9 – Breaking News & Latest Updates 2026
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Google Pixel

Due to a recent DOJ decision, Google’s lucrative relationship with Apple’s iPhone is in jeopardy, and that means the Pixel is even more important than ever to the company’s success. In 2024, it seems like the company will be leaning into AI. It’s got the Pixel 9 Pro with plenty of Gemini AI features, plus the Pixel 9 Pro Fold. The company’s also launching a new Pixel Watch 3 as well as the Pixel Buds Pro 2.

Google Pixel Buds Pro 2 leak brings back the wing tip — kind ofGoogle Pixel Buds Pro 2 leak brings back the wing tip — kind of
New leak spoils Google’s upcoming Pixel 9 eventNew leak spoils Google’s upcoming Pixel 9 event
How to make it easier to use your phone one-handedHow to make it easier to use your phone one-handed
Richard Lawler
Richard Lawler
‘Pixel Satellite SOS’ might include two years of free service.

Just when you thought we’d learned (and seen) everything there is to know about the Pixel 9 lineup, Android Authority reveals details about iPhone-like satellite features hinted at within Android 15 beta 4.

There’s notification text saying, “Your Pixel has been updated to support satellite communication,” and other text about two years of free satellite service, although that may be just placeholder text.

Pixel Satellite SOS is coming, but it won’t be free for long (APK teardown)

[Android Authority]

Google reveals the Pixel 9 Pro Fold before it can leak againGoogle reveals the Pixel 9 Pro Fold before it can leak again
Google solves its Pixel 9 Pro leaks by just showing the phone earlyGoogle solves its Pixel 9 Pro leaks by just showing the phone early
Here’s a very clear real-world look at Google’s Pixel 9 Pro FoldHere’s a very clear real-world look at Google’s Pixel 9 Pro Fold
The Pixel 9 Pro could get a 50MP selfie camThe Pixel 9 Pro could get a 50MP selfie cam
The Google Pixel 9 just leaked againThe Google Pixel 9 just leaked again
Wes Davis
Wes Davis
FCC docs show Pixel 9 phones with built-in Thread radios.

That’s according to 9to5Google. As it happens, Android 15 may support directly controlling smart home devices with your phone via Thread, a key component of the Matter smart home protocol.

Pixel 9 phones wouldn’t be alone — Apple put Thread radios in the iPhone 15 Pro phones, too.

Pixel 9 series arrives at the FCC, includes Thread

[9to5Google]

Jennifer Pattison Tuohy
Jennifer Pattison Tuohy
First, Apple put Thread in the iPhone, now the smart home radio could be coming to Android phones.

Mishaal Rahman reports that Android 15 adds a Thread Network Stack to allow Android smartphones with Thread radios to directly control Thread smart home devices.

But there aren’t any such phones yet. Only the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max have Thread. With the Pixel 9 launching next month, that could soon change.

Android 15 will let you control your Matter smart home devices over Thread, but only on some phones

[Android Authority]

The Pixel Watch 3 could get ultra wideband and a brighter screenThe Pixel Watch 3 could get ultra wideband and a brighter screen
Google might fix its fingerprint scanner woes with the Pixel 9Google might fix its fingerprint scanner woes with the Pixel 9
Richard Lawler
Richard Lawler
The Pixel 6 factory reset bug that bricks devices is real — here’s how to avoid it.

Google seems to have identified the “issue” locking up Pixel 6, 6 Pro, and 6A phones that were factory reset recently.

Now, there are two recommended ways shared by Google in the Pixel Phone Help forum to avoid the problem:

Leaving your device powered on and idle for 15 minutes after it has rebooted following a system update

Factory reset your device before taking the latest (June) system update.

Some Pixel 6 owners say factory resets have bricked their phones

Wes Davis
Allison Johnson
Allison Johnson
You can never go home again, but at least you can go back now.

Google’s July Pixel update is here with a “fix for back gesture navigation not working in certain conditions.” Sounds annoying! It doesn’t seem to be a widespread problem — I found a thread on the XDA forums complaining about broken navigation, and that’s about it. But if this bug was bothering you, rest assured that the fix has arrived.

Google Pixel Update - July 2024 - Google Pixel Community

[support.google.com]

The Pixel 9’s ‘Google AI’ is like Microsoft Recall but a little less creepyThe Pixel 9’s ‘Google AI’ is like Microsoft Recall but a little less creepy
Emma Roth
Emma Roth
Pixel in pink.

One user on X shows off what appears to be the Pixel 9 in a shade of bubblegum pink. Google is expected to reveal its new Pixel lineup during a surprise hardware event on August 13th.

Some Pixel 6 owners say factory resets have bricked their phonesSome Pixel 6 owners say factory resets have bricked their phones
Wes Davis
Wes Davis
“This incredible race to just be the first one to it out loud.”

Google spit out a surprise Pixel 9 hardware event announcement last week. It’s set for August 13th, two months earlier than the October phone events it’s held in the last few years.

But why? AI reasons? Yeah, probably, as David Pierce and Nilay Patel discussed on The Vergecast.

Wes Davis
Wes Davis
Was this almost the first Google Pixel Fold?

Images of what looks like a damaged Pixel 6-style Fold showed up on the XDA forums, in a May thread that quietly petered out.

The phone, which forum members assumed was fake, appears to be a legitimate prototype of a foldable that was once rumored for a 2021 reveal, according to Android Authority, citing an unnamed source within Google.

A picture of a foldable phone with a Pixel 6-like camera bar.
Image: fredito1212 / XDA Forums
Google announces surprise Pixel 9 hardware event in AugustGoogle announces surprise Pixel 9 hardware event in August
Blackmagic’s free camera app is now available on Android, but there’s a catchBlackmagic’s free camera app is now available on Android, but there’s a catch
Google extends repair program for Pixel 8 phones plagued by a pink vertical lineGoogle extends repair program for Pixel 8 phones plagued by a pink vertical line
Victoria Song
Victoria Song
We got Pixel Watch 3 XL leaks.

And it looks a lot like the Pixel Watch 3 leaks we saw the other day. Just bigger. How much bigger? Apparently the case will be 45mm, which as far as chonky smartwatches go isn’t that big. Even so, we love to see a bigger size option for folks with larger wrists — especially if that means a larger battery too.

Exclusive: Google Pixel Watch 3 XL Leaked Images and Video Show Larger Display, New Design Details

[Android Headlines]

All the news on Google’s Pixel 8, 8 Pro, and 8AAll the news on Google’s Pixel 8, 8 Pro, and 8A
Google’s June Pixel update brings Gemini AI to cheaper phonesGoogle’s June Pixel update brings Gemini AI to cheaper phones
The Pixel Watch 2 can now detect when you’ve been in a car crashThe Pixel Watch 2 can now detect when you’ve been in a car crash
Leaked Google Pixel Watch 3 renders suggest it will get thicker but not biggerLeaked Google Pixel Watch 3 renders suggest it will get thicker but not bigger
Sean Hollister
Sean Hollister
Google nixed the scary language about stealing your phone if you use unauthorized repair parts.

Old:

Unauthorized Parts: You will not send in a Device containing non-Google-authorized parts – if You do, Your Device will not be returned to you.

New:

Unauthorized Parts: If You send a Device containing non-Google-authorized parts for repair, in certain situations (e.g., safety), Service Provider may not be able to repair Your Device. Service Provider will return Your Device except when health or safety requirements prevent us from doing so. If Service Provider can’t return Your Device, Google will work with You on next steps.

Google claims it never actually kept people’s phones.

You can save 50 percent on a Pixel 8A when you buy any other Pixel 8You can save 50 percent on a Pixel 8A when you buy any other Pixel 8
Google’s Pixel Watch 2 is $65 off at Wellbots for a limited timeGoogle’s Pixel Watch 2 is $65 off at Wellbots for a limited time
Google finally brings Nest doorbell alerts to the Pixel TabletGoogle finally brings Nest doorbell alerts to the Pixel Tablet
Quentyn Kennemer
Quentyn Kennemer
The Pixel 7 Pro is $100 cheaper than the Pixel 8a right now.

We have no problem recommending the Pixel 7 Pro now Woot is selling the unlocked 128GB model for $399 ($500 off) through May 31st.

It’s an amazing value, but not guaranteed to get newer Android versions beyond October 2025. The Pixel 8a promises updates through May 2031.

If you buy something from a Verge link, Vox Media may earn a commission.

(NEW) Google Pixel 7 Pro's (Unlocked) - All Capacities and Colors

[Electronics.Woot]

Google I/O 2024: all the news from the developer conferenceGoogle I/O 2024: all the news from the developer conference
Google Pixel 8A review: the sensible choice

8

Verge Score

At $499 with all the essential features, Google’s Pixel phone starts making sense.

Allison Johnson
Jennifer Pattison Tuohy
Jennifer Pattison Tuohy
Pixel phones can once again control the volume of Google Home speaker groups while casting.

This feature was available before Sonos sued Google but didn’t return when Google restored most software features following its victory last October.

But with Android 15 Beta 2, Pixel users will once again be able to control the volume of grouped speakers with the phone’s buttons from outside the app that’s casting.

Android 15 Beta 2 fully restores Cast volume controls for speaker groups on Pixel phones

[Android Authority]

Allison Johnson
Allison Johnson
Good vibes only.

Android 15’s second public beta introduced customizable vibrations for notifications for different apps.

9to5Google notes Pixel phones go a step further, using the phone’s microphones and sensors to adjust vibration intensity based on your surroundings. Pixel phones are particularly noisy when they vibrate on a hard surface like a table, and this feature seems to address that problem. Now that’s what I call a good vibe.

Screenshots of the adaptive vibration settings screen showing how it could be more intense on some survaces, and less intense on others.
Image: 9to5Google
Gmail on smartphones is getting better AI integration with GeminiGmail on smartphones is getting better AI integration with Gemini
Google’s Pixel 9 lineup appears in hands-on photos five months earlyGoogle’s Pixel 9 lineup appears in hands-on photos five months early
The Pixel 8A and the camera you have with youThe Pixel 8A and the camera you have with you

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