[Back] Magic Compose disappears from Google Messages
Google Messages has seen a flurry of new features start rolling out this week, but the app appears to have lost Magic Compose.
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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.
Google bringing its Search Generative Experience (SGE) to over 120 new countries & territories
The Google Search Generative Experience (SGE) is getting a huge international expansion in over 120 new countries and territories and a handful of new generative AI-powered features.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle wants Europe to classify iMessage as a gatekeeper that has to be interoperable
The European Commission is currently investigating whether iMessage should fall under the Digital Markets Act (DMA) and therefore be subject to interoperability rules. Google and local carriers have sent a letter to regulators in Europe arguing that iMessage should be considered a “core” service.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle Chrome gets quick way to see how much memory each tab is using
After adding a Memory Saver earlier this year, Chrome on desktop platforms (Mac, Windows, ChromeOS, etc.) will now report “Memory usage” when you hover over a tab.
Expand Expanding CloseSo, Google is keeping the ‘Bard’ name around
Google announced Bard as an “early experiment” in February and still prominently refers to it as such. I thought that qualifier applied to both the generative AI nature and its name, which would change when the product graduated.
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Google Play getting a better way to browse device screenshots
As an app store, Google Play has to accommodate watches, phones, tablets, Chromebooks, TVs, and even cars (Android Automotive). The Play Store is now giving you a better way to view screenshots in app listings by form factor/device.
Expand Expanding ClosePixel Watch November 2023 update starts rolling out: PW2 LTE
Google is rolling out the first Wear OS 4 update to the Pixel Watch series with the November 2023 security patch, but it’s only for the Pixel Watch 2 LTE variant today.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle on how Core Web Vitals has helped speed up the web
Google announced Core Web Vitals in 2020 to better capture and quantify how people “perceive the experience of interacting with a web page,” especially on mobile. A few years later, Google is detailing how much Core Web Vitals (CWV) has improved page speed for the entire industry.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle Home ‘Help me script’ preview starts rolling out to Script Editor
The generative AI-powered “Help me script” feature for the Google Home Script Editor is now beginning to roll out for those enrolled in the Preview Program.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle Keep replacing Assistant Notes and ‘Shopping List’ [U]
Google Assistant’s legacy note and list system, including the Shopping List, is being replaced by Google Keep with a migration path that should be fairly straightforward.
Expand Expanding CloseChrome will show ‘shopping insights’ and highlight discount codes
As holiday shopping gets underway, Google is rolling out new features, like in-browser price insights, across Chrome and Search.
Expand Expanding CloseAndroid 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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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