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Android 17 QPR1: What Pixel Gets
AppWizard
September 26, 2026

Android 17 QPR1: What Pixel Gets

Android 17 QPR1 began its stable rollout in the United States on September 15, 2026, coinciding with Google’s September Pixel Drop. This update introduces the Pause Point feature, which temporarily halts access to a selected app for 10 seconds, allowing users to reconsider their choice. The update is compatible with Pixel phones from the Pixel 6 through the Pixel 10a generations, as well as the Pixel Tablet and Pixel Fold models. The rollout is staged, leading to varying delivery times for users. Pause Point imposes a 10-second delay when accessing a configured app, offering options like breathing exercises and alternative app suggestions. Disabling Pause Point requires a phone restart. Scam protection features vary by region, with Gboard scam warnings initially exclusive to the U.S. for Pixel 6 and newer devices, while notification-based Scam Detection has expanded to nine additional regions, excluding Spain. Android 17 QPR1 also includes a refresh of the Pixel interface, adding a new Keyboard tile to Quick Settings and improving visual aesthetics with enhanced translucent and blurred backgrounds. Screen recording defaults to capturing a single app, and the VIPs widget has been upgraded for easier calling and messaging. Google and Audible have collaborated to provide Harry Potter-themed packs for Pixel users, featuring customized wallpapers and icons, along with a two-month Audible trial, though eligibility conditions are unspecified.
Android 17 QPR1 Drops: Top New Features, Customization & UI Changes Explained
AppWizard
September 16, 2026

Android 17 QPR1 Drops: Top New Features, Customization & UI Changes Explained

Google has begun the rollout of Android 17 QPR1, which includes user interface enhancements, multitasking capabilities, and digital wellbeing features. Key features include: - Pause Point: Introduces a delay before opening distracting apps, encouraging users to engage in calming activities. - Material 3 Blur Expansion: Adds background blur effects to various system surfaces, including the volume panel and power menu. - Multi-Screensaver Support: Allows users to select and switch between multiple screensavers. - Custom Ringtone Vibrations: Users can assign unique vibration patterns for individual ringtones. - Taskbar Recent Apps: Displays actual recent apps on large-screen devices. - HID Access: New APIs enable applications to interact with connected USB and Bluetooth peripherals. - Health Connect Tracking: Natively tracks distance and calories through a built-in step counter. - Media Player Tweaks: Enhancements to the media player carousel and screen recorder functionality. Android 17 QPR1 is initially available for eligible Google Pixel devices, with other manufacturers to follow based on their release schedules.
Google rolling out Android 17 QPR1 for Pixel
AppWizard
September 15, 2026

Google rolling out Android 17 QPR1 for Pixel

Android 17 QPR1 is rolling out for Google Pixel devices, coinciding with the September 2026 Feature Drop and security patch. Key updates include enhanced blur effects in the system UI, a redesigned system media player with a Material 3 carousel interface, updated Quick Settings with new animations and features, and improved app management options. The rollout includes Pixel 6, 7, and 8 series devices. Users can check for the update in Settings > System > System update. The Android Beta Program will continue for future testing, and users on the beta must opt out to receive the stable version without wiping their devices.
AltTabby makes Windows 11's window switcher do things I didn't think were possible
Winsage
August 31, 2026

AltTabby makes Windows 11’s window switcher do things I didn’t think were possible

Stardock has introduced AltTabby, a customizable app-switching tool for Windows 11 that enhances the traditional Alt + Tab experience. It offers various styles, including thumbnail views, icon layouts, a list format, and a 3D carousel style reminiscent of Windows Vista. Users can customize the number of columns, thumbnail sizes, and themes, as well as utilize a built-in search bar for quick access to applications. Additional features include right-click options for pinning windows, color labeling, grouping similar applications, and hiding certain apps. AltTabby allows hotkey customization, enabling users to replace default shortcuts and create specific ones for different functionalities. It is available for a lifetime license or during a beta period, with a 30-day free trial for users to evaluate its features.
Hands-on with AltTabby, Stardock's replacement for the Windows 11 Alt+Tab experience
Winsage
August 13, 2026

Hands-on with AltTabby, Stardock’s replacement for the Windows 11 Alt+Tab experience

Stardock has introduced AltTabby, an alternative app switcher for Windows 11 that features customizable layouts, smart grouping, application pinning, and keyboard shortcuts. It integrates with other Stardock utilities, allowing users to customize how Groupy organizes applications. AltTabby offers five distinct views, with the carousel view being highlighted for its fluid navigation and customization options. The icons view and classic icons view are noted to be compact and potentially overwhelming, though the icons view includes a search box for added functionality.
Google is putting more of Gemini's best features right at your fingerprints
AppWizard
June 23, 2026

Google is putting more of Gemini’s best features right at your fingerprints

Google has updated its Gemini overlay, introducing an expanded Plus (+) menu that includes new tools such as video generation, music creation, Canvas, and Guided Learning. The redesigned layout allows users to perform common actions directly from the overlay, enhancing accessibility and usability. The Plus (+) button now serves as a more robust entry point, although the repositioning of the feature carousel may slightly hinder one-handed usability on larger devices. Familiar shortcuts like Photos, Camera, Files, and Drive remain, ensuring continuity for users. The updated overlay integrates more deeply into the Android ecosystem, reducing the need to launch the main app and aiming to make Gemini a more integral part of users' daily tasks.
Gemini overlay gets expanded ‘plus’ menu to do more without opening app
AppWizard
June 22, 2026

Gemini overlay gets expanded ‘plus’ menu to do more without opening app

Google has updated the Gemini overlay on Android, introducing an expanded plus menu that now includes Videos, Music, Canvas, and Guided Learning, in addition to the existing Images and Personal Intelligence tools. Deep Research remains exclusive to the full app due to its requirement for a larger prompt box. The top section of the interface, including Screen, Photos, Camera, Files, Drive, and Notebooks, remains unchanged, but the repositioning of the carousel may affect one-handed usability. These enhancements allow users to access most of the Gemini experience seamlessly across Android devices without launching the full application. The changes are being rolled out with stable version 17.32 of the Google app.
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