Android 17 Beta Closes a Phone-Theft Loophole as Gemini Gets Personal on Android Auto

Google’s second Android 17 QPR3 beta landed with a quiet but meaningful anti-theft change, while Gemini on Android Auto started pulling in your emails, calendar and photos to answer requests behind the wheel. Samsung pushed One UI 9 to another large batch of Galaxy phones, Oppo took its 200MP Find X10 series global, and Pixel 9 owners got an extra year of free Satellite SOS.

Android 17 QPR3 Beta 2 Stops Thieves From Killing Connectivity

Google released Android 17 QPR3 Beta 2 (build DP11.261002.005) for Pixel 6a and newer devices, including the Pixel 11 series, with 21 listed fixes. These cover random reboots, shutdowns during WhatsApp video calls, Bluetooth pairing timeouts, carrier calling issues and idle battery drain caused by motion sensors left running after Face Unlock or camera use.

The bigger change for everyday users is a new “Lock Quick Settings connectivity” option. Until now, anyone holding a locked phone could switch off Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, mobile data or turn on Airplane Mode from Quick Settings, which makes a stolen device harder to locate. With the toggle on, those four controls require your PIN or fingerprint, while harmless tiles like the flashlight stay available.

Also spotted (unconfirmed teardown): code in the same beta points to a “Brighten screen in low light” option that briefly lights up the display so Face Unlock can work in the dark. Google has not announced it, and it may change or never ship.

Source:
9to5Google,
Android Central,
Android Authority

Gemini on Android Auto Now Uses Personal Intelligence

Google has started rolling out Personal Intelligence for Gemini on Android Auto, letting the assistant draw on Gmail, Calendar, Photos, Maps, YouTube and Search to answer with far less detail from the driver. You could ask it to navigate to a doctor’s appointment without giving an address, or check a flight’s gate and delay status pulled from your inbox.

The feature is opt-in, and it carries over automatically if you’ve already enabled it in the Gemini app on your phone. It is limited to personal Google accounts for users 18 and older, and excludes the EEA, Switzerland, the UK and Nigeria. Cars with Google built-in will get it in the coming months.

Source:
Google,
9to5Google

Update: One UI 9 Reaches Galaxy Z Fold 5, Flip 5 and More A-Series Phones

Following its US release for the Galaxy A36 and A37 earlier this week, Samsung’s stable One UI 9 (Android 17) rollout widened considerably. The Galaxy Z Fold 5 and Z Flip 5 are now getting the update in Europe after a Korean start, and this is the final major OS upgrade for both foldables.

In South Korea, stable builds also began reaching the Galaxy A55, A35, A16, A17 and A07, along with the Galaxy M16 and M36. If you own a midrange Galaxy, check Settings > Software update over the next few days, as other regions usually follow quickly.

Source:
Android Authority,
SamMobile

Oppo Find X10 and Find X10 Pro Max Go Global

Oppo launched the Find X10 and Find X10 Pro Max internationally, with sales already live in the UK, Germany, France and other European markets, and an India launch set to follow. The Pro Max packs three 200MP rear cameras, a MediaTek Dimensity 9600 Pro chip, 80W wired and 50W wireless charging, and a single 512GB model priced at about €1,800.

One catch for European buyers: GSMArena reports that both phones ship with 7,150mAh batteries in Europe instead of the 8,000mAh cells used in China. That still leaves them among the largest batteries in any flagship sold in the region.

Source:
GSMArena,
Android Central

Pixel 9 Owners Get an Extra Free Year of Satellite SOS

Google confirmed it is extending free Satellite SOS access on the Pixel 9, 9 Pro, 9 Pro XL and 9 Pro Fold by one more year. The emergency feature, which lets you reach help without cell or Wi-Fi coverage, originally came with two free years from activation.

Google hasn’t said whether Satellite SOS will eventually require a paid plan, and the Pixel 9a isn’t part of the offer. For now, early Pixel 9 buyers keep the safety net without paying extra.

Source:
Android Authority,
Android Central

Bottom Line

The Quick Settings lock in Android 17 QPR3 Beta 2 is the change most likely to matter long term, because it closes an easy trick thieves use to take a phone offline. Gemini’s Personal Intelligence makes Android Auto more useful if you’re comfortable linking your Google data, and Galaxy owners should keep an eye out for One UI 9 as Samsung moves quickly through its lineup.