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Google has expanded access to its Gemini Daily Brief feature, previously limited to Google AI Plus, Pro, and Ultra subscribers, to free-tier users in the US. The company confirmed the change via an X post and updated its support documentation to remove subscription requirements. The rollout is gradual, so not all eligible users may see the feature immediately.
Android Authority polled over 2,500 readers on Google Messages' new chat theme feature, which lets users customize individual RCS conversations with colors, preset wallpapers, or personal images visible only on their own device. The results split nearly evenly: 36% said they'd long wanted the feature, 33% were undecided but willing to try it, and just over 31% said they'd never use it.
Google has started rolling out a new 'Remembered' tab within its Find Hub app, letting users log the locations of untracked physical objects using Gemini AI or manual entry. The feature, previously announced as part of the September Android Drop, appears in app version 3.1.732-02 but is not yet widely available to all users.
Google Maps users on Android Auto are reporting that the recently rolled-out live speedometer and speed-limit indicator have vanished from the app. Some drivers also say markers for stop signs and traffic lights, which had appeared alongside the feature, are no longer showing up. The speedometer had only begun reaching beta testers in July after Google added a feature long available on mobile and on Apple CarPlay.
GrapheneOS announced it is teaming up with Motorola to produce phones running the privacy-focused custom Android OS. Commentator Switched To Linux says the deal raises unanswered questions and concerns rather than excitement, without detailing specific terms of the arrangement.
Google has rolled out Chrome 153 on desktop, Android, and iOS, marking the switch from a four-week to a two-week release schedule. This follows an earlier announcement that Google would double the frequency of stable Chrome releases to speed delivery of features and fixes.
Multiple Waze users report that switching the app from split-screen to full-screen view on Android Auto causes the navigation information box—showing ETA, arrival time, next turn, and remaining distance—to vanish. Some say the data briefly reappears when an alert pops up, only to disappear again once the alert clears, while at least one user reports the map failing to center properly in either view. Android Authority has contacted Google, and it remains unclear whether the fault lies with a recent Android Auto or Waze update.
GM's 2027 configurator listings show the Cadillac Lyriq still offering CarPlay and Android Auto as standard, despite the company's 2023 announcement that it would drop the phone-mirroring features from future EVs. A Cadillac spokesperson said the brand is evolving its infotainment strategy based on customer feedback while also focusing on its own native interface.
Google is bringing back Now Playing notifications in the shade on Pixel devices, months after removing them during a March update that split the feature into a standalone app. The restored alerts show the song title and artist, plus a shortcut to favorite tracks or view listening history, without needing to unlock the phone. The rollout appears limited so far, based on scattered Reddit reports rather than an official announcement.
Android Authority surveyed nearly 2,200 readers about Google's tougher sideloading measures, which add security checks, a 24-hour delay, and a forced restart before installing apps from outside the Play Store. Roughly 47.5% said the extra friction is always worth it, while another 36.6% said it's worth it for certain apps only, meaning over 80% of respondents remain willing to sideload despite the added steps.
Google's seven-year software commitment for Pixel phones guarantees OS version updates and security patches, but the company now ships its flashiest features through quarterly Pixel Drops and Android Drops rather than the annual Android release. As a result, older Pixels that technically remain 'supported' are increasingly missing out on the features that actually matter to users, while major Android version updates like Android 17 have grown noticeably thin on new capabilities.
Xiaomi unveiled the Pad 9 Pro Max, a flagship Android tablet powered by its own XRing O3 processor, offering up to 16GB RAM and 1TB storage. The 13.3-inch, 144Hz display supports six-app split-screen multitasking via HyperOS 4, and the device can also function as an external monitor through video input. Priced from roughly $715, it's currently available only in China.