For some reason, YouTube now lets Premium subscribers earn badges that are based on usage. There does not appear to be any benefits to collecting them.
Expand Expanding CloseYouTube Premium now lets you earn badges
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.
Yes, the Google Play Store is now blue
Google has updated the Play Store such that blue is now the accent color throughout the app at the expense of some existing Dynamic Color theming.
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You can now order Bellroy’s leather Pixel Fold case
As previously teased, the Bellroy “Leather Case For Pixel Fold” is now available for pre-order, with availability coming next month.
Expand Expanding CloseHas the Google Pixel Fold even launched?
The launch of the Pixel Fold should have been a momentous event for Google, but instead, we’re seeing limited inventory, slipping ship dates, and other factors that are ruining the occasion.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle might ask you if it’s raining as part of weather crowdsourcing
Google Weather is due for a big upgrade on Android that brings a Material You redesign and Nowcast. Until it drops Pixel Tablet and Fold exclusivity, Google is also updating other parts of the experience and crowdsourcing weather conditions.
Expand Expanding CloseYouTube Music now automatically adds songs to your last playlist
Besides the web player taking after the main video site, YouTube Music now automatically adds songs to the last used playlist.
Expand Expanding CloseReport: Google killed Iris smart glasses, going all-in on Android OEM model for XR
In 2022, it emerged that Google was working on an AR headset called “Project Iris.” A new report now says Iris was actually a plan to build smart glasses that has since been canceled.
Expand Expanding CloseComment: Optimizing Android for foldables by elevating the notification shade
Google’s large-screen push that started with Android 12L culminates with the launch of the Pixel Tablet and Fold. Now that it’s on shipping hardware, I think the tablet benefited much more than the foldable, with another Android optimization drive needed for the unique hardware form factor.
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Fitbit Sense 2, Versa 4 update adds Dynamic GPS support
Alongside the Pixel Feature Drop earlier this month, Google also announced a number of new features for existing smartwatches and trackers. As part of the Sense 2 and Versa 4 update, Fitbit added Dynamic GPS support.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle on what makes a good foldable app and five Pixel Fold highlights
With the launch of the Pixel Fold (and Tablet), Google is continuing the push to get third-party developers to update their apps for foldables.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle Wallet adding QR code card payments for NFC-less phones
Google Wallet is expanding beyond NFC with support for credit or debit card payments through QR codes in Brazil.
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Google Meet making it easier to access video filters, reframe
As it has introduced more functionality, Google Meet has grown in complexity, and the web app is now making it easier to access key video functionality with a quick action menu.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle is giving Find My Device a new logo
This summer, Google will leverage the over 1 billion Android devices out there to locate tracker tags and headphones. As part of this, Find My Device is getting a new logo.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle’s next gaming play might be mini ‘Playables’ in YouTube
Following Stadia’s death at the start of this year, Google looks to be planning another gaming initiative inside YouTube with “Playables.”
Expand Expanding ClosePixel Fold ships early for one buyer [Gallery]
The Pixel Fold officially launches on June 27, but one lucky buyer in the UK had their foldable ship rather early.
Expand Expanding ClosePixel Tablet Q&A: Why no Face Unlock or Nest Cam, more 3rd-party app updates, upcoming features
Following the launch on Tuesday, Google today hosted an extensive Q&A session that addressed many questions about the Pixel Tablet.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle says lack of Wi-Fi allowed $129 Pixel Tablet dock to be cheaper
The Pixel Tablet comes bundled with a Charging Speaker Dock that sells for $129 separately. During a Q&A session today, the Pixel Tablet team had more to say about it, with some of the responses raising eyebrows.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle Search rolling out ‘Perspectives’ filter for more personal and human results
While SGE was the big Search development out of I/O 2023, Google also announced “Perspectives,” and the filter is now rolling out.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle Messages on the Pixel Tablet is unacceptable
On the Pixel Tablet, the Google Messages app is installed by default. It’s the same APK as on phones, but launching takes you to the PWA version found on messages.google.com/web with a QR code to scan using your phone. The company told us that this is the intended experience on the Pixel Tablet (and other Wi-Fi tablets).
Expand Expanding CloseNew Google Weather adds ‘Nowcast,’ bests Dark Sky with 12-hour ML predictions
The launch of the Pixel Tablet and Fold also brings a Material You redesign of Google Weather. This revamp, which will later come to other devices, features “Google Nowcast” for more accurate rain, hail, and snow predictions.
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AI-powered ‘Help me organize’ starts rolling out in Google Sheets
The latest Duet AI features entering Workspace Labs is “Help me organize” for Google Sheets.
Expand Expanding CloseGmail notifications drop the red and stand out less on Android
A small tweak to Gmail for Android yesterday updated the Android notification so it adopts Dynamic Color theming and no longer defaults to a red icon.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle Meet getting tile pairings, PDF image to text in Chrome, and more for education
At the ISTE 2023 conference, Google today announced a slate of education features across Chrome, Meet (including tile pairings), Workspace, and Classroom.
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YouTube TV testing non-sport Multiview steams
YouTube TV introduced Multiview in March and is now surfacing new, non-sport-related split screen streams in the Home tab.
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