Gemini app starts rolling out big side panel simplification, settings redesign

9to5google.com Sep 28, 2026

Gemini app starts rolling out big side panel simplification, settings redesign

Curated by Shubham · TechCapsules · Sep 28, 2026

AI-summarised brief · reviewed before publication

Gemini’s latest update rolls out on Android and iOS, streamlining navigation by relocating search to the top-right and adding filter options—All, Ready, Needs attention, In progress—to chat history. A new “Scheduled” item replaces the old page, and “Suggested” prompts appear for quick tasks. The “Discover” tab now showcases skills, activated with “@,” replacing Gems, while the “Connectors” tab modernizes connected apps with uninstall options. Settings receive a redesign, grouping account and usage limits, though rollout is limited to a single Google account.

💡 Why It Matters

· The redesign signals Gemini’s shift toward a more app‑store‑like ecosystem, potentially redefining how users discover and manage third‑party integrations.

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Alleged Moto ‘Razr Flex’ sounds like a wide fold, but smaller—leak talks…

Motorola is reportedly developing a wide‑foldable phone dubbed the “Razr Flex,” featuring a 6.9‑inch OLED inner display with up to 165 Hz and a 4.9‑inch cover screen. The device is expected to run Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 5, a mid‑range SoC, and include dual 50 MP rear cameras with 30× digital zoom. Battery capacity is projected at 5,000 mAh with 25 W Qi2 wireless charging. Dimensions could be 110 × 149 × 5.8 mm unfolded and 110 × 76 × 12.6 mm folded, with a mid‑December 2026 launch.

💡 The Razr Flex’s use of a mid‑range chip signals Motorola’s strategy to balance performance and cost in the competitive foldable market, potentially reshaping consumer expectations for mid‑tier foldables.

businesstoday.in · Sep 28

Google Pixel 11 Pro review: Smarter flagship with familiar flaws

Google released the Pixel 11 Pro amid rising smartphone prices driven by chip shortages and higher component costs. The flagship, priced at Rs 1,19,999 for the 12 GB/256 GB variant, builds on its predecessor with a new Tensor G6 processor, a larger telephoto sensor, a redesigned camera bar featuring a HiLight LED, and a 6.3‑inch QHD+ OLED display that supports 120 Hz and 3600 nits peak brightness. The design remains familiar, lighter by 3 g, and includes IP68 water resistance and Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2. While the phone delivers strong performance and camera quality, some features, like the HiLight LED, have yet to fully realize their potential.

💡 The Pixel 11 Pro’s price hike underscores the broader trend of premium smartphones demanding higher costs for incremental upgrades, prompting consumers to weigh long‑term value against initial outlay.

9to5google.com · Sep 28

Honor Magic 9 Pro Max goes official with 8,800 mAh battery, ARRI…

Honor announced its flagship Magic 9 Pro Max in China, featuring a 200 MP main camera with gimbal‑level stabilization, a 200 MP telephoto lens offering 3.5× optical zoom, and a 50 MP ultra‑wide unit, all tuned by ARRI for cinematic color. The device runs Snapdragon 8 Elite Extreme Gen 6, starts at 12 GB RAM, and includes an 8,800 mAh battery with 100 W wired and 80 W wireless charging. A 6.8‑inch OLED display peaks at 10,000 nits, and the phone is IP68/IP69/IP69K rated. Global launch is slated for later this year.

💡 The partnership with ARRI positions Honor as a serious contender in mobile cinematography, offering studio‑grade imaging tools directly on a consumer device. The high‑capacity battery and rapid charging support extended on‑the‑go shooting, a key demand for professional content creators.

9to5google.com · Sep 28

Pixel Watch update adds Google’s new 3D emoji

Google’s September 2026 Pixel Watch update brings the company’s new 3D emoji catalog to all current Pixel Watch models, including the Pixel Watch 2, 3, and 4, which had previously only supported 2D icons. The update also includes the August 2026 security patch and enhanced gesture controls. The 3D emoji, first introduced on Pixel 11 phones, adds depth and personality to each character and will soon expand to devices from Nothing, Lenovo, Xiaomi, Oppo/OnePlus, Honor, Motorola, and others. The rollout demonstrates Google’s commitment to a unified, visually richer user experience across its hardware ecosystem.

💡 By extending 3D emoji to older watches, Google levels the visual experience across its smartwatch lineup, reinforcing brand consistency and encouraging broader adoption of its ecosystem.

9to5google.com · Sep 28

Motorola’s wide Galaxy Z Fold 8 competitor might be very tiny and…

Motorola is reportedly developing a new wide, book‑style foldable tentatively named “Razr Flex,” with the internal codename “Parker.” The device is expected to launch mid‑December and will feature a 4.97‑inch outer display and an inner panel under 7 inches, making it noticeably smaller than competitors like Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold 8 and Xiaomi’s 18 Fold. Specifications mirror those of the earlier Razr Fold, and concept renders suggest a minimalist design approach. The name “Razr Flex” may or may not be used for retail.

💡 The Razr Flex’s compact dimensions could redefine portability in the foldable market, offering a smaller alternative to current flagship models.

androidcentral.com · Sep 28

Samsung finally reveals everything coming to your Galaxy S26 with One UI…

Samsung has released the official One UI 9 changelog for its Galaxy S26, S26 Plus and S26 Ultra smartphones. The update, which began rolling out on September 21 after a brief delay, brings the Fold 8’s My FanCam video‑tracking feature to the S26 line, adds a more customizable Quick Panel, and expands the AI‑driven Now Nudge suggestions across the interface. New privacy tools include AI‑powered alerts for unusual permission use and a blue location‑access indicator. Bixby, Samsung Health, the lock‑screen clock and warranty menu also receive upgrades, while call‑screen information is now displayed during calls. The rollout is currently available on T‑Mobile, Metro by T‑Mobile, US Cellular and for unlocked devices in the United States for early adopters to test.

💡 By flagging atypical permission use instantly, the update gives users concrete control over data exposure, turning privacy from a background setting into an active safeguard.