Simpler Weather icons spark debate on Android https://www.samandroid.com/2025/07/07/simpler-weather-icons-spark-debate-on-android/
SamAndroid - Samsung and Android
Simpler Weather icons spark debate on Android
Google’s At a Glance widget, a handy feature on Pixel home screens, shows quick info like weather, calendar events, and more. Recently, Android 16 QPR1 beta users noticed a change: the weather icons have gone flat and colorless. Instead of vibrant images—like…
Gemini app gets a fresh blue look https://www.samandroid.com/2025/07/07/gemini-app-gets-a-fresh-blue-look/
SamAndroid - Samsung and Android
Gemini app gets a fresh blue look
Google is giving its Gemini app a colorful update, making it look sharper and more user-friendly on mobile devices. The app’s new icon, now widely available, swaps the old blue-purple gradient for a vibrant blue design. This change is part of a broader effort…
How to hide the AI Mode shortcut on your Pixel’s search bar https://www.samandroid.com/2025/07/07/how-to-hide-the-ai-mode-shortcut-on-your-pixels-search-bar/
SamAndroid - Samsung and Android
How to hide the AI Mode shortcut on your Pixel’s search bar
Google recently added an AI Mode shortcut to the Pixel Launcher’s search bar, making it easy to jump into AI-powered searches from your home screen. However, not everyone loves this new feature. Some users find it annoying, often tapping it by mistake when…
Pixel 10 Pro storage and color details leaked https://www.samandroid.com/2025/07/08/pixel-10-pro-storage-and-color-details-leaked/
SamAndroid - Samsung and Android
Pixel 10 Pro storage and color details leaked
Google’s Pixel 10 Pro is generating buzz with new leaks revealing its storage and color options. According to recent reports, the phone will start with a base storage of 128GB, which might disappoint some fans hoping for more. Higher storage options, including…
Android’s new AI tool to sort your notifications https://www.samandroid.com/2025/07/08/androids-new-ai-tool-to-sort-your-notifications/
SamAndroid - Samsung and Android
Android’s new AI tool to sort your notifications
Google is working on a handy new feature called the “notification organizer” for Android phones, which could make managing notifications much easier. This tool uses artificial intelligence to group your notifications into categories, helping you focus on…
Android’s new notification summary feature: a smarter approach https://www.samandroid.com/2025/07/08/androids-new-notification-summary-feature-a-smarter-approach/
SamAndroid - Samsung and Android
Android’s new notification summary feature: a smarter approach
Google is developing a handy feature for Android 16 that summarizes your notifications, making it easier to stay on top of your messages. Unlike Apple’s similar tool, which faced issues for trying to summarize too many types of notifications, Android’s version…
Google Play protect may soon scan web apps for safety https://www.samandroid.com/2025/07/08/google-play-protect-may-soon-scan-web-apps-for-safety/
SamAndroid - Samsung and Android
Google Play protect may soon scan web apps for safety
Google Play Protect, the built-in security tool for Android devices, might soon check Progressive Web Apps (PWAs) and WebAPKs during installation to keep users safe. These web-based apps, which can be added to your home screen via a browser like Chrome, are…
Google Pixel 10 prototype appears on Chinese auction site https://www.samandroid.com/2025/07/08/google-pixel-10-prototype-appears-on-chinese-auction-site/
SamAndroid - Samsung and Android
Google Pixel 10 prototype appears on Chinese auction site
A prototype of Google’s upcoming Pixel 10 has surfaced on a Chinese auction website, giving us an early peek at the 2025 smartphone. The listing, found on a site similar to eBay, showcases a Pixel 10 prototype motherboard from an Engineering Validation Testing…
Google updates Gemini and Gmail with fresh features https://www.samandroid.com/2025/07/08/google-updates-gemini-and-gmail-with-fresh-features/
SamAndroid - Samsung and Android
Google updates Gemini and Gmail with fresh features
Google is rolling out exciting changes to its Gemini app and Gmail, making them more user-friendly and colorful. These updates aim to improve how you interact with Google’s tools on your Android device. The Gemini app now sports a vibrant new look. Its overlay…
Pixel’s July 2025 update brings small fixes for Android 16 https://www.samandroid.com/2025/07/08/pixels-july-2025-update-brings-small-fixes-for-android-16/
SamAndroid - Samsung and Android
Pixel’s July 2025 update brings small fixes for Android 16
Google has started rolling out the July 2025 update for Android 16, targeting Pixel 9 Pro, 9 Pro XL, 9 Pro Fold, and 9a devices. This is the first monthly patch for Android 16, but it’s a light one with just two fixes and no security updates. The update began…
New Android settings page for Google System apps https://www.samandroid.com/2025/07/09/new-android-settings-page-for-google-system-apps/
SamAndroid - Samsung and Android
New Android settings page for Google System apps
Google is rolling out a fresh “System Services” settings page for Android devices running version 6.0 or higher. This update makes it easier to see and manage the Google apps that work in the background to keep your phone running smoothly. The new page lists…
Gemini set to replace Google Assistant in Android Auto https://www.samandroid.com/2025/07/09/gemini-set-to-replace-google-assistant-in-android-auto/
SamAndroid - Samsung and Android
Gemini set to replace Google Assistant in Android Auto
Google is slowly swapping out Google Assistant for its newer AI, Gemini, in Android Auto. A recent look into the Android Auto app (version 14.8.152744) shows signs of this change, with Google Assistant’s branding disappearing from the app’s settings. We activated…
Google Photos’ new remix tool gets a fresh look https://www.samandroid.com/2025/07/09/google-photos-new-remix-tool-gets-a-fresh-look/
SamAndroid - Samsung and Android
Google Photos’ new remix tool gets a fresh look
Google Photos is preparing to launch its Remix feature, a fun tool that uses AI to turn your still images into short video clips. This feature, first spotted in May, has now received a sleek update to make it easier and more exciting to use. With just a tap…
Google’s Gemini AI arrives on smartwatches https://www.samandroid.com/2025/07/09/googles-gemini-ai-arrives-on-smartwatches/
SamAndroid - Samsung and Android
Google’s Gemini AI arrives on smartwatches
Google is bringing its Gemini AI to Wear OS smartwatches, starting with the Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 series. This new AI assistant replaces the older Google Assistant, offering a smarter way to interact with your watch. You can now talk to Gemini using voice…
New tweaks for Chrome tab groups on Android https://www.samandroid.com/2025/07/10/new-tweaks-for-chrome-tab-groups-on-android/
SamAndroid - Samsung and Android
New tweaks for Chrome tab groups on Android
Google recently updated Chrome for Android, making small but helpful changes to how Tab Groups work. These updates focus on improving the control strip at the bottom of the screen, making it easier to manage your tabs. The control strip now has a cleaner…
New packaging for Google TV streamer https://www.samandroid.com/2025/07/10/new-packaging-for-google-tv-streamer/
SamAndroid - Samsung and Android
New packaging for Google TV streamer
Google has updated the packaging for its Google TV Streamer, making it more user-friendly and secure while sticking to its eco-friendly goals. Last year, the company switched to plastic-free packaging for all its devices, part of a plan set in 2020. The Google…
Concerns rise over Google’s Tensor G5 chip performance https://www.samandroid.com/2025/07/10/concerns-rise-over-googles-tensor-g5-chip-performance/
SamAndroid - Samsung and Android
Concerns rise over Google’s Tensor G5 chip performance
Recent benchmark tests for Google’s upcoming Pixel 10 Pro Fold have raised doubts about the new Tensor G5 chip. The Geekbench results show scores that worry some tech fans, suggesting the chip might not perform as well as hoped. Compared to the older Tensor…
Gemini’s home screen gets a fresh look https://www.samandroid.com/2025/07/10/geminis-home-screen-gets-a-fresh-look/
SamAndroid - Samsung and Android
Gemini’s home screen gets a fresh look
Google is giving its Gemini app a simple yet stylish update on Android devices, making it look sharper and more user-friendly. The home screen’s input box is getting a makeover, becoming larger with a subtle shadow effect for a modern touch. The box now has…
Google Phone app gets a fresh, user-friendly look https://www.samandroid.com/2025/07/10/google-phone-app-gets-a-fresh-user-friendly-look/
SamAndroid - Samsung and Android
Google Phone app gets a fresh, user-friendly look
Google is giving its Phone app a makeover with a new design called Material 3 Expressive, making it more modern and easier to use. A recent analysis of the app’s beta version (180.0.771769344) shows exciting updates that improve how users interact with calls…
Gemini AI now on Wear OS smartwatches https://www.samandroid.com/2025/07/10/gemini-ai-now-on-wear-os-smartwatches/
SamAndroid - Samsung and Android
Gemini AI now on Wear OS smartwatches
Google is bringing its Gemini AI to Wear OS smartwatches, replacing Google Assistant with a smarter, more conversational helper. The update, rolling out through the Play Store, is already available for some users and will reach more Wear OS 4+ devices, like…