Google Messages has introduced a new home‑screen layout that places pinned conversations in a dedicated, larger area above the regular message list, resembling iMessage’s design. The change, currently in beta, expands pinned chat visibility but pushes recent messages further down, requiring more scrolling. Early testers report mixed reactions: some praise the clearer pin placement, while others find the interface cluttered and note issues such as an empty placeholder when few chats are pinned. Google is also testing [...]

Google announced it will release a software update to correct a Daylight Savings Time glitch affecting certain Nest Hub and Nest Thermostat units in Canada. The bug caused incorrect time displays, late alarms, disrupted automations, and altered schedules after the country’s daylight‑saving policy change. The issue is limited to provinces that no longer observe the shift, leaving some devices out of sync. Google confirmed awareness of the problem, apologized, and is actively working on a fix, though [...]

Google Maps updated to version 26.44.4 to support Apple’s new iPhone Duo, enabling the app to occupy both displays fully. The outer screen now shows a centered map, while the inner screen expands the interface, allowing menus and search to sit beside a full‑screen map or satellite view. Street View occupies the left side by default, with an option to fill the entire screen, mirroring Apple Maps’ Look Around. The update delivers immediate usability improvements for existing [...]

Google announced that K‑12 schools using its education suite will lose access to Google Search unless they opt in to its AI tools, including Gemini and Gemini Notebook. Vice president Chris Phillips said Search and AI are “deeply integrated,” so schools that block AI will see a message indicating Search is unavailable. The policy sparked immediate criticism from politicians and regulators: Senator Bernie Sanders called it “extortion,” Senator Richard Blumenthal warned it forces AI adoption, and former [...]

Google confirmed that a software issue was causing unexpected battery drain on some Pixel Watch models, including the Pixel Watch 2 and newer. The company acknowledged the problem after user complaints surfaced on forums and social media. A fix is now being rolled out via the Play Store, with updates expected to reach all affected devices within a few days. Users can manually trigger the update by selecting “Update all” in the Pixel Watch’s Play Store app. [...]

Google announced that AI services will be disabled by default for school‑managed K‑12 accounts, but schools that opt out of Gemini will also lose access to Google Search. The change covers Gemini, Gemini Notebook, Gemini in Classroom, and Search, requiring administrators to explicitly enable AI. Critics argue the move coerces schools into using AI while cutting off a primary research tool. Google is expanding its Guided Learning feature to mitigate concerns, though it lacks media‑literacy components. [...]

Google will, beginning in 2027, disable its Gemini AI suite—including Gemini, Gemini Notebook and Gemini Classroom—for all K‑12 student accounts by default. School administrators may manually reactivate individual AI services, but doing so will also restore access to Google Search, which is otherwise blocked when AI tools are turned off. The policy stems from concerns that AI‑generated answers may undermine learning, prompting Google to add a “Guided Learning” mode that walks students through problem‑solving steps rather than [...]