Alphabet Scoop 086: I/O 2020 and the coronavirus, March Pixel Feature Drop

This week we talk about coronavirus (COVID-19) and its wide-ranging impact on Google from the I/O 2020 developer conference to consumer-facing offerings. In other news, we take a look at everything new with the March Pixel Feature Drop.

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New episodes of Alphabet Scoop are recorded every Thursday afternoon at 4-5 PM ET and published on Friday mornings. Subscribe to our podcast in Google Play or your favorite podcast player to guarantee new episodes are delivered as soon as they’re available.

Hosts:

• Stephen Hall
• Abner Li

Links:

• Report: A Google employee has tested positive for the coronavirus
• 8,000 Googlers in Dublin working from home tomorrow after possible coronavirus case
• Google cancels ‘physical’ I/O 2020 due to coronavirus concerns
• Google cancels in-person Cloud Next ’20 for ‘Digital Connect’ conference due to coronavirus
• Google, Stadia planning ‘digital’ dev summit after GDC’s coronavirus postponement
• Google making premium Hangouts Meet free for G Suite to help combat coronavirus
• Alphabet’s DeepMind hopes to aid researchers with AI insight into COVID-19 virus structure
• Google Play hides search results for ‘coronavirus’ Android apps
• Play Store suggests apps to ‘stay informed’ about coronavirus as search still disabled
• YouTube will turn off ads on videos talking about coronavirus
• [Update: Removed] Google Pixel Buds (2020) get wireless charging certification ahead of release
• Samsung blames ‘dismal’ initial Galaxy S20 sales on coronavirus fears
• Google’s March Pixel Feature Drop adds Cards & Passes, Motion Sense play/pause, more
• Pixel 4 March update fixes face unlock bug, improves camera, and much more
• Google Pay to support adding flight boarding passes w/ screenshot, only on Pixel
• Google Pixel’s ‘Now Playing’ feature will no longer show songs you’re casting
• Google Pixel devices can pin apps to Android’s share menu w/ March security update
• What are you most excited for from the latest Pixel Feature Drop? [Poll]

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