The monthly “Google System Release Notes” primarily detail what’s new in Play services, Play Store, and Play system update across Android phones/tablets, Wear OS, Google/Android TV, Auto, and PC. Some features apply to end users, while others are aimed at developers.

The following first-party apps comprise the “Google System”:

A feature appearing in the changelog does not mean it’s widely available. Some capabilities take months to fully launch.

Android System Intelligence powers features like At a Glance, Live Caption, Now Playing, Smart Reply, and more. As of Android 16 QPR1 Beta 2.1, going to the Play Store listing does not offer the usual “Update” button like other apps.

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The latest version for devices on the beta appears to be B.0.playstore.pixel9.738427685. (On Android 16, it’s B.7.playstore.pixel9.778505170.)

Android System Intelligence V.31 / B.9 (2025-07-04)

• [Phone] Refactoring and bugfixes.

Private Compute Services V.31 / B.9 (2025-07-01)

• [Phone] Internal infrastructure and maintenance changes.

Prime Day 2025 begins soon on July 8, but members can already save on a bunch of tech available on Amazon’s site. One such early deal is on the Roomba Robot Vacuum and Mop Combo, which is down to $140 for Prime members right now. That’s nearly half off its usual price and a far cry from its standard $275 cost.

We ranked iRobot’s Roomba Robot Vacuum as our overall favorite budget option, but this Prime Day deal features a version that can both vacuum and mop. With the Prime Day price drop, the vacuum and mop combo is cheaper than the vacuum-only model, but it does double the work. The combo Roomba can even be set to only vacuum if you prefer to mop yourself, but you’d be missing out on the four-stage cleaning system that vacuums and mops in the same pass.

iRobot

iRobot’s Roomba Robot Vacuum and Mop Combo offers a quick setup, multi-surface cleaning and can automatically return to its charging dock once it’s low battery. This double-duty Roomba hits an all-time low price of $140 and is an affordable and convenient way to keep your home clean.

$140 at Amazon

Since it’s a Roomba, it’s a straightforward setup process that takes a few minutes before you can set it and forget it. The robot vacuum can navigate through your house or apartment, avoiding furniture and stairs, thanks to onboard sensors. Once it drains through its battery, which can last up to 120 hours, the Roomba knows to return to its charging dock to recharge itself. You can even customize this combo Roomba with three levels of both suction power for vacuuming and water levels for mopping. For more control, you can program it to spot clean a single spot in your home or schedule cleaning times through the companion iRobot Home app.

A number of other iRobot machines are on sale for Prime Day as well. That includes the Roomba 104 with auto-empty dock for 44 percent off, down to $250, and the premium Roomba j9+ for 36 percent off, down to $579.

Updates this week to the Gemini app on Android and iPhone introduce a new app icon that adopts the four Google colors.

The new four-color logo takes after every other Google icon. It’s still predominantly blue at the right, while the other points are red, yellow, and green. There’s also a nice gradient at center-left like the current ‘G’ icon.

The four points are rounded and not as sharp as before for a friendlier look. At small sizes, like on your homescreen, it means the icon doesn’t fade out into very thin lines.

Finally, the new logo is slightly larger than the last one and takes up more of the white circular background, which always helps. Ultimately, Google moving to red, yellow, green, and blue brings Gemini into the fold, and can be seen as a sign of confidence. The sparkle shape is unique enough so it shouldn’t be easily confused with other first-party applications.

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After Android and iPhone, we’re still waiting for the new Gemini icon on gemini.google.com.

Old vs. new

With this update, Google has also tweaked the homescreen widget on Android. (There are no changes to the iOS version.) Besides the new icon, there are now shortcuts for Video and Screenshare that launch those Gemini Live modes directly. It’s pretty convenient, with Google emphasizing those new actions in smaller configurations.

Overall, the widget is less dense than before, with one less shortcut at some sizes. At 3×3 and above, you get all eight shortcuts: open app (with keyboard activated), voice input, Camera, Gallery, Files, Video, Screenshare, and Live. Lastly, the “Ask Gemini” field is now just the “Gemini” bar with Google no longer giving it a separate Dynamic Color background.

As of Friday, version 1.0.776555963 of the Gemini app is now widely available via the Play Store. On iOS, version 1.2025.2562103 rolled out on Wednesday, with Google making official the ability to search past conversations, like on the web. Tap the chat icon in the top-left corner for the new search field, with this feature not yet on Android.

More on Gemini:

Apple has just three smartwatches in its current lineup. We think the flagship Apple Watch Series 10 is the best for most people, but athletes and outdoor enthusiasts might be happier with the Apple Watch Ultra 2. The budget model, the Apple Watch SE, offers a surprising array of features for the price. All three are excellent companions for your iPhone and all do a great job of tracking health and fitness stats. This guide to the best Apple Watch breaks down the differences in sensors, case design and more to help you decide which model makes the most sense for you.

Table of contents

Best Apple Watch in 2025

Photo by Cherlynn Low / Engadget

Chip: S10 SiP | Sensors: ECG, heart rate, temperature, compass, altimeter, accelerometer, fall/crash detection | Display: Always‑on Retina wide-angle OLED display, max 2,000 nits brightness | Battery life: 18 hours | Case size: 42mm or 46mm

Read our full review of the Apple Watch Series 10

Previously, the big news for Apple’s flagship wearable was the new Double Tap gesture. This time, the most notable update for the Apple Watch Series 10 comes on the outside, with a bigger screen matched with a thinner overall design. Instead of 41 and 45mm case sizes, you can now get the watch in either 42mm or 46mm. And, thanks to a redesigned metal back that integrates the antenna into the housing, it’s now just 9.7mm thick, a full millimeter thinner than the Series 9.

In her review, Engadget’s Cherlynn Low said the new watch was noticeably thinner and lighter, though that didn’t make a huge difference in comfort between the new version and its predecessor. The larger screen did make some things clearer, such as road names in Maps. The wide-angle OLED display also made it easier to read the face when not looking directly at it.

The Series 10 delivers more powerful speaker output, too. Cherlynn noted that the speakers are probably not something you’ll want to rely on for extended listening, and they definitely work better in quiet environments. But if you need to hear a song or a bit of a podcast at some point, your watch will be better equipped to do so. Another hardware upgrade comes with the addition of a depth gauge. It’s not meant for diving, as the gauge is only rated to six meters, but it could give you insights when snorkeling or swimming.

In addition to sleep tracking, the watch now also supports sleep apnea detection, a condition that’s seriously under-diagnosed. While it’s not intended for people who already know they have the disorder, it could help identify certain breathing patterns during sleep that should be checked out by a doctor. That feature will also be available on the Apple Watch Series 9 with watchOS 11.

Battery life didn’t change drastically — Apple still promises an 18-hour stretch per charge — and that comparatively short span has always been our biggest complaint with the watch. The charging speed, however, did get a boost. You should now be able to get your watch up to 80 percent in just a half an hour using a fast-charge-certified charger.

Of course, the new features aren’t the only reason to buy an Apple Watch Series 10. It just happens to be the best companion you can get for an iPhone. The watch will keep you on top of your notifications (presenting fewer distractions than your phone), while the activity tracking and fitness features can help keep you motivated, if that’s something you’re into. It can also remind you to take meds, note your moods and log your period for cycle tracking and predictions.

Ultimately, we think the Apple Watch Series 10 is a great buy for iOS users who are either new to Apple Watches or coming from a Series 8 or older. If you’ve got a Series 9, you can probably wait on an upgrade.

Pros

• Thinner and lighter build
• Potentially helpful sleep apnea detection
• The best companion for an iPhone
• Useful new water sports features

Cons

• Still only has an 18-hour battery life

$329 at Amazon

Cherlynn Low for Engadget

Chip: S8 SiP | Sensors: Heart rate, compass, altimeter, accelerometer, fall/crash detection | Display: Retina display, max 1,000 nits brightness | Battery life: 18 hours | Case size: 40mm or 44mm

Read our full review of the Apple Watch SE

Yet again, Apple didn’t come out with a new generation of the Apple Watch SE when it announced the Apple Watch 10 and other Apple devices in September. A new plastic version is reportedly in the works (and we have some ideas on what Apple can improve). But for now, this $250 smartwatch is Apple’s budget option. 

Cherlynn also reviewed the SE when it came out in 2022, calling it “the best smartwatch for the money.” It uses the same chip as the original Ultra and the Series 8, and in our review of the new Series 9, Cherlynn “barely noticed a difference in performance” compared to the older Apple Watch.

That said, there are some trade-offs. You won’t get an always-on display, blood oxygen monitoring or a temperature sensor. The SE also can’t support the new Double Tap feature and requires your phone to be nearby for Siri requests (if you don’t have a cellular-enabled model). Materials-wise, the SE face is covered in Ion-X glass, which is less robust than the sapphire crystal on either the stainless steel Series 9 or the Ultra 2.

But the SE has more in common with its pricier sibling than not, including crash detection, heart rate monitoring, emergency SOS calling, and 50 meters of water resistance. And, of course, the watch does all the basics well, like sharing notifications, controlling your music playback and setting timers and alarms. 

Though the screen isn’t quite as bright as the pricier models, we thought it was crisp and easy to read, even in bright sunlight. The fitness tracking is accurate, the design is lightweight and comfortable and the processor is snappy. If you’re looking for a starter smartwatch and don’t mind the few missing features, the SE is still the way to go.

Pros

• Affordable price
• Great health and fitness tracking
• Extends the utility of an iPhone

Cons

• Lacks blood oxygen and temperature sensors
• Doesn’t support Double Tap
• No always-on display

$239 at Amazon

Cherlynn Low for Engadget

Chip: S9 SiP | Sensors: ECG, heart rate, temperature, compass, altimeter, accelerometer, fall/crash detection, depth gauge | Display: Always-on Retina display, max 3,000 nits brightness | Battery life: 36 hours | Case size: 49mm

Read our full review of the Apple Watch Ultra

Apple announced the Apple Watch Ultra 2 at the same event as the Series 9 but, the following year, we did not get an Apple Watch Ultra 3. Instead, Apple announced a new satin black colorway created with a “diamond-like carbon physical vapor deposition” process that you’ll sometimes find used on high-end knife blades.

Engadget’s Cherlynn Low took the previous model Ultra out on a hike to take advantage of its outdoor-specific features and the Backtrack function actually saved her and our video producer Brian from taking an unintended detour in the wrong direction. The function lives within the Compass app and lets you set waypoints such as marking the parking lot before you set out. There’s an onboard siren that’s loud enough to alert passersby or emergency personnel to your whereabouts if you should need it.

For water-based activities, the Ultra 2 packs diving features that can measure water temperature, dive duration and gauge up to 40 meters of depth. For workouts closer to home, the dual-frequency GPS gives you more accurate route tracking and pace calculations. And the action button can be programmed to start a workout, control the stopwatch, trigger the flashlight, set a waypoint and more. Just note that we found it pretty easy to accidentally trigger the action button when trying to press the crown, so it may take a little practice.

The S9 SiP chip enables Double Tap and on-device Siri processing. The screen has been bumped up to 3,000 nits and while we didn’t get to take the new model on a hike, the original at 2,000 nits was plenty bright enough in direct sunlight. We like how the new Modular Ultra watch face makes great use of the oversized screen (though that’s also available on the original AWU.) The battery life remains the same at 36 hours, and we got about three days of moderate use out of the Ultra before needing a recharge. The low power mode is particularly impressive, squeezing out many extra hours from a near-empty watch.

Pros

• Robust build
• Specialized features for outdoor activities
• Large screen displays a lot of info

Cons

• Expensive
• Large case can feel bulky on smaller wrists

$779 at Amazon

What to look for in an Apple Watch

Like all Apple products, Apple Watches will only work with other devices from the brand’s ecosystem. You won’t be able to pair any Apple Watch to your Android phone. Note that you can pair other wearables (like a Garmin tracker or a Fitbit band) with your iPhone. There are some more features that are specific to Apple Watches and that set each of the three models apart from one another.

Chips and sensors

The new Apple Watch Series 10 has an S10 SiP (system in a package) chip with a four-core Neural Engine. The Ultra 2 was updated last September with Apple’s S9 SiP. Both chips allow for on-device processing of Siri requests as well as dictation, translation, automatic workout detection and the Double Tap gesture that lets you answer calls or stop an alarm by tapping your thumb and forefinger together twice. It also enables faster machine learning performance for interpreting sensor data, speech recognition and performing other “thinking” tasks. The Apple Watch SE still relies on the S8 SiP, which was also used in the Series 8 and the original Ultra.

Both the Series 10 and Ultra 2 can measure certain vital signs like heart rate, and both have an ECG app. Temperature sensors can help track ovulation, while underwater temperature sensors may come in handy while swimming and snorkeling. Both also support fall-detection and crash-detection as a safety feature. All three models have a compass and altimeter. The Apple Watch Ultra 2 has an onboard SOS siren, as well as dive features like a depth gauge. Water features were added to the Apple Watch Series 10, but with a shallower depth rating (just six meters, as compared to 40 meters on the Ultra). The Ultra includes blood oxygen sensors, but a patent dispute has forced Apple to disable that health feature on new models sold in the US and the hardware isn’t present in the new flagship model.

All three models support near field communication (NFC), the chip that enables Apple Pay. Once you set it up using the Apple Watch app on your iPhone, you can pay for stuff at any store that accepts Apple Pay, even if you don’t have your phone with you.

Displays and case sizes

The wide-angle OLED display on the Apple Watch 10 lets you see the always-on display from more angles. The Ultra 2 also has an always-on display, but you’ll have to lift your wrist to tell time or read notifications on the SE. The SE can reach a maximum brightness of 1,000 nits, the Series 10 can get as bright as 2,000 and the Ultra 2 hits 3,000 nits. Both higher-end screens can dim to a single nit, making them less distracting in the dark.

The Apple Watch Series 10 came with a new finish and case material — a glossy anodized jet black finish on the aluminum model and the option for a titanium case. The Ultra 2 also got a new finish, satin black, that utilizes a PVD (physical vapor deposition) process to apply the color.

As for case sizes, the SE is available in 40 or 44mm. The Series 10 increased in size from the prior generation and now has a choice of a 42 or 46mm case. The Ultra 2 comes in just one size measuring 49mm. You also get the opportunity to pick the length and style for watch bands. The SE and Series 10 come in small/medium or medium/large and the Ultra 2 gives you the choice of small, medium or large.

Battery life

Since it’s the largest wearable, the Apple Watch Ultra 2 sports the biggest battery and can last for a claimed 36 hours on a charge. That number jumps up to 72 hours if you turn on low power mode. Both the Apple Watch 10 and the SE are rated by Apple to go for 18 hours before they need a visit to the charger, and longer when using battery saver mode. That means if you want to use either of those models regularly for sleep tracking, you may need to recharge them a bit before bed.

Fitness and wellness features

Believe it or not, all three Apple Watches have similar fitness tracker chops. The Activity app uses three “rings” to keep tabs on how much you’re moving in a day: The Move ring tracks your active calories; the Exercise ring monitors the minutes you’ve spent walking, running, doing yoga and so on; and the Stand ring tells you how many hours in a day you’ve stood up and moved around for at least one minute.

Different internal sensors detect those activities, for example the accelerometer senses when you’re moving versus sitting still, and the optical heart rate sensor judges how hard you’re working out and how many calories you’ve burned. You can set your goals for each ring and you’ll earn badges and animations when you hit them.

The Workout app lets you start and track an exercise session. The sensors can even auto-detect when you’re working out, tapping your wrist to suggest you track the activity. Apple Watches will integrate with Apple’s Fitness+ subscription, displaying real time heart rate and calorie burn data on your iPhone, iPad or even Apple TV 4K as you take a class. Fitness+ also includes audio-guided walks and runs with just your watch and Bluetooth earbuds. All three models support the Activity and Workout apps for free. The Fitness+ app also works with all Apple Watches, but costs $10 per month.

New features enabled with watchOS 11 include Training Load that gauges your body’s response to workouts over time, which could help athletes better prepare for events like marathons. Users can also now skip a day (or more) from fitness tracking metrics when they need to rest or aren’t feeling up to the challenge of closing their rings. The new OS also supports offline maps, which could prove useful when hiking far from cellular coverage. Upcoming features of the next operating system (watchOS 26) will include an AI Workout Buddy to coach you through your next run via your connected Airpods.

Siri

You can get the weather, start a workout, identify a song and dictate a text just by asking Siri. All Apple Watch models support the Raise to Speak feature that bypasses the need to say “Hey Siri” and will instead listen for your request when you lift your wrist near your mouth.

Both the Series 10 and the Ultra 2 utilize onboard processing of Siri requests. That means executing simple requests like starting workouts and timers are quicker, as they won’t need to access external networks. However, requests like sending texts or getting weather forecasts still need to communicate with Wi-Fi or cellular, so you’ll need to have your phone nearby if you have a GPS-only model.

Carbon neutral options

The Apple Watch Series 9 with the aluminum case was the company’s first carbon neutral product. Apple defines its carbon neutral products as those that use “100 percent clean electricity for manufacturing and product use, 30 percent recycled or renewable material by weight and 50 percent of shipping without the use of air transportation.” Combined, Apple says those changes reduced the emissions by around 75 percent, and the company will use credits so make up for the remaining emissions.

Currently, the Apple Watch Series 10 in either aluminum or titanium with the sport loop band, braided solo loop or Milanese loop, and the Apple Watch Ultra 2 with the trail loop or alpine loop bands are designated as carbon neutral products.

Price

There’s a $550 difference between the cheapest and most expensive Apple Watches. For $250 (and often on sale for less), you can get the 40mm Apple Watch SE with GPS-only connectivity; adding cellular connectivity ups the price by $50. The Apple Watch Series 10 starts at $399 for the 42mm, non-cellular model in aluminum and goes as high as $749 for the 46mm titanium case (which is only available with GPS and cellular). The Apple Watch Ultra 2 has just one price: $799 for a titanium 49mm case with both GPS and cellular power — though if you want the titanium Apple Watch Band, the price goes up. For any model you pick, you’ll probably also want a few Apple Watch accessories, so you may want to factor that into your purchasing decision.

How we tested Apple Watches

Engadget has been reviewing Apple Watches since the first one came out in 2015. Since then, we’ve tested every subsequent model Apple has released, including the Ultra and SE models, spending at least a few days or even a couple weeks with one strapped to our wrists. During that time, we run, hit the gym, go on hikes and wear it while sleeping, all the while gauging how it tracks various metrics, integrates with the iPhone and performs every other trick Apple claims its smartwatches can do.

Since we also review smartwatches from other companies, such as Samsung and Google, our editors can compare Apple Watches not just to previous generations, but also to other wearables on the market. Our buying guides and recommendations rely on first-hand testing by Engadget staff.

Apple Watch comparison chart

A leak today provides a better idea of what first-party accessories, like Pixel Buds 2a, Google could announce alongside the Pixel 10 series in a few weeks.

According to @MysteryLupin, “Google Pixel Buds 2a” are coming in Hazel, Strawberry, Iris, and Fog Light. That presumably translates to green, red, purple, and a light blue. Today’s A-Series dates back to 2021, with Google seeing the need to offer an affordable pair of headphones. 

Meanwhile, today’s leak — which is presumably based on retail listings — says Google will release a new Pixel Buds Pro 2 color: “Sterling.” That should be gray and would match the Pixel 10 Pro/XL. Hopefully, we get a Feature Drop-level update that makes Gemini on headphones more capable. This matches how Made by Google 2023 saw two new colors for the original Pixel Buds Pro and a sizable software update.

We get additional storage and color confirmation today for the phones. Of note is how the Pixel 10 Pro Fold might be available in a 1 TB model. The foldable will be offerred in Moonstone (gray) and Jade (dark green).

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Finally, there’s the “Google Pixel Charger” in “Rock Candy” (white) and the “Google Pixel Wireless Charger.” The former is presumably a charging puck, like Apple’s MagSafe Charger. The latter sounds more like a Pixel Stand (3) successor than the previous “Pixelsnap Charger with Stand” leak.