Pixelated

Welcome to episode 95 of Pixelated, a podcast by 9to5Google. This week, Damien, Abner, and Will take a deep dive into the world of Gemini, breaking down Google's frequent UI changes, the different ways all three hosts use the service, and how it needs to evolve moving forward. Damien also walks Abner and Will through his experience using Gemini with Android Auto, and how it's more of a mixed bag than you might think.

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Sponsored by Proton Unlimited: Pixelated listeners can save 30% on an annual subscription to the company's suite of privacy-friendly services by signing up using our link. Thanks to Proton Unlimited for sponsoring the podcast.

Timecodes

00:00 - Intro and Gemini's UI redesigns

07:40 - How we use Gemini (and how we don't)

26:19 - Gemini for Android Auto

41:47 - Final Gemini thoughts and wrap-up

Hosts

Abner Li

Damien Wilde

Will Sattelberg

Read more

Gemini overlay and Gemini Live start rolling out big Android redesign [Gallery]

Gemini for Android Auto is rolling out more widely, but not everyone is happy about it

Listen to more 9to5 Podcasts

The Sideload

9to5Mac Happy Hour

Electrek

Space Explored

Feedback?

Drop us a line at [email protected], leave a comment on the post, or reach out to our producer. And for even more Android discussion, dive into the official 9to5Google forums!

Welcome to episode 94 of Pixelated, a podcast by 9to5Google. This week, Damien, Abner, and Will talk all about this week's Pixel 11 leaks, granting everyone an early look at what appears to be a strikingly familiar smartphone launch on deck for later this year. After a brief dip into some Android 17 Beta 3 thoughts, the crew discusses Google's upcoming display-less Fitbit band, clearly designed to take Whoop head-on with the help of Steph Curry.

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Sponsored by Proton Unlimited: Pixelated listeners can save 30% on an annual subscription to the company's suite of privacy-friendly services by signing up using our link. Thanks to Proton Unlimited for sponsoring the podcast.

Timecodes

00:00 - Intro and Pixel 11 leaks

20:11 - Android 17 Beta 3

29:54 - Fitbit's upcoming Whoop competitor

Hosts

Abner Li

Damien Wilde

Will Sattelberg

Read more

Google Pixel 11 looks like another minor evolution in leak, slightly thinner [Gallery]

Pixel 11 Pro leaks with the all-glass camera bar and thinner body, but same design [Gallery]

Here’s everything new in Android 17 Beta 3 [Gallery]

Multitasking ‘Bubbles’ now live in Android 17 Beta 3 update

Google making screen-less Fitbit band & here’s Steph Curry wearing it

Listen to more 9to5 Podcasts

The Sideload

9to5Mac Happy Hour

Electrek

Space Explored

Feedback?

Drop us a line at [email protected], leave a comment on the post, or reach out to our producer. And for even more Android discussion, dive into the official 9to5Google forums!

Welcome to episode 93 of Pixelated, a podcast by 9to5Google. This week, Damien, Abner, and Will discuss Google's new "advanced flow" for enabling sideloading on Android, set to launch on all Play-supported devices later this year. It's a change built with security and safety in mind, and your hosts are pretty impressed with how the company has designed this shift. Then they dig into the potential news that OnePlus could be preparing to exit the global market, leaving an enthusiast-shaped hole in its place.

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Sponsored by Proton Unlimited: Pixelated listeners can save 30% on an annual subscription by signing up for Proton Unlimited using this link. Thanks to Proton Unlimited for sponsoring this week's episode.

Timecodes

00:00 - Intro and Google's sideloading changes

21:16 - OnePlus rumors

41:22 - Wrap-up

Hosts

Abner Li

Damien Wilde

Will Sattelberg

Read more

This is Android’s new ‘advanced flow’ for sideloading apps without verification, includes one-day waiting period [Gallery]

Android isn’t killing sideloading, and Google found a near-perfect compromise

Source: OnePlus may shut down in global markets as early as April

OnePlus reportedly ending retail efforts in India as global shutdown looms

Listen to more 9to5 Podcasts

The Sideload

9to5Mac Happy Hour

Electrek

Space Explored

Feedback?

Drop us a line at [email protected], leave a comment on the post, or reach out to our producer. And for even more Android discussion, dive into the official 9to5Google forums!

Welcome to episode 92 of Pixelated, a podcast by 9to5Google. This week, Damien and Will break down all of the changes coming to Google Maps, including a fresh 3D look and a Gemini-powered Ask Maps tool. They also break down recent reports that Motorola dominates 50% of the North American foldables market, asking what the brand can do to stay on top, before wrapping up with some kernel changes coming to Android that should make your current phone just a little more efficient.

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Sponsored by Proton Unlimited: Pixelated listeners can save 30% on an annual subscription by signing up for Proton Unlimited using this link. Thanks to Proton Unlimited for sponsoring this week's episode.

Timecodes

00:00 - Intro and Google Maps changes

23:35 - Motorola foldable marketshare

43:09 - Android's efficiency improvements

48:41 - Wrap-up

Hosts

Will Sattelberg

Damien Wilde

Read more

‘Immersive Navigation’ is the biggest Google Maps driving update in a decade

Google Maps rolling out conversational ‘Ask Maps’ chat

Motorola holds 50% of the US foldable market ahead of Razr Fold launch, IDC says

Google is making Android phones faster and improving battery life with this change

Listen to more 9to5 Podcasts

The Sideload

9to5Mac Happy Hour

Electrek

Space Explored

Feedback?

Drop us a line at [email protected], leave a comment on the post, or reach out to our producer. And for even more Android discussion, dive into the official 9to5Google forums!

Welcome to episode 91 of Pixelated, a podcast by 9to5Google. This week, with Abner and Damien out at MWC, Will invites Andrew Romero to join him on a whirlwind tour of two new OS upgrades from Google: Android 16 QPR3, and Android 17 Beta 2. The two discuss AI-generated wallpapers, that new Now Playing app, and Android's new bubbles — not to be confused with its own bubbles — while Andrew introduces his SPI: Sandwich Price Index.

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Sponsored by Proton Unlimited: Pixelated listeners can save 30% on an annual subscription by signing up for Proton Unlimited using this link. Thanks to Proton Unlimited for sponsoring this week's episode.

Timecodes

00:00 - Intro and Android 16 QPR3

03:53 - AI-generated icons

13:15 - Now Playing app and flashlight toggle

22:05 - Pixel Desktop experience, At a Glance, and Gemini Automation

34:18 - Pixel Watch Drop, briefly

36:09 - Android 17 Beta 2 and Bubbles

43:32 - Beta 2 grab bag

50:52 - Wrap-up

Hosts

Will Sattelberg

Andrew Romero

Read more

Android 16 QPR3 rolling out with March 2026 security update

March 2026 Feature Drop: Pixel 10 ‘Comfort’ view, custom AI icons, At a Glance ‘My commute,’ & more 

Pixel Watch Feature Drop: Express Pay, phone reminders, and more 

Pixel homescreens are getting custom icons, but Google’s keeping them locked to AI

Listen to more 9to5 Podcasts

The Sideload

9to5Mac Happy Hour

Electrek

Space Explored

Feedback?

Drop us a line at [email protected], leave a comment on the post, or reach out to our producer. And for even more Android discussion, dive into the official 9to5Google forums!