With Android 12 Beta 2, the Google Assistant has learned how to open the power menu on your phone, in return for taking over the power button.
Expand Expanding CloseAndroid 12 Beta 2: Google Assistant can now open the power menu
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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.
Android 12 Beta 2: Media controls get streamlined redesign w/ Material You colors
Android 12 Beta 2 has tweaked the media controls design, giving it a streamlined design that takes up less space on screen vertically and uses Material You colors.
Expand Expanding CloseAndroid 12 Beta 2: Quick settings adds Google Pay, Home shortcuts, and power button
One of the many aspects of Android being revamped with Android 12 is the Quick Settings area. With Android 12 Beta 2, the Quick Settings area gains quick access to Google Pay, Google Home shortcuts, as well as a power button.
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Google Doodle honors Shirley Temple, actor, singer, and diplomat
Today’s animated Google Doodle is in honor of 1930s child star, and later American diplomat, Shirley Temple.
Expand Expanding CloseHere’s everything Apple announced at WWDC 2021 that Google and Android can already do
Yesterday, Apple showed off an extensive suite of new software features for iOS, macOS, watchOS, iPadOS, and more. Here’s a rundown of everything Apple showed at WWDC 2021 that was already possible with Google’s apps on Android and Chrome OS.
Expand Expanding CloseAT&T ‘exploring ways’ to enhance their network for Stadia, offer 6-month Stadia Pro deal
In support of Stadia, AT&T is offering a six-month Stadia Pro for free to select customers and looking to improve their networks.
Expand Expanding CloseStadia is coming to Chromecast w/ Google TV and select Android TV devices on June 23
On June 23, full support for Stadia is coming to the Chromecast with Google TV, along with a handful of other Android TV devices.
Expand Expanding CloseReview: GameSir X2 is the essential controller for cloud gaming on Android
With the rise of mobile gaming and more recently cloud gaming, the need has never been greater for a reliable and affordable controller for your Android phone. But does the GameSir X2 rise to the occasion? Let’s find out.
Expand Expanding CloseStadia for Android readying store filter, voice chat, Google TV prep, more
The latest update to the Stadia app for Android includes work toward filters for the store, the ability to voice chat with friends, the much-anticipated Google TV app, and more.
Expand Expanding ClosePixel Tips points to time lapse astrophotography coming to Google Camera
Ahead of the June Pixel Feature Drop, code in the Pixel Tips app points to Google Camera’s astrophotography potentially getting upgraded to offer time lapse video.
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Stadia gains the ability to save notes about your friends
Ever have trouble remembering who’s who in your friends list? Stadia now has you covered by letting you add notes about each of your friends.
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Google Doodle honors Frank Kameny, astronomer and gay rights activist
Kicking off their celebration of Pride Month, Google has replaced their homepage logo with a Doodle honoring astronomer and prominent gay rights activist Frank Kameny.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle TV preparing to support multiple user profiles w/ personalized home pages
Google TV appears to be getting ready to support separate profiles on its home page, complete with tailored recommendations.
Expand Expanding CloseStadia referral promo offering controller coupon and exclusive avatar
Stadia has launched a new referral promotion offering additional bonuses such as an exclusive avatar and a discounted Stadia Controller for referring friends — in addition to the normal rewards.
Expand Expanding CloseThis week’s top stories: Fuchsia OS release, Google Weather redesign, Fitbit snore detection
In this week’s top stories: Fuchsia OS begins rolling out to the first-gen Nest Hub, Google Weather gets a redesign on Android, Fitbit prepares snore and noise detection, and more.
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OnePlus Nord CE 5G specs reportedly include Snapdragon 750G and a better camera
Yesterday, OnePlus officially teased two upcoming devices in its affordable Nord lineup. Today, some of the specs for one of those phones, the OnePlus Nord CE 5G, have been leaked, including the processor, camera, and display.
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Galaxy Watch 3, Watch Active 2 update tweaks icons, improves stability
Samsung is rolling out yet another update to owners of the Galaxy Watch 3 and Galaxy Watch Active 2, set to “enhance” some of the icons on your smartwatch and improve stability.
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Stadia will make its retail debut at upcoming NYC Google Store [Updated]
Google’s upcoming retail store in New York City will mark the first time Stadia and its hardware are sold in an in-person store.
Expand Expanding CloseFitbit preparing snore and noise detection, and ‘Your sleep animal’ [Gallery]
The latest update to the Fitbit app contains the beginnings of nighttime snoring and noise detection, along with a cute way to think about your sleeping habits.
Expand Expanding CloseAcer’s latest Chromebooks include first 17-inch display; first w/ Intel Evo
During the Next @ Acer event, the company unveiled four new Chrome OS devices, including world’s firsts with the first Chromebook with a 17-inch screen, and the first to be Intel Evo certified.
Expand Expanding CloseIndie developers created an easier way to try out Fuchsia OS on your computer
Google officially released their Fuchsia OS earlier this week, starting by rolling it out to some owners of the original Nest Hub. Now, a group of indie developers have created a simpler way of trying out Fuchsia on your own computer.
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Google Chrome set to gain Android 12-style stretchy scrolling
Love it or hate it, one of the tweaks coming with Android 12 is the addition of an iOS-like stretch effect when scrolling past the edge of a page. It seems that Android 12’s stretchy scrolling is also coming soon to Chrome for Android.
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Google Doodle celebrates the Savoy Ballroom with multiplayer swing dancing game
Google has swapped its homepage logo out with an addictive swing dancing game in honor of New York City’s Savoy Ballroom.
Expand Expanding CloseWhat’s next for Google’s Fuchsia OS?
The day we’ve been waiting for has finally come; while it may not have been as splashy of an event as we hoped, Google’s Fuchsia OS has been released for real devices. The question now is: where will Fuchsia go next?
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