From Android To Pixel To YouTube: This Week Was A Mini-Google I/O

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This was an insanely busy week in consumer-facing Google announcements. Approaching Google I/O levels, which is 72 days away, let’s alphabetically recap everything:

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Android

Android 15 QPR2: Here’s everything new, including Modes and Notification Cooldown

Android Auto: Adding full games

Android widgets: For developers, Google had Spotlight Week on widgets. We learned that lockscreen widgets are coming to phones with Android 16 QPR1, and that the team is investigating stackable widgets. Google also shared what makes a high-quality widget and Play Store discovery.

Find My Device: Combining “Device” finding with “People” location sharing. The app probably needs a new name at this point. Since “Find My” is already taken by Apple, what would you suggest?

Gboard: Voice toolbar on phones + Testing circle and pill-shaped keys

Gemini

Gemini app: iPhone app adds lockscreen widgets, Control Center, and Shortcuts (including Action Button).

Gemini overlay: Talk Live about images, files, and YouTube videos on Pixel 6+.

Gemini apps: This is a rebrand from “Gemini Extensions” and is now powered by 2.0 Flash Thinking (experimental), at least for Workspace users.

Gemini Live: Google kicked off the week by announcing that Astra-powered video and screen sharing is rolling out to Gemini Live on Android for Advanced subscribers in March. I was not expecting this until May, but that might be when the wide (free) launch occurs.

Improvements thanks to Gemini 2.0 Flash across understanding and multilingual conversations.

Additionally, the Astra product team is moving under the Gemini app group to accelerate development, while there’s a new VP of Product.

Google Calendar: Getting the Gemini side panel

Google Clock: Timer Starter widget on Pixel phones

Google Fi: iOS 18.4 will add RCS support

Google Maps: Android 16 Live Updates support

iOS gets the sheet-based redesign for place listings and directions with improved reachability.

Google Messages + Phone: Scam Detection

Google Photos: Digital Frame support + Screenshots and more return to Partner Sharing

Google Search: AI Mode was announced as a new way to Search. Meant for power users, this experiment is now in testing for Google One AI Premium subscribers. Here’s a look