Google is expanding access to its Gemini study notebooks feature to users of all ages, provided they sign in with a school- or work-issued Google account and their admin enables the Gemini app and Gemini Notebook. The tool builds personalized study plans, quizzes, and lessons from uploaded notes and course materials, and includes a dashboard tracking strengths and focus areas. The rollout has begun and may take up to 15 days to reach all eligible accounts, though it is not yet available in the European Economic Area.
androidauthority.com
· 2026-09-22
Google has made the games category for Android Auto and Android Automotive OS generally available, ending its beta phase. Developers can now publish compatible titles directly through Google Play's open testing and production tracks, rather than relying on early-access programs.
androidauthority.com
· 2026-09-22
Google is trialing a new Discover feature called 'Dive Deeper' that generates an AI summary of a topic instead of directing users to a publisher's article or video. The tool, similar to Search's AI Overviews, is currently being tested with video content, with more formats expected in coming weeks. It also surfaces links to related stories, community reactions, and original sources for users who want to dig further.
androidauthority.com
· 2026-09-21
Google has begun distributing Pixel VIPs version 2.0.97, delivering the redesign it previewed but did not fully demonstrate at the September Pixel Drop. The update introduces a floating navigation strip for quickly switching between VIP contacts, moves local updates like weather and time higher on the page, and applies Material 3 Expressive visual touches such as scalloped profile frames and outlined icons.
androidauthority.com
· 2026-09-18
Google has updated its Pixel Weather app to include a refresh button on the larger home screen widget, letting users manually pull the latest conditions instead of waiting for background updates. The company also removed the left/right arrow buttons previously used to scrub through hourly and daily forecasts within the app. The changes appear in version 1.1.20260716.979549101 of the app.
androidauthority.com
· 2026-09-18
Google has begun a gradual rollout of a new minimize feature for its Gemini assistant overlay on Android devices. The update adds a visible 'Minimize Gemini' button that shrinks the full-screen overlay into a small draggable bubble, letting users switch to other apps while Gemini continues processing in the background. Reports suggest only a limited number of users currently have access to the feature.
androidauthority.com
· 2026-09-04
Amazon has cut the price of Blink's newest Mini 2K Plus indoor security camera to $21.99, a 45% discount off its regular price. The plug-in camera records at up to 2K resolution with HDR, low-light color vision, infrared night vision, two-way audio, and a built-in siren, and can also work outdoors with an optional weather-resistant adapter.
androidauthority.com
· 2026-09-04
Google's newly launched chat theme feature in Messages, which lets users set custom backgrounds for individual conversations, is causing problems for some users just weeks after its August rollout. Reports include the feature randomly disappearing and reappearing, wallpapers taking one to two seconds to load, and occasional freezing when selecting themes. Google has acknowledged the issue on Reddit and pointed users toward a possible Play Store update fix.
androidauthority.com
· 2026-09-04
Android Authority discovered that Google Gemini's Android app, version 17.55.8, contains unreleased code for a redesigned camera interface that shrinks the viewfinder to roughly half the screen instead of taking up the full display, letting users see chat content behind it. The same build also reveals a reworked '@' menu meant to look cleaner and to automatically hide disabled Connected Apps.
androidauthority.com
· 2026-09-04
MapQuest has rolled out experimental Android Auto integration, letting its navigation app appear on vehicle dashboards for the first time. The September 1 update also introduces crowdsourced incident reporting for crashes, closures, and speed traps. Early testers report bugs like a zoomed-out map view and leftover iOS-related code, including a stray CarPlay notification.
androidauthority.com
· 2026-09-04
Android Authority uncovered a new animation in a Google app beta (v17.55.8) that replaces Search Live's current gradient effect with small, blurry colorful blobs at the bottom of the screen. The beta also shows a reworked control layout that drops text labels, centers the microphone button, and adds a waveform animation when users speak.
androidauthority.com
· 2026-09-04
Google has integrated its Gemini Spark AI assistant with Google Photos, letting it perform multi-step tasks like editing, organizing, and sharing images from a single prompt. Spark can also extract text from photos, summarize events, build visual stories, and run recurring tasks such as weekly album updates sent automatically to family or friends. The feature is rolling out gradually and currently limited to US users 18 and older with a Google AI Pro or Ultra subscription.
androidauthority.com
· 2026-09-04
GoKawiil