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

Google Photos: Video editor overhaul
New video editor
- Designed with Material 3 Expressive in mind (for Android), now the editor supports multi-clip editing and storytelling too
- Larger preview and carousel toolbar within your reach, includes Auto, Crop, Adjust, Filters, Audio, Speed, Music, and Text options
- Compact video timeline with scrubbing support that lets you handle multiple clips with ease

Templates
- Choose pre-set formats with music, text and cuts prepared and synced to a soundtrack (Find it in the Create tab, then select "Highlight video" on Android)
- Soundtrack library is categorised into Bright, Chill, Dramatic, Funky, Inspiring, Romantic, and Sad
- Text overlays can be customised with various fonts, colours and backgrounds

RAW Photos editing on web
- Upon clicking Edit, you get the option to edit on the go or download it onto your device
- The photo will be converted to JPEG if edited with Google Photos

More info: Google Blog | Google Photos Community
#Apps #Photos @PixelHubUpdates

Pixel 10a leaked specs from Verizon
- Specifications are similar to its predecessor Pixel 9a
- Codename: stallion (also referred as STA5)
- 48MP Wide + 13MP Ultra-Wide + 13MP Front
- 5,100 mAh battery
- Previous leaked renders & specs

Source: Evan Blass
#Pixel #Pixel10a @PixelHubUpdates

Android Emergency Live Video sharing
- Emergency dispatchers can request a live video feed from your phone when you call or text them, no additional setup required
- Video feed is encrypted by default, users can stop sharing it at any time
- Available for Android 8+ devices with Google Play services across the U.S., and select regions of Germany and Mexico.

#Android @PixelHubUpdates

Google Search: Easily access your trusted sources
- Preferred Sources is now rolling out globally for English-language users, and early next year for all supported languages
- Get access to the source you trust easily in "Top Stories" and "From your sources" while searching
- Links from your subscribed publications will be shown in a dedicated carousel, arriving in the coming weeks for Gemini (app), follow by AI Overviews and AI Mode
- More inline links in AI Mode with updated design, including contextual introductions
- Web Guide helps to organise the results page into topic groups, now 2x faster
-
More info: Google Blog
#Apps #Search @PixelHubUpdates

BREAKING: After Google Sans Flex ... "Google Sans" itself is now available to use directly from Google Fonts (variable font too) 🤯

Link: https://fonts.google.com/specimen/Google+Sans

Note: For those of you who knew static Google Sans Text, this is now part of this one single variable font by toggling the optical size!

Follow @TechLeaksZone

Google Translate with Gemini integration
- Powered by Gemini behind the scene, now capable of translating sentences with nuanced meanings better (first available in the U.S. and India with around 20 languages)
- Live Translate will let you hear real-time translation if you have headphones (beta in the U.S., Mexico, and India; 70+ languages supported)

Language learning tool (on Android and iOS)
- Added speaking practice, with a streak counter you can keep track of
- Now made available in Germany, India, Sweden, and Taiwan
- Newly added courses: English to German and Portuguese; Bengali, Mandarin Chinese (Simplified), Dutch, German, Hindi, Italian, Romanian, and Swedish to English

More info: Google Blog
#Apps #Translate @PixelHubUpdates

Gemini 2.5 Flash Native Audio
Search Live
- The responses are more fluid and expressive with the upgraded Gemini audio model
- Accessible via Live icon under the search bar
- Rolling out gradually starting next week in the U.S.

Custom usage
- Third-party developers can build upon it for better voice agents and speech translation purposes
- Preview with Gemini API, available in Vertex AI

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

Google Search Trivia
- A new "+" button appears on the left side of the search bar, with options to upload image or file, which will later redirect you to AI Mode
- Currently dragging files will lead you to Google Lens

Easter Egg
- 67: No meaning but people just follow; the page will move around with a bouncy effect
- John Cena: You can’t see me; tapping on the button will show a waving hand, with the content slowly fading away

#Apps #Google #EasterEgg @PixelHubUpdates

NotebookLM December 2025 Update
- Add images by using camera directly on the mobile app
- Chat History is available for everyone, all of your conversations in every notebook should now be preserved in the cloud
- Gemini will let you attach notebook from NotebookLM, then answer based on the provided sources
- AI Ultra gets you up to 600 notebooks and 5k chats every day, alongside 10x the usage limits of AI Pro in various features, plus watermark removal and earlier access to key feature (More info)

#Apps #NotebookLM @PixelHubUpdates

CC: An experimental AI agent focuses on daily productivity
- Get a morning briefing with "Your days ahead," information retrieved from Gmail, Drive, and Calendar, as well as the Internet
- The briefing outlines the things you need to do throughout the day like getting ready for an appointment or paying your bill
- The service, powered by Gemini, can also help to write email drafts and add calendar links with custom requests
- Waitlist is open for users over 18 in the U.S. and Canada, prioritises Google AI Ultra and paid subscribers

More info: Google Labs
#Labs #Gemini @PixelHubUpdates

Gemini 3 Flash
Gemini App
- The base Gemini 3 model is rolling out globally in the Gemini app, including signed out users
- "Thinking" is also powered by Gemini 3 Flash, but is meant to answer complex questions faster (rate limit applies)
- Uses 30% fewer tokens on average and 3x faster performance than 2.5 Pro
- Gemini can also now build mini-apps with Opal, this can be found over at Gems

AI Mode in Search
- Gemini 3 Flash is also available in AI Mode for everyone to use
- Gemini 3 Pro is made available for everyone in the U.S. by selecting "Thinking with 3 Pro," with expanded access to Nano Banana Pro

Miscellaneous
- Gemini API: $0.50/1M input tokens and $3/1M output tokens (audio input: $1/1M input tokens)
- The model is now generally available in Gemini API in Google AI Studio, Google Antigravity, Vertex AI, Gemini Enterprise, Gemini CLI and Android Studio

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

Mid December 2025 Android 16 Pixel Update
- Build ID: BP4A.251205.006.E1
- This update is only available for Pixel 8 to Pixel 10 series, including Pixel 9 Pro Fold and Pixel 10 Pro Fold.
- Google has not made any announcement regarding the update, with no released factory and OTA images yet. (As of December 19, Google has posted the new builds on their website.)

Fixes (list of changes provided by Verizon)
- Battery drain: Faster than normal battery depletion.
- Touch unresponsive: Intermittent touch failures observed specifically on Pixel 10.
- Cached content access: Inaccessibility of locally stored content (e.g., offline media, maps) after upgrading from Android 14 or earlier directly to Android 16.

Download: Factory Images | OTA Images
#Updates #A16 #Pixel @PixelHubUpdates

Android 16 QPR3 Beta 1
- Build ID: CP11.251114.006, CP11.251114.004.A1 (Pixel 7a)
- December 2025 Security Patch
- Play Services: 25.41.31
- Pixel 10 series receive the long-requested GPU update with Vulkan 1.4 support

What's New
- Adjust flashlight brightness from QS tile
- New button order for 3-button navigation (Recents, Home, Back)
- Blue indicator when location is used, with options to close the app and manage access
- Slight tweak for "Edit tiles" page
- Slight tweak for long pressing widget should give you popup options to remove or go to widget settings
- New folder animation, with background dimming upon expanding
- At A Glance is now removable from home screen for Pixel devices

Download: Factory Images | OTA Images | GSI
Changes: Android Developers
#Updates #A16 #Beta #Pixel @PixelHubUpdates