[Fixed] YouTube homepage down for some in partial outage
On Wednesday afternoon (PT), some YouTube users are reporting issues with the video site. The primary issue is an empty homepage.
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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.
Find My Device rolls out Material You redesign with dark theme [U]
While the Find My Device app on Android gets the occasional update, Google has not revamped its UI in several years. That’s now changing with a big Material You redesign for Find My Device that also includes a dark theme.
Expand Expanding CloseSource: Google continues to emphasize AR, shifting work to Android and hardware teams
With longtime virtual and augmented reality boss Clay Bavor leaving next month, Google’s work on AR will now be overseen by Hiroshi Lockheimer and Rick Osterloh.
Expand Expanding CloseAndroid 14 release timeline matches last year’s pace, adds one beta
The Android 14 Developer Preview and — later — Beta will follow the accelerated timeline established last year.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle AR head Clay Bavor leaving the company after 18 years
For the past few years, Google’s AR and VR efforts have been led by Clay Bavor. The longtime executive is now set to leave the company next month.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle launches Android 14 Developer Preview for Pixel
Google announced the Android 14 Developer Preview today. The February release was expected and matches last year, while it comes as 13 QPR2 is still in beta.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle’s Bard unveil contains a mistake, furthering negative investor sentiment
The Bard announcement Google made earlier this week contains a mistake that is contributing to and furthering the negative sentiment about the company’s AI position.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle Pixel Watch companion app hits 500,000+ downloads on Play Store
The Pixel Watch was announced just over four months ago, and its Android companion app has now hit over 500,000 downloads on the Play Store.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle Translate rolling out more context to translations and iOS redesign
Google Translate is rolling out a trio of updates that add context, modernize the iOS app, and improve camera translations.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle Lens screen search coming to Assistant on Android
Google is following this week’s announcement of Bard with a slew of new Lens capabilities, including “Search screen” on Android and wider Multisearch availability.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle Maps ‘glanceable directions’ coming to iPhone (as Live Activities) and Android lockscreens
Google is expanding the availability of AR features in Maps, as well as adding glanceable directions to the Android and iOS lockscreens.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle airing Pixel 7 Super Bowl ad showing off Magic Eraser [Video]
Besides the football and Apple Music-sponsored Halftime Show, you’ll see a Pixel 7 and 7 Pro ad during Super Bowl LVII this Sunday.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle Messages rolling out reactions using any emoji
Back in November, Google Messages started testing the ability to react with any emoji, and it’s now getting wider availability.
Expand Expanding CloseYouTube Music album redesign rolling out on Android and iPhone
Following the Library revamp in January, YouTube Music for Android and iOS is rolling out a redesign of the album view.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle Search adds personalized podcast directory to replace episode results
Until recently, searching for a podcast on Google would surface individual episodes that you could quickly start playing. That’s now being replaced by a podcast directory in Google Search.
Expand Expanding CloseMicrosoft announces ‘new Bing’ as ‘AI-powered answer engine’
As expected, Microsoft today announced “the new Bing” that offers direct, AI-generated answers.
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Android using Context Hub Runtime Environment to speed up Fast Pair
Android offers support for a Context Hub Runtime Environment (CHRE), and Google is using it to speed up Fast Pair on the OnePlus 11.
Expand Expanding CloseChrome for Mac and Windows can require your fingerprint before filling in passwords
Desktop Chrome already supports biometric confirmation before auto-filling payment information, and is now getting the option to require your fingerprint to enter saved passwords.
Expand Expanding ClosePixel Watch February 2023 update rolling out now
With the past two Pixel Watch releases focused on bug fixes, the February 2023 update today continues on an incremental path.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle announces Bard, powered by LaMDA, to compete with ChatGPT
Google today announced “Bard” to compete with ChatGPT in the large language models (LLMs) space. It’s launching for “trusted external testers” today with wider, public availability in the “coming weeks.”
Expand Expanding ClosePixel 7 February update fixes Bluetooth and Clear Calling issues
With the February security patch today, the Pixel 7 and 7 Pro pick up just four fixes in a relatively quiet update ahead of next month’s bigger release.
Expand Expanding CloseAndroid 13 with February security patch live, download Pixel OTA image now
The year in Pixel updates continues with the Android 13 February security patch for the Pixel 4a, 4a 5G, 5, 5a, 6, 6 Pro, 6a, 7, and 7 Pro rolling out today.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle Fi survey wants feedback from international travelers
One of Google Fi’s original appeals was to frequent international travelers, and it’s now running a feedback survey geared at those users.
Expand Expanding Close[Fixed] It’s not just you, Fitbit is down with sync outage and missing data
Fitbit is down this morning (PT), with the biggest issue being how the Android and iOS apps are not able to sync with fitness trackers or smartwatches, including the Pixel Watch.
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