With the past two Pixel Watch releases focused on bug fixes, the February 2023 update today continues on an incremental path.
Expand Expanding ClosePixel Watch February 2023 update rolling out now
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.
Google 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.
Expand Expanding CloseThe paradigm-shifting potential of Android’s Conversations Widget
It’s rather hard to change how people use their phones. One recent example was Google wanting to meaningfully change how you interacted with “People and conversations” on Android in large parts through widgets.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle Docs and Slides adding eyedropper tool to color picker
Google is making a small but profound usability tweak by adding an eyedropper tool to the color picker in Docs, Sheets, Slides, and Drawings.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle’s most iconic Pixel ad aired 4 years ago (and the Childish Gambino song still isn’t out)
With the Grammys being this weekend, it’s the perfect opportunity to remind you that Google’s best, most iconic Pixel ad featuring Childish Gambino aired during the 2019 edition of the awards show.
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Waymo marks 1 million miles with ‘no human driver on public roads’
Waymo’s latest milestone is autonomously driving one million miles on public roads without a human safety driver.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle hosting Search and AI event next week
Google has announced that it’s hosting a Search and AI event on Wednesday, February 8. It comes as the company is gearing up to combat ChatGPT and other AI competitors.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle Messages removed Assistant but might replace it with ‘Spotlights’
In recent months, Android’s Messages app quietly lost its Google Assistant integration. However, Google Messages might be replacing that functionality with something called “Spotlights.”
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle rolling out update that fixes Pixel Buds A-Series pairing
Earlier this week, a Google update broke the “ability to connect Pixel Buds A-Series to a second device.” Version 3.527.0 is now rolling out to the Pixel Buds A-Series with a fix.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle focusing ‘more intently on the Pixel line’ and saw ‘great momentum’ with 6a and 7/Pro
Alphabet just reported Q4 2022 earnings that include the holiday season and the launch of the latest Pixel devices, which are seeing “great momentum.”
Expand Expanding CloseAlphabet reports Q4 2022 revenue of $76 billion, expects up to $2.3 billion in severance
Alphabet today announced Q4 2022 earnings with $76 billion in revenue. These numbers range from October to December and close out the fiscal year.
Expand Expanding CloseChrome adding support for more advanced Picture-in-Picture
On desktop web, most instances of Picture-in-Picture (PiP) are quite basic. Google Chrome is now working on adding support for more advanced Picture-in-Picture players and use cases.
Expand Expanding CloseYouTube adds ‘Go Live Together’ to let you co-livestream on a phone
YouTube is getting the ability to invite a guest to your mobile livestream with “Go Live Together.”
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Fitbit Charge 5 adds two more clock faces
Last month, Fitbit fixed an issue that prevented the Charge 5 (and Luxe) from syncing with Android 13 Samsung phones. The Fitbit Charge 5 is now seeing two more clock faces.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle says Lens and Maps Live View are ‘prelude to [its] long-term vision’ for AR
Android SVP Hiroshi Lockheimer made an appearance at the end of the Galaxy S23 event today to talk about Google’s partnership with Samsung and Qualcomm on extended reality (XR).
Expand Expanding CloseAndroid 13 QPR2 Beta 3 now available for Pixel phones
Android 13 QPR2 Beta 3 is rolling out today as what should be the final major preview before the stable launch in March.
Expand Expanding CloseSamsung making XR device powered by Android and Qualcomm chip
Besides the S23 and Galaxy Book 3 series, Samsung today announced that it’s working on “extended reality” (XR) products alongside Google and Qualcomm.
Expand Expanding CloseReport: What Google Search with direct chatbot answers could look like
In response to ChatGPT and others, Google is planning to add direct answers to Search. A new report details one possible design for a chatbot in Search as Google ramps up internal testing.
Expand Expanding CloseYouTube Music might get group listening via Google Meet Live Sharing
Last August, Google Meet for Android introduced a feature that lets you co-watch videos on YouTube, curate a playlist on Spotify, and play games together. YouTube Music is now readying support for Google Meet Live Sharing.
Expand Expanding CloseYouTube TV losing MLB Network starting today
In an email to subscribers this afternoon, YouTube TV announced that it hasn’t been able to renew its deal with the MLB Network and that the baseball channel will no longer be available.
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