6 – Breaking News & Latest Updates 2026
Skip to main content
The homepageThe VergeThe Verge logo.
The homepageThe VergeThe Verge logo.

Android

Android is Google’s open-source mobile operating system; think of it like a public park compared to Apple’s walled garden. It dates back to 2007, and though its dessert-inspired version names were retired in 2019 for a straightforward numbering system, there will always be a special place in our hearts for an OS called “Oreo” and “Ice Cream Sandwich.

Google is shutting down Android Instant Apps over ‘low’ usageGoogle is shutting down Android Instant Apps over ‘low’ usage
All the Android features Apple announced at WWDCAll the Android features Apple announced at WWDC
Moto Tag finally gets precise UWB location trackingMoto Tag finally gets precise UWB location tracking
Dominic Preston
Dominic Preston
The Android phone that works with Apple.

Vivo claims its X Fold 5 has achieved an Android first: interoperability with the Apple Watch. According to product manager Han Boxiao the watch can display calls and texts from the X Fold 5, and sync health data. The phone can also receive calls and texts sent to an iPhone, access iCloud, and extend the display of a Mac.

How? We have no idea, but hopefully we’ll find out when the phone launches this month.

<em>The Apple Watch can apparently display calls from the Vivo phone.</em>
<em>While the Android device can handle calls coming into the iPhone.</em>
<em>And you can set it up as an external Mac monitor.</em>
1/3
The Apple Watch can apparently display calls from the Vivo phone.
Image: Han Boxiao / Weibo
Android 16 is here, but its big redesign isn’t readyAndroid 16 is here, but its big redesign isn’t ready
Android 16 has arrived with iPhone-style Live UpdatesAndroid 16 has arrived with iPhone-style Live Updates
Google’s ‘Pixel VIPs’ will help you keep track of your favorite contactsGoogle’s ‘Pixel VIPs’ will help you keep track of your favorite contacts
Dominic Preston
Dominic Preston
Today’s the day.

Yesterday the official Android Developers account interrupted the WWDC hubbub to tease that the “final release” of Android 16 should arrive today, after seven months of testing. Don’t expect it to include the Material 3 Expressive design language though, which is coming later this year in a quarterly feature drop.

The Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge is a big phone with small phone energy

8

Verge Score

But it’s still a big phone.

Allison Johnson
OnePlus Pad 3 arrives with Snapdragon 8 Elite insideOnePlus Pad 3 arrives with Snapdragon 8 Elite inside
Jess Weatherbed
Jess Weatherbed
Adobe brings Photoshop to Android.

After launching Photoshop for iPhone in February, a beta Android app is now available to download via Google Play. Much like its iOS counterpart, Photoshop for Android includes many features from the desktop version, including layers, masks, brushes, and Firefly generative AI tools, but with a UI optimized for mobile devices.

Adobe says all features are free to use while the app is in beta, and that more are “coming soon.”

Three examples of features available in Photoshop for Android.
Photoshop features, now on more mobile devices.
Image: Adobe
Dominic Preston
Dominic Preston
Nothing’s first flagship is a month away.

We knew the Phone 3 was launching in July, but now we know exactly when: 1PM ET on July 1st, which is about as early in the month as we could have hoped for. Not long to wait now for what the company considers its first true flagship.

Come to Play

[nothing.community]

Google’s Pixel 10 phones will reportedly launch on August 13thGoogle’s Pixel 10 phones will reportedly launch on August 13th
WhatsApp is working on an easier way to log outWhatsApp is working on an easier way to log out
Google says Instagram fixed a battery drain issue on AndroidGoogle says Instagram fixed a battery drain issue on Android
Google Photos adds Pixel-exclusive AI features to redesigned editorGoogle Photos adds Pixel-exclusive AI features to redesigned editor
Samsung’s One UI 8 beta arrives on Galaxy S25 phonesSamsung’s One UI 8 beta arrives on Galaxy S25 phones
OnePlus’ new ‘small’ phone isn’t coming to the US, but its AI features areOnePlus’ new ‘small’ phone isn’t coming to the US, but its AI features are
Inside the Meta monopoly trialInside the Meta monopoly trial
David Pierce
Android Auto will get Spotify Jam and support for video apps and web browsersAndroid Auto will get Spotify Jam and support for video apps and web browsers
Google I/O revealed more updates for Wallet, Wear OS, Google Play, and moreGoogle I/O revealed more updates for Wallet, Wear OS, Google Play, and more
Honor’s 400 phones are midrangers built to lastHonor’s 400 phones are midrangers built to last
Xiaomi’s first flagship phone chip is a genuine Snapdragon 8 Elite rivalXiaomi’s first flagship phone chip is a genuine Snapdragon 8 Elite rival
Android 16 adds AI-powered weather effects that can make it rain on your photosAndroid 16 adds AI-powered weather effects that can make it rain on your photos
Google teases an Android desktop mode, made with Samsung’s helpGoogle teases an Android desktop mode, made with Samsung’s help
Google is shrinking Pixel phones’ At a Glance widgetGoogle is shrinking Pixel phones’ At a Glance widget
Google starts beta testing Android 16’s youthful new lookGoogle starts beta testing Android 16’s youthful new look
Xreal teases Project Aura smart glasses for Android XRXreal teases Project Aura smart glasses for Android XR
Google I/O 2025: All the news and announcementsGoogle I/O 2025: All the news and announcements
Google I/O 2025 live blog: Gemini takes center stage

Does Google have what it takes to reinvent itself?

Alex Heath, Nilay Patel and 2 more
Walmart quietly released a new 4K Google TV box with Dolby VisionWalmart quietly released a new 4K Google TV box with Dolby Vision
The Razr Ultra proves flip phones are almost readyThe Razr Ultra proves flip phones are almost ready
What to expect from Google’s I/O keynote at 1PM ETWhat to expect from Google’s I/O keynote at 1PM ET
Google I/O will be an AI showGoogle I/O will be an AI show
Allison Johnson
Emma Roth
Emma Roth
Google’s new “G” is now live on more Android devices.

Google brought its gradient “G” logo to iPhones and Pixel devices earlier this week, but now it’s showing up more broadly across Android devices, as spotted by 9to5Google. The company still hasn’t officially acknowledged the change, but maybe it will give it a mention during I/O next week.

Google just changed its ‘G’ logo

Emma Roth
HBO’s no good very bad rebrandHBO’s no good very bad rebrand
David Pierce
Chrome’s Android app will now let you zoom in on text without affecting the webpageChrome’s Android app will now let you zoom in on text without affecting the webpage
Dominic Preston
Dominic Preston
Google Find Hub is turning bounty hunter.

Alongside a shiny rebrand and airline integration, Google is expanding the range of trackers in its Find Hub network. But not with boring practicalities like better battery or more accurate tracking — no, we get Baby Yoda, thanks to a new set of Disney-themed tags from Pixbee.

A screenshot of a Google presenter next to an image of a Baby Yoda Bluetooth tracker.
Screenshot: Google / Dominic Preston
Dominic Preston
Dominic Preston
XR at I/O.

Android XR didn’t get a lot of screen time at today’s Android Show — apart from confirmation that it’s going to get Gemini AI support — but Google promises that there’s more to come at the full Google I/O event next week.

Android president Sameer Samat even broke out the company’s prototype XR shades to promise some “really cool Android demos” to come. And as you can see, this is a man who knows what’s cool.

Android president Sameer Samat wearing Google’s prototype XR glasses.
Screenshot: Google / Dominic Preston
Jay Peters
Jay Peters
It’s Dieter!

[Insert Leonardo DiCaprio pointing meme here!!!]

Most Popular

Most Popular
  1. Alex Jones has uncovered another massive conspiracy
  2. 360-degree cameras have a new superpower
  3. You’re about to feel the AI money squeeze
  4. THE PEOPLE DO NOT YEARN FOR AUTOMATION
    Video
  5. Musk vs. Altman is here, and it’s going to get messy