Android is gaining native support for the Amazon Luna Controller
Google is adding native support for the official controller for Amazon Luna — competitor to Stadia — to Android.
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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.
[Update: First widget] Flutter SDK will be ready for the new ‘Material You’ design language
During the Google I/O 2021 keynote, the company shared their vision for the next generation of Material Design. Google’s Flutter team has committed to the massive cross-platform app framework being ready for “Material You” when that design language launches.
Expand Expanding CloseWear OS emulator gives a tantalizing glimpse at the Android 11-based redesign [Video]
The Wear OS emulator in Android Studio now includes a preview of the upcoming Android 11 based update for Wear OS.
Expand Expanding CloseAndroid 12 Beta reveals model numbers for Pixel 6 family, including foldable ‘Passport’
The Android 12 Beta launched today for Pixel phones, and in it, we’ve found model numbers for all of the Made by Google phones to release in 2021 including the Pixel 6 family and the reported foldable “Passport.”
Expand Expanding CloseFirebase gains App Check security, revamped Remote Config, and more
During the Google I/O 2021 developer keynote, Firebase — Google’s suite of development tools that make it all too easy to integrate apps with the cloud — shared a variety of announcements, including a new App Check security system, a revamp of the Remote Config tool, and more.
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Samsung is working to port Google’s Flutter SDK to Galaxy Watch and other Tizen devices
Samsung is working to make it possible for developers to create apps for Galaxy Watch, Smart TVs, and more Tizen devices with Google’s Flutter SDK.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle’s Flutter SDK reaches version 2.2 as framework gains momentum
Today during the I/O developer conference, Google launched version 2.2 of their cross-platform Flutter SDK and shared the framework’s incredible recent growth.
Expand Expanding CloseSpotify for Wear OS will soon be able to download music and podcasts
Amongst a bevy of Wear OS announcements at Google I/O, Spotify has shared that their smartwatch app is getting enhanced with the ability to download music and podcasts.
Expand Expanding CloseJetpack Compose 1.0 launching in July; ‘Material You’ support coming soon
Jetpack Compose is set to get its stable 1.0 release in July, with Google sharing that the framework is getting ready for the new “Material You” design language.
Expand Expanding CloseAndroid 12 Beta is coming to devices from OnePlus, Nokia, and more
Today, Google took the wraps off of their vision for Android 12 and opened the beta testing period for the update. Ten OEMs have already committed to their devices participating in the Android 12 Beta, including Nokia, OnePlus, TCL, and more.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle Maps will soon adapt to what you’re looking for, show busyness of areas
Google Maps is gaining two new features for its main map view, the ability to adapt and show what you’re probably looking for and indicators of how busy a particular area is.
Expand Expanding CloseAndroid now powers over 3 billion devices
During Google I/O’s main keynote, the company has shared that their flagship operating system, Android, now powers over 3 billion devices worldwide.
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Google unveils 4th generation Tensor Processing Unit
At Google I/O, the company shared their next generation AI processing chip, the Tensor Processing Unit (TPU) v4.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle Maps gaining ‘safe routing’ option to help avoid accidents
Google Maps is set to gain a new “safe routing” option which will take you down less accident-prone roads.
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Stadia-exclusive Outcasters is changing publishers following SG&E shutdown
According to an email going out to players, Outcasters is changing publishers later this month, following the shutdown of Google’s Stadia Games and Entertainment division.
Expand Expanding CloseApple Music for Android 3.6 prepares for lossless audio streaming
Earlier this month, our colleagues at 9to5Mac reported that Apple Music would be gaining “HiFi” streaming options, possibly with iOS 14.6. Today, we find that the Apple Music app for Android is also working toward lossless audio streaming.
Expand Expanding CloseSamsung is now a contributor to Google’s Fuchsia OS
For years now, Google has been steadily developing Fuchsia OS, exploring the potential benefits of building an operating system from the ground up. Now it seems that Samsung has begun contributing some of its work to Google’s Fuchsia OS project.
Expand Expanding CloseUbisoft announces Rainbow Six Siege, For Honor, and more coming to Stadia
This morning, Ubisoft has announced a variety of new games and expansions coming soon to Stadia and other platforms, including Rainbow Six Siege and For Honor.
Expand Expanding CloseThis week’s top stories: Whitechapel AOSP mention, Android Auto fast charging, more
In this week’s top stories: a comment from a Googler mentions upcoming Pixels with Whitechapel chips, a simple gadget makes it possible to use fast charging and Android Auto simultaneously, Google tweet leaks Pixel Buds A-Series earbuds, and more.
Expand Expanding CloseStadia 3.15 prepares to use your phone and more as controller for TV
Stadia for Android is preparing a new “bridge mode” to use your phone and connected accessories as a controller to play games on your TV.
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Super Animal Royale is Stadia’s next free-to-play game
Super Animal Royale, a cutely vicious 2D battle royale, is coming soon to Stadia as its next free-to-play game.
Expand Expanding CloseResident Evil Village coming to Stadia May 7, free Chromecast and controller bundle w/ purchase [Updated]
Resident Evil Village is coming to Stadia later this year on the same date as other platforms, and Google is giving early purchasers a free Chromecast Ultra and Stadia Controller.
Update: Google is preparing to close this promotion in the US as supplies are running out.
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Did you complete the Google Pay Spring Challenge to redeem $30? [Poll]
Google Pay’s Spring Challenge ended yesterday, and we’re curious how many people were actually able to collect all five stickers to redeem $30.
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Google Doodle honors Japanese-American author Hisaye Yamamoto
As part of Asian Pacific American Heritage Month, Google is honoring acclaimed Japanese-American short story author Hisaye Yamamoto.
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