Audio Emoji was officially announced with the Pixel 8a, and it’s now seeing wide availability in the Phone app on Google devices.
Expand Expanding CloseAudio Emoji in Pixel Phone app widely rolling out [U]
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.
YouTube Music rolls out Now Playing gradient redesign on iPhone
After rolling out to Android in December, YouTube Music’s gradient background redesign of Now Playing is now live on the iPhone.
Expand Expanding CloseSetting the stage at I/O 2024 for Gemini being Google’s last reset
Originally, my interest in Google came down to how I think it does cool-to-wild things with technology in an accessible/affordable manner that nobody else is doing.
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Google Photos will let you check if image is ‘not eligible for Storage saver’
While we wait for the Gemini-powered Ask Photos, a quality of life update to the Google Photos backup experience will let you “check if the item is ineligible for Storage saver.”
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle Password Manager rolls out Material You redesign on Android [U]
On Android, the Google Password Manager powered by Play services is getting a small Material You redesign.
Expand Expanding CloseNearly half of Pixel Fold owners use split-screen mode
Android’s work to optimize apps for large screens continues at I/O 2024, with Google sharing a stat about split-screen usage on the Pixel Fold.
Expand Expanding CloseSimplified Google Maps bottom bar rolling out on Android
The new Google Maps bottom bar, which we spotted at I/O yesterday, is starting to roll out on Android.
Expand Expanding CloseAt I/O 2024 ‘Demo Slam,’ Google launched employee Gemini hackathon
Compared to past years, I/O 2024 felt much more like a developer conference by spanning two days. There was in fact a third day of I/O, with Google hosting a new “Demo Slam” event just for employees today where an internal Gemini hackathon was announced.
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Google Drive on the web rolling out hovercard preview
The Google Drive website is rolling out a nice quality of life improvement that lets you preview files from the list view using hovercards.
Expand Expanding CloseYouTube Music hits version 7.x & updates its app store screenshots from 2018
For the vast majority of modern Google apps, version number jumps don’t really signify anything meaningful. That said, YouTube Music just hit version 7.0 and is finally updating its app store screenshots.
Expand Expanding CloseA possible look at Google Home’s upcoming Android widget
Back in October, the Google Home app team said it was working on a homescreen widget. We might now have our first look at the design as Google at I/O 2024 worked to encourage widget adoption.
Expand Expanding ClosePasskeys will show up in Gboard on Android 15 and come to Wear OS 5
At I/O 2024, Google’s work on passkeys continues with an even easier sign-in process, as well as platform updates across Android 15 and Wear OS 5.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle Wallet adding pass notifications, creating digital text passes, and more
Google Wallet is getting a number of updates at I/O 2024 from expanded push notifications to a new “Everything else” pass creation option.
Expand Expanding CloseHere’s the new Google Maps bottom bar with fewer tabs
Back in March, Google’s announcement about the latest Maps travel features included a mention of how the app is getting a “cleaner home screen.” At I/O 2024, we get a glimpse at the new Google Maps bottom bar.
Expand Expanding CloseGemini add-on comes to Google Workspace for Education
Education customers can now purchase Gemini for Google Workspace. This gives educators access to the side panel, Help me write/organize/visualize, and more.
Expand Expanding CloseYouTube getting advertiser-branded QR codes, more WNBA on YouTube TV
YouTube Brandcast is a keynote aimed at advertisers, and the 2024 edition has some announcements that viewers will certainly notice, including branded QR codes.
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Google Contacts rolling out message and call notifications on widgets
In addition to A/B testing a change to how you add a new contact, Google Contacts is rolling out the ability to see notifications on widgets.
Expand Expanding ClosePrivate space is Android 15’s versatile secret compartment [Gallery]
Private space is rolling out with Android 15 Beta 2, and — from our brief usage — the user-friendly experience could be quite versatile.
Expand Expanding CloseAndroid boosting security with Theft Detection Lock, factory reset protection
In addition to Private Space, Android at I/O 2024 is really working to boost the mobile operating system’s theft, security, and privacy protections.
Expand Expanding CloseAndroid 15 Beta 2 rolling out on Pixel: Private Space, saving app pairs, more
On the second day of I/O 2024, Google is rolling out Beta 2 of Android 15 for Pixel devices. More broadly, the Android 15 Beta is also coming to Honor, iQOO, Lenovo, Nothing, OnePlus, OPPO, Realme, Sharp, Tecno, vivo, and Xiaomi.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle Contacts is less FAB-ulous when adding a new contact
The last big design change to Contacts for Android removed the navigation drawer, and Google is now either replacing the FAB or putting it everywhere.
Expand Expanding ClosePocket Casts redesigns widgets, grid, & mini player, adds ‘Up Next’ tab
Pocket Casts for Android is getting a notable, wide-ranging redesign spanning the homescreen UI and widgets. It’s currently in beta ahead of a stable launch.
Expand Expanding CloseGemini in Google Messages, YouTube Music Extension rolling out
In addition to Gemini Advanced with 1.5 Pro, Google today is rolling out Gemini in Messages on Android and the YouTube Music Extension.
Expand Expanding CloseAndroid 15 Beta 2 is coming on Wednesday
On the first day of I/O 2024, Google talked all about AI during the Android section of the main keynote. It’s saving Android 15 news, including Beta 2, for tomorrow.
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