Google’s latest budget rival entered the market quietly in the spring, but it is already establishing a name for itself in people’s pockets. The Pixel 9a is available for $349, which is a great deal, especially since it was $499 just a few months ago and comes with a big 128GB storage.
Google just launched Nano Banana Pro this morning, and its unique approach to image production is already making waves. Consider it a more robust, user-friendly version of its image editing / generation tools, the kind that achieves as close to ‘human-like’ perfection as possible without actually being alive. This new function has been stealthily introduced into Google’s Gemini app and a few other major areas in Google’s portfolio, but it is the type of development that will take many off guard.
Google DeepMind has just unveiled SIMA 2, an AI agent that dives headfirst into 3D video games and handles them like a pro in no time. Last year’s SIMA 1 could handle some basic directions in virtual settings, but until recently, it was only succeeding about 31% of the time when things got tricky, whereas humans were able to crack it at a rate of 71%. With SIMA 2, they’ve approximately quadrupled that success rate by combining it with Gemini’s language intelligence, which essentially allows it to take raw commands and transform them into a meticulously plan, along with all the back and forth communication.
Open a photo in Google Photos today, tap edit and select “Help me edit”. From there, type or say a simple request and Nano Banana will do the rest. This model built by Google DeepMind is now live on both Android and iOS in the US.
Flagship smartphones have really gotten out of hand, and the iPhone 17 Pro Max is one of those devices that feels like it’s charging you an arm and a leg for every single feature. But Google comes in with the Pixel 10 Pro XL, a phone that can easily give the iPhone a run for its money – and it costs less to boot. At $899 (was $1,199) for 256GB of storage – though you can usually get it for a bit less with a trade-in depending on the carrier.
Google’s Pixel 9 has flat sides that sort of hug your palm, like a well-worn paperback you’ve read a dozen times. The back is all glossy glass and it catches the light like a spark when you’re on the subway. But at 198 grams, this phone is light enough that you barely feel it when it disappears into the pocket of your jeans. Its matte aluminum rails and rounded corners are pretty familiar, yeah, they do kind of echo an iPhone – but then there’s that floating camera island that screams ‘this is a Pixel’.
Pac-Man turns 45 this year, and Google is celebrating with a macabre twist on the iconic game to get you in the Halloween spirit. This little yellow circle has been nibbling its way into people’s hearts – and high scores – for generations, having first appeared in arcades in 1980. Now, the search engine giant offers a completely new Halloween-themed Google Doodle to your doorstep. When you nudge the doodle, you’re immediately whisked into a browser-based chase that combines the original’s simple thrills with all of the terrifying shivers.
Photo credit: Android Headlines | OnLeaks
Renders of the Google Pixel 10a have leaked and they show a phone that’s familiar in ways both good and bad. Leaks reveal a device that’s sticking to the 9a’s blueprint. This midranger is expected to launch in early 2026 and measures 153.9 x 72.9 x 9mm – slightly shorter and narrower than the 9a but a bit thicker. That extra thickness suggests room for a bigger battery but the overall shape is the same flat-edged design with a plastic rear panel that sits flush against the camera housing.
Google kind of snuck up on the smartwatch party late, but the Pixel Watch 3 (45mm) – which has been reduced in price from $299.99 to $199.99 – is a lot better for wearing every day because engineers have actually spent some time figuring out what makes a decent one. Whether you’re an Android user looking to track your runs or simply need a watch that can record runs, show heart rate, and calendar events without causing you a headache, the Pixel Watch 3 delivers with no unnecessary frills.
