Google Keep update tweaks the homescreen widget on Android

9to5google.com Sep 18, 2026

Google Keep update tweaks the homescreen widget on Android

Curated by Shubham · TechCapsules · Sep 18, 2026

AI-summarised brief · reviewed before publication

Google has released version 5.26.365.x of its Keep app for Android, redesigning the “Note collection” homescreen widget. The previous Material You‑era sidebar that offered shortcuts for text, list, audio, drawing and photo notes has been removed and replaced with a circular floating‑action button (FAB). Tapping the FAB opens a pop‑up menu, mirroring the interaction of the smaller “Quick capture” widget and adding a second tap for note creation. The new edge‑to‑edge layout displays more of each note, eliminating the empty space that was common in full‑width homescreen configurations. The update follows the earlier rollout of Keep Live for Google AI Plus, Pro and Ultra subscribers and is being distributed through the Play Store.

💡 Why It Matters

· The streamlined widget reduces visual clutter and aligns Keep’s quick‑capture workflow with Google’s broader UI consistency, encouraging faster note‑taking directly from the home screen.

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Google just put the latest AI models through a brutal coding test…

Google unveiled Android Bench 2.0, a new benchmark that evaluates large language models on complex Android development tasks such as upgrading dependencies, adding major features, and building apps from scratch. The test introduces long‑horizon tasks that can take days to complete and shifts from a binary pass‑or‑fail to continuous scoring. Early results show GPT‑6 Astra leading with a 28% pass rate, while Gemini 3.8 Flash achieved only 8%. The benchmark aims to better gauge AI capabilities for real‑world software development.

💡 The benchmark forces AI models to tackle multi‑day coding projects, revealing practical strengths and gaps that smaller tests miss. It provides developers with clearer guidance on which models can reliably handle the full lifecycle of Android app creation.

9to5google.com · Sep 17

Google goes in-depth, and a bit NSFW, on Noto 3D emoji as…

Google Design released a detailed overview of its Noto 3D emoji set, explaining that each character was hand‑drawn, sculpted, and debated to preserve emotional clarity while minimizing extraneous detail. Research guided the removal of complex anatomical features that slowed emotional processing, limiting each emoji to three essential details. The team shifted from flat icons to three‑dimensional forms that emphasize silhouette and posture, updating animal emojis like the raccoon. Noto 3D now expands beyond Pixel devices to Android, Google apps, and partners such as Lenovo, Xiaomi, and OnePlus.

💡 The rollout demonstrates Google’s commitment to refining visual communication, potentially setting a new standard for emoji design across the industry.

9to5google.com · Sep 17

Android Bench 2.0 focuses on long-horizon tasks, agent evaluations

Google unveiled Android Bench 2.0, a benchmark designed to assess large‑language models’ ability to perform software development tasks on Android. Unlike the first version, which measured incremental changes such as bug fixes, the new suite evaluates complex work like building new features, creating apps from scratch, and porting cross‑platform code to Android. Scoring shifts from binary pass/fail to a continuous metric that weighs functionality, visual fidelity, regression avoidance, and adherence to instructions, applying penalties for deviations. Tested models include Gemini 3.7/3.8 Flash, OpenAI GPT‑6, Anthropic Fable 5.1, Kimi K3, and Qwen 3.8 Max, with GPT‑6 Astra achieving the highest 28 % pass rate under the tougher criteria. No model reached a perfect score; the best achieved 80 % completion on cross‑platform porting.

💡 By quantifying how well AI agents can deliver end‑to‑end Android development, the benchmark exposes the current limits of code‑generation models and sets a measurable target for future tooling that could automate weeks of engineering work.

9to5google.com · Sep 17

Android Auto update lets you customize your Google Maps ‘driving avatar’ via…

Google has released an Android Auto update that lets users change their Google Maps “driving avatar” directly from the car’s display. The feature, previously available only on phones, now appears in the Maps app on Android Auto alongside home, work, and alert settings. Users can tap the avatar option to select an icon and color. The update is part of a server‑side rollout, first noted in Android Auto 17.8.163744 and Maps 26.38.01.980791571, though the option remains unavailable for some users.

💡 By enabling in‑car customization, Google streamlines the user experience and reduces the need to toggle between phone and vehicle interfaces. This shift underscores the company’s focus on seamless, driver‑centric navigation.

androidcentral.com · Sep 17

Triple launch: Boox debuts Note Air6 C and Palma 3 just in…

On September 16, Onyx Boox released three new ePaper tablets: the 10.3‑inch Note Air6 C priced at $579, the 8.5‑inch Note Mini C also at $579, and the 6.1‑inch Palma 3 starting at $339. All models feature color ePaper displays, front‑light with Dual‑Tone adjustment, Android 16, and Google Play Store access. The Air6 C offers a 4 nm octa‑core processor, 6 GB RAM, 64 GB storage, and a Boox Pen 3 stylus. The Mini C and Palma 3 include BSR technology for smoother scrolling and improved battery life.

💡 The launch expands Boox’s ePaper lineup, offering a premium, Android‑compatible reading experience at competitive prices. It positions the company to capture a broader market segment seeking high‑quality, stylus‑enabled eReaders.

androidcentral.com · Sep 17

The Motorola Razr Plus (2026) is still my favorite foldable phone —…

Patrick, the eCommerce Editor at Android Central, highlights a limited‑time T‑Mobile promotion that offers the Motorola Razr Plus (2026) at no upfront cost when paired with a qualifying contract. The deal requires customers to activate a new line or upgrade an existing one, with the phone’s price subsidized through monthly installments built into the plan. Patrick notes the Razr Plus retains the iconic flip design while adding a larger 6.7‑inch foldable display, Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset, and a 5,000 mAh battery, positioning it as a premium alternative to Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold series. He emphasizes the importance of reading the fine print, as early‑termination fees and credit checks apply, and advises shoppers to compare the total cost of ownership against other foldable options before committing.

💡 The offer removes the high entry barrier for a flagship foldable, potentially expanding the market segment that can experience premium foldable technology.