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A new third-party app called Now On Wrist relays song-recognition results from a Pixel phone's Now Playing feature to a paired Wear OS smartwatch. It can display detected tracks via notifications, a watch face complication, or a dedicated tile, and tapping a result opens the song in apps like YouTube Music or Spotify. The app requires Wear OS 3.0 or newer and is available now on Google Play.
Google has introduced a feature called Motion Assist that aims to reduce motion sickness when using a phone in a moving vehicle. The feature requires Android 17 or higher and an updated version of Google Play Services, and is available on devices like the Pixel 11 and Samsung phones running One UI 9. Users can enable it by searching 'Motion Assist' in their phone's settings.
A GitHub repository has published design files, firmware, and build instructions for a novel physical keyboard called the Gboard Conveyor Belt Version, dated October 1, 2026. The release includes KiCad schematics, PCB layouts, firmware source, and 3D-printable STL files for the case and mechanism, alongside a build guide. The project explicitly states it is not an official Google product, distinguishing it from Google's actual Gboard mobile app.
Google will run a week-long Play Fest from October 13 to 19, merging Google Play discounts with a Play Points rewards program for the first time. Users can redeem points in sweepstakes for prizes like exclusive merchandise, tech gear and tickets to major sporting events, while purchases during the event earn boosted points, with Play Pass subscribers getting double points and book buyers up to 15x points.
Google has activated its developer verification system on certified Android devices in Brazil, Indonesia, Singapore, and Thailand, blocking installation of apps from unverified developers by default. A global rollout is planned for 2027. Users can still sideload apps via methods including Google's multi-step Advanced Flow, ADB, Shizuku, rooting, or custom ROMs such as LineageOS and GrapheneOS.
Google's new Android developer verification rules took effect September 30 in four countries, requiring apps from participating stores—including Google Play, Galaxy Store, and others—to come from registered developers on certified devices running Android 7 or later. Users can still sideload unverified apps through a new advanced flow, but it requires enabling a developer option, authenticating, restarting the device, and waiting 24 hours before installation is allowed.
A teardown of Google Play Services version 26.38.30 uncovered text strings referencing a notification that would say Motion Assist was activated by Transit mode. This suggests Google is working on tying its anti-motion-sickness screen cues directly to Pixel's Transit mode rather than requiring manual activation.
Android Authority found new code in Play Store version 53.3.21-34 showing a more developed layout for paid game listings, featuring larger banner graphics and color-matched interface elements. The update also appears to replace numeric ratings with descriptive labels such as 'Absolute peak' or 'Controversial,' and is expected to add more detailed feature information for shoppers.
Teardown of Google Play Store version 53.3.21-34 uncovered code strings referencing a new 'playlist' feature that would let users group at least three games into a custom collection. The strings suggest users could name, describe, and color-code these playlists, plus add, remove, or delete games from them later. Google has not confirmed the feature publicly.
Google announced new subscription billing tools for Google Play, including usage-based billing that lets apps like AI services charge from a prepaid balance that auto-tops-up. It's also adding multi-quantity subscriptions for organizations, mixed one-time/subscription checkouts, and cross-developer subscription bundles, alongside tests of smarter grace periods, cancellation discounts, and winback offers.
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.
Microsoft's Windows Subsystem for Android, once planned to let Windows 11 run Android apps natively, was discontinued in 2024. Users now rely on third-party emulators like BlueStacks and NetEase's MuMuPlayer, or Google's Play Games for PC, which streams a limited catalog of opted-in Android games via a lightweight virtual machine. Windows 11's Phone Link can also mirror a connected Android phone's screen and apps, though it runs the apps on the phone rather than the PC.