It’s been a busy week in the world of Google, with a flurry of updates, leaks, and exciting new developments keeping tech enthusiasts on their toes. From crucial bug fixes for Pixel devices to a fresh new look for Gboard and early glimpses of the upcoming Pixel Watch 4, there’s plenty to unpack. Let’s dive into the details of what’s been happening.
Pixel’s navigation woes finally addressed
Google has rolled out a fix for the unresponsive navigation bug. The August Pixel update is here, and it specifically targets those annoying issues with Android’s three-button navigation and gesture navigation systems that have been acting up. It seems these problems cropped up shortly after the official release of Android 16 back in June. Users have been reporting all sorts of headaches, from buttons being completely unresponsive to frustrating delays of over 30 seconds on devices like the Pixel 8 Pro. Some Pixel 9 owners even found themselves repeatedly pressing the back button just to get a response. Even the swipe gesture for navigating back occasionally decided to take a break.
Google’s patch notes were a bit vague, simply stating that the issues occurred under “certain conditions.” But hey, a fix is a fix, right? Besides smoothing out navigation, this update also tackles a glitch where the scheduled dark theme wasn’t working as it should. Plus, there’s a pretty important security fix included, addressing a high-severity remote code execution vulnerability. This update is currently rolling out to Pixel 6 devices and newer, so keep an eye out for it if you haven’t received it already.
Gboard Material 3 Expressive makeover and new features spotted
Gboard, Google’s popular keyboard app, is getting some love with a fresh Material 3 Expressive redesign for its settings. This isn’t just a cosmetic change; it brings a more consistent and refreshed experience to the app. The redesign features a card-style user interface and a reorganized settings menu with updated descriptions. This visual refresh was spotted in the Gboard v15.7.3 beta and seems to be nearing completion.
Beyond the new aesthetics, Gboard is also making strides in its Emoji Kitchen feature. Google is working on a handy new addition that will let you save your favorite Emoji Kitchen creations. If you’re not familiar, Emoji Kitchen lets you combine two or more emojis to create unique stickers. This upcoming feature, also found by the folks at Android Authority in the latest Gboard beta, will allow users to mark their custom stickers as “Favorites” for easy reuse. Once enabled, a pop-up will prompt you to save a sticker after you create it, and your saved favorites will be accessible via a heart-shaped icon in the Emoji Kitchen suggestions.
While the dedicated Emoji Kitchen browser is currently a Pixel-exclusive, it’s highly probable that this new saving feature will eventually make its way to all Android devices.
Pixel Watch 4 leaked in gallery of images
The rumor mill has been buzzing with leaks about the Pixel Watch 4, and now we have some high-quality renders that give us a detailed look at Google’s upcoming wearable. These renders, shared by Bedros Pamboukian on X and GitHub, showcase the watch in all its color variants and from angles we haven’t seen before. The Iris strap looks particularly eye-catching, and there’s even a new watch face that matches the strap color for a cohesive look.
I’ve embedded the gallery below:
Previous leaks have already given us a good idea of what to expect from the Pixel Watch 4, including a new charging method and two different sizes. There’s also talk of a marginal price decrease, though we might have to wait a bit longer to get our hands on one. The Moonstone option is a brand-new colorway, seemingly aligning with the signature aesthetic Google is adopting for its Made by Google lineup in 2025.
Other familiar colors like black, silver, and champagne will also be available. Interestingly, these renders didn’t show the left side of the watch, which is rumored to feature new contacts for a sideways dock charger. This could mean some interesting changes for accessories and extras down the line.
That said, a recent report suggests that the Pixel Watch 4, along with the Pixel 10 Pro Fold and the Pixel Buds 2a won’t be available immediately after the August 20 unveiling. Instead, they”ll go on sale in October.
Dwayne Cubbins
1731 Posts
My fascination with Android phones began the moment I got my hands on one. Since then, I've been on a journey to decode the ever-evolving tech landscape, fueled by a passion for both the "how" and the "why." Since 2018, I've been crafting content that empowers users and demystifies the tech world. From in-depth how-to guides that unlock your phone's potential to breaking news based on original research, I strive to make tech accessible and engaging.
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