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Google Maps navigation missing media playback controls on Android

After the deprecation of Assistant Driving Mode earlier this year, Google Maps is now missing media playback controls for YouTube Music and Spotify on Android.
Expand Expanding CloseWhat Google Messages features are rolling out [July 2025]

Like most Google apps, Messages A/B tests many features. However, it takes the RCS/SMS client a rather long time to actually launch these capabilities in stable even after they are announced. From various reports, Google itself, and devices we’ve checked, this is the current state of Messages.
Expand Expanding CloseAndroid skins are good, actually [Video]

There was a time when “Android skin” was a dirty word, something that frustrated and inhibited the entire platform. Times have changed, though; in fact, many are incredible options, and they make Android stronger for buyers and fans alike.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle Phone for Wear OS getting M3 Expressive

Like on Android, the Phone by Google app is getting a M3 Expressive redesign on Wear OS.
Expand Expanding ClosePixelated 062: The Pixel 10 countdown begins

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.
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Today’s Android app deals and freebies: Bendy and the Ink Machine, Exolotl Zian, more
Before we all head off into the weekend, let’s take a rundown of the best deals courtesy of the Google Play store. Joining the Android app discounts, we are also tracking a chance to land Galaxy Watch 7 from $160 or Galaxy Watch 8 up to $250 off (FREE with Galaxy Z Fold 7), as well as Pixel Watch 3 as low as $217, up to $500 off Copilot+ PCs at Best Buy, and an ongoing Prime Day price on Google TV Streamer 4K. As for the apps, everything awaits below.
Read MorePixel Watch 4 leak points to identical pricing

Like the Pixel 10 series last week, European pricing for the Pixel Watch 4 has now leaked and looks to be staying the same.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle is doing ‘Gemini Drops’ with new Productivity Planner Gem, more

Like Pixel and Workspace, Gemini is the latest product to get Feature Drops, with a new “Productivity Planner Gem” being the highlight.
Expand Expanding CloseSamsung Galaxy A56 now available in the US for $499 with 6 years of updates

Months after its siblings, the Galaxy A56 is finally going on sale in the US today, Samsung says, though you might still need to wait a little bit.
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Deals: Pixel Watch 3 from $217, Lenovo Copilot+ PCs $400 off, Galaxy Watch from $160, more
We are ending off the work week with a fresh batch of deals and some return Prime Day offers in today’s 9to5Toys Lunch Break. Alongside the chance at scoring a Pixel Watch 3 as low as $217, Amazon is also still offering Prime Day pricing on the Google TV Streamer 4K. Speaking of which, Prime Day pricing on the Galaxy Watch 7 has returned from $160 alongside the deep deals on the new Galaxy Watch 8. On the PC side of things, Best Buy is offering up to $500 off a range of CoPilot+ models including $300 off the 2025 Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3x touchscreen. Everything await below.
Expand Expanding CloseIt’s not just you, Google services appear to be in a partial outage

A partial outage appears to be hitting various Google services today, including Workspace, Gmail, Gemini, Nest, and other products powered by Google Cloud.
Expand Expanding ClosePixel Watch 4 tipped to include ‘continuous’ blood oxygen, satellite comms, more

According to recent reports, Google’s upcoming Pixel Watch 4 is apparently set to include improvements to blood oxygen tracking, offer some form of satellite communications in emergencies, and support Android 16’s notification cooldown feature.
Expand Expanding CloseSamsung’s ‘Galaxy Z TriFold’ might not arrive until after Huawei’s Mate XT successor

If you’re impatiently waiting for word on when Samsung’s first tri-fold smartphone might finally hit the market, you might not have to wait much longer — even if it means getting beat to the punch by the only other tri-foldable in town.
Expand Expanding CloseReview: Redmagic Astra is a near-perfect compact Android tablet, complete with OLED

The Android tablet market was devoid of decent options for a long time, but we’re finally seeing new options pop up. Lenovo’s Legion Tab is what really garnered attention earlier this year, but after spending a few weeks with the Redmagic Astra, I think it’s clear that this is a near-perfect version of a compact Android tablet, thanks in large part to its specs and OLED display.
Expand Expanding CloseGalaxy Z Fold 7 just proved the ‘thinnest foldable’ race doesn’t matter, so what’s next?

Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold 7 marks an important point for the company’s foldable efforts. Not only is it quite literally half as thin as the original, but it’s also finally caught up to the competition. But this launch also means something else. The race for the “world’s thinnest foldable” is over at this point, and that means it’s time for Samsung and others to focus on something else in the post-Galaxy Z Fold 7 world.
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One of the last remaining traces of Essential vanishes as Nothing takes over
The Essential Phone (PH-1) is a weird little blip on Android’s history. Gone, but not totally forgotten. However, one of the few remaining traces of the Essential brand has now been wiped from Twitter/X, as Nothing has its own plans for the branding.
Expand Expanding CloseAndroid 16 QPR1 Beta 3: Colorful weather icons return, search bar tweaked

Android 16 QPR1 Beta 3 should be the last major preview (excluding any upcoming .1 patches) before the stable launch in September, and Google is making tweaks to weather in At a Glance and the Pixel Launcher search field.
Expand Expanding CloseHere’s everything new in Android 16 QPR1 Beta 3 [Gallery]

The Android 16 QPR1 preview cycle continues today with Beta 3 for Pixel devices today.
Expand Expanding CloseIs the Galaxy Watch 8 Classic a meaningful upgrade over the Watch 6 Classic?

Samsung stuck to its set pattern and released a Classic edition for the Galaxy Watch 8 series two years after the last model. But what’s actually different between the more traditional Watch 6 Classic and Samsung’s newest flagship? Does it come down to software alone, or is it worth it to make the jump a couple of generations?
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle rolling out Android 16 QPR1 Beta 3 for Pixel

Ahead of the stable launch in September, Google is rolling out Android 16 QPR1 Beta 3 to Pixel devices today.
Expand Expanding CloseNothing updates Essential Space with Google Calendar integration, improved recorder

Nothing has just announced new updates to Essential Space, its AI-powered hub, which includes support for Google Calendar as well as updates to the new “Flip to Record” feature on Phone (3).
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Today’s Android app deals and freebies: Old Man’s Journey, Front Armies, ELOH, more
This afternoon’s lineup of the best Android game and app deals is now ready to roll down below. On your way down be sure to scope out the deals we have today on the Sonos Ace ANC over-ear headphones at $150 off, these Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra configs at up to $400 off, and the deals on how to score Galaxy Buds 3 Pro for FREE with a FREE case alongside your Galaxy Z Flip 7 pre-order. As for the apps, highlights include titles like Old Man’s Journey, Front Armies [RTS], ELOH, Titan Quest: Ultimate Edition, and more. Head below for a closer look.
Read MoreCircle to Search rolling out Song Search history on Android

After AI Mode and gaming updates, Google is now adding Song Search history to Circle to Search on Android.
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Deals: Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra up to $400 off, FREE Buds 3 Pro w/ Flip 7, Google Smart TV + FREE 43-inch model, more
In today’s 9to5Toys Lunch Break we are starting off with some deals on the Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra – it is now $220 off straight from Samsung but you’ll also find the most affordable model at over $400 off in open-box condition at Best Buy with a full warranty. We detailed how to score $250 Galaxy Buds 3 Pro for FREE alongside a FREE case with your Galaxy Z Flip 7 pre-order, but those Samsung offers join Acer’s 12-core Snapdragon X Elite Swift 14 AI Copilot+ PC at $470 off and a chance to score a giant Hisense 144Hz Google smart TV with a FREE 43-inch model thrown in at $900+ off. Everything else awaits below.
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