With Android 14, Google removed the ability to long press an icon on the homescreen to quickly see notifications from that app.
Expand Expanding CloseAndroid 14 removed long pressing on app icons to see notifications
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.
Google Home adds search bar for devices on your Wi-Fi network
The Google Home app is adding a small but handy search feature to quickly find what Wi-Fi devices are on your network.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle Drive on Android tablets now looks even more like the website
Google is rolling out its latest round of large-screen optimizations for Drive, and the clear trend is how the website UI is coming to Android tablets and foldables.
Expand Expanding CloseWould anything get you to use Google Chat with friends?
With Apple’s RCS for iPhone announcement, Google is undoubtedly moving full steam ahead on Messages and RCS as its consumer messaging app. It is inherently aligned with Android, which bodes well for continued development, and consistently gets a slew of new features.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle asks Pixel Watch 2 owners about their ideal battery life
Google is out with a Pixel Watch 2 feedback survey (sent to some owners via email) to help improve the product with a pair of interesting questions about battery life.
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Google brings Pixel Watch 2 faces to first-gen Watch [U]
The original Pixel Watch’s Wear OS 4 update did not add all the software features from this year’s model, but the six new faces Google created for 2023 are now starting to appear.
Expand Expanding CloseQualcomm announces Snapdragon 7 Gen 3
Qualcomm is following last month’s big announcement with the Snapdragon 7 Gen 3 today. The goal remains bringing more flagship features down the chip lineup.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle Fiber demos how you’d actually use 20 Gig internet at home
Google Fiber is planning to offer residential 20 Gig with Wi-Fi 7 by the end of 2023, and today demoed what it looks like in practice.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle will work with Apple on implementing RCS on iPhone
Following the news that Apple is adding RCS support to the iPhone, Google is out with a statement this afternoon.
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Chromebook Plus getting 3D billboard in Times Square with Cyberpunk 2077 promo
Following the announcement in October, Chromebook Plus is heading into its first holiday shopping season, and Google is promoting the gaming aspects in Times Square with a billboard.
Expand Expanding CloseFullscreen Google Tasks UI rolling out to Calendar on the web
For the past several years, Google Tasks has been restricted to a side panel in Gmail, Drive, and other Workspace sites. Google Calendar on the web is now adding a fullscreen Tasks interface.
Expand Expanding CloseApple gets the message, RCS coming to iPhone in 2024 with same Universal Profile as Android
Apple announced (via 9to5Mac) today that it’s adding RCS support to the iPhone in a great boost to Android-iOS messaging.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle opens up access to AI-powered NotebookLM
Announced at I/O 2023 as “Project Tailwind,” Google today is opening up access to NotebookLM, its AI-first notebook that lets you ask questions about information that users provide.
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Old Manifest V2 Chrome extensions will be disabled in 2024
With Manifest V3, Google wants to make extensions safer by prioritizing privacy, but was initially criticized for the impact to ad blockers. The Chrome team has since added new features in response and is ready to disable old Manifest V2 extensions in 2024.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle SGE will let you visualize clothing using AI and shop for real matches
In one of the more interesting and practical AI use cases, the Google SGE (Search Generative Experience) will let you imagine the clothing you want and then shop for real-life matches.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle Store pairs $200 off Pixel 8 Pro with boosted Black Friday trade-ins
Google’s Black Friday deals are kicking off a full week before Thanksgiving this year, and of note is a $200 discount on the Pixel 8 Pro that’s paired with slightly higher trade-ins.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle Bard now available for teens with safety features, chart generation
Following the Search Generative Experience (SGE) in September, Google is rolling out Bard access for teens with safety guardrails in place.
Expand Expanding CloseAndroid 14 QPR2 allows for ‘single app’ screen recording
First announced at I/O 2023 in May, Android 14’s “single app” screen recording feature is coming with QPR2.
Expand Expanding CloseHere’s everything new in Android 14 QPR2 Beta 1 [Gallery]
Google’s first preview of Android 14 QPR2 is available much sooner than expected, and we are diving into Beta 1 to find what new features have been introduced.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle already rolling out Android 14 QPR2 Beta 1 for Pixel
Instead of QPR1 Beta 3, Google is already moving on to Android 14 QPR2 Beta 1 today for Pixel phones, Tablet, and Fold.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle offering Pixel 8 Pro ‘Pawtraits Kit’ to animal shelters for better adoption pics
In a rather charming move that certainly has promotional benefits for the brand, Google wants to help animal shelters take better adoption pics by offering a free “Pawtraits Kit” that includes a Pixel 8 Pro.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle’s new Titan Security Keys let you store passkeys
Google has been selling its own line of Titan Security Keys for several years now, and new USB-C and USB-A models with NFC today let you store passkeys.
Expand Expanding CloseYouTube makes official latest Premium features, like enhanced 1080p
As international YouTube Premium increases get underway, Google is making official a handful of features for the subscription.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle Photos rolling out ‘Stacks’ for auto-grouping, better document sort, and reminders
Following the big app redesign, Google Photos is rolling out a trio of new features, like auto-grouping Photo Stacks.
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