YouTube: Video player redesign, comment threadings and better animations
- Initially a limited roll out, the new video player. alongside new icons, is starting to go live for most people and reach everyone in this week
- On desktop, you can now do almost anything while in full-screen (like, view denoscription and comments, find more videos by scrolling up)
- Improved animations for double-tap to seek, switching tabs on mobile, adding videos to playlists, with a custom animation for the Like button depending on the content
- Comment threadings let you view comment replies in a structured way

#Apps #YouTube @PixelHubUpdates

New safety features for your messages and Google Account
Messages
- Key verifier let you validate that your conversations are completely private by scanning QR code
- Key verifier requires Android 10 and later, Google Contacts and Android System Key Verifier app on both parties' devices to work (Learn more)
- Google Messages will warn if the link is harmful upon clicking, with the feature now available for everyone

Account
- Recovery Contacts let you add people that you trust (under Security section) to help regain your account, with them receiving instructions from the notification
- Sign in with phone number allows you to login accounts on Android devices that are connected to the number itself, requires only the lock screen passcode of the previous device, gradually rolling out

#Apps #Account #Messages @PixelHubUpdates

Veo 3.1
- The model itself (alongside Veo 3 Fast) is available in the Gemini app. Gemini API and Vertex AI for video generation
- More controls over the edits and richer audio generation (below features are available in Flow)
- Ingredients to Video: Use multiple reference images to control the subjects
- Frames to Video: Get your video with the scene you want with the provided starting and ending image
- Extend: Create longer videos
- Insert: Throw in new things into the video and rest of the details like shadows and scene lightning will be automatically handled
- Remove: Remove any unwanted objects from the video, coming soon

More info: Google Blog
#Apps #Gemini #Veo @PixelHubUpdates

Android 16 QPR2 Beta 3
- Build ID: BP41.250916.009.A1
- October 2025 Security Patch
- Play Services: 25.34.34
- Turn off "Enable desktop experience features" in Settings > System > Developer options before updating (Learn more)
- Now media player appears on lockscreen (not included in Google's report)

Fixes
- Google Play System Updates installation issue
- Home screen shortcuts appeared as blank gray circles
- Incorrect colouring of Wallet icon in lockscreen
- Adaptive charging, swipe up gesture, selected theme does not apply on first attempt
- 50MP captured from other lens displayed rainbow artifacts
- Excessive CPU usage on launchers
- Bluetooth audio for calls
- 6GHz Wi-Fi networks connection issue for NZ users
- Type special characters in GUI terminal
- Swiping lockscreen widgets and notification shade lag issue
- Screen froze upon unlocking, screen noise and unexpected device crashes

Download: Factory Images | OTA Images | GSI
Changes: Android Developers
#Updates #A16 #Beta #Pixel @PixelHubUpdates

YouTube was down
As of 00:10 UTC, YouTube can now play videos as usual.

#News #YouTube @PIxelHubUpdates

​​In celebration of the upcoming festival of Diwali, Google Photos has launched three new, exclusive collage frames designed specifically for its users in India. This festive update aims to help people create and share their holiday memories in a more creative and personalized way.

@GappsLeaks

Android 16 QPR2 Beta 3.1
- Build ID: BP41.250916.010 (Pixel 6 series), BP41.250916.010.A1
- October 2025 Security Patch
- Play Services: 25.34.34
- The last update was pulled due to an issue updating with “Enable desktop experience features” enabled, below are methods to boot the device, listed by Google (More info):
- Ideally, let the system recover itself back to Beta 2 after the system fails to boot a few times
- If you have (ADB) USB debugging enabled in developer options before the bootloop
- Sideload the new OTA package update
- If you are on the Android Recovery page after the bootloop: Factory reset
- Factory wipe/reset from Recovery/Rescue mode

Download: Factory Images | OTA Images | GSI
Changes: Android Developers
#Updates #A16 #Beta #Pixel @PixelHubUpdates

Google Earth AI: Gemini enters the room
- Introduced back in July, the features are now available for Google AI Pro and Ultra subscribers in the U.S., with Professional and Professional Advanced users receiving it a few weeks later
- Geospatial Reasoning: Identify possible threats for incoming weather situations, like which communities might flood during a heavy rain
- Gemini capabilities: Ask any questions naturally, while Gemini helps to find the answers by scanning satellite imagery
- Also in Google Cloud: Organisations can use their database to get the results they needed

More info: Google Blog
#Apps #Earth @PixelHubUpdates

Android Canary 2510 (Released: 21/10/2025)
- Build ID: ZP11.250926.010
- New flashlight slider UI
- As Android Canary branch never receive proper changelog and receive subtle changes occasionally like this time, going forward there might be or might not be changes listed over here, though new discovery will be added if found, thanks for the understanding

Download: Android Flash Tool | Pixel Factory Images Tracker
More info: Android Developers | BetaWiki
#Updates #A16 #Canary #Pixel @PixelHubUpdates

October 2025 WearOS 5.1 Pixel Watch 1 Update
- Build ID: BW1A.251005.003.W1
- The last guaranteed update hit the first generation Pixel Watch
- Security patch level is still listed as June 5, 2025
- Security updates and bug fixes (the only change mentioned by Google)

Download: Factory Images | OTA Images
Changes: Pixel Watch Community
#Updates #W5 #Watch @PixelHubUpdates

Pixel 10a leak renders & specs
- Plastic back with no camera bump
- Similar looks to Pixel 9a (color might not be real)
- Expected to launch in early 2026
- Display: 6.2-inch
- Dimensions: 153.9 x 72.9 x 9mm
- Chip: Tensor G4 (higher clocked)
- Price: $499 (128GB)
- Note: Above information should be taken with a grain of salt, as these are currently just speculations

More info: Android Headlines
#Pixel #Pixel10a @PixelHubUpdates

YouTube Platform October 2025 Update
Higher resolution
- Videos below 1080p will be upscaled to HD, with 4K support coming soon
- Users can watch video at its original uploaded resolution, with creators being able to opt-out of this change
- Thumbnail file limit raise from 2MB to 50MB, large video uploads available to select creators

TV updates
- Immersive previews for channels section on homepage
- Contexual search within channels
- Scan QR code for product page while watching videos

Content moderation
- Online gambling is prohibited on the platform
- Videos that show social casino or graphic gaming content will be age-restricted
- The changes will be effective November 17, 2025

More info: Google Blog | YouTube Community
#Apps #YouTube @PixelHubUpdates

Android 16 QPR2 Beta 3.2
- Build ID: BP41.250916.012 (Pixel 6 series), BP41.250916.012.A1
- October 2025 Security Patch
- Play Services: 25.34.34
- This release primarily contains fixes that enhance device stability (mentioned by Google)
- Fixed lock screen clock style issue

Download: Factory Images | OTA Images | GSI
Changes: Android Developers
#Updates #A16 #Beta #Pixel @PixelHubUpdates

NotebookLM: More natural conversations are saved
- Natural conversations: 1 million token context window for everyone and increased multiturn conversation's capacity
- Deeper insights: Explore sources from multiple angles
- Saved conversation history: All your previous conversations will be automatically saved, you can delete them at any time, and are only visible to you
- Personalise chat with goals: Set specific goal, voice or role for the chat

More info; Google Blog
#Apps #NotebookLM @PixelHubUpdates

Alternative payment options for apps in Google Play in the US
- Under US District Court's order, Google is required to lift up payment system restriction in the US starting October 29
- Developers can now opt to use third-party payment system instead of Google Play Billing
- Developers can also clearly state where the users can pay for the digital goods in the app

More info: Play Console Help
#News #Play @PixelHubUpdates

Late October 2025 Android 16 Pixel Update
- Build ID: BP3A.251005.004.B2, BP3A.251005.004.B3 (Pixel 9 series except 9a), BD3A.251005.003.W4 (Pixel 10 series), BD3A.251005.003.E1 (Pixel 10 Pro Fold)
- This update excludes Pixel 6 series again and Pixel Tablet
- The current software update provides performance improvements for your device, as listed by Verizon (Google said nothing)

Download: Factory Images | OTA Images
Changes: Android Security Bulletin | Pixel Security Bulletin
#Updates #A16 #Pixel @PixelHubUpdates

LineageOS 23.0 for Pixel 6 and newer models
- Initially, only the Pixel 4a 5G, Pixel 5, and Pixel 5a were promoted
- After months of work, most (16) Pixel devices with Tensor chips are receiving LineageOS 23 builds, with them now available on the download portal
- Pixel 9a is now part of the family; Pixel 10's fate remains to be seen without device trees from Google
- Pixel 1 to Pixel 4 series will continue to receive LineageOS 22.2 update as usual

#News #LineageOS @PixelHubUpdates

Travel made easy
- Chrome allows you to fill in passport, driver’s license number, vehicle license plate and more with autofill
- Street View for Bosnia and Herzegovina is now available (Places to explore)
- Google Maps for Android Automotive to become smarter by providing real-time navigation help (more precise live lane guidance), the experience will debut on Polestar 4s in the U.S. and Sweden in the coming months

#Apps #Chrome #Maps @PixelHubUpdates

Gemini and new tools in Google Maps
Gemini
- Ask anything about like popular dishes, landmarks, EV chargers or petrol stations nearby
- Multi-step tasks let you follow-up with relevant questions and add new stops or destination quickly
- Share ETA with friends on Android and add calendar events
- Available in the coming weeks on Android and iOS, Android Auto to be supported

Miscellaneous (available on Android and iOS in the U.S.)
- Landmark-based navigation highlights famous buildings, alongside road signs to guide you better in the area
- Proactive traffic alerts notify about the disruptions on the road ahead, even while you are not navigating (Android only for now)
- Lens with Gemini let you have conversations about your surroundings

More info: Google Blog
#Apps #Maps @PixelHubUpdates

A few taps away for relevant answers
Gemini Deep Research
- Now you can choose to pull information from Gmail, Drive, and Chat, alongside sources from the web
- Available for everyone, rolling out to mobile users in the coming days

AI Mode button in Google Chrome
- Easily access AI mode and Incognito mode from the New Tab page
- Available now in the U.S., coming soon to everyone in the future
- WIP: Soon you can also attach images and documents directly in the omnibox, which enters AI mode directly

#Apps #Gemini #Chrome @PixelHubUpdates

Android 16 QPR2 Beta 3.3
- Build ID: BP41.250916.015 (Pixel 6 series), BP41.250916.015.A1
- October 2025 Security Patch
- Play Services: 25.34.34
- At the time of writing, this update is still hidden, with no announcements from Google
- Update: The build is available publicly a day later
- Fixed device froze and wouldn’t respond from the lock screen

Download: Factory Images | OTA Images | GSI | Pixel Factory Images Tracker
Changes: Android Developers
#Updates #A16 #Beta #Pixel @PixelHubUpdates