Android 17, Now With Even More Bubbles

Welcome to episode 91 of Pixelated, a podcast by 9to5Google. This week,...

An episode of the Pixelated podcast, hosted by 9to5Mac, titled "Android 17, Now With Even More Bubbles" was published on March 6, 2026 and runs 52 minutes.

March 6, 2026 ·52m · Pixelated

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Summary

Welcome to episode 91 of Pixelated, a podcast by 9to5Google. This week, with Abner and Damien out at MWC, Will invites Andrew Romero to join him on a whirlwind tour of two new OS upgrades from Google: Android 16 QPR3, and Android 17 Beta 2. The two discuss AI-generated wallpapers, that new Now Playing app, and Android's new bubbles — not to be confused with its own bubbles — while Andrew introduces his SPI: Sandwich Price Index. Subscribe YouTube Podcasts Pocket Casts Spotify Apple Podcasts Overcast Sponsored by Proton Unlimited: Pixelated listeners can save 30% on an annual subscription by signing up for Proton Unlimited using this link. Thanks to Proton Unlimited for sponsoring this week's episode. Timecodes 00:00 - Intro and Android 16 QPR3 03:53 - AI-generated icons 13:15 - Now Playing app and flashlight toggle 22:05 - Pixel Desktop experience, At a Glance, and Gemini Automation 34:18 - Pixel Watch Drop, briefly 36:09 - Android 17 Beta 2 and Bubbles 43:32 - Beta 2 grab bag 50:52 - Wrap-up Hosts Will Sattelberg Andrew Romero Read more Android 16 QPR3 rolling out with March 2026 security update March 2026 Feature Drop: Pixel 10 ‘Comfort’ view, custom AI icons, At a Glance ‘My commute,’ & more Pixel Watch Feature Drop: Express Pay, phone reminders, and more Pixel homescreens are getting custom icons, but Google’s keeping them locked to AI Listen to more 9to5 Podcasts The Sideload 9to5Mac Happy Hour Electrek Space Explored Feedback? Drop us a line at [email protected], leave a comment on the post, or reach out to our producer. And for even more Android discussion, dive into the official 9to5Google forums!

Episode Description

Welcome to episode 91 of Pixelated, a podcast by 9to5Google. This week, with Abner and Damien out at MWC, Will invites Andrew Romero to join him on a whirlwind tour of two new OS upgrades from Google: Android 16 QPR3, and Android 17 Beta 2. The two discuss AI-generated wallpapers, that new Now Playing app, and Android's new bubbles — not to be confused with its own bubbles — while Andrew introduces his SPI: Sandwich Price Index.

Sponsored by Proton Unlimited: Pixelated listeners can save 30% on an annual subscription by signing up for Proton Unlimited using this link. Thanks to Proton Unlimited for sponsoring this week's episode.

Timecodes

00:00 - Intro and Android 16 QPR3
03:53 - AI-generated icons
13:15 - Now Playing app and flashlight toggle
22:05 - Pixel Desktop experience, At a Glance, and Gemini Automation
34:18 - Pixel Watch Drop, briefly
36:09 - Android 17 Beta 2 and Bubbles
43:32 - Beta 2 grab bag
50:52 - Wrap-up

Hosts

Listen to more 9to5 Podcasts

Feedback?

Drop us a line at [email protected], leave a comment on the post, or reach out to our producer. And for even more Android discussion, dive into the official 9to5Google forums!