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Google lays out Manifest V3’s 2023 transition timeline for Chrome extensions
Manifest V3 is how you’re meant to build Chrome extensions, and Google today laid out a more detailed transition timeline away from Manifest V2.
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Chrome Web Store adding Established Publisher and Featured extension badges
Over the past few years, Google has worked to clean up, boost privacy, and increase security on the Chrome Web Store. The latest effort introduces badges in the Chrome Web Store to better highlight high-quality extensions.
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How to check your heart rate with the Google Pixel 6 and 6 Pro
Earlier this week, Google pushed a feature that could check your heart rate on the Pixel 6 and 6 Pro without the use of a smartwatch. By reading the minute details in your index fingertip using the Pixel’s camera, Google Fit can identify your BPM. This allows anyone with a Pixel 6 or 6 Pro to check their heart rate on the go in seconds without external hardware.
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Making the most of Android 12 widgets with customization
Android not only offers a lot of new AI-driven processing capabilities, but it also adds a little flare to the quality of life department. With the addition of Material You, wallpapers mesh well with the UI adding a cohesiveness that many people love about their Pixel 6 and 6 Pro. In addition, Google’s widgets play along well and are easy to customize, allowing you to tailor the Android 12 experience even better.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle requiring Chrome Web Store devs to enable 2FA, combine repetitive extensions, more
Google today announced the latest set of policy changes to limit extensions abuse and improve security of the Chrome Web Store. This includes requiring 2FA for Chrome Web Store developers and cracking down on deceptive installations.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle apps will stop using tracking ID that would require upcoming iOS 14 permission prompt
With iOS 14, Apple is requiring app developers to tell users about and have them opt-in to tracking. Google announced today that its first-party iOS apps will stop using certain tracking methods to avoid having to show the upcoming permission prompt. Meanwhile, the company also provided guidance to developers and advertisers ahead of Apple’s App Tracking Transparency initiative.
Expand Expanding CloseChrome Web Store requiring developers to disclose what data extensions collect
Over the past few years, Google has been continuously working to make Chrome extensions safer. Developers now have to limit what they do with collected data, while the Chrome Web Store early next year will feature a privacy practices disclosure .
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Google is pulling the plug on paid Chrome extensions over the next year
Earlier this year, Google announced some changes to the Chrome Web Store in an effort to curb malicious extensions. Now, Google is announcing that paid Chrome extensions will no longer be available.
Expand Expanding CloseOver 70 malicious Chrome add-ons w/ 32 million downloads removed from Chrome Web Store
Google has removed over 70 add-ons from the Web Store for the Chrome web browser after reports of malicious activity.
Here’s every Google app with a dark mode, and how to enable it [Updated]
For years now, the Android community has cried out for dark themes in applications and the system throughout, all while Google continued to slap more and more white themes basically everywhere. Slowly but surely, though, we’ve been seeing more Google dark mode apps in tons of apps and services. Here’s every Google dark mode app available today including Android, YouTube, Calendar, Chrome, and many more.
Google imposes new restrictions on Chrome extensions to help prevent spam
Since the Chrome Web Store has become the sole source of Chrome extensions, as well as a begrudging secondary provider for Microsoft Edge extensions, safety and security is of the utmost importance. To that end, Google has announced a new set of restrictions on Chrome extensions that should help cut back on spam.
Chrome Web Store requiring up-front registration fee for all extension developers
Google today announced “two significant changes” to the Chrome Web Store for extension developers. There’s a new default dashboard and up-front registration fee likely aimed at combating spam.
New ‘Lab’ poised to bring home screen Google Doodles to non-Pixel Android phones
Last year, Google brought some of their signature homepage “Doodles” to the home screen search bar of Pixel phones. Now, it looks like Google may be bringing those same Doodles to non-Pixel Android phones in the near future, starting with a “Lab” experiment.
Google removes Avast, AVG extensions from Chrome Web Store after data collection concerns
In recent weeks, Adblock Plus creator Wladimir Palant detailed how four browser extensions from Avast and AVG “upload detailed browsing profiles of their users.” Google this evening removed three of those named add-ons from the Chrome Web Store.
How to transcribe speech using Google’s Live Transcribe app
Speech-to-text technology has come a long way since the days of slowly droning into a microphone, hoping that the dictation software gets it at least half right. These days, applications like Siri or the Google Assistant can understand natural speech in real time, with high levels of accuracy. Using your voice to write or control your tech is pretty convenient, but that same technology can be pretty useful for people with hearing problems or anyone who needs live transcriptions of spoken language. That’s where Google’s Live Transcribe comes into the picture.
How to create a PDF from a document in Google Docs
A PDF file is one of the most widely used document types. It can be shared across multiple platforms, compressed into a smaller size easily, and cannot be edited without leaving a digital footprint. These are some of the reasons that you’ll see PDFs used for legal documents like contracts and such. You can create your own PDFs straight from documents in Google Docs a few different ways.
How to set up location-based reminders in Google Keep
The ability to receive a notification for a reminder can be a lifesaver. And one thing that makes those alerts even better is when they’re based on your location. If you need to ask your boss about that raise when you get to the office or print those concert tickets when you get to the library, location-based reminders come to the rescue. Google Keep offers handy location reminders, and here’s how to set them up.
[Update: Migration begins] G Suite add-ons moving from Chrome Web Store to G Suite Marketplace
Google’s G Suite offers a rich platform to build upon, allowing developers to create G Suite extensions for Docs and Sheets or apps powered by Drive. These extensions are currently available from the Chrome Web Store, but Google has decided to give them a new home in the G Suite Marketplace.
[Update: OS dependent] Messages for Web updated with RCS settings, now available on Google.com
Last year, a change to Chrome OS revealed that Messages for Web would be transitioning from Android.com to Google.com. This lined up with the recent transition from the “Android Messages” name to simply “Messages.” Today, a slightly updated version of Messages for Web with RCS settings has gone live on Google.com.
Gmail will drop support for IFTTT integration starting March 31
If This Then That, better known as IFTTT, will soon drop support for Gmail integration after Google announced that certain third-party apps will no longer be able to connect to your email account for automation purposes.
Google Duo adds exclusive video filters for Indian Holi festival
Google Duo has now officially added a series of bright and colorful video filters that add colorful powder, borders, sunglasses, and food to short messages to help Indian users celebrate the Holi festival.
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Over 150 millions users have downloaded one of 200 SimBad adware infected Google Play Store apps
The Google Play Store has had its fair share of security issues. In this latest instance, the SimBad rogue adware was found by the Check Point research team to have infected over 200 now-gone apps on the Google Play Store (via Android Police).
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11 further US banks get Google Pay support for March 2019
Google Pay is such a convenient contactless payment method and now it has expanded to a further 11 US banks.
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Google launches Bolo, an app to teach Indian kids to learn Hindi and English
Google has released a brand new app called Bolo (which translates literally to ‘speak’ in Hindi) which has been designed to help children learn both Hindi and English.