Pixelated

A Blurry Vision of Android

Pixelated

Show Notes

Welcome to episode 86 of Pixelated, a podcast by 9to5Google. This week, Abner, Damien, and Will dig into an early Android 17 build that includes one big visual change: blurred backdrops. Is this a sign of things to come for Google's vision of its OS, or a more minor system-level tweak? The crew also checks out a leaked look at Android's new — albeit really familiar — desktop mode, Google's more affordable AI Plus plan for Gemini, and Chrome's agentic AI tools.

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Timecodes

00:00 – Intro and Android 17 first look

18:30 - Android's new desktop UI leaks

31:02 - Google's new AI Plus plan

39:21 - Chrome's "auto browse" agentic AI tools

54:56 - Forums announcement and wrap-up

Hosts

Abner Li

Damien Wilde

Will Sattelberg

Read more

This is Android 17’s blur, new screen recorder, & more in leaked screenshots [Gallery]

Google adding blur to Android 17’s system UI on Pixel

Android’s full desktop interface leaks: New status bar, Chrome Extensions, more [Video]

Google AI Plus comes to US for $7.99, Google One 2 TB upgraded

Chrome rolling out Gemini 3-powered ‘auto browse’ with Google AI Pro

Introducing 9to5Google Forums

Check out our new forums here!

Listen to more 9to5 Podcasts

The Sideload

9to5Mac Happy Hour

Electrek

Space Explored

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