Google’s presence sensing detects whether somebody is home using your phone’s location, Nest smart home devices, and now Nest Hubs and speakers.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle Home presence sensing can now use Nest Hub and speakers as signals
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 Play adds ‘Other devices’ tab to browse Wear OS, TV, and car apps
To better highlight that the Play Store is increasingly home to more than just phone apps, Google is adding a prominent “Other devices” section for watch, televisions, and car apps.
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YouTube Music for Android bug keeps your screen on [U: Fixed]
A recent bug with the YouTube Music app on Android keeps your display on, regardless of the set screen timeout interval.
Expand Expanding CloseFitbit will require a Google Account to use new devices and features from 2023 onward
With the launch of Fitbit’s latest devices, “Fitbit by Google” branding was introduced. The Sense 2 and Versa 4 already have a UI modeled after Wear OS 3, but the integration is getting deeper from 2023 onward when Google Accounts will be required to use Fitbit.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle Pixel Watch gets design video with more watch faces, Gorilla Glass revealed
After yesterday’s “Google Pixel Collection” teaser, Google this morning shared “The Design of Google Pixel Watch” video that shows off several more watch faces.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle Pixel 7 and 7 Pro price leaks, along with Target’s pre-order bonus
Following the Pixel Watch, Pixel 7 and 7 Pro pricing has now leaked from a US retailer, and it’s unchanged from last year’s flagship phones.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle Photos preps Wear OS watch face support, likely for Pixel Watch
Watch faces that let people set pictures of their family and friends are quite popular. Ahead of the Pixel Watch, Google Photos is readying support for such an integration.
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Report: Google wants open, royalty-free alternative to Dolby Atmos and Vision
Google is a big player in the codec space with AV1, and is now setting its sights on alternative audio and video formats that could replace Dolby Atmos and Vision.
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Google Discover now lets you better express your disinterest on topics
After adding the ability to block specific YouTube channels, Google Discover is giving you the ability to express disinterest on multiple topics in one go.
Expand Expanding CloseMore Pixel Watch band colors emerge as Google teases watch face design
On Monday, we detailed the Pixel Watch’s default case color and strap configurations, which builds on our previous report about the extensive band collection that’s in the works. Google is now ramping up Pixel Watch teasing, while the latest leak suggests what band colors and styles will be available at launch.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle and Framework making an upgradable Chromebook, starting at $999
Google and Framework are working together on a modular Chromebook that can be upgraded with various components over time and is set for early December availability with pre-orders opening today.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle Fi offering former users free service (up to $720 value) for remainder of 2022
In a bid to get ex-subscribers to rejoin, Google Fi is offering free cellular service “for the rest of 2022.”
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle app rolling out ‘Results about you’ to help remove personal information [U]
At I/O 2022 in May, Google announced a new tool to streamline the process of removing Search results that contain your contact and other personal identifiable information (PII), and it’s now starting to go live.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle Pixel Watch: Specs, $349+, Wear OS 3, and everything we know so far
Google officially announced its first smartwatch at I/O 2022 in May, but only provided a “first look” ahead of the full reveal this fall alongside the Pixel 7 and 7 Pro. 9to5Google has revealed a number of new details since then, and here’s everything we know about the Pixel Watch.
Expand Expanding CloseHere are Google’s Pixel 7 and 7 Pro cases, with some tweaks from last year [Gallery]
We’ve known since I/O 2022 in May what colors the Pixel 7 and 7 Pro will be available in, and now here’s a look at this year’s case design.
Expand Expanding CloseYouTube Partner Program expands with Shorts revenue sharing; ‘Creator Music’ catalog coming
YouTube today announced two updates to its Partner Program (YPP) that make it easier to join and make money from the video platform, particularly YouTube Shorts. There’s also a new Creator Music catalog to add tracks to videos.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle adding 6 Stadia Pro games for October 2022, including Arcade Paradise
October 2022 brings six games to Stadia Pro in an increase from last month.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle Tasks upgrade brings Assistant integration and will replace ‘Reminders’
As we’ve been expecting since June, Google is “simplifying [its] task management solutions by migrating Assistant and Calendar Reminders to Google Tasks.”
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle Search letting you find and shop for train tickets, buses also coming
Google is rolling out a trio of updates to its travel features and products today, starting with the ability to shop for train tickets in Search.
Expand Expanding CloseGmail for Android bug makes the Material You widget smaller
Google wants to better optimize first-party Android widgets for tablets, but in the meantime an update to the Gmail widget has made everything smaller.
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Gmail getting ‘more prominent unsubscribe button’ for political emails as spam pilot starts
Following approval by the US Federal Election Commission in August, Gmail will start a pilot program to exempt political campaign emails from the spam filter.
Expand Expanding CloseFitbit Sense 2 and Versa 4 have no music playback, lose Wi-Fi
The Fitbit Sense 2 and Versa 4 feature an interface heavily inspired by Wear OS 3, but they otherwise lack key features, like offline music storage, playback, or even control, while Wi-Fi is disabled.
Expand Expanding CloseAndroid 13 QPR1 Beta 1 feedback survey now open for Pixel owners
The Android feedback surveys are back with Google releasing one for 13 QPR1 Beta 1 this morning. It comes 11 days after that preview program launched.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle ‘Nest Wifi Pro’ leaks with Wi-Fi 6E, higher price, and no point unit
Back in June, we reported that Google was working on a new Wi-Fi 6 router, and it has now leaked as the “Nest Wifi Pro.”
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