With the previous round of offers ending last week, the US Google Store is running New Year’s deals ahead of 2026.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle Store New Year’s deals discount Pixel Watch 4
Author
Send tips/talk to abner@9to5mac.com or @technacity (open DMs).
Abner Li has worked at NewGeekGuide since 2015 and in late 2020 took on the role of editor-in-chief. He is keenly focused on tracking what happens at Google, and is often the first to spot new features in Google’s ever-growing family of applications that are updated on a daily basis, including Search, Assistant, Maps, Workspace, Android, Chrome/OS, Wear OS, and YouTube Music.
To him, what Google does greatly impacts the technology space and modern life. Inside the company, he is particularly interested in the key products mentioned above, as well as services like Google Podcasts and Google Lens. Each are massive platforms that can be unwieldy to grasp, with Abner keenly bent on understanding their philosophy and future direction. He is most excited about Google’s plans for augmented reality glasses.
Abner spearheads the APK Insight program at NewGeekGuide to chronicle all changes in the company’s Android apps, often finding new features before they are officially announced. This includes redesigns and revamps, launches, and new products.
A big area of interest is Google’s hardware division, including Pixel, Fitbit, and Nest. He detailed all of the Pixel 3’s camera features before launch and scooped the 2nd-generation Nest Hub’s Soli-powered Sleep Sensing capability, including how it would integrate with Google Fit.
Recently, Abner detailed the Pixel Watch’s specs in full before launch, including bands and pricing. He also got wind of the Pixel Tablet’s ultimate form factor.
What’s new in Android’s December 2025 Google System Updates [U]
The monthly “Google System Release Notes” primarily detail what’s new in Play services, Play Store, and Play system update across Android phones/tablets, Wear OS, Google/Android TV, Auto, and PC. Some features apply to end users, while others are aimed at developers.
Expand Expanding CloseGemini control to Android: Will we talk to our phones more in 2026?
One thing that I thought we’d see more of in 2025 was how Gemini could control your Android phone. There was the May demo and other underlying work, but we don’t have Google’s complete vision yet.
Expand Expanding CloseRecap: New Pixel apps and major updates in 2025
The portfolio of Pixel-exclusive apps grew in 2025 in a trend that will only continue as Google works to differentiate its experience. Notably, availability was not limited to just new devices.
Expand Expanding CloseRecap: Expressive Android, but Material ‘3.5’ apps
Zooming out, it’s amusing that Apple and Google both chose 2025 to overhaul the design language of their operating systems. Android’s Material 3 Expressive redesign has been well received, but I want to focus on the updates to Google apps.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle Phone adding ‘Keep portrait mode’ setting [U: Rolled back]
To address how Phone by Google recently gained a landscape calling screen, the dialer app is now offering a setting to “Keep portrait mode on calls.”
Expand Expanding CloseWhat Gemini features you get with Google AI Pro and AI Ultra [December 2025]
At I/O 2025, Google One AI Premium (and Gemini Advanced) became “Google AI Pro,” while a higher, more expensive tier was introduced with “Google AI Ultra.”
Expand Expanding ClosePixel Camera brings Photo Sphere-esque Panorama mode to Pixel 8
With the Pixel 9, Google introduced a new Panorama mode, and the latest Camera update brought it to the Pixel 8 series.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle rolling out Android 16 QPR3 Beta 1.1 patch
Following last week’s release, Android 16 QPR3 Beta 1.1 is rolling out with one fix for Pixel devices.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle One discounting annual 2 TB and AI Pro plans by 50%
Google One is running a “limited time” discount for 2026 where new subscribers can get 50% off 2 TB and AI Pro annual plans.
Expand Expanding CloseThe YouTube Playables Builder lets creators build games with Gemini 3
YouTube announced Playables in 2023 as lightweight games that could be accessed on the platform. The new Gemini 3-powered YouTube Playables Builder lets anyone build a game without any coding experience.
Expand Expanding CloseFinal Google Store 2025 Pixel deals, boosted trade-ins end this week
After ending its Black Friday/Cyber Monday sales, the Google Store has posted its final offers for the 2025 holiday season on Pixel devices.
Expand Expanding CloseFind Hub app rolling out map layers support on Android
Following last week’s quiet release of Find Hub for Wear OS, Google is rolling out support for map layers on Android.
Expand Expanding CloseGemini for Home camera updates improve Familiar Face, animal detection, more
The latest Gemini for Home updates are focused on camera improvements for Nest and other compatible devices.
Expand Expanding CloseWhat Google Messages features are rolling out [December 2025]
Like most Google apps, Messages A/B tests many features. However, it takes the RCS/SMS client a rather long time to actually launch these capabilities in stable even after they are announced. From various reports, Google itself, and devices we’ve checked, this is the current state of Messages.
Expand Expanding CloseYouTube Music might be settling on this Now Playing redesign
For over a year now, YouTube Music has been testing various Now Playing screen redesigns on Android and iOS.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle Messages toning down how thirsty Nano Banana Remix is
It’s not hyperbolic to say that Google has been very thirsty about Nano Banana following its viral success. In Google Messages, the access points for the Nano Banana-powered Remix are being greatly toned down following the November launch.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle releases factory, OTA images for second Pixel December 2025 update
On Wednesday, Google started rolling out a second December 2025 update for Pixel phones, with factory and OTA images now available for manual install.
Expand Expanding CloseNotebookLM now uses Gemini 3, adds new ‘Data Tables’ output
NotebookLM is getting in a few more features before the holidays, including an upgrade to Gemini 3 and Data Tables.
Expand Expanding CloseNew Pixel December 2025 update fixes battery drain, Pixel 10 touch issues [U]
Some Pixel owners today are getting a new December 2025 update today after installing the initial release (Android 16 QPR2) at the start of this month.
Expand Expanding CloseGemini will replace Google Assistant on Android in 2026
Back in March, Google said Gemini would replace Assistant on Android phones this year. That “upgrade” is now set for 2026.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle recaps the road from Product Sans to open-sourcing Google Sans Flex
As part of open-sourcing Google Sans and Google Sans Flex, the company’s design team this week detailed the modern history of its fonts.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle Fi subscribers can basically get a free Pixel Watch 3 LTE
While it’s not a holiday gift made of bricks like in years past, Google Fi subscribers can get a free Pixel Watch 3 LTE this holiday season.
Expand Expanding CloseGemini app now lets you edit with Nano Banana by drawing, detect AI videos
Following yesterday’s big launch, the Gemini app is adding a “new way to prompt with Nano Banana” by drawing or annotating directly on images. Additionally, SynthID now works on video.
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