Pixelated

9to5Mac

Pixelated is a weekly podcast from the 9to5Google team, bringing you the latest in Google news and our commentary every week.

  1. 3 HR AGO

    Android 17, Now With Even More Bubbles

    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. Subscribe YouTube Podcasts Pocket Casts Spotify Apple Podcasts Overcast 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 gtips@9to5g.com, leave a comment on the post, or reach out to our producer. And for even more Android discussion, dive into the official 9to5Google forums!

    53 min

  2. 27 FEB

    Hey Gemini, Order Me a Pizza

    Welcome to episode 90 of Pixelated, a podcast by 9to5Google. This week, Abner, Damien, and Will talk through the launch of the Galaxy S26 series, all of its various Pixel-inspired AI tools, and ask whether it's too boring of an upgrade for Samsung. They also discuss Google's newly-announced agentic features for Android, with support for ordering groceries, deliveries, and more, ahead of next month's release. Subscribe YouTube Podcasts Pocket Casts Spotify Apple Podcasts Overcast 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 01:57 - Galaxy S26 launch 18:03 - Samsung's AI features 28:40 - Agentic Android 40:10 - Final Privacy Display thoughts and wrap-up Hosts Abner Li Damien Wilde Will Sattelberg Read more Samsung launches Galaxy S26 series, and higher prices are basically all that’s new Galaxy S26 series hands-on: More of the same, but not in a good way [Video] The Galaxy S26 Ultra is thinner and more rounded than ever, and I love it [Gallery] Samsung is cloning Pixel features for the Galaxy AI suite on S26 Galaxy S26 ‘Now Nudge’ is basically Google Pixel’s Magic Cue, but you’re forced to use Samsung Keyboard Samsung says the Galaxy S26 will ‘simplify your day’ through Galaxy AI, but can it? Gemini automation on Pixel 10, S26 can book rides and place orders  Listen to more 9to5 Podcasts The Sideload 9to5Mac Happy Hour Electrek Space Explored Feedback? Drop us a line at gtips@9to5g.com, leave a comment on the post, or reach out to our producer. And for even more Android discussion, dive into the official 9to5Google forums!

    43 min

  3. 20 FEB

    Haven't I Seen This Pixel Before?

    Welcome to episode 89 of Pixelated, a podcast by 9to5Google. This week, Abner, Will, and Ben talk all about the Pixel 10a, a device where the 'a' seems to stand for 'again.' Without much in the way of new features, the trio dive into all of the nuances that make the Pixel 10a stand out from its predecessor, before asking the obvious: is it time for smartphone makers to take longer generational breaks? Plus: We know when Google I/O is happening, and we talk all through how we'll be controlling our Android-powered glasses. Subscribe YouTube Podcasts Pocket Casts Spotify Apple Podcasts Overcast 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 01:35 - Pixel 10a announced 17:30 - Should smartphones start seeing longer release cycles? 26:50 - How you'll control Android XR glasses 39:55 - Google I/O and wrap-up Hosts Abner Li Ben Schoon Will Sattelberg Read more Pixel 10a hands-on: Peak design, peaked specs Pixel 10a gets boosted trade-in values for iPhones, Pixel 4a and Pixel 6a, Galaxy Where to pre-order Pixel 10a: $100 gift cards, Pixel Buds 2a, free at carriers, more Here’s how you’ll control and navigate Android XR glasses Google I/O 2026 set for May 19-20 Listen to more 9to5 Podcasts The Sideload 9to5Mac Happy Hour Electrek Space Explored Feedback? Drop us a line at gtips@9to5g.com, leave a comment on the post, or reach out to our producer. And for even more Android discussion, dive into the official 9to5Google forums!

    42 min

  4. 13 FEB

    The Beta That (Almost) Wasn't

    Welcome to episode 88 of Pixelated, a podcast by 9to5Google. This week, Ben Schoon joins Damien and Will to talk through the announcement — and subsequent unannouncement — of Android 17. The group talks through how and why this launch fell apart before discussing exactly what expectations we all should have for Android updates in 2026. Then they turn to Samsung, which just confirmed an Unpacked announcement for late February for a series of phones that has us scratching our heads when it comes to big year-over-year improvements. This episode was recorded prior to Android 17's eventual release on Friday afternoon. Subscribe YouTube Podcasts Pocket Casts Spotify Apple Podcasts Overcast Timecodes 00:00 – Intro 01:05 - Android 17 Beta 1 delay 14:14 - What we hope for in Android updates 22:52 - Galaxy Unpacked announcement and the S26 trio 46:13 - Wrap-up Hosts Ben Schoon Damien Wilde Will Sattelberg Read more Google cancels today’s Android 17 Beta 1 release Samsung confirms Galaxy S26 launch on February 25, up to $900 off with reservation Galaxy A17 trades performance for Android updates, and I don’t think it’s worth it Listen to more 9to5 Podcasts The Sideload 9to5Mac Happy Hour Electrek Space Explored Feedback? Drop us a line at gtips@9to5g.com, leave a comment on the post, or reach out to our producer. And for even more Android discussion, dive into the official 9to5Google forums!

    48 min

  5. 6 FEB

    A Wild Pixel 10a Appeared!

    Welcome to episode 87 of Pixelated, a podcast by 9to5Google. This week, Damien, Abner, and Will talk through Google's surprise Pixel 10a announcement, what we might expect from that phone, and whether it's worth picking up a Pixel 9a in its place. Their attention briefly turns to Google's February patch for Android — a patch without any much in the way of actual fixes, it seems — before finally debated Google's oddly-sad Gemini ad ahead of this weekend's Super Bowl. Subscribe YouTube Podcasts Pocket Casts Spotify Apple Podcasts Overcast Timecodes 00:00 – Intro and Pixel 10a announcement 17:27 - Google's February patch 25:25 - Gemini's Super Bowl ad 38:28 - Wrap-up Hosts Abner Li Damien Wilde Will Sattelberg Read more Google announces Pixel 10a with completely flat camera, pre-order Feb 18 The Pixel 10a is officially coming – here’s why you should get a Pixel 9a instead Google’s full lineup of Pixel 10a colors leak, including vibrant ‘Berry’ Why does the Pixel 10a look fake? Android 16 February 2026 update rolling out: No Pixel bug fixes Google airing Gemini ad at the Super Bowl: ‘New Home’ [Video] Listen to more 9to5 Podcasts The Sideload 9to5Mac Happy Hour Electrek Space Explored Feedback? Drop us a line at gtips@9to5g.com, leave a comment on the post, or reach out to our producer. And for even more Android discussion, dive into the official 9to5Google forums!

    39 min

  6. 30 JAN

    A Blurry Vision of Android

    Welcome to episode 86 of Pixelated, a podcast by 9to5Google. This week, Abner, Damien, and Will dig into an early Android 17 build that includes one big visual change: blurred backdrops. Is this a sign of things to come for Google's vision of its OS, or a more minor system-level tweak? The crew also checks out a leaked look at Android's new — albeit really familiar — desktop mode, Google's more affordable AI Plus plan for Gemini, and Chrome's agentic AI tools. Subscribe YouTube Podcasts Pocket Casts Spotify Apple Podcasts Overcast Timecodes 00:00 – Intro and Android 17 first look 18:30 - Android's new desktop UI leaks 31:02 - Google's new AI Plus plan 39:21 - Chrome's "auto browse" agentic AI tools 54:56 - Forums announcement and wrap-up Hosts Abner Li Damien Wilde Will Sattelberg Read more This is Android 17’s blur, new screen recorder, & more in leaked screenshots [Gallery] Google adding blur to Android 17’s system UI on Pixel Android’s full desktop interface leaks: New status bar, Chrome Extensions, more [Video] Google AI Plus comes to US for $7.99, Google One 2 TB upgraded Chrome rolling out Gemini 3-powered ‘auto browse’ with Google AI Pro  Introducing 9to5Google Forums Check out our new forums here! Listen to more 9to5 Podcasts The Sideload 9to5Mac Happy Hour Electrek Space Explored Feedback? Drop us a line at gtips@9to5g.com, leave a comment on the post, or reach out to our producer.

    57 min

  7. 23 JAN

    Goodbye Asus, Hello Clicks

    Welcome to episode 85 of Pixelated, a podcast by 9to5Google. This week, Abner, Damien, and Will talk through the end of Asus as a smartphone brand, as the company takes an indefinite hiatus from Android to focus on AI. After trying to figure out what's next after the smartphone, we're diving into some thoughts on the Clicks Communicator, Google's Digital Wellbeing tools, and the whole thinking behind minimalist devices. Plus, we send Stadia off with one final goodbye. Subscribe YouTube Podcasts Pocket Casts Spotify Apple Podcasts Overcast Timecodes 00:00 – Intro and Asus leaving the market 07:35 - What comes after smartphones? 22:59 - Clicks Communicator and digital detoxing 45:34 - Stadia's last goodbye Hosts Abner Li Damien Wilde Will Sattelberg Read more Asus won’t make any new Android phones in 2026, but it might not be done yet The Clicks Communicator might not be for everyone, but it’s definitely for me Google just killed the last of Stadia Listen to more 9to5 Podcasts The Sideload 9to5Mac Happy Hour Electrek Space Explored Feedback? Drop us a line at gtips@9to5g.com, leave a comment on the post, or reach out to our producer.

    53 min

  8. 16 JAN

    New Year, Same Pixel

    Welcome to episode 84 of Pixelated, a podcast by 9to5Google. This week, Abner, Damien, and Will talk through Google's big changes to Gmail, including a new AI Inbox and improved search. They also turn their attention to Gemini's Personal Intelligence feature that aims to make it the best virtual assistant we've seen yet, but not before digging into the latest Pixel 10a leaks that have us scratching our collective heads at just how familiar this phone feels. Subscribe YouTube Podcasts Pocket Casts Spotify Apple Podcasts Overcast Timecodes 00:00 – Intro 00:50 - Pixel 10a leaks 14:25 - Personal Intelligence 26:35 - Gmail AI tools 35:45 - Pixel manufacturing 39:35 - Google updates 41:18 - Wrap-up Hosts Abner Li Damien Wilde Will Sattelberg Read more Google Pixel 10a releasing in ‘mid February’ with ‘Berry’ color, leak claims Leaked Pixel 10a prices could somehow go down from last year Google Pixel grew by 25% in 2025’s global smartphone market as Apple takes top spot Google announces the future of Gmail with AI Inbox & new AI Overview search Gemini rolling out ‘Personal Intelligence’ beta that uses Gmail & your Google apps data Google Pixel development reportedly moving almost entirely out of China Listen to more 9to5 Podcasts The Sideload 9to5Mac Happy Hour Electrek Space Explored Feedback? Drop us a line at gtips@9to5g.com, leave a comment on the post, or reach out to our producer.

    43 min
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About

Pixelated is a weekly podcast from the 9to5Google team, bringing you the latest in Google news and our commentary every week.

Information

  • Creator
    9to5Mac
  • Years Active
    2018 - 2026
  • Episodes
    100
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 9to5Google
  • Show Website
    Pixelated

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