Waymo, the self-driving taxi company, discovered that nearly 4,000 of its robotaxis had a problem recognizing flooded roads and would drive straight into them instead of taking a safer route. The company fixed this dangerous flaw remotely through a software update sent over the internet, without needing to bring the cars into a service center. Worth knowing: if you're considering a ride in a robotaxi or have family members who use them, these kinds of real-world safety issues show the technology is still being tested and improved in live conditions.
Google is giving Android phone owners free upgrades that add smarter AI features to help you work better and avoid getting sidetracked by distracting apps. These improvements will roll out gradually over the next year on both new and older high-end phones, so you'll likely benefit whether you've just bought a device or have had yours for a while.
You can keep an eye out for these updates arriving on your phone over the coming months, and if you find yourself spending too much time scrolling, the new distraction-blocking tool might be worth trying once it appears.
Google is working on a new way to let you build your own widgets just by describing what you want in everyday words—no coding needed, so you could ask for something like "three high-protein meal ideas every week" and get a custom dashboard to display on your phone. This means you won't be stuck with whatever pre-made options Google offers; instead, you can create exactly the information display that would be most helpful for your daily life.
Google has added a new feature to Android phones called Pause Point, which makes you wait a few seconds before you can open apps like social media—giving your brain a chance to reconsider whether you really want to open them. Worth knowing: this kind of built-in pause can be surprisingly effective at breaking the habit of mindlessly reaching for your phone during quiet moments, and you can set it up yourself in your phone's settings if you want to reduce time spent scrolling through news feeds or social apps.
Google is adding smart AI assistants to Android phones that can handle tasks like filling out forms and taking dictation, making your phone work more like a helpful assistant rather than just a tool you command. For someone who types a lot or deals with online forms regularly, this could save you time and reduce frustration with repetitive typing on a small screen.
Android 17, Google's next phone update, is bringing AI tools that make typing easier and let you customize your phone's appearance, plus practical features like a tool to help you spend less time on distracting apps. These changes aim to make your phone smarter and easier to control, whether you care about the latest AI bells and whistles or just want better ways to manage your screen time. Worth knowing: when this update rolls out to your phone later this year, you don't have to use the AI features if you prefer to stick with how things work now.
Google's AI assistant Gemini is getting smarter about helping you control your phone—it can now answer questions, fill in forms, and handle tasks across Chrome, apps, and your phone's settings without you having to do the work yourself. For anyone juggling multiple apps and passwords, this means less typing and fewer steps to get things done on your device. Worth knowing: you can choose which apps and features you want Gemini to help with, so you're in control of what it accesses.
Google is redesigning Android Auto, the system that connects your smartphone to your car's screen, with a fresher look, helpful widgets you can customize, and maps that show your surroundings in realistic 3D. If you spend time driving and rely on your phone for navigation or music, these changes will make your dashboard experience smoother and more intuitive—fewer taps to find what you need. Worth knowing: if you have a compatible Android phone and a newer car with Android Auto capability, you'll want to check your car's system settings in 2026 to see when these updates roll out to you.
Google is bringing its AI assistant called Gemini directly into the Chrome browser on Android phones and tablets starting in June, making it easier to get help without switching between apps. You can access this assistant right from your browser to ask questions, get writing help, or understand what you're reading online—as long as your device has at least 4GB of memory, which most modern phones do.
Meta is testing a new AI assistant on Threads that works like Elon Musk's Grok feature, giving you instant information about what's trending and breaking news right in your conversations. You can…ask the AI questions about current events without leaving the app, which saves time if you're trying to stay informed while chatting with friends.
Waymo's self-driving taxis are getting smarter about avoiding flooded roads after the company discovered they sometimes drove through water they shouldn't have. For passengers and pedestrians, this means safer journeys, especially during heavy rain when standing water can hide dangerous potholes or wash away road surfaces. Worth knowing: if you ride in a Waymo robotaxi and notice it taking a longer route during rainy weather, that's the safety update working as intended.
Amazon is launching a new super-fast delivery service called "Amazon Now" that will get items to your door in just 30 minutes, rolling out to many cities across America next year. For those of us who've gotten used to waiting a day or two, this could be handy when you suddenly need something urgently—like running out of medication or realizing you forgot an ingredient for dinner. Worth knowing: this service will likely cost extra and only work in certain neighborhoods, so check if it's available in your area when it launches in 2026.
