A little over a week after Fuchsia rolled out to those enrolled in the Preview Program, Google is already updating 2nd-gen Nest Hubs in the stable channel.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle more widely rolling out Fuchsia to 2nd-gen Nest Hub
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.
It’s now the ‘Pixel Frauen-Bundesliga’ as Google makes German marketing push
The NBA Playoffs were “Presented by Google Pixel” this year and Google is now continuing that marketing strategy in Germany with football (soccer) and the Frauen-Bundesliga.
Expand Expanding CloseYou can now set up the Google Tasks Assistant migration
As previewed last September, Google Tasks is replacing Reminders and getting Assistant integration. Google is now more widely rolling out the ability to switch over and complete the migration.
Expand Expanding CloseWear OS getting new Keep and Spotify Tiles, Google Wallet transit cards
In the coming weeks, Google is rolling out a trio of new features for Wear OS watches, including several new Tiles.
Expand Expanding CloseAndroid getting new Google TV, News, and stocks widgets for the summer
The Android team’s quarterly release of new features is rolling out today. You can find the Wear OS additions here, but most of them, like new Google widgets, are for phones and tablets.
Expand Expanding CloseAlphabet Scoop 139: First Pixel Watch 2 specs + SGE hands-on
This week on Alphabet Scoop, we talk about our report on the Pixel Watch 2 and what’s powering it. Then it’s hands-on with the Google Search Generative Experience (SGE) and Messages Magic Compose.
Subscribe
Google Chat’s future might have a new logo and ‘Timeline’ redesign
Google Chat, the company’s Slack and Microsoft Teams competitor, looks to be getting an overhaul in the near future that features a new logo and “Timeline”-focused redesign of the mobile apps.
Expand Expanding CloseYouTube Music tests ‘Top releases’ or ‘Discography’ on artist pages
Artist pages on YouTube Music have remained mostly unchanged over the years, but the Android, iOS, and web apps now show a combined “Top releases” section.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle Assistant’s 3rd-party Notes & Lists integration is shutting down
Last June, Google announced it was removing third-party Assistant voice apps and Nest Hub games in a year’s time. With that set to occur on June 20, another casualty of that deprecation is the shutdown of third-party Google Assistant Notes & Lists integration.
Expand Expanding Close
[Fixed] The Google Podcasts website is partially broken
Google Podcasts is supposed to remain (for the time being) and not be merged with YouTube Music, but the desktop website is partially broken at the moment.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle officially stops updating 1st-gen Chromecast from 2013
Google has quietly announced that support for Chromecast (1st gen) has ended and that there will be no more updates.
Expand Expanding CloseChromecast with Google TV updated to April 2023 patch
Following an update last month, the Chromecast with Google TV is getting an update to the April 2023 security patch.
Expand Expanding CloseNew Google Weather looks to be a standalone app, integrate with Google Clock
We already know what the new Google Weather will look like on phones, tablets, and foldables, and now we’re learning that it should be a standalone app.
Expand Expanding CloseSources: Pixel Watch 2 gets major battery life boost with switch to Snapdragon chip
We revealed at the start of May that Google is planning to announce the Pixel Watch 2 alongside the Pixel 8 and 8 Pro this fall. 9to5Google can now report some key Pixel Watch 2 specs, including the processor, battery, and health sensor upgrades.
Expand Expanding CloseHere are the five Doodle for Google 2023 finalists [Gallery]
After public voting ended last week, the five finalists for the US Doodle for Google 2023 contest were announced today.
Expand Expanding CloseGboard shortcuts toolbar redesign more widely rolling out
After first rolling out for some users in mid-February, Gboard for Android’s shortcuts toolbar redesign that boosts customizability is more widely rolling out.
Expand Expanding CloseHands-on: AI-powered ‘SGE’ is scarily sufficient and maybe isn’t Google Search anymore
In using the future of Google for the past few days, I’ve had some takeaways about the AI-powered Search Generative Experience (SGE). It’s early days for SGE, but I think the fundamentals are set in stone: Most people for most queries will find generative Search useful.
Expand Expanding CloseAmazon’s new Android tablet is the ‘future of computing’ that Google wants
Amazon’s consumer electronics division makes a lot of hardware. I’m sure the strategy is more than trying everything and seeing what sticks, but it sometimes feels like that from the outside. It’s easy for products to get lost in the fray, but one that shouldn’t be is the Fire Max 11.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle Chrome extensions can now create a side panel UI
In addition to your Bookmarks and Reading List, the desktop Chrome side panel will soon support Manifest V3 extensions that want to display an interface.
Expand Expanding ClosePixel At a Glance will show ridesharing status
As we first spotted last July, At a Glance will now show “Ridesharing” status on your Pixel’s lockscreen.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle Home 3.1 rolling out with new light controls, tablet UI tweaks
As the big redesign of the Home app exits preview, Google is rolling out a handful of refinements announced at I/O 2023 with version 3.1.
Expand Expanding CloseAndroid 14 Beta 2.1 rolling out with many Pixel bug fixes
Following the last release at I/O 2023 two weeks ago, Google is rolling out Android 14 Beta 2.1 to Pixel phones as a bug fixer.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle posts Pixel Watch factory and OTA images, requires invite-only debug adapter
Like with phones, Google now offers full factory and OTA images for the Pixel Watch, though they can’t really be used by most people to restore a bricked device.
Expand Expanding CloseMessages Magic Compose beta starts rolling out: RCS only, priority for Google One subs
One exciting generative AI announcement out of I/O 2023 was Magic Compose in Android’s Messages app, and Google is now starting to roll out the feature to some beta testers.
Expand Expanding Close