Gemini for Android rolls out side panel and settings redesign

9to5google.com Oct 24, 2026

Gemini for Android rolls out side panel and settings redesign

Curated by Shubham · TechCapsules · Oct 24, 2026

AI-summarised brief · reviewed before publication

Google has released a server‑side update that redesigns the Gemini app’s side panel and settings on Android, following similar changes on iOS, macOS and the web with Gemini 4 Argon. The search function now sits in the top‑right corner, and the “New chat” button remains first while “Library” moves up in the list. The panel shows only five recent chats before a “More” option expands the view; AI Ultra subscribers see the full menu, including Images, Scheduled, Daily brief, Customize, Students, Videos and Gems. Settings have been consolidated into a single page, with the account menu limited to account switching, feedback and help. The new Settings page begins with Manage account and Usage limits and then lists Preferences such as Notifications, Personal Intelligence, Avatar, Task settings, Theme, Skills, Voice, Media, Device controls, Cart and orders, and Gemini Notebook.

💡 Why It Matters

· By unifying navigation and settings, Google streamlines user interaction across platforms, reducing friction for both casual users and AI Ultra subscribers.
· This consistency accelerates adoption of Gemini’s AI features on Android devices.

AI Capsules

Read full article on 9to5google.com

AI is making cyber attacks too easy. Here’s what you can do…

A pair of critical PHP vulnerabilities dubbed “PHP2Shell” were disclosed this week, exposing servers to takeover and data theft. PHP powers roughly 70 % of websites, including major platforms such as WordPress, Yahoo, Etsy and Wikipedia. After the flaws were announced, threat actors rapidly employed AI tools to scan for and exploit the bugs, generating thousands of attempts on Cloudflare’s network within minutes and escalating to millions within hours. The PHP Foundation issued a patch on October 21, but it only covers recent PHP releases, leaving countless legacy installations unprotected. Governments temporarily shut down affected sites, and IT teams have been racing to apply fixes. The episode illustrates how AI can accelerate vulnerability discovery and mass exploitation at unprecedented speed.

💡 AI’s ability to weaponize dormant code flaws turns routine patch cycles into urgent, large‑scale crises, forcing organizations to rethink security automation.

teslarati.com · Oct 24

Tesla reveals Optimus Academy, where robots teach themselves

Tesla has begun mass‑producing its Optimus humanoid robot on a dedicated high‑volume line inside the Fremont factory, converting space formerly used for Model S and Model X production. The company claims the first units off the line meet “production‑quality” standards and that the manufacturing process is ready for commercial scale, targeting up to one million robots annually. Elon Musk said equipment for this capacity is already in place and output could rise to roughly 20,000 units per week as the line follows an S‑curve ramp‑up. To compensate for the lack of a fleet‑derived data set, Tesla will create an “Optimus Academy” where 10,000‑20,000 robots perform varied tasks, feeding their experiences into future models. The AI5 chip will be integrated next year, and a larger plant at Giga Texas aims for 10 million robots annually.

💡 By turning each robot into a data source, Tesla accelerates autonomous learning at scale, turning manufacturing into a continuous AI training loop. This approach could give Optimus a real‑world adaptability edge over scripted competitors.

9to5google.com · Oct 24

Gemini Notebook now available as Connected App for deeper integration

Google has expanded Gemini Notebook’s functionality by adding a Connected App integration that lets users manage and query notebooks directly within Google Chat using natural language. The new feature automatically triggers when relevant prompts appear, enabling users to retrieve data, create new notebooks, add sources, and save notes without leaving the chat interface. The integration is enabled by default for all users worldwide, except in the European Economic Area, and is available to Workspace customers, Workspace Individual subscribers, and personal Google account holders.

💡 The seamless in‑chat access to Gemini Notebooks streamlines workflow, reducing context switching and boosting productivity for users who rely on real‑time information retrieval.

thehackernews.com · Oct 24

Google Says Gmail and Photos Data Shared With AI Search Could Be…

Google updated its privacy policy on October 16, 2026 to clarify that enabling personalized AI features in Search or Gemini can allow the company to serve targeted ads based on data from other Google services such as Gmail, Drive, and Photos. The policy states that ads are not personalized by default, but if users opt to share content through the Personal Intelligence feature, that data may inform ad targeting. Users can opt out by disconnecting apps or disabling personalized recommendations in Search settings.

💡 The change signals a shift toward monetizing personal data through AI-driven advertising, raising new privacy concerns for users who previously believed their email and photo content were excluded from ad targeting.

gamesradar.com · Oct 24

Still mad at Valve for Steam’s AI disclosures, Epic Games boss criticizes…

Epic Games CEO Tim Sweeney publicly denounced Valve’s mandatory AI disclosure policy for Steam games, calling it “abhorrent.” Sweeney argues that requiring developers to label AI usage forces them into political statements that could attract harassment. He has previously criticized Valve’s approach, comparing it to a “Scarlet Letter,” and highlighted the growing prevalence of generative AI in game development. Valve’s policy mandates developers disclose AI involvement, citing examples like Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4. Sweeney’s comments come amid Epic’s own AI‑focused initiatives and a surge of AI‑generated titles on Steam.

💡 The clash underscores a broader industry debate over transparency versus creative freedom in AI‑enhanced game production. It also signals potential friction between major platform holders and developers over how AI tools are regulated and presented to consumers.

therobotreport.com · Oct 24

Generative Bionics to launch Physical AI Data Factory in Italy

Generative Bionics announced plans to build a 5,000‑sq‑m Physical AI Data Factory in Genoa, Italy, slated to open by Q4 2027. The hub will generate high‑fidelity physical data from humanoid robot GENE.01 operating in realistic industrial settings, linking real‑world operations, simulation, and AI training in a continuous real‑to‑sim‑to‑real loop. The facility will use AMD Helios compute, support digital‑twin scenarios, and aim to advance European humanoid sovereignty by keeping data, models, and know‑how on the continent.

💡 By creating a dedicated data ecosystem for humanoid robots, the factory could accelerate the transition from laboratory prototypes to reliable industrial deployment, reducing dependence on foreign data pipelines and strengthening Europe’s competitive edge in robotics.