One aspect of Google Fi is a built-in VPN, and the MVNO recently made changes to the setup process that most noticeably resulted in a new icon.
Expand Expanding CloseWhy the Google Fi VPN icon in your Android status bar changed
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.
New At a Glance widget will let you customize the design [Gallery]
Earlier this month, we reported how the At a Glance widget is getting a big Material You redesign. Google is still actively working on this new At a Glance, including the ability to customize the widget.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle details Play Store tablet redesign, says letterbox apps will rank lower
In the lead-up to the Pixel Tablet and Fold, the Play Store received a large screen redesign, and Google today detailed the four key changes.
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Google Messages now lets you pin up to five conversations
With the homescreen redesign widely available in the beta channel, the next Google Messages feature is the ability to pin up to five conversations.
Expand Expanding CloseAlphabet reports Q2 2023 revenue of $74.6 billion
Alphabet today announced Q2 2023 earnings with $74.6 billion in revenue. These numbers range from April to June.
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Google Play Games PC Beta now available in 121 markets, adds keyboard remapping
Following the last big expansion, Google has brought the Play Games for PC Beta to “more than 60 new regions across Asia Pacific, Europe, and Latin America.”
Expand Expanding CloseSources: Pixel Watch 2 will use aluminum, Fitbit ‘Coach’ coming
We reported back in May that Google’s next wearable would be powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon chip and other key specs. 9to5Google can now report that the Pixel Watch 2 will switch to aluminum, while Fitbit is readying “Coach” workouts.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle Messages homescreen redesign removes nav drawer [U: Beta]
Google is redesigning the Messages homescreen in an interesting way that replaces the navigation drawer and introduces key branding into the Android app.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle Play services ending support for Android 4.4 KitKat
Google shared today that Play services is dropping support for Android 4.4 KitKat, which is nearly 10 years old, in August.
Expand Expanding Close[Fixed] Apps repeatedly crashing for some Pixel owners, similar to Android WebView bug
In what may be an emerging issue, some Pixel owners are reporting continuous Android app crashes with no straightforward fix.
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Google Docs adding support for line numbers
After adding support for non-printing characters earlier this year, Google Docs is rolling out line numbers.
Expand Expanding CloseYouTube app partially crashing on Android 14 Beta
Android 14 is late in the beta stage and should be seeing a stable release relatively soon. An update to the YouTube app today sees it crash on Android 14 when navigating to the Library tab.
Expand Expanding CloseCompared to Wear OS, watchOS 10 apps and widgets are next-gen
9to5Google has a rebooted newsletter that highlights the biggest Google stories with added commentary and other tidbits. Sign up to get it early in your inbox, or continue reading 9to5Google Log Out below:
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Google Messages for web bug marking everything as read with no notifications
Over the past week, some users of Google Messages for web have encountered an issue where everything is automatically marked as read.
Expand Expanding CloseChromeOS 115 rolling out: Android App Streaming, PDF signatures
Google is rolling out ChromeOS 115 as a bigger-than-usual update with a number of user-facing additions over the coming days.
Expand Expanding CloseNew Pixel Watch sport band revealed in Google ad with Megan Rapinoe [Video]
The latest Fixed on Pixel ad features soccer/football star Megan Rapinoe, while pulling double duty by announcing a new, sporty Pixel Watch band in Coral.
Expand Expanding CloseReport: Sergey Brin taking more active AI role at Google
It emerged at the start of this year that cofounders Larry Page and Sergey Brin were involved in planning Google’s AI strategy. A new report today details just how active Brin has been recently.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle Messages web app now supports direct reply [U: Android tablets]
Google Messages on the web rarely gets updated, but a recent addition lets you directly reply to RCS chats like on Android.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle raising price of YouTube Premium to $13.99 per month
The price of an individual YouTube Premium subscription is increasing by $2 to $13.99 per month in the US for new and current customers.
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Google working on ‘Genesis’ AI tool for journalists that writes news
Besides building AI products for personal, productivity, and developer use cases, journalism and news is another area for Google with details of a “Genesis” tool.
Expand Expanding CloseManaging Google Play subscriptions on Android is currently broken
One advantage of Google Play Billing is the ability to manage your subscriptions in one place, but that UI and functionality are currently broken on Android.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle Messages to support MLS protocol for interoperable E2E encrypted messaging
Google today announced its support for interoperable end-to-end encrypted communication between large messaging platforms, with plans to integrate the MLS protocol into Google Messages and Android.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle taking Android 14 Beta 4 feedback as program nears end
Following last week’s release, Google is now taking feedback on Android 14 Beta 4 as the preview program is almost complete.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle launches Nearby Share for Windows and partnering to pre-install
Following the beta this March, Google is ready to launch Nearby Share for Windows in full today.
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