Ahead of the Ai Pin launching in the coming weeks, Humane is detailing more about the experience, including how it will have some basic Google Photos integration.
Expand Expanding CloseHumane Ai Pin has Google Photos, Contacts integration
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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.
Google Maps getting ‘cleaner home screen’ with simplified bottom bar
In addition to a trio of announcements around lists ahead of the summer travel season, Google Maps will be simplifying its bottom bar on mobile.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle Maps going all-in on lists for recommendations
Besides search, reviews, and photos, Google Maps wants to help you find places to visit using lists from its community and third-parties.
Expand Expanding CloseCircle to Search coming to Pixel 6 series, Fold, and more, adding in-line translations
Following the Pixel 8 and 7 series, Circle to Search is finally coming to all Tensor-powered Pixel devices.
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Google on how LLMs compare to ML systems for ads safety
Google is working to adopt large language models (LLMs) everywhere. One such area is ads safety, with Google detailing such efforts in its 2023 report.
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PSA: Assistant ‘stop/turn off’ command deletes all Google Clock alarms on Android
In a rather egregious oversight, one Google Assistant command can delete all the alarms in Google Clock for Android.
Expand Expanding CloseGemini in Google Messages beta rolling out for some
Following the announcement a month ago, Gemini is starting to roll out for some Google Messages beta users.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle Photos adds favorite person shortcut for quick sharing
To speed up sharing, Google Photos now lets you set a “Favorite shortcut” to “share instantly and in full quality with your favourite person.”
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle launches Arm-optimized Chrome for Windows, teases Snapdragon X Elite boost
Following testing in Canary earlier this year, Google today announced that the Arm/Snapdragon version of Chrome for Windows is now rolling out to stable.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle Chat rolling out voice messages for Workspace
As previewed last year, Google Chat is rolling out the ability to record and send voice messages. However, at launch, they’re only available for paid Google Workspace accounts.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle Messages tests a familiar photo preview screen
After revamping the in-app camera, Google Messages is testing a photo preview screen on Android.
Expand Expanding CloseIt could’ve been great: An abridged Google Podcasts history
Before “Google Podcasts,” there was the ability to play podcasts in Google Search on Android. This straightforward feature was announced a few days after Google added podcasts to Play Music in April of 2016. It was rather emblematic of how Google did two of everything.
Expand Expanding ClosePixelated 003: Google’s Fitbit
Welcome to the third episode of Pixelated, a podcast by 9to5Google. We talk all about Fitbit, or rather Google Fitbit, this week.
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Google Fitbit’s big week demonstra— seriously, where is the dark theme
Fitbit has had a number of back-to-back announcements and changes in recent weeks. I don’t think it was particularly planned to be that away, but the flurry of activity is more promising than not. It starts with a “Google Fitbit” name that cements how the brand is firmly a part of Google, just like “Google Nest.” If Google Fitbit was always the plan, they should have really done that from the start instead of picking a “Fitbit by Google” stopgap that was shown to people for sometime on product packaging and marketing.
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Google Drive ‘Home’ page gets a new search bar
In November, Google introduced a new “Home” page for the Drive website and it’s now getting an “expanded search bar and enhanced search chip capabilities.”
Expand Expanding CloseAndroid 15 DP2 brings back persistent taskbar on Pixel Fold, Tablet
With Android 13 QPR2 last year, Google removed the persistent Taskbar from Pixel devices. Android 15 DP2 reintroduces “Always shows Taskbar.”
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle Wallet requiring device unlocks for every tap to pay transaction
In recent days, some Google Wallet users have noticed that they’re being prompted to always unlock their Android phone for tap to pay regardless of the transaction amount.
Expand Expanding CloseGboard now lets you quickly file a ‘Quality Bug Report’
After adding the “Scan Text” OCR tool, Gboard’s latest feature is a “Quality Bug Report” shortcut that opens Google’s standard tool for submitting issues and feedback on Android.
Expand Expanding CloseFirst-gen Pixel Watch gets new Fitbit Workout UI
As part of the March Feature Drop, the original Pixel Watch is getting the new Fitbit Workout UI introduced with the second-generation wearable.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle Messages changing contact photos with Profile discovery rollout
Profile discovery was announced last November and it’s now seeing a wider Google Messages rollout with the most obvious change being updated contact photos.
Expand Expanding CloseAndroid 15 DP2: App archiving integrated into Settings
Android 15 Developer Preview 2 is rolling out today and integrates app archiving right into system Settings.
Expand Expanding CloseHere’s everything new in Android 15 Developer Preview 2 [Gallery]
The next Android 15 Developer Preview is available today, and we are looking at DP2 to find what’s new.
Expand Expanding CloseAndroid 15 Developer Preview 2 rolling out to Pixel
Google is rolling out Android 15 Developer Preview 2 today ahead of next month’s first beta. It continues work on a number of tentpoles with more capabilities taking shape in this release.
Expand Expanding CloseChromeOS adding a location privacy toggle
Last year, ChromeOS introduced Camera and Microphone access toggles that match the Android experience, and Chromebooks will soon be getting a location privacy control.
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