As holiday shopping gets underway, Google is rolling out new features, like in-browser price insights, across Chrome and Search.
Expand Expanding CloseChrome will show ‘shopping insights’ and highlight discount codes
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.
Android 14 November security patch rolling out
With the November security patch, Google today is rolling out the first update to Android 14 since launch for the following Pixel devices: 4a 5G, 5, 5a, 6, 6 Pro, 6a, 7, 7 Pro, 7a, Tablet, Fold, 8, and 8 Pro.
Expand Expanding CloseFirst Pixel 8 and 8 Pro update starts rolling out
With the Android 14 November security patch, the Pixel 8 and 8 Pro are getting their first post-launch update with a handful of fixes.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle Pay sheets get Material 3 redesign on Android and web
Besides in-store NFC payments, Google Pay exists on the web, as well as in Android apps, and the bottom sheet UI is now getting a Material 3 redesign.
Expand Expanding CloseYouTube tests AI that lets you ‘Ask’ questions about videos and summarize comments
In addition to generative AI for Creators, YouTube is now testing a conversational AI for end users that lets them ask questions about videos and navigate comments more easily.
Expand Expanding CloseNew Google Chat logo gets possible early reveal
We spotted a new logo for Google Chat in May, but it did not get announced with the homescreen redesign that also adds Duet AI and audio huddles a few months later. What should be the final version of that new Google Chat logo has now leaked.
Expand Expanding Close
Google Messages wants feedback from beta users
Google Messages has rolled out quite a few new features in recent weeks — but has not publicly announced them — and the team is now seeking beta feedback.
Expand Expanding CloseAll the ways YouTube doesn’t feel like a Google app
Especially after the last round of updates, YouTube decidedly does not feel like a first-party Google app.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle Meet now lets enterprise users make direct calls without sending a link
While “Google Meet” replaced Duo last year, call functionality is still technically split between legacy features for personal users and enterprise users. Now, Workspace users can make direct calls too.
Expand Expanding ClosePixel owners with Android 14 storage issue can sign up for test OTA update
Google is working on a system update to fix the Android 14 storage access issue on the Pixel 6 and newer, and you can test the OTA now.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle Meet rolling out optimized ‘On-the-Go’ mode
As we previously detailed, Google Meet is adding an On-the-Go mode that offers an optimized meeting experience when you’re mobile.
Expand Expanding Close
Chrome not proceeding with Web Integrity API deemed by many to be DRM
Back in July, Google’s work on a Web Integrity API emerged, and many equated it to DRM. While prototyped, it was only at the proposal stage, and the company announced today it’s not going ahead with the proposed API.
Expand Expanding CloseAndroid 14 QPR1 Beta 2.2 rolling out with 34 Pixel bug fixes
Two weeks after the last patch, Android 14 QPR1 Beta 2.2 is rolling out with many Pixel bug fixes. It’s not Beta 3 like we were expecting.
Expand Expanding Close
Google AdSense moving to per-impression payments in 2024
Google today announced two changes to AdSense but doesn’t “expect publishers to see a change in their earnings” and payments. Consistency and “greater transparency” were cited as the reason for these updates.
Expand Expanding Close
Google Play highlighting VPNs that have undergone an independent security review
One aspect of the Data Safety section that the Play Store introduced last year is the ability to feature “Independent security reviews.” Google Play is more prominently surfacing that badge when you search for VPN apps.
Expand Expanding CloseGboard for Android getting a ‘Scan Text’ OCR tool [Gallery]
Google is adding a new built-in tool to Gboard for Android that lets you “Scan Text” using optical character recognition (OCR).
Expand Expanding ClosePixel Recorder adds favoriting, Audio channels, & auto language detect [U]
Later this year, Google will add AI summaries to the Recorder app on the Pixel 8 and 8 Pro, but in the meantime, you can now favorite your recordings.
Expand Expanding CloseInternational YouTube Premium price increase underway in these countries
Following the United States in July, YouTube Premium’s international price increase is starting. The Google video is rolling this out slowly across Europe, Asia-Pacific, and South America.
Expand Expanding CloseMetNet-3 powers Google’s 12-hour precipitation forecasts in Pixel Weather app, Search
Besides a redesign, the most interesting part of the updated Weather experience for Pixel is “Google Nowcast” for real-time 12-hour precipitation forecasts. Google today detailed the MetNet-3 deep learning model behind it, which is also powering weather features in Google Search.
Expand Expanding Close
Google lowers Pixel Watch trade-in value towards Pixel Watch 2
After a brief disappearance, the US Google Store is letting you trade in the Pixel Watch towards the purchase of the Pixel Watch 2. However, the value of Google’s first wearable has declined slightly.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle Play opens 2023 voting for best new Android app and game
As the year winds down, Google Play has opened voting for the 2023 Users’ Choice Awards. You can select the best new Android app and game, as well as book.
Expand Expanding CloseApple Watch support for Android was ‘nearly complete,’ canceled to protect iPhone
Apple was working on making the Apple Watch, along with various health features, compatible with Android before the project was canceled.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle Chat gets message bubble redesign, looks like Google Messages
At Cloud Next ’23 in August, a big enterprise-focused revamp of Google Chat with a new homescreen, Duet AI, and audio-first huddles was previewed. A smaller redesign of Google Chat today adds message bubbles for a more modern look.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle adding ‘Promotions’ & support numbers, emails to retailer Knowledge Panels
Ahead of the busy holiday shopping season, Google today announced a number of product updates, like updating Knowledge Panels for retailers with a “Promotions” section.
Expand Expanding Close