Google Wallet is apparently set to expand to India, with an early Play Store listing revealing local integrations and more.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle Wallet appears to be gearing up for launch in India
Author
Ben Schoon is a Senior Editor at 9to5Google, working for the publication as one of its primary news writers since 2016.
In 2013, Ben helped start an independent tech publication where he learned the skills used at 9to5Google including writing, product photography, and videography. He is located in the city of Winston-Salem in North Carolina where he lives with his wife Melissa. Ben is an avid disc golf player.
He primarily covers Android products, including Google Pixel devices, Samsung Galaxy smartphones, as well as devices from OnePlus, Oppo, Motorola, and more. Beyond just covering news about these products, Ben also spends time using these products himself, speaking from experience with the articles he writes. Some of Ben’s most recent hands-on reviews include; Pixel 8 Pro, Pixel Watch 2, Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5, Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra, Motorola Razr+, HP Dragonfly Pro Chromebook, and more.
Ben is also a leading source for information about Google’s Android TV, diving deeply into important parts of the platform including its powerful Operator Tier, explaining future changes to the platform, and reviewing its products such as Chromecast with Google TV, Nvidia Shield TV, and more.
In 2019, Ben leaked one of the first in-person photos of the Pixel 4 before later revealing the Recorder and Pixel Themes apps months ahead of launch. In 2020, Ben also reported on multiple upcoming Pixel devices including Pixel 5a and the first report of Google working on a foldable Pixel smartphone. That same month, he was also the first to correctly report the $49 price point of what became the Chromecast with Google TV.
Ben Schoon is active on Twitter, @nexusben, but can also be found on Instagram and LinkedIn. For questions or tips, you can email him directly, and his portfolio is also available online.
Email: schoon@9to5mac.com | Encrypted Email: benschoon@protonmail.com
Why doesn’t anyone else have a keyboard experience as good as Google Pixel?
The keyboard is integral to how you use a smartphone, so when it’s not good, you notice it. Over the past few months, I’ve really been noticing just how much better the keyboard experience on Google Pixel is compared to everywhere else, and it’s a little crazy that no one else seems to measure up.
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Moto Buds+ have Bose audio and 8-hour battery for $129
Launching today, the new Moto Buds+ deliver Bose audio and some good battery life for $129.
Expand Expanding CloseMotorola will launch new flagship Android phones in the US this year
Motorola is today officially launching its Edge 50 series of flagship-tier Android phones in global markets, and also confirming that new flagships will also be coming to the US later this year.
Expand Expanding CloseAndroid to grow at ‘twice the pace of iOS’ in 2024, IDC says
As the smartphone market changes, Android is reportedly set to grow significantly in 2024, at “twice the pace” of Apple’s iOS, apparently.
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Google One is also removing free shipping for Photos prints
Alongside removing its VPN, Google One is also removing a perk that offered free shipping for prints from Google Photos.
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Android 15 seems to be adding support for wireless charging via NFC
Wireless charging is typically handled by the Qi standard, but it seems Android is adding overdue support for charging via NFC, but it’s unclear what it may be used for.
Expand Expanding CloseDid you even use the Google One VPN? [Poll]
In the months to come, Google will be shutting down the VPN that was available as a part of Google One. There’s been plenty of outcry surrounding the shutdown, but did you even use it?
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Threads tests a ‘Message’ button, but it’s just for Instagram DMs
Meta’s Threads has proven itself to be a worthy competitor to Twitter, but the platform has long been missing support for private messages. Now, though, Threads is testing a “Message” button that appears on user profiles.
Expand Expanding CloseSamsung takes back #1 spot in global smartphone shipments from Apple, at least for now
Samsung has been the top player in the global smartphone market for a while but, recently, the company briefly lost its crown to Apple. Now, though, it seems like things are back in Samsung’s favor.
Expand Expanding CloseSamsung officially bringing One UI 6.1 and AI features to Galaxy S22, Fold 4, Flip 4 in May
After launching first on the Galaxy S24 series earlier this year, Samsung’s Galaxy AI features are officially expanding to older Galaxy devices including Galaxy S22, Fold 4, Flip 4, and Tab S8.
Expand Expanding ClosePixel 9, Fold 2, Tablet 2 with 5G reportedly get new Samsung modem with satellite connectivity
According to a new report, Google’s upcoming Pixel hardware including the Pixel 9 series, Pixel Fold 2, and a 5G-connected Pixel Tablet will be getting a new cellular modem, an overdue upgrade.
Expand Expanding CloseAndroid’s Find My Device network highlights Google’s neglect of UWB… so far
This week, after a massive delay, Google finally started the rollout of Android’s Find My Device network. It’s existing, but it also highlights the fact that Google, and Android as a whole, have severely neglected UWB tech.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle preps one-stop hub for all its location-sharing services on Android
Location sharing can be a useful tool, but if you lose track of what you’re sharing, it can be a headache to find it all. On Android, Google is now prepping a dedicated page that will host all of your location-sharing services in one spot.
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Android’s Find My Device network launch catapults Pebblebee’s tracker sales
Google this week launched the Find My Device network and, soon, that will support tracker devices. As a result, Pebblebee says it has seen its highest sales since the company’s start on the back of Find My Device.
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Microsoft is sticking ads in the Windows 11 Start menu
Ads in Windows are nothing really new, but Microsoft is now starting to push ads in the Start menu of Windows 11.
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Beeper says its desktop and iOS apps will get redesigns similar to Android app
After three years in closed testing, Beeper is now available to everyone and, with it, the company is also confirming plans to bring its big Android redesign to its desktop and iOS apps next.
Expand Expanding CloseHonor Magic 6 Pro Review: If only it remembered it’s running Android
“The best phone.” It’s a tough crown to achieve, because there’s a lot to balance in terms of hardware, software, and the overall experience. Despite a hefty Android skin, though, I think the Honor Magic 6 Pro gets really close to this title, or at least it would, if its best features remembered how Android actually works.
Expand Expanding CloseTCL is making AI-generated ‘originals’ for its Google TVs, and it’s as bad as you think [Video]
TCL has seen quite a bit of success from its “TCLtv+” app for Google TV, and the company is now stepping into “original” content in the most 2024 way possible with laughably bad AI in “Next Stop Paris.”
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Motorola teases new flagship phone launching on April 16
Motorola is gearing up for a new launch this month, and the company will be equipping its next flagship with speedy 125W fast charging again.
Expand Expanding CloseNothing’s new earbuds leak again, this time in more colors [Gallery]
Nothing has announced an April 18 event to unveil Ear and Ear (a), but leaks are spoiling the surprise a bit, as new renders show off the new earbuds in more color variants.
Expand Expanding CloseGmail preps ‘Subscriptions’ manager that shows who’s clogging your inbox
The battle against the email inbox is one that we all face, and subscriptions are among the most annoying things that get in the way of the infamous “inbox zero.” Now, Gmail appears to be preparing a new “Subscriptions” filter that can put those emails in one place, and also show the biggest culprits.
Expand Expanding CloseSamsung says AI features are coming to these older Galaxy devices in May
Samsung’s new AI features are useful, but they’re only available to select devices. Now, though, Samsung has said that the Galaxy S22 and Galaxy S21, among other devices, will be getting AI features as soon as next month.
Expand Expanding CloseOnePlus Pad 2 is reportedly launching later this year
The OnePlus Pad was one of the best Android tablets in recent memory and, apparently, it’s getting a sequel this year in the “OnePlus Pad 2.”
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