Announced at I/O, Google Maps is now rolling out “Immersive View for routes” and a number of other search and navigation features.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle Maps rolling out Immersive View for routes, more detailed navigation, EV updates
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.
Pixel Watch 2 AOD also registers swipes for fast notification, QS access
In addition to letting you immediately launch complications, the Pixel Watch 2 also registers swipes from the always-on display (AOD).
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle Keep working on AI-powered ‘Magic Lists’
The latest example of generative AI inside Google apps is a “Magic Lists” feature for Keep that’s meant to be a “creative note-taking aid.”
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Gmail on the web getting full emoji picker with skin tones
One of the buttons in the toolbar of Gmail’s compose window opens an emoji picker that Google is now modernizing with a “more complete emoji selection.”
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Google Play requiring gen AI apps to let you easily report offensive content
Google Play today announced its latest Android app policies across gen AI safety, privacy protections, and limiting disruptive notifications.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle SGE rolling out AI image generator [U]
Google is updating its Search Generative Experience (SGE) with an AI image generator, as well as text generation. The idea is to let you get things done right from Google Search.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle Search rolls out ‘About this image’ to help see if something was created by AI
Announced at I/O in May, Google is now rolling out an “About this image” tool that you’ll find in the three-dot overflow menu of Search photo results.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle Fiber to offer residential 20 Gig with Wi-Fi 7 by end of 2023
Google Fiber previously said that it wanted to eventually offer 100 Gig internet, and it’s now working towards that with residential 20 Gig + Wi-Fi 7 by year’s end.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle Clock 7.6 centers the time, adds Pixel Watch alarm sync [U]
Google is rolling out version 7.6 of its Clock app on Android, and it lets you sync alarms between your phone and Pixel Watch.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle Pixel’s NBA sponsorship continues for third season
Google Pixel is the “Official Fan Phone of the NBA,” and this multi-year partnership is continuing for its third season tonight with the Pixel 8 Pro.
Expand Expanding CloseRevamped Google News Following tab feels like a customizable Discover
Recently, I’ve been using Google News a bit more because of the customizable Following tab that feels like a cross between Google Reader of old and today’s Google Discover.
Expand Expanding CloseAlphabet reports Q3 2023 revenue of $77 billion
Alphabet today announced Q3 2023 earnings with $77 billion in revenue. These numbers range from July to September.
Expand Expanding CloseSnapdragon 8 Gen 3 has 1+5+2 core config, on-device gen AI, & ‘Seamless’ continuity
Today, Qualcomm announced the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 with a big on-device generative AI focus for the upcoming generation of Android phones. The company also shared “Snapdragon Seamless” as a means to build more cross-device experiences.
Expand Expanding CloseGmail tweaks how you launch Help me write and might add ‘voice compose’
Gmail for Android and iOS is changing how you initiate Duet AI’s “Help me write” capability, while Google might be expanding it with “voice compose” in the future.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle Photos now lets you create ‘Highlight videos’ with new Create menu
Google Photos is using AI to let you quickly create topical “Highlight videos” on Android and iOS. It’s meant to replace the previous “Movie” maker functionality.
Expand Expanding CloseYouTube Music will let you make custom playlist art with gen AI, adding ‘Speed dial’
YouTube Music announced today that it’s adding generative AI to let users create custom playlist art, while it made official the “Speed dial” redesign.
Expand Expanding ClosePixel Tablet might get Look and Talk, Quick Gestures from Nest Hub Max
With the Pixel Tablet now a few months old, Google might soon add two features that debuted on the Nest Hub Max: Look and Talk and Quick Gestures.
Expand Expanding CloseAndroid 14 QPR1 Beta 2.1 rolling out [Update: Pixel 8]
Exactly two weeks after the previous release, Android 14 QPR1 Beta 2.1 is rolling out today with a handful of bug fixes, but the Pixel 8 and 8 Pro aren’t getting updated right away.
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Google Play Games PC now has 3,000 titles, including Clash of Clans, Xbox and PS5 controller support
Google has updated Play Games for PC, which is still in beta, with controller support and a handful of new features.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle Wallet now lets you share boarding passes, complete with web access
First teased in July, Google Wallet for Android has rolled out link-based pass sharing that works for airline boarding and events.
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Google Messages loses ‘Top contacts’ when starting new conversations
Google Messages has recently stopped showing “Top contacts” on the “New conversation” screen in a disruptive behavior change for some users.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle Keep rolls out text formatting on Android [U: Old notes]
Over a year after we first spotted work on the feature, Google Keep for Android is finally rolling out the ability to format text.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle Discover rolling out air quality (AQI) card on Android, iOS [U]
In addition to directly surfacing it when searching for air quality, Google is getting ready to show AQI in Discover on Android and iOS.
Expand Expanding CloseGmail on tablets and foldables now opens links in split-screen view
Work to optimize Google’s first-party apps for tablets and tablets continues today, with Gmail now opening links and other attachments in a split-screen mode.
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