Google may be bringing back its classic “Wallet” name to be Android’s home for contactless payment cards and important passes.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle may be reviving ‘Wallet’ branding as home for payment cards and passes on Android [U]
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.
Google Search on desktop tests redesign that puts Images, Video, and more to the left
Google has been spotted testing a new redesign for Search that moves alternate search methods like Google Images over to the left-hand side.
Expand Expanding CloseThis week’s top stories: Google Photos unlimited backup returns, Weather Frog for Nest Hub, more
In this week’s top stories: Google Photos regains a carrier-exclusive unlimited backups plan, Weather Frog hops onto 2nd-gen Nest Hub, Waze gains a “Retro Mode,” and more.
Expand Expanding CloseNo, Chrome OS isn’t removing Smart Lock, just tweaking it
Recent reports have suggested that Chrome OS would be removing Smart Lock in the near future, but instead, Google is only tweaking the way it works, potentially to keep your account more secure.
Expand Expanding CloseBinary, music theory, tennis: How to solve the Google I/O 2022 teaser puzzle
Ahead of the announcement of Google I/O 2022, the company launched a special (and quite difficult!) puzzle to tease the conference. Get your thinking caps on because we’re going to dive into this puzzle and its solutions.
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Spotify update is causing playback and notification issues for some on Android [U: Fixed]
A recent update to the Spotify app for Android has been causing issues, with playback being interrupted or the notification-based controls disappearing.
Update: Spotify has now resolved this issue.
Expand Expanding CloseLeaked AMD Ryzen 5000 Chromebook hands-on reveals significant performance boost
An early hands-on with a leaked Chromebook powered by AMD’s Ryzen 5000 series processor showcases the high-powered potential for future Chrome OS devices.
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New update to Google Camera rolling out for Pixel owners
An update to the Google Camera app is rolling out now to Pixel owners via the Google Play Store.
Expand Expanding CloseMultiple models of Google Pixel 6a pass through FCC, pointing to wider international release
While it feels like the Pixel 6 series just made its debut recently, we’re quickly approaching the launch of more Pixel phones. Next up is the Pixel 6a, which could very well be getting a wider launch than last year’s A-Series phone, according to FCC listings.
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Google Doodle pays tribute to Spanish opera singer Montserrat Caballé on 89th birthday
Today’s Google Doodle is a striking tribute to Montserrat Caballé, an opera singer perhaps most popularly known for her duet with Freddie Mercury.
Expand Expanding ClosePixel’s At a Glance may soon keep track of your grocery pickups and deliveries
It should soon be possible to use the At a Glance widget on Pixel phones to keep track of your grocery orders, including when pickups are ready and when deliveries are on their way.
Expand Expanding CloseThis week’s top stories: Google Maps gains toll estimates, YouTube TV picks up Weather Channel, more
In this week’s top stories: Google Maps begins showing toll estimates and fine road details, YouTube TV gains The Weather Channel and G4TV, Google Phone gains a Material You dialer, and more.
Expand Expanding CloseLatest Android 12 QPR3 Beta includes fix for Dirty Pipe exploit on Pixel 6
As part of the Android 12 QPR3 Beta which previews the June Feature Drop, Google has included a fix for the major Dirty Pipe exploit affecting Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro.
Expand Expanding CloseA new Google/Nest Wifi may be in the works, but what would we expect from it?
Evidence uncovered by our team suggests that Google may be preparing another product in its lineup of Nest Wifi mesh networking devices. But what would Google need to deliver in a new version of its home networking solution?
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Samsung March 2022 security update is now rolling out for these Galaxy devices
Samsung is now rolling out the latest March 2022 Android security update, including One UI 4.1 for some devices, to its massive lineup of Galaxy devices.
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Google Discover tests expanded weather info at top of feed [Update: Sports & stocks]
Google has once again tweaked its signature Discover feed on Android to offer redesigned and expanded weather information at the top.
Update: Sports scores and stock info are also appearing in this same area.
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Google Assistant ‘Quick phrases’: What they can do, and what languages can use them
One interesting enhancement of the Pixel 6 series is the Google Assistant’s new “Quick phrases” that let you get certain things done without saying “Hey Google” first. Here’s what all they can do, when they work, and what languages you can use them in.
Expand Expanding CloseThis week’s top stories: Pixel 6 to improve USB audio, YouTube Vanced Manager marked harmful, more
In this week’s top stories: Google Pixel 6 set to gain better USB audio support, YouTube Vanced Manager gets marked “harmful,” Nest Hub gains redesign in buggy update, and more.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle skips April Fools Day 2022, but is that a good thing? [Poll]
Google has declined to participate in April Fools Day 2022, marking the third year in a row, but is that actually a good thing?
Expand Expanding CloseTap to Transfer animation could hint at the next Nest Hub or nothing at all
A newly uncovered animation of Android’s Tap to Transfer could offer visual hints of the upcoming Nest Hub dockable tablet, or it could be showing nothing at all.
Expand Expanding ClosePlay Protect can now remove permissions of unused apps on Android 10 and older devices
Google Play Protect can now remove the permissions of unused apps, a safety & privacy feature of Android 11 now available for older phones and tablets.
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Chris McKillop, engineering director of Google’s Fuchsia project, leaves the company [U]
The engineering lead of Google’s Fuchsia operating system, Chris McKillop, has announced his departure from Google.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle will soon aggregate cloud streaming games and where to play them, starting on Chromebooks
Ever eager to organize the world’s information, Google will soon be offering a way to sort through today’s cloud gaming services to figure which games can be played where, with an aggregator starting on Chromebooks.
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How to restore Assistant voice typing on Pixel 6 by resetting the Google app
Some have found that Google Assistant voice typing no longer works on their Pixel 6 phones. Here’s how to reset the Google app to get things working again.
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