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Code found in Google Wallet version 26.42.1003171897 points to a new 'Overseas QR payments' feature called Traveler QR. A linked Google support page describes automatic activation when a phone detects it's in a supported region, currently naming only Alipay Plus partner networks in Singapore.
Amazon is selling the XGIMI MoGo 4 portable projector for $399, a $100 discount off its $499 list price. The battery-powered 1080p DLP projector offers 450 ISO lumens and can project images from about 40 to 200 inches, making it suited to darker rooms.
Android Authority uncovered a new Gemini Live interface hidden in version 17.70.10.ve.arm64 of the Google app, replacing the current pill-shaped audio visualizer with a circular button surrounded by animated dots and a glowing blue background. The design appears to extend Google's previously spotted 'Neural Expressive' visual style, which features gradients and animated elements, into the Gemini Live voice assistant. The feature is still under development, showing visual glitches, and Google has not indicated a rollout timeline.
A Pixel owner on Reddit reported two consecutive morning alarms failing to sound, instead showing a notification that the alarm was 'automatically silenced' after its set duration. The user said they made no settings changes and missed important work obligations as a result. Several other Pixel users in the thread described similar experiences, and Google has said it is looking into the issue.
Google has begun accepting enrollment applications from third-party Android app stores for its Registered App Stores program, with a streamlined installation flow set to launch December 1. The program, available outside the US on Android 17 QPR2 and later, is optional for developers, and stores that don't enroll will see no change to their current installation process.
Google has begun accepting applications from third-party app stores for its Registered App Stores program, which excludes the United States. Approved stores will gain one-click app installation and silent background updates similar to Google Play, with the new install experience rolling out to Android devices later this year.
Google is updating Android's permission system so apps can request rights to edit a single contact rather than full WRITE_CONTACTS access to an entire address book. The change introduces standardized intents for individual insert or edit actions, building on contact-reading restrictions already introduced in Android 17. Initial pieces are expected to arrive with Android 17 QPR2 later this year, ahead of broader changes in Android 18.
AYANEO told customers via email that 90% of KONKR Pocket Advance orders have shipped, with the remaining Onyx Ice colorway units and other outstanding orders expected to go out within a week, followed by new production batches in about two weeks. The company also said international shipping of its Pocket Block handheld will begin by the end of October, while the Pocket Micro 2 has been delayed to early November.
A Pixel 11 Pro XL owner on Reddit says roughly 4 in 10 incoming calls fail to ring, instead showing up only as missed-call text notifications. The user, on Germany's Congstar network, says resetting network settings, swapping the SIM, and factory resetting the phone haven't fixed it, nor has disabling Do Not Disturb or Call Screen features. Google's Issue Tracker shows similar complaints dating back to June, including another Pixel 11 Pro report from last month, and Google has acknowledged the issue without giving a fix timeline.
Google Photos is rolling out a revamped Collections tab that lets users customize which content carousels appear and in what order. A new 'Pinned' section defaults to Favorites, Screenshots, and Trash, followed by carousels for On this device, Albums, People & pets, Wardrobe, Places, and Documents, with an 'Other Collections' grid below. The update is shipping via Google Photos versions 7.97 on Android and 7.98 on iOS.
OnePlus has begun pushing stable Android 17 updates to the OnePlus 13, 13R, 13s, and 15R, starting with users in India. The update replaces OxygenOS with ColorOS, bringing redesigned Quick Settings and notifications, smoother animations, better memory management, and new AI tools including detection of AI-generated voices and face swaps during calls. Each device has its own build number, and the rollout is happening in batches rather than all at once.
Cocoon, a launcher frontend built for Android gaming handhelds, has released a 3.1 beta update centered on an 'Enhanced Device Access' mode that lets users suspend, resume, and switch between games from the home screen grid. The update also adds performance tweaks for lower-spec devices, a resizable grid editor, precise battery percentage readouts, and dual-screen output swapping. The beta is available via sideload on GitHub and includes an auto-updater.