Following the Pixel 11 launch last month, the Pixel Referral Program is now back and refreshed on the Google Store.

Today’s best Google Play app and game deals are now up for grabs alongside the thousands of price drops in Amazon’s early fall Prime Day sale. Highlights include Methods: Detective Competition, TABS Pocket Edition, Cyberlords – Arcology PREMIUM, Laser Tanks: Pixel RPG, Kingdom Rush Frontiers TD, Screw Puzzle Premium, and more. Just be sure to dive into this giant $650 price drop hits Galaxy Z Fold 7 at Amazon ($750 less than Fold 8) and the brand new Fire TV Stick 4K that launched today at 50% off. The apps await below.

Apple Music for Android is getting a big Liquid Glass-inspired redesign with the latest 7.0 beta.

Facer provides a huge library of watch faces for Wear OS and, with a new update, it’s adding even more styles while also redesigning the app entirely.

Nearly a decade in, foldables have come a long way. Even Apple has noticed all of the fun Android users are having with their bendable smartphones, jumping into the crowd with next month’s iPhone Duo. Unfortunately, you usually need to break an arm and a leg to afford one, but with this one-day-only deal on the last-gen Galaxy Z Fold 7 at Amazon, your entry fee to the foldable club is down to the price of modern slab flagships. You’ll need to hurry though, as this deal is already halfway to selling out.

As we spotted over the weekend, Gemini is replacing Gems with skills, and Google today fully detailed the migration.

Alongside the early fall Amazon Prime Day sale and the ongoing Moto Tag 2 Android Find Hub trackers from $17.50 each – single for $20, your 9to5Toys Lunch Break is headlined by Amazon’s brand new Fire TV Stick 4K launching today at 50% off (TCL NXTPAPER Android tablets up to $130 off, HP’s 2K OLED Snapdragon X Copilot+ PC at $150 off, this Made for Google Pixel Watch portable magnetic charging dock down at $25, and loads more down below. 

Amazon continues its move away from Android on Fire TV, with its latest Fire TV Stick 4K moving over to Vega OS, though with upgrades including support for using your TV’s USB port for power and a massively improved remote.

An Android Auto bug is reportedly blocking outgoing calls from closed foldable phones, like the Motorola Razr. Both Google and Motorola are aware of the issue, which might mean a fix for those affected soon.

Samsung has announced its Galaxy SmartTag 3 as a new AirTag rival with an updated design, longer battery life, and support for iPhone users.

Following several Pixel 11-specific bugs after the phone’s launch, another one reportedly breaks NFC tap-to-pay, used for contactless payments. But this one is affecting more than just the Pixel 11.

Google is expanding the Fitbit Air to India later this week following a global launch earlier this year.

Samsung’s new Galaxy S27 series is rumored to come at a higher price than previous versions, but that’s no surprise. What’s a little harder to swallow is the larger rumored gap between storage variants, according to one leaker.

Samsung is today officially launching its new Galaxy Tab S12 series with the Tab S12+ and Tab S12 Ultra delivering big displays, powerful specs, and some new software tricks too.

Google rolled out Android 17 QPR2 Beta 6 and Beta 6.1 in quick succession to continue the preview ahead of the stable December launch.

With Android 17 QPR2 Beta 6.1, HiLight on the Pixel 11 Pro series now supports message notifications.

Following last week’s release, Google today is rolling out Android 17 QPR2 Beta 6.1, including for the Pixel 11 series.

Welcome to episode 46 of The Sideload, a 9to5Google podcast. This week, Will is joined by Allison Johnson to discuss her experience with Meta’s new agentic AI chatbot Muse, and whether agents are really prepared to save their users time. Plus some thoughts on the iPhone 18 Pro’s variable aperture, Allison’s hands-on impressions of the iPhone Duo, and much more.

Sponsored by NordVPN: Listeners to The Sideload can save up to 76% on a two-year subscription alongside four extra months for absolutely free by signing up for NordVPN using this link. Thanks to NordVPN for sponsoring this week’s episode.

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Through a boosted trade-in deal, Amazon will give Pixel 11 series buyers an extra $275 towards their new device.

Ahead of next month’s launch, Google is beginning the marketing push for Googlebooks with Henry Cavill.

Pixel Recorder is getting a small quality-of-life update that surfaces your audio files to other apps on your device.

Right as Meta’s Muse avatar agent has taken the AI world by storm, OpenAI is today announcing Dots as “always-on agents” you can customize to your needs.

Joining the updated early fall Prime Day sale at Amazon, today’s best Google Play app and game deals are ready, including Hitman Sniper, To the Moon, Dungeon Tracer: Puzzle RPG, FrogBoy, Super Onion Boy 2, Human Fall Flat, and more. Just be sure to dive into the ongoing single for $20 or the 4-pack for $70. The apps await below.

Google Play today is giving Android developers more payment options around subscriptions, including Usage-Based Billing.

The early fall Amazon Prime Day sale rolls on with loads of new discounts on Echo smart speakers at up to 50% off, the latest Echo Show smart displays at up to $100 off, and much more. But today’s 9to5Toys Lunch Break is headlined by the latest Moto Tag 2 Android Find Hub trackers from $17.50 each – single for $20 or four for $70. We also have Galaxy Z Flip 8 returning to the Amazon all-time low at $150 off (or up to $375 off open-box), up to $1,200 off latest LG mini-LED TVs (plus loads more), and, for today only, the lowest price yet on this HP Chromebook Plus with a 2K touchscreen. Scope it all out down below.

The first leak of Google’s upcoming Pixel 11a just hit the web, revealing a virtually unchanged design, as well as suggesting that the mid-range device might get a purple colorway.

Samsung has confirmed plans to shut down its SmartThings Tracker feature that helps users locate Tracker devices, but it’s not the end of the actual tracker functionality.

Launched earlier this year, that useful little USB-C charger dongle for Google’s Pixel Watch 4 and Pixel Watch 5 smartwatches is currently discounted.

The Moto Tag 2 is the product of Motorola playing it safe, and that means the Android Find Hub tracker fits in most tracker accessories on the market, making it a pretty good deal. It’s on sale right now for $19 – 33% off after a time out of stock.

Anthropic has confirmed an outage affecting multiple Claude services this morning.

Previous Galaxy S27 Ultra leaks have directed attention to the new camera island, but don’t overlook the missing camera lens left behind with the Galaxy S26 Ultra. Apparently, that camera is the Samsung Galaxy S27 Ultra’s 10MP 3x zoom.

A partial outage has left the Spotify app in shambles, with core functions not working for many users.

The floodgates are open. After a delay and staggered starts, Samsung is widely rolling out its Android 17-based One UI 9 update for Galaxy S26 users around the globe, and they’re not alone.

An issue with Google’s Firebase left thousands of iPhone apps crashing overnight, but a fix has already been applied.

I’ve been on a tear recently trying to find some of the best Fitbit Air accessories and bands. It has been one heck of a process, but I think I’ve found another affordable gem that’s better than the official Fitbit Air Active bands.

Good morning. Today I’m going crazy over the NYT’s list of the best TV shows of the 21st century, redoing all of my vibe-projects with Opus 5.5, girding my loins for another Witcher 3 play-through now that the free remaster is out, and devouring Colson Whitehead’s new novel, Cool Machine.

As a reminder, Inbox is the tech newsletter that goes beyond the news cycle. We cover the most important 9to5Google stories from the last couple of days along with a few highlights from around the web. We publish every Tuesday and Thursday, and if you like what you read, please subscribe.

Nothing is today introducing its new Headphone (1) Pro over-ear headphones which deliver hardware improvements, better ANC, and deeper control over how you can tune the final output.

OpenAI has scrapped plans to release GPT-6.1 Astra in the next few weeks over concerns that the model is misbehaving.

The latest Gemini Connected App is Google Wallet for “information and personalized insights based on your saved info.”

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.

At the start of September, the Google Assistant deprecation on mobile got underway. It now looks to be widely rolling out.

The next big update to the Gemini app on Android and iOS is beginning to roll out with a focus on simplifying core navigation.

“Googlebook” is a weird name, right? That was my personal first takeaway from this new platform, and it seems even Google Search supports the idea that Google should have used something else, as you can’t actually search for “Googlebook” without getting redirected elsewhere.

Today’s best Google Play app and game deals are ready, including The Last Game, Sands of Salzaar, Candleman, Tokyo Debunker: Urban Legends, Slime Legends – Survivor, Hero of the Kingdom II, Legacy 4 – Tomb of Secrets, Empire of the Gods, and more. Just be sure to check out today’s Galaxy Z Fold 8 deals at up to $530 off as well as the new all-time low on Lenovo’s latest Tab Plus Gen 2. Monday’s app deals await below.

TCL has launched a new “Designer Series” of TV sets running Google TV with a flush mount design and matte dispaly to help your TV blend into a room as a piece of art.

The new Bose Noise Cancelling Wired Earbuds connect via USB-C and work with almost any device.

Google Photos is undoubtedly the best way to manage your photo library on Android and beyond, but a recent bug has been stopping users from being able to commit even the most basic of tasks, including sharing, editing, and even delete images from their collection. Luckily, if you’ve found yourself dealing with these issues, Google has confirmed a fix is on the way.

Lenovo today put a spotlight on its Googlebook release, also confirming that initial pricing was incorrect and that the Lenovo Googlebook 15 will, in fact, start at $1,099.

According to a new leak, Motorola’s upcoming entry in the wide, book-style foldable space may be called “Razr Flex” and pack some very familiar specs.

With the Pixel 11 launch, Google promised a big Pixel Buds update in September. We’re now starting to see Gemini audio controls with the latest Pixel Buds companion app update.

Google’s latest Pixel Watch software updates have also transitioned the entire lineup over to the new 3D emoji design also live on Pixel phones in Android 17.

Today’s 9to5Toys Lunch Break is headlined by some major Galaxy Z Fold 8 deals – 256GB up to $440 off or the 512GB at over $530 off (Best Buy open-box). We also have Lenovo’s latest Tab Plus Gen 2 at a new $270 all-time low and the launch of early fall Prime Day pricing on the latest Echo Show smart displays at up to $100 off and Echo smart speaker deals now live from $22 (up to 50% off). Head below for a closer look at the details.

As Googlebook arrives, Google is offering a bit more information on what Chromebook owners can expect going forward.

Honor has officially announced its latest flagship in China, with the Honor Magic 9 Pro Max packing powerful specs, upgraded cameras, the latest Snapdragon chip, and confirmed for an global launch later on.

After a lengthy delay, Samsung is finally rolling out its Android 17-based One UI 9 update for Galaxy S26 users in the US more broadly.

The tiny e-reader form factor is starting to make a big splash as the company behind some of the best Android e-readers announces its own version Boox calls the “Picco,” now available to pre-order.

In 2024, Google introduced Gems as “custom versions of Gemini.” The Gemini app will soon replace Gems with “skills.”

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.

This week saw the debut of Qualcomm’s latest Snapdragon chips and, with it, the usual onslaught of Tensor hate around Google’s Pixel phones. Personally, I don’t care about those, but new launches around Qualcomm’s event have shown off a lot of other specs I’d much rather see Pixel adopt.

9to5Google Weekender by Ben Schoon is a part of our free newsletter that also includes ‘Inbox,’ a twice-weekly roundup of key stories from around the web by Daniel Bader. Sign up here to get Weekender delivered to your inbox every Sunday along with ‘Inbox’ on Tuesday and Thursday. You can find past issues here.

With Liquid Glass now a year old, Google apps on iOS are beginning to incorporate the translucent material alongside its Material 3 Expressive design language.

Welcome to Pixelated episode 118. This week, Damien and Abner share their hands-on impressions of Google’s new laptop lineup with Will. What’s it like to use an Android-powered laptop? How different is the Googlebook platform from ChromeOS? And what steps does Google need to take post-launch to give it as strong of a chance at succeeding as possible? All those questions and more and more as the Android ecosystem grows even larger.

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Following yesterday’s announcement, Google Health 5.09 is rolling out with support for the new Health Guardian features on the Pixel Watch.

The Android Dev Summit is returning in 2026 after Google’s last focused developer conference in 2022. Additionally, the agenda comes with a mention of Android 18.

Following the long-press menu, Google Messages is widely rolling out new ways to access timestamps and direct replies.

Alongside the now updated early fall Prime Day sale at Amazon, we are now tracking a host of notable Nothing deals including Ear (3a) at $79, the new Buds Neo at the $21 all-time low, Headphone (a) at up to 30% off, and Phone (4a) from $449, among others. Those deals join ASUS’ latest 16-inch Ryzen AI Copilot+ PC down to its best price yet at $200 off, Anker’s 140W 4-port MacBook charger with smart display down to its lowest price today at $56, and a giant deal on the latest wireless Ring Battery Doorbell 2K at just $40 (60% off, all-time low). Just be sure to check out Galaxy Z Fold 8 at $250 off while you still can (Amazon low), and even more down below. 

After a couple of years of relentlessly pushing it, Microsoft is seemingly ending its Copilot+ PC branding for Windows laptops.

Following last month’s icon update, Pixel Weather is getting a slightly more substantial update with a refresh button for the homescreen widget.

After testing got underway in January, Google Messages is finally widely rolling out a new long-press menu in conversations.

Android 17 QPR2 Beta 6 is now available for Pixel devices, barely a week after Beta 5 launched.

Following the version 2.0 update rolling out earlier this week, Google is now beginning to launch the Pixel VIPs widget redesign announced in the September Feature Drop.

Like any sane capitalist, I love getting new stuff. But there’s something heartening about those new things settling into age, like a fecund garden becoming slightly unwieldy, or a pair of shoes getting more comfortable as you use them.

Similarly, I’ve always enjoyed the way a well-made leather case ages as it weathers the trials and tribulations of everyday life. Traditionally called a patina, it’s the lived-in quality that a piece of leather inherits as it absorbs skin oils, scratches, and the unpredictability of weather.

Create My Widget will debut in early October on Googlebooks. Ahead of that, a Play Store listing details what the interface will look like, including on Android phones.

It’s confirmed: The mysterious Motorola phone getting support for the privacy-focused GrapheneOS will be the Motorola Signature 27 that was announced earlier this week.

Google today announced a trio of new study-focused Chrome features, with the most notable being how the browser will now save scroll position when you send tabs between devices.

Google Photos is rolling out a handful of new features, including a Redact Markup tool and “Moods” on Android.

As previewed during last month’s Pixel Watch 5 launch, Google is now starting to roll out blood pressure trends, insulin resistance trends, and sleep breathing quality metrics.

Once rumored to go by a different name, Samsung’s Galaxy Buds On open-ear designs have appeared with a little more detail in new images, suggesting these earbuds might become official sooner rather than later.

If you open Google Messages, you might see a prompt on the main screen to join the “official chat” that delivers a WhatsApp-like thread for official updates on new features.

After a slight delay, Samsung is rolling out its Android 17-based One UI 9 update to Galaxy S26 owners in the US, though not to everyone just yet.

Despite having effectively zero market share right now, there is an opportunity for Googlebook to do something that basically nobody else could do, but can they do it?

Following Direct My Call and Hold for Me, Google is introducing “Call for Me” on the Pixel 11 series.

Today’s 9to5Toys Lunch Break is headlined by unlocked Pixel 11 from under $750 via Best Buy today and TCL NXTPAPER Android phones up to 30% off in the early fall Prime Day sale, (deals from $180). We also have a massive Windows Woot sale with up to $1,100 off Copilot+ PCs and gaming laptops from $250 (extra 20% off today only) and Walmart’s GeForce Week sale dropping these slick CyberPowerPC RTX 5070 Founders Edition rigs by up to $591. Head below for a closer look at the details.

Google appears to be pulling the plug on a Digital Wellbeing feature called “Heads up” which is designed to help you stay off of your phone for extended periods of time while walking.

It’s only been a month since the Pixel 11 series was announced and released, but Verizon already has the phone on sale without a trade-in or seemingly any other fine print caveat. The carrier requires users to sign up for the simplicity plan, but the Pixel 11 Pro can still be bought outright in this deal for just $479 – $620 off.

As its rivals continue to iterate quickly, Google has confirmed that its Gemini 4 flagship AI model is nearing release and that it is coming “as soon as possible.”

As we spotted earlier this month, Verizon is welcoming a handful of new Motorola phones to its network with the Razr Fold and two Razr flip phones both now available.

Nvidia says Google’s new Gemini-infused laptops are slated to get GeForce Now support before the year is up, which is perfect because Googlebooks don’t exactly pack a ton of power.

Good morning. Today I’m watching yet another Fire Emblem: Fortune’s Weave review (watch this for context), getting started on my Booker Prize shortlist read-through, and reading as much as I can about Ella Langley’s “Choosin’ Texas” now that it’s the longest-running #1 hit of all time.

As a reminder, Inbox is the tech newsletter that goes beyond the news cycle. We cover the most important 9to5Google stories from the last couple of days along with a few highlights from around the web. We publish every Tuesday and Thursday, and if you like what you read, please subscribe.

Alongside its new audio-only and Ray-Ban smart glasses, Meta today also unveiled new “VR Glasses” which take the experience of a Quest into a far slimmer form factor with an external processing puck.

Meta today introduced its new Ray-Ban Meta (Gen 3) smart glasses with a slimmer design and longer battery life alongside a new audio-only lineup, and a new $250 entry-level release.

Microsoft is rolling out refreshes to its smaller Surface Laptop and Surface Pro machines powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon X2 Plus starting at a price of $1,149.

Google Maps is rolling out a new update on Android Auto that makes it easier to know what to expect at your next turn, with a visual indicator to show upcoming traffic lights or stop signs.

Qualcomm announced the Snapdragon Sound Elite Gen 2 as a substantial chipset for upcoming audio devices, with a massive focus on better AI performance for audio wearables.

Today’s best Google Play app and game deals are ready, including Dwarves: Glory, Death and Loot, Hitman GO, Hitman Sniper, Deus Ex GO, Metal Soldiers 4 Pro, Tower Defense: Epic Turret Pro, and more. Alongside the mid-week app deals, we also have first discount on the new Nothing CMF Buds Neo with ANC at $21, the return of all-time low pricing on Nothing CMF Clip Pro, and Galaxy Z Fold 8 at up to $380 off. The apps await below.

Google today announced the latest expansion of its 3D meeting booths, including a partnership that brings Google Beam to co-working spaces in the US.

Yet another price hike is imminent for Disney+ and Hulu, with the new plans going up by around $2 per month.

Alongside some deep ongoing deals on Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 at up to $21 and a return all-time low the Nothing CMF Clip Pro, as well as Headphone (a) at 30% off. From there, we move over to the PC deals with a giant $1,051 off this Alienware 16-inch OLED gaming laptop for GeForce Week and Lenovo’s 2026 2K touchscreen IdeaPad Slim Copilot+ PC hitting a new all-time low at $620 off, not to mention new all-time lows on the latest Ring Doorbell 4K Pro models at $100 off in the now live early fall Prime Day sale. Check it out below. 

At Made on YouTube 2026 today, YouTube announced a slew of new features. We’ve highlighted the capabilities that will impact the viewer experience over the coming months.

As part of Made on YouTube 2026, a handful of updates to YouTube Music that are coming later this year were previewed.

The Galaxy Tab S12 Ultra showed up in a leak in August, but a new one has surfaced as the October launch date gets closer. The most recent images further confirm little about the design will change.