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Google Mandates App Developer Verification for Enhanced Android Security

2025-08-25
Google Mandates App Developer Verification for Enhanced Android Security

To combat malware and financial scams, Google announced that starting in 2026, only apps from verified developers will be installable on certified Android devices. This impacts all installation methods, including sideloading. The move aims to curb the proliferation of fake apps and malicious actors. A phased rollout begins in 2026 in select countries heavily impacted by fraudulent apps, with global implementation in 2027. Developers will have access to a verification process, with separate workflows for students and hobbyists.

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(9to5google.com)
Tech Developer Verification

Pebble Time 2 Reborn: Final Design and Specs Revealed

2025-08-14
Pebble Time 2 Reborn: Final Design and Specs Revealed

The Pebble Time 2, once envisioned as Pebble's flagship smartwatch, is back. The revived version boasts a refined design with added curves, color accents, knurled buttons, and a premium stainless steel build, similar to the original Pebble Steel. Unlike the earlier prototype, the final design features a flat glass panel to minimize reflections and an advanced RGB backlight allowing for customizable color temperature. Available in black and silver with additional color accents, it also includes a built-in compass, a feature absent in the initial plans. Pre-orders are open at $225, with final pricing subject to regional variations.

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(9to5google.com)
Hardware

Steam for Chromebook Beta to Shut Down in Early 2026

2025-08-09
Steam for Chromebook Beta to Shut Down in Early 2026

Launched in 2022, the Steam for Chromebook Beta program will end in early 2026. Despite being a significant part of ChromeOS's gaming push, the program hasn't received updates in a long time. Google announced that installed games will no longer be playable after January 1st, 2026. However, Google hints at a future for Chromebook gaming, emphasizing continued support through Android apps and cloud gaming services.

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(9to5google.com)
Game

Sony Xperia: Small but Significant

2025-08-08
Sony Xperia: Small but Significant

Despite holding a minuscule share of the global smartphone market and facing uncertainty about its future, Sony maintains that its Xperia brand is “very important” and will continue to be nurtured. Sony CFO Lin Tao recently reiterated this commitment, acknowledging Xperia's place within a crucial business segment. While Sony has scaled back its presence in the US market, lost ground in Japan and Europe, and even ceased manufacturing its own devices, it insists on continuing its smartphone efforts. The company emphasizes the broader significance of communication technology within Sony's long-term strategy, extending beyond smartphones themselves.

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(9to5google.com)
Tech

Google's New Web Guide: AI-Powered Search Result Organization

2025-07-25
Google's New Web Guide: AI-Powered Search Result Organization

Google is developing "Web Guide," a new search feature powered by a custom version of its Gemini AI model. Web Guide organizes search results into categories, providing additional context and insights. It groups web links with headers and summaries before displaying them, making it easier to find relevant information. It's designed for both broad and detailed multi-sentence queries, surfacing pages users might otherwise miss. Currently available in Search Labs under the "Web" tab, Google plans to experiment with integrating AI-organized results into the main search experience.

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(9to5google.com)
Tech Search Result Organization

Swift Takes on Android: Apple's Language Crosses the Platform Divide

2025-06-27
Swift Takes on Android: Apple's Language Crosses the Platform Divide

Apple's Swift programming language is expanding into Android app development. While Android primarily uses Kotlin, a newly formed Swift Android Working Group aims to make Android an officially supported platform. This group's goals include improving Android support for Swift, optimizing core Swift packages for Android's idioms, defining supported API levels and architectures, and establishing best practices for bridging Swift with Android's Java SDK. Although third-party tools already enabled Swift for Android development, Apple's move signifies a strategic expansion in mobile development.

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(9to5google.com)
Development

Chrome for Android Finally Gets a Bottom Address Bar

2025-06-25
Chrome for Android Finally Gets a Bottom Address Bar

Google has finally added a much-requested feature to Chrome for Android: a bottom address bar. Users can now move the address bar, tab switcher, and other shortcuts to the bottom of the screen, making one-handed use much easier. The update is optional, allowing users to choose between top and bottom placement in settings. The rollout begins today and will reach all users in the coming weeks. iOS users gained this feature in 2023.

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(9to5google.com)
Development Bottom Address Bar

Google Drops Pixel Hardware Repos from Android 16: AOSP's Future Uncertain?

2025-06-12
Google Drops Pixel Hardware Repos from Android 16: AOSP's Future Uncertain?

Google's release of Android 16 omitted the Pixel hardware repositories and device trees crucial for custom ROM developers, sparking speculation about AOSP's future. While Google denies discontinuation, the change appears deliberate. The absence of these repos significantly hinders custom ROM updates and may impact security research. Google assures continued AOSP commitment but shifts towards a hardware-independent reference target, suggesting an end to Pixel device tree releases. Custom ROM users face a more challenging path ahead.

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(9to5google.com)
Development

Google Duo to be fully discontinued in September 2025

2025-05-31
Google Duo to be fully discontinued in September 2025

While the Google Duo brand disappeared in 2022, some features lingered in Google Meet. However, Google has announced the complete shutdown of all Duo features by September 2025. This includes 'Legacy calls' which utilized Duo technology. Users will need to transition to 'Meet calls', offering enhanced capabilities like screen sharing and live captions. Note that some beloved Duo features, such as Family Mode and Knock Knock, won't be carried over. Google urges users to export their call history and video messages before the deadline.

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(9to5google.com)
Tech Video Calling

Google Photos' 10th Anniversary: A Major Redesign with AI-Powered Editing

2025-05-28
Google Photos' 10th Anniversary: A Major Redesign with AI-Powered Editing

Celebrating its 10th anniversary, Google Photos unveils a redesigned photo editor boasting AI-powered features. The update includes an AI Enhance tool, Auto Frame for background improvements, and smart suggestions tailored to specific image areas. A new fullscreen viewer and QR code album sharing are also added. The redesigned editor will roll out to Android devices next month, with iOS following later this year. Google Photos boasts over 1.5 billion monthly users and over 9 trillion stored photos and videos.

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(9to5google.com)
Tech Photo Editing

Google's AI Search Mode: Publishers Cry Foul

2025-05-23
Google's AI Search Mode: Publishers Cry Foul

Google's new AI Search mode, now live for all US users, is causing an existential crisis for publishers. The News/Media Alliance calls Google's AI mode "theft," arguing it takes content without compensation, harming publishers' traffic and revenue. Leaked documents reveal Google considered letting publishers opt out, but ultimately rejected this, leaving publishers with no recourse against their content being used for AI training and search results. While Google claims publishers always controlled content availability, this action is stifling high-quality content creation and potentially degrading the internet's overall quality.

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(9to5google.com)
Tech Publishers

Google's Android XR Glasses: A Glimpse into the Future of Everyday Computing

2025-05-21
Google's Android XR Glasses: A Glimpse into the Future of Everyday Computing

At I/O 2025, Google offered a detailed look at its Android XR glasses, designed for seamless daily integration. These glasses feature a camera, microphones, and speakers, with an optional in-lens display for discreet information delivery. They'll work in tandem with your phone, providing app access without needing to reach for your pocket. Powered by Gemini, the glasses understand context and provide relevant information from apps like Calendar, Maps, and more. Google is collaborating with brands like Warby Parker and Gentle Monster to ensure stylish designs for all-day wearability. A partnership with Samsung is advancing the software and hardware platform, with developer access later this year. Privacy is a focus, with ongoing user testing. A second Android XR device, developed with XREAL, is also launching as a developer edition.

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(9to5google.com)
Tech

Google's Iconic 'G' Logo Gets a Refresh After a Decade

2025-05-13
Google's Iconic 'G' Logo Gets a Refresh After a Decade

After nearly 10 years, Google has updated its iconic 'G' logo. The update blends the previously distinct color sections for a smoother, more vibrant look. The new icon is already rolling out to the iOS Google Search app, and has arrived on Android with Google app 16.18 (beta). This subtle but noticeable change reflects Google's ongoing commitment to modernizing its brand identity, aligning with the gradient style seen in Google Gemini AI.

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(9to5google.com)
Design Logo Update Brand Design

Honey Extension Loses 4 Million Users After Shady Practices Exposed

2025-03-31
Honey Extension Loses 4 Million Users After Shady Practices Exposed

PayPal's Honey browser extension, known for finding coupon codes, lost over 4 million Chrome users after a YouTube video exposed its shady practices. Honey was found to hijack affiliate links, benefiting itself at the expense of other referrers, even without offering users comparable value. While Honey has updated its extension with disclosures and the behavior is no longer present, the damage is done, highlighting the importance of transparency in browser extensions and user rights.

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(9to5google.com)
Tech

Google Moves All Android Development In-House

2025-03-26
Google Moves All Android Development In-House

Google has confirmed it's moving all Android development to its internal branches, meaning the Android Open Source Project (AOSP) will no longer reflect Google's complete work. This aims to streamline development and prevent merge conflicts, but doesn't change Android's open-source nature. New versions and maintenance releases will be pushed to AOSP. End users and app developers will likely see little impact; the main change is less premature exposure of unconfirmed internal information via AOSP leaks.

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(9to5google.com)
Development

Google Assistant to be Replaced by Gemini: The Rise of Generative AI

2025-03-14
Google Assistant to be Replaced by Gemini: The Rise of Generative AI

Over a year after its launch, Google announced that its Gemini AI assistant will replace Google Assistant on Android phones later in 2025. This marks a significant step towards the widespread adoption of generative AI on mobile devices. While the initial version of Gemini had limited functionality, Google has addressed this through continuous updates and expansion to wearables, cars, tablets, and headphones. Google claims millions have already switched to Gemini, highlighting its personalized, world-aware, and productivity-enhancing features. This replacement also signifies a decade of evolution in natural language processing, from basic voice assistants to today's generative AI, showcasing rapid technological advancement.

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(9to5google.com)
AI

Google Pixel 4a Battery Overheating Recall

2025-03-10
Google Pixel 4a Battery Overheating Recall

Google has launched a battery performance improvement program for its Pixel 4a phone to address overheating risks. The Australian Competition & Consumer Commission confirmed the update introduces new battery management features to mitigate the risk of overheating, preventing potential fire or burn hazards. Not all Pixel 4a devices are affected; users can check their device's eligibility through a tool provided by Google. Affected users are eligible for a $100 Google Store discount code or a $50 payment.

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(9to5google.com)
Hardware Battery Overheating

Gboard Android Gets Rounder Keys in Beta

2025-03-07
Gboard Android Gets Rounder Keys in Beta

Google is rolling out a new design for some Gboard beta testers on Android, featuring circular and pill-shaped keys. This isn't just a minor tweak; the key shapes have been significantly redesigned, moving from rounded rectangles to circles and pills for letters, with the spacebar and other keys adopting a pill shape. While touch targets remain unchanged, the visual impact is substantial, giving Gboard a more modern feel. However, users with "Long press for symbols" enabled might find the layout cramped. This change is currently limited to some Gboard beta (version 15.1) users and a wider rollout is yet to be confirmed by Google.

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(9to5google.com)
Development

Qualcomm Extends Android Software Updates to Eight Years

2025-02-25
Qualcomm Extends Android Software Updates to Eight Years

Qualcomm announced a partnership with Google to provide up to eight years of Android software and security updates for devices powered by the Snapdragon 8 Elite and the next five generations of Snapdragon 8 and 7-series chips. This will enable OEMs to more easily provide longer-term updates for their devices, reducing costs and improving user experience. While ultimate update decisions rest with manufacturers, this initiative promotes longer device lifespans, starting with Snapdragon 8 Elite phones launching with Android 15.

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(9to5google.com)
Tech Android updates Snapdragon 8 Elite

Apple TV+ App Finally Lands on Android

2025-02-13
Apple TV+ App Finally Lands on Android

After years of relying on less-than-ideal web or PWA solutions, Apple TV+ finally has a dedicated Android app. Available on phones and tablets via the Google Play Store, the app boasts smooth playback, a clean Material 3 design, offline downloads, and picture-in-picture functionality. While casting support and new episode notifications are currently absent, the app offers a significant upgrade, particularly with the inclusion of Google Play Billing for streamlined subscription management.

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(9to5google.com)
Tech

Google Offers Voluntary Exit Program for Platforms & Devices Team

2025-01-30
Google Offers Voluntary Exit Program for Platforms & Devices Team

Google announced a voluntary exit program for US-based employees in its Platforms & Devices group, encompassing Android, Pixel, Fitbit, and more. This follows last year's merger of Pixel hardware and Android software teams. The program offers severance packages and aims to ensure remaining employees are fully committed to the company's mission and focused on efficient product development. It's not a company-wide layoff but rather a response to integration challenges and role adjustments following the merger.

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(9to5google.com)
Tech restructuring