Google releases Android 17 QPR2 Beta 1 for Pixel

9to5google.com Jul 21, 2026

Google releases Android 17 QPR2 Beta 1 for Pixel

Curated by Shubham · TechCapsules · Jul 21, 2026

AI-summarised brief · reviewed before publication

Google has begun rolling out Android 17 QPR2 Beta 1 to supported Pixel devices. The beta includes a minor SDK release for developers and adds a new Android Beta Feedback tool accessible from the app drawer or Quick Settings, allowing users to file bugs directly in Google’s issue tracker and join the Reddit community. System images are provided for a range of models, from Pixel 6a through the announced Pixel 10 series and Android Emulator. Pixel 6 and 6 Pro will not receive the OTA, as they have reached end‑of‑life and will remain on the QPR1 beta. Users can join the Android Beta Program for the OTA, but avoid installing if they prefer the stable QPR1 release; opting out after installation triggers a downgrade OTA.

💡 Why It Matters

· Early access to SDK tweaks lets developers adapt apps before the public launch, while the selective device rollout underscores Google’s shift toward supporting newer hardware and retiring legacy models.

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Review: After a year with Galaxy Z Fold 7, I’m worried Fold…

Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold 7 has proven to be the most reliable foldable in a year, with a thinner design, solid build, and minimal scuffs after a full year of use without a case. The device excels as a normal phone when closed and offers a usable outer display, but it suffers from heat buildup, a problematic camera bump, and mediocre photography performance compared to rivals. Despite these flaws, its durability and design set a benchmark for future foldables.

💡 The Fold 7’s longevity signals that Samsung’s engineering can meet consumer expectations for everyday use, a critical factor as foldables transition from niche to mainstream. Its performance gaps highlight the industry’s ongoing struggle to balance form factor innovation with practical durability.

9to5google.com · Jul 21

Gboard rolling out M3 Expressive redesign of shortcuts on Android

Google’s Gboard keyboard is receiving its first Material 3 Expressive overhaul of the shortcuts page, now pushed to the stable channel in version 17.7 via an update. The redesign replaces the previous vertical grid of small rectangular cards with rounded pill‑shaped buttons that show a larger icon and label. Tools are arranged in two columns; users can swipe horizontally to see more items, and a bottom‑right pencil icon opens a “hold and drag to customize” interface for reordering. The suggestions strip no longer shows containers, and the back button is swapped for a close “X” in the corner. A banner prompting “Customize your menu and shortcuts” appears after installation. Testing began in January, following a Material 3 Expressive refresh of Gboard Settings.

💡 The new pill‑shaped shortcuts give users faster visual access to keyboard tools, tightening the integration of Google’s design language across its Android ecosystem.

infoq.com · Jul 21

Presentation: Engineering AI for Creativity and Curiosity on Mobile

Bhavuk Jain, a Tech Lead at Google, presented on engineering artificial intelligence for creativity and curiosity on mobile devices at QCon San Francisco. He detailed the technical challenges of translating foundational AI models into scalable mobile products, specifically citing AI Wallpapers and Circle to Search. Jain explained the implementation of robust runtime guardrails, model fine-tuning, and seamless operating system integration. He addressed engineering leaders on balancing user experience constraints with model latency and infrastructure costs to ensure safe, reliable AI deployment. His work, which has been adopted by leading global device manufacturers and integrated into the Android Open Source Project, demonstrates how applied AI initiatives can enhance Pixel devices. The presentation provided practical insights for technical team leads, architects, and project managers on delivering high-quality AI features while managing complex engineering trade-offs in mobile environments.

💡 Integrating AI directly into the operating system shifts the competitive advantage from standalone apps to foundational platform capabilities. This architectural shift forces developers to prioritize efficiency and safety over raw model power.

9to5google.com · Jul 21

Gemini for macOS gets Neural Expressive, AI Mode on Android redesigned

Google has updated Gemini for macOS to version 1.86, introducing the Neural Expressive design language previously launched for Android, iOS, and web platforms in May 2026. The Mac app now features colorful gradients around the prompt bar, thin outline icons, and pill-shaped navigation indicators. Homepage buttons for voice input, temporary chat, and view modes have been refreshed for consistency. Simultaneously, Google redesigned AI Mode on Android, moving the prompt box from a bottom-docked sheet to a floating container. The ‘plus’ menu and submit buttons now utilize pill shapes. While these changes unify the visual experience across devices, the Gemini for Chrome side panel retains its previous design. The Google Health Coach also maintains the older bottom sheet look. These updates aim to standardize the aesthetic feel of Google’s AI interactions across its ecosystem, ensuring users encounter a cohesive interface whether accessing Gemini on their desktop or mobile devices.

💡 The shift to floating containers on Android breaks from the unified bottom-sheet strategy, signaling a divergence in interface philosophy between mobile and desktop platforms. This fragmentation suggests Google is prioritizing distinct user experience patterns over strict visual consistency across its entire AI suite.

9to5google.com · Jul 21

Google is having an incredibly busy year

Google has announced 40 software and platform products in 2026, but only 13 have seen broad rollout, most of which remain limited to U.S. users. High‑profile releases such as Gmail’s AI‑driven Inbox, the Gemini 3.5 Pro model, and the Universal Cart shopping experience have been delayed or confined to premium Gemini Ultra plans, while newer features like AirDrop support on Android and the Spark AI agent have reached AI Ultra subscribers. Android 17 launched with multitasking Bubbles, Screen Reactions and Ask Photos, yet many announced initiatives—including Googlebook laptops, an AI‑powered home speaker ecosystem, and an Android version of Adobe Premiere—remain unreleased. The company’s tiered AI strategy is fragmenting its ecosystem, leaving most consumers waiting for promised capabilities.

💡 Google’s staggered releases create a split experience that pressures users to upgrade to costly AI tiers or abandon new features altogether.

9to5google.com · Jul 21

Update to Galaxy S26 Ultra Privacy Display lets you hide picture-in-picture videos

Samsung’s One UI 9 beta update adds per‑app Privacy Display support for picture‑in‑picture (PiP) video on the Galaxy S26 Ultra. When a user minimizes a YouTube video (or any app enabled in the Privacy Display list) to the home screen, the small PiP window is filtered to hide its content from off‑angle viewers while the rest of the display remains visible. The feature requires the app to be selected in the Privacy Display settings and cannot be applied to the entire screen, otherwise the filter does not activate. The change is live on One UI 9 beta builds ending in BZG4 and demonstrates Samsung’s push to make its privacy‑focused screen technology more granular. It works without affecting home‑screen widgets or icons.

💡 Extending Privacy Display to PiP windows lets users keep video content private in public settings, turning a visual novelty into a practical privacy safeguard.