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Google says Android Open Source Project not being ‘discontinued’ amidst Pixel change impacting custom ROMs


With the launch of Android 16 earlier this week, Google did not release the Pixel hardware repos and device trees that are particularly important for custom ROM developers. This led to speculation by some that “AOSP is being discontinued.” Google has denied that, but the Pixel change does look to be intentional.
Expand Expanding CloseAndroid 16 QPR1 Beta redesigns the Pixel Launcher search bar, adds AI Mode


With Android 16 QPR1 Beta 2, the Pixel Launcher search bar is getting a redesign to match the Google app’s updated homescreen widget.
Expand Expanding CloseAndroid 16 QPR1 Beta 2 redesigns viewed notifications, now transparent


The first beta release of Android 16 QPR1 rolled out a redesigned lock screen with a “seen notifications” section. That newly introduced UI element has now been made a little bit better in Android 16 QPR1 Beta 2.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle rolling Pixel Buds Pro 2 firmware 3.154 update

Along with updates for Pixel phones and the Watch this week, Google is rolling out new firmware for the Pixel Buds Pro 2 today.
Expand Expanding CloseNothing confirms it was almost called ‘Essential’ instead [Video]

Before it made a big splash, Nothing had purchased some of the remains of Essential, and it turns out that was almost exclusively about the name of the company.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle confirms ‘mandatory’ Pixel 6a update that will reduce battery capacity

Following discovery in the latest Android 16 beta, Google has confirmed that Pixel 6a owners will receive “mandatory” software update that will reduce battery capacity.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle rolling out Pixel VIPs: How to access the widget

Following yesterday’s announcement, Google is widely rolling out the new Pixel VIPs widget to the Pixel 6+ on Android 16 (and QPR1).
Expand Expanding CloseGboard can now generate stickers with Pixel Studio, starts rolling out

As announced with the June 2025 Feature Drop, Gboard is getting deeper integration with Pixel Studio that lets you generate custom AI stickers. This is beginning to roll out on the Pixel 9 and newer.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle prepares to ‘reduce’ Pixel 6a battery due to ‘overheating issue’ amid fire reports

Pixel 6a owners may soon see their devices limited in terms of battery life, as code shows that Google is preparing to “reduce” the battery to avoid “a potential overheating” issue.
Expand Expanding CloseRedmagic ‘Astra’ is a 9-inch OLED Android tablet with a fingerprint sensor, launching July 1

Small Android tablet fans rejoice, a new 9-inch tablet with an OLED display is launching next month on the global market in the Redmagic Astra, which has just debuted in China with an impressive spec sheet.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle homepage tests AI Mode button right in the Search bar

Following Android and iOS, Google Search on the web wants to add an “AI Mode” shortcut right on the iconic homepage.
Expand Expanding CloseSamsung teases a ‘smarter’ Galaxy Z Fold 7 camera amid rumors of upgraded hardware

Samsung is in full hype mode around the launch of the Galaxy Z Fold 7 (and, to a lesser extent, Flip 7), with its latest teaser hinting at camera improvements, but only ones related to AI.
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Today’s Android app deals and freebies: NARUTO Ninja STORM, Doom & Destiny Worlds, more
Your Wednesday edition of the best deals surfacing on Google Play for your Android devices is now ready to go down below. On your way down, be sure to scope out the all-time low we spotted this morning on Samsung’s all-new 2025 65-inch The Frame smart TV and this refurb offer on the Google Pixel Buds Pro 2 down at $110. As for the apps, highlights include NARUTO: Ultimate Ninja STORM, Doom & Destiny Worlds, Heroes of Flatlandia, and more. Hit the jump for a closer look.
Read MoreAndroid 16’s new desktop mode works on tablet screens but not foldables, Google confirms

One of the big new features coming to Android 16 later this year is a new desktop mode that makes it possible for a phone to connect to a monitor and display a desktop-like environment with resizable apps and more. While tablets will be able to run this new desktop mode on their own displays, Google says that foldables running Android 16 will not get the same treatment.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle reportedly working on ‘Pixelsnap’ Qi 2 accessories for Pixel 10

Visually, Google’s upcoming phones look the same, but the big hardware hope is the presence of Qi 2 wireless charging with magnetic attachment. The latest Pixel 10 rumor suggests Google is preparing first-party Qi 2 accessories called “Pixelsnap.”
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Deals: Google Pixel Buds Pro 2 up to $120 off, 2025 The Frame smart TV all-time low, Copilot+ PCs, and more
Today’s Androidverse deals are now ready to roll starting with the ongoing Google Father’s Day sale and a chance to land a serious $120 price drop on Best Buy refurb Google Pixel Buds Pro 2 at $110 (or $189 brand new). We also spotted ASUS’ Vivobook S 15 Copilot+ PC at $300 off, 8Bitdo’s Hall effect Ultimate Mobile Android Gaming Controller at $27 again, and a new all-time low on the brand new 65-inch Samsung The Frame 2025 model at $270 off. All of that and more awaits below in today’s 9to5Toys Lunch Break.
Expand Expanding CloseAndroid 16 adds Battery health percentage & ‘assistance’ on newer Pixel phones

The Android 16 update introduces “Battery health,” though specific functionality depends on what Pixel phone you have.
Expand Expanding CloseSurvey says: The new Galaxy Watch 8 design is not popular with the masses

The polls are in, it paints a very clear picture as to how people feel about the Galaxy Watch 8 and Watch 8 Classic’s design language.
Expand Expanding CloseSamsung is betting fewer people will buy the Galaxy Z Fold 7 as foldable bet falters

Reports are starting to float around that indicate Samsung has set a shorter manufacturing quota than initially expected, lowering the number of Galaxy Z Fold 7 and Flip 7 devices being made.
Expand Expanding CloseMoto Tag starts rolling out UWB support for Find Hub – here’s what updates you’ll need

A year after its initial debut, the Moto Tag is finally the first Find Hub (formerly Find My Device) tracker for Android that supports UWB, but you’ll need a couple of updates to get things working.
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Android 16 QPR1 Beta 2 is rolling out, but sideloading files are strangely missing
Google kicked off the rollout of Android 16 QPR1 Beta 2 yesterday, but Pixel owners looking to skip the lengthy on-device OTA installation are still waiting for sideloading files to become available.
Expand Expanding CloseAndroid 16 QPR1 Beta 2 tweaks the brightness and volume sliders

Besides Connected displays support, Beta 2 of Android 16 QPR1 is focussed on refining Material 3 Expressive, including the volume and brightness sliders.
Expand Expanding CloseiOS 26 and its ‘Liquid Glass’ redesign is being compared to ancient Android skins [Video]

Apple introduced its new “Liquid Glass” redesign of iOS 26 this week at WWDC and to say that the reactions have been mixed is an understatement. Amid the various comments, though, have been a bunch of comparisons between iOS 26 and ancient Android skins.
Expand Expanding CloseThe first Google Beam device is the $24,999 HP Dimension

Following the news at I/O 2025, HP today announced the “HP Dimension with Google Beam.”
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