![Spotify Can Now Save ‘Personal Podcasts’ with Your Calendar and More Using AI Agents [Video]](/cdn-cgi/image/width=1200,quality=75,format=auto,fit=cover/https://i0.wp.com/9to5google.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2023/03/spotify-logo-3.jpg?resize=1200%2C628&quality=82&strip=all&ssl=1){kind=logo}
Spotify Can Now Save ‘Personal Podcasts’ with Your Calendar and More Using AI Agents [Video]
Spotify has launched a beta tool called "Save to Spotify" that lets AI agents such as OpenClaw, Claude Code and OpenAI Codex create and store "Personal Podcasts" directly in a user’s library. The feature can pull data from calendars, email inboxes, news feeds and other sources to generate short, customized audio summaries. Users access the tool via a GitHub CLI, linking their Spotify account to their preferred AI agent. At the same time, Spotify announced its DJ feature is now available in French, German, Italian and Brazilian Portuguese and in several new markets.
Qualcomm Says Its New Snapdragon Chips Will Have Less Lag on Mid-Range Android Phones
Qualcomm unveiled its new mid‑range chipsets, Snapdragon 6 Gen 5 and Snapdragon 4 Gen 5, promising significant lag reduction for Android phones. The 6 Gen 5 features a 4+4 core design, Wi‑Fi 7, Bluetooth 6.0 and a 21 % more powerful GPU, while the 4 Gen 5 uses a 2+6 layout with a...
Google Rolling Out a Really Vibrant Search Live Redesign
Google is rolling out a full‑screen redesign of Search Live in the Android Google app (version 17.20). The new interface replaces the half‑screen video view with a vibrant gradient waveform and a blue perimeter glow while you speak. Core controls—Unmute, Video,...
Google Preps ‘Gemini Agent’ as Your ’24/7 Digital Partner’
Google is upgrading its Gemini Agent, an experimental AI feature introduced with Gemini 3, into a 24/7 digital partner dubbed “Remy.” The new version can perform multi‑step actions such as sending emails, sharing files, and making purchases by leveraging personal context,...
Galaxy S26 Ultra Outsold Its Predecessor, but Still Dropped Off of 2026’s First Top 10 List
Samsung’s Galaxy S26 Ultra posted stronger initial sales than its S25 predecessor but narrowly missed the Q1 2026 global top‑10 best‑selling smartphone list. The list was dominated by Apple’s iPhone 17, which captured 6% of worldwide sales, and a slew of budget...
Gemini Readies Agent to Drive Your Mac and ‘Organize Your Files’
Google is adding a Gemini‑powered agent to its macOS app that can directly control the computer, organize files, and push data into Google Workspace. The agent will use screen‑access and accessibility APIs to see the screen, move the mouse, type,...
Google Readies ‘AI Ultra Lite’ Plan and Explicit ‘Usage Limits’ for Gemini
Google is preparing a new “AI Ultra Lite” subscription tier that sits between its $20 Pro and $250 Ultra plans, adding a dedicated dashboard for token‑budget monitoring. The move responds to a growing token crunch as AI agents and coding...
Pixel 10’s May 2026 Update Prevents You From Installing Older Android Versions
Google’s May 2026 over‑the‑air update for the Pixel 10, 10 Pro, 10 Pro XL and 10 Pro Fold adds an anti‑rollback safeguard that blocks flashing older bootloader versions and Android 16 builds. The measure mirrors similar protections already deployed on Pixel 6 and Pixel 8 devices. If a user attempts...
Samsung Is Discounting a Ton of Galaxy Accessories Including Cases, Chargers, More
Samsung is offering a blanket 5% discount on most official Galaxy accessories through its website, covering cases, chargers, battery packs, keyboards and more. The promotion requires no coupon codes and is applied automatically at checkout. In parallel, Samsung is slashing...
Amazon’s Redesigned Photos App Looks Like a Mix of Apple and Google Photos
Amazon has launched a major redesign of its Photos app on iOS, with Android support arriving soon. The new interface opens to a full‑screen carousel of curated memories, echoing Google Photos, while the bottom navigation bar resembles Apple’s Photos layout....
Chrome for Android Will Let You Just Share Approximate Location
Google has added an approximate‑location option to Chrome for Android, allowing users to share only neighborhood‑level coordinates with websites. The permission dialog now distinguishes between Precise (Exact) and Approximate (Neighborhood) location, while still permitting exact data when required. The feature...
Android Phones Have Been Forced Into Forgetting What ‘Upgrade’ Means, so Just Buy Last Year’s Best Instead
Smartphone makers are inflating prices in 2026 while delivering almost unchanged hardware, turning nominal upgrades into costly decisions for consumers. Flagship lines like Samsung’s Galaxy S26 and Motorola’s Razr series see $100‑$200 price jumps despite modest spec improvements, and budget...
Encrypted RCS Between Android and iPhone Launching with iOS 26.5
Apple announced that iOS 26.5 will support end‑to‑end encrypted RCS messaging with Android devices via Google Messages. The feature is available in the iOS 26.5 release candidate and will roll out to users once the final OS ships, displaying a lock icon...
WhatsApp’s Metaverse-Inspired ‘Avatars’ Are Being Removed From the App
WhatsApp is phasing out its avatar feature, beginning with the removal of the edit function and eventually deleting avatars and related stickers from user profiles. The change was first reported by WABetaInfo after users saw an in‑app notice about Meta’s...
YouTube TV Will Keep The Weather Channel in New Deal
YouTube TV has reached a new long‑term agreement with Allen Media Group that keeps The Weather Channel on its lineup, along with niche channels Comedy.TV, Justice Central and Recipe.TV. The Weather Channel was reportedly at risk of removal before negotiations...
Hisense’s New RGB Mini-LED TV Is Now Available with Google TV for Less than TCL Can Offer
Hisense has launched the UR9 series, a Google TV‑powered RGB Mini‑LED TV line priced at $2,000 for the 65‑inch model and up to $4,000 for the 85‑inch, roughly half the cost of TCL’s comparable mini‑LED offerings. The TVs feature nearly...
Walmart’s New Google TV Streamers Are Now Available Online for More Buyers
Walmart’s new Google TV‑powered Onn 4K Pro set‑top box and Onn 4K streaming stick are now available for online purchase with shipping, after a limited in‑store rollout. The devices are priced at $59.88 and $39.88 respectively, and delivery windows range from same‑day to...
Gemini App Getting Full Redesign that Overhauls Every Part of the UI
Google is rolling out a full redesign of its Gemini app, replacing the classic input field with a pill‑shaped prompt box and a bottom‑sheet carousel for quick access to photos, camera, files and notebooks. The homepage now features a personalized...
Google Home Will Roll Out Gemini Upgrades More Widely in Europe, Asia-Pacific This Week
Google is expanding Gemini for Home, its AI‑driven assistant for Nest devices, to a broader set of European and Asia‑Pacific markets this week, following an early‑access rollout announced in April. The company says the rollout is being accelerated, letting users...
Why Would I Want an AI Agent to Replace My Phone?
OpenAI is reportedly developing a smartphone slated for a 2028 launch that would replace the conventional app ecosystem with AI agents handling tasks like bookings and email drafts. Analyst Ming‑Chi Kuo says the device will focus on an "Agent Task...
Google Explains Why Android AICore Occasionally Takes up More Storage
Google’s Android AICore lets Android 14+ phones run Gemini Nano generative‑AI models locally, powering features like advanced proofreading, speech‑to‑text, scam detection, smart replies, summarization and translation. The on‑device approach enhances privacy, enables offline use, and cuts latency compared with cloud‑based AI....
Pixelated 098: An Iconic Glow-Up
Episode 98 of 9to5Google’s Pixelated podcast dives into three major tech storylines. Hosts Abner Li, Damien Wilde and Will Sattelberg detail Google’s upcoming redesign of app icons across Workspace and other services, signaling a broader visual overhaul. They also unpack the...
![Google Releases Experimental ‘COSMO’ AI Assistant App on Play Store [U]](/cdn-cgi/image/width=1200,quality=75,format=auto,fit=cover/https://i0.wp.com/9to5google.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2026/05/Cosmo-1.jpg?resize=1200%2C628&quality=82&strip=all&ssl=1)
Google Releases Experimental ‘COSMO’ AI Assistant App on Play Store [U]
Google inadvertently published an experimental AI assistant called COSMO on the Play Store, only to remove it shortly after. The 1.13 GB app, built by Google Research, bundles a local Gemini Nano model and offers a suite of AI‑driven “skills” such...
This Chart Shows Why the RAM Shortage Has Become a ‘Mageddon’
A sharp 26% month‑over‑month rise in DRAM export prices between March and April 2026 highlights a deepening RAM shortage. The surge is driven by exploding AI workloads that outpace the capacity of DRAM and NAND manufacturers to scale production. Samsung...
Android Auto App Widgets Mirror Mobile Setup, Leak Shows as Release Nears
Google is preparing to roll out widgets for Android Auto in the upcoming 16.8.161804‑release.daily build. The new widget menu mirrors the familiar Android home‑screen picker, offering apps such as Calendar, Chrome, Google Drive and even ChatGPT. While the feature appears...
Prices Hikes Have Arrived for OnePlus 15, Nothing Phones, More
OnePlus has raised the Indian price of its flagship OnePlus 15 and 15R models by roughly $25‑$50, pushing the 12 GB/256 GB variant from about $880 to $940 and the top 16 GB/512 GB version from $964 to $1,036. Nothing followed suit, increasing its 4a...
Galaxy Ring Has Dropped to $299 Again, but You Can Save Even More
Samsung has reduced the price of its Galaxy Ring health tracker to $299, a $100 discount from the regular $399 list price. The ring is available in all colors and sizes on Samsung.com, and the discount applies without any subscription...
Samsung Teases ‘AI Glasses’ as It Warns of the RAM Crisis Getting Even Worse in 2027
Samsung used its latest earnings call to tease a new line of AI glasses that promise immersive multimodal experiences, while warning that the global RAM shortage will worsen through 2027. Executives said current inventory is extremely tight, pushing the demand‑fulfillment...
Gemini App Rolls Out Notebooks to Android as iOS Gets Liquid Glass
Google has extended its Gemini notebooks feature to Android and iOS, adding a new Liquid Glass visual style for iPhone users. The notebooks act as organized containers for chats and files and sync with NotebookLM, with source limits that vary...
Google Expands ‘Preferred Sources’ to Everyone so You Actually See Your Favorite Sites
Google has expanded its “Preferred Sources” feature from a limited rollout to a global offering, now available to all Search users in every supported language. The tool lets readers designate the news sites they trust, ensuring those outlets appear more...
Galaxy S27 Ultra Camera Rumored to Get an Overhaul, Ditching 3x Telephoto
Samsung’s upcoming Galaxy S27 Ultra is rumored to discard its 3× telephoto lens, replacing it with a next‑generation ultrawide sensor first seen on the Galaxy Z Fold 8. The flagship is also expected to feature a variable‑aperture main camera, an upgraded 5× telephoto zoom, and...
Deals: Galaxy Tab S11 Models up to $573 Off, S26 Ultra Bundles $325 Off, Fire TV Stick 4K $16, More
Samsung’s latest price‑cut blitz slashes Galaxy Tab S11 prices by up to $439 and other tablet models by as much as $573 ahead of upcoming price hikes on Amazon and Best Buy. The unlocked Galaxy S26 Ultra bundled with Galaxy Buds 4 Pro now...
OnePlus Pad 4 Debuts with Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5, One Downgrade, and Vague Launch Plans
OnePlus unveiled the Pad 4 in India, equipping it with Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 and offering 8 GB/256 GB or 12 GB/512 GB configurations. The tablet’s battery grows to 13,380 mAh, the display brightens, and the chassis thins to 5.94 mm, while the base RAM drops from 12 GB to...
YouTube Starts Rolling Out Free Picture-in-Picture (PiP) Globally on Android, iOS
YouTube is extending its picture‑in‑picture (PiP) mode to all free users worldwide, after a limited rollout in the United States. The feature will work on both Android and iOS for long‑form, non‑music videos, letting viewers keep content playing while using...
Don’t Bother with Moto’s New Razr Ultra — Last Year’s Model Is Nearly Half Off and Virtually Identical
Motorola unveiled its 2026 Razr lineup, but the new Razr Ultra delivers only modest upgrades over last year’s model. The 2025 Razr Ultra, particularly the 1 TB version, is now priced around $800—about half its original $1,300 MSRP—through Motorola’s store and...
OnePlus Has Reportedly Been Merged with Realme as the Downward Spiral Continues
OnePlus has officially merged its global and Chinese operations with Realme, creating a new sub‑product center that will combine marketing and service functions. The move follows a series of cost‑cutting measures, including staff reductions in Europe and an ongoing evaluation...
Today’s Android Game and App Deals: NARUTO, Onigo Hunter, Endurance, More
9to5Toys released its mid‑week Android game and app roundup on April 29, 2026, highlighting more than 30 titles with price cuts. The list features premium RPGs such as Onigo Hunter and Sword of Elpisia, as well as flagship franchises like NARUTO: Ultimate Ninja STORM and Endurance: dead space. Most...
Gemini App Can Now Generate Google Docs, PDF, Word, and Other Files
Google has upgraded its Gemini AI app to generate downloadable files across the Google Workspace suite and common document formats such as PDF, DOCX, XLSX, CSV, LaTeX, Markdown, RTF, and plain text. Users can issue natural‑language prompts to produce fully...
Android’s ‘Search’ Bar Now Lets You ‘Ask Google’ and AI Mode
Google has extended its AI Mode to the Android Search bar, replacing the traditional "Search..." prompt with an "Ask Google" interface. The new design swaps the familiar "G" logo for a plus‑menu that lets users attach images, switch to AI...
Motorola Razr Fold Officially Costs $1,899 in the US, Available in May
Motorola confirmed the Razr Fold will debut in the United States on May 21, priced at $1,899, with pre‑orders opening May 14. The device features a Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 processor, 16 GB of RAM, 512 GB of storage, a 6,000 mAh battery, 80 W wired and...
Google Messages Read Receipts Redesign Continues with Old Icons, Swipe for Time
Google Messages is refining its read‑receipt UI after a 2024 redesign that bundled status icons into a single circle. The app has reverted to the classic two‑circle layout but is now testing a variant that hides the timestamp and encryption‑lock...
The Sideload 031: The Fate of OnePlus
Episode 31 of 9to5Google’s Sideload podcast examines mounting rumors that OnePlus’s future is in jeopardy. Hosts discuss a weakening foothold in Europe, where regulatory headwinds and slowing sales raise doubts, and a tepid market response in North America despite premium...
Gemini App Preps ‘Proactive Assistance’ and New Gemini Voices
Google is testing a new "Proactive Assistance" feature in the Gemini app, allowing the AI to pull data from Gmail, Calendar, screen content, and notifications to deliver timely, personalized suggestions. The feature processes all user data locally on the device,...
OpenAI Reportedly Working on Its Own Smartphone Based Around AI Agents
OpenAI is reportedly developing its own AI‑powered smartphone that centers on autonomous AI agents. Analyst Ming‑Chi Kuo says the device will run on custom MediaTek or Qualcomm silicon and be assembled by Luxshare, the same contract manufacturer behind iPhones. The...
Clicks Communicator Shipping Timeline Is Confirmed, but It Won’t Start Until the End of the Year
Clicks has confirmed that its Communicator, a niche Android phone with a BlackBerry‑style keyboard and a stacked display, will begin production and ship to reservation holders in Q4 2026. The company will roll out software previews in May, showcase working units...
Samsung Sued by the ‘Original Developer of Foldable Phones,’ but a Ban Seems Unlikely
Lepton Computing, a two‑person firm that never released a product, has sued Samsung in Texas, alleging it infringed nine patents covering foldable‑phone displays, hardware, and software. The complaint targets the Galaxy Z Fold 3, Flip 3 and all later foldables, seeking damages...
Galaxy Watch 8 Classic Drops to $199, but only in One Color
Samsung’s Galaxy Watch 8 Classic, normally priced at $499, is now listed on Woot for $199, representing a 60% discount. The deal applies exclusively to the white Bluetooth/Wi‑Fi model, with the black bezel version unavailable. The promotion runs for only four...
Walmart’s New Google TV Streamers Are Now Available for some as Wide Launch Nears
Walmart is preparing to roll out its new Onn 4K Pro streaming box and Onn 4K streaming stick powered by Google TV. The devices are now listed on Walmart.com for most shoppers, though the displayed prices—$59.88 for the box and $39.88 for the stick—appear...
Google Pixel Ruined Voice Typing on Every Other Phone for Me, but the Fix Is in Sight
Google’s Pixel phones deliver a markedly superior voice‑to‑text experience through a specially tuned Gboard that combines faster transcription, higher accuracy, and automatic punctuation. Competing Android devices, including Samsung’s, rely on a generic Gboard version that lacks these refinements, prompting users...
Google Wallet Adds Support for Three More Digital Passport IDs on Android
Google Wallet for Android now lets users add passport IDs from Brazil, Singapore and Taiwan, expanding beyond its earlier support for U.S. and U.K. passports. The three‑step onboarding captures a photo of the info page, scans the passport’s embedded NFC...