Similar to last year, Google Workspace has a presence at I/O 2022 and used it to announce features across Meet and Chat, as well as Docs.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle Chat adding AI summaries, Meet getting portrait lighting, and more
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.
Pixel 6a leaks just before Google I/O 2022 kicks off
With less than 30 minutes before I/O 2022 is set to begin, an official render of the Pixel 6a has leaked.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle I/O 2022 Keynote Live Blog + News Hub: Android 13, Assistant, and more
I/O 2022 kicks off today as Google’s biggest event of the year to highlight what’s new for both developers and end users. Expect feature announcements that will launch in the short term, as well as more future-facing capabilities that reflect the company’s AI vision. This year, Google returns to the Shoreline Amphitheater and a live audience of not just employees.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle updates Material 3 with new FAB-integrated bottom app bar, switches, and more
Ahead of I/O 2022, Google has updated its design documentation with the latest Material 3 components. This follows the initial additions in October.
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Google Calendar working locations no longer look like all-day events
One of the ways Google Calendar supports hybrid work is by letting employees note their working locations, and an upcoming tweak will make that UI less obtrusive.
Expand Expanding CloseYouTube TV unbundles channels for the first time with new $34.99 ‘Spanish Plan’
Historically, Google’s cord-cutting service has required that you subscribe to the ballooning — both in price and channels — “Base Plan.” That’s starting to change as YouTube TV now offers a separate “Spanish Plan.”
Expand Expanding CloseAhead of I/O 2022, many big Google products have already been updated this year – what’s next
With I/O 2022 kicking off tomorrow, we’re taking a look at the state of Google products before the big event. The surprising takeaway is that many of Google’s consumer-facing apps and services have already seen major updates in recent months.
Expand Expanding CloseChrome OS 101: Dark boot screen added, new Launcher starts appearing, more
Following last month’s big milestone, Chrome OS 101 is beginning to roll out today with slightly more changes and new features than usual.
Expand Expanding CloseAndroid teases messaging, cross-device updates, and more news at Google I/O 2022
With less than 48 hours until I/O 2022, Google today teased an overview of what the Android team might possibly announce at the developer conference.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle Chrome team announces ‘Advanced Web Apps Fund’
Google has long been a proponent of web technologies that offer an “experience comparable to a native application.” It has advocated for and built out browser features/APIs to that effect, and Google is now launching the Advanced Web Apps Fund.
Expand Expanding CloseYouTube Music testing big playlist UI redesign on Android
Playlists are undoubtedly a big part of YouTube Music’s discovery angle, and Google is now testing a big UI redesign for them on mobile.
Expand Expanding CloseChromecast with Google TV oddly switches to pre-order at Amazon with ‘User profiles’ advertised
In a rather curious turn of events, Amazon has put what looks to be the existing Chromecast with Google TV up for pre-order with an availability date of next week.
Expand Expanding ClosePlay Points pay off as Gold/Platinum tiers get free Chromecast, Pixel Buds discount, more [U]
For most of the world, Google Play Points is structured into four levels. Play Points users on the top Platinum tier are now being offered a hardware perk in the form of Google Store discounts.
Expand Expanding CloseAndroid 13 Beta 1 for Google TV quietly released
Earlier this week, Google started beta testing Android 13 for Android TV. Similar to previous years, a system image is available for the ADT-3 Developer Kit.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle confirms Pixel bug that randomly changes your ringtone and alarm sounds [Update]
A curious bug impacting some Pixel owners sees the Phone ringtone, Default notification sound, and Default alarm sounds randomly change on Google devices.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle wants your initial Android 13 feedback with Beta 1 survey
Google started asking Android Beta Program users for feedback with version 11 in 2020. With Android 13 moving on from the developer preview phase last week, the Beta 1 feedback survey is now open this evening.
Expand Expanding CloseYouTube Music adds a splash of background color on Android and iOS
Since its inception in 2015 (and the 2018 relaunch), YouTube Music has only ever offered a dark theme, but the Android and iOS apps are now adding a splash of color to liven things up.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle Play users in Russia can no longer update or download paid apps
Back in March, Google halted Android app and subscription purchases in Russia due to sanctions. Google Play is now “blocking the downloading of paid apps and updates to paid apps in Russia starting May 5, 2022.”
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle partners with Asus IoT to spread availability of Coral on-device AI hardware
Coral is Google’s platform for adding on-device AI and inferencing capabilities to hardware. To make it more widely available, especially for Internet of Things use cases, Google is partnering with Asus IoT.
Expand Expanding CloseRoboto Flex is a ‘major upgrade’ that adds customization to Google’s most popular font
Since its release in 2011, the Roboto font has expanded to include several variants and just got a reading-optimized Serif version in February. Roboto Flex was officially unveiled today as a “major upgrade” and “Google Fonts’ biggest project to date.”
Expand Expanding CloseAndroid 12 QPR3 will make it much easier to find the Pixel Battery widget
The March Feature Drop introduced a system battery widget on Pixel, but it’s not the easiest homescreen object for people to add. To address that, Android 12 QPR3 makes it easier to find the “Battery” widget.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle previews how password-killing ‘passkeys’ will work on Android, Chrome
Following our report last month, Google today announced its support for “passwordless FIDO Sign-in standards” and previewed what the end-user experience of passkeys on Android and Chrome will look like.
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Google Assistant adds settings for ‘Your vehicles’ parking feature
Back in March, Google introduced the ability to pay for public parking with your voice. As part of this feature, Google Assistant has added “Your vehicles” settings. Meanwhile, the Google app has made a tweak to its preferences.
Expand Expanding CloseAndroid team once again hosting a fireside Q&A chat at Google I/O 2022
Live Q&A sessions with the Android team were a staple of previous Google developer conferences. After skipping last year, Google I/O 2022 will once again see an Android fireside chat.
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