Alphabet and Google CEO Sundar Pichai today gave the commencement speech to Stanford University’s Class of 2026.
Expand Expanding CloseSundar Pichai on ‘California optimism’ & doing hard, exciting work at 2026 Stanford Commencement Address
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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.
What new Google Messages features are rolling out [June 2026]
Like other Google apps, Messages for Android A/B tests many features. It can take the RCS/SMS client a rather long time to actually launch new functionality in stable. From various reports, Google announcements, and devices we’ve checked, this is the current state of Messages.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle AI Mode starts rolling out Search agents that keep track of information for you
At I/O 2026, Google announced the concept of “Search agents,” with information agents now rolling out in AI Mode for AI Ultra subscribers.
Expand Expanding CloseGemini app for macOS gets new icon and hotkey screenshot shortcut
Google is rolling out the latest version of the Gemini app for macOS today with a handful of updates.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle Messages is making the voice memo button more prominent
A tweak to the Google Messages chat interface this week prominently themes the voice memo button.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle: 3.5M users have tested the Gemini for Home assistant, Speaker teased for next week
Google sent an email to customers today thanking Gemini for Home early access testers for their feedback, and laying the groundwork for the upcoming Google Home Speaker.
Expand Expanding CloseHere’s everything new in Android 17 QPR1 Beta 4 [Gallery]
With Android 17 QPR1 Beta 4 today, Google is rolling out a much needed update that addresses various bugs from the last big release.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle releases Android 17 QPR1 Beta 4 for Pixel
After the big release at I/O 2026 last month, Google is rolling out Android 17 QPR1 Beta 4 for Pixel devices.
Expand Expanding CloseYouTube rolling out new in-app messaging with invite-only chats
After testing got underway last year, YouTube is now more widely rolling out a new in-app messaging system. The aim is to let people “connect over their favorite videos directly on YouTube.”
Expand Expanding CloseGemini app facing partial outage for some users
As of Wednesday morning (PT), the Gemini app is facing an outage for some users.
Expand Expanding CloseGemini app adding Google Business Profile integration, Business notebooks
Google today announced two features that make the Gemini app a more powerful tool for business owners.
Expand Expanding CloseYouTube Music redesign moves Search to bottom bar on Android, iOS [U]
Following the Now Playing redesign in April, the next big YouTube Music change moves Search to the bottom bar.
Expand Expanding CloseGemini in Chrome rolling out to Latin America, Africa, & Middle East
Following the last expansion to the Asia Pacific region, Google is bringing Gemini in Chrome to Latin America, Africa, and the Middle East.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle Chat icon tweaked to look less like Google Messages
With the new Workspace icons fully rolled out, Google is now tweaking how Chat appears in the Android status bar to look less like Messages.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle Fi gets 5 travel upgrades, including upgraded Pixel network switching
Ahead of the summer travel season, Google Fi Wireless is boosting its international capabilities across five areas.
Expand Expanding CloseGemini 3.5 Live Translate rolling out to Google Meet & Translate with new ‘listening mode’
Google today announced Gemini 3.5 Live Translate as its latest model for live speech-to-speech translation.
Expand Expanding CloseFirst Google TV Streamer update of 2026 rolling out
The first Google TV Streamer update of 2026 is beginning to roll out six months into the year.
Expand Expanding CloseWhat’s new in Android’s June 2026 Google System Updates [U]
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 CloseHow the new Siri AI compares to existing Gemini features on Android
At WWDC 2026, Apple announced Siri AI and a new wave of Apple Intelligence features powered by Gemini at the underlying level.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle AI Plus gets price drop to $4.99 and storage bump
Google announced today that its AI Plus subscription is getting a price drop to $4.99 per month and now includes 400 GB of storage.
Expand Expanding CloseNotebookLM rolling out big Gemini 3.5 & Antigravity upgrade with more outputs
Google is giving NotebookLM a big upgrade today across the underlying models, outputs, and research made possible by Gemini 3.5 and Antigravity.
Expand Expanding CloseGemini overlay rolls out Dynamic Color, integrates ‘Screen content’ [U]
Following the big Neural Expressive redesign at I/O 2026 last month, Google is rolling out some tweaks to the Gemini overlay on Android.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle Messages rolls out ‘Tap to draft’ to stop accidental Smart Replies
After testing in March, Google Messages is now rolling out a new “Tap to draft” behavior for Smart Replies that helps prevent accidental sends.
Expand Expanding CloseGemini app adding new Google Contacts integration
The Gemini app’s latest first-party integration is with Google Contacts to provide “personalized insights and responses based on your contacts.”
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