For those who don’t like the whimsical Pay animation that appears after using Google Wallet, a new setting can disable it.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle Wallet lets you disable animations, rolling out ‘Photo’ QR & barcode passes
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.
The Pixel Watch 2 AOD lets you immediately launch complications
A small but meaningful change on the Pixel Watch 2 means that a single tap of the always-on display (AOD) will immediately launch a complication.
Expand Expanding ClosePixel Fold and Tablet get new ‘Minerals’ wallpaper collection [Download]
Google photographed “Minerals” for the default Pixel 8 and 8 Pro backgrounds, and a slightly different version of that wallpaper collection is now available on the Pixel Fold and Tablet.
Expand Expanding CloseHow to access the Pixel Buds web app on Chromebooks
In addition to rolling out Conversation Detection, Hearing Wellness, and features exclusive to the Pixel 8, Google announced a Pixel Buds web app, and it’s now available.
Expand Expanding CloseAndroid 14 QPR1: Google Clock gets weather integration [U]
With Android 14 QPR1 Beta 2, a Google Weather experience is now integrated with the Google Clock app.
Expand Expanding Close‘Google Camera’ is now ‘Pixel Camera’ on the Play Store
Google Camera has been exclusive to Pixel devices for several years now, and it’s now being renamed on the Play Store to better reflect that fact.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle Photos rolling out native Android 14 share sheet
With Android 14, developers can build share sheets with app-specific actions, and Google Photos is now replacing its custom implementation with a native one.
Expand Expanding CloseTriaging Gmail and completing Tasks in Google Calendar for Wear OS
Back in November, we reported that Google was working on Gmail and Calendar apps for Wear OS. They’re now available, and I’m finding that triaging email from your wrist is weirdly handy.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle Messages rolling out voice memo support on Wear OS
Following the announcement last month, Google Messages is rolling out the ability to send and listen to voice memos from the Wear OS app.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle updates At a Glance on Pixel Watch with more complication types
The big limitation of At a Glance when it quietly launched in June was how it only supported a single watch face, but Google has now updated it with two more complication styles.
Expand Expanding CloseOriginal Pixel Watch now takes longer to charge after firmware update
Due to a “firmware update,” Google has had to change and increase the quoted charging speeds for the first-generation Pixel Watch.
Expand Expanding ClosePixel 8 Pro survives durability test better than 7 Pro [Video]
While the Pixel 7 Pro did “not snap in half nor break catastrophically” in JerryRigEverything’s testing, a gap was found in the frame after bending. The Pixel 8 Pro fared better in a durability test.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle One VPN is ‘built into’ the Pixel 8 with no persistent notification
With the Pixel 7, Google started offering a free VPN, and the Pixel 8 offers much deeper integration that doesn’t require a separate download.
Expand Expanding CloseAndroid 14 QPR1 Beta now available for Pixel 8 and 8 Pro
With the Pixel 8 and 8 Pro now available, Google has released Android 14 QPR1 Beta 2 ahead of the December launch.
Expand Expanding CloseNew Google Store and ‘Visitor Experience’ center in Mountain View is now open [Gallery]
The Google Visitor Experience center is now open in Mountain View, California. Besides a Google Store, there’s a cafe and spaces for the local community.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle app for iOS adding Autofill support to built-in Password Manager
For Cybersecurity Awareness Month, Google is rolling out a trio of new features in its iOS and Android apps, like the ability to Autofill passwords. This follows the prompt to set-up passkeys for your Google Account that was announced earlier this week.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle Home app AMA reveals work on homescreen widgets, more
Last week, the Google Home team kicked off a Reddit AMA (Ask Me Anything), and the first set of responses touch upon homescreen widgets and expanded Wear OS camera notification support.
Expand Expanding Close[Fixed] Fitbit is down with app missing data and devices
Fitbit has been down for the past few hours. The issue started on Wednesday afternoon (PT), with the app not showing any stats. In lieu of metrics, you just get blank space.
Expand Expanding CloseFitbit Charge 6 Review: A Pixel Watch Lite by any other name
Before the Pixel Watch, I happily used various Fitbit trackers because all the Wear OS 2 options were lacking. Now that a Google-made smartwatch is available, I didn’t foresee pairing any other wearable to my Android phone. The Fitbit Charge 6 changed that, and I very much consider it to be a Pixel Watch Lite.
Expand Expanding ClosePixel 8 Initial Review: Google made the small phone of my dreams
Before the Fold, I used the Pixel 7 daily because it was the smallest phone Google put out. That device, frankly, lacked a discernible personality and did not feel more than the sum of its parts. With the Pixel 8, Google designed something so entirely different – and good – that the whiplash is truly profound.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle rolls out Pixel Buds Pro 5.9 update with Conversation Detection
Following the announcement at the Pixel 8 and Watch 2 event last week, the Pixel Buds Pro 5.9 update is now seeing wide availability.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle Meet brings 1080p streaming to group calls
Earlier this year, Google Meet introduced 1080p streaming for 1:1 conversations, and it’s now coming to group calls.
Expand Expanding CloseAssistant with Bard may be limited to Tensor-powered Pixel, Galaxy S24 at first
Following the announcement of Assistant with Bard last week, development in the Google app is ramping up. In addition to Pixel 8 users, Google is getting ready to bring Assistant with Bard to Tensor-powered Pixel devices, as well as Samsung’s Galaxy S23 and S24.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle rolls out new ‘Gems’ collection of Pixel ringtones and alarm sounds
The default wallpapers on the Pixel 8 and 8 Pro are officially part of the “Minerals” collection, but Google is bringing a new collection — called “Gems” — of ringtones, notification sounds, and alarm sounds to all Pixel phones.
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