The latest version of the Google Home app includes evidence of a new Nest Wifi router in development.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle Home update reveals new Nest Wifi in the works
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 delists AI Test Kitchen app on Android and iOS [Updated]
Once a miniature playground for the public to test Google’s blossoming AI-powered tools, the AI Test Kitchen app has been delisted for both Android and iOS, moving solely to the web.
Update: Google has shared additional details about the shutdown of these mobile apps.
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July Google System Updates: Android WebView ‘prioritized,’ more [U]
Android’s Google System Updates for July are set to bring “valuables” sharing to Wallet and more.
Update: The latest updates include improvements to the Google Play Store, a new UI for family groups, and newly “prioritized” updates for Android’s WebView browser.
Expand Expanding CloseSamsung Galaxy SmartTag 2 shows up at FCC, revealing new design
Samsung is preparing to launch a second generation of its Bluetooth and ultra-wideband (UWB) item tracker, and an FCC filing has revealed the latest details, including the new design.
Expand Expanding CloseGalaxy Tab S9 starts at $799, brings water resistance, AMOLED, and latest chipset
Samsung’s latest flagship tablets, the Galaxy Tab S9 series, are the first to feature IP68 water resistance, in addition to many iterative upgrades to the display and performance.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle abandons work to move Assistant smart speakers to Fuchsia
Less than a year after the work was first discovered, it seems Google has abandoned its plans to upgrade its line of Assistant smart speakers to the Fuchsia operating system.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle Discover tests prominent search bar suggestions [Gallery]
The Google Discover feed has begun testing a new design for suggested search terms, leaning heavily on the appearance of a search bar.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle Assistant can soon ‘Summarize’ webpages [Gallery]
One of the most straightforward features of generative AI tools is the ability to take long pieces of text and summarize them into a few short bullet points. Soon, you’ll be able to use Google Assistant to summarize almost any webpage.
Expand Expanding CloseSamsung ‘Galaxy Pulse’ appears in trademarks as smart ring development begins
Samsung has filed trademarks for “Galaxy Pulse” and three other names, while new reporting reveals the company is developing a wearable smart ring.
Expand Expanding CloseFirst look: Bard ‘Extensions’ will add Google and third-party services
The next step for Google’s Bard AI will see it directly integrate with some of the company’s own services along with a collection of third-party options, and we have your first look.
Expand Expanding CloseAndroid 14 Beta tweaks and widens the share sheet
In recent weeks, the Android 14 Beta has steadily tweaked the share sheet to look cleaner and show more options.
Expand Expanding CloseLimited-edition Pixel Fold celebrates 50th anniversary of hip hop, but you can’t buy it [U: Contest]
As part of the launch of the Pixel Fold, Google has created a limited-edition version of the foldable commemorating the 50th anniversary of hip hop, but you can’t buy one.
Update: While you still can’t buy this limited edition Pixel Fold, there is a way you can win one.
Expand Expanding CloseAndroid 14 easter egg blasts off with space-themed minigame [Gallery]
Android 14’s easter egg has finally arrived, bringing an in-depth rocket-launching space exploration minigame.
Expand Expanding CloseThreads readies handy explainer of Mastodon and the fediverse
One of the unique aspects of Instagram’s new Threads app is its upcoming ability to participate in the “fediverse,” and now the app is preparing a helpful explainer of how the fediverse and apps like Mastodon work.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle Messages adds delightful animated emoji responses
A recent beta update to the Google Messages app changes emoji-only messages into expressive and delightful animations.
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Threads already has 100 million users, and a surprising number of them are on Android
In less than a week, Threads – the new microblogging platform from Instagram – has reached 100 million users, and the Google Play Store reveals how many of those are from Android.
Expand Expanding CloseThreads, Meta’s Twitter clone, starts launch countdown, plus a few details on how it works
Ahead of the app’s launch later this week, Meta has launched a landing page for its Twitter competitor, “Threads,” counting down to the service’s launch.
Expand Expanding CloseJune Google System Updates: Wallet UI for foldables, more [Updated]
The Google System Updates for June 2023 are set to include Google Wallet improvements for foldables and more.
Update: The Play Store is set to gain a new tab, while Google Password Manager is getting some improvements.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle releases first Pixel Fold ‘felix’ factory images
Google’s first foldable is reaching early adopters this week, and accordingly, the company has released the first factory images for the Pixel Fold (felix).
Expand Expanding CloseVisible disables auto-pay to encourage confusing plan switch
As part of an ongoing effort to switch customers to its new network, Visible is disabling auto-pay for those on the older plan.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle ‘Dreams’ screen savers briefly appear in Play Store ahead of Pixel Tablet
The Pixel Tablet is set to arrive later this month, but ahead of that launch, a new Google “Dreams” app briefly appeared in the Play Store, carrying the tablet’s collection of screen savers – including the Weather Frog.
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Boost for Reddit app gains Material You colors days before Reddit shuts it down
While the app is set to shut down in the coming days due to upcoming Reddit policy changes, the developer of Boost for Reddit has released a much-anticipated update with Material You colors.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle app reveals Pixel Watch 2 ‘Eos’ code name, suggests similar design
Rumors currently point to Google releasing its second Pixel-branded Wear OS smartwatch this fall, bringing significant internal upgrades. Now, a Google app update reveals an “Eos” code name for Pixel Watch 2 and suggests the design may not change much from last year’s model.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle Meet readies ‘On-the-Go’ mode to minimize distractions while walking
Google Meet is working on a new “On-the-Go” mode that’s designed to make it safer and easier to stay in a video call while walking.
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