YouTube Music adds next/previous song swipe gesture on iPhone
After picking up the gradient redesign last month, YouTube Music’s Now Playing page on iOS finally lets you swipe for the next/previous song.
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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.
Pixelated 013: Dissecting the Pixel 8a
Welcome to the thirteenth episode of Pixelated, a podcast by 9to5Google. This week, we talk all about the Pixel 8a.
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Just the oldest Google app screenshots on the Play Store
App store screenshots for preinstalled applications exist in a liminal space. If something is already on your phone, just open and try the software to get a feel for it. At the same time, people might be hesitant to use something they didn’t actively choose/download.
Expand Expanding CloseFree Google Photos Magic Editor widely rolling out on Pixel, Samsung
In mid-May, Google Photos started rolling out a free version of Magic Editor to all users and it’s now seeing wider availability on Android devices.
Expand Expanding CloseNew Google Account page shows all your addresses in one place
In recent weeks, Google has been emailing users — “Manage your saved addresses in your Google Account” — about a new way to view all the addresses you’ve ever given the company.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle Messages will soon let Android users text 911 using RCS
Google today announced a partnership that will allow Android users to message 911 through RCS. The capability is set to start rolling out this winter.
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Google Play recommends devs document their gen AI app testing
Google Play today is “providing guidance to help developers enhance the quality and safety of AI-powered apps” as adoption of those technologies increase, with increased testing being top of mind.
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At a Glance, Pixel Weather widgets roll out new icon set
After initially appearing for some in February, the new set of Google Weather icons are now widely available in At a Glance and the Pixel Weather widgets.
Expand Expanding ClosePixel 8 and 8 Pro now come with the ‘best of Google AI’ (4 months of AI Premium)
During the Google Store summer sale, Pixel 8 and 8 Pro buyers can get four months of Google One AI Premium for free.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle Maps location history change rolling out, Your Timeline on web going away
Back in December, Google announced that Maps Location History would soon be stored on your phone instead of the cloud. This change to the Google Maps Timeline is continuing to roll out, and will see the deprecation of Your Timeline on the web.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle acquires Cameyo to boost virtual Windows apps for enterprise on ChromeOS
Google has acquired Cameyo to encourage enterprise adoption of ChromeOS by making it easy to run legacy Windows apps.
Expand Expanding CloseGemini app for Android & iOS is now rolling out to UK, Europe
Following the last country/language expansion at the end of April, Google’s Gemini app for Android and iOS is now coming to the UK and Europe.
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Google Maps beta crashing in Android Auto
After updating to the latest beta version of Google Maps, some Android Auto users are having issues with mapping in their cars.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle Messages ‘Nudges’ and birthday reminders are back [U]
After introducing in 2022, Google Messages for Android has removed a “Nudges” capability that provided reply and birthday reminders.
Expand Expanding CloseI hope the Fitbit logo remains or: The boringness of the ‘G’
This is the least important part of Fitbit’s absorption into Google — seriously, where is the dark theme — but I hope its logo and brand identity survives. I’m specifically referring to the arrow logo comprised of dots, lowercase “fitbit” wordmark, and soothing green/teal color palette.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle Home Favorites widget now in preview, updates every 30 minutes
Following the announcement last week, Google Home 3.18 with the new Favorites widgets is widely rolling out via the Play Store.
Expand Expanding ClosePixel VPN by Google going live for 7/Pro, 7a, and Fold owners on beta
With VPN by Google One shutting down starting June 20, Pixel 7, 7 Pro, 7a, and Fold owners are starting to see their intended replacement go live.
Expand Expanding CloseAndroid 15 Beta 2.2 rolling out with several fixes for Pixel
Following the last patch two weeks ago, Google is rolling out Android 15 Beta 2.2 with several Pixel fixes. Private space should now be fully working, while this update also addresses Wallet/NFC issues.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle now has Auto Dark Mode for websites in its iPhone app
While Search Labs is most closely associated with generative AI, Google also uses it to test other features, with the latest being “Auto Dark Mode” on the iPhone.
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Google wants Pixel 6/7 Pro owners to buy 8 Pro with trade-in boost
As part of its summer sale, the US Google Store is offering boosted trade-in values for the Pixel 6/7 Pro when purchasing the Pixel 8 Pro.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle Store summer sale: Buy discounted Pixel 8 & get 50% off Pixel 8a, more
The US Google Store is kicking off a summer sale today across Pixel phones, Tablet, and Watch. These offers end June 22, 2024 at 11:59 p.m. PT.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle One app removes ‘Support’ tab in possible perk deprioritization
In recent months, Google One has undergone a number of changes from the addition of the AI Premium tier to paid Google Photos tools going free and the upcoming VPN removal on June 20. Google One might have quietly made another change in regards to additional or elevated support.
Expand Expanding ClosePixel 9 leak reveals Tensor G4 specs, benchmarks
After being photographed, the leaked Pixel 9, 9 Pro, and 9 Pro XL have now been subjected to preliminary benchmarks, while we now have details on the Tensor G4.
Expand Expanding CloseYouTube Music Cast menu adds ‘disconnect’ button that doesn’t stop playback
Back in April, YouTube Music rolled out a new Cast menu and Google is now starting to address the lack of a “Disconnect” button.
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