Google detailed further network security changes coming with Android 17, including support for the Encrypted Client Hello protocol that encrypts DNS server lookups, a feature letting carriers automatically block low-security 2G connections used in SMS Blaster spam attacks, and restrictions preventing apps from scanning home networks for vulnerable devices. The update also builds on previously announced Certificate Transparency enforcement to ensure phones connect using legitimate SSL certificates.
Google has built Encrypted Client Hello (ECH) directly into Android 17, making it the first major mobile operating system to support the standard at the platform level and turning it on by default. ECH hides the specific website or domain a device is connecting to, so internet providers can only see the content delivery network being used, not the actual destination. Alphabet's Jigsaw division, which developed the feature, says it addresses a long-standing gap in HTTPS privacy protections.
Communities in Texas, New Mexico and Arizona are protesting new AI data centers over concerns about water consumption, energy use and pollution. Data centers use water for cooling systems that manage heat generated by processors, which can reach internal temperatures near 176 degrees Fahrenheit. While estimates suggest data centers consumed about 66 billion liters of water in 2023—under 1 percent of total U.S. water use—that figure could grow sharply as AI infrastructure expands.
Google and the Pokemon Company are releasing a limited Fitbit Air variant priced at $129, featuring a deep blue woven band with a Pikachu etching and Pokemon-themed packaging. The device pairs with Pokemon Sleep, the mobile game that turns bedtime into a collectible-monster experience, and shares the lightweight, swappable-band design of the standard Fitbit Air launched earlier this year. Google confirmed the exclusive band will not be sold separately from the tracker.
Plaud, known for AI note-taking devices like the Note and NotePin, has unveiled the Plaud One Explorer Edition earbuds ahead of IFA. The $249.99 earbuds can capture and summarize conversations independently of a phone, and use a feature called Plaud Agent to carry out tasks across apps like Gmail, Google Calendar, Notion and Slack. They're available for pre-order now, ship in late September, come with $200 in credits, and require no subscription.
Plaud, previously known for AI notetaking gadgets like the NotePin and Note Pro, is now selling AI earbuds called the Plaud One Explorer Edition, available for preorder at $250. The earbuds can be worn normally or left in their case on a table to record meetings, calls, or solo brainstorming sessions, feeding that audio to an assistant called Plaud Agent. That agent connects with tools like Google Calendar, Notion, and Slack to draft emails, documents, and presentations based on spoken commands.
Google unveiled a special edition Fitbit Air in a blue colorway featuring a sleeping Pikachu print, designed to pair with its Pokémon Sleep app. The device functions identically to the standard Fitbit Air but syncs sleep data through Health Connect on Android, letting wearers see in-app Pokémon and a Snorlax-based Sleep Score. Preorders open today on the Google Store and Target, with shipping starting September 15 and three free months of Google Health Premium included.
Plaud has introduced the Plaud One, earbuds resembling AirPods that can record calls, while their case can independently capture in-person conversations. The case includes an eSIM card, letting users contact Plaud's AI agent remotely without needing a phone or computer nearby.
Android System Intelligence (ASI) is a system component baked into Android that powers on-device smart features like Now Playing and Live Caption, and it cannot be uninstalled like a regular app, though many manufacturers let users disable it in Settings. Android Authority found in January 2026 that turning ASI off does not break core phone functions, but it does disable the AI-driven contextual features that rely on it. Google has not published a full list of what stops working per device, leaving some uncertainty for users who disable it entirely.
Companies are consuming AI tokens at explosive rates, with Google processing over 3.2 quadrillion tokens monthly—seven times last year's volume—while Uber exhausted its entire 2026 AI budget by April. Industry voices are proposing nutrition-label-style disclosures that let employees compare a prompt's computational cost against its actual value before using it.
Android Authority surveyed over 2,000 readers asking whether they would pay to unlock newer AI features on their older Pixel phones. More than 82% called such a purchase a waste of money, while roughly 10% said they'd rather buy a new phone outright, and just 6.8% would pay a subscription to extend their current device's life.
Google has launched a special-edition Fitbit Air themed around the Pokémon Sleep game, featuring a 'Sleepy Blue' band with a sleeping Pikachu design. The device is available for preorder at $129 and begins shipping September 15th, timed to Pokémon's 30th anniversary celebrations that also include a special playing card collection.
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