Privacy Sandbox in Chrome hits general availability ahead of 3rd-party cookie deprecation
Google announced today that “Privacy Sandbox for the Web” has reached general availability (GA) in Chrome.
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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.
Chrome getting Material You redesign for its 15th birthday
To mark Chrome turning 15 this month, Google announced a Material You redesign for the desktop browser on Mac, Windows, Linux, and ChromeOS.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle Fonts redesign is a neat example of Material 3 on mobile web
The Google Fonts website has been thoroughly updated with a Material 3 redesign that serves as an interesting showcase of the design language on mobile web.
Expand Expanding CloseYouTube removing some ad type controls for Creators, testing ‘fewer, longer ad breaks’ on TV
YouTube is making a change to what ad controls Creators have while it’s testing some viewer-facing tweaks for the ad break experience on TVs.
Expand Expanding CloseAndroid 14 Beta 5.3 rolling out with more Pixel bug fixes
For the third time this cycle, Google is rolling out another bug fixer with Android 14 Beta 5.3 for all Pixel devices. With this patch, it does seem the stable release might be further off.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle Pay autofill in Chrome will actually name and show saved cards
Google Pay’s autofill experience in Chrome is set to get a big quality of life boost by better identifying your saved cards.
Expand Expanding ClosePixel Watch 1.4 update brings Google Account linking, UI tweaks
Version 1.4 of the Pixel Watch app is rolling out this evening with minor visual changes to the companion client and the ability to link your Google Account.
Expand Expanding CloseSundar Pichai on 25 years of Google: Search is ‘still our biggest moonshot’
Google was incorporated on September 4, 1998, though the occasion has long been celebrated on September 27. CEO Sundar Pichai shared his thoughts today on Google turning 25 and what the future holds.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle Play Movies app on Android TV going away in October
As previously reported in June, the Google Play Movies & TV app on Android TV is going away, with the deprecation now set for October.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle rolling out August 2023 update for Nest Wifi
Following the last big update nearly a year ago, Google is rolling out an August 2023 update for the Nest Wifi router and point. In general, Google’s routers rarely see major updates.
Expand Expanding CloseAndroid 14 for Google Pixel is not out yet
Instead of the stable release of Android 14 for Pixel phones, as well as the Fold and Tablet, we got a series of Google app updates and updated branding this morning. While unexpected, this isn’t Google’s latest OS release just yet.
Expand Expanding CloseShorts are coming to the Google Play Store
In addition to lists and other written recommendations, a YouTube Shorts video series called “The Play Report” is the latest piece of editorial content coming to the Google Play Store.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle Messages for Wear OS will let you send voice memos
Given the popularity of voice memos, Google Messages is bringing the ability to record and send to the Wear OS app.
Expand Expanding CloseRedesigned Assistant At a Glance widget rolling out to all Android phones
Android is rolling out its quarterly drop of new features today, with a redesign of the Assistant At a Glance widget being the highlight.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle updates the Android brand with new logo and 3D robot
Following our previous report, Google is officially unveiling a new 3D logo for Android. The broad goal of this updated branding is to “help connect Android to Google,” and it follows the previous modernization in 2019.
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Google Workspace Individual adds more Meet features like Q&A, transcripts
Google Workspace Individual, which is aimed at single-owner businesses, is getting new Meet video calling features.
Expand Expanding Close[Fixed] Google Voice bug prevents large photos from sending
Google Voice is seeing a peculiar issue today where “high-resolution” photos and “other large media” cannot be uploaded or sent via SMS/MMS.
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You can get a Pixel Fold discount if you have all the Play Points
Last year, you could briefly redeem Play Points for Google Store discounts, and a similar offer is now back for the Pixel Fold.
Expand Expanding CloseReport: YouTube concerned that Shorts will cannibalize long-form videos
In recent years, YouTube has repeatedly said and shown that short-form video is a big priority. A new report reveals that there are internal concerns about YouTube Shorts cannibalizing the core long-form video business.
Expand Expanding ClosePixel Fold and Tablet get more Living Universe live wallpapers
The Pixel Fold and Tablet only supported a subset of live wallpapers in the Living Universe collection at launch, but Google has now added a few more.
Expand Expanding CloseEuropean Google Store 25th birthday sale taking place September 12
Following Australia, Japan, and Taiwan last month, Google Stores in Europe will be “unwrapping birthday discounts on 12 September” to mark the company’s 25th anniversary.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle Now was the better phone assistant, no AI or LLMs needed
The other day I was manually entering upcoming events that were listed on a website into Google Calendar. Several years ago, I could just activate Google Now on Tap and have most of that information automatically filled.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle raising the price of Nest Aware and Aware Plus
Google today started informing customers (in the US) of a Nest Aware price increase. This monthly or yearly subscription enhances Nest Cams, Doorbells, Smart Displays, and Speakers.
Expand Expanding CloseYouTube Music rolls out Now Playing redesign with YT comments [U: Official]
After pulling a variant at the start of this year, YouTube Music is rolling out the latest redesign of Now Playing on Android and iOS, adding a comments section. This follows the launch of real-time lyrics last week.
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