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Developers have discovered that Android 17 quietly blocks apps from checking whether Developer Options and USB Debugging are turned on, in what's being described as one of the release's hidden changes. Regardless of whether Developer Mode is actually enabled on a device, apps that try to read its status in Android 17 will always get
It's a familiar refrain in tech: from a few feet away, this year's Pixel Watch looks just like last year's. On the surface, the Google Pixel Watch 4 and Pixel Watch 5 look nearly identical, sharing the same domed glass design, the same fast-charging setup, and the latest version of Wear OS. The Pixel Watch
Apple Watch Series 12 vs Pixel Watch 5 is ultimately a comparison that comes down mainly to which phone someone already carries, since neither watch works across ecosystems. But for anyone still weighing iOS against Android, there are real differences elsewhere too, spanning GPS accuracy, heart rate sensing, battery life, and each company's onboard AI
Google has published its monthly Google System Release Notes, detailing what's new across Play services, Play Store, and Play system update for Android phones and tablets, Wear OS, Google and Android TV, Auto, and PC. Some changes are aimed at end users, while others target developers, and Google notes that a changelog entry doesn't guarantee
Gemini Spark, the paid Gemini feature that runs complex, multi-step tasks in the background, is getting a significant addition this week: Google Photos support. The integration, reported by Droid Life, is a major connection for Spark, since it opens the door to Google Photos-related requests that could otherwise take hours to complete manually. As part
The Pixel Watch 5 Special Edition Stephen Curry model is now available, giving anyone who held off on buying a Pixel Watch 5 the chance to get the colorway that matches Curry's version of the Fitbit Air. The watch only comes in a 45mm case with LTE connectivity, paired with its own special band, and
Google's Scam Detection feature could be coming to Xiaomi phones next, according to a new APK teardown by Android Authority. The AI-powered scam-call warning tool debuted first on Pixel devices, has since expanded to Samsung's Galaxy S26 series, and has shown signs of heading to vivo phones as well, and Android Authority now says it's
Google is rolling out a new Motion Assist Android feature as part of its September Android Drop, giving phone users a screen-based tool meant to reduce motion sickness during car rides. The feature places moving dots near the edges of the display, aiming to help connect what a person's eyes see with the motion their
A locked Android phone may not be as locked as it seems. A reported WhatsApp behavior suggests that someone with physical access to a locked Android device could potentially reach the phone's photo gallery while answering an incoming WhatsApp video call, though the issue doesn't appear to affect every handset, with results reportedly varying by
Google has detailed the new features rolling out to Android as part of its September Android update, leading with a Find Hub upgrade that could be especially useful for anyone who struggles to keep track of where they've put things, including people with ADHD. The update lets users ask Gemini to remember the location of
Google has kicked off its September Android Drop, a rollout of new features spanning Gemini, Find Hub, Google Messages, and accessibility tools built into Android. The update lets Gemini remember where users have stored physical items, adds a Guided vision mode to Gemini Live for blind and low-vision users, introduces a Motion Assist feature aimed
Knowing how to turn off Safe Mode on Android comes in handy, since Safe Mode is a built-in troubleshooting tool that disables every third-party app on a phone and switches on Airplane Mode, making it easier to isolate an app causing lag, battery drain, or other issues. It's also useful for safely deleting a suspected
Google has introduced new Android RAM rules for app developers, tightening memory-management requirements as a global RAM shortage continues to squeeze the smartphone industry. Developers have until February 2027 to make their apps use RAM more efficiently, an effort meant to keep apps running smoothly even on phones with limited memory. Under the updated guidelines,
Google Messages pinned chats may soon look more like their iMessage counterparts, but the redesign could come with a steep trade-off. PhoneArena reported on August 31 that Google is testing a beta interface built around large circular chat elements while considering a reduction in the maximum number of pinned conversations from 20 to six. The
Some Android Police readers and Reddit users are running into a Google Messages RCS issue after switching to a new Samsung phone, according to Android Police. RCS messaging is failing to connect for a number of Samsung device owners, though it's unclear exactly how widespread the problem is. Users have been describing the issue on
Google Tensor G6 is the custom processor powering the Pixel 11 series and Pixel 11 Pro Fold, with Google prioritizing energy efficiency and on-device AI over benchmark-leading specifications. The chip brings an upgraded CPU, a faster TPU, a new ISP, and a custom modem, enabling features that include 4K Portrait Video, Instant Night Sight, and
Google’s Pixel 11 series has arrived with Gemini and camera changes spanning daily assistance, voice entry, visual presets, and low-light shooting. As Android Central reported on Aug. 12, the headline Pixel 11 features extend Gemini Intelligence to more than 40 apps, bring new tools to Gboard, and make Instant Night Sight faster on the Pro
Google Pixel Watch 5 has officially launched with larger batteries, twice the storage of its predecessor, an accelerated Snapdragon processor, and a broad set of health, fitness, sleep, and Gemini features. Preorders opened on August 12, 2026, with prices starting at $399 and general availability scheduled for August 20. According to Android Authority, Google revealed
Google Pixel HiLight is the official name of the ambient LED system built around the camera flash on Google’s new Pro phones. Previously known through leaks as Pixel Glow, the feature can show favorite-contact calls and Gemini activity while the phone remains face down. It is exclusive to the Pixel 11 Pro, Pixel 11 Pro
Amazon is bundling a Pixel Watch 5 at no extra cost with preorders of the unlocked Google Pixel 11 Pro Fold placed before the foldable’s Aug. 20 release. Patrick Farmer at Android Central highlighted the Pixel 11 Pro Fold preorder deal on Aug. 12, the same day Google announced its 2026 Pixel lineup. The promotion
