Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 Is Here, and It’s a Beast.

Qualcomm is finally pulling back the curtain on its next big thing. At its annual Snapdragon Summit, the company confirmed the name of its next flagship mobile processor: the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5. This isn't just a new chip; it's a new era of naming conventions that's designed to bring a little more clarity to the top of its lineup.

Forget the confusing, seemingly random name changes. The new "Gen 5" name is a direct continuation of the Snapdragon 8-series line, following the original Gen 1 through Gen 3, and treating last year’s Snapdragon 8 Elite as the de facto "Gen 4." Now that we’ve got that straight, let’s get to the good stuff.

The Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 is expected to be a performance powerhouse. It’s built on Qualcomm’s custom Oryon CPU architecture that blew us away last time, and now it’s rumored to be running with a crazy-fast 4.61 GHz clock speed on its main cores. On the graphics side, we’re looking at the all-new Adreno 840 GPU, which could offer up to a 40 percent boost in graphics performance. That’s enough to make even the most graphically demanding mobile games feel buttery smooth.

Of course, this isn't just about raw speed. The new chip also comes with an upgraded Hexagon NPU for AI tasks, promising a serious jump in on-device AI efficiency. And to keep everything connected, it’s packing the new Snapdragon X80 Modem for screaming-fast 5G, along with support for the latest Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 6.0 standards.

So when can you expect to get your hands on a phone with this new silicon? Both the Xiaomi 17 series and the Samsung Galaxy S26 series are rumored to be among the first to feature the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5, so start saving up now.

Penske Media Sues Google Over AI Overviews.

In a landmark case for the publishing industry, Penske Media Corporation (PMC), the parent company of major publications like Rolling Stone, Billboard, and Variety, has filed a lawsuit against Google and its parent company, Alphabet. The lawsuit, filed in a Washington, D.C. federal court, is the first of its kind from a major U.S. publisher directly targeting Google's "AI Overviews" feature.

The Core Allegations of Penske Media.

PMC alleges that Google is abusing its dominant position in the search market to unlawfully use journalistic content to create AI-generated summaries. The lawsuit claims that this new feature, which appears at the top of search results, is causing a significant decline in traffic and revenue for its websites. According to PMC, about 20% of Google searches that would have led to their sites now feature an AI Overview, and their affiliate revenue has dropped by more than a third since late 2024.

The lawsuit argues that Google has "coerced" publishers into a no-win situation: either allow Google to use their content for AI Overviews and suffer a loss in traffic, or opt out of the feature and risk being completely removed from Google's search results, which would be "devastating" for their business. This, they claim, upends the "fundamental bargain" between Google and publishers, where content is indexed in exchange for web traffic.

Google's Response to Suits.

In its defense, a Google spokesperson has called the lawsuit's claims "meritless." Google maintains that AI Overviews provide a better user experience and actually help send traffic to a greater diversity of websites. The company argues that AI Overviews encourage people to use search more, which in turn creates new opportunities for content to be discovered. Google has stated it will "defend against these meritless claims."

Broader Industry Context.

This lawsuit is part of a growing trend of publishers and content creators challenging tech companies over the use of their material to train and power AI models. Other similar cases include:

• Chegg: The online education company previously sued Google over similar claims that AI Overviews were harming its business.
• The New York Times: The publication has a pending lawsuit against OpenAI for using its copyrighted content to train its models.
• Anthropic: The AI company recently agreed to a $1.5 billion settlement with a group of authors in a copyright lawsuit.

The lawsuit from Penske Media represents a major test case that could have significant implications for the future of digital publishing and the use of AI in search. It raises fundamental questions about copyright, compensation, and the relationship between content creators and the platforms that distribute their work.

Also Read: 

• Google Files Lawsuit Over BadBox 2.0 Android Botnet Infecting Over 10 Million Devices.
• European Union Fines Google €2.95 Billion for Adtech Abuses.

Android-to-iPhone File Sharing: Google's Quick Share Gets a Major Upgrade.

Sharing files between Android and iPhone users has long been frustrating, often requiring third-party apps, email, or a clunky workaround. Now, new details have emerged that suggest Google is about to simplify the process significantly with a major update to its Quick Share feature. A new method, currently in development, will allow seamless file transfers from Android to iOS devices using a simple QR code.

How the New QR Code System Will Work.

According to a leak found within the Google Play Services beta, the new sharing method will be a two-step process:

1. Generate a QR Code: The Android user who wants to send a file will display a unique QR code on their screen.
2. Scan and Download: The iPhone user will then scan this QR code to be directed to a secure, encrypted link where they can download the file directly.

This new process departs from the standard Quick Share functionality, which uses peer-to-peer technology for direct, offline transfers between Android devices. For Android-to-iPhone sharing, the files will be uploaded to Google's servers and remain available for a limited 24-hour window, which means a stable internet connection will be required for the transfer. The sender will also need to be signed into a Google account to use the feature.

Credit: Android Authority

While a similar QR code sharing option already exists for Android-to-Android transfers when devices are offline, this new implementation is specifically designed to bridge the gap between Google's ecosystem and iOS.

A Game-Changer for Cross-Platform Sharing.

This new system is a much-needed solution to a common pain point for millions of users. It eliminates the need to rely on messaging apps that compress images and videos, or to use cumbersome services and require additional login steps. By making it easy to share high-quality files between the two largest mobile ecosystems, Google is positioning Quick Share as a powerful, cross-platform tool. 

While an official launch date has not been announced, the appearance of these new features in a beta version of Google Play Services suggests a wider rollout could be coming soon.

Your Shared Albums in Google Photos Are About to Get a Whole Lot Smarter.

Have you ever tried to find a specific photo in a shared Google Photos album only to find yourself scrolling endlessly? Good news: Google is about to fix that. The Google Photos Android app is getting a long-awaited upgrade that will make searching within shared albums a breeze. This isn't just a minor tweak; it's a game-changer for anyone who collaborates on photo albums with friends and family.

Search Functionality Arrives for Shared Albums.

The frustration is real: you know a picture of your cat, Fluffy, is in that shared album from a friend's birthday party, but the search bar only turns up results from your personal library. Currently, the only way to search shared photos is to manually save them to your account first, a clunky, inefficient step.

A new update, discovered in Google Photos version 7.45, is changing that. Google is actively working on a feature that will allow you to search for people, pets, and other subjects directly inside a shared album, just as you would in your own collection. This brings the powerful search capabilities of Google Photos to your collaborative albums, making it easier than ever to find exactly what you're looking for without the extra work.

What This Means for Users.

For those who rely on Google Photos to share memories, this update is a massive quality-of-life improvement. No more manual saving, no more endless scrolling. The new functionality suggests a more cohesive and integrated search experience is on the way. 

While the feature isn't widely available yet, its appearance in a recent app version indicates that a broader rollout is likely just around the corner. Get ready to find those photos of your dog, Fido, in that shared vacation album with just a simple search.

Also Read:

• Google Photos Perspective Correction Tool Goes Missing for Many Users.
• Erase Unwanted Objects From a Photo Using Google Photos.
• How To Create Cinematic Photos in Google Photos.

Android 16 QPR1 Rolls Out to Pixel Devices with 'No Data Wipe' Option.

Google has begun rolling out the Android 16 QPR1 update, bringing a convenient new feature to Pixel users in the Android Beta Program. This update, which is a "No Data Wipe" over-the-air (OTA) update, allows beta testers to exit the program without having to factory reset their devices and lose all their personal data.

What This Means for Beta Testers.

Previously, users who wanted to leave the Android Beta Program after testing a feature release were required to wipe their device, which could be a significant hassle. The new "No Data Wipe" update for QPR1 (Quarterly Platform Release 1) provides a smooth and data-preserving transition. The update is less than 100 MB and also includes the September 2025 security patch.

Users can check for the update by navigating to Settings > System > Software updates > System updates. They should look for an update titled "Android Beta Exit No Data Wipe."

While the update has been spotted on some devices like the Pixel Tablet, it appears that Google is rolling it out in phases, and it may not be immediately available on all eligible devices, such as the Pixel 8a or 9a. This update is a welcome change for testers, making it much easier to transition from beta to the stable Android build.

Following the Beta 3.1 update, users who chose not to test the QPR2 Beta 1 were able to opt their devices out of the program. google.com/android/beta#devices

Google Home App Rolls Out Significant Upgrade to Automation Editor.

The Google Home app is getting a major upgrade, with a significant revamp of its household automation editor rolling out to users. This update, first reported on September 11, 2025, promises to give smart home enthusiasts more power and flexibility in how they control their connected devices. The changes are a big step toward making Google Home automations more intuitive and context-aware.

Key New Features for Smarter Automations.

The new editor introduces several highly anticipated features that go beyond the simple recurring routines of the past. One of the most notable additions is the ability to create one-time automations. These are perfect for special events or temporary situations, and can even be set to auto-delete after they've run, keeping your automation list clean.

The updated editor also allows for more complex and layered conditions. For example, you can now create an automation for lights to adjust based on the time of day and whether someone is home, providing a truly personalized experience. Other new capabilities include:

• Presence Sensing: Automations can now be triggered based on whether someone is home or if everyone has left.
• Targeted Notifications: You can choose to send notifications about an automation to a specific person or to every member of the household.
• Flexible Scheduling: Set automations to run on specific days, at a certain time, or on an hourly, monthly, or annual basis.

Also Read: Google Home Adds Wi-Fi Presence Detection for Smarter Routines.

What's Coming Next for the Google Home App?

While the new editor is a major leap forward, it's not yet feature-complete. The report notes that some capabilities are still missing and will be added in future updates. These include:

• Thermostat controls.
• Camera on/off functionality.
• Light effects and color controls.
• Door, window, contact sensors, and camera motion detection are all planned for a future release.

Users can still access the "Previous household editor" from the three-dot overflow menu to manage automations that rely on these unsupported features.

The update is being rolled out in phases to Android and iOS users, with full availability expected over the next few weeks. For Google Home users who have been waiting for more powerful and customizable automations, this update is a welcome development and a clear indication of Google's continued investment in the smart home ecosystem.

Gmail to Gain New 'Purchases' Tab for Centralized Shopping Management.

Google is rolling out a significant update to Gmail, introducing a dedicated "Purchases" tab that aims to revolutionize how users track their online orders and manage shopping-related emails. This new feature provides a centralized hub for all your e-commerce activities, making it easier than ever to find order confirmations, shipping updates, and return information.

A Smarter Inbox for Your Shopping Habits.

Gmail's new "Purchases" tab is a logical extension of its existing smart features, such as Categories (Primary, Social, Promotions, Updates, Forums). However, this tab is specifically tailored to the unique needs of online shoppers, offering a more robust and organized approach to managing purchases.

Here’s what this update means for users:

• Centralized Tracking: Instead of sifting through your primary inbox or the "Promotions" tab for order details, all emails related to your online purchases will be automatically filtered into this new tab. This includes order confirmations, shipping notifications, delivery updates, and even return labels.
• Enhanced Organization: The tab will likely go beyond just listing emails. It's expected to present purchase information in a more structured, glanceable format, potentially displaying key details like order numbers, delivery dates, and product images directly within the tab interface.
• Reduced Clutter: By moving shopping-related emails into their own dedicated space, the "Purchases" tab will help reduce clutter in your main inbox, allowing you to focus on more urgent or personal communications.
• Seamless Integration: This feature leverages Google's existing AI capabilities to identify and categorize purchase-related emails accurately. It will likely integrate with other Google services in the future, potentially linking directly to Google Pay or Google Assistant for package tracking.

Image Credit: Google

How the "Purchases" Tab Will Work.

While specific details on the tab's exact functionality are still emerging, it's expected to operate similarly to existing Gmail categories:

1. Automatic Classification: Google's AI will automatically detect emails containing order confirmations, shipping details, and receipts, moving them to the "Purchases" tab.
2. User Control: Users will likely have the ability to manually move emails into or out of the "Purchases" tab if the automatic classification isn't perfect, and potentially train the system over time.
3. Notifications: Users are expected to be able to customize notifications specifically for this tab, ensuring they receive timely updates on important deliveries without being overwhelmed.

This update reflects a growing trend towards specialized inboxes that cater to specific types of communication. For online shoppers, the "Purchases" tab promises a significant improvement in managing their digital retail footprint.

Also Read:

• Gmail’s New Manage Subscriptions Feature to Clean Inbox.
• Gmail for Android Gets a Fresh Look with Material 3 Expressive Redesign.
• Google Reassures Users, Reaffirms Gmail's Robust Security Following Misinformation.