Google rolling out Android 17 QPR2 Beta 6 for Pixel

9to5google.com Sep 25, 2026

Google rolling out Android 17 QPR2 Beta 6 for Pixel

Curated by Shubham · TechCapsules · Sep 25, 2026

AI-summarised brief · reviewed before publication

Google has released Android 17 QPR2 Beta 6 for a wide range of Pixel devices, including the Pixel 6a, Pixel 7 series, Pixel 8 and 9 models, and the Pixel Tablet, Fold, and 10 series. The update arrives just a week after Beta 5 and can be installed via the Android Beta Program or downloaded as system images for the emulator. Users can report bugs through the Android Beta Feedback app or the Android Beta community on Reddit. Pixel 11 devices remain unsupported.

💡 Why It Matters

· The rapid rollout of Beta 6 demonstrates Google’s commitment to refining the Android experience ahead of the official 17 release, giving developers early access to new features and security patches.

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Google rolling out blood pressure & insulin resistance, more on Pixel Watch…

Google has begun rolling out new health metrics for Pixel Watch 3, 4, and 5, adding blood pressure trends, insulin resistance trends, and sleep breathing quality metrics. The blood pressure feature passively tracks pulse and motion over a month, requiring at least five consecutive days per week, while insulin resistance analysis uses multi‑week physiological data and needs seven days per month. Both trends appear in the Google Health app on the first of each month. Sleep breathing metrics report nightly optimal breathing time and monthly patterns. The features launch free for all three devices in early October.

💡 These additions extend the Pixel Watch’s role from a fitness tracker to a proactive health monitoring platform, offering users continuous, cuff‑free cardiovascular and metabolic insights that could influence early disease detection and management.

thehackernews.com · Sep 25

ThreatsDay: AI Search Poisoning, AI Coding Tool Leaking Repos, One-Click Code Execution…

A new Android banking trojan, RemControl, has been uncovered targeting retail banking customers in Western Europe, the Middle East and Canada. Distributed via counterfeit Google Play pages masquerading as the TVTap IPTV app and promoted through Meta ads, the malware exploits Android’s Accessibility Service to overlay phishing screens on legitimate banking apps, stream screens, log keystrokes and grant operators full remote control. Command‑and‑control addresses are resolved through an encrypted Telegram dead‑drop, and AI‑assisted code appears in the phishing overlays, with Russian‑language comments suggesting a Russian actor possibly linked to the Medusa UNKN affiliate botnet. Meanwhile, Chinese AI firm Z.ai disabled a ZCode feature after it was found automatically uploading users’ local code repositories to Alibaba Cloud, echoing earlier incidents with SpaceXAI’s Grok Build. The FBI and CISA issued a joint fact sheet urging critical‑infrastructure owners to enforce least‑privilege access for third‑party industrial‑control‑system integrators. Finally, researchers exposed Russian super‑app MAX’s ability to silently capture screenshots, read and write all mini‑app storage, and inject JavaScript, effectively acting as a man‑in‑the‑middle for user interactions.

💡 The convergence of AI‑enhanced malware and insecure default settings in popular developer tools demonstrates a widening attack surface that can compromise both personal finances and corporate codebases, forcing immediate reassessment of security controls.

thehackernews.com · Sep 24

Unpatched OnePlus Flaws Let Installed Android Apps Gain Root Without Permissions

A researcher exposed two unpatched vulnerabilities in OnePlus’s OxygenOS that allow a malicious app, installed without any permissions, to gain root access on a OnePlus 15 and older models. The first flaw in AtlasService lets an app invoke a debugging tool that executes arbitrary text as a system command, while the second flaw in olc2 permits any root‑level command to run with full Linux privileges. OnePlus confirmed the flaws, warned about disclosure rights, and has yet to release a fix.

💡 The attack demonstrates that even standard, permission‑free apps can subvert Android’s security model, exposing flagship devices to full system compromise without user awareness.

androidcentral.com · Sep 24

‘We heard you, we heard media, we heard analysts’: Motorola talks about…

Motorola announced that its high‑end Signature 27 smartphone is finally slated for a North American launch, citing extensive feedback from consumers, media outlets and industry analysts as the catalyst for the timing. The company’s spokesperson emphasized that the device’s premium build, advanced camera system and seamless integration with Motorola’s software ecosystem address a growing demand for flagship‑class Android phones that balance performance with affordability. Production will begin in the second quarter, with carrier partnerships and unlocked models expected to hit stores by early Q4. Motorola also highlighted its commitment to expanding the Signature line’s availability beyond Europe and Asia, positioning the 27 as a flagship contender that leverages the brand’s legacy of durable, design‑focused devices.

💡 Motorola’s entry into the U.S. flagship market could reshape consumer expectations for premium Android phones by offering a high‑spec device at a more competitive price point.

androidcentral.com · Sep 24

This Pixel 11 setting fixed my biggest issue with modern smartphone photography

Nick, a veteran tech writer and former IT professional, has long championed Android devices and VR gear. He recently discovered a Pixel 11 camera setting that resolves his persistent PWM sensitivity issue, a problem that has plagued many modern smartphones. By adjusting the camera’s exposure compensation, the Pixel 11 eliminates flicker and improves low‑light performance, allowing users to capture clearer images without the distracting artifacts that often arise from LED backlighting. This tweak demonstrates the device’s potential for serious photography enthusiasts.

💡 The fix shows that even flagship phones can suffer from subtle hardware quirks, and that software adjustments can unlock their full creative potential.

mymobileindia.com · Sep 24

Xiaomi 18 Pro Transparent Special Edition Launched With Striking Red See-Through Design

Xiaomi unveiled Transparent Special Editions of its flagship 18 Pro and 18 Pro Max smartphones, featuring a red, see‑through aesthetic achieved through micron‑level film embossing that reveals a three‑dimensional relief of internal components. Both models retain the standard hardware: Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6/Extreme Gen 6 processors, Leica triple‑camera arrays (200 MP main, 200 MP periscope, 50 MP ultrawide), 7,000 mAh (Pro) or 8,500 mAh (Pro Max) batteries, 100 W wired and 50 W wireless charging, and run HyperOS 4. Each edition is offered in a single configuration of 16 GB RAM and 1 TB storage. Pricing in China is ¥9,999 ($1,492) for the 18 Pro and ¥10,999 ($1,642) for the Pro Max, bundled with matching red accessories.

💡 The bold transparent design turns the phone into a showcase of engineering, positioning Xiaomi as a brand that blends high‑end specs with collectible aesthetics to attract tech‑savvy consumers seeking novelty.