Pixel Watch Woven Band discounted over 25% on Amazon
Out of the gate, Google is offering a wide collection of Pixel Watch straps and Amazon is now directly discounting the Woven Band by a good margin.
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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.
Android 14 will let the predictive back gesture work inside apps
Android 13 began work on predictive back that reminds you when you’re exiting an app to your homescreen. Google revealed today that predictive back gesture in Android 14 can work within applications and preview the previous screen.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle rolling out first Pixel Watch app update with Fitbit upgrades
The Pixel Watch is now just over a month old, and Google is rolling out the first update to the companion app with fixes across three areas.
Expand Expanding Close‘Pixel Fold’ renders leak design with $1,799 price and May availability rumored
At the start of this year, we reported that the long-rumored Pixel foldable would look more like the Oppo Find N than the Galaxy Fold, and a leak today shows the first design renders of the “Pixel Fold.”
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle launches Health Connect in beta with support from Peloton, Oura, and MyFitnessPal
Google announced Health Connect in May at I/O 2022, and recent months have seen more apps support it. Health Connect is officially launching in beta today with several big partners.
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Google Play Store tests showing apps in search over history [U: Not paid ads]
Advertising in app stores is the norm, but Google is now testing surfacing apps directly in Play Store search.
Expand Expanding CloseWhat Wear OS 3 and Pixel Watch features have not yet launched
Like Android 13, several Wear OS 3 features have yet to launch as Google looks to continue the Pixel Watch’s momentum. Meanwhile, we’ve spotted other functionality that has yet to be announced for the platform.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle Play services now explains what it does directly on your Android phone
Google Play services powers many key features on Android devices that might not be obvious to end users, and Google is now offering an explanation directly on your phone as part of a new approach.
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Amazon cost-cutting review looking at Alexa as Meta pulls out of smartwatches and displays
As belt-tightening measures continue across the tech industry, notable hardware pullbacks are occurring from both established (Amazon with Alexa) and newer (Meta’s Portal smart displays) players.
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YouTube TV adds a simple clock to the live guide
In response to more than a few user requests, YouTube TV is adding a clock to its live guide to provide a more familiar living room experience.
Expand Expanding CloseHands-on: Android Auto’s split-screen redesign gets thoughtfully retooled & enters beta today
At I/O 2022 in May, Google previewed a big redesign of Android Auto that brings a split-screen mode to in-car displays of all sizes, including smaller 5- and 6-inch screens. The summer launch was delayed due to Google incorporating feedback from early testing and polishing, but it’s entering beta today with a slew of upgrades.
Expand Expanding CloseGmail for Android’s bottom bar is now appearing more often [U]
Back in September, Gmail for Android removed text labels from its core navigation element; this change now makes sense as Google is making the bottom bar more persistent.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle ramping up ChromeOS testing with ‘Beta Tester Hub,’ sign-ups now open
Chrome has long made use of different channels to test new browser and operating system features before they become widely available to the public. Google has now launched a ChromeOS Beta Tester Hub.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle sends out Pixel Buds Pro hardware and software feedback survey
Compared to previous generations, the Pixel Buds Pro was more of a success for Google and the company is now sending out a feedback survey following the July launch.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle Play ‘User Choice Billing’ starts with Spotify as pilot comes to US
Google announced User Choice Billing for the Play Store in March to let Android apps use their own payment system. Spotify is now rolling out initial billing support, while Google Play is bringing UCB to more markets, including the US.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle releases ‘Now in Android’ on Play Store to demo Material You and modern app development
As the 2022 Android Dev Summit series continues, Google has released a “Now in Android” app on the Play Store to serve as a reference for the best modern development practices.
Expand Expanding ClosePixel bug can unlock a phone using SIM card, fixed in November update
The big reason to immediately update to the November security patch – besides being the first one for the Pixel 7 – is that it contains a bug fix for a security issue that can unlock and bypass your Pixel phone’s lockscreen.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle will show nearby places airing World Cup matches, add live mini-game, and more
Ahead of the 2022 World Cup kicking off on November 20, Google is adding a handful of features to help fans keep track of the tournament across Search, Maps, and Google TV.
Expand Expanding CloseAt a Glance doorbell package alerts rolling out beyond the Pixel 7
With the Pixel 7 and 7 Pro, At a Glance picked up a handful of new features, and Package delivery alerts are now rolling out to older Google phones.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle Pay website requiring 2FA from December onwards
Enabling two-factor authentication for the vast majority of your online accounts is the bare minimum in this day and age. Google Pay will soon require 2FA (2SV) to “view any payment info.”
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle One for Android gets tablet redesign
Besides announcing Mac and Windows VPN support today, Google One for Android is getting the tablet redesign that was previewed back in May.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle Contacts getting a large Material You homescreen widget
While we wait for YouTube’s to go back live, Google Contacts is in the process of getting a new Android widget that lets you more prominently place a person on your homescreen.
Expand Expanding CloseYouTube Music and Premium subscriber count grew to 80 million in past year
Last year, YouTube announced that its streaming service subscriber count hit 50 million, and that has now grown to over 80 million for Music and Premium.
Expand Expanding CloseGmail’s integrated Material You redesign is fully replacing the ‘original view’
This year, Gmail on the web has undergone two big updates and the integrated redesign with Material You is now set to fully replace the previous iteration.
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