Welcome to Pixelated episode 115. This week, Damien, Abner, and Will dig through Google's latest Android Drop and discuss their most-wanted feature additions for Android.
Enjoy the episode? You can listen to our brand new weekly members-only Pixelated Pro bonus episode by signing up for 9to5Google Pro for just $5 per month.
Sponsored by Bitwarden: Pixelated listeners can get started with Bitwarden’s free individual plan by clicking this link, and check out the Open Source Security Summit on September 17th. Thanks to Bitwarden for sponsoring!
Sponsored by Proton Unlimited: Pixelated listeners can save 30% on an annual subscription to the company’s suite of privacy-friendly services by signing up using our link. Thanks to Proton Unlimited for sponsoring the podcast.
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!
Who Watches the Pixel Watch?
Aug 28, 2026
Welcome to Pixelated episode 114. This week, Damien, Abner, and Will discuss the Pixel Watch 5 as they look towards the present and future of Google's wearable efforts.
Enjoy the episode? You can listen to our brand new weekly members-only Pixelated Pro bonus episode by signing up for 9to5Google Pro for just $5 per month.
Sponsored by Proton Unlimited: Pixelated listeners can save 30% on an annual subscription to the company’s suite of privacy-friendly services by signing up using our link. Thanks to Proton Unlimited for sponsoring the podcast.
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!
Made You (Camera) Look
Aug 21, 2026
Welcome to Pixelated episode 113. This week, Damien, Abner, and Will dive into their thoughts and reviews of the Pixel 11, Pixel 11 Pro and Pro XL, and the Pixel 11 Pro Fold.
Enjoy the episode? You can listen to our brand new weekly members-only Pixelated Pro bonus episode by signing up for 9to5Google Pro!
Sponsored by Proton Unlimited: Pixelated listeners can save 30% on an annual subscription to the company’s suite of privacy-friendly services by signing up using our link. Thanks to Proton Unlimited for sponsoring the podcast.
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!
Mid by Google
Aug 14, 2026
Welcome to Pixelated episode 112. This week, Damien, Abner, and Will share their early impressions of the Pixel 11 series, offer a full breakdown of the actual Made by Google event, and share some big picture thoughts on the future of Pixel hardware inspired by this HiLight ad.
Enjoy the episode? You can listen to our brand new weekly members-only Pixelated Pro bonus episode by signing up for 9to5Google Pro!
Sponsored by Proton Unlimited: Pixelated listeners can save 30% on an annual subscription to the company’s suite of privacy-friendly services by signing up using our link. Thanks to Proton Unlimited for sponsoring the podcast.
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!
Primetime Prep for Made By Google
Aug 07, 2026
Welcome to Pixelated episode 111. This week, Damien, Abner, and Will preview what to expect at next week's official unveiling of the Pixel 11 series, including final rumors, leaks, expectations, and some very wrong guesses on who the host might be.
Enjoy the episode? You can listen to our brand new weekly members-only Pixelated Pro bonus episode by signing up for 9to5Google Pro!
Sponsored by Proton Unlimited: Pixelated listeners can save 30% on an annual subscription to the company’s suite of privacy-friendly services by signing up using our link. Thanks to Proton Unlimited for sponsoring the podcast.
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!
Android's Past, Present, and Future
Jul 31, 2026
Welcome to Pixelated episode 110. This week, Damien, Abner, and Will lean into a news lull ahead of the Pixel 11's launch to zoom out to take a look at the state of Android. They tackle what Google and others are doing right, what there's room to improve on, and and what we can expect from the future of our favorite platform.
Enjoy the episode? You can listen to our brand new weekly members-only Pixelated Pro bonus episode by signing up for 9to5Google Pro!
Sponsored by Proton Unlimited: Pixelated listeners can save 30% on an annual subscription to the company’s suite of privacy-friendly services by signing up using our link. Thanks to Proton Unlimited for sponsoring the podcast.
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!
Unpacking Unpacked
Jul 24, 2026
Welcome to Pixelated episode 109. This week, Damien, Abner, and Will dive into everything Samsung announced at this week's Galaxy Unpacked, the legacy of the original Pixel Fold, and whether flip phones have a future ahead of them.
Enjoy the episode? You can listen to our brand new weekly members-only Pixelated Pro bonus episode by signing up for 9to5Google Pro!
Sponsored by Proton Unlimited: Pixelated listeners can save 30% on an annual subscription to the company’s suite of privacy-friendly services by signing up using our link. Thanks to Proton Unlimited for sponsoring the podcast.
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!
Rerun of a Rerun
Jul 18, 2026
Welcome to Pixelated episode 108. This week, Damien, Abner, and Will briefly dive into Google and Epic's decision to wrap up their legal battle without a settlement in place, leaving the door open for third-party app stores to live inside Google Play. They also discuss the ever-leaking Pixel 11, including some new Pixel Glow insights and Google's latest obsession with the color green.
Enjoy the episode? You can listen to our brand new weekly members-only Pixelated Pro bonus episode by signing up for 9to5Google Pro!
Sponsored by Proton Unlimited: Pixelated listeners can save 30% on an annual subscription to the company’s suite of privacy-friendly services by signing up using our link. Thanks to Proton Unlimited for sponsoring the podcast.
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!
A Made by Google Grumble
Jul 09, 2026
Welcome to episode 107 of Pixelated, a podcast by 9to5Google. This week, Damien, Abner, and Will dive headfirst into some Pixel speculation following the official announcement of this year's Made by Google. From phones to smartwatches to pondering what might surprise us, it's shaping up to be an interesting event.
Enjoy the episode? You can listen to our brand new weekly members-only Pixelated Pro episode by signing up for 9to5Google Pro!
Sponsored by Proton Unlimited: Pixelated listeners can save 30% on an annual subscription to the company’s suite of privacy-friendly services by signing up using our link. Thanks to Proton Unlimited for sponsoring the podcast.
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!
Introducing 9to5Google Pro and Pixelated Pro
Jul 06, 2026
I love reporting the news, and it's something I've been doing day-in and day-out for well over a decade. The entire 9to5Google team is passionate about the work it does.
The media landscape is actively changing. I’m of course talking about AI and how it’s altering the way people consume the news and information, but also its downstream impact on the advertising-supported model that has made the modern web possible.
With an eye towards that change, we're looking at how to continue to be at the forefront of breaking news, reviews, and coverage of the Google and Android ecosystem.
To ensure that, we would like to introduce 9to5Google Pro.
At the heart of this membership is community building, finding new ways to convey the news, and just doing more with our equally passionate and engaged audience in mind.
You, the people who visit 9to5Google every day, are the most integral part of our success, and through this membership we're hoping you'll spend more time with and help us continue to grow well into the future.
Pixelated Pro
We love Pixelated, our flagship weekly podcast, as do thousands of you. As a 9to5Google Pro subscriber, you get access to more, with all podcasts ad-free. We're starting with an additional episode each week that allows us to delve deeper into the stories that matter most to you, and will expand to more episodes based on the number of subscribers we get. Listen to our announcement of Pixelated Pro below.
Community
We can see, through thoughtful comments and emails, that our audience cares as much as we do about Android, Google, and the tech space at large. This Discord server, open to all 9to5Google Pro members, will provide an open and continuous source of smart dialogue, feedback, and community building, along with a bunch of fun daily trivia games and other ways to spend time together.
It's also your chance to help shape what we see on 9to5Google every day. It's a direct line for you to send tips, talk about what's new, and more!
https://youtu.be/RQLzBmgl7zk
Tiered growth
9to5Google Pro will grow with the number of subscribers we get, and we have a roadmap of projects to take on as that occurs. To provide a sneak peek, we very much know how many of you want the return of a daily news podcast.
We are brimming with project ideas across every channel we publish: text, video, audio, newsletter, and more. The more members we get, the more we'll be able to invest back into the site and turn 9to5Google into more than just a website.
How to join
9to5Google Pro with that extra episode of Pixelated and Discord channel is $5 per month or $50 annually.
For those that want to support us more, we offer additional tiers. To be clear, most of the benefits come at $5 per month, as we want our Pro benefits to be accessible to as many people as possible.
Those that want to contribute more than at the basic Pro level will help us expand our coverage for the benefit of everyone with a few extra perks.
Pro XL: At $25 per month ($250 annually), this tier provides priority access to questions and we'll begin doing occasional swag drops – phone accessories, stickers, etc – but most benefits remain similar to the base tier. This is more about additional support than it is about additional perks.
Ultra: At $100 per month, this tier exists purely for those who wish to support 9to5Google to the full. Like in the Pro XL tier, you'll have direct access to the team and a shoutout, but there are no extra perks. We're simply making this available as an option for those who want to provide additional support.
* Extra weekly Pixelated podcast episode * Access to private Discord server * Monthly Q&A podcast * Additional perks coming soon
* Extra weekly Pixelated podcast episode * Access to private Discord server * Monthly Q&A podcast * Exclusive deals & discount codes * Additional perks coming soon
* Extra weekly Pixelated podcast episode * Access to private Discord server * Monthly Q&A podcast * Exclusive deals & discount codes * Additional perks coming soon
Shoutouts
Personal shoutouts
Personal shoutouts
Sign-up bonus
✅
✅
The team and I thank you for being a reader, viewer, and prospective supporter.
If you have any questions about your 9to5Google Pro membership, or issues with your account, please email memberships@9to5g.com.
Smart Speakers and Rest Days (with Jonah Becker and Taylor Helgren of Google)
Jun 26, 2026
Welcome to episode 106 of Pixelated, a podcast by 9to5Google. This week, Damien talks Abner and Will through his first impressions of Google's latest Home Speaker, a reboot of sorts of the company's smart speaker lineup. After the break, we're joined by Jonah Becker and Taylor Helgren of Google to discuss the launch of the Fitbit Air and Google Health.
Sponsored by Bitwarden: Pixelated listeners can get started with Bitwarden's free individual plan by clicking this link. Thanks to Bitwarden for sponsoring the podcast.
Sponsored by Proton Unlimited: Pixelated listeners can save 30% on an annual subscription to the company’s suite of privacy-friendly services by signing up using our link. Thanks to Proton Unlimited for sponsoring the podcast.
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!
An Android 17 Summer
Jun 20, 2026
Welcome to episode 105 of Pixelated, a podcast by 9to5Google. This week, Abner, Damien, and Will return to talk all through the launch of Android 17. From general improvements to Pixel-specific changes, there's plenty to dig through. Plus, Pixel Screenshots goes cloud, Google's new smart speaker goes up for pre-order, and it might be easier than ever to jump back and forth between Android and iOS.
Sponsored by Bitwarden: Pixelated listeners can get started with Bitwarden's free individual plan by clicking this link. Thanks to Bitwarden for sponsoring!
Sponsored by Proton Unlimited: Pixelated listeners can save 30% on an annual subscription to the company’s suite of privacy-friendly services by signing up using our link. Thanks to Proton Unlimited for sponsoring the podcast.
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!
Siri Goes Gemini
Jun 12, 2026
Welcome to episode 104 of Pixelated, a podcast by 9to5Google. This week, Abner, Damien, and Will hop over the walled garden to discuss Siri AI, changes to Liquid Glass and its ripple effects on Android, and plenty of other WWDC thoughts. Plus, Paris Hilton loves Android and Google releases a fourth QPR1 beta.
Sponsored by Bitwarden: Pixelated listeners can get started with Bitwarden's free individual plan by clicking this link. Thanks to Bitwarden for sponsoring!
Sponsored by Proton Unlimited: Pixelated listeners can save 30% on an annual subscription to the company’s suite of privacy-friendly services by signing up using our link. Thanks to Proton Unlimited for sponsoring the podcast.
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!
A Smorgasbord of Google News
Jun 05, 2026
Welcome to episode 103 of Pixelated, a podcast by 9to5Google. This week, Abner, Damien, and Will make a mad dash through all the Google news coming out in a post-I/O world, including a new Android Drop, some new tools for avoiding deepfake phone call scams, the growing world of Fitbit Air accessories, and what just might be the silliest Pixel leak of all time.
Sponsored by Bitwarden: Pixelated listeners can get started with Bitwarden's free individual plan by clicking this link. Thanks to Bitwarden for sponsoring!
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!
A Breath of Fresh Air
May 29, 2026
Welcome to episode 102 of Pixelated, a podcast by 9to5Google. This week, Abner, Damien, and Will catch up on some of their opinions and impressions surrounding Google I/O, before pivoting to discuss Will's review of the Fitbit Air.
Sponsored by Proton Unlimited: Pixelated listeners can save 30% on an annual subscription to the company's suite of privacy-friendly services by signing up using our link. Thanks to Proton Unlimited for sponsoring the podcast.
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!
Chatting with Google at I/O 2026 (with Seang Chau and Dieter Bohn)
May 20, 2026
Welcome to episode 101 of Pixelated, a podcast by 9to5Google. This week, Abner and Damien are joined by Seang Chau and Dieter Bohn of Google to discuss the biggest announcements of I/O 2026.
Sponsored by Proton Unlimited: Pixelated listeners can save 30% on an annual subscription to the company's suite of privacy-friendly services by signing up using our link. Thanks to Proton Unlimited for sponsoring the podcast.
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!
The Googlebook Question
May 15, 2026
Welcome to episode 100 of Pixelated, a podcast by 9to5Google. This week, Abner, Damien, and Will celebrate the milestone by diving into Google's latest Android Show announcements, including Android Intelligence, user-generated widgets, and, of course, Googlebook.
Sponsored by Proton Unlimited: Pixelated listeners can save 30% on an annual subscription to the company's suite of privacy-friendly services by signing up using our link. Thanks to Proton Unlimited for sponsoring the podcast.
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!
Should We Be Worried About the Pixel 11?
May 08, 2026
Welcome to episode 99 of Pixelated, a podcast by 9to5Google. This week, Abner, Damien, and Will tackle the latest rumors surrounding Google's Pixel 11, which could arrive later this summer with new camera sensors, whatever Pixel Glow is, and a whole lot of downgrades. Then they turn to the long-awaited Fitbit Air and try to predict how the fitness tracker audience will react to a significantly cheaper Whoop competitor.
Sponsored by Proton Unlimited: Pixelated listeners can save 30% on an annual subscription to the company's suite of privacy-friendly services by signing up using our link. Thanks to Proton Unlimited for sponsoring the podcast.
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!
An Iconic Glow-up
May 01, 2026
Welcome to episode 98 of Pixelated, a podcast by 9to5Google. This week, Abner, Damien, and Will dig into all sorts of recent exclusive reporting. From Google's upcoming app icon redesigns for Workspace — and, if Pixel is any indication, far beyond — to the upcoming Fitbit Air fitness band and its Google-ified partner app, there's plenty to talk about. Plus, we look at Samsung's upcoming Galaxy Glasses and wonder just whether they're the right pair for us.
Sponsored by Proton Unlimited: Pixelated listeners can save 30% on an annual subscription to the company's suite of privacy-friendly services by signing up using our link. Thanks to Proton Unlimited for sponsoring the podcast.
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!
Lights and Laptops
Apr 24, 2026
Welcome to episode 97 of Pixelated, a podcast by 9to5Google. This week, Damien and Will are joined by Andrew Romero to talk through a couple of Pixel hardware leaks coming out of Android 17 Beta 4. First, they discuss the growing possibility of a Pixel Laptop, and wonder what Google needs to do to succeed in an ever-competitive space. Then they turn to "Pixel Glow," a mysterious new notification light system seemingly on the way for Pixel 11.
Sponsored by Proton Unlimited: Pixelated listeners can save 30% on an annual subscription to the company's suite of privacy-friendly services by signing up using our link. Thanks to Proton Unlimited for sponsoring the podcast.
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!
There's an App for That
Apr 17, 2026
Welcome to episode 96 of Pixelated, a podcast by 9to5Google. This week, Damien, Abner, and Will talk through Google's new native Gemini app for Mac and wonder why now, and why we don't see more standalone applications from the company. They also dive into new reports surrounding Google's portion of the foldable market — and the risk Apple holds against it — before finishing up with YouTube's new workaround for disabling Shorts.
Sponsored by Proton Unlimited: Pixelated listeners can save 30% on an annual subscription to the company's suite of privacy-friendly services by signing up using our link. Thanks to Proton Unlimited for sponsoring the podcast.
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!
A Gemini Vibe Check
Apr 10, 2026
Welcome to episode 95 of Pixelated, a podcast by 9to5Google. This week, Damien, Abner, and Will take a deep dive into the world of Gemini, breaking down Google's frequent UI changes, the different ways all three hosts use the service, and how it needs to evolve moving forward. Damien also walks Abner and Will through his experience using Gemini with Android Auto, and how it's more of a mixed bag than you might think.
Sponsored by Proton Unlimited: Pixelated listeners can save 30% on an annual subscription to the company's suite of privacy-friendly services by signing up using our link. Thanks to Proton Unlimited for sponsoring the podcast.
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!
Whoop, There It Is
Apr 02, 2026
Welcome to episode 94 of Pixelated, a podcast by 9to5Google. This week, Damien, Abner, and Will talk all about this week's Pixel 11 leaks, granting everyone an early look at what appears to be a strikingly familiar smartphone launch on deck for later this year. After a brief dip into some Android 17 Beta 3 thoughts, the crew discusses Google's upcoming display-less Fitbit band, clearly designed to take Whoop head-on with the help of Steph Curry.
Sponsored by Proton Unlimited: Pixelated listeners can save 30% on an annual subscription to the company's suite of privacy-friendly services by signing up using our link. Thanks to Proton Unlimited for sponsoring the podcast.
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!
Android, Not Scamdroid
Mar 27, 2026
Welcome to episode 93 of Pixelated, a podcast by 9to5Google. This week, Damien, Abner, and Will discuss Google's new "advanced flow" for enabling sideloading on Android, set to launch on all Play-supported devices later this year. It's a change built with security and safety in mind, and your hosts are pretty impressed with how the company has designed this shift. Then they dig into the potential news that OnePlus could be preparing to exit the global market, leaving an enthusiast-shaped hole in its place.
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.
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!
At the Next Denny's, Turn Left
Mar 13, 2026
Welcome to episode 92 of Pixelated, a podcast by 9to5Google. This week, Damien and Will break down all of the changes coming to Google Maps, including a fresh 3D look and a Gemini-powered Ask Maps tool. They also break down recent reports that Motorola dominates 50% of the North American foldables market, asking what the brand can do to stay on top, before wrapping up with some kernel changes coming to Android that should make your current phone just a little more efficient.
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.
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!
Android 17, Now With Even More Bubbles
Mar 06, 2026
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.
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
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!
Hey Gemini, Order Me a Pizza
Feb 27, 2026
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.
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
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!
Haven't I Seen This Pixel Before?
Feb 20, 2026
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.
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?
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!
The Beta That (Almost) Wasn't
Feb 13, 2026
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.
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!
A Wild Pixel 10a Appeared!
Feb 06, 2026
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.
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!
A Blurry Vision of Android
Jan 30, 2026
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.
Drop us a line at gtips@9to5g.com, leave a comment on the post, or reach out to our producer.
Goodbye Asus, Hello Clicks
Jan 23, 2026
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.
Drop us a line at gtips@9to5g.com, leave a comment on the post, or reach out to our producer.
New Year, Same Pixel
Jan 16, 2026
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.
Drop us a line at gtips@9to5g.com, leave a comment on the post, or reach out to our producer.
The Gang Does a Tier List
Dec 24, 2025
Welcome to episode 83 of Pixelated, a podcast by 9to5Google. This week, Abner, Damien, and Will welcome their fellow 9to5 staff members Andrew Romero, Ben Schoon, and Jordan Floyd to the show to assemble a full tier list for 2025's Android-adjacent launches. From phones and wearables to software upgrades and Gemini's improvements, we manage to rank more than 20 launches from throughout the year from the best to the rest. Check out the complete tier list at the bottom of these show notes (spoilers!).
Drop us a line at gtips@9to5g.com, leave a comment on the post, or reach out to our producer.
Gone in a Glance
Dec 19, 2025
Welcome to episode 82 of Pixelated, a podcast by 9to5Google. This week, Abner, Damien, and Will break down their reactions to Google's surprise release of Gemini 3 Flash. After talking through their preferred models and Gemini launchers, the crew discusses Android 16 QPR3's arrival and the long-awaited option to remove the At a Glance widget on Pixel. Finally, all three offer their visions for where Google is headed in 2026.
Drop us a line at gtips@9to5g.com, leave a comment on the post, or reach out to our producer.
Gemin-eyes
Dec 12, 2025
Welcome to episode 81 of Pixelated, a podcast by 9to5Google. This week, Abner shares his experience with trying out some early samples of glasses running on Google's Android XR platform with Will and Damien. After a surprisingly impressive demo, is it time to start getting excited for the return of Google Glass-esque technology? The trio also dips into some new changes coming to Wear OS and take a quick look at the first One UI 8.5 beta, if only to ask: what's up with the iOS-ification of Android?
Drop us a line at gtips@9to5g.com, leave a comment on the post, or reach out to our producer.
A Tale of Two Android 16s
Dec 05, 2025
Welcome to episode 80 of Pixelated, a podcast by 9to5Google. This week, Abner, Damien, and Will talk through all of the new changes in Android 16 QPR2 and beyond. After digging through everything Google's been working on these past few months, their attention turns to the newly-confirmed Galaxy Z TriFold. Can they make sense of what's bound to be yet another ultra-premium device from Samsung, or does this feel like an experiment without a clear path to success?
Drop us a line at gtips@9to5g.com, leave a comment on the post, or reach out to our producer.
AirDrop Me From Your Pixel 10
Nov 21, 2025
Welcome to episode 79 of Pixelated, a podcast by 9to5Google. This week, Abner and Will talk through the launch of Gemini 3, breaking down all of the changes Google has made behind the scenes to its LLM. The duo also talks through the (breaking) arrival of AirDrop support on the Pixel 10, a change Google seemingly made all by itself. Finally, with Black Friday around the corner, we take a look at what deals you can score on your next piece of Google hardware.
Drop us a line at gtips@9to5g.com, leave a comment on the post, or reach out to our producer.
They Don't Have Pixels in Oz
Nov 14, 2025
Welcome to episode 78 of Pixelated, a podcast by 9to5Google. This week, Abner, Damien, and Will tackle Google's surprise Pixel Drop, a jam-packed update filled with new features like low-power maps, notification summaries, and a Wicked-inspired theme pack. Then Will walks through his thoughts on the OnePlus 15, a device that crushes in the battery life department but falls a bit short when it comes to, well, everything else.
Drop us a line at gtips@9to5g.com, leave a comment on the post, or reach out to our producer.
Putting Google Maps Back in the Driver's Seat
Nov 07, 2025
Welcome to episode 77 of Pixelated, a podcast by 9to5Google. This week, Abner, Damien, and Will discuss the latest AI improvements making their way to Google Maps in the coming months, including improved conversational guidance along routes and landmark navigation. From there, we cover Google's ongoing feud with Disney following the expiration of their shared YouTube TV contract, before finishing up with a dive into some extremely impressive Pixel 10 sales numbers.
Drop us a line at gtips@9to5g.com, leave a comment on the post, or reach out to our producer.
Wait, Do I Want a Galaxy XR?
Oct 31, 2025
Welcome to episode 76 of Pixelated, a podcast by 9to5Google. It's another round of Galaxy XR talk — this time, with a full week's worth of use under Abner's belt (or face, rather). From tablet comparisons to finding the true use case for this sort of headset, all three of your trusted hosts have found themselves pleasantly surprised and intrigued by the device Samsung and Google has managed to build, even if it's tough to see this as anything more than an expensive stepping stone towards the lighter, more comfortable gadgets of your sci-fi dreams.
Drop us a line at gtips@9to5g.com, leave a comment on the post, or reach out to our producer.
Is Android XR a Vision Into the future?
Oct 24, 2025
Welcome to episode 75 of Pixelated, a podcast by 9to5Google. This week, we dive into the long-awaited launch of Galaxy XR, the realized name for Project Moohan and our first glimpse at a real Android XR product. But what spot can Google and Samsung claim in a market that hasn't shown much demand yet for premium hardware? And is the future of Android XR other third-party headsets, or is this a stopgap on the way to glasses? Abner, Damien, and Will try to make sense for this vision of wearable computing.
Drop us a line at gtips@9to5g.com, leave a comment on the post, or reach out to our producer.
Is the Ultra-Slim Smartphone Race Already Over?
Oct 17, 2025
Welcome to episode 74 of Pixelated, a podcast by 9to5Google. This week, Abner, Damien, and Will turn their attention to the rumored cancellation of next year's Galaxy S26 Edge. The trio discuss what this means for the S25 Edge's poor sales, and how it relates to Samsung's ongoing strategy of trying to compete with Apple product by product. Plus, Abner takes the opportunity to share his thoughts on the iPhone Air a month after launch, and a look into what Google can learn from all of this.
Drop us a line at gtips@9to5g.com, leave a comment on the post, or reach out to our producer.
Watches and Earbuds and Foldables, Oh My
Oct 10, 2025
Welcome to episode 73 of Pixelated, a podcast by 9to5Google. Abner, Damien, and Will jump on their respective mics to talk over their experience with Google's second round of 2025 Pixel hardware, including the Pixel 10 Pro Fold, the Pixel Buds 2a, and the Pixel Watch 4. Is one of these Google's standout products of the year? Can we be wowed by a minimal upgrade over last year's foldable?
Drop us a line at gtips@9to5g.com, leave a comment on the post, or reach out to our producer.
Welcome Home, Gemini
Oct 03, 2025
Welcome to episode 72 of Pixelated, a podcast by 9to5Google. Abner, Damien, and Will reconvene to talk all about Google's recent smart home announcements. From Gemini for Home and Google's revised subscription service to the new Home Speaker and that very, very red Nest 2K smart cam, it's feeling like a fully revitalized smart home platform, and we're here to talk you through every announcement.
Drop us a line at gtips@9to5g.com, leave a comment on the post, or reach out to our producer.
A Convergence of ChromeOS Questions
Sep 26, 2025
Welcome to episode 71 of Pixelated, a podcast by 9to5Google. Damien and Will dive deep into the world of ChromeOS, reacting to the news out of Snapdragon Summit that Qualcomm CEO Cristiano Amon has seen Google's Android for PCs replacement and that it's, in his own words, "incredible." What should we expect out of Google's latest laptop venture? Could this be enough to get us to switch from Windows or MacOS? Our thoughts on all of those questions, plus a quick peek at the early unveiling of the OnePlus 15.
Drop us a line at gtips@9to5g.com, leave a comment on the post, or reach out to our producer.
Do smart speakers still make sense in 2025?
Sep 19, 2025
Welcome to episode 70 of Pixelated, a podcast by 9to5Google. This week, Abner, Damien, and Will talk through their feeling surrounding the upcoming smart speaker Google appears to be readying for launch next month. From whether a Gemini-powered smart speaker fits with what people ask for in their homes to debating if a display is absolutely necessary to make the device worth it, all three hosts work through their feelings on the looming reboot of a once-booming market, and where Google might intend to take the lineup moving forward.
Drop us a line at gtips@9to5g.com, leave a comment on the post, or reach out to our producer.
A Pixel-Apple-Pixel Sandwich
Sep 12, 2025
Welcome to episode 69 of Pixelated, a podcast by 9to5Google. This week, Abner, Damien, and Will kick off by talking about Pixel sales growth, with a recent Counterpoint report suggest 105% YoY growth for Google's smartphone lineup. After analyzing just what it means for the future of both Pixel and Android, the crew hops over to the other side of the fence to share their thoughts on Apple's latest iPhone lineup. Don't worry, loyal listener — they also make sure to wrap-up with some extended thoughts on the Pixel 10's battery and camera performance, with a promise of much more to come.
As mentioned at the end of the episode, we're looking for Pixel 10 questions! Feel free to send Damien your most pressing Pixel queries and opinions at damien@9to5mac.com.
For everything else, drop us a line at gtips@9to5g.com, leave a comment on the post, or reach out to our producer.
More M3E for you and me
Sep 05, 2025
Welcome to episode 68 of Pixelated, a podcast by 9to5Google. This week, Abner, Damien, and Will break down their feelings towards Material 3 Expressive now that Android 16 QPR1 is finally out in the wild. Is this the best Android has ever looked? Will Samsung follow Google's Material 3 Expressive rather than rushing towards a Liquid Glass-esque reality? Do we spend a large chunk of this episode breaking down how we've laid out our quick settings menus? That last one has an easy answer: you bet we do.
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Drop us a line at gtips@9to5g.com, leave a comment on the post, or reach out to our producer.
Pixel 10, one week later
Aug 29, 2025
Welcome to episode 67 of Pixelated, a podcast by 9to5Google. This week, Abner, Damien, and Will reconvene after a week with the Pixel 10, Pixel 10 Pro, and Pixel 10 Pro XL to talk about their respective experiences. These three phones might look familiar, but between Tensor G5, Magic Cue and Daily Hub, and Pixelsnap, there's plenty to break down.
Sponsored by Gadget Salvation: Check out gadgetsalvation.com/9to5mac, featuring a smarter way to trade in your used tech for instant cash. Get a quote in seconds, ship for free, and choose how you want to get paid—all while giving your electronics a second life. Plus, use code GADGET10 at checkout to boost your payout by 10%.
Drop us a line at gtips@9to5g.com, leave a comment on the post, or reach out to our producer.
A very different Made By Google
Aug 22, 2025
The Pixelated crew reassembles after an absolutely exhausting week covering Made By Google. Abner, Damien, and Will break down Google's wild swing at this year's event, featuring countless celebrity cameos alongside a musical performance, all hosted by Jimmy Fallon. After talking through all of Google's various new devices, they also touch on the surprise release of Android 16 QPR2 Beta 1, that blink-and-you-miss-it look at new smart speaker hardware, and deliver a quick tease for the next 9to5Google podcast.
Drop us a line at gtips@9to5g.com, leave a comment on the post, or reach out to our producer.
A Pixel Pre-order Pickle
Aug 08, 2025
Welcome to episode 65 of Pixelated, a podcast by 9to5Google. This week, Damien, Abner, and Will take a break from talking about the endless onslaught of Pixel 10 renders to take in a more zoomed-out look at Google's current ecosystem. As the company starts advertising the Pixel 10 series, new reports suggest we might be waiting a few months for the Pixel 10 Pro Fold, Pixel Watch 4, and the Pixel Buds 2a. Meanwhile, the company's decision to stop selling refurbished Pixel 6a models has us thinking about hardware longevity compared to software longevity, and how the two sometimes collide in unexpected ways.
Drop us a line at gtips@9to5g.com, leave a comment on the post, or reach out to our producer.
Oh snap, Pixel 10 has magnets
Aug 01, 2025
Welcome to episode 64 of Pixelated, a podcast by 9to5Google. This week, Abner and Will make up for Damien's absence by discussing the latest crop of Pixel leaks, including US pricing for the phones and watch that seemingly avoids tariff-mania. It's not just prices, though — a new "Pixelsnap" leak all but confirms the native Qi2 support we've been begging for for years, while a new Pixel Buds 2a leak points towards a pretty familiar set of earbuds.
Drop us a line at gtips@9to5g.com, leave a comment on the post, or reach out to our producer.
Pixel 10, now in living color
Jul 25, 2025
Welcome to episode 63 of Pixelated, a podcast by 9to5Google. This week, the Pixel leaks start comin' and they don't stop comin', as we break down the massive amount of Pixel 10 and Pixel Watch 4 leaks that continue to fall into our lap. Come for the conversation on which colors are doing it for us — and which aren't — and stay for the breakdown on why the Pixel 10 series just might arrive with Qi2 built-in. Plus, what's the deal with foldables, and is the Pixel Watch 4's new charger ridiculous, or ridiculously awesome?
Drop us a line at gtips@9to5g.com, leave a comment on the post, or reach out to our producer.
The Pixel 10 countdown begins
Jul 18, 2025
Welcome to episode 62 of Pixelated, a podcast by 9to5Google. This week, we're prepping for all things Pixel 10. With Made By Google officially announced for August 20th, we have less than five weeks to go until new Google hardware hits our desk. From phones to wearables, earbuds to foldables, there's a lot to look forward to — and frankly, it might all boil down to some software secrets we don't know much about yet.
Drop us a line at gtips@9to5g.com, leave a comment on the post, or reach out to our producer.
Samesung no more
Jul 11, 2025
Welcome to episode 61 of Pixelated, a podcast by 9to5Google. This week, we're unpacking Galaxy Unpacked, exploring everything Samsung announced at this week's foldable-focused event. We also discuss some new Circle to Search tricks on Android and debate whether Gemini for Wear OS is the wrist-based assistant we've been waiting for.
Drop us a line at gtips@9to5g.com, leave a comment on the post, or reach out to our producer.
Much Ado About Nothing
Jul 03, 2025
Welcome to episode 60 of Pixelated, a podcast by 9to5Google. This week, Damien, Abner, and Will talk through Nothing's latest launch event, including the company's first flagship Android phone, the Nothing Phone (3). From its divisive design to its new Glyph Matrix display, there's a lot to take in, as the company seemingly pivots towards a more premium market.
The trio also speculate on what Gemini's new four-color icon could mean for the future of Google as a company. Is this simply about aligning the logo with Google's standard theming, or does it tell us something about where Search and Gemini are headed in the future?
Drop us a line at gtips@9to5g.com, leave a comment on the post, or reach out to our producer.
The murky future of Chromebooks
Jun 27, 2025
Welcome to episode 59 of Pixelated, a podcast by 9to5Google. This week, we talk all about Google's latest Chromebook updates, Lenovo's new $650 Chromebook Plus 14, and what the future holds as rumors swirl around ChromeOS's potential pivot to Android. Plus, Abner and Damien are joined by an all-new host.
Drop us a line at gtips@9to5g.com, leave a comment on the post, or reach out to our producer.
The VIP Pixel Drop
Jun 13, 2025
Welcome to episode 58 of Pixelated, a podcast by 9to5Google. This week, we talk all about the Android 16 launch, June 2025 Pixel Feature Drop, 16 QPR1 Beta 2, and iOS 26 with Liquid Glass.
Drop us a line at gtips@9to5g.com, leave a comment on the post, or to our producer.
Post-I/O 2025 thoughts
May 30, 2025
Welcome to episode 56 of Pixelated, a podcast by 9to5Google. This week, we talk more about Google I/O 2025 and Android 16 QPR1, as well as reminisce over Google Photos turning 10.
Drop us a line at gtips@9to5g.com, leave a comment on the post, or to our producer.
Expressions of an Android 16 QPR Beta
May 23, 2025
Welcome to episode 55 of Pixelated, a podcast by 9to5Google. This week, we talk about Android 16 QPR1 Beta 1 and share our first thoughts on Google I/O 2025.
Drop us a line at gtips@9to5g.com, leave a comment on the post, or to our producer.
Pixelated 050: A Sky Full of Astra
Apr 18, 2025
Welcome to episode 50 of Pixelated, a podcast by 9to5Google. This week, we talk about the lack of One UI 7 and Gemini Live's Astra camera/screen sharing already going free.
Drop us a line at gtips@9to5g.com, leave a comment on the post, or to our producer.
Where Is My Pixie?
Mar 28, 2025
Welcome to episode 47 of Pixelated, a podcast by 9to5Google. This week, we talk about the rumored "Pixie" and its relationship to Gemini, as well as Android AOSP changes.
Drop us a line at gtips@9to5g.com, leave a comment on the post, or to our producer.
Cast Another Day
Mar 15, 2025
Welcome to episode 45 of Pixelated, a podcast by 9to5Google. This week, we talk about the Chromecast bug, Google Play Games on PC, and the latest Gemini models.
Drop us a line at gtips@9to5g.com, leave a comment on the post, or to our producer.
Chromecast flies the Nest
Feb 28, 2025
Welcome to episode 43 of Pixelated, a podcast by 9to5Google. This week, we talk about the Chromecast going out of stock and the future of Gemini smart displays/speakers.
Drop us a line at gtips@9to5g.com, leave a comment on the post, or to our producer.
Will the real Android 16 please enter preview?
Feb 21, 2025
Welcome to episode 42 of Pixelated, a podcast by 9to5Google. This week, we talk about the iPhone 16e (and how it compares to the Pixel 9a), OnePlus Watch 3, and Android 16 Beta 2.
Drop us a line at gtips@9to5g.com, leave a comment on the post, or to our producer.
Google Input/Output 2025
Feb 14, 2025
Welcome to episode 41 of Pixelated, a podcast by 9to5Google. This week, we talk about the Google I/O 2025 date reveal, YouTube on televisions, and Apple TV for Android.
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Drop us a line at gtips@9to5g.com, leave a comment on the post, or to our producer.
Sweet (Android) 16
Nov 01, 2024
Welcome to episode 30 of Pixelated, a podcast by 9to5Google. This week, we talk about how Google revealed that Android 16 is coming earlier than expected.
Drop us a line at gtips@9to5g.com, leave a comment on the post, or to our producer.
All aboard Android 15
Oct 19, 2024
Welcome to episode 28 of Pixelated, a podcast by 9to5Google. This week, we talk all about the launch of Android 15 and the October 2024 Pixel (Feature) Drop.
Drop us a line at gtips@9to5g.com, leave a comment on the post, or to our producer.
Chromecast flies the Nest
Aug 09, 2024
Welcome to the twentieth episode of Pixelated, a podcast by 9to5Google. This week, we talk about the Google TV Streamer, 4th-gen Nest Learning Thermostat, and the final Pixel 9 rumors.
Drop us a line at gtips@9to5g.com, leave a comment on the post, or to our producer.
It's not leaking, it's pouring Pixel 9
Jul 26, 2024
Welcome to the nineteenth episode of Pixelated, a podcast by 9to5Google. This week, we talk about the latest Pixel 9 series, Pixel Buds Pro 2, and Pixel Watch 3 leaks.
Drop us a line at gtips@9to5g.com, leave a comment on the post, or to our producer.
Pixel Teaser Season
Jul 19, 2024
Welcome to the eighteenth episode of Pixelated, a podcast by 9to5Google. This week, we talk about Android 15 Beta 4 and the official Pixel 9 Pro teasers.
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