Google redesigns icons for Pixel Camera, Calculator, Clock, Recorder, & Weather apps

9to5google.com Aug 13, 2026

Google redesigns icons for Pixel Camera, Calculator, Clock, Recorder, & Weather apps

Curated by Shubham · TechCapsules · Aug 13, 2026

AI-summarised brief · reviewed before publication

Google has refreshed several Pixel app icons with its new design language, debuting the update alongside the Pixel 11 launch. The most noticeable change is to Pixel Camera, which now features a rectangular body, corner flash, and a centered viewfinder, paired with a new Pixel‑blue gradient that nods to the app’s AI heritage. Pixel Weather, Recorder, Calculator, and Clock icons also received redesigns: Weather adopts a plain background, Recorder shows a simplified red waveform, Calculator’s symbols shift to green circles, and Clock embraces Material 3 Expressive styling. These tweaks align the apps with the Pixel 11’s modern aesthetic.

💡 Why It Matters

· The icon updates signal Google’s push to unify its Pixel ecosystem under a cohesive visual identity, reinforcing brand consistency across devices.

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Best Google Pixel 11 Pro XL cases

Namerah Saud Fatmi, a Malaysian tech enthusiast, began exploring gadgets in her youth, from the OG Razr Flip to the PSP. She launched her writing career in late 2018, publishing on Android Central as a Senior Editor where she covers mobile accessories, gaming, software, and hardware. Prior to full‑time work, she freelanced for XDA Developers, Neowin, and Good e‑Reader, and occasionally contributes to Windows Central and iMore. She balances her career with travel, gaming, coffee, and her cat, Bruce Wayne.

💡 Fatmi’s transition from hobbyist to senior editor illustrates how deep personal passion can translate into influential tech journalism, shaping consumer understanding of mobile accessories and beyond.

androidcentral.com · Aug 14

Is it a phone or a gimbal? This is Honor’s new Robot…

Honor has unveiled the Robot Phone, a flagship Android device that integrates a gimbal‑style camera system into a 6.31‑inch smartphone. The device’s built‑in gimbal is about 65 % smaller than conventional handheld gimbals, yet it can lock onto faces, track subjects, and pan‑tilt automatically, mirroring features found in DJI’s Pocket series. Powered by a Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 processor and running MagicOS, the phone delivers flagship performance and a 120 Hz, 6 800‑nit display that remains readable in bright sunlight. Its triple‑camera array includes a 200 MP main sensor, a 200 MP periscope telephoto with 2.7× optical zoom and OIS, and a 50 MP ultrawide lens. A partnership with ARRI adds professional‑grade color science, LOG recording, and a suite of in‑camera filters, though these filters cannot be edited post‑capture. The phone ships in China with a magnetic kickstand, eliminating the need for external tripods.

💡 By merging high‑end gimbal functionality with a full‑spec flagship phone, Honor creates a single device that lets solo creators produce stabilized, cinema‑quality video without extra gear, reshaping the workflow for mobile content production.

androidcentral.com · Aug 13

Honor’s Robot Phone is finally here: ARRI partnership, Agile Gimbal spotlight a…

Honor unveiled its Robot Phone in China, featuring a fully motorized 3‑axis Agile Gimbal that automatically pans and tilts a 200‑MP main sensor and a 200‑MP periscope telephoto lens, complemented by a 50‑MP ultrawide camera. The device incorporates an ARRI Cinematic Imaging Partnership, offering LogC3, Wide Gamut 3, and ARRI Looks, and leverages AI for subject tracking, noise reduction, and dynamic range optimization. Powered by a Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5, it sports a 6.3‑inch LTPO OLED display, a 7,060‑mAh battery, and 120‑W wired charging. Pre‑orders begin at RMB 9,999 (~$1,482) with launch slated for August 18.

💡 The Robot Phone’s autonomous gimbal and ARRI‑powered workflow blur the line between smartphones and professional cinema rigs, offering filmmakers unprecedented mobility and control. Its competitive pricing could democratize high‑end mobile filmmaking, reshaping content creation norms.

androidcentral.com · Aug 13

A Google Pixel with a silicon-carbon battery could be in the cards

Google is reportedly evaluating silicon‑carbon battery technology for future Pixel devices, according to an interview with a Google product manager. The material promises higher energy density and faster charging while allowing a slimmer form factor, as demonstrated by Samsung’s recent Galaxy Z8 foldables, which increased capacity to 5,000 mAh without adding bulk. Google, however, is cautious because silicon‑carbon cells tend to degrade faster than conventional lithium‑ion units, raising longevity concerns. The Pixel 11 series launched without the new batteries, and the company has not confirmed which model—Pixel 12, 13, or later—might adopt the tech. Analysts note that Chinese manufacturers have already deployed silicon‑carbon cells, putting pressure on Google to catch up.

💡 Faster‑charging, higher‑capacity batteries could close the performance gap between Pixel phones and rival flagship devices, reshaping consumer expectations for slim, long‑lasting smartphones.

androidcentral.com · Aug 13

Best Google Pixel 11 Pro Fold cases

Namerah Saud Fatmi, a Malaysian tech enthusiast, has evolved from a hobbyist tinkering with early mobile gadgets to a senior editor at Android Central. Since 2018, she has published reviews on mobile accessories, gaming, software, and hardware, contributing to outlets such as XDA Developers, Neowin, and Good e‑Reader. Her work now spans Android Central’s sister brands, Windows Central and iMore, while she balances a life of gaming, travel, and coffee with her cat, Bruce Wayne.

💡 Her transition illustrates how deep‑dive tech journalism can shape consumer understanding of emerging mobile trends, especially as accessory ecosystems expand.

androidcentral.com · Aug 13

Is the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 waterproof?

Samsung confirmed that the Galaxy Z Fold 8 and its Ultra variant are not waterproof. Both models carry an IP48 rating, meaning they can resist dust particles larger than 1 mm and tolerate submersion up to 1.5 m in freshwater for 30 minutes. The rating does not cover salt or chlorinated water, nor high‑pressure jets, and water resistance degrades over time. Samsung advises users to treat the devices with care to preserve the seals that provide this limited protection.

💡 Knowing the exact limits of the Z Fold 8’s water resistance helps users avoid costly damage and informs expectations for the foldable’s durability in real‑world conditions.