Google announced two sets of updates to Search that are intended to surface more helpful content, while marking more things as spam.
Expand Expanding CloseBig Google Search update aims to show more genuine, ‘helpful’ content
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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 One launches referral program: 75% off first 3 months, Play Store credit
Google One is readying a referral program that earns you up to $25 of Play Store credit, while people that use your link get “75% off their first 3 months” of service. This is not yet live.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle on how Meta sped up its Android 14 app updates
Google shared a case study of sorts today on how Meta was able to improve Android app development internally.
Expand Expanding CloseCircle to Search rolling out to Pixel 7 and 7 Pro, but not the Pixel Fold
Following the March Feature Drop announcement, Circle to Search is starting to roll out to the Pixel 7 and 7 Pro.
Expand Expanding ClosePixel Watch March 2024 update rolling out
Google is rolling out the latest Pixel Watch and Pixel Watch 2 update with the March 2024 security patch today.
Expand Expanding ClosePixel 8 and 8 Pro get 30 fixes with Android 14 QPR2
Android 14 QPR2 is rolling out and brings a number of fixes for the Pixel 8 series and other current Google devices.
Expand Expanding CloseAndroid 14 QPR2 rolling out with March Pixel update
Google is rolling out the QPR2 stable update to Android 14 with the March 2024 security patch for the latest Pixel devices: 5a, 6, 6 Pro, 6a, 7, 7 Pro, 7a, Tablet, Fold, 8, and 8 Pro.
Expand Expanding CloseMarch Feature Drop: Call Screen ‘Hello,’ Circle to Search rollout teased, PW2 features on Pixel Watch
Following the unexpected January edition, Google is rolling out the March Pixel Feature Drop. Notably, it’s arriving today in all countries but the US, while stateside availability is not until March 11.
Expand Expanding CloseYouTube Music redesigns web player to match Now Playing on Android
Besides rolling out support for offline downloads, YouTube Music for web is getting a Now Playing redesign to match the Android version.
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There’s no Apple TV app for Android phones, but you can add it to your homescreen
There’s frustratingly still no Apple TV app for Android phones and tablets. Your next best alternative is installing the Apple TV Progressive Web App (PWA) so that the streaming service appears on your homescreen.
Expand Expanding CloseHow Health Connect stats will appear in the Fitbit app
On Monday, Google announced that Health Connect stats can now appear in the Fitbit app, and here’s a bit more about how that integration will work.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle Wallet now lets you manually archive passes
Google Wallet automatically archives passes once they’ve expired, but the app has now added a manual archive and unarchive option.
Expand Expanding CloseSources: Pixel Watch 3 will have 45mm size, Pixel Buds Pro 2 also coming
Back in January, we shared that Google is working on two sizes for its next Wear OS device. 9to5Google can now report that a 45mm Pixel Watch 3 is coming, while new Pixel Buds Pro 2 are also in development.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle Drive speeding up video playback, improving mobile search
Google Drive is rolling out a pair of updates, including improved video playback and more search filters on mobile.
Expand Expanding CloseReport: Meta rejected Android XR partnership, but Google remains open
Google is open to an Android XR partnership with Meta that would see the existing headset maker get access to more apps, but that offer was rejected.
Expand Expanding CloseYouTube Music ‘Create a radio’ gets new shortcut, adds podcast sorting
YouTube Music introduced “Create a radio” last year and is now giving it a more permanent home.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle Messages RCS is not working on rooted, custom ROM Android phones
In recent weeks, Android users with rooted or bootloader unlocked phones have found that RCS in Google Messages does not work.
Expand Expanding ClosePhotomath is officially Google’s latest app on the Play Store
In May of 2022, Google announced that it was acquiring a math solver app called Photomath. The deal closed last year after regulatory review, but Google only just brought the application under its Play Store publisher account today.
Expand Expanding CloseChrome search updated with more images, on-device suggestions
Google Chrome is rolling out a handful of updates to search suggestions, including more images, wider availability, and “People also search for.”
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle Cloud and Stack Overflow partner on Gemini for developers
Google Cloud and Stack Overflow announced a strategic partnership today that boosts the utility of Gemini for developers.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle Messages rolling out new contact Details page [U]
As we previously spotted, Google Messages is beginning to roll out a new in-app contacts page with a touch of Material You.
Expand Expanding CloseYouTube Music redesigns overflowing overflow menu on Android [U]
After testing in October, YouTube Music has rolled out a redesign of the Now Playing overflow menu, but only on iOS.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle Contacts widgets will soon show that person’s last sent message
Last year, Google Contacts introduced new Material You widgets and is now planning to let you “See messages on your widget.”
Expand Expanding Close[Fixed] YouTube Music’s homescreen recommendations are off today
Some YouTube Music users are seeing a very playlist-heavy homescreen today that feels generic and not very personalized.
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