After years of development, a new web graphics API called WebGPU is soon coming to Chrome and other browsers on both desktop and mobile platforms.
Expand Expanding CloseNew WebGPU API coming to Chrome promises ‘new dawn for web graphics’
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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 Camera 8.8 rolling out with faster Night Sight on Pixel 6/Pro
Faster Night Sight for the Pixel 6 and 6 Pro is rolling out with version 8.8 of Google Camera.
Expand Expanding CloseYouTube Music rolling out Library grid view on Android, iOS [U]
Back in January, YouTube Music overhauled the Library tab and is now testing a grid option to change up the list view.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle details why exactly Project Starline is ‘more natural’
Project Starline is Google’s immersive video conferencing booth where you and the participant are represented “in 3D at natural scale, enabling eye contact, and providing spatially accurate audio.” Google set out to quantify why Project Starline is “more natural.”
Expand Expanding CloseAndroid 13 QPR3 Beta 2.1 rolling out to Pixel with ‘modem updates’
Just over a week after the last accelerated release, Google is rolling out Android 13 QPR3 Beta 2.1 with a March 2023 security patch.
Expand Expanding CloseThe Pixel 7 box is over 50% smaller than packaging for original Pixel
The Made by Google hardware team today highlighted the progress it has made towards sustainability in 2022.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle gives Pixel Recorder website a Material You refresh
The last major update to Pixel Recorder in December introduced Speaker Labels, and Google has since refreshed the website with some quirky Material You tweaks.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle Contacts rolling out two new Material You widgets
As we’ve been expecting since November, Google Contacts for Android now offers an “Individual Contact” homescreen widget, while some are also seeing “Favorite Contacts.”
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle Play will require that all Android apps let users delete data
Google is continuing its work on Data safety in the Play Store by requiring that developers provide a way for users to delete their account data.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle releases ‘Cross-Device Services’ on Play Store, will power Chromebook app streaming
At CES 2022, Google announced how you’d be able to access any chat app on your Android phone using a Chromebook. We previously detailed how streaming was involved and even showed it off. This feature might be nearing a launch as Google today rolled out “Cross-Device Services” to the Play Store.
Expand Expanding CloseYouTube channel pages add dedicated ‘Podcasts’ tab
While we’re still waiting for podcasts to widely roll out (in the US) to YouTube Music, YouTube has added a “Podcasts” tab to channel pages.
Expand Expanding Close9to5Google Log Out: It’s a shame that ‘AI’ is losing its sci-fi definition
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 CloseThe Google Now Launcher is fully shutting down 10 years later
The Nexus 5 in 2013 debuted what would become to be known as the Google Now Launcher. Nearly a decade later, Google is set to shut down the launcher.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle Play switches from tall to short Material You bottom bar
One of the more obvious aspects of Material You is a tall bottom bar, but some variation is now emerging across Google’s apps, with the Play Store switching to a shorter version.
Expand Expanding ClosePixel Launcher search tweaking the Google Messages shortcut
Back in December, Google rolled out a unified Pixel Launcher search experience, and a small tweak now sees a different Messages shortcut.
Expand Expanding ClosePixel April 2023 update is late, marking second delay in a row
Historically, Pixel security patches are released on the first Monday of the month at 10 a.m. PT. Following last month’s situation, Google has yet to release the April 2023 update for the Pixel 4a to 7 Pro.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle Meet on Pixel 7 rolling out speaker separation
As we spotted last year, Google Meet is bringing “Speaker separation” to the Pixel 7 and 7 Pro.
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Google issuing Chromebooks to employees as part of cost-cutting measures
Google is on an efficiency drive since layoffs at the start of the year, and is now looking to cut spending across employee laptops (by defaulting to Chromebooks), office equipment, and other services.
Expand Expanding CloseYouTube livestreaming all Coachella stages for 2023
Coachella 2023 kicks off next weekend and YouTube is continuing its partnerships with this festival by expanding its livestream coverage to all six stages.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle Flights testing low price guarantees with Google Pay refunds
While spring just started, Google is already looking towards summer travel and is announcing new features, like low flight price guarantees.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle Search filter redesign comes to desktop, drops icons on mobile
Back in December, Google introduced topic filters to Search results as part of a carousel redesign on mobile, and it’s now coming to desktops.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle Keep letting you open notes side-by-side on Android tablets, foldables
Following the dual-pane redesign, Google Keep on Android tablets and foldables will soon let you open side-by-side notes.
Expand Expanding Close9to5Google Log Out: What Google whimsy looks like without April Fool’s
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 launches Nearby Share Beta for Windows app
Announced at CES 2022, Google has now launched Nearby Share for Windows as a beta app to transfer files between your Android device and PC.
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