Uploaded March 2026 | Updated September 2026, 3 weeks ago
Sponsored by Proton Unlimited: Pixelated listeners can save 30% on an annual subscription by signing up for Proton Unlimited using this link (proton.me/9to5google) . Thanks to Proton Unlimited for sponsoring this week's episode.
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 (youtube.com/playlist?list=PLcKP282Ii48tKK_KUt1kq1Ist9FkYR6lO)
• Pocket Casts (https://pca.st/podcast/ac8e6ce0-06b1-0136-c264-7d73a919276a)
• Spotify (open.spotify.com/show/7pMiADiw0KAEW9Tg9UAEnZ?si=y8-L9zobTTucmjDVvMJOoQ&dl_branch=1)
• Apple Podcasts (podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/alphabet-scoop/id1359922601)
• Overcast (https://overcast.fm/itunes1359922601/alphabet-scoop)
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 (9to5google.com/author/willsattelberg/)
• Andrew Romero (9to5google.com/author/andrewromero/)
Read more
• Android 16 QPR3 rolling out with March 2026 security update (9to5google.com/2026/03/03/android-16-march-update-pixel/)
• (9to5google.com/author/technacity/) March 2026 Feature Drop: Pixel 10 ‘Comfort’ view, custom AI icons, At a Glance ‘My commute,’ & more (9to5google.com/2026/03/03/march-pixel-2026-feature-drop/)
• (9to5google.com/author/technacity/) Pixel Watch Feature Drop: Express Pay, phone reminders, and more (9to5google.com/2026/03/03/pixel-watch-march-2026-feature-drop/)
• (9to5google.com/author/technacity/) Pixel homescreens are getting custom icons, but Google’s keeping them locked to AI (9to5google.com/2026/02/26/android-17-beta-2-everything-new/) (9to5google.com/author/willsattelberg/)
•
Listen to more 9to5 Podcasts
• The Sideload (9to5google.com/guides/the-sideload/)
• 9to5Mac Happy Hour (9to5mac.com/guides/9to5mac-happy-hour/)
• Electrek (electrek.co/guides/electrek-podcast/)
• Space Explored (spaceexplored.com/guides/space-explored-podcast/)
Feedback?
Drop us a line at gtips@9to5g.com (mailto:gtips@9to5g.com) , leave a comment on the post, or reach out to our producer (mailto:will@9to5mac.com) . And for even more Android discussion, dive into the official 9to5Google forums (9to5google.com/forums/) !
Sponsored by Proton Unlimited: Pixelated listeners can save 30% on an annual subscription by signing up for Proton Unlimited using this link (proton.me/9to5google) . Thanks to Proton Unlimited for sponsoring this week's episode.
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 (youtube.com/playlist?list=PLcKP282Ii48tKK_KUt1kq1Ist9FkYR6lO)
• Pocket Casts (https://pca.st/podcast/ac8e6ce0-06b1-0136-c264-7d73a919276a)
• Spotify (open.spotify.com/show/7pMiADiw0KAEW9Tg9UAEnZ?si=y8-L9zobTTucmjDVvMJOoQ&dl_branch=1)
• Apple Podcasts (podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/alphabet-scoop/id1359922601)
• Overcast (https://overcast.fm/itunes1359922601/alphabet-scoop)
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 (9to5google.com/author/willsattelberg/)
• Andrew Romero (9to5google.com/author/andrewromero/)
Read more
• Android 16 QPR3 rolling out with March 2026 security update (9to5google.com/2026/03/03/android-16-march-update-pixel/)
• (9to5google.com/author/technacity/) March 2026 Feature Drop: Pixel 10 ‘Comfort’ view, custom AI icons, At a Glance ‘My commute,’ & more (9to5google.com/2026/03/03/march-pixel-2026-feature-drop/)
• (9to5google.com/author/technacity/) Pixel Watch Feature Drop: Express Pay, phone reminders, and more (9to5google.com/2026/03/03/pixel-watch-march-2026-feature-drop/)
• (9to5google.com/author/technacity/) Pixel homescreens are getting custom icons, but Google’s keeping them locked to AI (9to5google.com/2026/02/26/android-17-beta-2-everything-new/) (9to5google.com/author/willsattelberg/)
•
Listen to more 9to5 Podcasts
• The Sideload (9to5google.com/guides/the-sideload/)
• 9to5Mac Happy Hour (9to5mac.com/guides/9to5mac-happy-hour/)
• Electrek (electrek.co/guides/electrek-podcast/)
• Space Explored (spaceexplored.com/guides/space-explored-podcast/)
Feedback?
Drop us a line at gtips@9to5g.com (mailto:gtips@9to5g.com) , leave a comment on the post, or reach out to our producer (mailto:will@9to5mac.com) . And for even more Android discussion, dive into the official 9to5Google forums (9to5google.com/forums/) !
