After introducing a homescreen widget, Google Home for Android is rolling out an Activity tab redesign that makes sorting device events easier.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle Home app redesigns Activity tab with easier filters access
Author
Send tips/talk to abner@9to5mac.com or @technacity (open DMs).
Abner Li has worked at 9to5Google since 2015 and in late 2020 took on the role of editor-in-chief. He is keenly focused on tracking what happens at Google, and is often the first to spot new features in Google’s ever-growing family of applications that are updated on a daily basis, including Search, Assistant, Maps, Workspace, Android, Chrome/OS, Wear OS, and YouTube Music.
To him, what Google does greatly impacts the technology space and modern life. Inside the company, he is particularly interested in the key products mentioned above, as well as services like Google Podcasts and Google Lens. Each are massive platforms that can be unwieldy to grasp, with Abner keenly bent on understanding their philosophy and future direction. He is most excited about Google’s plans for augmented reality glasses.
Abner spearheads the APK Insight program at 9to5Google to chronicle all changes in the company’s Android apps, often finding new features before they are officially announced. This includes redesigns and revamps, launches, and new products.
A big area of interest is Google’s hardware division, including Pixel, Fitbit, and Nest. He detailed all of the Pixel 3’s camera features before launch and scooped the 2nd-generation Nest Hub’s Soli-powered Sleep Sensing capability, including how it would integrate with Google Fit.
Recently, Abner detailed the Pixel Watch’s specs in full before launch, including bands and pricing. He also got wind of the Pixel Tablet’s ultimate form factor.
Pixel Watch 3 arrives at FCC with UWB, 5 GHz Wi-Fi
With Made by Google 2024 next month, the Pixel Watch 3 has arrived at the FCC for regulatory approval.
Expand Expanding CloseYouTube Music is testing a prompt-generated AI radio [Gallery]
YouTube Music is testing a generative AI feature that lets you enter a prompt to create a custom radio.
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What Google apps support Android 15 predictive back
With Android 15 enabling predictive back by default, these Google apps will show a preview of the homescreen as you swipe back.
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Google Weather now shows the date
This is not the update people are looking for, but Google Weather now includes the date in the 10-day forecast.
Expand Expanding CloseThe YouTube Music PWA has improved a great deal in 2024
In recent months, the YouTube Music website/Progressive Web App (PWA) has seen a number of updates that combine to really overhaul the desktop experience and make it more competitive.
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Where’s the Google Home for Wear OS Tile?
We’re still waiting for the Google Home Wear OS Tile and complication that was announced with this quarter’s Android and Pixel Feature Drop.
Expand Expanding CloseIs Tensor G5 the reason to skip Pixel 9 and wait for Pixel 10?
While I’m of the opinion that you should buy technology when you need it, Google’s expected switch to TSMC for the Tensor G5 casts a shadow over the Pixel 9.
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You can now redeem Google Play Points for Pokémon Go swag
In recent months, Google has been heavily promoting Play Points and the latest push is the ability to get Pokémon GO-branded swag.
Expand Expanding ClosePixel 9 and 9 Pro rumored to use ultrasonic fingerprint sensor
Since the Pixel 6’s switch to an under-display fingerprint sensor, people have complained about unlock performance being a regression from the days of Pixel Imprint. Performance has improved over the years, but the Pixel 9 series is now rumored to adopt an ultrasonic fingerprint sensor.
Expand Expanding CloseGmail rolling out Gemini-powered Summarize to Android, iOS [U]
In addition to the Gemini side panel on the web, Gmail for Android and iOS is now rolling out a Summarize capability to paid customers.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle Contacts is working on a ‘Besties Widget’ [APK Insight]
Google Contacts just updated the Individual contact widget with the ability to display notifications, and it’s now readying a “Besties Widget.”
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle Photos makes accessing the Locked Folder much faster
After rolling out cross-device sync last year, Google Photos is making it much easier to open your Locked Folder on Android and iOS.
Expand Expanding CloseAndroid 15 Beta: Lockscreen bug constantly requires authentication [U]
A bug in Android 15 Beta 3 makes the lockscreen effectively useless for managing notifications by constantly demanding authentication every time you tap. Not all users are experiencing this issue.
Expand Expanding CloseYouTube Music is next redesigning artist pages
YouTube Music artist pages saw their last big redesign in 2019 and got some Material You tweaks later on. Another revamp is now being tested.
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Google Messages removes no encryption icon from iPhone RCS chats
In a curious change, Google Messages no longer shows that end-to-end encryption (E2EE) isn’t available in iPhone RCS conversations.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle explains how to factory reset Pixel 6 without bricking, working on fix
After factory resetting, some Pixel 6, 6 Pro, or 6a owners have had their phones brick. Google is now out with steps on how to prevent this issue.
Expand Expanding CloseAndroid 14 July security patch rolling out: What’s fixed for Pixel
Following QPR3 last month, the Android 14 July security patch is rolling out today for the Pixel 5a, 6, 6 Pro, 6a, 7, 7 Pro, 7a, Tablet, Fold, 8, 8 Pro, and 8a. Compared to the delays last month, it’s coming sooner, though the Pixel Watch update rolled out first on Monday.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle’s Android apps have maddeningly inconsistent navigation drawers
While Google has generally been moving away from navigation drawers on Android, they still exist in several big apps. Nav drawers definitely have their place, but I wish first-party applications implemented them in a much more consistent manner.
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NFC concept wants to add receipts, tickets, and more to each Google Pay tap
The NFC Forum is looking to advance the standard with a “multi-purpose tap” concept that combines payments with other common interactions. The idea is to make each transaction richer and faster.
Expand Expanding ClosePixel Watch July 2024 update rolling out
Google is rolling out the latest Pixel Watch and Pixel Watch 2 update with the July 2024 security patch today. It’s coming before the July update for Pixel phones.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle rolling out Android 15 Beta 3.1 with Pixel lockscreen fix
Just under two weeks after the last major update, Android 15 Beta 3.1 is rolling out with a handful of fixes. Google has addressed the very annoying lockscreen issue.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle Messages rolls out ‘Select recipients’ share UI redesign [U]
After initial testing last October, Google Messages is more widely rolling out a redesign of the share UI.
Expand Expanding CloseWhat Gemini and Google AI features we’re waiting for
In the past year or so, Google has previewed a number of Gemini-branded and other AI features across its consumer-facing apps. Here’s everything that’s been announced and when they might be available.
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