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Android 17 starts hitting Pixel phones and watches today

16 June 2026 at 19:00

Android 17 has been in testing since early this year, with the final beta hitting devices just a couple of weeks ago. Insofar as a mature operating system like Android still has big days, this is one of them. The official Android 17 build is starting its rollout on Pixel phones, adding a small set of new features and laying the groundwork for the future. This release also coincides with a Pixel Drop and a new version of Wear OS (based on Android 17) on Pixel Watches.

Google no longer uses an unmodified version of Android on its phones—the Pixel build includes numerous features that are distinct from Android 17 itself. Other device makers will include versions of some of these features when they eventually update their phones, but for now, Google's Pixel phones are the only way to experience Android 17.

The multitasking Bubbles system in Android 17 expands on a similar (but underutilized) messaging feature. In Android 17 on Pixels, you can long-press on any app icon to open that app as a floating window. When minimized, these bubbles stay on top of other apps. On foldable phones, the bubbles dock into a "bubble bar" for easy multitasking.

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© Ryan Whitwam

Android 17 starts hitting Pixel phones and watches today

16 June 2026 at 19:00

Android 17 has been in testing since early this year, with the final beta hitting devices just a couple of weeks ago. Insofar as a mature operating system like Android still has big days, this is one of them. The official Android 17 build is starting its rollout on Pixel phones, adding a small set of new features and laying the groundwork for the future. This release also coincides with a Pixel Drop and a new version of Wear OS (based on Android 17) on Pixel Watches.

Google no longer uses an unmodified version of Android on its phones—the Pixel build includes numerous features that are distinct from Android 17 itself. Other device makers will include versions of some of these features when they eventually update their phones, but for now, Google's Pixel phones are the only way to experience Android 17.

The multitasking Bubbles system in Android 17 expands on a similar (but underutilized) messaging feature. In Android 17 on Pixels, you can long-press on any app icon to open that app as a floating window. When minimized, these bubbles stay on top of other apps. On foldable phones, the bubbles dock into a "bubble bar" for easy multitasking.

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© Ryan Whitwam

Android 17 arrives on Pixel phones today

16 June 2026 at 19:00
Floating Bubble windows are among the biggest changes in the OS update. | Image: Google

Following its official debut last month, Google is now rolling out Android 17 to compatible Pixel phones, alongside additional exclusive features as part of the June Pixel Drop. Not every feature announced alongside the OS at the pre-I/O Android Show is available today, though.

Android 17 itself is arriving on Pixel phones today, and Google says other manufacturers will be issuing the update throughout 2026. The biggest user interface update is the introduction of Bubbles, floating app windows that you can open with a long press - similar floating windows are already found in many Android skins, but are now an official part of 17. Google is …

Read the full story at The Verge.

Apple 2027 rumors: AirPods with cameras for AI and the second folding iPhone

16 June 2026 at 18:04
AirPods Pro 3 shown with an iPhone and live translation features. | Photo by Amelia Holowaty Krales / The Verge

Now that we're clear of WWDC and all of the new AI-powered features coming to Apple's platforms, Bloomberg reporter Mark Gurman has more details about rumored new hardware, like the camera-equipped AirPods he'd previously written about. He says they are currently on schedule for a late 2027 launch, and that while we're checking out beta releases for this fall's iOS 27 update, the new earbuds are internally being tested with next year's update, iOS 28.

With cameras mounted in their stems and lights to indicate when data is being uploaded to the cloud, they could give the upgraded version of Siri "visual context" about your surroundings, be …

Read the full story at The Verge.

Nothing’s Ear (a), our favorite budget earbuds, are cheaper than ever ahead of Prime Day

16 June 2026 at 17:10
A photo of new earbuds from Nothing.
The yellow pair are on sale too. | Photo by Chris Welch / The Verge

If you’re looking for a cheap Father’s Day gift that delivers more than you’d expect for the price, Nothing’s Ear (a) are a good option. The wireless earbuds are currently on sale as part of a larger early Prime Day sales event, making them an even better value than usual. Right now, you can buy them at Amazon in black complete with Nothing’s slick translucent charging case for $53.20 ($47 off), which marks a new all-time low. You can also buy them in yellow (Amazon, Nothing) and white (Amazon, Nothing) for just $3 more.

The Nothing Ear (a) are one of our favorite affordable pairs of wireless earbuds, and for good reason. They offer a surprising number of features for their price, including a low-latency gaming mode that helps reduce lag while playing games. Nothing phone owners can also access ChatGPT with a quick pinch gesture, while support for multipoint Bluetooth pairing lets you stay connected to two devices at once. The earbuds also work with Android Fast Pair and Microsoft Swift Pair, making setup quick and painless.

More importantly, they nail the essentials. The earbuds deliver expressive, enjoyable sound, while offering noise cancellation to cut down on distractions. Nothing has also improved voice call performance with AI-powered voice isolation, which helps your voice come through more clearly in noisy environments. Three sizes of silicone ear tips are included to help you find a secure fit, while their IP54 rating provides protection against sweat and light rain. Battery life is solid, too, lasting up to eight hours before you need to recharge.

Read our hands-on impressions of the Nothing Ear (a)

More good deals from Nothing’s sale:

Nothing CMF Buds 2A

The CMF Buds 2A deliver decent sound and noise cancellation. They also offer useful extras like customizable EQ settings, multipoint connectivity, and IP54 water and dust resistance.

Where to Buy:

Nothing Headphone A

Nothing’s second over-ear headphones may not offer everything found on the pricier Nothing Headphone 1, but you do get physical controls, good sound, and more than five days of battery life per charge. Their design is also a bit more discreet, for better or worse. Read our review.
The Nothing Headphone A with its carrying bag, 3.5mm cable, and USB-C cable on a wooden desk with an iPhone nearby.

Where to Buy:

Commodore’s newest gadget is a flip phone that blocks social media and browsers

16 June 2026 at 10:00

The next gadget to bear the storied Commodore branding will be a flip phone.

The name behind the bestselling desktop PC in history came back about a year ago. Christian “Peri Fractic” Simpson, best known for running the Retro Recipes (now known as Retro Recipes x Commodore) YouTube channel, acquired the Commodore Corporation and "100 percent of the original and official trademarks that defined the Commodore name since 1983,” per a July 2025 press release. Simpson said the price was “in the low seven figures.” Since the acquisition, the brand released the Commodore 64 Ultimate and the Commodore 64X PC, a mini PC housed in a chassis that resembles the Commodore 64.

Today, the new Commodore announced a new device in a dated design: a flip phone.

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© Commodore

The Commodore Callback 8020 Is a Digital Detox Phone That Isn’t Dumb

16 June 2026 at 10:00
With a retro look and T9 texting, the Commodore Callback 8020 smart flip phone taps into the nostalgic yearning for simpler days. It can run Spotify and Uber, but Instagram is blocked.

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