Amazon says an upcoming software update will restore sideloading capabilities to Fire TV devices after a previous patch inadvertently blocked third-party app installation. The company claims the sideload prevention was a bug, not intentional, and will be fixed in an automated rollout. Future Fire TV devices will use Linux-based Vega OS instead of Android.
Google is rolling out Android 17 QPR1 to Pixel devices with the September 2026 Feature Drop, featuring UI improvements including enhanced blur effects, updated volume and power menus, new Material 3 carousel media player, bouncy Quick Settings animations, and reorganized homescreen app menus with shortcuts and system actions.
Samsung's new 'Switchers' ad campaign uses reality TV stars in a couples therapy setting to humorously highlight the process of switching from iPhone to Android, specifically showcasing the Galaxy Z Fold 8's features and addressing common pain points like green bubbles, AirDrop, and data transfer using Google's updated QR code transfer method.
Google has rolled out Motion Assist, a feature for Pixel and Samsung phones running Android 17 that displays adjustable bubble overlays to reduce motion sickness in moving vehicles. Users can enable it through Settings or Quick Settings, customize the bubbles' color, shape, and opacity, and toggle the feature manually or automatically when motion is detected.
Google Maps is rolling out speed limits and a live speedometer on Android Auto that now display even without an active navigation destination, addressing a recent bug where the speedometer disappeared for some users. The company confirmed the feature is gradually becoming available to drivers.
Google Wallet for Android is testing a vertically stacked card list design to replace the current horizontal carousel, improving one-handed usability and better accommodating users with multiple saved cards. The new layout mirrors iPhone's Wallet app while displaying more of each card's design.
Google will open pre-orders for Googlebooks on September 21 at 9 a.m. ET, with devices from Acer, Asus, Dell, HP, and Lenovo. The Android-based platform will feature a Magic Pointer for Gemini access and a light bar as the primary branding element, with full OS details expected at launch.
Apple's new CEO John Ternus discussed the iPhone Duo foldable in interviews, criticizing Android competitors like Samsung's Galaxy Z Fold 8 and Google's Pixel 11 Pro Fold for cheap plastic surfaces and praising Apple's nanotexture finish and optimized software approach. Apple highlighted developer partnerships with Slack, Netflix, and Zoom as advantages for the Duo's launch next month.
Google Wallet is rolling out a fullscreen redesign for passes on Android, replacing the small rectangular card view with immersive brand-colored backgrounds. The update applies to loyalty cards and boarding passes, with key actions now accessible via scrolling, while a rewind icon allows users to access the previous design.
Google has announced a system-level feature for Android that securely transfers passwords and passkeys between credential managers, eliminating the need for unencrypted text files or manual recreation. The feature is now supported by Google Password Manager, 1Password, Bitwarden, and Dashlane, with other providers able to integrate via the Credentials Transfer API.