After years of defaulting to Google’s well-loved Roboto font, it seems the company is preparing to change ChromeOS to use a new default font in most cases.
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Kyle Bradshaw joined 9to5Google in 2018 with a special interest in Google’s Fuchsia OS, rooted in his experience of being the first to offer a visual preview of the revolutionary design of the in-development operating system. Since then, his attention has broadened to include the secrets hidden within other areas of Google’s public codebases.
By reading the public Fuchsia code, Kyle was able to prove the existence of the Nest Mini and the Nest Hub Max months ahead of their respective announcements. With evidence from Chromium, he reported on Google’s since-canceled efforts to create an offshoot of Android designed for “touchless” feature phones.
In 2018, Kyle reported on three distinct Made by Google Chromebooks in development, the Pixel Slate, the Pixelbook Go — a full year before its release — and “Meowth,” the original version of the Pixel Slate that was canceled due to Intel’s delays that year. For ChromeOS itself, Kyle was the first to demonstrate the upcoming light theme redesign in action.
Looking at the early evidence of the Pixel 5’s specs, Kyle accurately predicted in February 2020 that the Pixel 5 might not be a traditional “flagship” phone. In 2021, he reported that Google’s next headset would be the “Pixel Buds A.”
Kyle was the first to report that the Pixel 6 would mark the debut of Google’s in-house processors, later revealed to be the Tensor chips.
Kyle contributes to the APK Insight column at 9to5Google, discovering the hidden changes in Google’s apps. These efforts have revealed hotly anticipated features, details about upcoming devices, and unexpected connections between companies.
He can be reached for tips or just friendly chat by Threads, Mastodon, Bluesky, or email. If you’re looking for his other works or side projects, head over to Kyle’s personal portfolio.
Google confirms Wear OS 5 and Android TV updates are coming, more at I/O
We’re just a few weeks away from Google I/O 2024, and the company has seemingly revealed that major updates are coming in the form of Wear OS 5 and a new version of Android TV.
Expand Expanding CloseNew ‘Nest Audio’ and ‘Nest Hub Max’ spotted in Google Home app
Things are really heating up for Google’s 2024 hardware releases, and the hits keep coming. In the latest update to the Google Home app, our team has found evidence of a new Nest Audio speaker and, surprisingly, a new Nest Hub Max.
Expand Expanding CloseWear OS-powered Google smartwatch shows up at FCC, but it’s likely not Pixel Watch 3
Ahead of what is sure to be a busy year of hardware launches for Google, a new Wear OS-powered smartwatch has been listed with the FCC today, but it doesn’t seem to be the Pixel Watch 3.
Expand Expanding CloseComment: Google One VPN may have suffered from a lack of trust
Last week, Google announced that it would soon shut down the VPN service included with Google One. The company pointed to it only being used by a fraction of subscribers, and I wonder if part of that is due to a lack of consumer trust.
Expand Expanding CloseAcer unveils Chromebook Plus 514 w/ all-day battery for $399
Today, Acer is showcasing its latest ChromeOS hardware, the Chromebook Plus 514, striking a strong balance between affordability, productivity, and portability.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle Photos readies ‘Collections’ tab and clutter filter
Google Photos is preparing to replace the Library tab with a redesigned “Collections” page alongside a new way to filter out “clutter.”
Expand Expanding ClosePixel Tablet will let you ‘Look and Sign’ to Assistant
Following rumors of a Pixel Tablet 2 in the works, Google appears to be readying a new “Look and Sign” feature to enable a new way to interact with the Google Assistant.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle’s next foldable may be the ‘Pixel 9 Pro Fold’
According to a new report, Google appears to be aligning its next foldable Android phone with the rest of this fall’s Pixel 9 lineup by branding it the “Pixel 9 Pro Fold.”
Expand Expanding CloseAndroid 15: Privacy upgrades can fight Stingrays, hide your device name
With Android 15 Beta 1, Google is introducing a handful of upgrades that should help protect your privacy while browsing with Wi-Fi or cellular.
Expand Expanding CloseGemini Pro arrives in Android Studio
Initially launching last year as “Studio Bot,” Google is renaming its AI-powered app development assistant to “Gemini in Android Studio.”
Expand Expanding CloseAndroid 15’s Private Space will recommend using a separate Google Account
Google seems to be thoroughly considering the privacy implications of Android’s upcoming “Private Space” feature, as the company will suggest users create a separate Google account.
Expand Expanding CloseWhen did we stop talking to each other?
In short order, the explosion of generative AI technology has changed the way we read and write for one another, especially in journalism and blogging. While the many AI tools all appear to be useful on the surface, I fear we’ve lost our human connection along the way.
Expand Expanding CloseOur favorite Android apps to replace Google Podcasts
For those in the US, Google Podcasts is set to shut down after today, April 2. We’ve tested quite a few other podcast apps on Android and selected our favorite replacements for Google Podcasts.
Expand Expanding CloseChrome for Android may soon help ‘declutter’ your too many tabs
If you’ve ever opened enough tabs on your phone to swap the indicator to a smiley face ( :D ), Chrome for Android has just the “declutter” feature you need in the works.
Expand Expanding CloseVisible+ gains free smartwatch service, faster hotspot, more
Verizon’s MVNO carrier Visible is enhancing its premium Visible+ plans with a handful of new features, including smartwatch service and a faster hotspot, all for the same price.
Expand Expanding CloseGemini is moving closer to launching on tablets [Gallery]
In the latest beta version of the Google Search app, the company has moved closer to launching its Gemini chatbot on tablets.
Expand Expanding CloseCuriosity kills the phone: Here’s why you shouldn’t uninstall ‘Android system’
Have you ever wondered what would happen if you tried to uninstall the “Android system” app on your phone? One person on Twitter/X found out the hard way so you don’t have to.
Expand Expanding CloseAndroid 15 DP2: ‘Audio sharing’ will play music on multiple headphones
If you’ve ever wanted to listen to music or watch a video with a friend without disturbing others nearby, Android 15’s new “Audio sharing” feature may be just what you’re looking for.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle DeepMind cofounder hired to lead Microsoft’s AI efforts
According to Bloomberg, Microsoft has hired Mustafa Suleyman, one of the cofounders of Google’s DeepMind, to lead its consumer AI initiatives.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle Pixel 8a reaches FCC, moves closer to launch
With spring swiftly approaching, it’s almost time to get our hands on the Pixel 8a. Ahead of its expected launch, the Google Pixel 8a has been submitted for approval from the FCC.
Expand Expanding CloseYou can soon play GOG games on Amazon Luna
PC gaming storefront GOG has announced a partnership with Amazon Luna, allowing supported games in your library to be played in the cloud.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle just trademarked a signature Pixel design trait
While quite a few things have changed about Pixel phones over the years, one key part of the design has remained the same, and now Google has filed a US trademark for it.
Expand Expanding ClosePeloton app may soon let you form teams with friends and family
The latest update to the Peloton app includes preparations to let members form teams with their friends and family members.
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