From Android to Pixel to YouTube: A Mini-Google I/O Overload

This week marked a flurry of consumer-facing announcements from Google, covering areas such as Android, Pixel devices, and various applications. Key highlights include:

• Android: Updates to Android 15 QPR2 introduced new Modes and Notification Cooldown features. Developers also got insights into upcoming lockscreen widgets for Android 16 QPR1 and enhancements to widget quality and discovery.
• Find My Device: The app is integrating device finding with people location sharing, potentially requiring a name change due to its expanded functionality.
• Gboard: New voice toolbar options and experimental key shapes are being tested.
• Gemini: A range of updates for Gemini apps on both Android and iOS, including lockscreen widgets, Control Center integration, and Shortcuts. Gemini Live now supports video and screen sharing with Astra.
• Google Calendar: The addition of a Gemini side panel enhances the app's functionality.
• Pixel 9 Pro: Awarded 'Smartphone of the Year' at MWC 2025, along with new camera updates and other feature drops like Satellite SOS expansion.
• YouTube Premium Lite: A new offering that excludes YouTube Music.

Other notable updates include improvements to Google Fi, Maps, Messages, Photos, Search (with AI Mode), and the Pixel Watch.