With Google Podcasts shutting down in 2024, YouTube Music is getting the ability to add podcasts via RSS feed. This is now rolling out for the first users.
Expand Expanding CloseYouTube Music rolls out manually adding podcasts via RSS [U]
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.
Fitbit app rolling out Steps streak, goal celebrations, and Pixel Watch battery
In addition to battery percentage, the Fitbit app is rolling out goal celebrations and the Steps streak in response to user feedback about the initial Material You redesign.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle Messages rolling out ‘Profile discovery’ to set Account-level name, avatar
As we’ve been tracking, Google is now beginning to roll out “Profile discovery” in Messages for Android to establish your name and photo across the RCS app and others.
Expand Expanding CloseWhatsApp backups on Android will soon count toward your Google Account storage
Google and WhatsApp today announced a change where WhatsApp chat and media backups on Android will “start counting toward your Google Account cloud storage limit” from December 2023 onward.
Expand Expanding CloseSamsung’s Android devices accounted for ‘half or more’ of Google Play revenue
As the Epic v. Google lawsuit continues, we learned today that Samsung devices, as of early 2019, accounted for “half or more” of Google Play revenue.
Expand Expanding CloseRedesigned Fitbit app brings back battery percentage
Last month, Fitbit detailed a handful of upcoming changes for its redesigned app in response to user feedback, including the return of battery percentage for trackers and smartwatches.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle’s ‘specialized’ Android 14 storage fix for Pixel phones that reboot is out
If your Pixel phone on Android 14 has been repeatedly rebooting (in a bootloop), Google has a “specialized” fix that involves manually installing an update via the Pixel Repair Tool.
Expand Expanding CloseFourth Google Store opening in 2024 on the East Coast
Last month, Google opened its third retail location in Mountain View, following Chelsea and Williamsburg. The next Google Store will be in Boston.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle Drive rolling out new homepage on Android & iOS with double FABs
Google is redesigning Drive’s homepage on Android and iOS with a more compact UI to “help you more easily find the right file much faster.”
Expand Expanding CloseHumane’s Ai Pin won’t replace your phone, but it should go after the smartwatch
While I think the “Laser Ink Display” projector on the Humane Ai Pin is pretty cool and makes for a very interesting user experience, I do not think this product is anywhere close to replacing the smartphone.
Expand Expanding CloseGboard switching to its floating keyboard when landscape
Given the tall aspect ratios of today’s phones, Gboard in landscape orientation often takes up most of the display (and leaves only a few lines of text visible), but Google now has a floating alternative.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle Chrome Material You redesign widely rolling out
Back in September, Google announced a Material You redesign of desktop Chrome that’s now more widely rolling out.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle Chat rolling out new icon, redesigned ‘Home’ and ‘Mentions’ navigation
As we spotted over the weekend, Google Chat is getting a new icon, as well as redesigned navigation on the web app with dedicated views for “Home” and “Mentions.”
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle Home app getting ready to show more sensor data, fan controls [U]
Google yesterday recapped recent Home app launches while teasing the ability to “see more data from sensors” that might already be rolling out.
Expand Expanding CloseHumane fully details $699 ‘Ai Pin’ and what it can do [Gallery]
After years of teasing, Humane today fully unveiled its Ai Pin, a wearable camera with laser projector, for $699 and a $24 per month subscription to access cellular connectivity and other services.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle Play requiring devs to do more app testing before launch
Google Play’s work to boost app quality on Android continues today with a requirement for wider testing before release.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle Messages readying ‘Profiles’ to set your name and photo
For the past several months, Google Messages has been working on a Profiles feature, and we now have a better idea of what it’s for.
Expand Expanding CloseHumane Ai Pin price leaks: $699 with $24 per month subscription
Ahead of tomorrow’s announcement, many details about the Humane Ai Pin have leaked out, including the price.
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YouTube TV is Google’s fastest-growing product with highest retention rate
According to leaked internal numbers, YouTube TV grew 48% in the past year and is Google’s fastest-growing product.
Expand Expanding CloseChrome Sync being replaced on iOS with simpler Google Account sign in
Google is simplifying the process of setting up its browser on iOS by getting rid of Chrome Sync.
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[Back] Magic Compose disappears from Google Messages
Google Messages has seen a flurry of new features start rolling out this week, but the app appears to have lost Magic Compose.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle bringing its Search Generative Experience (SGE) to over 120 new countries & territories
The Google Search Generative Experience (SGE) is getting a huge international expansion in over 120 new countries and territories and a handful of new generative AI-powered features.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle wants Europe to classify iMessage as a gatekeeper that has to be interoperable
The European Commission is currently investigating whether iMessage should fall under the Digital Markets Act (DMA) and therefore be subject to interoperability rules. Google and local carriers have sent a letter to regulators in Europe arguing that iMessage should be considered a “core” service.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle Chrome gets quick way to see how much memory each tab is using
After adding a Memory Saver earlier this year, Chrome on desktop platforms (Mac, Windows, ChromeOS, etc.) will now report “Memory usage” when you hover over a tab.
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