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Google has begun phasing out Google Assistant on mobile devices, replacing it with Gemini. Users report that the 'Switch to Google Assistant' option has disappeared from the Gemini app's account menu, following a company email last month announcing the rollout would begin September 4.
Opera has added travel eSIM functionality directly into its Android browser, letting users buy, install, and manage data plans without a separate app. The eSIM covers the whole device, works in 47 destinations, supports 5G where available, and offers 3GB, 5GB, or 10GB plans valid for 30 days after activation. Users in 11 launch markets can also claim 3GB of free data for three days without entering payment details.
Opera has integrated a free eSIM into its Android browser, giving users 3GB of 5G data that activates without requiring payment details. The eSIM works across 47 countries, though the free data allotment is limited to users based in ten countries and expires three days after activation. Paid top-up plans of 3GB, 5GB and 10GB are available once the free data runs out.
Developer Chainfire has released version 2.0 of Sideload Launcher, a free third-party Android TV launcher that displays sideloaded, unofficial-source, and phone/tablet apps alongside standard ones. The update introduces a redesigned interface, a cleaner app list, and new customization and sorting options, while keeping the app free of ads and tracking and functional without internet access.
Xtream Player has released version 1.7.50, adding Plex Live TV streaming and better movie/TV categorization for premium users, plus a full-screen mirror mode for the car display. The update also fixes M3U streaming bugs, improves YouTube playback quality, and resolves an issue where the ad-skip feature left videos stuck on a gray screen. According to Reddit comments, the new Plex Live TV feature is currently broken, though the developer says a fix is coming soon.
Google has filed appeals with the EU's General Court challenging binding instructions issued under the bloc's rules, which required it to open up Android to rivals and share search data with competing search engines. The company confirmed the appeals target obligations tied to interoperability and data-access requirements imposed by EU regulators.
A new guide addresses common causes of Android phones losing charge quickly, pointing to factors like overly bright displays, apps refreshing in the background, poor charging habits, and power-hungry apps running unchecked. It suggests targeted adjustments—rather than drastic measures like airplane mode or dimming screens unusably low—can meaningfully extend battery life without disrupting daily use.
Google says it will keep issuing ChromeOS updates and security patches through mid-2034 for enterprise and education users, according to a company support page. The disclosure comes as Google prepares to launch Googlebooks, laptops running an Android-based Googlebook OS, with devices arriving October 4.
Multiple Pixel users have reported that their status bar, Quick Settings tiles, and notification shade are becoming unresponsive or failing to display new notifications following the Android 17 QPR1 update. Some users say notifications appear but can't be tapped, while others report notifications not showing up at all. Google's official PixelCommunity Reddit account has acknowledged the reports and suggested resetting app presets or restarting in safe mode as temporary workarounds.
Multiple Pixel owners across the 8, 9, 10, and 11 series say contactless payments and transit passes have been working inconsistently since last week, with a restart being the only apparent fix. The cause remains unidentified, and reports include devices running the latest Android and Google Play Services builds.
Google published a support page for Chrome Enterprise and Education customers stating that ChromeOS software support will continue through 'mid-2034.' The page frames the timeline as Google positions its new Android-based Googlebooks as the eventual successor to Chromebooks. The 2034 date had previously appeared in a court filing, but this marks its first public appearance on an official support document.
A developer working with a batch of old Android 6.0.1 devices describes turning to lightweight, de-googled software after finding the experience surprisingly enjoyable. When attempting to publish a text editor called Tabby on the Play Store, the app was rejected and Google attached a screenshot from an unrelated app containing explicit content as justification; an appeal was denied without explanation. The developer suspects the issue may stem from Google's automatic listing translations linking to a dubious site, and plans to distribute apps via F-Droid and itch.io instead.