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 on what makes a good foldable app and five Pixel Fold highlights
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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 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.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle Calendar booking pages come to free accounts, Gmail adds built-in schedule sharing
After announcing in 2021 for Workspace Individual, Google is now bringing Calendar appointment scheduling to personal accounts while Gmail is adding interactive schedule sharing inside emails.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle’s new Mac vs. PC-esque Pixel ads argue the iPhone has plateaued [Video]
The last time a Google ad explicitly went after the iPhone was in 2019 with “Phone X.” Google is back with a “Best Phones Forever” campaign of five ads that highlight what features the Pixel has over the iPhone.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle confirms Android bug that erroneously showed constant WhatsApp microphone access
Reports emerged last month about a bug that made it seem WhatsApp for Android was always using the microphone. Google today acknowledged the issue and a straightforward fix.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle Docs will list access requests directly in the file
Google Workspace is making a small but key change that will let you see who has requested access to a file directly in Docs, Sheets, and Slides.
Expand Expanding CloseAlphabet Scoop 142: Reviewing the Pixel Tablet
This week on Alphabet Scoop, we review the Pixel Tablet. It’s been a long time coming and Google made a good Android tablet at the end of the day with a unique Nest Hub add-on that will give you meaningfully more functionality.
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Pixel Watch preps syncing Do Not Disturb and Bedtime Mode with your phone
Since launch, one big complaint of the Pixel Watch is how it does not sync Bedtime Modes, and Google is now working to add that along with Do Not Disturb.
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Google Play Points can now be redeemed for an Android Plush
Back in April, Google started letting users redeem Play Points for “Lifestyle” items and the newest piece of company merch is an Android Plush.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle releases Pixel Tablet ‘tangorpro’ factory images
With the Pixel Tablet now available, Google today released Android 13 factory images with the June 2023 security patch.
Expand Expanding CloseChrome for iOS adding mini Google Maps and integrating Calendar, Translate
Google is updating Chrome on iOS to better integrate with Calendar, Translate, and Lens, with a mini Google Maps experience being particularly interesting.
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