Technologies

Google Introduces New Android Features in Pixel Beta Update

Participants in the Android Beta Program get first dibs on the next update, which is set to land in official form next year

Hot on the heels of the latest Android release earlier this month, Google is back with another update for Pixel users participating in the Android Beta Program. QPR3 Beta 1 is our first glimpse into changes coming for these phones and will be made available to devices in an official form sometime early next year.

The latest beta update includes some housekeeping features for added polish, as well as features that you may have seen elsewhere before. Outside of a few notable tweaks, changes are minimal, and additional features will be introduced as the beta updates continue to roll out over the coming months.

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Which Pixel devices are eligible for QPR3 Beta 1?

The Pixel-only update can be installed on any devices from Pixel 6 and beyond. The complete list of supported devices is below.

Pixel 6 and 6 Pro
Pixel 6a
Pixel 7 and 7 Pro
Pixel 7a
Pixel Fold
Pixel Tablet
Pixel 8 and 8 Pro
Pixel 8a
Pixel 9, 9 Pro, 9 Pro XL, and 9 Pro Fold
Pixel 9a
Pixel 10, 10 Pro, 10 Pro XL, and 10 Pro Fold

What’s new in this update?

For the first beta of this quarterly release, there’s a decent amount of tweaks to pore over, but we’ll touch on just a few highlights.

Adjust flashlight brightness

Google has introduced a way for Android users to adjust the brightness of their flashlight while it’s on, and it resembles the way iOS handles this feature. It’s a welcome feature for those times when you may need just a little light, not a blaring spotlight.

Remove the At A Glance widget

The At A Glance widget has adorned Pixel home screens for a long time, providing helpful information without requiring you to search for it. Weather, calendar updates, Pixel Watch charging notifications, and an easy way to turn your flashlight on and off are just some of the things the widget can do. Previously, it was more of a permanent fixture on your home screen that you couldn’t remove, even if you wanted to.

With QPR3 beta 1, you can now remove the widget completely, regaining some space on your home screen.

Better placement showing apps that are using your location

Google has improved the way you’re notified when an app is using your location. Previously, the location symbol would appear at the top right corner of your phone’s status bar, blending in with the other icons there. Now, a blue notification dot will appear at the top right of your screen, making it easier to notice when your location is being used.

How to install the Android QPR3 Beta 1 update

If you have a compatible device, the easiest way to install the latest QPR3 update is to sign up for the Android Beta Program. Here’s how:

Go to the Android Beta Program website.
Log in to your Google account.
Scroll down to view your eligible devices.
Next to the device on which you want to install the update, click «opt in.»

That’s it. Eventually, you’ll receive a notification that an update is available, and from there, you can download and install the latest Android beta from Google.

Technologies

Stuck in a Coffee Rut? ChatGPT Can Now Plan Your Next Starbucks Order

Don’t be surprised if the chatbot suggests mixing espresso with lemonade.

If you like getting your daily cup of coffee from Starbucks, you’ll now be able to consult with ChatGPT for your next beverage. Starbucks said on Wednesday that a new Starbucks app in ChatGPT, now in beta, will help you figure out your next order based on your mood or craving in the moment.

Although you won’t be able to order your Starbucks coffee directly through the ChatGPT app, it will suggest drinks and menu items you may enjoy, then direct you to the Starbucks app or website to complete your order.

OpenAI has added a host of other apps you can interact with in ChatGPT since announcing the functionality last year. You can do everything from browsing home listings to designing playlists without leaving the chatbot interface.

You’ll be able to use prompts like, «@Starbucks, I want something bright to start my morning,» or upload an image to describe your mood and location. Once the menu suggestion appears in ChatGPT, you can start the order through the chatbot and then complete it in the Starbucks app or online.

Paul Riedel, senior vice president of digital and loyalty at Starbucks, said in a statement that Starbucks noticed customers weren’t always starting off by looking at the menu. «They’re starting with a feeling,» he said. «We wanted to meet customers right in that moment of inspiration and make it easier than ever to find a drink that fits.»

Starbucks said interacting with ChatGPT lets you personalize your order more and discover menu options you never considered before.

(Disclosure: Ziff Davis, CNET’s parent company, in 2025 filed a lawsuit against OpenAI, alleging it infringed Ziff Davis copyrights in training and operating its AI systems.)

When I tried out the new feature, I asked it about the oddest beverage combinations you can get at Starbucks. One interesting combo ChatGPT came up with was espresso with lemonade. The AI described another drink as «basically liquid dessert soup,» if that’s more up your alley.

Technologies

Today’s NYT Connections: Sports Edition Hints and Answers for April 16, #570

Here are hints and the answers for the NYT Connections: Sports Edition puzzle for April 16 No. 570.

Looking for the most recent regular Connections answers? Click here for today’s Connections hints, as well as our daily answers and hints for The New York Times Mini Crossword, Wordle and Strands puzzles.

Today’s Connections: Sports Edition is a fun one, especially if you enjoy unusual team names. If you’re struggling with today’s puzzle but still want to solve it, read on for hints and the answers.

Connections: Sports Edition is published by The Athletic, the subscription-based sports journalism site owned by The Times. It doesn’t appear in the NYT Games app, but it does in The Athletic’s own app. Or you can play it for free online.

Read more: NYT Connections: Sports Edition Puzzle Comes Out of Beta

Hints for today’s Connections: Sports Edition groups

Here are four hints for the groupings in today’s Connections: Sports Edition puzzle, ranked from the easiest yellow group to the tough (and sometimes bizarre) purple group.

Yellow group hint: Put your glasses on for this.

Green group hint: Hoops home.

Blue group hint: The minors.

Purple group hint: Hidden hoops word.

Answers for today’s Connections: Sports Edition groups

Yellow group: Look at.

Green group: Seen at an NBA court.

Blue group: Double-A baseball teams.

Purple group: Starts with a WNBA team.

Read more: Wordle Cheat Sheet: Here Are the Most Popular Letters Used in English Words

What are today’s Connections: Sports Edition answers?

The yellow words in today’s Connections

The theme is look at. The four answers are observe, spectate, view and watch.

The green words in today’s Connections

The theme is seen at an NBA court. The four answers are benches, half-court logo, scorer’s table and shot clock.

The blue words in today’s Connections

The theme is double-A baseball teams. The four answers are Biscuits, Drillers, Trash Pandas and Wind Surge.

The purple words in today’s Connections

The theme is starts with a WNBA team. The four answers are dreamy, firefly, Skype and sundial.

Technologies

Today’s NYT Mini Crossword Answers for Thursday, April 16

Here are the answers for The New York Times Mini Crossword for April 16.

Looking for the most recent Mini Crossword answer? Click here for today’s Mini Crossword hints, as well as our daily answers and hints for The New York Times Wordle, Strands, Connections and Connections: Sports Edition puzzles.

Need some help with today’s Mini Crossword? It’s pretty simple, but 1-Across is a bit tricky. Read on for all the answers. And if you could use some hints and guidance for daily solving, check out our Mini Crossword tips.

If you’re looking for today’s Wordle, Connections, Connections: Sports Edition and Strands answers, you can visit CNET’s NYT puzzle hints page.

Read more: Tips and Tricks for Solving The New York Times Mini Crossword

Let’s get to those Mini Crossword clues and answers.