As the rollout continues, Google is making Veo 2 more prominent in Gemini’s prompt bar, with the web app also seeing other tweaks today.
Expand Expanding CloseGemini app moves Veo 2 to prompt bar, more web tweaks
Author
Send tips/talk to abner@9to5mac.com or @technacity (open DMs).
Abner Li has worked at 9to5Google 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 9to5Google 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.
Android 15 is on 4.5% of devices before the Samsung updates
At the start of April, Google released the latest Android distribution numbers. The last update was 11 months earlier, with Android 15 making its debut in these stats.
Expand Expanding CloseAlphabet reports Q1 2025 revenue of $90.2 billion
Alphabet today announced Q1 2025 earnings with $90.23 billion in revenue. These numbers range from January to March.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle Maps rolling out full sheet redesign on Android
After testing got underway earlier this year, Google Maps for Android is widely rolling out a redesign of the “You” and “Contribute” tabs that embrace sheets.
Expand Expanding ClosePixel Watch rolling out rich Wear OS media controls: Queue, Shuffle, & more
After teasing with the March 2025 Feature Drop, Google has rolled out rich media controls for the Pixel Watch.
Expand Expanding CloseGemini app rolls out ‘more natural’ 2.0 Flash conversational style, rounded logo spotted
Last week, Google introduced an “enhanced version” of the 2.0 Flash model that offers a more natural conversational style in the Gemini app.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle starts Extended Repair Program for Pixel 7a battery swelling
Google today announced an Extended Repair Program for Pixel 7a phones that face battery swelling issues.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle Assistant ‘Driving Mode’ in Maps for Android has disappeared
In February of 2024, Google Assistant Driving Mode was pared back to basically be a voice bar, but in recent days it has disappeared entirely from Google Maps on Android.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle I/O 2025 teases Material 3 Expressive, Android 16 for TV, in-car Gemini
With Google sharing I/O 2025 sessions list this morning, we have a closer look at what to expect for Android at the developer conference.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle posts I/O 2025 sessions list: What’s new in Android, AI, more
With I/O 2025 less than a month away, Google has posted the initial sessions list. The conference has four “focus areas”: Android, AI, Web, and Cloud.
Expand Expanding CloseYouTube marks 20th birthday, teases TV app redesign & custom Multiviews
YouTube is celebrating its 20th birthday with a number of stats, while previewing new features that are coming this year.
Expand Expanding ClosePixel Watch, Wear OS add Find My Phone confirmation before ringing
In a nice quality-of-life improvement for the Pixel Watch and Wear OS, Google has introduced an extra step before the Find My Phone ring activates.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle Assistant branding is being phased out on Wear OS
The “Assistant” app on your Wear OS watch is getting updated today via the Google Play Store to version 1.18.x. There are no changes to Google Assistant, but the groundwork for Gemini is being laid out.
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Google Clock 7.13 rolling out via the Play Store
Following Calculator 8.7, Google is rolling out an update to Android’s Clock app with version 7.13.
Expand Expanding CloseVeo 2 rolling out to more Gemini Advanced users
Following last week’s announcement, more Gemini app users subscribed to Advanced are getting access to Veo 2 video generation.
Expand Expanding ClosePixel Weather widgets & At a Glance now open correct location [U]
Google has fixed an annoying location discrepancy between Pixel Weather, widgets, and At a Glance.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle Fi turns 10 with international 5G & visual voicemail for iPhone, data-only eSIM
Project Fi was announced 10 years ago, and Google is celebrating the MVNO’s birthday with a handful of updates for iPhone and iPad owners.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle Fi marks 10th birthday with new $35 plan, more data, and data-only eSIMs
Google Fi Wireless is celebrating its 10th birthday with several plan updates, including a new entry-level offering.
Expand Expanding CloseTo succeed, desktop Android needs Gemini to build a next-gen OS
It appears that turning Android into a desktop operating system is Google’s next big consumer initiative. To put it bluntly, I think this effort fails if all they’re doing is making a one-to-one Windows, Mac, or ChromeOS competitor. The path to success that I see is Google developing a next-generation OS that leverages AI and Gemini to make possible an entirely new user experience that is voice and agent-first.
Expand Expanding CloseYouTube Music starts rolling out lyrics sharing on Android
YouTube Music is building upon real-time lyrics (from 2023) by adding the ability to share them as a nice graphic in the mobile app.
Expand Expanding CloseWhat’s new in Android’s April 2025 Google System Updates [U: 4/21]
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 CloseGoogle rolling new April 2025 Pixel Watch update for all users
Google is now rolling out Wear OS 5.1 to all Pixel Watch owners with a new April 2025 update today.
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Google’s Android 16 Beta 4 feedback survey now available
With Android 16 Beta 4 serving as the “last scheduled update,” Google has released one of the final feedback surveys.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle Messages Sensitive Content Warnings for nudity rolling out
Following last year’s announcement, Google Messages is rolling out Sensitive Content Warnings that blur nude images on Android.
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