According to new research, Google is working on a new Bluetooth tracker device to compete with Apple’s AirTags.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle reportedly working on ‘Grogu’ tracker to compete with Apple’s AirTags
Author
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.
Stadia Controller receives Bluetooth certification ahead of upcoming patch
Google has gotten full approval for the Stadia Controller’s new Bluetooth support ahead of the upcoming patch.
Expand Expanding CloseSearching for Stadia: Xbox Game Pass is cloud gaming’s best hope
Out of all of the current game streaming services, Xbox Game Pass is the one most likely to succeed in all the ways that Stadia failed, but Microsoft still has a lot of catching up to do.
Expand Expanding CloseA new Chromecast with Google TV is in the works
New evidence strongly suggests that a new Chromecast with Google TV dongle is on the way.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle Home app readies support for ‘legacy’ Nest Cams, as promised
As first promised in 2021, the Google Home app is making tangible progress toward fully supporting previous generations of Nest Cam hardware, including setup.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle Arts & Culture update brings new icon, ditches the museum look
Starting today, Google Arts & Culture has ditched its classic icon, styled after a museum, for something more modern.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle accidentally reveals an upcoming device will launch with Fuchsia
According to a swiftly deleted Google planning document, an upcoming device will have Fuchsia installed from day one.
Expand Expanding CloseAndroid 13 QPR2 Beta readies a way to record a specific app instead of your whole screen
Android 13 is preparing a new way to record the contents of a single app instead of recording the entirety of your screen.
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How to export & download your game saves from Google Stadia
With Google Stadia now set to come to a close in a matter of days, many gamers may be wondering what will happen to their years of progress across Stadia’s library of games. Thankfully, many of your saves are perfectly safe and can be easily moved to a PC or other platforms! Here’s how you can export and download your game saves from your Stadia account to use on Steam or Epic Games on PC/Mac.
Expand Expanding CloseSamsung January 2023 update rolling out for these Galaxy devices
While many are eagerly anticipating the upcoming launch of the Galaxy S23 series, Samsung is hard at work supporting its existing slate of phones with the newest security patch. A large chunk of Galaxy phones and tablets are already receiving the January 2023 Android security update — here’s the full list.
Expand Expanding CloseReview: Framework Chromebook is what enthusiasts have been waiting for
The Framework Laptop Chromebook Edition is a device unlike any other, tailor-made for the ChromeOS enthusiast, but a hard sell for anyone else.
Expand Expanding CloseAndroid 13 QPR2 Beta readies forced Material You themed icons for all apps
To bring more consistency to the home screen, Android 13 QPR2 Beta 2 includes early testing on a new way to automatically generate themed app icons.
Expand Expanding CloseAndroid 13 QPR2 Beta hints at how Pixel Tablet dock and stylus will work
The latest Beta preview of Android 13’s second quarterly update includes new details about the Google Pixel Tablet dock and ways to use the stylus.
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Google One has been downloaded over a billion times
The Google One app for Android, used to manage your Drive storage, access a free VPN, and obtain other benefits, has been downloaded over one billion times.
Expand Expanding CloseStadia for Android gets one final update before Google kills it
Google has given its Stadia app for Android one final update, adding an additional warning of the service’s shutdown later this month.
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Acer launching portable ‘Halo Swing’ Google Assistant speaker
At CES 2023, Acer unveiled the Halo Swing, a new portable outdoor-ready smart speaker powered by the Google Assistant.
Expand Expanding CloseAcer ‘Add-In-One’ attaches a Chromebox to a desktop monitor
Acer’s new “Add-In-One” system is an attempt to make a modular, upgradeable, all-in-one experience that runs on ChromeOS.
Expand Expanding CloseUpcoming ‘ADT+’ app can control Nest Cams and Thermostats
At CES 2023, the trusted home security company ADT announced a new app, ADT+, that makes it easy for customers to install and manage their own systems, including support for Nest Cams and Thermostats.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle has canceled nearly as many Pixelbooks as it has released – an abridged history
With the Pixelbook Go seemingly on the cusp of being discontinued, let’s take a look at each ChromeOS laptop/tablet successor that the Made by Google team appears to have canceled in the last four years.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle seems to be ramping up Fuchsia development going into 2023
Ahead of the new year, Google has been making preparations for more of its developers to work with the Fuchsia operating system.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle Chrome preparing an option to block insecure HTTP downloads
As HTTPS has become more common across the web, Google Chrome is preparing to launch a security option that will block “insecure” downloads through HTTP.
Expand Expanding CloseHere’s what it’ll be like to use the Google Pixel Tablet [Video]
Google has steadily been preparing for the upcoming Pixel Tablet launch, and we’re now able to show a fun video recreation of what it’ll be like to use the tablet.
Expand Expanding CloseFour features that would make the Google Pixel Watch smarter
After wearing the Pixel Watch on our wrists for two months now, there are a few key ways that we believe Google’s first smartwatch could be smarter and fit better into the Pixel lineup.
Expand Expanding CloseAndroid 13 is bringing Pixel’s Personal Safety app to more phones, including Xperia and Vivo
As Android 13 rolls out to more phones, the update is bringing the once Pixel-exclusive Personal Safety app to more devices including those from Sony Xperia and Vivo.
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