Widgets have long been a useful part of the Android homescreen and, for many, they’ve solidified their spot and functionality for years. That’s why it’s pretty frustrating that, for some Google Pixel owners that have upgraded to Android 17, homescreen widgets haven’t just been removed from the homescreen, but they’re not even available to come back.

Although hinted at almost two months ago, it seems that Google Meet is now truly rolling out for Android Auto.

Google Health’s work to address issues and make improvements to the redesigned Android and iOS app continues today with version 5.02.

Today’s 9to5Toys Lunch Break is headlined by the most affordable Galaxy Tab S11 plummeting to a new Amazon all-time low at over $300 off alongside these Samsung Galaxy S26 deals – $150 off at Best Buy for today only, or this open-box 512GB model at a massive $525 off. We also have Amazon’s Ring early Prime Day deals live today at up to 50% off including the latest Wired Pro and Battery models at all-time lows, as well these Prime Day Blink deals from just $18, and all-time low pricing now live on Samsung’s 49-inch ultrawide 240Hz Odyssey G9 gaming monitor at $665. Head below for a closer look.

Samsung’s Galaxy Watch series has a decent slice of the overall smartphone market, but it’s off to a rough start for 2026.

With Android 17 now rolling out to eligible Pixel devices, we’re wondering if you are seeing a noticeable change in your device’s speed. Specifically, how is the Android 17 performance with your Pixel, and are you experiencing a better device across the board now?

After adding Dynamic Color earlier this month, the Gemini overlay on Android is now using Bubbles to help keep track of conversations.

VP of engineering at Google and the co-lead of Gemini, Noam Shazeer, has announced he is departing his role to work at OpenAI.

Google has confirmed that it has ended production of the Nest Mini and Nest Audio, its 5+ year old smart speakers, as the Google Home speaker is now replacing both devices.

Like Magic Cue late last year, Pixel Screenshots is moving beyond just using on-device AI to leverage cloud processing.

The World Cup is in full swing and, with it, many are glued to finding out the scores of each match. Waze, though, has rolled out a new enabled-by-default feature that shows World Cup scores as a pop-up for drivers. Great if you’re an avid fan, less so if you’re just trying to get directions home, and user reactions are pretty mixed.

After launching in just four countries last year, Google Photos is expanding its AI-powered “Edit with Ask Photos” experience to five new regions.

While most Android Auto users just want to use the platform for navigation and music, apps can provide extra value. Messaging apps, for instance, can be a useful way to access messages safely behind the wheel, which is why some Android Auto users are frustrated that the Facebook Messenger app has suddenly vanished.

Your afternoon lineup of the best Android game and app deals is now ready, including titles like One Hand Clapping, Don’t Starve: Shipwrecked, Minabo, Human Fall Flat, SpongeBob The Cosmic Shake, and more. We also have Lenovo’s Black Friday in June sale now live at up to 64% off with Doorbusters on Android tablets, Copilot+ PCs, and more from just $7 alongside an early Prime Day all-time low on the new Amazon Ember Artline frame TV  at $200 off, the best Amazon price yet on Nothing Ear (3), and the best pre-order offers on the all-new Google Home Speaker. Hit the jump for today’s apps. 

Google Calendar this week is adding a nice quality-of-life update that gives users more than 11 colors for customizing events. Additionally, enterprise Google Voice users now have AI-powered “Take notes for me.”

Coding is something that AI models have proven very useful for, but as Google shifts focus to its Antigravity tools, the company is shutting down Gemini Code Assist tools for consumer-level use.

Honor has officially shown off its Android 17 update, MagicOS 11, which is easily the most blatant copy of Apple’s Liquid Glass design language we’ve seen to date.

Alongside pre-orders going live on the new Google Home Speaker pre-orders with 6 months of FREE Google Home Premium ($60 value), today’s 9to5Toys Lunch Break is headlined by the Lenovo Black Friday in June sale with Android tablet Doorbuster deals now live at up to 54% off including Idea and Legion models from $129. We also have the new Amazon Ember Artline frame TV hitting early Prime Day all-time lows at $200 off as well as the Nothing Ear (3) wireless ANC buds hitting a new low at $128. Head below for a closer look.

Google Vids announced today that it’s making AI avatars available to free accounts, with the Workspace video creation tool now used by 7 million users every month.

Google is introducing a massive upgrade to its “Android Switch” tool in Android 17, with the ability to copy more data than ever when switching from iPhone to Android, and it might be able to copy more data than you get when moving between Android phones.

The Google Home Speaker will finally launch and hit store shelves next week with pre-orders starting today in 18 countries.

After a limited launch in the US, the Samsung Galaxy XR is now officially coming to the UK, with pre-orders opening today.

Besides updates to the Contacts app, Phone by Google has received a sizable Material 3 Expressive redesign on Wear OS.

I’ve been worried about the next generation of Windows laptops, to the point where I begrudingly bought a MacBook Air earlier this year because I figured my next Windows upgrade would be a costly one. After spending some time with Lenovo’s latest batch of Snapdragon X2-powered Windows laptops, though, I wish I’d waited – despite RAMageddon, Lenovo is putting out some solid machines here at prices that make sense.

Following this morning’s announcement, Google is rolling out the June 2026 Wear OS 7 update to the Pixel Watch 4, 3, and 2.

XREAL Aura, the company’s first pair of Android XR glasses, are officially set to launch this Fall, but we don’t have a price just yet. All we know is that, according to XREAL, Aura will cost under $1,500.

Alongside the early Prime Day deals, this afternoon’s lineup of the best Android game and app deals is now ready to go, including titles like Secret of Mana, Adventures of Mana, Trials of Mana, Legend of Mana, PARANORMASIGHT: TMC, Laser Tanks: Pixel RPG, Graffiti Simulator, and more.
Joining a host of new all-time lows in the early Prime Day Nothing deals, including Phone (4a) and Headphone (a), we also have up to $350 on all Galaxy S26 Ultra models (or up to $475 off bundled with Galaxy Buds 4 Pro) and Galaxy Z Fold 7 at up to $704 off. But for now, the apps await below. 

The Android 17 update with the June 2026 security patch is rolling out today for the Pixel 6, 6 Pro, 6a, 7, 7 Pro, 7a, Tablet, Fold, 8, 8 Pro, 8a, 9, 9 Pro, 9 Pro XL, 9 Pro Fold, 9a, 10, 10 Pro, 10 Pro XL, 10 Pro Fold, and 10a.

Snap, the parent company of Snapchat, has just announced the long-anticipated release of its Specs AR smart glasses which will cost $2,195.

A year on from Android 16 and with a massive Material 3 Expressive update in between, Android 17 is ready for primetime, and here’s every single feature you need to know.

Foldables combine the extra-large displays of a tablet with something a little more pocket-friendly, especially on modern ultra-thin devices like the Galaxy Z Fold 7. But for all the potential that arrives with that big screen, it can sometimes be difficult to find software that perfectly scales for those square displays. Thankfully, with Android 17, gaming on foldables is getting a huge boost with a new set of virtual controls.

Alongside Android 17, Google is rolling out Wear OS 7 to the Pixel Watch today.

With the stable Android 17 launch, Google is also rolling out the June 2026 Feature Drop for Pixel devices.

Following four betas, Google is ready to launch Android 17 for Pixel devices. There are a handful of big additions and changes, while today’s release coincides with the June 2026 Pixel (Feature) Drop.

At Augmented World Expo 2026, Qualcomm announced the Snapdragon Reality Elite as its flagship chip for XR form factors. This includes the latest Android XR devices, like XREAL’s Project Aura.

Following a first look at Google I/O last month, XREAL has today confirmed that its Android XR glasses, Aura, will be launching this Fall with reservations open today, and a list of confirmed apps and games too.

The transition to Gemini on Android Auto has been a bit rough for a number of reasons, but a current bug has left some users unable to make calls due to a strange error, and it’s not just an issue behind the wheel.

A recent Google Home update seems to have caused some confusion, as the familiar “play the news” command no longer works as expected under Google’s recent Gemini changes.

Today’s 9to5Toys Lunch Break is headlined by a chance to save up to $350 on all Galaxy S26 Ultra models (or up to $475 off bundled with Galaxy Buds 4 Pro) alongside the most affordable Galaxy Z Fold 7 at up to $704 off. A series of deep early Prime Day deals on loads of Nothing gear at new all-time lows is now live, but we also spotted the best Amazon price to date on Nothing Headphone (1) to join the now live early Prime Day Amazon Echo deals from $35 – latest Dot Max speaker and Show smart display all-time lows and more. Head below for a closer look.

Spotify has communicated with its subscribers that, starting later this year, username sign-in will no longer be available with the platform switching to email-based sign-in.

The Fitbit Air has been approved for purchase with FSA/HSA funds in the US, making it significantly more accessible for users.

After Valve posted a hopeful, yet vague, update on its exciting new console, new leaks point to an official Steam Machine launch in late June.

Ahead of a new trailer for Sony & Marvel’s Spider-Man: Brand New Day arriving tomorrow, Samsung has confirmed that its Galaxy Z Flip and Z Fold devices will feature in the film, alongside a new “Spidey Tracker” that Samsung is helping Sony build.

Verizon is today introducing some big changes to its cellular plans, including a “Simplicity” offer that strips away the clutter, while also introducing some new loyalty rewards for existing customers.

Roughly two years after the last generation debuted, Microsoft is today unveiling its new Surface Laptop and Surface Pro models, both of which upgrade to Snapdragon X2, with a starting price of $1,499.

The Chipolo Loop is getting a splash of color, with some limited edition “Deep Sunset” and “Morning Mist” options launching today.

The monthly “Google System Release Notes” primarily detail what’s new in Play services, Play Store, and Play system update across Android phones/tablets, Wear OS, Google/Android TV, Auto, and PC. Some features apply to end users, while others are aimed at developers.

Previous reports indicated that Samsung has reassigned the standard naming scheme to a shorter, wider foldable. The latest leaks from internal FCC documentation depicting the Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra only cement those rumors.

Alongside the now live early Prime Day deals, your afternoon lineup of the best Android game and app deals is now ready to roll, including titles like Seoul Exorcist 1111, Police Department Tycoon Pro, Fairy Knights -Story based RPG, Velorion: Realistic Racing, Runic Curse, Paign 2 – RPG, Hero of the Kingdom: Tales 2, and more. Alongside the rarly Prime Day Amazon Echo deals with new all-time lows now live from $35, the early Nothing deals are live too – Amazon lows hit Nothing Phone (4a), Headphone (a), CMF Watch 3 Pro, and the Nothing CMF Buds 2 at just $25 (50% off). The apps await below. 

Samsung has just announced its first Galaxy Book laptop powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon X2 Elite and, while it looks great, it’s hard to annoy the sky-high price tag.

Google Home is continuing its partnership with Walmart’s Onn brand, now delivering a Nest-like floodlight camera that costs $200 less than Google’s own.

Plans to expand Google’s data center in Jackson County, Alabama, are underway with a $1.5 billion investment from the company. Google says energy costs will be covered by the company and operations powered by nuclear energy, eventually.

Alongside a collection of deals for Grads and Dads gifting, today’s 9to5Toys Lunch Break is headlined by loads of early Prime Day deals now live on Nothing gear, including a new all-time low on Nothing Phone (4a) from $420, the 2026 Headphone (a) from $151 (up to 25% off), CMF Watch 3 Pro down at $62, and more. We also spotted Samsung now offering a giant $475 off unlocked Galaxy S26 Ultra bundled with Galaxy Buds 4 Pro and up to 42% off a wide range of Samsung monitors in the early Amazon Prime Day event. Head below for a closer look at the details.

Samsung is rolling through its security update list and pushing a firmware update to the Galaxy Watch 7, Watch 8, and Watch Ultra.

Google Chrome’s move to Manifest V3 for extensions is closing its final loophole and, with it, bringing the end of many ad blocker tools.

According to a new report, Samsung’s upcoming Galaxy Z Fold 8, the one otherwise known as “Wide,” will have better inner display ultra-thin glass than the device known as “Ultra.”

Fox has announced its intention to buy Roku in a deal valued at $22 billion.

We’re due for Google’s next Pixel Drop and, thanks to some early ads, we now know that Screen Reactions and some Gemini Omni-powered features will be a part of this next update.

Alphabet and Google CEO Sundar Pichai today gave the commencement speech to Stanford University’s Class of 2026.

There are actual reasons to get excited about Samsung’s upcoming foldables but, the more I think about it, the more I’m realizing that there’s pretty strong potential for the “Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra” to not just be disappointing, but a slightly cruel joke.

Like other Google apps, Messages for Android A/B tests many features. It can take the RCS/SMS client a rather long time to actually launch new functionality in stable. From various reports, Google announcements, and devices we’ve checked, this is the current state of Messages.

I told myself the Fitbit Air would be a nice addition to my EDC. A simple, complementary tracker that I don’t need to worry about charging as often. I also told myself it won’t ever replace a dedicated smartwatch. It turns out I was very wrong.

At I/O 2026, Google announced the concept of “Search agents,” with information agents now rolling out in AI Mode for AI Ultra subscribers.

Welcome to episode 104 of Pixelated, a podcast by 9to5Google. This week, Abner, Damien, and Will hop over the walled garden to discuss Siri AI, changes to Liquid Glass and its ripple effects on Android, and plenty of other WWDC thoughts. Plus, Paris Hilton loves Android and Google releases a fourth QPR1 beta.

Sponsored by Bitwarden: Pixelated listeners can get started with Bitwarden’s free individual plan by clicking this link. Thanks to Bitwarden for sponsoring!

Sponsored by Proton Unlimited: Pixelated listeners can save 30% on an annual subscription to the company’s suite of privacy-friendly services by signing up using our link. Thanks to Proton Unlimited for sponsoring the podcast.

Subscribe

• YouTube Podcasts
• Pocket Casts
• Spotify
• Amazon Music
• Apple Podcasts
• Overcast

Google is rolling out the latest version of the Gemini app for macOS today with a handful of updates.

Your afternoon lineup of the best Android game and app deals is now ready to roll, including titles like Montezuma 2: Premium, Majesty: The Fantasy Kingdom, Slaps And Beans 2, Yumsters! Premium, RPG Silver Nornir, Ash of Gods: Redemption, and more. We also have Google Pixel 10 Pro up to $420 off right now alongside a giant $400 price drop live on unlocked 512GB Galaxy S26+ models and you can save up to $875 today on Windows laptops/desktops at Best Buy. The apps await below. 

Google’s Fitbit Air might be sweeping the fitness landscape right now — I, for one, think it’s an excellent tracker at its core — but for plenty of Android users, you just can’t swap sway from a real smartwatch. If you’ve been looking to refresh your existing Pixel Watch, you can pick up one of Google’s official bands for as low as $10 right now, and you won’t even have to give up your timepiece to do it.

Despite a single-digit market share in practically every global region, Google still has a fairly strong foothold in the smartphone space with the Pixel, but why?

Nothing Ear (3) launched earlier this year as a solid pair of wireless earbuds, but it’s also been hard to beat the budget-focused Nothing Ear (a) from 2024. But, apparently, Nothing is giving it a shot with the first Nothing Ear (3a) details now leaking.

Today’s 9to5Toys Lunch Break is headlined by the mid-range 256GB Google Pixel 10 Pro at up to $420 off alongside a sizable collection of Father’s Day Google deals you can browse through. We also have a huge $400 price drop live on unlocked 512GB Galaxy S26+ at Amazon if you’re quick (brand new, no trade needed) as well as the latest Bose QuietComfort Ultra Bluetooth Headphones at $70 off ahead of Father’s Day, this Sharge 5,000mAh power bank that doubles as a camera remote control at $20, and up to $875 off Windows laptops/desktops at Best Buy for today only. Head below for a closer look.

Google has released another set of benchmark results to determine the best AI models for Android coding, along with how much each model costs per token. Google’s Gemini 3.5 Flash is easily the most resource-intensive in Android development, and it doesn’t even make the top five.

Google has filed a lawsuit against a cybercrime organization that was using Gemini to power its financial scams, while Google is also pushing for stricter laws that are more relevant to an AI era.

To celebrate the World Cup 2026, Google has quietly dropped a clever new limited-edition “Chrome Dino FC” Android figurine on its merchandise store.

Nothing has officially announced a partnership with Best Buy that will bring Nothing Phone devices as well as the company’s audio products into Best Buy stores in the US, as well as online.

After a couple of years of trying to get my dad to switch from a battered and bruised iPhone 8, I wondered to myself why. If it ain’t (too) broke, don’t fix it, but I thought about what would be the oldest phone I could actively consider using daily.

If you’re on the hunt for a wireless Android Auto (or CarPlay) adapter, one of our favorites is now on sale, with the AAWireless TWO series currently seeing an increasingly-rare discount of as much as 20% off the usual price – with one tiny little catch.

In testing for several months now, Waze is starting to roll out traffic lights more widely in navigation, but it’s still not available to everyone.

Five years after killing its Wear OS app, Telegram is reviving support for Android smartwatches with its latest update.

Mint Mobile is already well known as a budget-oriented carrier, but it’s now an even better deal as Mint is boosting all of its plans with even more data per month at no added cost.

A tweak to the Google Messages chat interface this week prominently themes the voice memo button.

Google TV is rolling out a new update starting which, on the homescreen, will showcase live matches, highlights, and more, all in one place.

Your afternoon lineup of the best Android game and app deals is now ready to roll, including titles like Cat Quest 1, 2, and 3, Undead Slayer: Offline Premium, WINCH IT OUT, SpongeBob – The Cosmic Shake, Don’t Starve: Shipwrecked, Human Fall Flat, and more. On your way down, scope out this deal on Galaxy Z Fold 7 hitting the Amazon low at $466 off (or go Best Buy open-box at a giant $700 off) as well as Galaxy S26+ now a giant $403 off the list price at Amazon and today’s Best Buy Samsung flash sale – Galaxy Tab S10 Lite from $267, TVs up to $1,200 off, and more. The Android app deals await below. 

Google sent an email to customers today thanking Gemini for Home early access testers for their feedback, and laying the groundwork for the upcoming Google Home Speaker.

The Galaxy Z Fold 7 may be last year’s foldable flagship, but it’s still getting features from the Galaxy S26 series. With the latest update for Galaxy Z Fold 7, two new features are available, both part of the Galaxy AI suite.

Announced earlier this year, Google TV is now rolling out a Gemini update that lets you adjust TV settings with voice commands, but only on TCL models at first.

MVNOs have been around for ages, offering traditional and prepaid cell plans typically at lower prices than national network operators like Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile, but the last couple of years have seen an explosion in MVNO choices. Cash App is just the latest non-mobile network to throw its hat in the ring, and it’s all based around AT&T’s network.

The Boox Go 6 Gen II turns one of the best Android e-readers into a pocketable notepad with support for a stylus.

Joining our collection of Father’s Day gift ideas, today’s 9to5Toys Lunch Break is headlined by unlocked Galaxy Z Fold 7 hitting the Amazon low at $466 off with Best Buy open-box units at a giant $700 off. We also have Samsung Galaxy S26+ in black now at a giant $403 off the list price at Amazon and details on today’s Best Buy 24-hour Samsung flash sale – Galaxy Tab S10 Lite from $267, TVs up to $1,200 off, and more. Just be sure to scope out Anker’s latest 45W Nano Smart charger while they are just $25 a pop (all-time low). Head below for a closer look at the details.

The 2026 FIFA World Cup is finally here, after a long four years since the tournament in Qatar. Held in the US, the World Cup will be available to stream from a variety of sources, but only a couple of options will let you watch in 4K.

Colored lighting is a really fun way to expand what lighting in your home can do, and Philips Hue is arguably the best in the business. Now, Philips Hue is rolling out “Sports Live” as a new experience that can integrate with sporting events such as the upcoming World Cup.

Oppo’s Find N6 is arguably the single-best foldable on the market today, but there’s more in the pipeline. According to a new report, Oppo Find N7 might get a wider display and further crease improvements.

Some Google Pixel phones have been hit with bootloop issues, but a fix is now available, sort of.

After being showcased and teased at the Android Show just a few weeks ago, “Screen Reactions” are now live in the latest Android 17 QPR1 Beta 4 release for eligible Pixel phones.

Our smartphones can do a lot, but perhaps one of the most underrated things they can do is offer some serious peace of mind for families. That’s a big part of the reason that location sharing apps have been popular for years, but many of them can also be a privacy nightmare. That’s the problem HeyPolo from Surfshark aims to fill – a privacy-first family safety app.

With Android 17 QPR1 Beta 4 today, Google is rolling out a much needed update that addresses various bugs from the last big release.

After the big release at I/O 2026 last month, Google is rolling out Android 17 QPR1 Beta 4 for Pixel devices.

After testing got underway last year, YouTube is now more widely rolling out a new in-app messaging system. The aim is to let people “connect over their favorite videos directly on YouTube.”

As of Wednesday morning (PT), the Gemini app is facing an outage for some users. 

Your mid-week lineup of the best Android game and app deals is now ready to roll, including titles like Exolotl: Zian, Favela Kick: The Final Goal, Warrior In Dungeon, I.F.O: Casual Retro Shooter, Is This Seat Taken?, Alien Shooter, and more. We are also tracking some notable Samsung deals today including Galaxy S26 Ultra 512GB at up to $466 off and Galaxy S26 512GB as low as $615 today, alongside this Acer Chromebook with Google AI down to $219 (all-time low), but for now it’s all about the apps and they are waiting below.