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Following the Pixel 11 series earlier today, Google has released factory and OTA images for the Pixel Watch 5.

Google Home is rolling out an update that addresses some of the most overlooked pain points for the voice assistant, like refined broadcast commands, better Spotify request recognition, and granular smart light color temperature control down to the kelvin. Don’t be shy; we all have a favorite kelvin rating.

On the Pixel 11 series, Google has updated Gboard’s Writing tools with Gemini Intelligence to offer “Personalized suggestions.”

Google Pixel 11 phones ship with an update to screen savers, with support for a new style and the ability to select more than one option and switch through them – much like iPhones do.

With the Pixel 11 series hitting store shelves today, Google has released factory images for all the devices.

Your afternoon lineup of the best Android game and app deals is now ready to roll, including titles like SENTINEL 519: SAGA – GENESIS, Candleman, NARUTO: Ultimate Ninja STORM, Endling Extinction is Forever, Slime Legends – Survivor, Lia: Hacking Destiny, and more. Just be sure to dive into today’s offers on TCL NXTPAPER Android tabs from $160 and the ongoing Best Buy 60th Anniversary sale with thousands of price drops. The apps await below.

iPhone-only for nearly two years, Peloton Strength+ is now available for Android users as a dedicated experience built around strength training.

Over the past week, I’ve probably shot more video of my kids than in the previous year combined. I’m a photographer, so I take photos — thousands of them — but rarely swipe over to that tempting toggle that displaces the moment for momentum.

The dichotomy between photo and video has existed as long as there have been cameras capable of doing both. Many attempts have been made to bridge the gap, from HTC Zoe in 2013 to Apple’s Live Photos and Google’s subsequent Motion Photos years later, but most technical limitations have largely kept the two functions separate.

As with everything else, Samsung’s upcoming Galaxy Tab S12 series will be more expensive, but it could be a whole lot worse.

Some issues with random Android Auto disconnects and freezes in recent weeks should be fixed with the latest updates, Google says.

Samsung is readying a custom widget tool in an early version of One UI 9.5, similar to what Google announced earlier this year.

“HiLight” is one of the biggest hardware features on Google’s Pixel 11 Pro devices, but it’s also one that the company hindered by heavily limited what you can do with it. Android being Android, someone already figured out how to hijack “HiLight” and make the Pixel 11 Pro’s RGB light a lot more useful.

Google is rolling out updates that let you customize Discover and the Google News audio briefing.

Today’s 9to5Toys Lunch Break is headlined by TCL’s latest NXTPAPER Android tablets starting from $160 today as well as the TCL 60 XE Android phone down at $180 and the 70 Pro with the NXTPAPER Key now down at $280. We are also featuring the 1-day Best Buy Anniversary LG sale with TVs from $330, 2026 OLED models up to $600 off, and up to $1,500 off LG’s latest 2026 gram laptops. Head below for a closer look at the details.

Google’s Pixel phones have had killer haptic motors for several generations now, with the Pixel 11 further emphasizing these with a new ability to match the vibration patterns to your ringtone.

A new forecast shows that the foldable market is poised to continue growing, with book-style foldables taking over the popularity of clamshell devices – but Samsung is no longer the king, instead fighting for second place.

XREAL Aura, the company’s first pair of Android XR-based glasses, are set to officially get a price point soon as the first sales figures have come in, and it’s pretty popular so far.

Yes, you read that headline correctly. The Pixel 11 no longer shows the “Powered by Android” boot logo, which has been a staple for a few years now.

The Pixel 11 lineup has earned its reputation as a safe upgrade — or boring, if you’re looking to be a little less generous to Google — but it’s delivering one thing I’ve been begging for literal years: Camera Looks. Google’s take on the iPhone’s Photographic Styles have been a long time coming, and appear to be set to play a big role in shaking up the conversation around the Pixel’s evenly-lit, HDR-heavy processing. I’ve been experimenting with them while working towards my eventual Pixel 11 Pro XL review, and I have to say, I’m mostly satisfied. Mostly.

Good morning and happy Thursday. We’ve got Pixel reviews galore, a new look at Insomniac’s upcoming Wolverine game, a crazy story about prolific phone scammers, and an updated version of Qwen 3.8 that I’ll be spending the next few days tweaking to my liking.

As a reminder, Inbox is the tech newsletter you should be able to read in around 95 seconds. We cover the most important 9to5Google stories from the last couple of days along with a few highlights from around the web. We publish every Tuesday and Thursday, and if you like what you read, please subscribe.

As the Pixel 11 series gets Rambler and Google’s new 3D emoji, Gboard is rolling out a new “Emoji size” setting to beta users.

Samsung is teasing a new entrant to the Galaxy S26 series coming at an event on August 27, but it’s probably not going to be that exciting.

Best known for its skins, dbrand has been building some of the best cases in the game in recent years and, for the Pixel 11 series, you can get every option for your new phone. Here’s what you should know.

An issue with Google Messages appears to be breaking RCS for some users, with much of the problem tracing back to Samsung Galaxy devices.

Best Buy’s 11 Pro, 11 Pro XL, and 11 Pro Fold pre-order deals before delivery starts tomorrow (more details here), we have first Amazon price drop on the new Olive Google Pixel Buds Pro 2, up to $1,350 off 2026 Copilot+ PC and gaming laptops, LG’s most affordable 2026 OLED TV at $300 off, and Best Buy’s Anniversary Chromebook deals starting at $179. The app deals, however, are waiting down below. 

A new leak has spilled the beans on an interesting move from Sony, as the company is preparing to re-launch its 2020 over-ear headphones, the WH-1000XM4.

With the new phones this year, Google is introducing “Pixel search” as a “dedicated search companion designed to help you find personal information faster than ever.”

With the back-to-school season underway, Google is introducing new study tools across the Gemini app and Search.

Nvidia says it set a “high bar” for any browser integrating GeForce Now without added programs, and Firefox has seemingly met its standards as in-browser support for the game streaming service goes live.

Unveiled earlier this year, Google is shipping Android 17’s new 3D emoji design on the Pixel 11 series.

Samsung’s upcoming Galaxy Tab S12 Ultra is going to be a tame upgrade, at least in terms of fit and finish, as a leaked image reveals that the design is almost entirely unchanged.

The Pixel app updates continue today with Weather getting a new icon and some minor interface tweaks.

A YouTuber who took their reMarkable Paper Pro and converted it into an Android device shows off the process in a recent video, even if it defeats the purpose of the e-paper tablet.

Google is introducing a blue gradient ring around your Account photo to indicate whether you’re subscribed to a paid tier.

The Pixel 11 Pro Fold is debuting into an increasingly tough market because, really, everything is good now. My first week with Google’s latest foldable has been one that started off hopeful, but is slowly turning a bit sour.

Pixelsnap is one of the best things added to Pixel phones in a number of years, but it wasn’t quite a perfect first attempt. Luckily, this year those pesky magnets are a little stronger and more reliable on the Pixel 11 series.

The result of two changes made by Google means I’m using the Pixel Watch 5 in an entirely different way from the previous four generations, and it feels so futuristic.

You can understand a lot about a product from its first couple of hours, and if that is anything to go by, the Pixel 11 feels like an adequate but modest update that is likely only of interest to people wanting a “new” phone.

Historically, Google has set out to make helpful devices. The Pixel 11 Pro continues that with Gemini Intelligence, while introducing a new narrative about how you can use your phone less with HiLight.

An unreleased version of Google Photos appears to include a photo map we haven’t seen on the Ask Photos search page, yet.

The 11 Pro, 11 Pro XL, and 11 Pro Fold (details on those below). But today’s 9to5Toys Lunch Break is headlined by Best Buy’s Anniversary Chromebook deals starting at $179 with touchscreen models up to $250 off as well as LG’s most affordable 2026 OLED TV at $300 off. Be sure to scope out this 14-in-1 Anker Prime dock $100 off as well as the charger deals you’ll find below from just $26. 

After three generations, Google dropped the built-in thermometer from the Pixel 11 Pro. However, like other first-party apps, the Pixel Thermometer app has a new icon.

Qi2 magnetic wireless charging is finally making some headway in the Android world, with Motorola recently having launched its first smartphone with built-in magnets. Now, a leaked “Moto Snap” wireless charger has surfaced, hopefully hinting at more Qi2 in Motorola’s lineup going forward.

Staying secured online is vital no matter where your life takes you, and smartphone makers know it. Apple has even been advertising Safari’s built-in tracker protection as a reason to switch to iPhone, as if that’s enough to push people away from the latest Galaxy or Pixel.

On Tuesday, Pixel Watch 1 owners encountered a Google Health error message about needing to update their wearable. Google has confirmed that this was a bug and that the original device remains supported.

Ahead of the start of developer verification next month, Google is now rolling out Android’s “advanced” flow for sideloading.

Anthropic’s Claude AI can now take a huge step in your email inbox, with the ability to not only interact with Gmail, but send emails on your behalf without asking you first.

Spotify is introducing two new features this week including a “Running Mode” that can automatically match songs and playlists to the pace of your workout, as well as “User Notes” which let you leave notes throughout your library to refer to later.

Welcome to episode 41 of The Sideload, a 9to5Google podcast. This week, Ben Schoon joins Will to discuss the future of Pixel, as Google’s Pixel 11 attempts to bridge the gap between always-accessible AI assistant and a more minimalist, digital wellbeing-friendly experience. They also dig into the world of AI ads, posters, and more, and wonder whether they’re doing far more harm than good to the people who choose to monetize them.

Sponsored by NordVPN: Listeners to The Sideload can save up to 76% on a two-year subscription alongside four extra months for absolutely free by signing up for NordVPN using this link. Thanks to NordVPN for sponsoring this week’s episode.

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Live on the Galaxy Z Fold 8 series and presumably coming to more devices when Android 17 / One UI 9 rolls out more broadly, Samsung is showing off a new “Warranty and Care” menu that makes it a whole lot easier to deal with repairs and warranty claims on your Galaxy device.