In addition to announcing initial Android and Chrome support, Google today detailed how passkeys on Android will sync to its Password Manager.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle Password Manager will sync and back up passkeys on Android
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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.
Android 12L for Surface Duo shown off with Windows 11-esque design, set for this year
Following Samsung on its key foldables and tablets, Microsoft is the next OEM that we’re waiting on to launch Android 12L. Alongside other hardware announcements today, Android 12L was shown off for the Surface Duo 2 with design influences and customizations from Windows 11.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle using Glass Enterprise paired with Tensor Pixel phones to test AR features
Google made its augmented reality (AR) work official at I/O 2022 in May, and is now using Glass Enterprise to test productivity-focused capabilities with the help of Workspace and Pixel phones.
Expand Expanding CloseNew Fi ‘Virtual Carrier Network’ on Pixel keeps cellular data anonymous from Google, MVNO partners
Besides beginning to roll out passkey support on Android and Chrome, Google — for Cybersecurity Awareness Month — announced today that Fi now uses a Virtual Carrier Network (VCN) to keep cellular data anonymous on Pixel devices.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle starts rolling out passkey support for Android and Chrome
Apple, Google, Microsoft, and others in the industry want to replace website/app passwords with “passkeys” that just require you to unlock your device. Starting today, Android and Google Chrome will support signing in with passkeys.
Expand Expanding CloseNew Wear OS version coming every year, promised update for old watches still set for 2022
The first-party Pixel Watch is the next biggest moment for Wear OS after last year’s Samsung partnership. The team responsible provided an update today on the state of the platform.
Expand Expanding CloseNew Pixel Buds Pro firmware update rolling out with 5-band EQ, bug fixes, and more
Google is rolling out an update (firmware version 3.14) to the Pixel Buds Pro that adds the promised full 5-band EQ, controls for the left/right balance, and unspecified bug fixes.
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Google testing Project Starline 3D video calling booths in more offices this year
In addition to a slew of Workspace updates at Cloud Next 2022, Google shared today that Project Starline is entering the “next phase of testing,” where more people outside the company can experience it.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle wants to make cloud gaming Chromebooks happen with big OS and partner push
Chromebooks are no longer just a category within the broader laptop form factor. ChromeOS-powered devices span from affordable to midrange and premium, as well as traditional notebooks, convertibles, and tablets. Google now wants to make cloud gaming Chromebooks happen in a rather bold (and literal) play.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle Meet Companion Mode coming to mobile, Gmail client-side encryption, & more Workspace at Cloud Next 2022
At the Cloud Next 2022 developer and partner conference, Google is detailing the latest features coming to Workspace across Gmail, Calendar, Meet, Chat, and Docs.
Expand Expanding CloseYouTube Music’s Android 13 media player updated with thumbs-up
When YouTube Music was updated to support the new Android 13 media controls, some complained about losing the ability to quickly like songs. The Google streaming service is now bringing back that functionality.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle Glass and Clips engineer shares the ‘fatal flaws’ of those products
There’s a rather interesting thread by a software engineer who worked on Google Glass and Clips that discusses the “fatal flaws” of both, and the internal cultures that allowed the devices to ship.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle using Pixel Watch, Tablet unveils to encourage devs to build and optimize more apps
After Samsung’s adoption last year, the upcoming Pixel Watch launch will serve as the next biggest catalyst for Wear OS as an app platform, and Google is explicitly making that case.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle Fit starts rolling out Health Connect support
Version 2.89 of Google Fit is rolling out today with the ability to “Sync with Health Connect.” This follows support from Samsung Health, Sleep as Android, and Withings Health Mate.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle finally updates Gboard with Android tablet layout [Gallery]
Since I/O 2022, Google has been releasing large-screen-optimized UIs for its first-party apps. The latest Gboard beta is now rolling out an Android tablet layout that is long overdue and pretty good out of the gate.
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Google releases two sets of new Pixel wallpapers for October [Download]
Google Pixel did not release new Curated Culture wallpapers intended for September until earlier this month, while the October additions are now also available.
Expand Expanding CloseYouTube handles rolling out to channels for easier ID and mentions
YouTube announced the ubiquitous social network concept of “handles” today to boost the community aspects of the video site as well as improve creator/channel identification.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle’s Pixel Watch ‘Metal Links Band’ costs $199, and ‘Metal Mesh’ is $129
Google announced on Thursday that it’s making seven bands for the Pixel Watch, but that only five would be available at launch. Neither of the premium Pixel Watch bands are available until this spring, though pricing and specs for the Metal Links Band, as well as the Metal Mesh Band, are already live.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle Pixel Watch will get at least 3 years of Wear OS updates, including feature drops
As part of the Pixel Watch rollout, Google has detailed that the Wear OS device will get “at least” three years of updates.
Expand Expanding CloseA look at the Pixel Tablet UI: Android, Smart Display, Google Home, and Camera [Gallery]
Besides sharing that the Pixel Tablet is powered by Tensor G2 and has a Charging Speaker Dock, Google showed more of the Android UI and several Smart Display-inspired screens.
Expand Expanding CloseAll the ways Google’s Pixel Watch saves power and extends battery life
The Pixel Watch has a 294 mAh (typical) battery that’s officially rated for “up to 24 hours,” with Google employing a number of software features to save battery life.
Expand Expanding CloseHere are camera samples of the Pixel 7 Pro’s 30x Super Res Zoom [Gallery]
“Next-generation” Super Res Zoom on the Pixel 7 Pro pushes the 48-megapixel telephoto camera to DSLR-level heights, and Google has shared three sets of samples outside of the keynote.
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Google quietly releases Pixel Buds A-Series in a new color
In addition to the Pixel 7, 7 Pro, and Watch, Google yesterday made Pixel Buds A-Series available in a third color: Charcoal.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle is actually shutting down the Assistant Driving Mode ‘Dashboard’ (homescreen)
Earlier this week, Google told us that the Maps integration in Assistant Driving Mode is going away. The company’s confirmation following a “sunset” notice we discovered in the Google app turned out to be incorrect, and Google now tells us it is shutting down the entire Assistant Driving Mode Dashboard that was announced at I/O 2019.
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