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The Curious Case of the Duplicated Digital Accolades: A glitch in YouTube Music’s badge system

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YouTube Music

For music aficionados, the digital age has brought a new form of recognition: badges. These virtual accolades celebrate our dedication to artists and genres, offering a tangible representation of our listening habits. YouTube Music, embracing this trend, introduced its “Badges” feature, a system designed to reward dedicated listeners with digital trophies for their unwavering support. However, a recent anomaly has emerged, leaving some users with a sense of déjà vu rather than a fresh sense of accomplishment. 

The “Badges” feature, officially launched in October, allows users to earn recognition for being a “Top Listener” of a particular artist or band within a given month. These badges not only acknowledge the user’s listening frequency but also display the percentile they fall within, adding a layer of competitive spirit and personalized bragging rights. The experience is designed to be seamless: users can easily access their collection by navigating to their profile avatar within the YouTube Music app on either Android or iOS. From there, a simple tap on “Badges” reveals their earned achievements. Tapping on an individual badge then allows users to share a stylish portrait graphic – perfect for showcasing their musical tastes on social media.  

The system has generally worked smoothly, with new Top Listener badges typically appearing within the first few days of a new month. This consistent delivery has fostered anticipation and engagement among users eager to see their latest achievements. However, the transition from November to December brought an unexpected twist. Instead of receiving their well-deserved December Top Listener badges, many users were greeted with duplicates of their November badges, complete with the same background color and date. This unexpected repetition has sparked confusion and mild disappointment within the YouTube Music community.

This duplication issue is undoubtedly a software bug, a digital hiccup in the badge-generating machinery. While frustrating, it’s a reminder that even the most sophisticated systems are susceptible to errors. The hope is that YouTube’s development team is already aware of the problem and is working diligently to rectify the situation, issuing the correct December badges to their rightful owners. The positive reception of the Badges feature suggests that this is a valuable part of the user experience, and resolving this issue will be crucial to maintaining that positive sentiment.

The scope of YouTube’s badge system extends beyond just music. These digital tokens of recognition are also awarded for other forms of engagement across the platform. For instance, users can earn badges for being early supporters of a creator’s channel through paid memberships, demonstrating their commitment from the outset. Engaging with content through interactive elements like quizzes can also lead to badge acquisition, rewarding active participation. Even simple acts like a creator “hearting” a user’s comment can result in a badge, fostering a sense of connection and appreciation within the community. These badges are not confined to YouTube Music; they can also be found within the main YouTube app, creating a unified system of recognition across the platform.  

The current bug affecting the YouTube Music badges serves as a reminder of the delicate balance between technology and user experience. While digital tools like badges can enhance engagement and foster a sense of community, glitches and errors can disrupt that experience. The swift and transparent resolution of such issues is crucial for maintaining user trust and ensuring the continued success of these features. As we await the arrival of the true December badges, the incident highlights the importance of robust quality assurance and the ongoing evolution of digital platforms in their quest to provide seamless and rewarding experiences. It also underscores the human element in technology: even in a world of algorithms and code, the desire for recognition and connection remains a powerful motivator.

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New Google AI tools get big updates: Gemini Live, NotebookLM, and Honey on Chrome

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Google

Google has rolled out some exciting new features across its AI tools, including Gemini Live, NotebookLM, and the Honey extension for Chrome.

First, Gemini Live is now available for free in the U.S. on the Google app for Android and iOS. It lets users talk to Google’s AI assistant using their voice, with more natural back-and-forth conversations. A key feature is that you can now share your screen or turn on the camera so the assistant can help with what you’re seeing, like reading a document or identifying objects around you.

Next, NotebookLM—Google’s AI-powered research assistant—just added audio overviews. This means you can now listen to a quick summary of your notes or sources, which is great for multitasking or reviewing info while on the go. Google also increased the limit for source length, so you can add up to 200,000 words per source, making it more useful for big projects or research papers.

Lastly, Honey, the deal-finding tool that Google bought in 2020, now works through Chrome and has gained over 15 million users in just six months. Honey helps people find coupons and discounts while shopping online. The new version is powered by Gemini and can give more helpful suggestions by understanding what you’re looking at on the page.

With these updates, Google is pushing to make its AI tools more helpful, easy to use, and available for free where possible.

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Android 16 is testing better desktop mode, large screen apps, and fresh UI changes

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Android 16 Image

Google is bringing some interesting updates with Android 16 that aim to improve how Android works on larger screens and across different devices.

First, Android 16 is testing a new desktop mode. This lets users connect their phone to a bigger screen and use apps in resizable windows, more like a computer. It works well with a keyboard and mouse and supports split-screen for better multitasking. This could be useful for people who want to work on the go without needing a laptop.

Google is also improving how apps behave on large screens inside cars. With Android Automotive, apps will now adjust better to different screen sizes, especially ultra-wide displays. Developers will get new tools to make their apps look better and more usable in cars, even when the screen shape is unique.

On the software side, the Google Discover feed on Android is now showing website names below each article’s headline. This small change helps users know which site they’re reading from, adding more clarity and trust.

Lastly, Material You — Google’s design style — is evolving with a new theme called “Expressive.” This version brings more playful shapes, animations, and bolder color choices. Some of Google’s apps, like Fitbit, Meet, and Chat, are starting to use this refreshed look, making the user experience feel more modern and lively.

All of these updates show that Google wants Android to feel smooth, smart, and consistent no matter where or how you’re using it.

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Google makes small but smart changes across Phone, Home, and Wallet apps

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Google is making a few helpful changes to its apps and services for Pixel users. First, the “Phone by Google” app might soon drop the ability to save call notes and transcripts. This feature was used during call screening to jot down important points, but now it looks like Google wants users to use the Recorder app or take notes elsewhere. A recent app update hints that the “Delete Notes” button may be removed.

Next, Pixel phones are testing a new widget for Google Home. This widget gives users a quick look at smart home updates, like lights left on or doors unlocked, right from the home screen. The design follows Android’s usual widget style, and it could make it easier to stay on top of your home devices without opening the app.

Google Wallet is also getting better. At Google I/O 2025, the company shared that more features are coming soon. These include digital IDs, passes, and better support for tickets and transit cards. They’re also working on helping you automatically save things like airline boarding passes.

Lastly, Google is being more careful with how AI-generated content is handled. Publishers will get new tools to opt out of having their content used for AI training. Also, Android will soon have an “AI Mode” that alerts users when something is AI-generated, adding more transparency and trust. These changes may seem small, but they show Google is focusing on better privacy, easier access, and smarter tools for everyday use.

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