custom stickers on Pixel phones with Google Photos

Google Photos is the native image gallery app on every single Pixel phone. Many Android phones also use it as the native image viewer.

To create a custom sticker from a preexisting image, first find the picture you want in Google Photos.

After that, simply press and hold the subject you want to make into a sticker. I usually use my cat, but this works with other animals and people too.

From there, you can past your sticker in other apps, including chats. You can also find them in the Collections tab on Google Photos.

How to create custom stickers on Pixel phones with Google Messages

Little did I know that Google Messages already has a sticker creator built into it. Now that I have found it, I am happy to share that it is incredibly easy to use.

If you want to create custom stickers from your photos, just open a chat in Google Messages and tap the smiley face icon next to the photo attachment icon in the text box. Then, choose the Photomoji option.

After that, either take a picture with the camera or select a picture from your device to create a sticker. Simply tap the send button to send the newly created sticker to the chat.

You can also use this sticker as a reaction image as opposed to the preloaded emojis, as a way to spice up your reactions ot messages.

There are still so many other ways to create your own custom stickers for messaging apps

Although we can no longer use Pixel Studio to reimagine our photos into fun stickers or simply create basic ones, there are plenty of alternatives to do so.

The simplest way to access the same image-generation feature Pixel Studio had is to open Gemini. Attach the picture you want to turn into a sticker, give Gemini the instructions, and it'll spit out what you need. However, the result will be a picture with an opaque background.

WhatsApp users will find that creating stickers in the app is child's play. Simply select the stickers option in the app, then tap the "create sticker" button to convert any image from your photo gallery into a sticker. There's no AI reimagination feature, however, so you'll have to rely on AI like Gemini for that.

What you need to know

• Google now counts Android backups like SMS, call history, and settings toward your Google storage quota.
• New backup controls let you choose exactly which data, including call history and settings, gets backed up.
• Google says the average Android backup is only around 40MB, so most users won't notice a major impact.

Google has started counting your Android phone's backup data against your Google account storage.

Previously, Android backup data, including SMS, call history, and device settings, didn't count toward your Google storage quota. The only backup data that did count was Google Photos and MMS.

However, as spotted by 9to5Google, starting July 7th, Google is now counting all Android backup data against your total Google account storage.

This means SMS, call history, device settings, and other app data will now all count toward your total storage. On the upside, though, Google is also giving users more control over what gets backed up. There are new toggles in the Android backup settings that let you manually choose what's included.

For example, you can choose whether to back up your call history, device settings, or app data individually, and turn off anything you don't need. You can find these options by going to Settings > Accounts and Backup > Google Backup.

The good news is that this will barely matter for most people. Google says the average Android backup is only around 40MB in size, so it's unlikely to make a meaningful dent in your total storage.

That said, if you have a lot of data to back up, you might need to upgrade to paid storage through a Google One or Google AI plan to get the extra headroom you need.

Google has already started rolling out the change. I can see it on my Pixel 10 Pro, and the company says existing accounts will get it in the coming months.

Android Central's Take

Honestly, I assumed Android backup data was already counting against my Google storage this whole time. Turns out it wasn't, so this change doesn't bother me much. What I do appreciate though is the new granular controls. Being able to choose exactly what gets backed up is something Android should have offered a long time ago, and I'm glad it's finally here.

Google and Android are pretty much synonymous, given that the former owns and develops the latter. However, over the years, Android has more or less grown into its own entity, spanning not just your phone but wearables, vehicles, and more. Meanwhile, Google as a company continues to expand its reach beyond just Android and Search, and lately it's been all about AI.

But we want to know how you feel about both. In 2026, are you a fan of Google and/or Android? Let us know your thoughts in the comments!

Google and Android in 2026

Google and Android have grown a lot since their early days. Google (and its parent company, Alphabet) grew from a simple search engine to a huge conglomerate with a hand in many aspects of our lives, including internet browsers, self-driving cars, internet service, and the very smartphones in our hands. And while Google has pushed the boundaries of AI for many years, things have only recently begun to ramp up exponentially with the advent of generative AI.

Google now sees itself as an AI company, and these days its focus has been on incorporating AI across its many products.

Still, despite bringing tons of fun and useful products over the years, Google has had its fair share of problems. The company is constantly in litigation over its practices and has, on several occasions, been found to be anticompetitive or maintain a monopoly in certain markets. It has also aligned itself with government contracts that consumers find morally questionable.

Google has also introduced a ton of products only to kill them shortly after, which has sullied consumer trust in the brand.

Fortunately, Android is one of the products that Google has not managed to kill. After buying Android in 2005, Google turned it into the world's most widely used operating system, spanning many different device types and price points.

Android has many faces, even just on smartphones, thanks to its open-source nature, and companies like Samsung have helped expand its reach and feature set. In fact, Android phones often adopt new features before iOS on iPhones.

That said, Android isn't perfect, and while it has certainly become more capable with Android 17, it's still seen by many as a second-class citizen when compared to Apple. Even in 2026, there are still plenty of popular apps that are launched on iOS before making it to Android. And when apps do come to Android, there are often quality issues that aren't present on iOS.

Additionally, unlike iOS, Android is not very consistent, especially when you move across brands. Samsung and Google's own Pixel smartphones tend to get new Android platform features before anyone else, leaving others like Motorola waiting on the sidelines, which some find frustrating.

But let us know in the comments how you feel about Android and Google and if you're a fan of one or the other (or both)!

What you need to know

• Google Maps may soon let you order food with Gemini, cutting out apps like Uber Eats and DoorDash.
• Hidden code in the latest Google Maps app points to an upcoming "Ask Maps to order food" feature, but it's not live yet.
• The feature appears to build on Gemini's Ask Maps experience, taking users from restaurant discovery to placing an order in one conversation.

Google Maps has long been the go-to app for finding a good place to eat. Soon, it may also be the app that orders your meal before you even arrive.

The latest version of Google Maps (26.27.00.941319029) has code strings hinting that the app could be used for more than just discovering restaurants and letting users order food via its Gemini-powered Ask Maps experience, as observed by the folks at Android Authority. If it works as intended, users might not have to get into apps like Uber Eats or DoorDash to place an order.

The strings refer to a feature called “Ask Maps to order food.” The feature isn't live at this point, but the wording gives one of the clearest glimpses yet into what Google is planning.

One of the promotional messages reads: “Tell us what you’re craving, find local favorites, and Maps will order for you — even when you’re on the go.” Other strings include a shortcut to “Order food,” a “Try it out” button, and an option to dismiss the prompt for later.

Gemini does the heavy lifting

The idea probably stems from Ask Maps, an AI assistant Google unveiled earlier this year. Gemini already has a feature that lets users find restaurants and attractions through natural-language conversations, instead of traditional keyword searches. It looks like Google isn't stopping at just recommendations. Instead, it looks like the next logical step is to complete the order for you.

We don’t yet know exactly how Google plans to do this. The big unknown is if Gemini will be able to do the entire ordering process in the cloud or if it’s going to lean on Google’s newer on-device AI capabilities.

Some of the functionality may require newer hardware to work too, such as the agentic AI features Google recently announced for the Pixel 10 series, which can do things like place orders, Android Authority points out. That said, Maps has always offered the same core experience across Android devices, so it’d be surprising if food ordering was limited to a handful of phones after all.

Then there's the question of what kind of ordering Google has in mind. The app’s strings appear geared toward pickup, implying Maps can order food while you’re driving.

If this feature sounds familiar, it’s because Google has tried in-app food ordering before. The company has also rolled out restaurant ordering into Search, Assistant, and Maps years ago with partners including DoorDash and other delivery services. This time, it’s the AI tier that’s different.

But for now there is no public interface to test and no timeline for launch. As with any APK teardown, just because you see the code doesn’t mean the feature will ship. Google builds a lot of stuff that never makes it into stable releases.

Android Central's Take

I'd be all for that if it actually helps me not bounce around between three different apps to get dinner sorted. If Google Maps can suggest a restaurant, order my dish, and have it ready for me when I arrive, that's a real quality-of-life upgrade. But Google also tends to add more features to Maps every year, and some of them don't stick. I’d rather see the company nail down a fast, reliable ordering experience than turn Maps into yet another bloated app that’s trying to do everything and does very little well.

What you need to know

• Google announced Android 17 QPR1 Beta 6 is rolling out for enrolled Pixel testers a week after Beta 5 dropped.
• The patch is lighter, focused mostly on fixing issues Pixel testers have been reporting on the Issue Tracker.
• Beta 5 carried a significant number of fixes for Pixel users, such as solutions for vanishing widgets, the Game Dashboard, and more.

The next beta for Android 17's first quarterly update has crossed a major developmental hurdle. Here's everything Pixel testers can expect to find.

Google announced that Android 17 QPR1 Beta 6 is rolling out now for enrolled Pixel users. As vCP31.260618.005 rolls out to Pixel 6 and new phones, Google states Beta 6 means the quarterly update has reached Platform Stability. This is a key milestone, as Google looks to begin preparations for a wider (stable) launch for phones. This latest beta is a bit lighter. Google only appears to have a few bugs it's looking to squash ahead of more testing.

The company states it's rolling out a visual glitch when "rapidly swiping through the media carousel." Google says users experienced this in the Quick Settings layout and settings icons. Another fix rolling in is the result of several reports across three Issue Tracker threads following Beta 5. Pressing the volume buttons was reportedly producing an unintended result in the Clock app.

The remainder of the changelog is as follows:

• Users were unable to select multiple spell checker languages
• An issue in WindowManagerGlobal that resulted in app crashes
• Enabling the Wi-Fi hotspot displayed a generic default SSID instead of the user's saved custom name

The work continues

Beta 6 has stunned Pixel testers. It's only been a week since QPR1 Beta 5 rolled out, and that patch carried a significant number of bug fixes. The last beta rolled out a fix for an Android 17 problem stable Pixel users encountered: vanishing widgets. So, while Google has acknowledged and seemingly already solved this problem, Pixel users still have a while to wait before it hits their phones (unless they're in the beta). On the other hand, Google rolled out fixes for the Game Dashboard, a screen freeze with the Always-On Display, and more.

Android 17 QPR1 hitting Platform Stability early in July probably shouldn't surprise us. Google rolled out Android 16 QPR2 Beta 1 in August last year, shortly after the Pixel 10 launched. Google's been quickening its development process and trying to work through bugs at the same time. There's a chance we'll see something similar take place this year, too.

I use Gemini for all sorts of things on my phone, from general assistant help and smart home control to generative AI creation. The app tries to be a jack-of-all-trades, capable of creating text, images, audio, and video from simple prompts. Gemini Omni is Google's latest video-generation tool, announced at Google I/O 2026 and bundled with the June Pixel Drop.

Gemini Omni's calling card is conversational prompts. Like how you can generate images with Nano Banana from simple inputs, Google wants you to be able to do the same with Gemini Omni. I tried it on my Pixel 10 Pro, and the experience felt way more polished than any Veo model. I don't generate AI videos very often, but when I do, I'll be using Gemini Omni going forward. Here's how you can, too.

Gemini Omni is a new model designed to create videos

Open up the Gemini app and tap the model picker, and you won't see Gemini Omni. You'll find 3.1 Flash-Lite, 3.5 Flash, and 3.1 Pro (availability varies depending on your Google AI subscription), but not Gemini Omni. That's because Gemini Omni is specifically designed for video. In fact, Google's landing page for Gemini Omni says we should "think of it like Nano Banana for video."

The model you'll be using in the Gemini app is called Gemini Omni Flash, and it's also available in Google Flow and YouTube Shorts. While it's wholly focused on video for now, Gemini Omni will eventually support image and audio outputs as well. The idea is that Gemini Omni will one day be able to "create anything from any input," which is a lofty goal. This will happen "in time," according to Google, but you can start using Omni for videos today.

Another oddity about Gemini Omni is that it's highlighted as a June Pixel Drop feature, but it's available on any smartphone. Gemini Omni isn't a Google Pixel exclusive; it's limited by your Google AI subscription status. There is a free version with strict rate limits, but more availability is reserved for Google AI Plus, Google AI Pro, and Google AI Ultra subscribers.

That's good news for anyone without a Pixel — everyone can try it in the Gemini app or on the web.

How I create videos with AI using Gemini Omni

Gemini Omni is designed to support multiple inputs and conversational prompts. In other words, anyone can use it. Here's how to get started:

1. Open the Gemini app.

2. Tap the + button and select Videos.

3. Now, you'll see the Gemini Omni prompting box. Tap the bottom-left button to upload a photo or video as part of your prompt, or press the bottom-right button to choose between a Landscape or Portrait aspect ratio.

4. Next, come up with a text prompt. You can type your prompt or tap the microphone button to record an audio snippet as part of your prompt.

5. Tap the Send arrow to submit your prompt to Gemini Omni.

6. Wait for your video to generate. You may see the following message: "I'm generating your video. This could take a few minutes, so check back to see when your video is ready.

7. When your video is ready, you can hit the Share button to create a public link to it. Or you can tap the three-button menu and select Save video to download it to your device.

Now, you've created your first video with Gemini Omni. Remember, you can use any mix of text, images, audio, or video to inform your Gemini Omni prompt.

If you're not sure where to start, you can tap one of the suggestions on the Gemini Omni page. It'll tell you exactly what it needs to generate a video. For example, the Talking pets suggestion will ask you for a picture of your pet to customize the output.

Should you use Veo or Gemini Omni for videos?

Gemini Omni is replacing Veo models in the Gemini app, although you'll still be able to find Veo models in other Google products. I've used both, and my vote goes to Gemini Omni. With its broad support for inputs and easy-to-follow suggestions, it doesn't take much skill to create a fun AI video with Omni.

I made a video of my seafood dinner coming to life and jumping off the plate, and well, Gemini Omni did its job. I'm not sure how often I'll turn to Omni to generate videos with AI, but I know it's up to the task.

What you need to know

• Google's NotebookLM now condenses massive documents and notes into 60-second, TikTok-style vertical videos.
• The feature is fueled by Gemini 3.1 Flash-Lite Image, Google’s fastest and most cost-efficient image generation model, boasting four-second render times.
• Google is also previewing a robust full-video generation model that supports natural language editing, multimodal inputs, and native audio syncing.

Nobody really enjoys reading through a massive stack of notes or a 50-page research document when they're cramped for time. Google knows this, and so it’s rolling out a huge upgrade to NotebookLM that takes your uploaded documents and turns them into bite-sized, 60-second AI-generated videos.

For the uninitiated, NotebookLM started out as a simple AI research assistant, but it’s now a powerful learning tool. The latest feature, Short Video Overviews, expands on the Cinematic Video Overviews we saw earlier. But the real star of the show is the engine that powers it: Google's new Nano Banana 2 Lite.

Officially dubbed Gemini 3.1 Flash-Lite Image, Nano Banana 2 Lite is Google’s fastest and most cost-efficient image generation model to date. You get a whopping four-second image generation time and a big jump in visual quality over the original Gemini 2.5 Flash Image (the first Nano Banana). This engine combines world knowledge with rock-solid consistency of character. It lets you quickly sketch accurate scenes, develop storyboarding tools and render legible typography for localized ads without compromising object fidelity.

Using Short Video Overviews in NotebookLM activates this model, which condenses your sources into a vertical video packed with narrative explanations and educational animations. It's purpose-built for people revising notes, presentations, or lengthy PDFs who just want the key takeaways. Before generating, you simply select "Short" from the output formats (alongside Explainer and Cinematic), pick your specific sources, and set the video's focus using a custom prompt or a suggested topic.

Alongside this, Google also pushed Gemini Omni Flash into public preview. This model is aimed at full video generation, with conversational editing (relighting scenes and swapping characters with natural language) and multimodal inputs. It has native audio pairing for each video output and syncs on-screen text with kinetic movements.

Short Video Overviews aren't available to everyone just yet. The feature begins rolling out over the coming weeks to English-speaking users aged 18 and older. When it goes live, you’ll be able to access it on the web, Android and iOS, whether you’re signed into a regular consumer account or Google Workspace.

Android Central's Take

If you’re a student cramming for finals or someone who hates reading dense reports, turning a 50-page PDF into a digestible, TikTok-style recap is a massive win. But are we really so allergic to actual reading that we need an AI to hallucinate a 60-second clip from our notes? Google wants to sell the service as the ultimate productivity hack, but it feels disturbingly like a crutch for our fast-shrinking attention spans.

What you need to know

• Mishaal Rahman, an employee of Google's Community engagement for Android, teased Android 17's upcoming foldable gaming mode.
• This gaming mode would split a foldable's screen during gameplay, featuring the game at the top half and a virtual gamepad below that.
• It's a full gamepad, featuring all the buttons you'd expect from a PlayStation or Nintendo controller, and users will be able to customize it.
• Rahman says this gaming mode is targeting a "platform release in the coming months."

A Google member has posted a generous early look at what's coming up for Android 17 and gaming for foldables.

On the Android Gaming subreddit, Mishaal Rahman, working for the community engagement side of Android at Google, posted a glimpse at Android 17's "foldable gaming mode." Rahman leads off by stating, "While touch controls work incredibly well for many titles, certain games are better enjoyed with physical gamepads." To solve this, Google is working on a gaming mode for these unique phones that splits their screen.

The top half would host your game, leaving the bottom half with a true (touch-based) gamepad experience. Rahman says the gaming portion of the screen will remain "unobstructed." To enable this, Google says users need only unfold their phone before or after launching a compatible game.

Another issue that Google sought to solve was users needing to carry a controller. While Android works well with physical controllers, traveling can be a burden. This foldable gaming mode is focused on games that support physical controllers. Rahman adds that devs don't have to change much for this virtual gamepad to appear; however, split-screen support is where their focus should be.

The gamepads look familiar. If you were to compare it to Xbox or Nintendo controls, you'd feel right at home. Google worked in X, Y, A, and B buttons, alongside L1, L2, R1, and R2. Of course, users will find analog sticks for movement and a D-pad for their arrows. Android 17 will let foldable users customize their virtual gamepad's layout. You can have the sticks together in the middle, more like a PlayStation 5 controller, or staggered, similar to a Nintendo Switch 2 or Xbox controller.

What's more, users will be able to increase or decrease the size of their gamepad. Haptic feedback is another addition, teased as a toggleable option. Some Android games already have haptics. This might be an obscure or off-the-wall reference, but if you've played Pokémon TCG Pocket, you'd know.

Rahman says, "Foldable gaming mode is part of the Android 17 platform release and will be available in the coming months."

Onward, Android 17

Android 17 launched in mid-June after some rapid testing by Google over the past few months. This year's OS upgrade isn't quite as flashy as we've seen before, but it's effective for detecting threats and scams. What's more, the OS brings a few key features, such as Bubbles. This is a new way for users to multitask between apps on their device in a floating menu. While many users with slab phones (think Galaxy S25, Pixel 10) might not see much of a use for it, Bubbles truly targets large-screen devices (foldables).

Rahman teases this foldable gaming mode for a future platform release "in the coming months," and we can't help but look at Android 17's first drop. Right now, Google is engaged in QPR1 Beta 5 after rolling it out to Pixel users last week. The latest beta was pretty large, bringing fixes for vanishing widgets, Game Dashboard, and Pixel cameras.

Android Central's Take

Do I have to say much here? I think we all know that I really like what Google's teased for foldables. I might have to get myself one (pray for my wallet). Gaming on foldables hasn't been bad, but this change would make it better. I can see this useful for games that would truly benefit from a virtual gamepad. Think Wuthering Waves or Zenless Zone Zero. Quick button inputs, rapid movements. A lot of people game on their phones, and making foldables better at that would make them a little more appealing (at least for me).

What you need to know

• WhatsApp announced the beginning of its global username reservation period for the platform.
• Users can begin reserving their desired username this week on WhatsApp, which lets them share this instead of their phone number for added privacy.
• Small business owners and content creators can "claim" their usernames from Facebook or Instagram and port it into WhatsApp.

In the name of privacy, WhatsApp is rolling out username reservations, and this is how you can get started.

Today (June 29), WhatsApp announced that its "introducing usernames" to the platform this week. Users can keep their phone numbers to themselves and instead put their chosen username front and center. What's more, WhatsApp is adding a "key" to help users "control who contacts you by your username." To avoid overlap, the messaging platform is kicking things off with a reservation period before the username feature launches officially "later this year."

What's rolling out is a new Username option in your WhatsApp account settings (Settings > Account > Username). Tapping that will give an initial splash screen and a button to create one. The system will check to make sure your username hasn't already been taken. If it has, you'll need to create a new one. Additionally, the secondary level of security is the "key."

If you specify that only people with your key can contact you, WhatsApp will generate a unique string of numbers for you. However, you must share your username and this generated key before someone can start texting or calling you.

WhatsApp states that there is no "registry" or suggestions for usernames. People must know your name (and key, if you've chosen that) before they can contact you. For content creators and businesses on Facebook or Instagram, users can "claim" their username and transfer it to WhatsApp.

Reserved under...?

WhatsApp states usernames are rolling out "gradually over the coming months." The app will inform you when you can begin doing so in your country.

We've been hearing about usernames on WhatsApp for a while now. The messaging platform rolled out a few contact-focused features a while ago. The main goal was to give users the option to save contacts from WhatsApp web and Windows devices. It gave more flexibility when interacting with contacts, as the only way you could do so prior was on your primary phone.

However, the platform said this was done to begin setting the framework for usernames in the future. This would be that future. Global reservations for usernames are beginning this week, so users should start thinking ahead of time and get to it ASAP.

Android Central's Take

Usernames are simple. If you grew up playing multiplayer games, you'd know the feeling. They represent who you are (in a way), and are like fun codenames when you're playing games. The thing about phone numbers is that they're so personal. They literally connect you with someone else. If someone has it, they knew exactly how to reach you. Not everyone's ready for that kind of commitment, and I think usernames can solve that.

What you need to know

• YouTube Shorts is getting a major usability upgrade with 2x playback, a clutter-free viewing mode, improved recommendation controls, and a redesigned Like button.
• You can now speed through Shorts at 2x by holding either side of the screen, making it easier to skip slower content without leaving the video.
• A new Clear screen mode hides on-screen clutter with a single tap, giving videos a cleaner, more immersive viewing experience.

YouTube is giving Shorts one of its biggest viewer-focused updates yet, making the experience cleaner, faster, and a lot more familiar for anyone who’s spent time on TikTok.

The rollout brings four major improvements to the Shorts player interface, including a faster playback experience, a clean viewing experience, improved feedback controls, and a new Like button, as per YouTube's announcement. The headline addition is 2x playback speed.

Shorts had previously been limited to normal playback speeds, while standard YouTube videos offered various playback controls.

With the new change, you can now hold either side of the screen to temporarily double the speed of playback. Then, release your finger to return to normal. If you want to keep it at 2x, just swipe down with the screen held.

Another welcome change is the addition of a new "clear screen” mode. Watching Shorts often means an overlay full of buttons, captions, usernames, and other interface elements. Now you can hide almost everything on the screen with just one tap, leaving only the video itself. Tap again if you want the controls restored. The feature is a close copy of TikTok’s Clear Mode, but it’s an improvement many Shorts viewers have been asking for.

YouTube is also altering the way viewers engage with Shorts. The familiar thumbs-up icon is being replaced with a heart, aligning the visual language of Shorts with other short-video platforms. It looks different, but it functions the same: tap it and you’re still giving the video a thumbs up.

The dislike button is dead

The bigger switch is dislike. YouTube is removing the dislike button from the Shorts player entirely and will provide users with more direct controls over recommendations. Viewers are asked to select “Not interested” or “Don’t recommend this channel” from the three-dot menu instead of just disliking a video. These tools, YouTube says, provide more accurate signals about what kind of content people actually want to stop seeing, which helps improve future recommendations rather than just relying on a simple thumbs-down.

But creators don’t need to worry about losing their historic data. The current dislike counts for Shorts will still be available in YouTube Studio. At the end of June, however, Google will stop collecting new dislike counts for Shorts, while long-form videos and live streams will continue to show dislikes like they do today.

Another quality-of-life improvement that comes with these changes: viewers can mute Shorts right from the player, making it easier to browse silently without having to use the device’s volume controls.

Android Central's Take

I think this is the kind of updates shorts has been needing for a while. Scrolling should be less frustrating and more purposeful if you could zoom through slower videos, hide the clutter on the screen, and fine-tune recommendations without resorting to a vague dislike button. That said, it’s hard to look past how many of these additions feel like they were lifted from TikTok, rather than truly original thoughts. By now, YouTube appears more interested in closing feature gaps than blazing its own trail.

What you need to know

• Ticketmaster announced its partnership with Google Wallet, which brings "customizable passes" to Android.
• Clients of events can customize their digital passes with flashy designs and up to 12 links for important venue details.
• Users benefit from this last note, as they can find info on parking, food, drinks, merch, and VIP access directly from their pass.

This summer is going to be packed with events of all kinds. To try and help, Ticketmaster announced a partnership with Google Wallet for more unique digital passes on Android.

Ticketmaster says that what it's worked on with Google Wallet are "customizable passes" that are designed for "branded experiences" on Android. Passes are mobile tickets saved in Google Wallet, but Ticketmaster says this new direction offers a new sense of "brand presence." Brands can offer customized hero images, tour artwork, and more.

If you're attending a group's stop on their nationwide tour, you might see unique album artwork or sports game visuals if you're going to an NFL game.

Aside from flashy visuals, these customizable passes are getting more useful for you, the user. Ticketmaster says clients can add "up to 12 action links to each pass." These links will direct visitors to crucial event areas. Links for parking, transportation, gate details, VIP upgrades, and food/drinks can be found in these passes. This removes the need for users to conduct extra research before heading out or leading up to the event/gameday.

The post states that tapping a parking link will open a map of the venue, so you can plan where you might go. Additionally, users can download that event's affiliate app on their Android device through these links if desired.

Digital passes continue to evolve

Passes and digital tickets have been a big aspect of Google Wallet for years now. The company rolled out a useful update to Wallet, one that would automatically surface a pass you might need. "Context-aware" is what drives this feature. Google states that as the user approaches a location, like a train station, the Wallet app would produce their train ticket on their lock screen.

This removes the need for users to open their phones, navigate to the Wallet app, and select their appropriate pass. Google says this capability extends to airport gates, concert venues, and stores. Considering this new partnership with Ticketmaster, perhaps something like this would occur for these customizable passes.

Android Central's Take

I like this partnership, and this is coming from a sports guy. Getting my tickets ready for gameday is an exciting feeling. I can just imagine a White Sox or a Bears ticket through Ticketmaster's new approach for passes. The hype would be unreal. What's more, these links would help with stadium navigation for parking in case anything changes.

What you need to know

• Google posted its release notes for Android 17 QPR1 Beta 5, which brings its June security patch and a fix for vanishing widgets.
• The company is also working in several game-related fixes for the Game Dashboard and downloads, alongside a camera fix.
• Android 17 hasn't been flawless for Pixel users, as its stable launch quickly introduced problems for 5G and its display.

Android 17's first quarterly release development continues, and Google has announced another beta shortly after the OS debuted.

On the Android Beta subreddit, Google posted the patch notes for Android 17 QPR1 Beta 5, which is rolling out now to enrolled Pixels. The company says all Pixels are receiving the same build number, labeled as vCP31.260608.007 with June's security patch. These mid-June release notes detail several bug fixes, and one mentions disappearing widgets. Google says Beta 5 brings a fix for an issue that caused home screen widgets to "disappear or become unavailable in the widget picker after a device reboot."

It was reported that Google was looking into a fix for the issue, and it seems that this could occur for its next major update.

Some Pixels suffered from crashing while downloading mobile games in Android 17's QPR1 beta. Google says a fix is rolling out to solve those crashes and "device hang" during download. Another gaming issue concerned Pixels' Game Dashboard. A couple of reports were raised about this, stating they couldn't "stop screen recordings or save files." Beta 5 should solve this, but as always, users can raise any problems through the Issue Tracker.

The remainder of the changelog is as follows:

• An issue where the camera app temporarily freezes or stutters shortly after being opened from an idle state
• An issue that caused the screen to freeze with a pixelated bottom bar when waking the device from Always-On Display
• A timeout issue where the Download Manager failed to complete downloads when excluded from an active VPN connection
• An issue causing inconsistent charging completion time estimates to display on the lock screen versus the charging screensaver
• An issue causing the Private Space UI to crash and locked private apps to improperly appear in launcher search results
• An issue where a non-functional bubble option incorrectly appeared in the context menu of archived apps
• A system-level WebView rendering regression that caused Monopoly Go to freeze and crash when attempting to open mini-games

Android 17 is here, but the work's not done

It's only been a couple of weeks since Beta 4 rolled out for Android 17's first quarterly update. The patch brought May's security update, a few bug fixes, and stability improvements. However, this beta introduced a social media feature that debuted with Android 17's stable release: Screen Reactions. If you were enveloped in Google's massive June Pixel Drop and Android 17 announcements, you'd know all about it.

With Screen Reactions, users can leverage their selfie camera and their screen recordings to simulate a green screen. It sounds like an ideal scenario for content creators on TikTok or those making clips for YouTube Shorts. Android 17 hasn't been flawless in its debut. Pixel users have been quick to report 5G connectivity problems and other display issues.

Android Central's Take

Google's development continues, as we all expected. It's good to see the company working in a fix for a problem stable users are struggling with. Hopefully, this is a good sign for the other issues many have mentioned. We're still a ways out from this first quarterly release, but things look bright for now.

What you need to know

• Meta states it will donate its Ray-Ban AI smart glasses to legally blind veterans through its various partnerships, including one with the Blinded Veterans Association (BVA).
• The BVA is said to hold in-person events for blinded veterans to get their glasses and receive technical support, as well as a "training guide."
• We expect much more about Meta's smart glasses this year at Connect 2026, and there might be something extra from Qualcomm.

The Fourth of July is coming up, and Meta has announced that it will donate Ray-Ban AI glasses to legally blind American veterans.

The company broke things down in a newsroom post, stating that there are "more than 130,000" legally blind American veterans in the country. To get this done, Meta states it's partnering with the Blinded Veterans Association to hold "monthly webinars" (with TechSoup). These webinars are educational, giving veterans a chance to ask questions about AI glasses problems and receive support.

The BVA is furthering its assistance by developing a "training guide" for blind or low-vision veterans. The guide will consist of "voice command activation, reading documents, answering phone calls, and navigating daily tasks with greater autonomy." Meta will continue to partner with other organizations to host in-person events where veterans can receive their AI glasses and early assistance.

Meta is also using its partnerships not only to help blind or low-vision veterans but also to connect them with others with similar stories.

Eligible veterans can get started by visiting the BVA's official page for blinded veterans to request a device.

Meta pushes its smart glasses

Outside of the standard Ray-Ban space, Meta rolled out an update for its Ray-Ban Display glasses with major features. The update was scarce early on, but those who received it first reported Palm Unlock. This unlock method was added to the device's biometrics, giving users a way to access their glasses by opening their palm. "Live Sports" was another addition. Users could receive updated scores on their HUD without reaching for their phone.

What's more, Meta brought better functionality with WhatsApp video calls. Users could lean on their glasses' POV camera. This would stream what they see to their friends/family on the call, so it's like they're there with them. There's a lot more that we're expecting from Meta this year, especially during Connect in September. Qualcomm's started teasing "something new" in the realm of XR, and we can't help but think this could debut (or at least show up) during Meta Connect.

What you need to know

• Android 17 quietly adds LHDC v5 support, giving Pixel users another high-quality Bluetooth audio option.
• Compatible earbuds from brands like Nothing and OnePlus can now stream higher-bitrate audio on Pixels.
• Users may need to manually enable LHDC v5 in Developer Options and turn on Hi-Res Audio in the companion Bluetooth earbuds app.

It's been over a week since Google released the stable Android 17 update, and while the company highlighted most of the major features upfront, users are now starting to discover some smaller additions that quietly shipped with the release.

As spotted by the Reddit user QuantumCatalyzt (via Android Authority), Google appears to have silently added support for the Low Latency High-Definition Audio Codec (LHDC) to Pixel phones with Android 17. This means Pixel users can now take advantage of LHDC for higher-quality wireless audio, alongside existing codecs like AAC.

A lot of wireless earbuds already support LHDC, but Pixel phones previously didn't. That meant users often had to fall back to Sony's LDAC or even lower-quality AAC and SBC codecs, even when using compatible audio hardware.

With Android 17, Pixel users can now use the newer LHDC v5 codec for higher-bitrate audio over Bluetooth. Some Bluetooth earbuds sold in the U.S. that support LHDC include the latest Nothing Ear earphones as well as several earbuds from OnePlus.

It also looks like you might need to manually enable LHDCv5 first. To do that, head to Settings > System > Developer Options > Bluetooth Audio Codec and select LHDCv5. Depending on your earbuds, you may also need to enable a Hi-Res Audio option inside the companion app.

Once everything is set up, you'll also need a high-quality audio source to take advantage of it. For example, services like Apple Music support Hi-Res Lossless audio up to 24-bit/96kHz, allowing compatible earbuds to stream higher-quality audio through LHDC.

Savitech, the company behind LHDC, had previously mentioned that Android 17 would include native support for the codec. With Android 17 now rolling out, that support appears to be live.

For users with compatible premium earbuds, this finally unlocks another option for better-quality wireless audio on Pixel devices.

Android Central's Take

It seems Google has quietly enabled LHDC support by default, and that's a big win for Pixel users. Better audio quality, wider earbud compatibility, and Auracast support make Android 17 a surprisingly solid update for audio lovers.

Google Pixel phones offer many customization tools, but up until recently, the Pixel UI home screen was more restrictive. Google only recently made it possible to remove the At a Glance widget from your home screen, for instance. While past Pixel Drops brought fresh theme packs and style choices, the latest Android 17 update adds a hidden home screen customization option that can seriously simplify your setup.

I keep my home screen basic, only including a few home screen widgets and the most important apps. For everything else, I use the app launcher or search bar. That means I know exactly which apps and icons are on my home screen without needing to look at their names. Finally, Android 17 lets me remove the redundant app names from my home screen for a cleaner look.

Pixel home screen customization just leveled up

The easiest way to change your Pixel home screen is to hold down anywhere on it that isn't covered by an app or widget. This brings up a small menu with the Wallpaper & style, Widgets, Apps list, and Home settings buttons. You can even switch between default wallpapers straight from this tiny menu on the home screen. To customize your phone's look, tap Wallpaper & style.

Here, you'll be able to pick a Theme pack, change your phone's Colors, set a Color contrast settings, manage your Icons, and choose a Layout. This isn't new, but Android 17 adds a setting on the Icons page. Previously, you could choose an app icon Style or change the app icon Shape.

There are five shapes to choose from, and the styles are abundant. You can pick Default or Minimal — the latter forces all your app icons to match your selected color palette, creating a consistent look I almost always prefer. There's also the Create option, which lets you build custom app icon designs by starting with one of six styles: Disco, Scribbles, Cookies, Easel, Treasure, and Stardust.

Android 17 adds a new Names tab to the Icons page, and it's where you can choose to show or hide app names on your home screen.

How I hide app names on my Pixel

I changed the look of my home screen in seconds by hiding app names. To do it, I simply held down on my home screen wallpaper, pressed Wallpaper & style, and tapped Icons. Then, I switched to the Names tab and flipped the toggle beside Show app names to the off position.

There's a virtual render of your home screen displayed on this page that adapts as you change the look of your app icons. So, you can flip the toggle beside Show app names a few times, watching how your home screen changes. If you like the minimalist look of the Pixel home screen without app names, leave the toggle off.

By default, app names are still shown on the Pixel home screen in Android 17. Nothing will change unless you want it to — but the option to remove app names from the Pixel UI home screen is something Pixel fans have long wanted. Keep in mind that if you hide app names from your Pixel home screen, they'll still appear in the app drawer.

My entire home screen is finally as clean as the dock

Android 17 is a neat update for my Pixel phones, and I love that Google continues to add new customization features. The previous app icon customization interface was already one of the best available on any Android skin, but it was missing something basic — hiding app names.

Now, my entire home screen looks as clean as the app dock. No names, just a minimal setup with app icons and widgets.

What you need to know

• Android 17 is causing major touchscreen headaches for some Pixel users, including ignored taps, dead zones, and reversed scrolling across the system.
• Owners of the Pixel 10, Pixel 9, Pixel 8, and Pixel 7 series have all reported similar issues.
• Google is aware of the issue, but its first fix isn't working for everyone. Clearing the Pixel Launcher cache has produced mixed results.

If you've recently upgraded your Pixel to Android 17 and your screen is exhibiting erratic behavior, you're not the only one experiencing this issue. For early adopters, a frustrating new bug is breaking down the very core of the smartphone experience: its touchscreen.

Owners report on Reddit some bizarre input problems, where their phones either simply ignore taps or completely misinterpret basic vertical swipes, as spotted by Android Authority. Swipe up to scroll down your social feed, and your operating system might just catapult you back to the top of the page.

The mess is a consequence of the larger, stable rollout of Android 17. While major OS upgrades usually ship with a few teething problems — reports have already documented a frustrating 5G glitch and a work-profile bug that makes home screen widgets disappear entirely — a broken touchscreen is a whole other kettle of fish. You can get around a Wi-Fi drop with mobile data, but you can’t get around a screen that doesn’t recognize your thumb.

The entire modern Pixel lineup is affected

The issue is already reported in Google's IssueTracker, and based on a few Reddit threads, it affects the whole modern lineup. Users say that the Pixel 10, 9, 8, and 7 series are all affected. The bug doesn't discriminate by app, either; these reversed inputs and dead zones happen anywhere in the system UI.

Google knows about the problem. The official PixelCommunity account on Reddit recently chimed in with a suggested troubleshooting step: go to Settings > Apps > See all apps > Pixel Launcher app > Storage & cache > Clear cache. However, a few users replied that this fix did absolutely nothing to restore normal touch responses.

If Google’s method doesn’t work, some users have found success by heading into their device settings and flipping off the “Smooth Display” feature. Interestingly, at least one owner found that turning Smooth Display off and then on again fixed the erratic scrolling for good. Keep in mind that this fix has a varied success rate, but if you're currently struggling with reversed scroll directions while reading an email, it's definitely worth a try.

Google has not committed to a firm timeline for a permanent software patch right now. If you’re still on last year’s software and haven’t downloaded Android 17 yet, hold off on that install button. Wait for the first official bug-fix update to come out.

Android Central's Take

Honestly, after months of tracking Android 17's development, it's exhausting to see this so-called "stable" release turning premium hardware into a frustrating game of touch-roulette. I guess the one “benefit” to this mess is that Google is kindly forcing us into an impromptu digital detox. After all, it’s very easy to lay your phone down when every swipe up violently slams you back to the top of your feed.

With stable Android 17 finally rolling out to Pixel devices, there are a ton of new features for us to try out. During The Android Show, Google highlighted new social-media-focused features, and now we're finally getting a look at some of them, which aim to enhance your experience creating content for apps like Instagram.

One such feature is screen reactions, a new built-in capability that removes some of the effort that would normally require a third-party app or fancy app techniques. And I admit, for a relatively simple feature, it's quite ingenious, and I'm surprised Google had the wherewithal to launch it with Android 17.

Screen Reactions is a surprisingly effective feature

If you're on Instagram or TikTok, then you've probably seen them. Many of my favorite content creators react to news, images, or other videos by inserting a small floating video of themselves. Reaction videos like this are quite effective, as they let viewers see both the original content and the reaction, and sometimes the reaction is better or funnier than the original.

I'm a casual social media user, but I have dabbled in making Reels every now and then. However, given my limited knowledge of creating social media content, this type of reaction video has always eluded me. And I know there are built-in functions to help create these types of videos, like a virtual green screen, but I've not wanted to take the time to figure it out, though I'm sure it's a fairly easy process.

Now, I don't have to figure it out. Because Screen Reactions is built into the screen record function on my Pixel 10, creating this type of reaction video just takes a few taps, without futzing with different app methods to achieve the same effect. And you can edit the clips on-device or put finishing touches in Instagram or TikTok. It's not perfect, but it feels like it just lowered the barrier to entry for anyone wanting to create content on social media.

How to use Screen Reactions on your Pixel 10

1. Swipe down from the top of your screen to open the Quick Settings menu.

2. Tap the Screen Record button. You may need to edit your Quick Settings menu and add the button if it's not already there.

3. Toggle on Show selfie camera. This will automatically turn on the Record microphone option.

4. Tap the color palette icon to enable a color background. Tap any color to show the background or tap it again to turn it off.

5. Tap Start to begin recording.

6. When you're done, tap the live notification and tap Stop to end recording.

7. You can go straight to recording another clip, delete the clip you just recorded, or edit the clip to your liking using Google Photos editing features.

Once you're done with each clip, you can edit them together in the Google Photos app or use a third-party app such as Instagram and TikTok to add finishing touches.

Things to keep in mind

Screen Reactions is a cool feature, but it's not perfect, and there are some limitations worth noting. The first thing you should know is that it only works when screen recording is set to record the entire screen; it won't work if you just want to record a specific app. That means anything that appears on the screen will be captured in the recording, including when you adjust the volume, open the notification shade, tap the live notification to stop the recording, etc.

It makes sense why it would be the entire screen, as your reaction could very well involve using your phone and diffing into its settings or switching to multiple apps, but it's just something to keep in mind.

My first instinct was to try recording a Screen Reaction on a full-screen Reel to get cleaner video with fewer Instagram UI elements. For some reason, Reels won't appear if you try this method; you'll just see a black screen and your selfie video. TikTok's Clear Display does work, however, so that may be an alternative, or you could just download the Reel or TikTok if that option's available.

Another downside of Screen Reaction recording the entire screen is that you'll also see your screen recording status icon in the notification shade. I don't know about you, but this looks kind of tacky, and I wish there were a way to leave this out of the recording. It's probably the one way Instagram or TikTok's green screen effects are better than the built-in function.

Perhaps an updated version of Screen Record could include an option to hide these extra on-screen elements from the recording, ensuring the video looks as clean as if you recorded it with Instagram or TikTok's tools.

It would also be nice if stopping the recording wasn't a two-step process of taping the live notification at the top of the screen and then the stop button. Google should place a stop or pause button somewhere more accessible so I'm not reaching in front of the selfie camera to stop recording.

Still, despite some quirky and questionable UI choices, I think this is a great feature that takes away much of the complications of making a reaction video for social media. If you have a Pixel smartphone, you should give it a try. I can't wait to see how other OEMs implement this feature when Android 17 rolls out to other Android phones.

Android 17 is bringing a few exciting improvements to Google Pixel phones, and Bubbles may be the biggest one. Pop-up and floating windows are nothing new for Android users, but they've never been built into Pixel UI. Instead, power users had to turn to other operating systems like Samsung's One UI to multitask with floating windows.

Google was already familiar with floating windows and pop-up views because Android already supported Bubbles for messaging apps. Back then, I found them more annoying than helpful. I only activated conversation bubbles by accident and never saw the value in them. After trying the upgraded Bubbles experience for apps and multitasking in Android 17, I'm a believer.

Here's how you can try app bubbles with Android 17 for yourself, and how the Pixel experience compares to the Galaxy one.

App bubbles are a new way to multitask on Pixel

Google Pixel phones already support multitasking with split-screen views. Open an app, use the app switcher, and press the app's name to reveal a Split screen button. Then, Pixel users can pick a second app to create a split-screen layout. They can drag the slider in the middle to adjust the split ratio.

For traditional Android phones, a 50:50 horizontal split is the default, but you can drag the slider to the 90:10 position to unlock a new Android 16 feature. In this mode, one app takes up most of your phone screen, while the secondary app remains greyed out. Tapping the unused, secondary app flips the ratio. It's a great solution for when you want to use two apps in (mostly) full-screen mode without having to use the app switcher.

Android 16 didn't offer a better way to use more than two apps at once, however. Android 17 finally addresses this problem with app bubbles. You can use up to five at once, and it's a convenient way to multitask when the regular split-screen mode won't cut it. Essentially, the apps stay minimized in bubble form, and tapping them reveals a floating window that lets you use the app over whatever is on your screen.

I rarely used split-screen views on my Pixel phones for multitasking, but Bubbles seem much easier to create and are fun to use.

Add up to five apps to an Android 17 bubble group

Bubbles are a core part of the Android 17 experience by default. Surprisingly, you can't create them in the same way you would a split-screen view. Instead, you need to create Bubbles by physically holding down on an app's icon on the home screen or app drawer. Find the app you want to turn into a bubble, and hold down on it to reveal the shortcut menu.

If the app doesn't offer a custom shortcut, you'll see a button with a new icon beside the word Bubble. This icon looks like a window being minimized, with an arrow pointing toward a dot. If the app does have custom shortcuts, you'll only see the Bubble icon — not the text. Either way, tapping the Bubble button in an app's shortcut menu will open your first app bubble.

The floating app window takes up most of the screen, and you'll see all the bubbles in your group above it. If this is your first bubble, you can press the + button to add apps you've recently used in bubble form. To add an app that you haven't recently used as a bubble, find it in the app drawer, open the shortcut menu, and tap the Bubble button.

You can fit up to five in a bubble group and switch between them by tapping each bubble icon. They reorder as you use them, so the most recently used app icons appear first. Tap away from the app bubble, and you'll return to wherever you were before opening the bubble. The bubble or bubble group will appear as a tiny icon on your screen that you can move wherever you'd like.

There are a few ways to close a bubble. If you only want to close one, you can open it, tap the Manage button, and hit Dismiss bubble. To close every bubble in a group, grab the bubble icon and drag it toward the Close button at the bottom of the screen, then release.

Foldable users get a different app bubble experience

If you have a Pixel Fold, Pixel 9 Pro Fold, or Pixel 10 Pro Fold, the Bubbles experience will be different when you open the main display. Here, Bubbles appear as part of the Taskbar. Besides your Taskbar's dock apps and recently used apps, you'll see the Bubbles group in the corner. You can tap the app bubble or group to open the floating window, but it'll still only take up a small portion of just one half of the screen.

The great thing about the way Bubbles work on the inner screen of folding phones is that they stay completely hidden as you use your device. In minimized form, Bubbles — like the rest of the Taskbar — are stowed away as you use other apps. Swiping up from the bottom opens the Taskbar and reveals your Bubbles.

I love Android 17's app bubbles, but there's a catch

Bubbles are a clever way to multitask smarter on your Pixel devices, especially if you have a Pixel Fold device. However, they don't match up perfectly with floating windows and pop-up views on Samsung Galaxy phones.

The One UI 8.5 experience is more powerful, as you can move floating windows anywhere, resize them, or separate them. You can also create floating windows from the app switcher in One UI, whereas you need to go to the home screen or app drawer in Pixel UI.

So, while the Bubbles experience in Android 17 needs work before it can be a true One UI competitor, it's a great step in the right direction for Pixel users.

What you need to know

• Pixel users on the Google Pixel subreddit report 5G connectivity problems shortly after downloading Android 17.
• Users state their device will no longer hold 5G, as their device resorts to LTE; however, some have found relief by placing their phone in Repair Mode and restarting.
• Other Android 17 issues affecting Pixels include vanishing home screen widgets, but Google states it's working on a fix for that.

New software can often come with a handful of issues. Android 17 is no exception, as Pixel users report connectivity problems.

Shortly after Android 17 launched, users on the Google Pixel subreddit reported problems connecting to 5G on various Pixel phones (via Android Authority). The original poster states they downloaded Android 17 on their Pixel 9 Pro and "ever since the update, I'm only ever on LTE." The user states they've always managed to keep a consistent 5G connection on their phone. This update has changed things, and not for the better.

Others have said the same, reporting this issue on a Pixel 10 Pro, 8a, and 6a. LTE is the only phone data connectivity users can manage; however, issues extend beyond connectivity. One user's report says, "After the update my esim disappeared and would not connect to any mobile network." One post says a user lost 5G and 4G connectivity, pushing their phone to lean on its satellite network.

A Google Support member responded to the thread, offering a document that could help the users resolve their 5G connectivity problems. However, the original poster says they found relief through a fellow user's response. The user says they restored their 5G by putting their Pixel 9 Pro in repair mode and restarting.

A bumpy start

Android 17 launched on Tuesday, and Google was quick to begin its rollout to eligible devices. Essentially, it was its Pixels that were first on the list. While the latest OS offers a selection of new features and even stronger security/threat detection capabilities, it hasn't been flawless. Recently, more Pixel users have reported missing widgets after downloading Android 17.

Users said their widgets have vanished, and it's not clear how to get them back. This problem isn't widespread, at least not in these early reports. What's more, it seems confined to phones with a work profile configured. Luckily, Google's been quick with this issue. The company has responded to reports, stating it's working on a fix for a future patch.

Joining Android 17's release was a June Pixel Drop. Among the highlights were "Bubbles" and the "Bubble Bar." The latter matters for Pixel Folds; however, the Bubbles feature in general is about multitasking between apps in a floating menu on your device. Emergency detection features get a sharing upgrade for Pixel Watches, too.

What you need to know

• Some Android 17 users report home screen widgets disappearing after installing the stable update.
• The bug appears limited to devices that have a work profile configured on the phone.
• Google has acknowledged the issue and says a software update with a fix is already in development.

If you're facing an issue where widgets are disappearing from your home screen after updating to Android 17, Google is already aware of the problem and says a fix is on the way.

Google released the stable Android 17 update to the public this week, and Pixel devices have already started receiving it. While the rollout has generally been smooth, shipping a major Android release without a few bugs is never easy. One issue that has surfaced affects home screen widgets for some users.

According to reports, widgets are randomly disappearing after updating to Android 17. Thankfully, the bug appears to be limited to users who have a work profile set up on their phone. If you don't use a work profile, you're unlikely to run into this issue.

The good news is that Google has already acknowledged the bug. Android Community Engagement Manager Mishaal Rahman confirmed on Reddit that the company is "aware of this bug (it seems to affect Work Profile users) and that a fix will be rolled out in a software update soon."

Users affected by the issue say they lost access to their home screen widgets immediately after installing Android 17. Right now, there isn't really a proper workaround available other than removing the work profile entirely.

If you do remove the work profile, restart the phone, and then manually re-add the widgets, they should return. However, if you rely on your work profile, you'll unfortunately have to choose between keeping it enabled or having access to your widgets for the time being.

Google hasn't provided a timeline for the fix yet, but based on the company's usual update schedule, it would not be surprising to see the patch arrive with next month's security update.

Android Central's Take

I didn't even know this bug existed because I don't use a work profile, but widgets are a huge part of what makes Android feel like Android. Thankfully, Google already has a fix in the works.

The last few Android releases have all been about refinement instead of overhaul. We're well past the point where a new version of Android introduces a boatload of new features; instead, Google is all about tightening the security, making Android easier to use across form factors, and delivering a consistent design.

That's the case with Android 17 as well. There's a decent selection of new stuff this time — including a new multitasking mode that actually makes sense — but the overarching theme is around usability; whether you're on a foldable, tablet, in the car, or a regular phone, Google wants to make Android 17 look and feel the same across all your devices.

The stable Android 17 build is now available on eligible Pixels, and it will be rolling out to other manufacturers' devices over the coming months. That's not all; Google is bringing a slate of Gemini Intelligence features to select Pixels and Samsung devices with a mission to turn Android 17 into an "intelligence system," and these features — including Rambler in Gboard, Create My Widget and AI-assisted task automation will be rolling out in a few months. Oh, and there will be another minor Android release coming later in the year.

I'm a long-time Pixel user (I still have the 2016 Pixel), and installed the stable Android 17 build on my Pixel 10, Pixel 10 Pro XL and Pixel 10 Pro Fold. While the stable build just became available, I've been using the beta releases for months now, so let's dive in and take a look at what Android 17 is all about.

Bubbles makes multitasking easier than ever before

Google introduced chat bubbles in Android 11, but it never really made much sense to use it — at least on my devices. With Android 17, Google is taking that idea and making it so that bubbles aren't just limited to messaging apps, but can be used throughout the system.

When you launch an app as a bubble, it exists as a floating window, and you can interact with it while using other apps. Most other manufacturer skins had floating windows for a while now, so the feature itself isn't anything new — it's just coming to Pixels with Android 17.

Let's say you're watching a game and want to chat with your friends; you can just launch the messaging app as a bubble, and interact with it as needed while still letting the game run. It is different to split-screen multitasking in that the second app isn't taking up any valuable screen space — you only pull it up when you need it, and I like this implementation a lot.

In my use, I found having Home Assistant or Google Home as a floating window quite convenient, as it allowed me to access smart home controls while browsing in Chrome or watching a video. The floating window is even more useful on foldables, where you see a bubble bar on the bottom right corner, with all active floating windows pinned there.

While the feature is definitely useful, a big limitation is that you can't launch an app as a bubble from the recents menu. That would have made the feature much easier to enable; right now, you'll need to long press an app icon, and select Bubble to launch it as a floating window. The other big limitation is that it may not come to third-party launchers, so its usability will be limited if you're not using the Pixel Launcher.

Foldables get some extra attention in Android 17

Foldables continue to get useful updates, and Android 17 has a new feature I'm very excited about. Google is rolling out a foldable-focused gaming mode with an optimized 50/50 layout — you basically get the game running on one half of the screen, and a gamepad below. Google also says it made high-end games run better on foldables by reducing jitter. The only annoyance is that this feature isn't available at launch; it's due to be roll out over the coming months, so if you're using the Pixel 9 Pro Fold or 10 Pro Fold, you'll need to wait a little longer.

Another welcome addition is native controller remapping, which is coming to all phones. If you use a game controller with your phone or foldable, you'll be able to easily customize the button layout and tweak the configuration to your liking.

Customize your Pixel the way you want

As with every new version, Android 17 brings a set of customization options and minor tweaks to the interface. The feature I like the most is the ability to hide app labels on the home screen; this creates a cleaner look, and makes things look just that little bit tidier (sidebar: this is what Xiaomi should have done instead of hiding labels on quick settings tiles).

Another change is around the Expanded Dark Theme; you now get the ability to disable the mode on an individual per-app basis, so if you're using the expanded dark mode but an app isn't showing content correctly (looking at you, Amazon), you can disable it only for the app, which reverts to the usual dark mode.

Google is also expanding the background blur effect that debuted with Material 3 Expressive to other parts of the interface, like the widgets picker. I like the blur effects, but I get that not everyone is a fan of the new design; thankfully, you can disable it by going to Accessibility -> Color and motion.

There's a minor change to the quick settings page; the Wi-Fi and mobile data toggles are separate, and this time, I'm crossing my fingers that Google doesn't mess with these toggles again. Android 17 also brings granular media control, with a dedicated slider for controlling the digital assistant volume.

Screen recording is getting an update in Android 17 with Screen Reactions. You get the ability to record your screen and add yourself as an overlay by taking a video with the selfie camera, and the idea is to make it easier to record reaction videos. The feature is available in the U.S., and Google notes it will be rolling out to other regions in the coming months.

Android 17 is getting sensible parental controls

Google isn't doing quite as much as Apple when it comes to parental controls, but Android 17 is a step in the right direction. You now get parental controls in the settings, and you can set daily limits for your child, downtime schedules, individual app limits, Google Play filters with age rating, and easier access to Family Link controls. Thankfully, these features are available right now, so if you've got children and need to set up usage limits, you can do so on your Pixel straight away.

Android 17 has meaningful security updates

Google is making Theft Detection Lock and Remote Lock enabled by default when you set up a phone running Android 17. These were opt-in, and considering where they're located in the settings, there's a good chance that most users don't even know they exist, so this is a positive move.

Find Hub’s Mark as lost feature now gets biometric authentication, so if you lose your phone and the thieves have your passcode, they won't be able to turn off device tracking. When you mark your phone as lost, it will prevent access to Quick Settings and disable new Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connections.

Android 17 gets a new Contact Picker that lets you only share specific contacts to share instead of your entire address book. Location access is getting better too with a new Location Button; if an app just needs location access once, it will instead need to use a system-rendered button that ensures the access is valid only in that session — once you close the app, it won't have access. Best of all, if a non-system app is using your location, you'll see an indicator in the status bar, similar to how it works with camera and mic access.

We're getting a consistent UX on all devices

Google's software isn't just on phones — it's on wearables, tablets, TVs, automobiles, notebooks, and is coming soon to XR headsets. At The Android Show 2026, Google highlighted how it's bringing a consistent UX to all devices in its ecosystem, and Android 17 provides the foundation for the same.

In Android 17, apps automatically adapt to any screen size, and this allows content to be immersive on any device you're using. The idea is to prevent letterboxing (black bars around the sides) and deliver the same consistent interface on all devices.

There's also unified widgets with better scaling on all screen sizes, and a Picture-in-Picture mode that lets you interact with the pinned windows. This is primarily designed for use on desktops, and we should be seeing just how it works over the comin months.

Google has a new feature called Continue On that brings "cross-device continuity." The idea is that if you're browsing a Chrome tab on your phone, you can easily continue the same tab on a tablet. The feature isn't live yet, and Google notes that it is prioritizing mobile-to-tablet transitions in the beginning. I'm intrigued to see how it works in day-to-day use, but I'll need to wait until I can use it on a tablet that's updated to Android 17.

There's much more to talk about Android 17

As is the case with every new version of Android, a lot of the features in Android 17 aren't available today. So if you've installed the stable build on your Pixel, you won't find any major changes other than the ability to use bubbles with all apps. Things like Pause Point and Create My Widget are the Android 17 features I wanted to try out the most, but they're coming later in the year.

Also, Android 17-based One UI, ColorOS, and OriginOS will look very different to what Google is offering on Pixels, and that's again a good thing; Android is all about choice, and you have the freedom to use which version of the OS you prefer. Of course, there's an interminable delay before you can use the latest Android version on your phone, and I have a post detailing if your phone will get Android 17.

Most manufacturer interfaces have distinct features — some of which (like floating windows) are rolling out to Pixels just now — and a UI that's quite different to what you get on recent Pixels. There's no telling when (or if) these Android 17 features will make their way to the broader ecosystem of devices. I'll have dedicated posts talking about what the Android 17 update has to offer on third-party phones, but for now, if you're using a Pixel, know that the best features in Android 17 (and whatever's going on with Gemini Intelligence) are yet to come.

Gemini Live is one of Google's best AI tools to date, but it often feels more like a party trick than something you'd want to use daily. I intermittently used Gemini Live's multimodal camera and screen sharing features in situations where the extra context seemed important.

However, the basic Gemini chatbot remained my go-to AI feature for casual questions and everyday help. That all changed following a major Gemini app update that added a completely overhauled Neural Expressive user interface. Everyone is talking about the colorful and minimal Gemini app design or Gemini Daily Brief, but the feature I can't stop using following the update is Gemini Live.

Gemini Live's old voice-first user interface is gone, and in its place is a new approach that focuses on AI-generated content. It displays spoken words, generated images, and more on the screen as you go about your Gemini Live chat. You can copy, share, or export Gemini Live's responses without ending the conversation. It's the most underrated upgrade to come out of Google I/O, and I can't stop using it.

What's new about the Gemini app's UI?

The old Gemini Live experience made sense for long-running voice conversations or questions that required real-time multimodal context. It wasn't ideal for quick chats or basic questions. That's because the outgoing Gemini Live user interface took up the entire screen and didn't provide much visual value. There was a waveform graphic that moved as Gemini spoke, but you couldn't see or act upon anything it said.

The video experience was slightly better, as it displayed a viewfinder for the video stream being shared with Gemini. I've used Gemini Live's video streaming feature for everything from improving my plant health to rearranging my apartment layout. Still, these visuals were about the content you're sharing with Gemini, not the other way around.

Google's new Neural Expressive design language for Gemini Live condenses that waveform animation into a tiny pill. All the extra space is now used to highlight Gemini's responses. Like before, you can speak casually with Gemini Live and hear spoken responses uttered in real time. The difference now is that these responses will also appear on the screen, so you can read or listen to what Gemini Live has to say.

How I multitask using Gemini Live's new interface

The newfound focus on visual content enables new use cases for Gemini Live. You can ask it to generate images with Nano Banana 2, for example, and view the output immediately. The conversation remains active, allowing for follow-up tweaks and workshopping. This is something the old Gemini Live could never do.

To try it out, tap the waveform icon in the new Neural Expressive pill on the Gemini app home screen. The Gemini Live experience will begin, but you'll be kept on a tweaked version of the homepage.

Surrounding the Gemini Live animation pill, you'll see buttons for live video streaming, screen sharing, microphone mute, and exit. Get started by asking Gemini Live a question and watch the screen fill with the chatbot's answers.

This is where things get really useful. You can tap to interrupt Gemini Live, and when you do, a plain-text transcript of what the chatbot said appears — it's just like the one you'd see using the text-based Gemini version. This opens up a slew of controls and features. I can like, dislike, refresh, or copy the text of a Gemini Live response while the conversation is still going.

Previously, the old Gemini Live experience required users to end the live chat before the transcript and text controls would appear.

A response from Gemini Live can be exported to Docs, moved to a draft in Gmail, or used to branch a new chat. With the copy function, you can easily move a Gemini Live response to any other app without ending the conversation.

Gemini Live also works straight from your home screen. You can activate Live by holding down the power button or swiping up from the bottom-right corner, and tapping the Gemini Live waveform icon. The compact user interface makes even more sense for multitasking as you use your device.

As you continue to use your phone, the Gemini Live interface collapses into a tiny orb, leaving plenty of space for your content. All the while, you can still chat with Live. Tapping the circular overlay brings the buttons back, so you can share your screen, stream your camera feed, or mute your microphone. You can also hang up or mute Gemini Live from the live notification in the notification shade.

Gemini Live might be better than basic Gemini now

If I'm being honest, the main Gemini chat experience took a step backward with the Neural Expressive overhaul.

Things are harder to find, like how tools and attachments are strangely combined under a unified menu. There are no longer suggestion chips to spark ideas or help users experiment with new Gemini features. While the basic Gemini chat screen arguably became less functional, the Gemini Live experience only got more functional.

The updated version of Gemini Live lets you see text, images, and more on your screen as the voice AI helper speaks. I get almost all the benefits of using the chat experience without having to type or send off multiple queries. Now that Gemini Live is this useful, I don't see myself using anything else.

What you need to know

• Paul Dunlop, Google's product lead for Android Onboarding and Android Settings, discussed major upgrades to Android 17's tool for switching from iPhone.
• The Android Switch tool now supports "more data than ever," capable of capturing an iPhone's messages (group chats included), files, passwords, passkeys, and more.
• Dunlop states this is rolling out for a "small percentage of Android 17 devices" today (June 17).
• Android 17 debuted a day ago, bringing strong security and threat detection software and several new features.

Google is coming off the back of Android 17's launch, and now the company is talking about a feature that's headed to the software today (June 17).

Early this morning, Paul Dunlop, Google's product lead for Android Onboarding and Android Settings, posted on Threads about the upgraded version of "Android Switch" (via 9to5Google). As Dunlop states, this update to Android Switch rebuilds it "from the ground up," putting a new spin on the iOS to Android tool. Out of the gate, Dunlop says this tool is completely wireless. Users can transfer data from their iPhone to a new Android over WiFi; however, if you'd prefer to use a wire, you still can.

What's more, their post states Android Switch now supports "more data than ever" when transferring. Google has improved the types of data it already supports, but Dunlops adds, "Out of the box, you can now seamlessly migrate passwords, passkeys, WiFi credentials, and your alarms." Users can even transfer all of their text messages (group chats, too) from their iPhone. This reportedly includes SMS, MMS, and RCS chats from iMessage.

Other data includes files/folders, calendar attachments, and call history.

To keep the experience from feeling too jarring or tedious, Dunlop says Android Switch in OS 17 transfers your iPhone's home screen. Your app layouts, wallpapers, and more will be automatically applied to your Android. What's more, Google is even taking "key accessibility settings" from your old phone to your new one.

Make the switch

Android 17's upgraded switch experience will transfer an iPhone's Google account and the device's eSIM "during initial setup." While this might seem enticing to users, Dunlop says the rollout will remain cautious for now. Android Switch's update is rolling out today (June 17) for a "small percentage of Android 17 devices," which likely only concerns Pixel phones for now.

June 16 was huge for Google, as the company announced Android 17 was finally here. The latest OS started rolling out on Pixel 6 and newer phones. Some of the update's hallmarks are its upgraded security and threat detection, as well as a strong "Mark as Lost" mode. Joining Android 17 in the limelight was the June Pixel Drop, which brings a whole bunch of new features to Google's series.

Screen reactions are the newest way to react to content online. Google says this will merge your selfie camera with a screen recording, simulating a green screen. "Bubbles" is a new way to multitask in Android 17 for Pixels. Users can quickly swap between their apps in a floating menu on their homescreen. Additionally, Pixel Folds are receiving a "Bubble Bar" that plays off this feature from regular slab phones.

Android Central's Take

There's always competition in the phone space, and having a tool that makes switching easy? That's a smart move. Android Switch isn't a new feature, as Paul Dunlop said. It's always been there for iPhone users looking to switch. This even works for Android to Android. What's new are these upgrades to make it even easier and painless. No one wants to do extra work swapping devices. It's already a daunting experience. Maybe this will make it more attractive to swap over.

Signing up for the Android Beta for Pixel program can be really exciting. You get to test out new features that aren't publicly available yet, and Google uses your feedback to make meaningful changes before the public rollout.

The Android Beta has plenty of downsides. You may encounter glitches, errors, or hangs. Some users have even reported data loss in the past. Once you start experiencing such problems, it is reason enough to want to leave the Android Beta program.

I had signed up for beta testing on my Pixel 10 Pro, and my phone started glitching out like crazy over the last few weeks. Tired of my phone hanging up while switching apps, I decided that I want to leave the Android Beta for Pixel program. Unfortunately, the most direct pathway leads to complete erasure of your device data.

Eventually, I found a way to exit it without losing my data. If you want to avoid that as well, here's how you can exit the Android Beta for Pixel program without losing all your data.

Exiting the Android Beta for Pixel program (with and without data wipe)

Not sure if you're running the Android Beta program on your Pixel? There's a really quick way to check. Go www.google.com/android/beta and check which of your Android devices are opted in for the program.

To exit the program, select the Opt out button for your phone. Normally, these are the steps you would then follow to remove the beta software from your phone, but all your data is erased.

1. First, start by opening the Settings menu on your Google Pixel phone.

2. Navigate to the System option and tap it.

3. Select the Software updates option.

4. Click on the Install button for Android Beta Exit with Data Wipe.

However, how do you avoid doing that? The answer is quite simple!

Google has very clearly mentioned on the Android Beta program website what to do if you want to avoid a total data wipe. Go to www.google.com/android/beta and opt out.

But after that, do not install the Android Beta Exit with Data Wipe update.

Wait until the next stable release for the version you’re beta testing (in this case, Android 17) is pushed to your phone. Once you've installed it, you will have exited the beta program without losing any user data.

I found out the hard way that you should think twice before signing up for beta testing

Curiosity killed the cat, as the saying goes. If you're intrigued by the Android Beta program, think very carefully before signing up. You don't know when the next stable build of the Android version you're testing will see the light of day.

Although Google has a standard official platform release followed by what's called Quarterly Platform Releases, or QPRs, your timing might be off, or your region might take some time to get the public rollout. If your phone glitches badly during that interim period, there's no going back or fixing the issue.

Currently, Google is rolling out stable Android 17 and beta testing Android 17 QPR1. Testers enrolled in the Android Beta program normally face many issues, which are usually addressed in x.1 beta updates.

I had signed up for the Android 17 QPR1 beta a couple of months ago and didn't think much of it. Little did I realize that my phone would be crashing out, hanging up, and freezing apps randomly as the weeks progressed. It was only when I opted out of the beta testing program that I read the fine print: I'd have to undergo a complete data wipe.

I was essentially stuck until the Android 17 stable release started rolling out to my Pixel. Please don't make the same mistake as me!

What you need to know

• Wear OS 7 is rolling out now to eligible Pixel Watch models with smarter features, stronger device integration, and improved battery life.
• Live Updates bring real-time information to your wrist, letting you track scores, deliveries, and workouts without constantly opening apps.
• Google is tightening ecosystem integration, making it easier to interact with earbuds and upcoming smart glasses directly from your watch.

People are wearing smartwatches more than ever, and Google is capitalizing with an update that aims to make them more useful throughout the day. Wear OS 7 is now available to eligible Pixel Watch models and delivers new real-time experiences, improved device integration, and battery enhancements.

One of the biggest new features is Live Updates. Similar to the live information cards Android users already see on phones, the feature now comes to the wrist. You get constant updates, meaning you don’t need to pop open apps every time you want to check the score of your game or the status of your food delivery.

Wear OS 7 also makes it easier to connect to other devices within Google’s ecosystem. The platform is designed to work more smoothly with accessories like earbuds and upcoming intelligent eyewear. For example, if you take a photo with audio glasses, you can immediately see the photo preview on your watch.

Your wrist is now the ecosystem command center

Additionally, you can control playback on headphones, speakers, and other connected devices via your wrist. A new media output switcher makes it easier to transfer audio between devices without reaching for your phone.

The update is also paving the way for Google’s next generation of AI experiences. Gemini Intelligence capabilities will be coming to select Wear OS 7 devices later this year. One such addition is Create My Widget, which allows users to create personalized watch dashboards with natural language. Gemini will also bring multi-step app automation so your watch can do things for you. These include booking your favorite bike for a spin class or ordering your usual from a favorite restaurant, Google says.

The company is also bringing its Neural Expressive design language to Wear OS alongside Personal Intelligence. The system can draw information from Google services, such as Gmail, Search, and chat history, to make more personalized suggestions.

Of course, all these new capabilities would be insignificant if battery life were compromised, which is why Google claims that Wear OS 7 includes extensive system-level optimizations. Users upgrading from Wear OS 6 can expect battery life improvements of up to 10%.

Wear OS 7 is being launched today for eligible Pixel Watch hardware, but Google's vision for the platform will not be realized all at once. The Gemini-powered features are coming later this year.

Android Central's Take

It’s encouraging to see Google putting effort into making the smartwatch a real proactive companion instead of just a smaller phone screen. Custom widgets and multi-step Gemini actions are features that could help users save time and reduce the back and forth between devices. If you’re already inside the Google ecosystem, that’s good news. But then again, Google is trying to get people excited about features that aren’t fully available on day one.

What you need to know

• Android 17 is now rolling out to Pixel 6 and newer devices after months of beta testing.
• App Bubbles let you keep full apps in floating windows for faster multitasking on large-screen devices.
• Screen Reactions can record your selfie camera and screen together without needing extra editing apps.
• Android 17 adds stronger security with improved threat detection and a more powerful Mark as Lost mode.

After months of testing, Google has finally released the stable Android 17 update today.

Google has been testing Android 17 for more than three months now, and after numerous beta releases, the company has finally pushed the stable version to Pixel devices.

Android 17 isn't a massive redesign of Android. Instead, Google says the update focuses on improving productivity, entertainment, security, and safety across devices.

Which phones are getting Android 17 today?

Google says eligible Pixel devices will start receiving Android 17 beginning today, with the rollout continuing across supported devices throughout 2026. As for compatibility, Android 17 is available for all Pixel phones starting from the Pixel 6 series and newer.

If you don't see the OTA update yet, don't worry. Google is rolling it out in phases, so it should appear on your device soon. You can manually check Android 17 update on your Pixel smartphone by going to Settings > System > System update.

Now that Android 17 is officially out, we can also expect companies like Samsung, OnePlus, Xiaomi, Honor, and others to begin rolling out their own Android 17-based updates in the coming months.

What are the new features in Android 17?

One of the headline additions is a new multitasking feature called App Bubbles. Similar to how Facebook Messenger used chat heads years ago, Android 17 now lets you keep entire apps inside floating windows.

These apps live inside movable bubbles, allowing you to quickly jump in and out of them without fully switching apps. On larger-screen devices, such as foldable phones and tablets, these bubbles sit inside a dedicated bubble bar and float on top of other apps when needed.

This is especially useful when you're frequently switching between apps that both need full-screen space but still want quick access to the other one.

Google is also introducing Screen Reactions, a feature it first showed off during The Android Show. This lets users record their screen and selfie camera simultaneously, making it much easier to create reaction videos without needing a green screen or separate editing software.

Android 17 also improves gaming on foldable devices. Supported games can now use a dedicated 50/50 layout, with gameplay on the top half of the screen and dynamic gamepad-style controls on the bottom half.

There are also several new safety and security improvements. For example, apps can now request temporary location access for one-time use.

Google has also upgraded the Mark as Lost feature inside Find Hub, allowing users to lock a lost device behind biometric authentication for an additional layer of protection. That means even if someone knows your PIN, they still won't be able to access the phone without your fingerprint or face authentication.

Google is also improving Live Threat Detection, helping identify and block suspicious apps and behavior more effectively. Android 17 additionally lets users adjust PIN retry protections, including limiting the number of guesses allowed and increasing wait times between failed attempts.

Alongside Android 17, Google has also announced the rollout of Wear OS 7 starting today, as well as several other features that will arrive on your Android devices with June's Feature Drop.

What's your favorite Android 17 feature so far? For me, App Bubbles and one-time location access are easily two of the additions I've been looking forward to the most.

What you need to know

• Google is finally removing Manifest V2 support, ending compatibility with many older Chrome extensions.
• Popular ad blockers like uBlock Origin may stop working once Chrome fully completes the transition.
• Newer Manifest V3-compatible blockers such as uBlock Origin Lite will continue to function in Chrome.
• Chromium-based browsers like Edge and Opera could also be affected by the Manifest V2 shutdown.

A future update for Google Chrome could mark the end of some of the most popular ad blockers currently available.

Ever since 2019, Google has been working toward a new browser extension framework called Manifest V3. The transition hit several delays along the way, but the official deprecation of Manifest V2 extensions began in 2024. Now, it looks like Google is finally approaching the end of that transition, and it could have major consequences for popular ad-blocking extensions.

As spotted by Cybernews, Google has been gradually phasing out Manifest V2 support in Chrome for a while. However, the company now appears ready to complete the transition with upcoming Chrome releases, reportedly version 150 or 151, where Manifest V2 support will be removed entirely.

Once that happens, extensions built on Manifest V2 will no longer work in Chrome. That includes several older and extremely popular ad blockers, most notably uBlock Origin.

The biggest issue is that Manifest V3 limits some of the advanced filtering techniques that older ad blockers rely on. Under Manifest V2, extensions could perform more dynamic filtering and run more freely in the background. Manifest V3 introduces a much stricter framework that significantly changes how extensions interact with web traffic.

That doesn't mean ad blockers are disappearing altogether. Extensions built specifically for Manifest V3, such as uBlock Origin Lite and similar alternatives, will continue to function. But many legacy ad blockers will stop working once Chrome fully removes Manifest V2 support.

The change could also affect other Chromium-based browsers, including Microsoft Edge and Opera, although individual browser vendors may choose to handle Manifest V2 support differently.

Chrome version 150 is expected to arrive later this month and could remove much of the remaining Manifest V2 functionality. Any leftover support is expected to disappear completely with Chrome 151, which is likely to arrive shortly afterward.

Android Central's Take

As someone who works in publishing, I'd be lying if I said this doesn't feel like a positive change. Ads ultimately pay for the content we consume. That said, I also completely understand why users turned to ad blockers in the first place, and how annoying this change might be for them.

What you need to know

• The UK plans to ban social media access for under-16s, with the rules expected to take effect in 2027.
• Platforms like TikTok, Instagram, Snapchat, YouTube, Facebook, and X would be affected by the ban.
• The proposal would also restrict livestreaming and communication with strangers on gaming platforms.
• Messaging apps like WhatsApp and Signal are exempted for now.

The UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has announced what could become one of the most aggressive social media crackdowns we've seen yet, unveiling plans to ban social media access for users under the age of 16 in the UK.

Starmer says the goal is to "set a new normal for future generations" and give children their childhoods back. According to him, parents have been calling for stronger protections for years, and the government now wants to introduce broader safeguards to address those concerns.

As part of the proposal, users under 16 would be blocked from accessing platforms including Snapchat, TikTok, YouTube, Instagram, Facebook, and X (Twitter). An exhaustive list of affected platforms has not yet been released, so it's still unclear whether services like Bluesky or Reddit would also be included. More details are expected soon.

According to the announcement, the measures would also require platforms to prevent children from livestreaming and from communicating with strangers on gaming platforms. Any feature involving communication between under-16s and unknown adults would be restricted.

These protections would reportedly be enabled by default for both 16 and 17-year-olds as well, in an effort to avoid what the government describes as a "cliff-edge" at age 16.

The government is also exploring additional measures, including overnight curfews for social media use and mandatory breaks in infinite scrolling feeds for users under 18. Further details on those proposals are expected in July.

For now, the government says messaging services such as Signal and WhatsApp would not be covered by the ban. The proposal would also require AI chatbot services that offer romantic companion features or simulate intimate relationships to enforce a minimum age of 18. Similar roleplay and intimate features would have to be restricted for under-18s.

Starmer says the government plans to pass the legislation before Christmas this year, which would allow the measures to come into force in early 2027.

It's also worth noting that this announcement comes just days after Apple unveiled a number of new child safety and parental control features across iOS, macOS, and iPadOS — something that we want Google to bring to Android.

So far, none of the major tech companies affected by the proposal have publicly commented on the UK's plans. That said, we expect more responses and developments from both platform operators and regulators in the coming weeks.

What you need to know

• Google has launched a major legal offensive against the alleged China-based "Outsider Enterprise" network for using Gemini AI to power large-scale phishing scams.
• The company is teaming up with the FBI and major carriers like AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon to stop scam texts before they reach users.
• Investigators linked the operation to more than 9,000 fake websites and over one million malicious URLs, with millions of scam messages targeting Android users.

AI tools are making everyday tasks easier, but they’re also enabling cybercriminals to scale their attacks. Google says the line has been crossed sufficiently that legal action is in order.

The company has revealed a coordinated takedown of the alleged China-based cybercrime network called “Outsider Enterprise,” accusing the group of using Google’s own Gemini AI and other services to fuel a massive phishing operation. Besides the lawsuit, Google said it is working with the FBI and major U.S. carriers, such as AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon, to disrupt the campaign and block scam messages before they reach users.

Google said the network sold phishing kits on Telegram that allowed even low-skilled criminals to run fake text message campaigns that mimicked trusted brands. The operation is said to have made fake versions of services from Google and YouTube to government entities, including the U.S. Postal Service and New York's E-ZPass toll system.

This wasn't amateur hour

Google says the scale of the attack was massive. The company traced the group to over 9,000 phony websites and over a million scam URLs. Within two weeks, almost 55,000 spam texts were reported by Android users, and 2.5 million messages with malicious links were sent to Android devices. The company estimates hundreds of thousands of people have been impacted, and the financial losses are in the millions of dollars.

Court filings have even more details. The “Outsider” phishing platform had more than 290 ready-made templates for websites that could impersonate banks, retailers, telecom providers and government agencies in a matter of minutes, Google says. The service allegedly used AI-generated codes and was selling subscriptions for as little as $88 per week, making phishing a plug-and-play business.

The FBI says the use of AI is making scams harder to detect, and Google says existing laws need to catch up. The company is supporting seven bipartisan bills to help fight AI-driven fraud and strengthen consumer protections. Google’s general counsel Halima DeLaine Prado said the lawsuit was the company’s first coordinated legal effort of this magnitude.

Google says the legal action is just part of its response. The company already deploys AI-powered defenses across Android and Google Messages, saying its systems block more than 10 billion malicious messages a month.

Android Central's Take

I applaud Google’s hard line on AI-based scams because the biggest winners are everyday consumers who want to text, shop, and browse without the additional headache of more and more convincing fraud attempts. While AI may be making security tools smarter, it is also lowering the bar for bad actors who would have struggled to pull off these schemes just a few years ago. It’s kind of crazy, honestly, that tech designed to make us more productive is also being used to spit out fake toll notices and delivery alerts. I think if AI companies are going to keep racing ahead with new tools, they need to accept that cleaning up the mess shouldn’t become the user’s problem.

What you need to know

• Android 17 QPR1 Beta 4 adds Screen Reactions, letting you record your screen and selfie camera together.
• The new feature overlays your face on screen recordings, making reaction videos easier to create.
• The update also includes the May 2026 security patch, bug fixes, and stability improvements.

Google has released the latest Android 17 QPR1 beta, and it finally includes one of the creator-focused features the company first showcased during The Android Show last month.

At The Android Show, Google highlighted several features coming to Android 17, many of them aimed at creators. These included better Instagram integration for higher-quality uploads, exclusive Edits app features, and even the arrival of Adobe Premiere on Android.

Another feature Google previewed was a new way to make reaction videos directly on Android, and that feature has now arrived with Android 17 QPR1 Beta 4.

As Google demonstrated last month, the feature makes it much easier to create reaction-style videos without relying on multiple editing apps or green screen effects. It allows users to record themselves and their screen at the same time, automatically overlaying their face on top of whatever content they're reacting to.

The feature is built directly into Android's native screen recorder. When starting a screen recording, users will now see a new option called "Show selfie camera." Once enabled, Android places a cutout of your face over the screen recording.

There is one limitation, though. The feature only works when recording the entire screen. If you're using Android's single-app recording mode, the selfie camera option won't be available.

Google also lets users customize the look of the reaction video by adding a colored background behind the selfie camera feed. Available color options include black, purple, red, blue, green, and orange.

Beyond the new creator feature, Android 17 QPR1 Beta 4 also includes the May 2026 security patch along with a number of bug fixes and stability improvements. The build carries version number CP31.260522.006.

If you want to try Android 17 QPR1 Beta 4 yourself, you'll need a Pixel device enrolled in the Android Beta Program. Google has already started rolling out the update over the air, although users can also sideload the update or manually flash the factory image if they prefer.

If you are interested in Samsung Wallet, surely you must have heard the news that your Samsung phone is officially a TSA-approved digital passport. This means that you can now use a digitally stored passport inside Samsung Wallet at most Transportation Security Administration (TSA) checkpoints across the U.S.

Samsung partnered up with CLEAR to bring verified digital IDs into Samsung Wallet for Samsung Galaxy phone users.

If you want to learn how to set up your digital passport, read this handy guide we have. After setting it up, you must be wondering about compatibility. Here's what you need to know.

Where can you use Samsung Wallet?

First, lets start off with availability of the e-wallet from the Korean tech giant. Samsung Wallet itself is available in the following countries:

• Australia
• Bahrain
• Brazil
• Canada
• China
• Denmark
• Finland
• France
• Germany
• Hong Kong
• India
• Italy
• Kazakhstan
• Korea
• Kuwait
• Malaysia
• Norway
• Oman
• Qatar
• Singapore
• South Africa
• Spain
• Sweden
• Switzerland
• Taiwan
• Vietnam
• UAE
• U.K.
• U.S.

Samsung Wallet availability in a region includes features such as adding debit, credit, prepaid, and loyalty cards, as well as digital keys. Not only can you keep passwords, addresses, and card details within Samsung Wallet, but you can also unlock, lock, and start your car from your Samsung phone.

Note that some features of Samsung Wallet may not be available in certain regions or may be available only in a limited capacity. It depends entirely on the region.

Where can you use your digital passport stored in Samsung Wallet?

Moving on to Samsung ID with CLEAR, this is the part of Samsung Wallet that securely holds your digital passport. As of right now, this is a U.S.-exclusive feature, so only American citizens with a valid passport can store their passports digitally within their Samsung Wallet.

You can use your digital ID at more than 250 TSA checkpoints inside the U.S., and you can view the participating states on the TSA website. However, this digital ID will only work for domestic travel and not for international travel.

So if you're planning to go abroad, don't forget to bring the original physical copy of your passport with you!

What you need to know

• Google announced that it's rolling out Gemini in Chrome in desktop and iOS users in Latin America, Africa, the Middle East and more.
• This AI assisted feature brings Personal Intelligence, Nano Banana 2, and more to help users summarize lengthy posts or draft emails on the fly.
• Personal Intelligence lets Gemini dip into your connected Google apps to personalize its responses whenever the user has a question or request.

Gemini in Chrome has become a significant part of Google's browsing experience (should you enable it), and now it's headed to more users.

Google wastes no time in its announcement today (June 10): Gemini in Chrome is rolling out now on "desktop and iOS users in Latin America, Africa, the Middle East and more." At the forefront of Google's post is security. It states that users receiving Gemini in Chrome will be protected by safeguards, such as the AI "asking for confirmation" before completing sensitive tasks.

What's more, the company is protecting users against "prompt injection." On a flashier note, Gemini in Chrome's main course lets users personalize their browsing. Google highlights its AI's ability to "summarize content, compare information across multiple tabs, and more." What's more, Gemini offers a deeper level of integration with Google's apps. That means users can connect Calendar, Maps, Gmail, and more with Gemini in Chrome, enabling the AI to create drafts and set reminders/events without interrupting your browsing.

Nano Banana 2 is stepping up to welcome new users. Joining Gemini in Chrome, the AI image generator can "transform" images you come across while browsing with a text prompt. Gemini's Personal Intelligence joins the fray, meaning any questions you might have for it feel more, well, personal since it's connected to what you care about.

Gemini's getting personal to help

Personal Intelligence for Gemini completely changed the game for the AI. While we always hear the same buzzwords (companion, assistant, etc.), this feature truly focused on embodying those names. Essentially, Google's AI can get cozy with your personal data from various apps. Users can connect Photos, Gmail, YouTube, and more so the AI has something to work with when you ask questions.

Google held The Android Show: I/O Edition 2026 earlier this year, and during the event, it discussed bringing Gemini 3.1 into Chrome for Android's toolbar. Users can ask the AI to summarize long articles, ask questions about what they're viewing, or extract details for later use without leaving the page. Personal Intelligence is also a part of this. Google stated Chrome users on Android could utilize the feature's personalized experience as if they were using the main Gemini app.

Android Central's Take

Gemini in Chrome is like putting a bow on a useful browser. For users who want a little extra assistance, whether that be summaries or pulling information, the Gemini in Chrome can help. Of course, all of this in opt-in, so it'll exist for these new users like it exists for others. Turn it on if you want, or not.

There are plenty of times when you might need a new Gmail ID. A lot of websites and subscriptions have deals aimed at new customers, and this is particularly true with streaming platforms. So if you're previously subscribed to something and want to access deal pricing again, the logical thing to do would be to just create a new Gmail account.

But you don't have to do that. Did you know that Gmail doesn't recognize any dots in an email? So if your ID is thisismyemail@gmail.com, then if you write this.is.my.email@gmail.com, this.is.myemail@gmail.com, or this.ismyemail@gmail.com, Gmail won't see a difference — as this 2008 Gmail blog post clarifies. In fact, you can include as many periods as you want, and you'll still get mails delivered to your primary ID.

Gmail always had this feature, and as someone who's been using my account for over two decades, I used this trick endlessly to sign up at websites and filter emails. This is what you need to know about Gmail aliases, and how you can get started using it with your email account.

Why you need to start using Gmail aliases

Creating new Gmail IDs is a hassle. Even though the service doesn't cost anything, there isn't a reason to do so if all you need to do is sign up as a new customer at a site or streaming platform where you've given out your primary ID previously.

All you need to do is add a dot anywhere in your existing email ID, and that's it! You're essentially a new user at wherever you're registering, but you'll still get the email at your primary Gmail ID. I use this yearly to subscribe to the NYT and Bloomberg as a new user instead of having to renew, which costs a lot more. While all other websites distinguish thisismyemail@gmail.com and this.is.my.email@gmail.com as two distinct email IDs, Gmail doesn't care if you have dots in the email address, and that basically gives you a lot of flexibility in coming up with unique email IDs while signing up at a website — all without having to actually make a new Gmail account.

On that note, Gmail aliases are also a great way to identify if a website is selling your details to marketers. In addition to dots, you can add a + sign after your email address and write any combination of letters or numbers, and still get the email delivered to your email ID. I do this when signing up for a newsletter or subscribing to email alerts. I buy a lot of stuff at IKEA, so when I need to provide an email ID to sign up for notification alerts, I just give thisismyemail+ikea@gmail.com, and the email shows up on my primary mail ID.

This way, if you ever get spam at the address you provided (thisismyemail+ikea@gmail.com), you'll know that IKEA shared your data with third-party brokers (IKEA doesn't do this, by the way, but you get the idea). I do the same trick when signing up at e-commerce sites that mandate an email ID.

How to use Gmail aliases

There isn't much you need to do to start using Gmail aliases. There's no setting to change or configure, and you just have to remember to add a dot (or ten) when signing up with your Gmail ID at a service you've used previously.

Same thing with the + sign; you can use as many variations of these as possible, and the only thing to note here is that you need to do so before the @ sign, so thisismyemail+bestbuy@gmail.com will be okay, but not thisismyemail+best@buygmail.com.

Both methods work without any issues, and I've been using both for decades now. Honestly, I'm only writing about this now because I realized in recent conversations with friends and family that this isn't something everyone knows about. So if you've had to create several Gmail accounts over the years just to get a new email ID, know that there's no need to do so — you can just add or dot or + sign while signing up just about anywhere.

As much as I'm a fan of Google's products, the company's naming scheme is still incredibly confusing. Qualcomm probably still holds the crown there, but Google also has a habit of giving very similar names to products that are completely different. Just look at Google Wallet and Google Pay. And another perfect example of this is Android Auto and Android Automotive.

Android Auto and Android Automotive are two names that sound almost identical, which is probably why so many people still confuse them. I've lost count of how many times I've seen people assume Android Auto is simply a shorter name for Android Automotive.

But that's not actually the case. Despite the very similar branding, the two platforms work completely differently. Here are the five biggest differences between Android Auto and Android Automotive.

Android Auto needs your phone, Android Automotive doesn't

The most basic, and probably the biggest, difference between the two is that Android Auto mirrors your phone onto your car's display, while Android Automotive is a full operating system that actually runs the car itself.

Android Auto depends entirely on your smartphone. You connect your Android phone to your car, either wirelessly or through USB, and the car's screen essentially becomes a secondary display for apps like Google Maps, Spotify, WhatsApp, and more.

Android Automotive, on the other hand, runs directly on the car's own hardware. The operating system is built into the vehicle itself, which means you don't need your phone connected to use things like navigation, music streaming, or even video apps. Think of it as Android OS, but designed specifically for cars.

This also means Android Automotive vehicles usually come with their own cellular connection for things like traffic updates, app downloads, and other connected features.

Android Automotive controls the actual car

Another major difference between Android Auto and Android Automotive comes down to hardware access. Since Android Auto simply mirrors your phone onto the car's display, it only really has access to things like the screen and audio output. It can't control features like air conditioning, seat ventilation, or other vehicle functions,

Android Automotive, on the other hand, is built directly into the car from the ground up. Because of that, it can control much more than just infotainment. It can manage climate settings, heated seats, window defoggers, ambient lighting, and even EV-specific functions depending on the vehicle.

This also means you can directly ask Gemini on Android Automotive cars to control the car's systems, whereas you cannot experience this on cars with just Android Auto.

Android Automotive cars can be without Google apps

One thing that makes Android Automotive confusing is that not every Android Automotive car actually comes with Google's apps and services built in.

That's because Android Automotive itself is just the operating system. Car makers can choose whether they also want to license Google Automotive Services, or GAS, which includes things like Google Maps, Gemini, the Google Play Store, and other Google apps.

There are still some Android Automotive cars out there that don't ship with GAS. However, most newer Android Automotive vehicles from brands like Ford, Honda, Polestar, Volvo, and others are now moving toward including Google's services by default.

Android Auto, on the other hand, is much simpler in that regard. Since it mirrors your phone directly onto the car's display, you automatically get access to Google services like Google Maps, YouTube Music, and other apps straight from your phone once it's connected.

Android Auto and Automotive don't update the same way

Since Android Auto is mostly tied to your smartphone, new features usually arrive through updates on your phone itself. If Google adds a new Android Auto feature, you typically receive it through updates to the Android Auto app or Google Play Services, both of which usually update automatically in the background.

Android Automotive works very differently. Since it's the actual operating system running the car, updates are handled much more like phone software updates. Just like Google updates Pixel phones and Samsung rolls out One UI updates for Galaxy devices, Android Automotive updates are delivered through the car manufacturer rather than directly by Google.

That creates a much bigger dependency on the automaker itself. Some brands are excellent when it comes to long-term software support, while others can be noticeably slower with updates.

So while Android Automotive can potentially offer a much deeper and more advanced experience over time, the actual experience depends heavily on how committed the car manufacturer is to software updates.

If you've used Android in your car, it's probably Android Auto

All things considered, if you've used a modern car infotainment system at any point over the past few years, chances are you've used Android Auto.

That's because Android Auto is available across a huge number of vehicles today. Android Automotive, on the other hand, is a much bigger commitment for automakers since it requires them to build the operating system directly into the car's architecture instead of simply supporting phone projection.

Sure, there are now plenty of vehicles from brands like Volvo, Polestar, Ford, and others using Android Automotive as the underlying platform, but it's still fair to say that Android Automotive hasn't become nearly as common as Google probably hoped it would by now.

It's that time of the year again. Apple executives took to the stage to announce some new features and additions coming to the iPhone with the upcoming iOS 27 update. While Apple mostly focused on refining the fundamentals (read: fixing what it broke), the company also introduced a handful of useful additions that make iOS 27 feel like more than just a maintenance update.

Sure, Google fixed a few of our annoyances with the Android 17 update by adding features like updated emojis and the ability to create widgets just by describing them. But Apple still came up with a few great ideas this year, including some AI features (an area where Google usually loves reminding everyone it's ahead).

And after watching the iOS 27 announcements, there are a few features that I genuinely wish Google would steal and bring to Android.

Android needs to take parental controls more seriously

Apple spent a big chunk of the WWDC keynote focusing on the new and improved parental controls coming with iOS 27. And as someone who's soon going to enter the parenting stage myself, I can absolutely see why Android users would want some of these features on their phones as well.

Apple has added a number of thoughtful parental control improvements in iOS 27. It's no longer just about restricting app downloads based on age ratings, but the company is going much further this time.

One of the biggest additions is Time Allowances, which lets parents set limits for specific app categories rather than individual apps. For example, you can decide how much time your child can spend on entertainment apps versus educational apps.

There are also more granular controls throughout the system. If a child visits a website they've never accessed before, parents can approve it directly from their own device before access is granted. Apple has also expanded its communication safety tools.

In addition to automatically blurring nudity, iOS 27 can now detect and blur graphic or violent content in shared images and videos as well.

Google Family Link lacks most of these capabilities, and it feels like it's time for Google to give its parental controls a much-needed upgrade.

It's time to bring Shortcuts-like automation to Android

As advanced as Android has become when it comes to AI and automation, it still doesn't have a true equivalent to Apple's Shortcuts app. Google offers Pixel Rules, but it's fairly limited in what it can do.

Samsung is really the only Android brand offering something close to it with its Modes and Routines feature, but that's Samsung-exclusive and not available across Android as a whole.

Google really needs to bring a native automation app like this to Android. With iOS 27, Apple has made creating shortcuts and automations even easier. For creating Shortcuts, users no longer need to dig through complex menus. Instead, they can simply describe what they want using natural language, and the system builds the automation using AI.

With Google pushing Gemini so aggressively across Android, it feels like the perfect time for the company to build a similar app. Android already has the AI capabilities; it just needs a proper, system-level automation app to tie everything together.

Siri mode in the Camera app

This is something I've been asking for on Android for years. We're in 2026, and there are still Android phones that don't even support basic things like native QR code recognition directly through the camera app. Meanwhile, Apple has gone much further by integrating Siri Mode directly into the camera experience.

With Siri Mode, you can simply point your iPhone at something and take action immediately. Point it at a plate of food, and it can identify nutritional information. Point it at a restaurant bill, and it can help split it. You can even point it at a flyer or poster and have it automatically create a calendar event with the relevant details.

What I really like is that all of this is built directly into the camera app. It's not that Android lacks these capabilities. In fact, most of them already exist, and Google Lens is available in the camera app on many Android phones. The problem is that these features remain fragmented across apps and services.

Google can already recognize objects and information through AI, but you often need to launch Gemini Live, which is actually tucked into Google Lens. Similarly, Google Lens can identify all sorts of things, but that often requires opening the app. If Google forces Gemini mode directly into the camera app across all Android devices, it would make the overall experience feel much more cohesive and useful. Perhaps that means evolving Google Lens.

Spatial reframing

Google already offers Auto Reframe on Pixel phones, which can help change the frame of the shot you've already taken. But Apple is taking things a step further with a new feature called Spatial Reframing in iOS 27.

What makes Spatial Reframing interesting is that it doesn't just let you extend the frame using generative AI. It can actually change the perspective of a photo after it has been captured. In addition to changing the frame in 2D, you can shift the whole camera angle and then have AI generate and fill in the missing parts of the image to match the new framing.

It's a much more ambitious take on photo editing than simply expanding the edges of a picture, and something, I think, a lot of Android users and especially Google Photos users would benefit from.

Google killed Pixel Studio at the worst possible time

The timing couldn't be more ironic for this one. It's only been a few days since Google officially killed off the Pixel Studio app on Pixel devices, while Apple has gone in the opposite direction by introducing a significantly upgraded Image Playground app in iOS 27.

The previous version of Image Playground was mostly limited to generating emojis and cartoon-style images, but the new version goes much further. Apple now allows users to generate more realistic and genuinely useful images through its Private Cloud Compute infrastructure.

Like most modern AI image generators, you can choose the style you want, whether that's realistic, cartoon-like, artistic, or something else entirely. But what I really like is that Apple is thinking beyond just image generation itself.

You can tell the app exactly where the image will be used. For example, whether you want a landscape image, a portrait image, or even a wallpaper, it will optimize the output accordingly.

That might sound like a small thing, but it's exactly the kind of detail that turns AI image generation from a gimmick into a genuinely useful tool.

If you're an Android user, you know the deal. Every year, Apple takes the stage to announce a bunch of "new" features that you've been using for years. It might be annoying if it weren't so predictable, but it gives Android users a sense of pride, knowing they're always on the cutting edge when compared to their iPhone-toting friends.

Apple's iOS 27 update is no exception to this, and I w̶a̶s̶t̶e̶d̶ spent a solid 2 hours of my life watching Apple's WWDC 2026 on June 8 to see which updates you can now ̶b̶r̶a̶g̶ ̶a̶b̶o̶u̶t̶ celebrate with your friends.

There are plenty of times every year when my mind is blown by one of Apple's announcements, but it's never for the reason they're hoping. Rather, I'm constantly blown away by what features iPhone users didn't have, and it reminds me that I regularly take my favorite Android features for granted. Here are all the iOS 27 features already on Android.

Animations and transparency

Last year, Apple launched iOS 26 with a new "Liquid Glass" aesthetic that was quickly panned. Liquid Glass evolved substantially from its announcement to the eventual release a few months later, but iOS 27 is finally adding a proper transparency slider to allow users to customize their preferred look.

Many Android OEMs rushed to update their Android 16 releases in the fall with a similar transparent glowing glass aesthetic, but all of them either offered a way to disable this effect entirely, and OEMs like Honor even offer a transparency slider (pictured above).

Apple also talked about enhanced, smoother animations throughout the OS, something Android OEMs specifically touted years ago, and have further doubled down on in the past two years.

Core features that weren't so "core"

Apple gushed about how its phones can now seamlessly hand off data between Wi-Fi and cellular data connections, like it was some amazing breakthrough. I'll have to see exactly what's different here to fully understand Apple's angle, but Android users have had what appears to be an identical feature for years. Reminds me a bit of when iPhone users couldn't make phone calls and browse the web at the same time.

Likewise, Apple Messages is apparently just now getting a "still sending" indicator for when your messages haven't quite made it to the other side. How was this not a baseline feature before, especially given how many additional features that platform has over other messaging platforms? Very weird.

AirPods now also support custom EQs for users who care about that sort of thing, and I'm 100% sure I've been doing this on my Android phones since 2009. This Motorola Razr Fold I'm using right now, for instance, has Dolby Atmos built in and offers advanced EQ options plus automatic smart adjustments with virtual surround sound options.

Apple's password manager can now automatically identify compromised passwords and help you change them. Meanwhile, Google Assistant was able to do this four years ago, and Google Password Manager has identified compromised passwords for users for more than half a decade.

Apple's Photos app now supports automatic sharing and group albums, two features the Google Photos app has had for a very long time.

Apple is also overhauling its parental controls suite with a bunch of features that are already in Android's Google Family Link app, albeit with a better UI than Google's app. But I've long used the Bark app for my son's Android phones because it offers far better parental controls than either Google or Apple's built-in solutions. Apple doesn't allow these services to access usage data on iPhones, and that severely hampers the usefulness of such apps.

Siri, but make it Gemini

Well, it's 2026, so did you expect anything different than a company spending 40 minutes on new AI announcements? Even Apple isn't immune to this, announcing an upgraded Siri AI assistant with all the great features Android users have been enjoying for the past year or two via Google Gemini, Galaxy AI, OnePlus AI, Motorola AI, Honor AI, or whatever other favorite Android vendor you've been using.

Apple spent lots of time dunking on other companies for breaching your privacy with AI tools, but just saying "iPhone is more private" may not necessarily be true. After all, Apple is launching its new Siri AI features in the U.S. only at first, with availability in other regions (like the more privacy-focused EU and UK) "sometime in the future" once Apple has worked around regulatory restrictions.

As we heard last fall, Gemini is the brains behind the new Siri AI and, as such, every new Siri feature Apple announced is already available on most Android phones. That all starts with the new adjustable Siri voice that finally doesn't sound like it was made in the AOL days, something Google debuted with its ancient Google Assistant roughly a decade ago. Curiously, Siri AI is only available in English to start, while Gemini currently supports 70 languages.

There's also now a dedicated Siri app that keeps all your searches and other relevant data in one place for you to access later. It's wild to me that Siri is just now getting a dedicated app, but, hey, that's an iPhone for you. Google Assistant and Gemini have always had dedicated apps, but I like the way Apple is pulling together information in one place, similar to the way Pixel Screenshots, Nothing Essential Space, and other Android phones do.

There's even a new Siri camera mode that looks identical to Google Lens, which has been integrated into Android phones since 2017. Siri AI is also coming to the Apple Watch and likely offers similar functionality to the existing Gemini app on Wear OS watches.

Apple Intelligence

Apple Intelligence is Apple's catch-all term for AI features that are separate from the Siri AI assistant. Essentially, if you're using an AI feature that's not asking Siri for something, it's Apple Intelligence. Apple's initial rollout of Apple Intelligence last year was downright terrible, but the company went back to the drawing board for this year's implementation.

Apple Intelligence will now be able to pull relevant information in certain apps on your phone, like pulling in your airline reservation into the phone app when calling that airline. This identical scenario was shown off with Google's Magic Cue on the Pixel 10 series last fall, and Now Nudge on the Galaxy S26 series also offers identical functionality, thanks to Android's Personal Intelligence.

Apple Intelligence is also able to populate context-sensitive buttons when you search your screen. Late-2024 phones like the Honor Magic 7 Pro experimented with similar features, and the Android 16 update for Honor phones further improved that. Google's own Circle to Search also sports similar functionality, including the ability to ask Gemini context-sensitive commands based on what you circle.

Apple Photos now has a ton of new AI-powered editing tools, all (but one) of which have been available in Google Photos for years. You can also now use Siri to write emails, generate ideas from photos, scans, or prompts, edit calendar entries using natural language, and perform plenty of other similar activities that felt extremely familiar to me as an Android phone reviewer. Apple also added Google's excellent AI-generation warning to photos.

Apple is working toward fixing its terrible keyboard by enhancing voice dictation with Siri AI. Google integrated Assistant with Gboard back in 2020, and OEMs like Nothing and Google have recently started rolling out natural language dictation, as well, which is a generation ahead of what Apple showed off today. Autocorrect might finally not suck on iPhones, too, but we'll have to wait and see the public verdict on that one.

Apple's Home app is getting an Apple Intelligence glow-up that looks identical to the Google Home app upgrade that was announced last fall. That includes asking Siri about context-sensitive info in recorded videos, aggregating and analyzing smart home data to deliver better notifications, and more.

More to come

So yeah, Android users have been enjoying a lot of features that Apple users still won't have access to until iOS 27 launches in a few months. Even then, if history has proven anything, not all of these features will be available when iOS 27 is made public.

We also fully expect Apple to reserve some unannounced features for the upcoming iPhone 18, like the rumored anti-theft protection that Android also already has. If you want the latest and greatest features, it's pretty clear that Android continues to be the best platform to own.

What you need to know

• NotebookLM can now search the web and recommend sources automatically, reducing the manual work of gathering references.
• A new cloud-based system lets NotebookLM perform background tasks and generate files beyond simple summaries.
• Users can now create and export PDFs, spreadsheets, charts, images, presentations, and more from within NotebookLM.
• Google says the new Gemini 3.5 and Antigravity models improve accuracy and better handle complex projects.

Google is turning NotebookLM into something much bigger than a document chatbot. The company has announced a major upgrade designed to make research easier, faster, and more reliable, as well as giving the AI assistant new powers that extend past summarizing notes.

The biggest difference is how NotebookLM searches for information. Until now, the tool was mostly relying on files and sources uploaded by users. That method reduced AI hallucinations because the responses remained anchored in trusted material, but it also meant that users had to do the hard work of collecting references.

Now Google is changing that. NotebookLM can also locate sources on a topic you'd like to explore and automatically search the web for related information. You can just tell NotebookLM what you’re researching, and it’ll compile a jumping-off point rather than going off and searching for articles, papers, and websites yourself.

This feature is an extension of NotebookLM’s original goal of being an AI-powered research companion. The service has distinguished itself from traditional chatbots since its 2023 debut by focusing on source-backed answers rather than broad internet responses. Users can upload PDFs, websites, videos, and documents and then ask questions particular to the material.

Additionally, Google is providing NotebookLM with access to more sophisticated infrastructure via its agentic coding system. Now, each notebook has a secure cloud computer attached to it so the AI can do tasks in the background. That means NotebookLM can do more than just read text.

Powered by Gemini 3.5 and cloud execution

The improved system can produce and export a range of outputs, including PDFs, spreadsheets, charts, images, presentations, and other file formats, per Google’s announcement. These improvements are powered by the newest Gemini models (Gemini 3.5 and Antigravity) to deliver more accurate responses and handle complex projects more efficiently.

For students, researchers, and professionals working in information-rich fields, the changes could dramatically cut the time spent sourcing material and organizing results.

For now, some of the new capabilities are available for Google AI Ultra subscribers and Workspace customers, with wider availability to come later.

Android Central's Take

I'm in favor of spending less time gathering sources and more time working with the information itself, especially if the tool can spit out charts, presentations, and other files without forcing me to jump back and forth between apps. But while the idea of granting more autonomy to AI and cloud-based tools seems appealing, we have encountered numerous unfulfilled promises in the past. The crucial question is whether NotebookLM will consistently provide accurate answers without necessitating your verification of all information. After all, an AI research assistant that still requires constant babysitting is not much of an assistant at all.

What you need to know

• Google is reportedly testing a change to Chrome's Search experience, which would send a user's query into AI Mode, not the primary search engine.
• The report mentions that this test is seemingly just an experiment on Google's side and might not ever arrive officially for all users.
• Google recently announced a massive change to Search in over two decades, as it puts its AI at center stage with Gemini 3.5 Flash.

Google runs many tests for its apps. Some make it to live servers while others never do, but this one for Chrome is drawing attention as it makes another major change to Search.

Today (June 5), WindowsReport spotted a test that's gotten underway for Google Chrome that puts its AI front and center when users search via the address bar (via 9to5Google). Chrome Canary is the company's test environment for the browser. The publication states that it's kick-started a test that turns the main engine into a side character, placing AI Mode front and center for queries. There is reportedly a flag in the browser that shows off this "Fulfill Searchbox queries in AI Mode."

The process is as simple as it is today to search on Google. Users opening Chrome or a new tab would type their query as normal, but what replies is AI Mode. Its response would be no different than what you'd see as an AI Overview before diving into AI Mode for further questioning (or more insight).

Google mentioned support for this on Windows, Mac, Linux, and ChromeOS, further highlighting its extensive testing. This would be quite a significant change to Chrome's search experience. According to the publication's research, launching users directly into AI Mode deprives the main search engine experience.

That experience is all about a rolling list of relevant links to your query. Instead, AI Mode only links where it pulls its information from. WindowsReport discovered a commit by Google, which states the company has "no current plans" to make this Search change a reality for Chrome. This is reportedly "just for exploration."

Search is almost unrecognizable

If you thought we were done with massive changes to search (AI Overviews, AI Mode), you'd have to rethink things. During I/O, Google revealed the biggest change to Search in over two decades. Gone is the old way of needing to use keywords for search queries. Google is putting its AI front and center, and what's leading the charge is Gemini 3.5 Flash in AI Mode. This is arriving globally, bringing a more "conversational" experience to Search.

Users can type as they would if they were speaking, getting all of their descriptors in the box for the AI to help narrow its search. What's more, Search now accepts text, images, videos, files, and active Chrome tabs. Just this week, Google expanded how users find content or creators they like in Search with "Search Profiles." As this rolls out, users can find a "Follow on Google" button, which brings a steady stream of content to the Discover feed in the Google app.

Android Central's Take

This test that Google has for Chrome would likely stir some strong emotions in users. I'm guessing this is why it's just playing around and seeing if it's possible (or could work). The publication found that testers can toggle this feature, which really highlights the difference this would make if you were chucked right into AI Mode. I'm not sure I would keep this toggled (granted, Google would have to give the option) if this ever went live. Google's AI doesn't account for everything, so it might miss exactly what I'm looking for.

What you need to know

• Google Chrome has posted record scores of 61 in Speedometer 3.1 and 469 in JetStream 3.
• Google says the gains aren't just benchmark bragging rights, with users expected to see faster website loading and snappier web app performance.
• Performance jumped significantly this year, with Chrome improving 10% in JetStream and 5% in Speedometer compared to previous results.

Web browsers rarely make headlines for getting faster. New features, AI integrations, and visual redesigns tend to steal the spotlight. Google, however, is arguing that raw speed still matters, particularly when so much of our work, entertainment, and communication is now done inside a browser.

The company has announced a new significant performance milestone for Chrome, boasting record-breaking results in both Speedometer 3.1 and JetStream 3 benchmarks. Google said Chrome now has a Speedometer 3.1 score of 61 and a JetStream 3 score of 469, making it the fastest browser in both tests. Results were measured on a Macbook Pro with macOS 26.0.1 and the Apple M5 chip.

Benchmark numbers may sound abstract, but what it means is that websites and web apps should feel snappier. Google said these improvements translate into noticeable speed gains in day-to-day use. The company notes a 10% performance increase in JetStream since the start of the year and a 5% performance increase in Speedometer, versus its benchmark update about a year ago.

JavaScript got the most love

Much of the recent progress in Chrome has come from work done inside V8, Google’s JavaScript engine. Modern websites run a lot of JavaScript, so tiny optimizations can have a huge impact on the web.

Google said it focused on cutting the time for common operations by making Chrome skip processing steps it didn’t need. The company said some of the biggest wins came from optimizing asynchronous tasks like microtask dispatch and await resolution. Similar techniques also were used for string comparison and data sorting, helping Chrome handle everyday workloads more efficiently.

Engineers also refined the browser's decision-making process around code optimization. The Chrome team can now identify some JavaScript functions sooner and apply performance improvements earlier if it’s worth the effort. Google also improved BigInt handling, including division and data management, and introduced changes to the underlying memory allocation to strengthen sandbox security.

Furthermore, Chrome received another round of upgrades for WebAssembly performance. WebAssembly is becoming more and more relevant for challenging applications like AI workloads, cryptography tools, or complex web-based software.

Google said it has improved its internal data management, SIMD instruction generation, and register allocation. This leads to better performance for compute-intensive workloads. We also improved compiler times by using temporary memory more efficiently during the compilation process.

In addition, Chrome now reduces some of the overhead involved when JavaScript communicates with WebAssembly code, eliminating redundant conversions and memory loads in some workloads.

Chrome’s rendering engine, Blink, got a whole heap of tuning, too. This is the part of the browser that translates code into the pages and interfaces you see on screen.

Page loading got attention too. Google used SIMD processing to speed up string copying and HTML parsing, so Chrome can build page structures more efficiently the first time it loads. The company also improved Apple Advanced Typography processing to address typography and graphics bottlenecks, reducing font fallback overhead and adding caching to SVG rendering. DOM storage structures were also changed to reduce memory usage.

What you need to know

• Google Wallet's Digital ID support is expanding to select EU countries this summer.
• New privacy-focused age checks let users prove eligibility without sharing unnecessary personal details like their full name, address, or date of birth.
• Google Pay Direct Checkout streamlines online purchases by letting shoppers use payment methods saved in Google Wallet directly on merchant websites.
• Google says checkout security is getting an upgrade too, with improved authentication systems designed to boost speed without weakening protection.

Google is doubling down on its foray into digital identity, betting that the future of online transactions depends as much on trust as it does on speed.

At Money20/20 Europe, the company announced a series of updates to Google Wallet and Google Pay that aim to make proving who you are online as easy as making a purchase. One of the biggest announcements is the expansion of digital IDs. Google says it will bring ID passes to select European Union member states this summer after rolling the support out in countries including Brazil, India, Singapore, and Taiwan.

The change will give more users a way to store and present digital identity credentials directly from Google Wallet.

Age checks without oversharing

Google is also introducing new age verification features designed to display only the necessary information. Instead of sharing personal details like your full name, address, or date of birth, users can simply confirm that they meet an age requirement. The company is launching the feature in partnership with European banking partner Sparkasse and is looking to limit the amount of personal information shared during verification.

Shopping is getting attention too. Google announced a new feature called Google Pay Direct Checkout, which integrates payment methods saved in Google Wallet directly into the online checkout pages of participating merchants.

Consumers can avoid the pain of bouncing between payment screens or manually inputting card details by using credentials already stored in their Google accounts to buy. The feature is being rolled out through Airwallex and will also be extended to merchants using Adyen’s payment platform.

In the background, security continues to be a big concern. Google has improved authentication systems to speed up online checkouts without sacrificing security. The company stated that the improvements aim to simplify the purchasing process while ensuring robust safeguards for payment credentials and personal data.

Android Central's Take

Google’s latest Wallet upgrades make a lot of sense. Anything that reduces the number of times I have to enter card details, upload an ID, or give away personal information just to prove I’m old enough to buy something online is a win. But the success of all these changes depends on whether retailers, banks, and government agencies are actually on board. Google can build the tools, but a digital ID isn’t very useful if half the internet is still asking me to scan a driver’s license or fill out the same forms manually.

What you need to know

• Google is preparing Rambler for Gboard, its new AI-powered voice typing feature announced with Android 17.
• Rambler can understand natural speech, remove filler words, and even detect self-corrections while dictating.
• A hidden Rambler toggle has appeared in the latest Gboard beta, hinting that rollout preparations are underway.

It looks like Google is getting ready to roll out the Rambler feature for Gboard.

Last month, we got our first look at many of the features coming with Android 17. Alongside the new 3D emojis and several Gemini Intelligence-powered features, Google also announced a feature called Rambler, and it now looks like the company is preparing for its rollout.

For those who don't remember, Rambler is essentially Google's answer to apps like Wispr Flow. It's an AI-powered voice typing feature that understands natural speech patterns, context, and complex words while automatically removing filler words like 'umm' and 'ahh' from transcriptions. It can even detect when you're correcting yourself mid-sentence and update the text on the fly.

It's one of the flagship features tied to Gemini Intelligence and is expected to bring much more advanced on-device dictation capabilities to Android phones. And now it appears Google has started laying the groundwork for its arrival.

As spotted by Android Authority, the latest Gboard beta contains a hidden voice typing settings page. The new menu includes options to enable or disable Rambler as well as control voice typing more broadly. The toggles don't actually do anything yet, but their presence suggests Google is actively integrating the feature behind the scenes.

Right now, there's still no official timeline for the rollout. Google hasn't confirmed when Rambler will arrive, but it wouldn't be surprising to see it appear in a future Android 17 beta build before launching more broadly later this summer alongside the stable release.

If Rambler ends up being tied to Gemini Intelligence, there's also a good chance it will initially remain exclusive to a handful of flagship Android phones, like the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra or the Pixel 10 series initially.

Android Central's Take

Rambler is probably the Gemini Intelligence feature I'm most excited about. I've been using Wispr Flow on my Mac for months now, and I can't wait to use the same natural voice typing experience on my Pixel 10 Pro.

What you need to know

• Google Meet is now rolling out on Android Auto, letting users join meetings directly from their car dashboard.
• The Android Auto app includes Scheduled and History tabs, making it easier to manage upcoming calls.
• Google Meet on Android Auto is audio-only, with controls for mute, call ending, and changing Bluetooth output device.

After first teasing it earlier this year, Google has now started rolling out the ability to take Google Meet calls directly from Android Auto.

Previously, taking a Google Meet call from your car usually meant balancing your phone somewhere awkwardly just so you could hear and participate in the meeting. Google is finally making that experience much easier by bringing proper Google Meet integration to Android Auto.

The company first previewed Google Meet support for Android Auto earlier this year, but it now appears to be rolling out much more widely. According to a report from 9to5Google, users are starting to see notifications for upcoming meetings and can now join conference calls directly through their vehicle's Android Auto interface.

There is one thing worth noting, though. The first time you use Google Meet on Android Auto, you may need to restart the Google Meet app on your phone before everything works properly. Thankfully, this appears to be a one-time setup step, and future meetings should work normally afterward.

Inside the Android Auto version of Google Meet, you'll find tabs for Scheduled calls and History, making it easier to rejoin meetings or access previous calls.

Of course, this is still an audio-only experience. Users joining Google Meet from Android Auto won't be able to share video and will instead enter a simplified driving-friendly interface. You'll still be able to mute yourself, leave the meeting, and view participants who have joined the call.

The rollout finally seems to be happening now, which means anyone who regularly takes meetings while on the road should have a much easier time doing so. Google is also updating the integration with the newly redesigned Google Workspace icon for Meet.

Android Central's Take

I honestly wonder what took Google so long to add this. We entered the era of video meetings and remote work nearly five years ago, yet it has taken until now for Meet to properly arrive on Android Auto. Still, better late than never.

I've tried several methods to move data between my phone and Windows PC over the years. I initially relied on Pushbullet, but when most of the features of that utility went behind a paid tier, I switched to a alternatives that didn't prove to be anywhere as good.

These days, I just use a NAS. Most of my data is stored on the DiskStation DS1823xs+, and whenever there's a file I on my phone that I need on my PC, I just upload it to the NAS, and then download it to my PC. If you don't want to bother with a NAS, a utility like Syncthing does a great job syncing folders between your phone and Windows. But there's a much better alternative: Quick Share.

Wait, Quick Share is on Windows?

Quick Share is Google's default way of sharing data between Android phones, and it even works with iPhones — if you're using the Galaxy S26, Find X9 Ultra, Vivo X300 Ultra, and Pixel 10. It is reliable, fast, and gets the job done unerringly.

Quick Share landed on Windows in 2021, but it was limited to Samsung's Galaxy Book products. What I didn't know was that Google launched a different Quick Share app (of course it did) that you can install on any Windows PC. You don't even need to use the Microsoft Store — it's available at this link on the Android site.

Look, I get that Microsoft's Link to Windows exists, and it's designed to connect your phone with your PC. I just don't like using the utility; I don't want to give Microsoft any more data, and I don't need to use my phone on Windows — I just want a reliable way to send files to and from my phone to my Windows machine, and I found Quick Share to be a much better solution. The only caveat is that you need to be using a 64-bit version of Windows, and it needs to be Windows 10 or Windows 11. As of writing, an Arm client isn't available, so you'll need an x86-based system.

How to use Quick Share for Windows to transfer data

As Quick Share is the default way to share data on Android, it's always available. Once you download Quick Share for Windows from this link, install the app, and login with the same Google account you use on your phone, you'll see your PC as a target device. That means you can send or receive any data — documents, photos, videos — between your Android phone and Windows with relative ease.

You can even move folders between your phone and PC, and in the month I've used Quick Share, I haven't seen any issues with connectivity. Transferring a lot of data is going to take a while as the connection relies on Bluetooth, but other than that, this is the easiest way I found to move files between my phone and PC. Let's say you want to share a few photos you took on your phone to your PC. This is how to use Quick Share to do so:

1. Select the photos you want to share, and hit the Share button.
2. Tap Quick Share.
3. Now launch Quick Share on Windows.
4. You will see your Windows PC in the Send to your devices list.
5. Just select that, and the file will start transferring over.

Quick Share is effortless to use, works seamlessly, and makes moving data between your phone and Windows a breeze. I'm just annoyed it took me this long to realize it exists on Windows. If you're using a different approach to move files between your phone and PC, let me know below.

What you need to know

• Google debuted "Search Profiles," which brings a touch of social media to the platform and the app's Discover feed.
• Content creators and publishers will feature a "Follow on Google" in their knowledge panel, giving users access to their content, including articles, social media posts, and videos.
• During I/O, Google revealed a massive new direction for its Search box, as AI completely takes over, moving us away from the keyword era.

Google Search is getting an upgrade for creators and publishers looking to expand their reach to new audiences.

What Google revealed today (June 4) is "Search Profiles," which has the Discover feed in its app in mind. In a blog post, the company states Search Profiles will give publishers a "central place to showcase their latest articles." However, content creators can similarly display their videos and social posts. Users can access these Search Profiles via the "knowledge panel."

This is available by tapping the publisher or creator's icon in the Google app. If you're using Google's search engine, hit "Show More" for a particular influencer/creator and scroll down to Search Profile.

From there, you'll find a convenient "Follow on Google" button. This panel will also display their official website and socials. Following on Google is the entire point of Google's new profiles, aside from helping creators/publishers reach new audiences. The post states that after following, users can find that account's content on their Discover feed in the Google app.

The Discover feed is the app's homescreen, meaning you won't have to go far to stay in the loop. Search Profiles are launching in the U.S. first; however, Google says it plans to extend this support to more users and creators globally.

Creators and publishers with "a sizeable following on at least one major social or video platform" can claim their profile and begin customizing it.

Search continues to change

Around I/O, Google had a lot to talk about when it came to AI, which is directly influencing changes in Search. What it revealed was the largest change to Search in over two decades. Moving forward, Gemini 3.5 Flash will fully power AI Mode and is said to bring "sustained frontier performance for coding and agents to users everywhere." This new AI Search box is reportedly more "conversational."

It will also expand as you're typing to give you the space you need to explain before hitting search. This new era of Search for Google moves us away from sticking to keywords. Now, users can talk (or type) as they would if they were speaking. What's more, this update to the Search box brings more for AI Overviews.

In an attempt to keep the conversation going, users can ask questions directly from an AI Overview.

Android Central's Take

Search Profiles from Google really just hits the social media nail on the head, doesn't it? This directly influences what you'll see in your Discover feed, which already tries to keep things close to what you like. If you're interested in tech or games, it'll surface articles or videos about those subjects. Now, it looks like Google is giving control to the user, and that's not a bad thing.

Every day after I wake up and make tea, I hop back in bed and catch up on emails, messages, and usually give myself 20-30 minutes to play some games before I dive into the day's activities. While I don't usually like to spend too much time on my phone first thing, some days I'm more inundated with tasks than others. That is, until one day when Gemini Daily Brief showed up in my notifications.

Now, I'm not the biggest fan of AI summaries or information encapsulation. Gemini and other AI agents are cool, but they get a lot wrong and it makes me generally want to ignore their existence. But Gemini Daily Brief has been surprisingly different, and it's because of how Google surfaces calendar entries, emails, and other to-dos in an incredibly efficient way.

Daily Brief is one of the latest experiments Google is running in an effort to get its users more comfortable with using Gemini regularly, and if future attempts are as well thought out as this one, there's a very real chance my opinion and usage of Gemini will change in a big way. It's also a great way for the company to make its paid Gemini services feel more valuable, as Daily Brief is currently only available for people with a Google AI Plus, Pro, or Ultra subscription.

What makes Gemini Daily Brief special

Samsung and Google have both experimented with "daily briefing"-style apps on their phones over the past two years. Samsung's Now Brief, for instance, pulls from sources on your phone, such as the Samsung Health app, your calendar, Digital Wellbeing, and more. While those are all fine, I've never found consolidating these sources in a single place useful. Google even got rid of Daily Hub after poor user feedback, and it looks like the company took everything it learned from these mediocre attempts and turned it into something far more useful with Gemini Daily Brief.

Meanwhile, Google's latest Gemini updates have mainly revolved around organizing the oodles of personal information you already have stored on the company's servers. From email to to-do lists, chats, documents, photos, and searches, most of us rely on Google for a significant portion of our Internet usage, so it makes sense that the company's personal AI assistant (Gemini) should be able to tap into those sources to deliver a more personal web.

So while my Daily Brief might show me the latest emails, my newest published articles and YouTube videos, as well as actionable information for each of those tasks, yours will likely look quite a bit different. Google provides this list as a few examples:

• For students: Manage class schedules, organize study plans, and track applications.
• For entrepreneurs: Surface actionable client emails and update task reminders.
• For parents: Manage school communications, track family milestones, and handle household tasks.
• For job seekers: Quickly act on recruiter inquiries, prepare for interviews, and monitor application statuses.

This deeply personal, customizable nature makes it feel like Gemini understands you and your needs. The most impressive part is that I didn't have to configure anything to get it to personalize my Daily Brief like this. It just appeared, and it felt like the first time Gemini was more than just a ChatGPT prompt clone.

As I mentioned previously, Daily Brief is only available for paid Google AI subscribers. In addition to that, you'll need to enable Personal Intelligence, then connect Gemini to Google Workspace and also enable the Gemini Memory feature.

How does Gemini Daily Brief work?

Every day, Gemini Daily Brief will generate a notification in the morning that you can click to pull up the report. Daily Brief is technically "just" a Gemini chat, not a separate app or email, but it can be accessed at any time in the Gemini app. Here's how to see it manually:

1. Open the Gemini app on your phone. It should be an icon in your app drawer.

2. In the Gemini app, tap the hamburger menu in the top left corner, then tap Daily Brief.

It's surprisingly simple to find, and the cool part is that you can perform more actions on each of the bullet points Daily Brief creates.

At the bottom of each item, click the three-dot menu to reveal additional actions. You can mark each task as complete (if applicable) or start a chat with Gemini about that specific item. This section also shows each item's source, so you can figure out where that one weird item might have come from.

Many items have additional actions, usually shown with a contextual button at the end of the item. For instance, you might have an upcoming meeting about an important product update, and Gemini may suggest brainstorming presentation ideas. Tapping that button will create a new chat with a list of actionable items, generally including several sections with different ideas.

The bottom of this chat gives you the ability to branch specific ideas into another new chat, export the whole chat to a Google Doc, draft it in Gmail, and more.

You can also use the buttons at the bottom to provide feedback, which should improve future chats and ideas from Gemini. If it's more convenient, you can also tap the speaker button at the bottom of the chat to have Gemini read out the whole list of ideas.

I've had a lot of success feeling more organized at the beginning of my day thanks to Gemini Daily Brief, and I love how easy it is not only to view the report at any time but also to get more information on specific items when I need it. Give it a try! I'm willing to bet you're going to love it, too.

You've probably seen the news stories about someone walking along, talking on their phone, when it's suddenly swiped from their hands by a thief on a full-tilt run. Assuming you can quickly access a computer or another device that is signed into your Google account, it's pretty easy to lock the device and track its location, but what happens during that valuable time between the time the phone is swiped and when it's locked? Probably nothing good.

That's why Google invented Android Advanced Protection, a suite of automated tools designed to keep your phone safe no matter whose hands it ends up in. Google began testing this feature with Android 16 beta releases in the Summer of 2025 and released the tools to all Android 16-powered phones early in 2026.

Advanced Protection packs in tons of great features that'll keep you protected every day, from preventing memory bugs and malware, to blocking insecure network connections and websites, and even the aforementioned physical theft prevention. But, if all those things don't matter too much to you, Theft Protection is still one separate feature you'll want to enable ASAP.

What is Android theft protection?

Android theft protection is a component of Google's wider Advanced Protection suite and has deep hooks into Android 16 (and beyond). It was initially a Pixel-exclusive feature, but as with most of these types of features, it made its way to other Android phones before long. The wider Advanced Protection suite covers:

• Device safety: Automatically locks when physical theft is detected, the device goes offline, automatically reboots the phone if it's been sitting unlocked for 3 consecutive days, and blocks USB connections when the phone is locked.
• Apps: Forces Google Play Protect scanning for all installed apps and blocks installation of apps from unknown sources.
• Networks and web: Disables connection to 2G networks (which can be easily spoofed), enables Live Protection for websites, blocks harmful websites and warns against insecure websites, and disables some JavaScript actions to reduce risk.
• Spam protection: Enables spam protection in the Google Phone and Google Messages apps, automatically filters spam calls and messages, and blocks suspicious links in messages.

Advanced Protection and theft detection are available on all phones that use the full Google Services Suite. If you bought an Android phone from all the most common companies — Samsung, Google, OnePlus, Motorola, Honor, Nothing, and most other global models — it should be available for you.

Phones that ship with a limited Google services suite, like the Fairphone 6, aren't eligible even though they're running Android 16 or later. This is because they don't allow trackers and other components of the Google Play suite that are needed for these services to function.

How to enable Android theft protection

Android Theft Protection can be enabled separately from the Advanced Protection suite and is conveniently found in the device lock section of your phone's settings. You'll have to toggle a few options to ensure it's fully working, but it's a quick setup that takes about a minute.

First, you'll want to enable Identity Check, which helps your phone ensure that you are in possession of your phone and not someone else. Each category provides a more secure authentication and should help prevent data theft.

1. Open system settings by tapping the settings icon in your app drawer, or by swiping down on the status bar and tapping the gear icon.

2. Scroll down to and tap Security & privacy.

3. Select Device unlock from the list.

4. Tap on Theft protection.

5. Select Identity check.

6. Click through each of the available sections to complete them.

7. Once all sections are completed, you can tap the toggle next to Use identity check to enable it.

Now that identity check is enabled, you can navigate back to the theft protection section and complete the rest of the steps:

1. Enable both Theft Detection Lock and Offline Device Lock by tapping the toggle next to each entry.

2. Tap on the Remote Lock section.

3. Tap the toggle next to Use remote lock to enable the feature.

4. Navigate back to the theft protection section, then tap on Find & erase your device.

5. When the Find Hub section appears, tap the toggle next to Allow device to be located to enable the feature.

Now that the full theft protection suite is enabled, you can rest assured that your data is safe even if your phone is stolen. In the tragic event of this happening, you can open the Google Find Hub website on any computer, sign in with your Google account, and then select your phone from the list. From there, you can locate your phone, remotely wipe it, and more. Google also makes a dedicated Android app, if that's more convenient.

Upgrading to the full Advanced Protection suite

Theft Protection is a great start to ensuring your phone is secure, but Advanced Protection will provide even greater safety measures for everyday life. The best part is that you don't have to enable a bunch of different settings to get this done. It's a one-and-done setting, and it's quick to find:

1. Open system settings by tapping the settings icon in your app drawer, or by swiping down on the status bar and tapping the gear icon.

2. Scroll down to and tap Security & privacy.

3. Scroll down to the bottom and tap Advanced Protection in the Other settings category.

4. Select the toggle next to Device protection to enable it.

5. When the information dialog appears, tap the Turn On button to enable Advanced Protection.

6. If prompted, tap the restart button to reboot your phone.

The Advanced Protection suite will automatically enable theft protection, if you didn't previously enable it. You actually cannot disable theft protection if the Advanced Protection suite is enabled, ensuring that this key feature can't accidentally be turned off.

What are the downsides?

Bulking up security always has some downside, but most users likely won't notice anything in their daily phone use. When potential theft is detected, the Android OS will automatically lock your phone to help prevent a thief from accessing your data. If it somehow identifies this erroneously, all you have to do is unlock the phone, which likely isn't any different from your normal phone use.

Google intentionally designed the rest of the Android Advanced Protection suite to be a "low-friction" experience, as well, so the other major features of the platform should also be just as transparent as the anti-theft one.

Some users might find Advanced Protection a little too restrictive, but it largely depends on how you use your phone. If you install all your apps from the Google Play Store, you shouldn't run into any software issues at all. If you're someone like me who occasionally sideloads APKs for development testing, or if you have a specific set of sideloaded apps you normally use, Advanced Protection won't let you run them.

There's always a slight possibility that a proactive feature like this could drain your battery a bit more, but I've never seen evidence of this on my devices. All in all, Advanced Protection with anti-theft detection is a great feature that provides you with substantial security upgrades with nearly zero change in your daily smartphone routines.