Android
New Android 16 Beta 1 update for Pixel phones

Today, Google released the first beta version of Android 16 for Pixel phones. This update is available for anyone who joins the Android Beta Program.
Android 16 Beta 1 brings a new feature called Live Updates. These are special notifications that make it easier for you to keep track of things like your ride-share, food delivery, or when you’re navigating. They use a new style called ProgressStyle, which shows how far along you are in these activities with custom icons for start, end, and current status.
Google is also making changes so that apps work better on bigger screens. Starting with this version, apps will automatically adjust their size on screens wider than 600dp if they target API level 36. This means apps will look good whether your screen is vertical or horizontal. Developers can choose not to do this for now, but by 2026, all apps will need to do this.
Another big update is support for the Advanced Professional Video (APV) codec. This helps in recording and editing videos with very high quality, up to 2K, 4K, or even 8K resolution, without losing much detail. It’s designed for professionals who need the best video quality.
There’s also a new way to measure how far apart devices are using different technologies like Bluetooth or Wi-Fi, which can be useful for apps that need to know distances.
Android 16 improves how apps handle going back. Now, if you press and hold the back button, you’ll see a preview of the previous screen, helping you navigate better. This works all over the system where going back is an option.
For developers, there are new tools to make apps work better in low light, write text vertically, and make form inputs clearer for accessibility.
If you want to give feedback on this beta, you can use the Android Beta Feedback app on your Pixel device or join discussions on Reddit.
To get this update, if you’re already in the Android Beta Program or using Developer Preview 2, you’ll get it automatically. But if you’re on Android 15 QPR2 Beta and want to keep it stable, you should wait for the final release of QPR2 instead of updating to Android 16 Beta 1.
This beta version, tagged as BP22.250103.008, includes a January 2025 security update and supports all Pixel models from the Pixel 6 series up to the Pixel 9 Pro Fold, along with the Android Emulator.
- Pixel 9 Pro Fold: BP22.250103.008 — Factory Image — OTA
- Pixel 9 Pro XL: BP22.250103.008 — Factory Image — OTA
- Pixel 9 Pro: BP22.250103.008 — Factory Image — OTA
- Pixel 9: BP22.250103.008 — Factory Image — OTA
- Pixel 8a: BP22.250103.008 — Factory Image — OTA
- Pixel 8 Pro: BP22.250103.008 — Factory Image — OTA
- Pixel 8: BP22.250103.008 — Factory Image — OTA
- Pixel Fold: BP22.250103.008 — Factory Image — OTA
- Pixel Tablet: BP22.250103.008 — Factory Image — OTA
- Pixel 7a: BP22.250103.008 — Factory Image — OTA
- Pixel 7 Pro: BP22.250103.008 — Factory Image — OTA
- Pixel 7: BP22.250103.008 — Factory Image — OTA
- Pixel 6a: BP22.250103.008 — Factory Image — OTA
- Pixel 6 Pro: BP22.250103.008 — Factory Image — OTA
- Pixel 6: BP22.250103.008 — Factory Image — OTA
Android
Google’s May 2025 Android updates: better performance and messaging

Google’s May 2025 Android updates bring exciting changes to improve how your phone works and how you message. These updates focus on making devices faster, safer, and more user-friendly.
One big change is to Android’s memory system. By increasing the memory page size from 4KB to 16KB on newer devices, apps can load quicker and use less power. This helps phones, especially those with modern chips, run smoothly and save battery life. Older devices will stick with the smaller page size to avoid issues.
The Google System Updates for May also add new features. Google Wallet now supports more card types and makes transit passes easier to use in apps like Google Maps. The Play Store now shows video previews of apps, helping you decide what to download. There are also fixes to improve battery life, storage, and network performance, making your phone more reliable.
For Google Messages, a new “delete for everyone” feature lets you remove sent messages from group chats within 15 minutes. This works for both RCS and SMS, so you can fix mistakes easily. Other messaging upgrades include better scam detection and the ability to send high-quality photos and videos. These updates show Google’s effort to make Android devices faster, more secure, and better for communication. Keep your phone updated to enjoy these improvements!
Android
New updates for YouTube, Gemini, and Google Home apps

Google is rolling out exciting changes to its YouTube, Gemini, and Google Home apps, making them more user-friendly and packed with cool features. These updates, announced in May 2025, aim to improve how you watch videos, edit images, and control your smart home.
The YouTube app for TVs is getting a fresh look. You’ll see better video previews, easier ways to subscribe to channels, and a smoother interface for browsing playlists and comments. Autoplay will also work smarter, keeping you hooked on your favorite content without extra clicks. These changes will hit your screens by summer 2025, perfect for binge-watching on Google TV or Android TV.
Meanwhile, the Gemini app now lets you edit images like a pro. Want to change a photo’s background or add fun elements? Just type what you want, and Gemini’s AI makes it happen while keeping the original picture intact. It even adds a small “ai” watermark to show it’s edited. This feature is available in the U.S. and works on both uploaded and AI-made images, with more countries getting access soon.
The Google Home app (version 3.32) is also stepping up. It now supports more smart devices, like cameras and doorbells, and offers quicker controls for lights and thermostats. A new “Activity” tab lets you see what’s happening with your devices in one place, making your smart home easier to manage.
These updates show Google’s focus on making its apps simpler and more powerful, whether you’re streaming, creating, or managing your home. Keep an eye out for these changes to enhance your daily tech experience
Android
Google Pixel phone and watch update for May 2025 brings fixes and a fresh app look

Google is rolling out its May 2025 software update for Pixel devices, making things smoother for phones, tablets, and the Pixel Watch app. This update is all about fixing bugs and adding a small but nice change for Pixel Watch users. It’s available for devices running Android 15, like the Pixel 6, 7, 8, 9 series, and Pixel Tablet. The rollout started on May 7, 2025, and will reach devices over the next week, depending on your carrier.
For Pixel phones and tablets, the update tackles three key issues: better microphone recording, improved Bluetooth pairing, and general performance tweaks. It also includes 28 security fixes, with one possibly being targeted by hackers, so updating soon is a good idea. If you have a Pixel 6 or 8, note that this update locks the bootloader, meaning you can’t go back to older software versions.
On the Pixel Watch side, there’s no major device update this month, but the Pixel Watch app on Android now has a light theme option. This gives the app a brighter, cleaner look, making it easier to use in different lighting.
Google might share more about Wear OS at I/O 2025, but for now, the app’s new style is a welcome touch. To get the update, check your device settings. Pixel users can expect a notification soon, but you can also manually check for it. Stay updated for a better, safer experience.
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