December 2025 Android Update
- Expressive Captions: Display emotion tags of how someone is speaking or the ambient sounds in the background, all without turning on the sound
- Emoji Kitchen sticker combos: Now you can create more combinations of two emojis
- Call Reason: Flag a call to your contact as "urgent," with the recipient being able to see it on the incoming screen and call history if missed
- Report and leave unwanted group chats: An alert banner shows up if you were added by someone unknown, with the options to leave the group and report the number.
- Circle to Search (Scams): Find whether the message is legit, with relevant guidance and steps
- Pin tabs in Chrome: Keep important tabs and access it with ease

More info: Google Blog
#Android @PixelHubUpdates

YouTube Recap
- Different from Music Recap, this summarises what you have watched on YouTube instead
- Get up to 12 different cards to get a glimpse of what you have been checking out lately, with a "Personality" card (14 types available) based on videos you watched
- Top Artists and Songs included if you listened to a lot of music on the platform
- Rolling out in North America now and globally next week; currently supports 17 major languages
- Available on the homepage and "You" tab for mobile devices and desktop

#Apps #YouTube @PixelHubUpdates

Android in-call scam protection: Now launching in US
- A warning pop-up window appears if you are sharing screen in certain apps while on a phone call with an unknown number (not saved in contacts)
- A 30-second pause period to continue without hanging up, with an apparent "End call now" button
- Newly added U.S. participating apps: JPMorgan Chase and Cash App (with more financial and bank apps to come)
- Available on devices running Android 11 and later, pilot test in the U.S. starting this month

More info: Google Security Blog
#Android @PixelHubUpdates

Year in Search 2025
- A list of search terms that people have been checking out over the year
- Gemini makes it way to the top position
- Arc Raiders steals the show for gaming category
- Golden - HUNTR/X peaks the Hum to Search chart
- Livraria Lello (bookstore) from Portugal, Japan's Kyoto Station and Lalbagh Botanical Garden in India are some of the most looked-up places on Google Maps

Complete list: Google's Year in Search
#News #Search @PixelHubUpdates

Miscellaneous Dec 2025 updates from Google
Gemini
- Gemini 3 Deep Think: Now available for AI Ultra subscribers by selecting "Deep Think" and Gemini 3 Pro in the model dropdown.
- Better chat customisation with NotebookLM: Previously limited to 500 characters, now you can write up to 10,000 characters to define the style you want for the chat output.
- Higher rate limits for Google Antigravity: AI Pro and AI Ultra subscribers receive higher rate limits with quota refreshing every five hours (every week for everyone else)

Android & Pixel
- Android 16 QPR2 source code: Publicly available at the time of release, with a minor SDK version bump from 36 to 36.1.
- Quick Tap improvements: Triggering shortcuts with double tapping the back of your Pixel phone gets easier, as Google lowered the intensity for the tap detection.
- Screen-off Fingerprint Unlock: For Pixel 9 and Pixel 10 series on Dec 2025 update with an ultrasonic fingerprint scanner (Pixel 9a and Fold devices excluded).

Others
- Google Play Books 15th birthday: Earn 15x Play Points with any Play Books purchases between Dec 5 and Dec 7.

Present issues
- The missing Pixel 7a update: Pixel 7a suffered a critical Wi-Fi stability bug, with the updates being postponed to mid-Dec or January 5th, 2026.
- YouTube Music not playing offline songs: Multiple users mentioned downloaded songs aren't playing on YouTube Music, Google hasn't provided a timeline on when the issue will be fixed.
- Android Beta without data wipe: Users who have hopped onto the beta program and wish to opt-out without wiping might have to wait for a little while before Google released the no-data-wipe OTA. As of December 9, the OTA update has been released.

#News #Gemini #NotebookLM #Android #YTMusic @PixelHubUpdates

Chrome Autofill: Tap more, type less
-Deeper integration with your Google account enables autofill suggestions while filling up your personal information like Home and Work addresses
- Besides, Autofill can also extract information from your Google Wallet to help you quickly fill in your loyalty card numbers, travel details, and vehicle information (along with the ability to save vehicle information to your Google Wallet)
- View and choose the autofill suggestions more easily with two-line display on Android, appearing right on top of your keyboard
- More accurate addresses for every part of the world (taking care of details such as 'between streets' denoscriptions in Mexico, and phonetic names in Japan.)

More info: Google Blog
#Apps #Chrome @PixelHubUpdates

Chrome 142: HLS support
- ICYDK: HTTP Live Streaming is a widely used streaming protocol developed by Apple, primarily stored in a .m3u8 file format
- Before Chrome 142, opening the link to this file with the desktop browser will download the playlist to your device
- After four years of hardwork, the Chromium team managed to implement the playback feature
- Now you can play the file directly in the browser without additional software on any device

More info: Chromium Issue Tracker
#Apps #Chrome @PixelHubUpdates

Android Canary 2512
- Build ID: ZP11.251121.010
- Better Android iPhone switching (not live)

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

Gemini stays ad-free, says Google
- Google's dedicated Gemini app will not have any ads for an extended period of time
- AI Overview in Search will start to feature ads in more countries

Source: AdsLiaison
#News #Gemini @PixelHubUpdates

Pixel 9 Pro & Pixel 9 Pro XL Extended Repair Program
- Free display replacement for affected device that is bought within 3 years after the original retail purchase date.
- Eligibility requirement: A vertical line appears on the display that run from bottom to top or the device suffers display flickering issue (physical inspection will be done to verify).
- Other issues such as cracked displays or cover-glass will need to go through standard procedure.
- Any repair under this extended-repair program is warrantied for 90 days.
- Repair can be done in Google walk-in center or an authorized center. Online-repair options are also available.

Pixel 9 Pro Fold Extended Warranty Program
- Free device replacement for impacted Pixel 9 Pro Fold that is bought within 3 years after the original retail purchase date.
- Terms are mostly the same except the eligibility requirement isn't mentioned.

More info: Pixel Phone Help (2)
#Pixel #Pixel9 @PixelHubUpdates

Google to release new glasses powered by Android XR
AI glasses
- Designed for screen-free assistance, includes speakers, microphones and cameras
- Show you helpful information while navigating or translating
- Developing together with Samsung, partnering with Gentle Monster and Warby Parker, expected to launch around 2026

Wired XR glasses
- A portable form factor that brings in headset-like immersion
- Project Aura from XREAL, the first device of this category will be launching next year
- Equipped with a 70-degree field of view and optical see-through technology

Binocular glasses
- Individual micro-display for each eye, allows for viewing things with depth
- Currently a proof of concept with no commercial release planned yet

Android XR improvements (Galaxy XR)
- Android XR Developer Preview 3 now available for testing
- PC Connect let you link Windows PC to your headset
- Travel mode keeps everything in position when you are on a moving transportation
- Create a digital representation of your face with Likeness that mirrors your facial expressions and hand gestures in real-time

More info: Google Blog
#Android #XR @PixelHubUpdates

December 2025 WearOS 6.1 Pixel Watch Update
- Build ID: BP4A.251205.005.W7
- New one-handed gestures: Double pinch and Wrist turn to execute actions without finger or voice input for Pixel Watch 4; Raise to Talk gets new tutorial
- Smart Replies powered by Gemma: Available for Pixel Watch 3 and newer, 2x faster and 3x more efficient in terms of memory usage compared to previous approach

Download: Factory Images | OTA Images
Changes: Pixel Watch Community | Wear OS Security Bulletin | Pixel Watch Security Bulletin
#Updates #W6 #Watch @PixelHubUpdates

Google Photos: Video editor overhaul
New video editor
- Designed with Material 3 Expressive in mind (for Android), now the editor supports multi-clip editing and storytelling too
- Larger preview and carousel toolbar within your reach, includes Auto, Crop, Adjust, Filters, Audio, Speed, Music, and Text options
- Compact video timeline with scrubbing support that lets you handle multiple clips with ease

Templates
- Choose pre-set formats with music, text and cuts prepared and synced to a soundtrack (Find it in the Create tab, then select "Highlight video" on Android)
- Soundtrack library is categorised into Bright, Chill, Dramatic, Funky, Inspiring, Romantic, and Sad
- Text overlays can be customised with various fonts, colours and backgrounds

RAW Photos editing on web
- Upon clicking Edit, you get the option to edit on the go or download it onto your device
- The photo will be converted to JPEG if edited with Google Photos

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

Pixel 10a leaked specs from Verizon
- Specifications are similar to its predecessor Pixel 9a
- Codename: stallion (also referred as STA5)
- 48MP Wide + 13MP Ultra-Wide + 13MP Front
- 5,100 mAh battery
- Previous leaked renders & specs

Source: Evan Blass
#Pixel #Pixel10a @PixelHubUpdates

Android Emergency Live Video sharing
- Emergency dispatchers can request a live video feed from your phone when you call or text them, no additional setup required
- Video feed is encrypted by default, users can stop sharing it at any time
- Available for Android 8+ devices with Google Play services across the U.S., and select regions of Germany and Mexico.

#Android @PixelHubUpdates

Google Search: Easily access your trusted sources
- Preferred Sources is now rolling out globally for English-language users, and early next year for all supported languages
- Get access to the source you trust easily in "Top Stories" and "From your sources" while searching
- Links from your subscribed publications will be shown in a dedicated carousel, arriving in the coming weeks for Gemini (app), follow by AI Overviews and AI Mode
- More inline links in AI Mode with updated design, including contextual introductions
- Web Guide helps to organise the results page into topic groups, now 2x faster
-
More info: Google Blog
#Apps #Search @PixelHubUpdates

BREAKING: After Google Sans Flex ... "Google Sans" itself is now available to use directly from Google Fonts (variable font too) 🤯

Link: https://fonts.google.com/specimen/Google+Sans

Note: For those of you who knew static Google Sans Text, this is now part of this one single variable font by toggling the optical size!

Follow @TechLeaksZone

Google Translate with Gemini integration
- Powered by Gemini behind the scene, now capable of translating sentences with nuanced meanings better (first available in the U.S. and India with around 20 languages)
- Live Translate will let you hear real-time translation if you have headphones (beta in the U.S., Mexico, and India; 70+ languages supported)

Language learning tool (on Android and iOS)
- Added speaking practice, with a streak counter you can keep track of
- Now made available in Germany, India, Sweden, and Taiwan
- Newly added courses: English to German and Portuguese; Bengali, Mandarin Chinese (Simplified), Dutch, German, Hindi, Italian, Romanian, and Swedish to English

More info: Google Blog
#Apps #Translate @PixelHubUpdates

Gemini 2.5 Flash Native Audio
Search Live
- The responses are more fluid and expressive with the upgraded Gemini audio model
- Accessible via Live icon under the search bar
- Rolling out gradually starting next week in the U.S.

Custom usage
- Third-party developers can build upon it for better voice agents and speech translation purposes
- Preview with Gemini API, available in Vertex AI

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

Google Search Trivia
- A new "+" button appears on the left side of the search bar, with options to upload image or file, which will later redirect you to AI Mode
- Currently dragging files will lead you to Google Lens

Easter Egg
- 67: No meaning but people just follow; the page will move around with a bouncy effect
- John Cena: You can’t see me; tapping on the button will show a waving hand, with the content slowly fading away

#Apps #Google #EasterEgg @PixelHubUpdates

NotebookLM December 2025 Update
- Add images by using camera directly on the mobile app
- Chat History is available for everyone, all of your conversations in every notebook should now be preserved in the cloud
- Gemini will let you attach notebook from NotebookLM, then answer based on the provided sources
- AI Ultra gets you up to 600 notebooks and 5k chats every day, alongside 10x the usage limits of AI Pro in various features, plus watermark removal and earlier access to key feature (More info)

#Apps #NotebookLM @PixelHubUpdates