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Android Authority found code in Google app version 17.60.13.sa.arm64 showing an early redesign of Gemini's Settings screen. The new layout groups options in a style similar to the current account switcher, building on previously spotted plans to move settings out of that switcher and into categorized sub-screens like Preferences, Data & privacy, and others.
Google has officially unveiled Googlebook, a new laptop platform built on Android and Chrome OS foundations, previously known internally as Aluminium OS. Acer, Asus, Dell, HP and Lenovo have all announced flagship Googlebook laptops starting at $899, with US sales beginning October 4 and pre-orders already open at the Google Store, Best Buy, and select retailers.
Google is launching a new laptop family called Googlebook, paired with what it calls an 'intelligence system' rather than a traditional OS, built to integrate with Android devices and offer AI-driven productivity features. Five initial models from partners including Acer, ASUS, Dell, HP, and Lenovo will be available, with pre-orders starting September 21 and retail launches on October 4-5 across the US, Canada, UK, Ireland, France, Germany, and Australia. Prices for the lineup range from $899 to $1,299 depending on the model.
Google has officially launched Googlebook, its Android-powered laptop platform built with Android, ChromeOS, Gemini, and partner hardware makers, starting at $899. Alongside the launch, Google is bringing Rambler, the smart dictation feature debuted on the Pixel 11, to every Googlebook, letting users clean up rambling speech into organized notes and action items.
Google is rolling out a new 'Copy code' shortcut in Gmail that appears beneath the subject line of verification emails, letting users copy a 2FA code straight to their clipboard without opening the message. The feature is live on Gmail for Android version 2026.09.07.x and iOS version 6.0.260907, though it hasn't reached the web version yet.
Android Authority writer Khamosh Pathak explains how he made his Pixel 9a feel like a distraction-free dumbphone without buying a $500 device like the Light Phone or Wisephone. He disabled most app notifications and used Switchly, a free open-source app blocker that supports QR codes and NFC tags, to block addictive features like Instagram Reels and YouTube Shorts. He also paired it with BlockAds, a VPN-based ad blocker, to remove intrusive full-screen ads from free apps.
A tip circulating on Reddit shows that installing Duolingo's website as a web app rather than using the native mobile app brings back the classic hearts-based mistake system and removes advertisements entirely, according to Android Authority. The report says the workaround works for both free and Super Duolingo subscribers, cutting down on gamified prompts and extra taps between lessons.
Apple's iPhone 18 Pro now starts at $1,200 for 256GB storage, with top configurations reaching $2,400, while Google's Pixel 11 Pro keeps its 256GB starting price at $1,099 after dropping the base 128GB tier. Android Authority argues the Pixel offers significantly better value across storage tiers, saving buyers as much as $200 compared to Apple's equivalent options.
A regular Google Maps user says that despite Google's edge in local search and data depth, Apple Maps outperforms it in several everyday ways. The comparison highlights Apple's progress in rebuilding its navigation app over the past decade, with a notably cleaner, less ad-cluttered interface as a standout advantage.
Android Authority's Andrew Grush says he still installs the third-party app AccuBattery on his Android phones, even as most performance-boosting battery apps have proven ineffective over the years. He explains that AccuBattery doesn't try to magically extend battery life but instead helps identify software or hardware issues causing excess drain, using pattern-recognition data gathered over time rather than the factory-calibrated data used by built-in OS tools.
Google's Snapseed photo editor is rolling out several new features to beta testers, including support for custom look-up tables (LUTs), Depth/Portrait Blur alongside the previously spotted Motion Blur, and a way to save personal edit configurations as reusable Looks. The update also introduces a Community Looks repository, where users can browse and share preset combinations created by other Snapseed users.
Google's September Pixel Drop brought Android 17 QPR1 to Pixel phones this week, adding minor features alongside a wave of user complaints about new bugs. Reported issues span performance slowdowns, connectivity failures, display glitches, and unexpected UI behavior, though it's unclear how widespread the problems actually are.