Despite last week’s US shutdown, the Google Podcasts app is still sending out notifications for new episodes.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle Podcasts still sending out the new episode notifications that YouTube Music lacks
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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.
Chromecast with Google TV rolling out third update in four months
Following the addition of Fast Pair and the Audio output switcher at the end of February, a new Chromecast with Google TV update with the March 2024 security patch is now rolling out.
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Solar filters recommended for taking eclipse photos with phone cameras
Ahead of Monday’s total solar eclipse, the wide consensus is that “you’ll need to use a special solar filter to protect your camera” (via NASA) even on phones.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle app is once again testing a bottom search bar redesign on Android
The first time we saw a bottom search bar for the Google app was in 2021, while we enabled a modernized version in late 2023. Google is now testing a Material 3 bottom bar redesign with an integrated search field.
Expand Expanding ClosePixel’s Now Playing needs to be thoroughly modernized
Now Playing on the Pixel is my favorite example of ambient computing that we have right now. Dating back to the Pixel 2 and 2 XL in 2017, it shows what song is playing on the always-on display, lockscreen and notification shade without requiring you to do anything. It’s “better than instant.”
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YouTube TV members can get 25% off the Pixel Tablet
YouTube TV has a history of sending free Chromecasts to subscribers, and the cord-cutting service is now offering a 25% discount on the Pixel Tablet.
Expand Expanding ClosePixelated 004: Podcast about Google Podcasts
Welcome to the fourth episode of Pixelated, a podcast by 9to5Google. We talk a lot about the death of Google Podcasts and do a quick recap of the week in Pixel.
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Here are the Super Weekly Prizes from Google Play Points: Pixel & more giveaways
Last week, Google Play Points kicked off the chance to win a Super Weekly Prize. This giveaway features many Pixel devices and will run for a total of five weeks.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle Assistant Broadcasts are now a two-stage command
Broadcasts are a beloved Google Assistant capability that gives you an impromptu intercom system. Recently, Google made a change that slows the process down a bit.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle Wallet explains unlock and payment verification changes
In recent weeks, Google Wallet has rolled out two changes related to unlocking your phone for payment verification and the Android app is now explaining what’s new.
Expand Expanding CloseFourth Google Store opening in Boston on Friday [U: Gallery]
Google Store Newbury Street in Boston is opening on Friday and will be the company’s fourth retail location for hardware products.
Expand Expanding CloseYouTube offering TV multiview for Coachella 2024
YouTube’s Coachella streaming partnership continues in 2024 with a new multiview experience “so that viewers everywhere can watch up to 4 of the live stream stages on their TVs at once.”
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Google shares Pixel Camera tips for the total solar eclipse
Google is getting in on the total solar eclipse excitement ahead of April 8 with some Pixel Camera tips.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle Podcasts shuts down in the US
Google Podcasts launched in 2018 and has now shut down in the US as YouTube Music becomes the company’s main podcasting solution.
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‘Test Google’ randomly appears in Pixel ‘Safety & emergency’ settings
Going to “Safety & emergency” settings on your Pixel phone today reveals a weird “Test Google” entry.
Expand Expanding CloseReport: Google might make SGE a paid feature, not working on ad-free Search
As the Search Generative Experience (SGE) nears its one-year anniversary, Google is reportedly considering making it a paid feature, but is not considering an ad-free offering.
Expand Expanding CloseChromeOS Material You Settings redesign looks a lot like Android [Gallery]
ChromeOS 124 is currently in beta, and it introduces a Settings app redesign that leverages Material You and looks a lot like the Android Settings app on tablets.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle on Video Boost, improving on-device video, and ‘Pixel 9’
The latest Made by Google Podcast episode talks about the Video Boost and Night Sight Video feature introduced with the Pixel 8 Pro in December.
Expand Expanding ClosePixel Watch gets a new way to tell the time with ‘Vibration watch’
While we just had a Feature Drop last month, the Pixel Watch April 2024 update brings a new “Vibration watch” feature to both wearable generations.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle rolling out Circle to Search for Pixel Fold
Following last week’s announcement, Circle to Search is already rolling out to the Pixel Fold.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle Find My Device network might launch soon as iOS 17.5 preps tracking alerts
Google’s Find My Device (FMD) network was originally supposed to launch in the summer of 2023, but it was delayed until Apple implements unknown tracker alerts. The upcoming iOS 17.5 update is adding that support.
Expand Expanding CloseAndroid 14 April security patch rolling out: What’s fixed for Pixel
Following QPR2 last month, the Android 14 April security patch is rolling out today for the Pixel 5a, 6, 6 Pro, 6a, 7, 7 Pro, 7a, Tablet, Fold, 8, and 8 Pro. This release came later than usual in the afternoon, while the Pixel Watch update came out first.
Expand Expanding ClosePixel Watch April 2024 update rolling out with 2 new features
Google is rolling out the latest Pixel Watch and Pixel Watch 2 update with the April 2024 security patch today. It notably arrived before the phone updates.
Expand Expanding CloseYouTube Music comments get a slick panel redesign
Comments in YouTube Music are now seven months old, and the Android and iOS apps have now rolled out a slick visual redesign of the panel.
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