Apps & Software

What you need to know

• Google's NotebookLM now condenses massive documents and notes into 60-second, TikTok-style vertical videos.
• The feature is fueled by Gemini 3.1 Flash-Lite Image, Google’s fastest and most cost-efficient image generation model, boasting four-second render times.
• Google is also previewing a robust full-video generation model that supports natural language editing, multimodal inputs, and native audio syncing.

What you need to know

• Mishaal Rahman, an employee of Google's Community engagement for Android, teased Android 17's upcoming foldable gaming mode.
• This gaming mode would split a foldable's screen during gameplay, featuring the game at the top half and a virtual gamepad below that.
• It's a full gamepad, featuring all the buttons you'd expect from a PlayStation or Nintendo controller, and users will be able to customize it.
• Rahma

What you need to know

• WhatsApp announced the beginning of its global username reservation period for the platform.
• Users can begin reserving their desired username this week on WhatsApp, which lets them share this instead of their phone number for added privacy.
• Small business owners and content creators can "claim" their usernames from Facebook or Instagram and port it into WhatsApp.

In the name of privacy, WhatsApp is ro

What you need to know

• YouTube Shorts is getting a major usability upgrade with 2x playback, a clutter-free viewing mode, improved recommendation controls, and a redesigned Like button.
• You can now speed through Shorts at 2x by holding either side of the screen, making it easier to skip slower content without leaving the video.
• A new Clear screen mode hides on-screen clutter with a single tap, giving videos a cleaner, more immersive vi

What you need to know

• Ticketmaster announced its partnership with Google Wallet, which brings "customizable passes" to Android.
• Clients of events can customize their digital passes with flashy designs and up to 12 links for important venue details.
• Users benefit from this last note, as they can find info on parking, food, drinks, merch, and VIP access directly from their pass.

This summer is going to be packed with events

What you need to know

• Google posted its release notes for Android 17 QPR1 Beta 5, which brings its June security patch and a fix for vanishing widgets.
• The company is also working in several game-related fixes for the Game Dashboard and downloads, alongside a camera fix.
• Android 17 hasn't been flawless for Pixel users, as its stable launch quickly introduced problems for 5G and its display.

Android 17's first quarterly rele

What you need to know

• Meta states it will donate its Ray-Ban AI smart glasses to legally blind veterans through its various partnerships, including one with the Blinded Veterans Association (BVA).
• The BVA is said to hold in-person events for blinded veterans to get their glasses and receive technical support, as well as a "training guide."
• We expect much more about Meta's smart glasses this year at Connect 2026, and there might be som

What you need to know

• Android 17 quietly adds LHDC v5 support, giving Pixel users another high-quality Bluetooth audio option.
• Compatible earbuds from brands like Nothing and OnePlus can now stream higher-bitrate audio on Pixels.
• Users may need to manually enable LHDC v5 in Developer Options and turn on Hi-Res Audio in the companion Bluetooth earbuds app.

It's been over a week since Google released the stable

Google Pixel phones offer many customization tools, but up until recently, the Pixel UI home screen was more restrictive. Google only recently made it possible to remove the At a Glance widget from your home screen, for instance.

What you need to know

• Android 17 is causing major touchscreen headaches for some Pixel users, including ignored taps, dead zones, and reversed scrolling across the system.
• Owners of the Pixel 10, Pixel 9, Pixel 8, and Pixel 7 series have all reported similar issues.
• Google is aware of the issue, but its first fix isn't working for everyone.