Google – Breaking News & Latest Updates 2026
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The name Google is synonymous with online searches, but over the years the company has grown beyond search and now builds multiple consumer products, including software like Gmail, Chrome, Maps, Android, and hardware like the Pixel smartphones, Google Home, and Chromebooks. Its name can also be found on internet services such as Google Fi, Flights, Checkout, and Google Fiber. Here is all of the latest news about one of the most influential tech companies in the world.

Google just announced a major shakeup of its top AI leadership

Google’s AI head Demis Hassabis is leaving his role to become the Google DeepMind chair and Alphabet’s chief scientist.

Jay Peters
Sunbird relaunched its iMessage app for Android users after three years away

The company claims it has addressed the security flaws that shut down its operation in 2023.

Stevie Bonifield

Latest In Google

Stevie Bonifield
Stevie Bonifield
Soon, free Gmail won’t let you “send as” third-party email accounts.

Support for sending emails from third-party accounts like Yahoo or Outlook is ending in January 2027, Android Authority reports. Google’s also discontinuing Gmailify and the ability to fetch emails from third-party accounts in Gmail, but says you can still use “send as” for Gmail addresses and aliases, and “Google Workspace ‘Send as’ functionality is not affected.”

Emma Roth
Emma Roth
The Pixel 11’s “HiLight” might glow in these colors.

9to5Google uncovered code in the Google Contacts app that suggests you’ll be able to give your favorite contacts a “glow color” that appears on the Pixel 11’s built-in light when they call. Based on the code, you might get to choose from blue, cyan, green, orange, pink, purple, teal, white, or yellow.

Jay Peters
Jay Peters
Is this Asus’ first Googlebook?

9to5Google obtained images of the unannounced device — I included one below, but check 9to5’s story to see them all. Lenovo Googlebook devices also leaked recently.

We probably won’t have to wait too long for official announcements, as the first Googlebooks are set to launch in the fall.

A purported image of an Asus Googlebook.
Image: 9to5Google
Jay Peters
Jay Peters
Google is bringing Gemini in Classroom to K-12 students.

Students will be able to use Gemini to create things like flashcards or practice quizzes and sync info to Gemini Notebook (formerly NotebookLM). Gemini in Classroom initially launched for educators, then to students 18 or older.

Can Reddit fend off a new wave of AI SEO spam?

The era of AI-powered search has made Reddit mentions highly valuable. Subreddit moderators are catching brands trying to take advantage.

Mia Sato
Emma Roth
Emma Roth
Just peachy.

Leaker Evan Blass shared what appears to be marketing materials for the Pixel 11 Pro XL, and it shows the upcoming device in a peachy shade of pink. If the leaks are true, the Pixel 11 might come in a bunch of fun colors this year.

Image: Evan Blass
Image: Evan Blass
Jay Peters
Jay Peters
Google Drive will let you add comments on video timestamps.

If you’re working on a video with others, the new feature should make it much easier to share specific feedback. You can only leave timestamped comments on the web, but on mobile, you’ll see those comments “as standard file-level comments,” Google says.

Jay Peters
Jay Peters
Google is teasing its next foldable.

In a new video on Monday, you can catch brief and shadowy glimpses of the Pixel 11 Pro Fold, which is set to be fully revealed at an event on August 12th.

But the phone’s design has already leaked, if you want to see it ahead of time.

Jay Peters
Jay Peters
Matte black everything.

Leaker Evan Blass posted what appear to be marketing renders of the Pixel 11 Pro, including a few showing off an excellent matte gray / black model. In the renders, it looks great.

Apple is also rumored to launch a gray / black option for this year’s Pro lineup. But the shade on this Pixel 11 Pro might be hard to top.

A leaked marketing render of a Pixel 11 Pro.
Image: Evan Blass
Terrence O'Brien
Terrence O'Brien
Google AI Studio is skipping the standalone Android app.

Instead, the company is just going to build its vibe coding tool directly into Gemini. Around 800,000 pre-ordered the mobile app after it was announced in May, but Google has decided to just make Gemini its one-stop AI shop. The robust web platform isn’t going anywhere, though, for those with bigger vibe-coded aspirations.

Google Earth’s AI deepfake tool only lasted one dayGoogle Earth’s AI deepfake tool only lasted one day
Jay Peters and Stevie Bonifield
Jay Peters
Jay Peters
The Pixel 11’s new light may be named the “HiLight.”

Saw this on 9to5Google. Bad name, IMO. I prefer the previously-rumored “Pixel Glow” is better.

Jay Peters
Jay Peters
Google’s personal AI agent can browse in Chrome for you.

Gemini Spark in Chrome can do things like “scheduling viewings for apartments you’ve saved or researching flight options and starting the booking process,” according to Google. However, a human will have to push the button on tasks like making payments.

Spark is also now available on Google’s AI Pro tier in 160 more countries. It initially was available only on the more expensive AI Ultra tier, and just recently came to AI Pro in the US.

Stevie Bonifield
Stevie Bonifield
Chrome for Android has custom new tab page backgrounds now.

As spotted by 9to5Google, you can change the background to different colors and images, including uploading your own, and set the background to refresh everyday, like on the desktop version of Chrome. The new backgrounds are under “Customize new tab page” in Chrome’s three dots menu.

A screenshot of new tab page customization options on Chrome for Android
A screenshot of new tab page customization options on Chrome for Android
1/2Image: Google
Hayden Field
Hayden Field
Scale AI has a new CEO: the current COO of Google Cloud.

Francis deSouza will begin as CEO on August 10, taking over from the interim CEO who has been leading the company since Alexandr Wang, its founder and former CEO, joined Meta in June 2025. Joe Osborne, a spokesperson for Scale AI, said the company’s new focus on building AI applications for enterprises and governments, rather than solely data labeling, has it projecting more than $1 billion in 2026 revenue.

Emma Roth
Emma Roth
Google Earth now lets you reimagine locations with AI.

Google is bringing its Nano Banana 2 image generation model to Google Earth, allowing you to generate AI images using the satellite, aerial, and 3D imagery in the web app. Some examples shared by Google show how you can give a building a makeover, visualize projects, or create an infographic about what you’re seeing.

Jay Peters
Jay Peters
A new look at the Pixel 11 Pro.

Google is teasing its upcoming smartphone again ahead of the August 12th launch event. The company has already shown off the glowy orb in the camera bar that’s visible in this new ad, and while Google still hasn’t said what the light is for, it might be called Pixel Glow.

Emma Roth
Emma Roth
You can now control Gemini on Mac with your voice.

With the update, you can hold the Fn key in any window to interact with Gemini by talking aloud. You can also opt into a feature that allows Gemini to “see” what’s on your screen and perform tasks within your open windows. This update is rolling out in English to all Gemini app users on macOS.

Stevie Bonifield
Stevie Bonifield
Now you can have Gemini clear up comments in your Google Docs.

A new Google Workspace update lets Gemini summarize and respond to comments, like highlighting all the unresolved changes in a document, Android Authority reports. You can also ask Google’s AI to draft new comments and replies and add suggested edits based on comments.

A screenshot of Gemini suggesting edits in a Google Doc
Image: Google
Artists are lawyering up against AI slop, and some are even winning

Illustrators, authors, and musicians are optimistic about their chances in court, if not about the future of AI.

Terrence O'Brien
Jess Weatherbed
Jess Weatherbed
Google is working on a live translation widget.

Android Authority found and enabled the home screen widget after digging through the latest version of the Google Translate app, which could make Android’s “Live Translate” feature easier to access, and keep it working if you close the app. We don’t know when (or if) it’ll roll out, but this is what the widget currently looks like:

Richard Lawler
Richard Lawler
YouTube’s AI chatbot can make your next video thumbnail.

Aside from labeling and filtering AI slop, YouTube says you can directly chat with its Ask Studio bot to build thumbnails that are “tailored to your video’s specific themes and to your specific style.” It’s also added custom thumbnail uploads for Shorts if you’re in the YouTube Partner Program, and suggested thumbnail frames for Shorts.

Screenshot of the YouTube Ask Studio UI
Image: YouTube
Lauren Feiner
Lauren Feiner
Trump accuses EU of ‘ROBBING’ US tech companies after $1 billion fine against Google.

President Donald Trump threatened a “substantial” tariff on Europe for what he claimed were “discriminatory” fines against US tech companies over alleged competition violations, most recently involving Google. While Trump claimed Europe’s high fines started during the Biden administration, some early fines were also imposed during Trump’s first term.

Thomas Ricker
Thomas Ricker
More budget Google Home cameras arrive at Walmart.

The Google partnership has yielded two new Onn outdoor security cameras: the $34.87 Outdoor Camera Plug-In and $77 Floodlight Camera Hardwired. Each 1080p HDR camera features live views, night vision and two-way talk accessible from the Google Home app. You’ll need a Premium subscription to unlock AI-driven features like event descriptions, searchable video history, and daily summaries.

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Google Home security on a budget, until you add that recurring subscription fee.
Google Home security on a budget, until you add that recurring subscription fee.
Image: Google
Thomas Ricker
Thomas Ricker
Gemini Live is now available on some early Google Home devices.

Google’s more powerful, conversational assistant for the home is now available on first-generation Google Home Mini speaker and Google Nest Hub display. You’ll need a Google Home Premium subscription to make it work though.