Gemini 3
Gemini App
- Brand new UI and organisation, with all files accesible in "My Stuff"
- Gemini 3 Pro available via model picker as "Thinking", rolling out today for everyone
- Visual layout: An immersive, magazine-style view complete with photos and modules, with various choices to customise the result
- Dynamic view: Real-time generation of a custom user interface with interactive elements

Gemini Agent
- An experimental feature for handling multi-step tasks in Gemini directly, by utilising Deep Research, Canvas, connected Workspace apps, and live web browsing
- Users will get options to either decline or confirm the actions
- Generate draft emails and let you send it without leaving the app
- Available for AI Ultra subscribers in the U.S.

Miscellaneous
- Gemini API: $2.00 per input prompt; $12.00 per output prompt
- Google AI Mode: Available for AI Pro and AI Ultra subscribers in the U.S.
- Gemini CLI: Available for AI Ultra subscribers

More info: Google Blog
#Apps #Gemini @PixelHubUpdates

Google Maps: Know before you go
- Know before you go: Gemini helps you to look through reviews and information from websites to let you know what to expect at the particular place (Android and iOS, U.S. only)
- Explore (updated): Find more nearby places to visit and experience with curated lists from Viator, Lonely Planet, OpenTable, and local influencers (Android and iOS)
- EV chargers availability: Showing real-time availability of EV chargers around you, with estimation of remaning battery upon arrival (Android Auto and Android Automotive)
- Nickname in reviews: Leave a review with your preferred display name (Android, iOS, Web)

More info: Google Blog
#Apps #Maps @PixelHubUpdates

Nano Banana Pro (Gemini 3 Pro Image)
- Based on newly announced Gemini 3 Pro (choose "Thinking" in model picker)
- More accurate, context-rich visuals based on real world information
- More legible text with various languages supported in the image
- Maintain consistency with up to 14 images and resemblance of up to 5 people
- Adjust camera angles, change the focus, apply sophisticated color grading, and transform scene lighting, with multiple aspect ratios in 2K and 4K resolution
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Miscellaneous
- SynthID: Check whether content is AI-generated (@SynthID in Gemini app)
- Gemini API: $0.134/image (2K), $0.24/image (4K)
- No watermarks for Google Ai Pro subscribers and within Google AI Studio developer tool
- More accessible, now also in: AI Mode (U.S. AI plan subscribers), NotebookLM (AI plan subscribers), Google Slides (Workspace), Google Vids (Workspace), Google Ads, Gemini API, Vertex, Google Antigravity, Flow

More info: Google Blog (2)
#Apps #Gemini @PixelHubUpdates

Quick Share on Pixel 10: Now compatible with AirDrop
- Now you can send and receive files with Apple devices that has AirDrop functionality seamlessly
- To receive files on either side, set visibility to "Everyone for 10 minutes" on the receiving device
- Currently available for Pixel 10, Pixel 10 Pro, Pixel 10 Pro XL, and Pixel 10 Pro Fold, with more devices coming soon

More info: Android Help | Google Blog
#News #Pixel10 @PixelHubUpdates

Gemini in Android Auto
- Add stops in Google Maps and ask follow-up questions to learn more about the place
- Send and translate messages in more than 40 languages
- Find and summarise the information you want from your Gmail inbox
- Generate playlists on demand with YouTube Music and Spotify
- Gemini Live lets you deep dive into a topic
- This will be available in the coming months, activate by "Hey Google," press the mic button or long press the voice control button (Gemini app on phone needed)

More info: Google Blog
#Apps #Gemini #Auto @PixelHubUpdates

Gemini 3 and Nano Banana Pro in AI Mode for more people
- Gemini 3, alongside Nano Banana Pro, is integrated into AI Mode for more countries (AI Pro and AI Ultra subscribers only)
- Gemini 3 is available in most countries (around 120); Nano Banana Pro is available in 16 countries where image generation is supported already
- Available as "Thinking with 3 Pro" in model drop-down menu, currently only English language is supported

More info: Google Blog | Google Help (2)
#Apps #Search @PixelHubUpdates

The Android Show | XR Edition
- December 8, 2025 | 10 a.m. PT
- Android XR is welcoming a new product category: Glasses
- Google is also expected to cover the latest innovations and experiences made on the platform

More info: YouTube
#News #Android @PixelHubUpdates

December 2025 Android 16 (QPR2) Pixel Update
- Build ID: BP4A.251205.006
- Battery & Charging: Fixed blank or question mark battery icon issue
- Battery & Charging: Fixed 80% charge limit issue
- Display & Graphics: Fix Always-On Display respond issue
- Framework: Fixed toggling "Extra Dim" Quick Settings tile issue
- Framework: Fixed memory leak due to splash screens not closing properly
- Framework: Improved stability when using Picture-in-Picture mode during display changes
- Sensors: Fix for stability issues caused by memory allocation failures in sensor-related features
- User Interface: Fixed keyboard flickering when searching in the app drawer
- User Interface: Fix for an issue with Google Home controls launch as a blank screen
- User Interface: Fixed screen freeze issue when using gesture navigation or app switching
- User Interface: Fixed notification sound not playing issue
- User Interface: Fix for issue with layouts and animations during transitions
- User Interface: Fixed overlapping UI elements in the notification shade
- User Interface: Fixed semi-transparent background issue after launching the camera by double-pressing power button
- User Interface: Fix for issue with swipe-up gestures failing to trigger overview or exit apps
- User Interface: Fixed Quick Settings (QS) shade issue
- User Interface: Resolved System UI crashing when interacting with notification onboarding buttons
- User Interface: Resolved notification shade sometimes incorrectly display the quick settings shelf instead of notifications after unlocking the screen

Download: Factory Images | OTA Images
Changes: Pixel Community | Android Security Bulletin | Pixel Security Bulletin
#Updates #A16 #Pixel @PixelHubUpdates

Android 16 QPR2
- SDK version: 36.1
- Notification organizer: Group and silence lower-priority notifications, keeps track of what's important easily
- Low light mode: Automatically switch to dimmed clock when ambient light drops
- Enhanced HDR brightness: Adjust screen brightness intensity while displaying HDR content
- Reduce blur effects: Disable blur effects system-wide
- Lock screen widgets: Get a glimpse of widgets' content without unlocking your phone
- 90:10 split screen mode: Apps swap positions upon tapping the smaller window
- GUI in Linux Terminal: Use Linux more easily with graphical desktop applications, alongside expanded file access
- Touchpads and mice improvements: Navigating Android with mouse got easier
- Custom icon shapes: Available in square, four-sided cookie, seven-sided cookie, and an arch
- Themed icons: This is now applied to all apps when enabled
- Expanded dark theme: This tries to apply dark mode on unsupported apps
- Parental Controls: Set screen time, app usage, downtime and more from a new dedicated page
- Failed Authentication Lock toggle: You can disable the behavior of screen locking upon five failed attempts
- Health Connect: Record and show steps tracked by your device directly
- Android Easter Egg: Showcasing the use of Live Updates
- A lot more small tweaks and changes waiting for you to discover :)

More info: Android Authority | Google Blog
#Android #A16 @PixelHubUpdates

December 2025 Android Update
- Expressive Captions: Display emotion tags of how someone is speaking or the ambient sounds in the background, all without turning on the sound
- Emoji Kitchen sticker combos: Now you can create more combinations of two emojis
- Call Reason: Flag a call to your contact as "urgent," with the recipient being able to see it on the incoming screen and call history if missed
- Report and leave unwanted group chats: An alert banner shows up if you were added by someone unknown, with the options to leave the group and report the number.
- Circle to Search (Scams): Find whether the message is legit, with relevant guidance and steps
- Pin tabs in Chrome: Keep important tabs and access it with ease

More info: Google Blog
#Android @PixelHubUpdates

YouTube Recap
- Different from Music Recap, this summarises what you have watched on YouTube instead
- Get up to 12 different cards to get a glimpse of what you have been checking out lately, with a "Personality" card (14 types available) based on videos you watched
- Top Artists and Songs included if you listened to a lot of music on the platform
- Rolling out in North America now and globally next week; currently supports 17 major languages
- Available on the homepage and "You" tab for mobile devices and desktop

#Apps #YouTube @PixelHubUpdates

Android in-call scam protection: Now launching in US
- A warning pop-up window appears if you are sharing screen in certain apps while on a phone call with an unknown number (not saved in contacts)
- A 30-second pause period to continue without hanging up, with an apparent "End call now" button
- Newly added U.S. participating apps: JPMorgan Chase and Cash App (with more financial and bank apps to come)
- Available on devices running Android 11 and later, pilot test in the U.S. starting this month

More info: Google Security Blog
#Android @PixelHubUpdates

Year in Search 2025
- A list of search terms that people have been checking out over the year
- Gemini makes it way to the top position
- Arc Raiders steals the show for gaming category
- Golden - HUNTR/X peaks the Hum to Search chart
- Livraria Lello (bookstore) from Portugal, Japan's Kyoto Station and Lalbagh Botanical Garden in India are some of the most looked-up places on Google Maps

Complete list: Google's Year in Search
#News #Search @PixelHubUpdates

Miscellaneous Dec 2025 updates from Google
Gemini
- Gemini 3 Deep Think: Now available for AI Ultra subscribers by selecting "Deep Think" and Gemini 3 Pro in the model dropdown.
- Better chat customisation with NotebookLM: Previously limited to 500 characters, now you can write up to 10,000 characters to define the style you want for the chat output.
- Higher rate limits for Google Antigravity: AI Pro and AI Ultra subscribers receive higher rate limits with quota refreshing every five hours (every week for everyone else)

Android & Pixel
- Android 16 QPR2 source code: Publicly available at the time of release, with a minor SDK version bump from 36 to 36.1.
- Quick Tap improvements: Triggering shortcuts with double tapping the back of your Pixel phone gets easier, as Google lowered the intensity for the tap detection.
- Screen-off Fingerprint Unlock: For Pixel 9 and Pixel 10 series on Dec 2025 update with an ultrasonic fingerprint scanner (Pixel 9a and Fold devices excluded).

Others
- Google Play Books 15th birthday: Earn 15x Play Points with any Play Books purchases between Dec 5 and Dec 7.

Present issues
- The missing Pixel 7a update: Pixel 7a suffered a critical Wi-Fi stability bug, with the updates being postponed to mid-Dec or January 5th, 2026.
- YouTube Music not playing offline songs: Multiple users mentioned downloaded songs aren't playing on YouTube Music, Google hasn't provided a timeline on when the issue will be fixed.
- Android Beta without data wipe: Users who have hopped onto the beta program and wish to opt-out without wiping might have to wait for a little while before Google released the no-data-wipe OTA. As of December 9, the OTA update has been released.

#News #Gemini #NotebookLM #Android #YTMusic @PixelHubUpdates

Chrome Autofill: Tap more, type less
-Deeper integration with your Google account enables autofill suggestions while filling up your personal information like Home and Work addresses
- Besides, Autofill can also extract information from your Google Wallet to help you quickly fill in your loyalty card numbers, travel details, and vehicle information (along with the ability to save vehicle information to your Google Wallet)
- View and choose the autofill suggestions more easily with two-line display on Android, appearing right on top of your keyboard
- More accurate addresses for every part of the world (taking care of details such as 'between streets' descriptions in Mexico, and phonetic names in Japan.)

More info: Google Blog
#Apps #Chrome @PixelHubUpdates

Chrome 142: HLS support
- ICYDK: HTTP Live Streaming is a widely used streaming protocol developed by Apple, primarily stored in a .m3u8 file format
- Before Chrome 142, opening the link to this file with the desktop browser will download the playlist to your device
- After four years of hardwork, the Chromium team managed to implement the playback feature
- Now you can play the file directly in the browser without additional software on any device

More info: Chromium Issue Tracker
#Apps #Chrome @PixelHubUpdates

Android Canary 2512
- Build ID: ZP11.251121.010
- Better Android iPhone switching (not live)

Download: Android Flash Tool | Pixel Factory Images Tracker
More info: Android Developers | BetaWiki
#Updates #A16 #Canary #Pixel @PixelHubUpdates

Gemini stays ad-free, says Google
- Google's dedicated Gemini app will not have any ads for an extended period of time
- AI Overview in Search will start to feature ads in more countries

Source: AdsLiaison
#News #Gemini @PixelHubUpdates

Pixel 9 Pro & Pixel 9 Pro XL Extended Repair Program
- Free display replacement for affected device that is bought within 3 years after the original retail purchase date.
- Eligibility requirement: A vertical line appears on the display that run from bottom to top or the device suffers display flickering issue (physical inspection will be done to verify).
- Other issues such as cracked displays or cover-glass will need to go through standard procedure.
- Any repair under this extended-repair program is warrantied for 90 days.
- Repair can be done in Google walk-in center or an authorized center. Online-repair options are also available.

Pixel 9 Pro Fold Extended Warranty Program
- Free device replacement for impacted Pixel 9 Pro Fold that is bought within 3 years after the original retail purchase date.
- Terms are mostly the same except the eligibility requirement isn't mentioned.

More info: Pixel Phone Help (2)
#Pixel #Pixel9 @PixelHubUpdates

Google to release new glasses powered by Android XR
AI glasses
- Designed for screen-free assistance, includes speakers, microphones and cameras
- Show you helpful information while navigating or translating
- Developing together with Samsung, partnering with Gentle Monster and Warby Parker, expected to launch around 2026

Wired XR glasses
- A portable form factor that brings in headset-like immersion
- Project Aura from XREAL, the first device of this category will be launching next year
- Equipped with a 70-degree field of view and optical see-through technology

Binocular glasses
- Individual micro-display for each eye, allows for viewing things with depth
- Currently a proof of concept with no commercial release planned yet

Android XR improvements (Galaxy XR)
- Android XR Developer Preview 3 now available for testing
- PC Connect let you link Windows PC to your headset
- Travel mode keeps everything in position when you are on a moving transportation
- Create a digital representation of your face with Likeness that mirrors your facial expressions and hand gestures in real-time

More info: Google Blog
#Android #XR @PixelHubUpdates

December 2025 WearOS 6.1 Pixel Watch Update
- Build ID: BP4A.251205.005.W7
- New one-handed gestures: Double pinch and Wrist turn to execute actions without finger or voice input for Pixel Watch 4; Raise to Talk gets new tutorial
- Smart Replies powered by Gemma: Available for Pixel Watch 3 and newer, 2x faster and 3x more efficient in terms of memory usage compared to previous approach

Download: Factory Images | OTA Images
Changes: Pixel Watch Community | Wear OS Security Bulletin | Pixel Watch Security Bulletin
#Updates #W6 #Watch @PixelHubUpdates