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GrapheneOS says Android 17 QPR1, released for Pixels on September 15, contains a regression in the Pixel kernel driver tree that causes stuttering, lag and freezes under memory pressure, severe enough to trigger process kills. GrapheneOS inherited the bug through its firmware/driver updates but says it has shipped a fix in today's release, linking the kernel commit on GitLab.
A CNET writer connected Google's Gemini chatbot directly to a Gmail account containing more than 192,000 unread messages, including over 93,000 in the Promotions folder. Gemini generated targeted Gmail search queries, such as filtering Nextdoor alerts about lost or dead animals, which the writer then ran manually in Gmail's search bar to locate and bulk-delete unwanted threads.
Samsung raised prices across its entire Galaxy A lineup for the second time this week, with the A17 5G rising from $200 to $270, the A27 5G to $380, the A37 5G to $490, and the A57 5G to $600. Google increased the Pixel 10a's price by $100, from $499 to $599 in the US, with an even steeper jump in Canada from $679 to $849.
A writer researched the origin of the oft-cited line 'the only intuitive interface is the nipple, after that it's all learned,' commonly attributed to Bruce Ediger. Tracing Usenet archives, the earliest related idea appears in an August 1994 post by Scott Francis, with a closer wording posted by Jay Vollmer in January 1995, before Ediger began using and refining variants of the phrase from February through April 1995.
Google has acknowledged a bug affecting a subset of Google Messages users that disrupts delivery of RCS messages, particularly media attachments like GIFs and photos. A company spokesperson told Android Authority that a fix is already being rolled out and will reach all affected users over the coming weeks.
Google is experimenting with a Chrome Canary flag called 'Biometric reauth for password filling' that requires a fingerprint or face scan before autofilling saved passwords on Android. The feature appeared in version 157.0.8083.0 and was spotted by browser researcher Leopeva64, who demonstrated it triggering an authentication prompt. Google previously tested a similar feature in 2024 before pulling it ahead of a stable release.
Researchers have identified a scam that begins with a sponsored Google ad for ChatGPT, which directs users to a custom GPT hosted on OpenAI's real domain. That custom GPT displays a fake 'Service Availability Notice' urging users to either upgrade to Plus or click a 'backup domain' link, the latter of which leads to malware installation. Because the page sits on the genuine chat.openai.com domain and shows the user's logged-in account, the only visible red flag is an unfamiliar model name like 'Plus 5.6.'
Google is reportedly preparing an update that would let users set different default durations for new events on each individual calendar, rather than applying a single global setting. This change was observed in the latest version of the Android Calendar app, indicating a shift towards more granular customization. Currently, users can only set one default event length across all their calendars, but the upcoming update could enhance scheduling flexibility for those managing multiple calendars.
A court has dismissed lawsuits brought by Chegg and Penske that accused Google of monopolistic practices in AI search technology. The judge's ruling clears Google of these allegations, which aimed to challenge its market dominance. The cases had sought to address concerns over competitive fairness in AI-driven search services.
Google has quietly increased the Pixel 10a's US price from $499 to $599, with the change also reflected on Amazon and Best Buy listings. Archived listings show similar jumps in Canada (from roughly $529 CAD to $849 CAD) and the UK (from £429 to £599), suggesting the hike spans multiple markets. Google has not publicly commented on the price change.
Finnish newspaper Kaleva reports Google cleared more than 300 hectares of forest across four sites in northern Finland for two new data centers while required environmental assessments were still underway. The Finnish Nature Conservation Association says Google's local project company, Tuike Finland Oy, began felling trees months before the reviews concluded, and has asked regulators to halt activity until the assessments finish. Google says the clearing complied with Finland's Forestry Act and that it had already conducted extensive environmental evaluations.
Amazon has cut the price of the Marshall Major V wireless headphones to $89.99, down from a $129.99 list price, a 31% discount. The sale price sits just $2 above the headphones' lowest recorded price to date.