Walmart finally supporting in-store tap to pay with Google Pay

9to5google.com Aug 22, 2026

Walmart finally supporting in-store tap to pay with Google Pay

Curated by Shubham · TechCapsules · Aug 22, 2026

AI-summarised brief · reviewed before publication

Google announced that tap‑to‑pay with Google Pay will be available in Walmart stores across the United States, marking a significant shift from the retailer’s previous reliance on QR‑code Walmart Pay. The rollout begins on August 24 at selected Walmart and Sam’s Club locations, with plans to extend coverage to all U.S. stores and clubs by the end of 2026 and to fuel stations by mid‑2027. Walmart will continue to accept cash, credit cards, and Walmart Pay, positioning the retailer to support a broader range of contactless payments.

💡 Why It Matters

· Walmart’s adoption of Google Pay expands consumer payment options, potentially accelerating the transition to contactless checkout and setting a new industry benchmark for large retailers.

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YouTube Premium is getting another price hike for some users all around…

Google confirmed that YouTube Premium will increase its subscription price for users in multiple international markets, following a U.S. hike earlier this year that added up to $4 per month. The new rates, which vary by country, are expected to be 10‑15 % higher and will take effect on the first billing cycle on or after September 23, 2026. The adjustments mirror the U.S. price change and represent one of the few recent global revisions to the service’s cost structure. Affected subscribers have been notified via email and are encouraged to share the new local price in the comments of the original report. The rollout underscores Google’s broader strategy to boost revenue from its ad‑free streaming tier across diverse regions.

💡 The hike tests subscriber tolerance for higher fees just as competition for ad‑free video services intensifies worldwide.

9to5google.com · Aug 22

Pixel Camera adds ‘Launch control’ and new ‘Quick access’ slider controls on…

Google has updated the Pixel 11 camera app with new “Quick access” slider dials and a “Launch mode” setting. The sliders, now displayed as dials on either side of the screen, can be customized via the camera settings menu and include “Looks” options. They are disabled by default and appear only after tapping the screen, a design choice that many users find unintuitive. The Launch mode lets users open the camera directly to video or Magic Capture, though photo remains the default. The changes appear in Camera v11.0, with older Pixels on v10.4.

💡 The redesign signals Google’s push to streamline on‑device photography controls, potentially influencing how future Pixel models balance feature accessibility with interface simplicity.

androidcentral.com · Aug 22

Google simplifies Pixel Watch 5 software with one unified build

Google released factory and OTA images for the Pixel Watch 5, which now runs a single Wear OS 7 build (CD5A.260611.00) for both Bluetooth/Wi‑Fi and LTE models. The unified build, codenamed “goteria,” eliminates the separate firmware streams used in earlier generations, potentially easing internal development and future updates. The watch includes 3 GB RAM, 64 GB storage, and new software features such as Gemini Intelligence and At‑a‑Glance. Flashing still requires a debug adapter, and bootloader unlocking will erase data.

💡 A single software stream cuts development overhead and speeds rollout of updates, giving users a more consistent experience across all Pixel Watch 5 variants.

9to5google.com · Aug 22

Pixel 11 Pro Fold is changing how I multitask on a foldable…

Google unveiled the Pixel 11 Pro Fold, featuring a multitasking tool called “App Handles” that builds on the existing Bubbles system. The feature lets users drag any app to the far bottom‑right corner, where it anchors as a floating window that can be summoned with a swipe‑up gesture. Multiple handles can be stored, allowing switching without occupying the main screen. When the device is folded, these handles convert into bubbles on the cover display, preserving access. Reviewers note that the implementation feels more reliable than the finicky floating windows on Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold series. The Pixel 11 Pro Fold ships today, and Google says the App Handles capability will be back‑ported to earlier Pixel models via future Android updates.

💡 By turning a corner of the screen into a persistent shortcut hub, Google gives foldable users a low‑friction way to juggle apps without sacrificing the large inner display, a usability edge that could set a new standard for Android foldables.

blog.google · Aug 22

Enter Google Play’s sweepstakes to win legendary experiences and collectibles with your…

Google Play has launched a new sweepstakes for U.S. Play Points members, offering unlimited chances to win over 20,000 prizes through September 14. Participants can redeem points for entries via the You tab in the Play Store on Android devices. The campaign features high-value grand prizes, including an original, CGC graded 5.0 copy of Amazing Fantasy #15, which debuted Spider-Man in 1962. Another top prize includes VIP tickets, flights, and a four-night hotel stay for New York Comic Con. Additional rewards encompass rare Funko Pop! figures, AMC Theatres vouchers, Hot Toys sixth-scale figures, and a limited-edition Post Malone controller. Tom Grinsted, Director of Product Management, announced the initiative on August 21, 2026. Users can enter multiple times and unlock special bonuses by purchasing larger point packets. This promotion aims to enhance user engagement by leveraging existing loyalty points for exclusive, high-demand collectibles and experiences.

💡 Offering a 1962 Spider-Man comic as a digital loyalty reward bridges the gap between physical collector culture and mobile app ecosystems. This strategy transforms routine point redemption into a high-stakes event, driving immediate user activity.

9to5google.com · Aug 22

Pixel 11 Pro Fold still doesn’t survive bend test, but at least…

Google’s Pixel 11 Pro Fold underwent JerryRigEverything’s durability testing, showing mixed results compared to its predecessor. While the device avoided the catastrophic battery rupture seen in the Pixel 10 Pro Fold, it still failed the bend test. The phone broke cleanly at the antenna line, allowing the front and back panels to be ripped off by hand. Despite this structural failure, the new ceramic outer display demonstrated improved scratch resistance, holding up to Level 6 on the Mohs hardness scale before showing deep grooves at Level 7. Conversely, the rear composite fiber back scratched easily with a knife. The recurring breakage at the hinge area suggests persistent design flaws, despite overall durability enhancements. With Google typically redesigning Pixels every two to three years, experts anticipate a significant structural revamp is overdue to address these obvious weaknesses in the foldable lineup’s construction and long-term reliability.

💡 The persistent hinge failure proves that incremental material upgrades cannot fix fundamental structural engineering flaws. Consumers paying premium prices for foldables demand devices that survive basic physical stress, not just scratch tests.