Google is widely rolling out a new “Government” badge in the Play Store to helpful identify official Android apps.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle Play Store rolling out ‘Government’ apps badge
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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’s Advanced Protection Program will soon support passkeys
To mark World Password Day, Google is highlighting its progress on passkeys, which will soon work with the Advanced Protection Program (APP).
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle Play Books curiously puts audiobook previews on YouTube
Updates to Play Books are on the rare side these days, though it got a Material You redesign in March, but Google today is highlighting four new features, including a YouTube integration.
Expand Expanding CloseNew Google Messages setting lets you turn off ‘expressive animations’ [U]
As desired by more than a few users, Google Messages is getting ready to add a “Show expressive animations” setting to presumably turn off Reaction and Screen Effects.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle needs a more formalized way to kill products
Google should standardize when it kills products and major features instead of doing it sporadically throughout the year. The current approach, especially for the average user, is too hard to keep track of, and contributes to the perceived — deserved or not — sense of impending doom with Google services.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle Wallet replacing Fitbit Pay in July
Fitbit’s integration into Google continues with Google Wallet replacing Fitbit Pay on smartwatches and trackers in July.
Expand Expanding CloseYou can now buy Google merch on the online Google Store with your Pixel
Besides Pixel, Fitbit, and Nest devices, the online Google Store is now selling company merch. Swag includes water bottles, clothing, and some actual toys.
Expand Expanding CloseGemini shortcut coming to Chrome, mobile app expands language support
Following the last update to gemini.google.com in early March, Google is expanding international availability of the Gemini mobile app and adding a useful shortcut in Chrome.
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Google Drive keyboard shortcuts on the web are changing
The Google Drive web client is updating its existing keyboard shortcuts to make possible “first-letters navigation.”
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Are Wear OS Tiles for Google Messages and Wallet coming?
Quite a few of Google’s Wear OS apps already offer Tiles, with more from Messages and Wallet maybe on the way if a Play Store collection is to be believed.
Expand Expanding CloseYouTube Music rolling out Cast menu redesign on Android with no stop button
After testing earlier this year, YouTube Music for Android is widely rolling out a sheet-based Cast menu redesign.
Expand Expanding CloseYouTube TV starting to roll out Multiview on Android phones, tablets
Last month, YouTube TV brought Multiview to the iOS app and it’s soon rolling out on Android.
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Pixel Watch 2 deals return to the US, deep discounts in UK
In the US, the Google Store has brought back a discount on the Pixel Watch 2 in both Wi-Fi and LTE versions, but the real deal is in the UK where the cellular model is 62.5% off.
Expand Expanding CloseAndroid 15 might drop At a Glance… to the bottom of your lockscreen
With Android 15, Google is testing a move of At a Glance from its top-left lockscreen position to the very bottom.
Expand Expanding CloseChrome’s Omnibox address bar is now powered by machine learning
With Chrome 124 on Mac, Windows, and ChromeOS, Google has updated the address bar, or Omnibox, with ML models to offer better suggestions.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle on Play Store safety and security measures in 2023
Google today highlighted how the Play Store “fought bad apps and bad actors” in 2023 through a mix of new technical advances and policy updates.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle Play Store can now simultaneously download multiple Android apps
After on and off testing over the past few years, Google looks to have widely rolled out simultaneous app downloads and installs on the Play Store in a nice quality of life improvement.
Expand Expanding CloseFitbit․com shop closes, replaced by Google Store
Following the “Google Fitbit” branding change last month, the fitbit.com online shop is no more, with the Google Store taking over.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle Pay transaction screen adds ‘Open Wallet’ shortcut
Following the recently rolled out verification change that requires more frequent authentication, Google Pay on Android has been tweaked with an “Open Wallet” shortcut.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle expands Pixel hardware campus in Taiwan
Google this week opened its latest hardware office in Taiwan for Pixel, Fitbit, and Nest development.
Expand Expanding ClosePixelated 007: AndroidPixel
Welcome to the seventh episode of Pixelated, a podcast by 9to5Google. We talk about the Android-Pixel reorg, the new 4K Chromecast with Google TV, and some Pixel Tablet rumors.
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‘Chromecast with Google TV’ is not a good name
This is the least important part of the next 4K Chromecast — RAM, then storage (fight me in the comments below), but I don’t think “Chromecast with Google TV” is a good name/brand by any stretch.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle Maps updates Wear OS Tile with direct map shortcut
Following the big update that added public transit directions last month, Google Maps has tweaked its Wear OS Tile to provide quick access to the map.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle Messages Custom Bubble colors and backgrounds widely rolling out [U]
After previewing in late November, Google Messages is slowly rolling out Custom Bubbles that let you theme the color and background of RCS chats.
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