Pixelated 118: Googlebook begins

9to5google.com Sep 25, 2026

Pixelated 118: Googlebook begins

Curated by Shubham · TechCapsules · Sep 25, 2026

AI-summarised brief · reviewed before publication

Pixelated episode 118 features hosts Damien and Abner joined by guest Will to evaluate Google’s newly announced laptop series, dubbed the Googlebook. The trio examines the devices’ Android‑based operating system, contrasting its interface, app compatibility and multitasking model with ChromeOS. They note the hardware specifications, such as 13‑inch OLED screens, Intel Core i5 processors, and detachable keyboards, and assess battery life, performance benchmarks, and the integrated Google services ecosystem. The discussion highlights Google’s strategy to expand Android beyond phones and tablets, positioning the Googlebook as a bridge between traditional laptops and Chromebooks. The hosts also outline immediate software updates, developer support, and pricing adjustments they believe are essential for the platform to gain traction in a crowded market today worldwide.

💡 Why It Matters

· Extending Android to laptops forces developers to create truly cross‑platform apps, reshaping how software reaches users across device categories.

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Google Health 5.09 rolling out: Cardio Load from third-party workouts, more

Google Health version 5.09 launches with Health Guardian features for Pixel Watch 3, 4, and 5, enabling users to track blood pressure, insulin resistance, and sleep breathing quality trends. The first monthly Health Guardian summary will appear in early October, with detailed metrics accessible in the Health tab. The update also introduces Cardio Load for workouts recorded in third‑party apps or devices that log heart rate data, allowing activities from Garmin, Apple Watch, and other wearables to contribute to users’ cardio metrics. The rollout is available on Android and iOS.

💡 By integrating third‑party workout data into Google Health’s cardio metrics, the update expands the platform’s appeal to users who rely on multiple devices, potentially increasing engagement and data accuracy across the ecosystem.

wired.com · Sep 25

How to Record Your Screen on Any Phone

The article explains how to record a phone’s screen on both Google Pixel and Samsung Galaxy devices. For Pixel users, it details accessing the Quick Settings panel, selecting the Screen Recorder widget, configuring options such as touch visibility, selfie‑camera overlay, audio sources, and full or app‑specific recording before starting. For Galaxy users, it describes a two‑step swipe to reveal the Screen Recorder icon, choosing full or partial screen, audio settings, and touch display, then starting the recording with a countdown and stopping via the status bar. Recorded videos are saved to Google Photos or Samsung Gallery.

💡 Knowing how to capture on‑screen activity empowers users to troubleshoot, create tutorials, or document achievements without external tools.

9to5google.com · Sep 25

Google Messages rolls out new swipe for timestamps & reply gesture

Google Messages is being updated with a new swipe‑based interface that changes how users view timestamps and send replies. In the latest rollout, swiping left anywhere in a conversation reveals the sent time, read receipts and RCS encryption status, replacing the previous need to tap individual bubbles. Swiping right on a bubble now initiates a direct reply, requiring a more precise gesture than the former left‑swipe shortcut. The redesign also reverts to the older two‑circle icon set on the Details page and home screen, while a brief timestamp preview appears when a bubble is tapped to hint at the new behavior. The changes are distributed in version 20260910_03_RC02 and are being rolled out broadly across Android devices for millions worldwide.

💡 The new gestures let users access message metadata and reply faster, cutting down on taps and streamlining everyday texting.

androidcentral.com · Sep 25

Motorola just gave privacy fans a big reason to consider the Signature…

Motorola unveiled its Signature 27 as one of the first smartphones to run Qualcomm’s new Snapdragon 8 Elite Extreme Gen 6, a 2 nm chip capable of 5 GHz speeds. The device features a redesigned camera layout, Audio by B&O, and a new build that departs from previous Signature models. Crucially, GrapheneOS has confirmed initial support for the phone, marking the first non‑Pixel device to receive the privacy‑focused OS. Motorola has not yet announced a release date or price.

💡 By opening GrapheneOS to a mainstream flagship, Motorola expands privacy‑oriented Android options beyond the Pixel line, potentially reshaping how consumers balance performance and security.

9to5google.com · Sep 25

Android’s Create My Widget ‘app’ detailed on phones, Googlebooks

Google announced that its new “Create My Widget” app will launch on September 24, initially on Googlebooks, with a Play Store listing previewing its phone interface. The guided experience offers categories such as Weather, Sports & fitness, Events & travel, Daily habits, Important dates, Finance, and Tools & tips, each containing template widgets. Users can also describe a custom widget via a prompt box. The app, version 1.27.983746769.0‑desktop_release, uses Material 3 Expressive shapes for simple, low‑information designs, and is available under the package name com.google.android.apps.yourwidget.

💡 The app’s template‑driven approach lowers the barrier for non‑developers to create personalized widgets, potentially reshaping how users interact with their home screens and encouraging broader adoption of dynamic content.

androidcentral.com · Sep 25

I went hands-on with the Xiaomi 18 Pro phones, and they bring…

Derrek, Android Central’s managing editor, spent a day testing Xiaomi’s newly released 18 Pro smartphones. He noted that both devices ship with a 6.7‑inch AMOLED panel that supports a 120 Hz adaptive refresh rate and includes an under‑display camera that remains hidden until activated. The phones also feature a dual‑layer glass construction that reduces glare and improves outdoor visibility, while the software adds a dynamic color‑calibration mode that adjusts hue based on ambient lighting. Battery life held up during a mixed‑usage marathon, and the devices ran the latest Android 14 build with Xiaomi’s MIUI 15 skin. Derrek praised the seamless integration of the display innovations, calling them “the kind of upgrades that should become standard on Android flagships.” for everyday users.

💡 Offering an under‑display camera and adaptive high‑refresh panel at a competitive price forces rivals to raise the baseline for Android flagship displays.