Following the April announcement, Google’s partnership to make Pixel repair parts officially available on iFixit is now live.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle’s iFixit partnership launches with genuine Pixel parts now on sale
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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.
Upcoming Pixel Buds A-Series firmware update looks to fix broken Bass slider
Since December, Pixel Buds A-Series have complained about an issue with the Bass slider and Google might finally be ready to release a fix, though it looks to have been pulled at the last second.
Expand Expanding CloseYouTube Premium launches referral program to get up to 12 free months
Like YouTube TV earlier this year, YouTube Premium has launched a referral program where existing subscribers get a shareable code that can ultimately net them a year of free service.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle loses payments and commerce head behind the upcoming Google Wallet to Pinterest
News broke today that Pinterest cofounder Ben Silbermann is stepping down as CEO and that Bill Ready, Google’s former head of commerce and payments, will take over.
Expand Expanding CloseGmail gets Material You web redesign and ‘Gmail-only’ view without Chat, Meet
Google announced today that Material You is coming to Gmail on the web in a redesign that also addresses complaints about the integrated view overhaul from earlier this year by introducing a “Gmail-only” view.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle looks to have stopped developing ‘Assistant Memory’ [APK Insight]
As early as 2018, Google had been readying an Assistant-adjacent feature that supercharges saving and reminders on Android. It now appears that Google is no longer working on “Assistant Memory” as the company’s reminders strategy becomes ever more muddled.
Expand Expanding CloseGmail for Android, iOS add convenient ‘Storage used’ indicator
On the web, Gmail has long noted how much storage you’re using at the bottom of the page. A “Storage used” indicator is now on Gmail for Android and iOS to save you from needing to open another app or website for space management.
Expand Expanding Close‘Google Public Sector’ is a new subsidiary focused on US government, education
Google today is home to two divisions that have their own CEOs: Cloud and YouTube. “Google Public Sector” was announced today as a “new Google division that will focus on helping U.S. public sector institutions.”
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Google marks Small Business Week with $199 Chromebook, 3-month Workspace trial
For this year’s International Small Business Week, Google is offering product discounts on Workspace and an HP Chromebook, as well as a “Heroes of Small Business sweepstakes.”
Expand Expanding CloseYou can try Android 13’s new media controls today with Google Podcasts and Chrome
Most people — apart from during Beta 1 — haven’t had a chance to fully experience Android 13’s redesigned media controls, but you can do so today with Google Podcasts and Chrome.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle plan would exempt political campaign emails from Gmail’s spam filter
Today’s election campaigns will use every possible form of communication to reach voters and raise funds. Following complaints about Gmail’s filtering, Google is proposing a plan to keep political “campaign emails from ending up in spam folders.”
Expand Expanding ClosePixel 3 and 3 XL unexpectedly get new update with VoLTE roaming support
Google’s 2018 flagship phones received their last guaranteed update in October 2021, but there was one more release this February. The Pixel 3 and 3 XL were surprisingly updated today with VoLTE roaming support.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle hatches the Android 13 easter egg and it’s literally all the emoji [Gallery]
Android 13’s third patch is out today, and there are fewer user-facing changes than in the last release. That said, Beta 3.3 does bring the Android 13 easter egg.
Expand Expanding CloseAndroid 13 Beta 3.3 rolls out to Pixel with Wi-Fi and other connectivity fixes, more
Google this morning surprisingly released Android 13 Beta 3.3 for Pixel phones almost two weeks after the last release, which was already rather sizable, for a continuation of the patch-heavy cycle.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle details when classic Hangouts will stop working as free Chat migration starts
All Workspace customers were migrated to Google Chat earlier this year. Google announced today that classic Hangouts is going away for free users in October and laid out the migration plans to Chat.
Expand Expanding CloseHere’s the Pixel 6a fingerprint sensor working faster than the 6 Pro’s [Video]
Due to a Malaysian reseller, there are at least two Pixel 6a units out in the wild before next month’s launch. A pair of new videos in recent days provides more Pixel 6a details, including a look at how much better the fingerprint sensor is.
Expand Expanding CloseFast Pair coming to Wear OS for quick headphone pairing ahead of Pixel Watch
Fast Pair started as Google’s way to quickly connect Bluetooth headphones to Android phones and will soon do the same on Chrome OS. Google alluded today that Fast Pair is coming to Wear OS in what could be preparation for the Pixel Watch and Pixel Buds Pro.
Expand Expanding CloseConcept: An iOS 16-inspired Android lockscreen for Pixel with Material You and depth
Android 12’s double-line clock is one of Google’s most notable expressions of Material You. Following iOS 16’s big emphasis, one concept design imagines how the Android and Pixel lockscreen could evolve with the addition of depth.
Expand Expanding CloseYouTube Music gets a way to see all ‘Mixed for you’ playlists in one view
Personalized playlists based on listening history are a big part of YouTube Music, and the app is now giving users a quick way to view every “Mixed for you” creation available to them through a grid view.
Expand Expanding CloseFitbit Sense 2 and Versa 4 accessory appears from third party, all but confirming familiar design
We shared a first look at the Fitbit Versa 4 at the start of May while also reporting on its product name, along with that of the Sense 2. Additional confirmation of upcoming Fitbit wearables and their branding now comes from a familiar accessory maker.
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Google Tasks will let you easily print out to-do lists
After adding the ability to star, Google Tasks will soon let users print out a list of their to-dos on the web.
Expand Expanding CloseChrome for iPhone gets menu redesign, Enhanced Safe Browsing, and more
Version 103 of Chrome is rolling out this week, and Google is highlighting several new features on iPhone and iPad that span usability and security.
Expand Expanding CloseChrome OS 103 rolling out: Phone Hub camera roll, faster Nearby Share + Wi-Fi sharing
The Chromebook team kicked off 2022 by previewing a number of new Better Together integrations at CES. Chrome OS 103 is rolling out, starting today, with the ability to see your camera roll in Phone Hub and Nearby Share to get Wi-Fi credentials from your Android device.
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Google Store gets series of ‘Ideas + Info’ articles featuring Pixel and Nest tips
After launching a new retail location in New York last week, the online Google Store now has a series of “Ideas + Info” articles.
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