As announced last week, a big functionality update and redesign to Google Home for Wear OS is now rolling out with version 2.66.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle Home 2.66 for Wear OS rolling out: Redesign, Favorites, media controls, & more
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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.
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Expand Expanding ClosePersonal Safety getting Google Assistant integration on Pixel
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Expand Expanding ClosePixel 7a’s new midframe design proves durable and simplifies screen, battery repair
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Expand Expanding CloseGoogle updating Live Caption for tablets, Lookout adding image summaries with Q&A, more
As part of Global Accessibility Awareness Day (GAAD), Google announced a number of updates across Android, Chrome, and other services, including an image Q&A feature in Lookout.
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Privacy Sandbox APIs set to launch in Chrome from July
Google’s work on Privacy Sandbox continues with key APIs for publishers and advertisers going live in the Chrome browser starting this July.
Expand Expanding CloseUsing Project Starline and how MKBHD’s new video gives you an idea of what it’s like
During I/O 2023 last week, Google announced a new version of Project Starline and allowed more people to try it. We got a chance to experience the immersive video conferencing technology, while MKBHD was able to record a good approximation of what it’s like to use Project Starline.
Expand Expanding CloseYouTube TV froze during Heat-Celtics game, still experiencing issues
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Expand Expanding CloseYouTube on TVs getting unskippable 30-second and pause screen ads
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Google Messages adding mark as read/unread swipe action
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Expand Expanding CloseGoogle prompting some to ‘join Android’s ads privacy beta’
Back in February, Google started rolling out the Privacy Sandbox Beta on Android 13, and some users are now being asked to join the “ads privacy beta.”
Expand Expanding CloseNew Google Docs Calendar template lets you collaborate on invites
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Expand Expanding CloseGoogle teases more Workspace AI: Gmail inbox org, Meet notes, Slides soundtrack maker
Following last week’s announcements at I/O 2023, Google previewed a few more generative Duet AI features coming to Workspace today, including Smart Notes in Meet.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle Colab adding Codey for AI-powered code generation
At I/O 2023, Google announced Codey as a “family of code models built on PaLM 2” and it’s soon coming to Google Colab.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle Docs adding collapsible headings and custom building blocks
Following its big redesign, Google Docs is expanding its Smart Canvas effort with user-created building blocks and collapsible headings.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle Workspace Individual is now available in 20 more countries
Between Google Workspace Premium available with Google One 2+ TB plans and the Business tiers, Google offers Workspace Individual, which is now available in 20 new countries.
Expand Expanding CloseAlphabet Scoop 137: Google I/O 2023 + Pixel recap
This week on Alphabet Scoop (yes, we’re back), we recap Google I/O 2023 from all the AI announcements to what Android news there was. We also have some thoughts on the Pixel 7a, Tablet, and Fold.
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Google Drive testing new homepage that auto-suggests files and folders
Google is testing a new Drive homepage on the web that will automatically “surface your most relevant files and folders.”
Expand Expanding CloseHow Google is branding AI: Sparkles, Duet, and ‘generative’
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:
Expand Expanding CloseAndroid 13 QPR3 Beta 3.2 rolling out with Pixel bug fixes
Google is rolling out Android 13 QPR3 Beta 3.2 to Pixel phones today with a handful of bug fixes. It arrives two weeks after the last release.
Expand Expanding ClosePixel Launcher letting you ‘quick launch’ apps from search, rolling out
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Expand Expanding CloseGoogle will delete accounts, including Gmail & Photos, that haven’t logged on in 2 years
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Expand Expanding CloseHere’s a full look at the Google Weather redesign on Pixel Fold
We’ve been tracking the new Google Weather for the past two weeks, and our best look at the redesign is on a Pixel Fold.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle Home for Wear OS adds light color picker as web app gains Talk and Listen
In addition to the new Google Home for Android and iOS going stable last week, the Wear OS app and website are getting a pair of big updates.
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