After months of testing, Android Desktop Mode finally arrives with the March Pixel Drop

Pixel 8 and newer models can connect to external displays via USB-C for a full desktop experience.

✅ Details - https://www.androidauthority.com/desktop-mode-march-pixel-drop-3646069/

@GappsLeaks

Google has announced that Journal app users on the Pixel 9 series will finally get a taste of the app’s generative AI smarts, including reflections, Revisit Topics, and Mood ID.

✅ Details - https://www.androidauthority.com/pixel-journal-pixel-9-3645986/

@GappsLeaks

⌚ Pixel Watch March Feature Drop

• Pixel Watch finally gets left-behind phone alerts, plus automatic phone lock on disconnect.

• Google is also streamlining payments and authentication with Express Pay and trusted unlock.

• Satellite SOS expands internationally, and Gesture control rolls back to the Pixel Watch 3.

✅ Details - https://www.androidauthority.com/google-pixel-watch-march-pixel-drop-3645960/

@GappsLeaks

The March 2026 Pixel Drop is now available for supported Pixel devices, introducing several new features and expanding others

• Custom AI- Generated Icons
• SpongeBob theme packs
• New Now Playing app
• Sports, Finance & commute on at a glance

✅ Check everything else here - https://www.androidauthority.com/march-2026-pixel-drop-3646073/

@GappsLeaks

Here is how you can generate custom AI icons in Google Pixel with the latest feature drop. It already has some inbuilt AI icons.

It doesn't let you enter your own prompts and works similar to how you generate AI wallpapers on pixels

H/T - @x237665

@GappsLeaks

Want to try AI icons on Android 17 beta 2 ?

• Download and install AI icons apk (available by default in QPR3)
• Update your theme packs app (if you haven't already from play store)
• Choose one of the SpongeBob theme to download in Theme pack section and apply it
• Then check the Icon section in wallpaper & styles, you should see existing icon packs and an option to create new icon pack as well.

Edit - I tried this on my pixel 9 and it worked, but can not guarantee that it will work for you.

@GappsLeaks

Google Photos for Android finally prepares to catch up with iOS features like manual photo stacks and the floating navigation bar

Along with Expressive UI changes to the backup section.

✅ Details & Screenshots - https://www.androidauthority.com/google-photos-manual-stacks-immersive-ui-apk-teardown-3646405/

@GappsLeaks

📞🖼️ Google Contacts app is rolling out the new UI for the contact details page for contacts that have a calling card set up.

We spotted this two ago weeks ago, now available with version 4.73 and above.

@GappsLeaks

🎵 This new UI for Now Playing on lockscreen is also rolling out in QPR3 for Google Pixel devices. It shows only when you tap on the name of the detected song, allowing you to quickly add it to favorites or play with the music app.

I spotted it first back in July 2025 :p

Google is introducing a program that makes sideloading qualified app stores even easier. Google's new Registered App Stores program will provide a more streamlined installation flow for Android app stores that meet certain quality and safety benchmarks

This Registered App Store program will begin outside of the US first, and Google intend to bring it to the US as well, subject to court approval.

@GappsLeaks

Gemini "Projects" may get a new name and a powerful NotebookLM tie-in

Leaked strings reveal "Notebooks" will let users group chats by topic and share sources between Gemini and NotebookLM

✅ More details - https://www.androidauthority.com/google-gemini-projects-notebooks-apk-teardown-3646849/

@GappsLeaks

Google is working on a new way for users to create scheduled actions in Gemini on Android

This includes a UI that allows users to name, describe, and schedule these actions — just like on the web.

✅ Details and screenshots - https://www.androidauthority.com/create-gemini-scheduled-actions-android-3646816/

@GappsLeaks

Gemini's markup tool will soon be available on AI generated images, helping you get the exact edits you want

A pencil icon will soon appear on generated images, opening a markup screen

✅ Details and screenshots - https://www.androidauthority.com/gemini-generated-image-markup-apk-teardown-3646829/

@GappsLeaks

On March 1st, 2026, Google Play Store began rolling out the wake lock technical quality treatments to improve battery drain.

In some cases, Google will display a warning on app store listing to indicate to users that the app may cause excessive battery drain.

@GappsLeaks

Gemini Live has some more tricks in the works for its overlay bar

Combined video and screen sharing buttons and a drag handle to go full screen

✅ Details and screenshots - https://www.androidauthority.com/gemini-live-overlay-2-3646956/

@GappsLeaks

🌤️ Pixel Weather app update brings new weather icons for improved contrast and clarity along with some UI tweaks

✅ Check details and all screenshots - https://www.androidauthority.com/pixel-weather-icons-3647007/

@GappsLeaks

​ChatGPT is testing features that let the app remember exactly where you left off, even after a force close. Plus, a new UI for image editing and "fun facts" profiles

✅ More details with video & screenshots - https://www.androidauthority.com/chatgpt-updates-3647070/

@GappsLeaks

And this is the current and new UI (WIP) when you tap the + button in the compose box in Gemini.

@GappsLeaks

Pixel Journal is working on a revamp with media layout controls, full-screen videos, and more control over reminders

✅ Details and screenshots - https://www.androidauthority.com/pixel-journal-ui-media-changes-apk-teardown-3647218/

@GappsLeaks