Microsoft killed Android apps on Windows 11, but they’re back in taskbar Search, streamed from your phone

windowslatest.com Oct 31, 2026

Microsoft killed Android apps on Windows 11, but they’re back in taskbar Search, streamed from your phone

Curated by Shubham · TechCapsules · Oct 31, 2026

AI-summarised brief · reviewed before publication

Windows 11’s new taskbar Search now displays Android apps from a paired phone, allowing users to launch them directly from the PC. A Surface Laptop 7th Edition paired with a Samsung Galaxy A26 showed the Bluesky app as a “Mobile App” result; selecting it opened the app on the phone and mirrored it to the PC via Phone Link. Microsoft confirmed that Search can also call, text, and toggle Do Not Disturb on a connected phone, though opening apps was not highlighted in release notes. This feature replaces the need to open Phone Link first, offering a more seamless cross‑device experience.

💡 Why It Matters

· By integrating Android app launching into Windows Search, Microsoft tightens the Windows‑Android ecosystem, reducing friction for users who rely on mobile apps.
· This move could reshape how developers target Windows users, emphasizing mobile-first experiences over native Windows installations.

Read full article on windowslatest.com

Nothing OS 5.0 (Android 17) is now rolling out to Nothing 4a…

Nothing OS 5.0, based on Android 17, is now rolling out to the Nothing Phone 3a, 3a Pro, 4a, and 4a Pro worldwide. The update arrives in staged batches, so users may see the notification over the next few days or manually check via system settings. Key features include a new Glyph app, split‑mode Quick Settings, bulk icon management, three new widgets, a translucent theme, lock‑screen customization, a refreshed camera UI, dual‑view video, and an AI‑processing status indicator. The stable build is available for all four budget models.

💡 The rollout expands Android 17’s reach to budget‑friendly devices, offering advanced UI tweaks and AI transparency that could set a new standard for feature parity across price tiers.

9to5google.com · Oct 31

Google says Android Auto video apps are still ‘coming soon’ as deadline…

At its latest developer conference, Google confirmed that video and browser apps for Android Auto remain “coming soon,” despite a self‑imposed year‑end deadline. The company had announced in May that video apps would launch this year on select vehicles, enabling in‑car viewing of services like YouTube and background playback after the car shifts out of park. With only two months left, no beta release or timeline was disclosed. Google also tested updated audio, messaging, and calling apps via the Cars App Library.

💡 The delay stalls a key feature that could reshape in‑vehicle entertainment, affecting manufacturers and app developers who had planned integration around the original schedule.

9to5google.com · Oct 31

Pixel 6 postmortem: How Google’s flawed reboot defined future hardware [Video]

The Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro, launched in late 2021, marked Google’s most ambitious hardware overhaul, introducing a new design language, the in‑house Tensor G1 chip, larger camera sensors and a lower price point. The devices aimed to shed the brand’s “second‑place” image after years of experimental features and modest flagships. While the bold camera bar, pastel glass backs and dynamic Material You UI earned praise, early adopters endured software bugs, slow biometric unlock, thermal throttling and poor cellular performance. The shift from Qualcomm to custom silicon prioritized on‑device AI functions such as voice typing, live translation and Magic Eraser, laying the foundation for today’s Pixel ecosystem. Despite ergonomic drawbacks like weight and slippery finishes, the Pixel 6 series remains a polarizing but pivotal chapter in Google’s smartphone evolution.

💡 The Tensor debut forced the industry to reckon with AI‑centric hardware as a competitive differentiator, reshaping how future smartphones prioritize on‑device intelligence over raw benchmark scores.

9to5google.com · Oct 31

Motorola Signature 27 specs detailed in new video, including Tandem OLED display

Motorola has released a hands‑on video of its upcoming Signature 27 flagship ahead of the November 5 launch. The clip, presented by YouTube reviewer Danny Winget, confirms the phone will feature an “Extreme AMOLED Duo” display built with Tandem OLED technology, a layered diode approach previously seen in Apple’s PROLED MacBook Pro and Honor’s Magic 6 RSR. Motorola claims the screen can reach a peak brightness of 12,000 nits, far above typical flagship levels. The device’s design includes textured backs in two colors and curved glass framing the display. While battery capacity remains undisclosed, the video notes a “sizable” pack and a vapor‑chamber cooling system 40 % larger than prior models, suggesting robust thermal management. The preview positions the Signature 27 as a premium smartphone contender market.

💡 By pushing brightness and cooling limits, Motorola aims to redefine flagship performance benchmarks.

9to5google.com · Oct 31

Will Galaxy S27 Ultra and Pixel 12 mark the end of the…

Samsung’s Galaxy S27 Ultra is rumored to launch at $1,500, a $100 increase over the S26 Ultra, while Google’s next‑generation Pixel 12 may see a similar price jump, pushing flagship models toward the $2,000 range. The article highlights rising component costs, especially RAM, and notes that Motorola’s return to the U.S. flagship market could be hampered by high pricing. Consumers face a growing divide: keep older devices or shift to mid‑range models as premium phones become less affordable.

💡 The steep price climb threatens to shrink the high‑end smartphone market, forcing brands to rethink feature‑pricing strategies and potentially accelerating the shift toward more affordable, mid‑tier devices.

9to5google.com · Oct 31

Apple Music 7.0 for Android rolls out with Liquid Glass redesign

Apple Music released version 7.0 for Android, featuring a Liquid Glass redesign and a new icon. The update replaces the red background with a black or white music note icon, and the accent color shifts to blue. A floating bottom bar and translucent navigation allow content visibility above and below the bar, while the mini‑player moves off the bottom. Top bars now align titles and overflow menus, and the Library tab adds “Edit Pins” and “Edit Categories.” Artist pages adopt cover‑image themes, and Settings receive better grouping. The update aligns Android’s versioning with iOS 27 and is available on the Play Store.

💡 The redesign brings Android users a unified aesthetic with iOS, improving cross‑platform consistency and user experience. It also signals Apple’s commitment to refining Android support, potentially boosting adoption among Android listeners.