Google Ends Nest Protect Production and Introduces First Alert Replacement.

Key Takeaway.

• Google has discontinued Nest Protect, replacing it with the First Alert SC5 alarm, compatible with existing devices and managed via the Google Home app.
• Google’s move reflects a broader shift toward third-party partnerships and away from legacy Nest hardware, raising questions about long-term device support.

Google has officially discontinued the Nest Protect smoke and carbon monoxide alarm after years of production. The company confirmed that existing units will continue to receive security updates until they reach their 10-year lifespan, but no new Nest Protect devices will be produced moving forward.

To fill the void, Google has partnered with First Alert to introduce the SC5 Smart Smoke & Carbon Monoxide Alarm. This new device is now featured on the U.S. and Canadian Google Store under the “Smoke & CO alarm” section, even though it isn’t directly sold through the store. Customers are provided with retailer links for both hardwired and battery versions.

The SC5 alarm is engineered to be compatible with existing Nest Protect units. It uses Google’s Weave or Thread protocol to interconnect alarms and integrates seamlessly with the Google Home app. Homeowners can check system status or silence alerts via either the First Alert app or Google Home.

SC5 Alarm Features and Set-Up.

The First Alert SC5 alarm includes modern detection capabilities, early voice alerts, and app-based silencing and testing. It lacks some features of the original Nest Protect, such as the pathway light, but retains robust smart-home integration. Users can easily replace a Nest Protect using the same mounting plate bracket, and the SC5 includes an adapter for existing Nest wiring harnesses.

Support for Nest Protect will continue through its lifespan. Google confirmed that alarms manufactured in 2024 will remain functional and serviced until 2034. Existing Nest Protect base plates remain compatible with the SC5 replacement.

Also Read: Google Raises Nest Aware Subscription Prices.

This product change emphasizes a broader shift in Google’s smart home strategy. Google appears intent on moving toward partnerships that support its Google Home ecosystem while phasing out in-house hardware it no longer updates. Products like the Nest x Yale Lock were also discontinued this year in favor of external replacements.

With no major Nest hardware refresh since 2021 for devices like the Nest Hub and Hub Max, this move may disappoint some users. Many in the smart home community have voiced concerns over declining device reliability and limited updates. Google recently acknowledged these frustrations and pledged major improvements tied to its Gemini AI-powered assistant this fall.

Google Maps Crashes on Android When Searching Transit Directions.

Key Takeaway.

• Google Maps is crashing when users request public transit directions on Android, while other navigation types still work.
• Clearing the cache and rolling back app updates may offer temporary relief until Google releases a fix.

Some Android users are reporting that Google Maps crashes whenever they attempt to get public transit directions, such as buses or trains. Walking, driving, and cycling directions continue to work as expected. The problem has been noted across different devices and regions, including the U.S., the UK, Germany, and others.

Users on Reddit and Google’s support forums have shared frustrations that clearing the app cache, reinstalling Maps, and even wiping app data did not resolve the issue. The crash consistently occurs immediately after selecting public transport directions.

Also Read: Google Confirms Media Controls Bug in Google Maps.

Android Authority and Android Police have independently confirmed the crash in recent versions of Google Maps—especially version 25.30.00.785163646—even though not every user on that version encounters the problem. The inconsistent impact suggests the bug may be tied to specific device configurations or account setups.

At this point, Google has not issued an official response or announcement. The Maps status dashboard remains unchanged, indicating that the issue may not yet meet the threshold for a public incident report.

Affected by Google Maps Crash.

Public transit navigation is the only category causing crashes. Users reported that stops, routes, and schedules related to buses or trains trigger the app to abruptly close. All other navigation modes continue to function normally.

Affected users can consider temporary workarounds:

• Try using driving or walking directions instead of transit
• Switch to another navigation app for public transport, such as Moovit or Citymapper
• On Android, uninstalling recent updates may help restore functionality—via Settings → Apps → Google Maps → tap overflow menu → Uninstall updates.

Google appears to be aware of the issue based on rising community reports and public threads. An official fix may already be in development. Users should keep Google Maps updated and check for new releases in the coming days.

If the issue continues, you might also consider reaching out to Google support or sharing your experience via Google Maps’ feedback tool.

Pixel Buds Pro 2 Arrive in ‘Moonstone’ to Match Google’s Next-Gen Devices.

Key Takeaway.

• The Pixel Buds Pro 2 are now available in Moonstone, aligning with the color theme of Pixel 10 Pro and Pixel Watch 4.
• This new finish expands Google’s accessory aesthetic and reinforces ecosystem consistency across devices.

Google is expanding its upcoming Moonstone color lineup to the Pixel Buds Pro 2, ensuring seamless visual coordination across its hardware portfolio. Leaked marketing renders show the earbuds in a cool slate-gray tone that perfectly complements the Pixel 10 Pro, Pixel 10 Pro XL, and Pixel Watch 4.

Google fans first got acquainted with Moonstone as the signature shade for its next Pixel devices. Now, the wireless earbuds also feature this finish, reinforcing a cohesive aesthetic across the ecosystem. Despite initially being referred to as “Sterling” in earlier leaks, the new shade aligns precisely with Moonstone and appears in synced visuals shared by leaker Evan Blass.

pic.twitter.com/Gt3gNpcAxn

— Evan Blass (@evleaks) July 25, 2025

The Pixel Buds Pro 2 originally launched in four color options—Porcelain, Hazelnut, Wintergreen, and Peony. The Moonstone release increases that palette to five and rounds out Google’s overall design language for the rumored August 20 event lineup.

Moonstone Pixel Buds Pro 2 Release Is Important.

Introducing Moonstone for the Pixel Buds Pro 2 highlights Google’s intention to offer consistent product styling across devices. Consumers who buy into the Pixel ecosystem—whether choosing a phone, watch, or earbuds—will now have a unified color option.

This move also reinforces the idea that Google’s hardware refresh cycle is holistic, treating accessories and phones as part of a visually connected ecosystem. Moonstone seems positioned as a flagship color for premium Pixel devices in 2025.

Android Introduces “Expanded Dark Mode” to Force a Dark Theme

Google is testing a powerful accessibility-focused feature in the second Android Canary build that forces Dark Mode on apps without native dark themes. Dubbed Expanded Dark Mode, it sits alongside the traditional “Standard” dark theme and brings remarkably better system-wide consistency—though not without caveats.

What’s new in Expanded Dark Mode?

Standard Dark Mode: Applies a dark theme only to Android system UI and apps that support it natively.

Expanded Dark Mode: Extends dark styling to apps that lack built-in dark themes. It works more intelligently than the previous “override force‑dark” option, avoiding blanket color inversion in favor of a more refined approach.

Because this feature is experimental and only available in Canary builds, users may encounter visual glitches in some apps—such as inconsistent colors or layout issues. Google openly cautions users that not all apps will “play nice,” and in such cases recommends switching back to Standard mode .

The rollout timeline for Beta or Stable channels is not confirmed, though speculation places it in Android 16 QPR2 (expected December 2025).

How to Enable Expanded Dark Mode (In Android Canary builds)

If you’re using an Android device enrolled in the Canary channel, here’s how to turn it on:

Step 1. Open Settings.

Step 2. Navigate to Display & touch → Dark theme.

Step 3. You’ll now see two modes:

• Standard
• Expanded

Credit: Android Authority 

Step 4. Select Expanded to enforce dark styling across more apps—even ones without native support.

Step 5. If you notice any display or layout glitches in specific apps, toggle back to Standard mode.

This feature replaces the older hidden “make more apps dark” or “override force‑dark” settings found in Developer Options, offering a cleaner, user-facing placement in the display settings.

How This Update Will Be Useful?

Users who read or browse their phone in low-light environments—such as at night—will find a more consistent, eye-friendly experience even with apps that haven’t been optimized for dark mode.

While Developer Options offered “override force-dark,” Expanded Dark Mode appears to use more intelligent logic to convert UI elements without distorting images or causing widespread visual distortion.

This feature is part of an unstable release. You should expect bugs. Android will let you revert to Standard mode if that improves app stability or appearance .

When it arrives in Beta or Stable under Android 16 QPR2 or later, it could become a key feature for dark‑mode enthusiasts.

Google Keep Receives Fresh, Colorful Update with Material 3 Expressive Design.

Key Takeaway.

• Google Keep now features a thicker search bar, animated logo text, and visual layout toggles for improved navigation.
• Action buttons within notes are repositioned into distinct rounded containers for a cleaner, more accessible editing experience.

Google Keep on Android has begun getting a visual refresh thanks to Google’s Material 3 Expressive design update. Users on version 5.25.282.00.90 have spotted colorful, user-friendly changes activated via a server-side update rather than a full app download.

On the home screen, Google Keep now has a thicker search bar that includes a hamburger menu button on the left and a profile switcher on the right. These updates offer clearer separation between elements. When the app launches for the first time, an animated “Google Keep” text appears, then it transitions to “Search Keep” with a layout selector for list or grid view.

Inside notes, action buttons have moved into rounded containers. The pin, reminder, and archive icons appear in square-shaped bubbles, while formatting options like color, text, and attachments are grouped into circles. The app’s overflow menu now appears as a pill-shaped button, where the “Edited” timestamp has been relocated.

This refreshed look matches what Google has done in other Material 3 Expressive updates. Earlier this year, the design was introduced in apps like Gmail, Messages, Wallet, Phone, Meet, and even parts of Wear OS. Google Keep’s update seems to be rolling out slowly—some users have it now, while others will get it soon.

Google Launches AI-Powered Web Guide to Organize Search Results.

Key Takeaway.

• Web Guide uses Gemini AI to organize search results into useful subtopics and related questions within the Web tab.
• The experiment combines AI summaries with traditional links for faster and more intuitive browsing.

Google has started testing a new search feature called Web Guide, which uses AI to group search results into helpful categories. The Verge reports that this experimental tool is currently available to users who opt into Search Labs, bringing a smarter, more structured browsing experience.

What Is Web Guide and How Does It Work?

Web Guide is a Search Labs experiment powered by a customized version of Google’s Gemini AI. It analyzes open-ended or complex search queries and presents results in organized sections, such as subtopics or focused questions. Gemini performs multiple related searches simultaneously—an approach known as “query fan‑out”—to better understand the query and present more relevant groupings.

This tool appears within the Web tab of Google Search. Users can easily toggle between the traditional “10 blue links” and the AI-enhanced Web Guide format. Early examples include searches like "how to care for a mango tree," which generated sections like “Mango Tree Care in Specific Climates” and “Troubleshooting Mango Tree Issues.” Results came from educational sites, forums, and even Reddit discussions, thanks to past content partnerships.

Why Web Guide Matters.

Web Guide bridges the gap between conventional and AI-enhanced search. While Google’s AI Overviews rely on direct summaries, Web Guide reintroduces link-based exploration but in a more helpful format. It allows users to scan categorized results quickly and dive deeper into the topics that matter most, reducing the time spent scrolling through endless links.

By presenting both AI-generated context and traditional link structures, Web Guide enhances discoverability. Users can explore unfamiliar subtopics with confidence, guided by intuitive sections rather than disparate search results. This aligns with Google’s vision of making AI innovations like Gemini more useful and integrated into everyday search.

How To Access the Web Guide?

To access Web Guide, users need to opt into Search Labs. Once enabled, the Web tab will display categorized AI-assisted results alongside regular search listings. Google plans to expand the tool into the All tab over time as usage insights and feedback roll in.

Search Labs offers a controlled environment where Google can measure performance and tweak features based on user behavior. As Web Guide evolves, it may include deeper nested categories, richer summaries, and broader availability across search tabs.

Google Acknowledges Home Assistant Glitches, Teases Major Gemini-Powered Upgrades.

Key Takeaway.

• Google admits reliability problems with Home and Nest Assistant and apologizes for user frustrations.
• The company plans significant Gemini-based upgrades this fall to improve performance and user experience.

Google has admitted that its Assistant for Home and Nest devices has been struggling with reliability issues and has promised significant improvements later this year. The announcement was made by Anish Kattukaran, the Chief Product Officer for Google Home and Nest, in a candid post on X (formerly Twitter) addressing growing user dissatisfaction (e.g. commands not executing or smart devices not responding).

In the post, Kattukaran expressed regret over the current user experience and reassured that Google has been working on long-term fixes. He also hinted at “major improvements” coming in fall 2025, likely in sync with the wider rollout of Gemini-powered enhancements already previewed in other areas of Google’s smart-home system.

Users Report Multiple Failures in Home Assistant.

Smart-home users have experienced frustrating behavior such as voice commands being misunderstood, routines failing to execute, and devices not responding at all. These issues seem more severe compared to previous years, which has led to increased public criticism. In response, Kattukaran stated, "We hear you loud and clear and are committed to getting this right," and emphasized that Google is dedicated to creating a reliable and capable assistant experience.

He acknowledged that the current state does not meet user expectations and offered a sincere apology for the inconvenience. The company is working on structural improvements designed to stabilize performance and restore trust before rolling out more advanced features.

What to Expect from Upcoming Gemini Integration.

Google has already introduced limited Gemini-powered upgrades across its product ecosystem. These include smarter search capabilities and more natural language home automations. The promise of major improvements this fall suggests that Gemini will play a central part in improving Assistant reliability, responsiveness, and overall smart-home control.

Kattukaran’s message indicates that this update will go beyond surface tweaks to address deeper architectural issues. It could cover better camera integrations, improved routines, and more robust voice control across all Home and Nest devices. Google plans to reveal details in the coming months, possibly timed with its Pixel 10 launch event.

Why This Matters.

A trustworthy voice assistant is now expected to integrate seamlessly with everyday smart-home devices. When lights refuse to turn on or routines break, it disrupts the convenience and confidence users have come to expect. Google’s open acknowledgement of these issues demonstrates accountability. More importantly, the company’s Gemini-driven focus shows it recognizes that better AI is the next step toward restoring reliability across its ecosystem.