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

9to5google.com Jul 21, 2026

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

Curated by Shubham · TechCapsules · Jul 21, 2026

AI-summarised brief · reviewed before publication

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.

💡 Why It Matters

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

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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.

androidcentral.com · Jul 21

Google’s latest Android 17 beta fixes Bluetooth headaches and Gemini crashes

Google has launched the first beta of Android 17 QPR2, the quarterly update slated for the December 2026 Feature Drop. The build, CP41.260701.005, reaches most current Pixel models—including the 6a, 7 series, Fold, Tablet, 8 series, 9 family, and 10 devices—as well as the Android Emulator. While no new consumer features appear, the release patches several persistent bugs: Bluetooth reconnection failures, a lock‑screen media‑control flash, and a touch‑input glitch that halted multi‑finger drag‑and‑drop gestures. Most notably, it resolves a crash that forced Pixel phones to reboot when launching Google’s Gemini AI assistant. The beta is available via OTA for enrolled users, but it also marks the final beta for Pixel 6 and 6 Pro, which have reached their update limit today now.

💡 Stable Gemini operation restores confidence in Google’s AI roadmap, ensuring users can rely on core phone functions without disruptive reboots.

androidcentral.com · Jul 21

How to make your Android safer without changing how you use it

Android users store finances, memories and work data on their phones, making security a priority. Bitdefender advises that protection can be enhanced without altering daily habits by relying on background features such as cross‑app web protection, scam‑link filtering, secure browsing on public Wi‑Fi and continuous threat monitoring. Keeping the operating system and apps up to date remains the simplest safeguard, as patches close known vulnerabilities. Because phishing now arrives via messaging apps, tools that scan links in any app help prevent accidental clicks. Public Wi‑Fi still poses interception risks, so secure browsing utilities are recommended for travelers and remote workers. Finally, regularly reviewing app permissions limits unnecessary access to location, contacts, camera and other sensors and improves overall device safety.

💡 Embedding security into everyday app usage eliminates friction, turning smartphones into a resilient first line of defense.

9to5google.com · Jul 21

Google releases Android 17 QPR2 Beta 1 for Pixel

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.

💡 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.

androidcentral.com · Jul 21

Gboard could have a huge accessibility feature on the way for sign…

Google is reportedly developing a new accessibility feature for Gboard called "Sign-to-text," designed to translate sign language into written text. Android Authority and tipster AssembleDebug discovered references to this tool within recent Gboard code, including a welcome pop-up description. The feature aims to convert signing into text messages, web searches, and emails by leveraging the device’s camera and Google’s AI. While video footage reportedly never leaves the user’s device, the system sends data points representing body movements to Google servers for translation before deletion. This development follows Android 16’s enhancements for hearing aid users, including Bluetooth LE support and Fast Pair integration with Demant and Starkey devices. Although details remain scarce, the inclusion of sign language support represents a significant expansion of Android’s accessibility options beyond standard text size and color adjustments. The feature’s eventual release and support for various sign languages remain unconfirmed.

💡 This feature directly addresses a critical communication gap for deaf and hard-of-hearing users who rely on sign language rather than speech or text input. By integrating real-time translation into the default keyboard, Google removes the need for specialized hardware or third-party apps, making digital interaction more inclusive and seamless for a marginalized community.

androidcentral.com · Jul 20

Verizon is clearing Google Pixel 10 stock by giving away the phones…

Verizon is offering free Google Pixel 10 smartphones to clear out remaining inventory, allowing customers to claim a device without charge. Interested shoppers must sign up for a Verizon prepaid plan, select the “Free Pixel 10” option during checkout, and meet eligibility criteria such as a new line activation or a device upgrade. The promotion runs through the end of the month and is limited to the first 5,000 qualifying accounts, after which the offer may be withdrawn. Verizon will ship the phones directly to customers, and the devices come with a standard one‑year warranty. The deal is highlighted by Android Central’s eCommerce editor, who outlines the steps, potential pitfalls, and tips for securing the handset before stock runs out.

💡 It turns excess inventory into a customer acquisition tool, drawing new prepaid users with a high‑value device at zero cost.