Waymo & Uber Partnership Ends in Phoenix, While Teens Do Idiotic Things in Waymos

cleantechnica.com Jul 3, 2026

Waymo & Uber Partnership Ends in Phoenix, While Teens Do Idiotic Things in Waymos

Curated by Shubham · TechCapsules · Jul 3, 2026

AI-summarised brief · reviewed before publication

Waymo's partnership with Uber has ended in Phoenix, where the company first launched its robotaxi service. The partnership was intentionally limited, with only a dozen vehicles dedicated to the program, and was focused on learning and scaling. Uber stated that the collaboration helped the company quickly scale its services in Austin and Atlanta, where hundreds of Waymo vehicles are available exclusively on Uber. The Waymo vehicles used in the Uber pilot will now be used for DoorDash deliveries in Phoenix. Meanwhile, teenagers have been spotted misusing Waymo robotaxis in Santa Monica, hanging out of windows and taking selfies.

💡 Why It Matters

· Age verification for riders is a critical issue highlighted by this incident, as Waymo can be fined for non-compliance.
· Effective monitoring systems are also essential to prevent and address unsafe activity in the cars.

Read full article on cleantechnica.com

Here are some of Google Pixel’s biggest missing features, according to you

Google Pixel phones have been criticized for lacking certain features, according to a poll of 9to5Google readers. The missing features include improved data transfer from one Android device to another, more customization options on the homescreen, and enhanced lockscreen functionality. Other features that readers called out for inclusion are shortcuts, a more capable "Rules" feature, and better charging limits. The poll highlights areas where Google's Pixel phones fall behind competitors like Samsung and Apple.

💡 The absence of these features on Google Pixel phones may indicate a lack of innovation in the company's approach to software development. This could lead to a perception that the Pixel series is playing catch-up with other Android manufacturers, potentially affecting consumer loyalty and the brand's reputation.

9to5google.com · Jul 3

Google Wallet on Android phones now shows Wear OS payment history

The Google Wallet app on Android phones now displays payment history made by Wear OS watches, in addition to phone transactions. Previously, the app only showed purchases made by the phone, but now it includes NFC payments made by Wear OS devices. The transaction history notes "Purchase made on watch" for clarity. This change makes the transaction history more comprehensive, but the 10-item limitation remains. The update is retroactive, and Google first previewed this functionality in January, aiming to provide a more unified experience.

💡 This update streamlines users' financial tracking by consolidating payment history across devices. It eliminates the need to check multiple apps, making transaction management more efficient.

economictimes.indiatimes.com · Jul 3

AI race weakens climate pledges at Google, Amazon

Google and Amazon reported sharp increases in greenhouse gas emissions, driven by the construction of artificial intelligence infrastructure. Google's total emissions jumped 82 percent since 2019, and 18 percent last year, while Amazon's emissions rose 58 percent over the same period, and 16 percent last year. Both companies have pledged to reach carbon neutrality, with Google aiming to cut emissions in half by 2030 and Amazon by 2040. However, their emissions are rising faster than their sales, with both companies now polluting more for every dollar generated in revenue, posing a challenge to their environmental ambitions.

💡 The emissions surge undermines the tech giants' ability to lead by example in reducing carbon footprint. Corporate pursuit of profits is outpacing environmental commitments.

9to5google.com · Jul 3

Android Auto more widely rolling out updates for Spotify and YouTube Music…

Android Auto users are receiving updates for media apps, including Spotify and YouTube Music. A redesigned Spotify music player, previously in beta, is now rolling out more widely, featuring blurred album art and a reorganized button layout. This design will also appear in other apps like YouTube Music and Pocket Casts. However, some YouTube Music users are experiencing issues with the "Library" tab disappearing, which can be resolved by resetting the app. The updates aim to enhance the user experience for Android Auto users, providing a more streamlined and intuitive interface for music streaming.

💡 The updates address user frustrations with the existing app designs, enhancing overall usability. Improved app functionality also reflects Google's efforts to refine the Android Auto platform.

androidcentral.com · Jul 3

Platform Stability reached: Android 17 QPR1 Beta 6 is here for Pixels,…

Google has announced the rollout of Android 17 QPR1 Beta 6 for enrolled Pixel testers, just a week after Beta 5 was released. This latest beta brings a lighter set of fixes, primarily addressing issues reported by Pixel testers, including a visual glitch in the media carousel and an unintended result when pressing volume buttons in the Clock app. The update marks a significant milestone, as Android 17 QPR1 has reached Platform Stability, paving the way for preparations for a wider stable launch. The beta is available for Pixel 6 and newer devices, with Google focusing on squashing remaining bugs ahead of further testing.

💡 Reaching Platform Stability ahead of schedule indicates Google's accelerated development process, potentially allowing for a faster rollout of the stable update to users. This swift progress may enable Google to address pressing issues affecting Android 17 users sooner.

techtimes.com · Jul 3

New Gemini Flash Checkpoint Surfaces on LM Arena: Gemini 4 or Incremental…

An anonymous Gemini Flash checkpoint appeared on LM Arena, a platform used by Google to test its AI models. The checkpoint performs above the current Gemini 3.5 Flash, which was launched at Google I/O on May 19. Google has not commented on the listing, but the timing is significant as the Gemini 3.5 Pro model has been delayed. The new checkpoint could demonstrate forward momentum for Google's most-deployed tier before the flagship arrives. The community is debating whether this is an incremental update, Gemini 3.6 Flash, or a generational leap, Gemini 4 Flash. The performance gap appears incremental, but no independent benchmark data is available.

💡 A new Flash checkpoint that outperforms Gemini 3.5 Flash would allow Google to show progress on its most-deployed tier. Google's competitive weight relies heavily on the Flash line as the Gemini 3.5 Pro model faces delays.