Google today highlighted how the Play Store “fought bad apps and bad actors” in 2023 through a mix of new technical advances and policy updates.
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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.
Google Play Store can now simultaneously download multiple Android apps
After on and off testing over the past few years, Google looks to have widely rolled out simultaneous app downloads and installs on the Play Store in a nice quality of life improvement.
Expand Expanding CloseFitbit․com shop closes, replaced by Google Store
Following the “Google Fitbit” branding change last month, the fitbit.com online shop is no more, with the Google Store taking over.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle Pay transaction screen adds ‘Open Wallet’ shortcut
Following the recently rolled out verification change that requires more frequent authentication, Google Pay on Android has been tweaked with an “Open Wallet” shortcut.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle expands Pixel hardware campus in Taiwan
Google this week opened its latest hardware office in Taiwan for Pixel, Fitbit, and Nest development.
Expand Expanding ClosePixelated 007: AndroidPixel
Welcome to the seventh episode of Pixelated, a podcast by 9to5Google. We talk about the Android-Pixel reorg, the new 4K Chromecast with Google TV, and some Pixel Tablet rumors.
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Expand Expanding Close‘Chromecast with Google TV’ is not a good name
This is the least important part of the next 4K Chromecast — RAM, then storage (fight me in the comments below), but I don’t think “Chromecast with Google TV” is a good name/brand by any stretch.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle Maps updates Wear OS Tile with direct map shortcut
Following the big update that added public transit directions last month, Google Maps has tweaked its Wear OS Tile to provide quick access to the map.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle Messages Custom Bubble colors and backgrounds widely rolling out [U]
After previewing in late November, Google Messages is slowly rolling out Custom Bubbles that let you theme the color and background of RCS chats.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle Play accidentally reveals the ‘Cubes’ feed, a ‘shortcut’ to apps & games
The Google Play Store this evening inadvertently detailed a new experience called “Cubes” that lets you “Watch, shop, and more in one place.”
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle fixes ‘blank’ Fitbit Dashboard bug on the web [U]
In recent days, the Fitbit Dashboard available on the web has been bugging out — by going blank — amid speculation that Google might be shutting down the site for an app only experience.
Expand Expanding CloseA higher-res look at the Pixel 8a bezels and curves
While we wait for the official announcement, the latest leak of the Pixel 8a really emphasizes the curves and bezels.
Expand Expanding CloseAlphabet reports Q1 2024 revenue of $80.5 billion
Alphabet today announced Q1 2024 earnings with $80.54 billion in revenue. These numbers range from January to March and start the fiscal year.
Expand Expanding CloseNew YouTube TV subscribers can get NFL Sunday Ticket for $179
To coincide with the 2024 NFL Draft, Google has a $179 Sunday Ticket offer for those new to YouTube TV.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle rolling out Android 15 Beta 1.2 with more Pixel bug fixes
Google is rolling out Android 15 Beta 1.2 only three days after the last patch that addressed the lack of NFC tap-to-pay.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle shares I/O 2024 session list: What’s new in Android, AI, and Wear OS 5
With I/O 2024 a few weeks away, Google this morning posted the initial session list, including “What’s new.” There will be “150+ sessions and learning content.”
Expand Expanding CloseKeep reminders will soon appear in Google Tasks, location functionality remains
With last year’s big Google Tasks Assistant migration, Google Keep was excluded from the unified experience. That’s changing, with Google Keep reminders soon appearing in Google Tasks.
Expand Expanding CloseWhatsApp adds support for Pixel 8 and 8 Pro face unlock
On the Pixel 8 and 8 Pro, face unlock can authenticate tap-to-pay, banking apps, and now WhatsApp.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle Podcasts export tool live internationally, app shuts down June 23
Outside the US, Google Podcasts is shutting down on June 23 and the international export options are now live.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle Meet will let you transfer calls between web and phone with ‘Switch here’
Google Meet’s new “Switch here” capability will let you seamlessly transfer calls between devices “without hanging up and rejoining.”
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle rumored to ‘relaunch’ Pixel Tablet sans dock, release pen and keyboard
The Pixel Tablet launched without a pen (despite supporting USI) or a keyboard accessory last year, but a new rumor says Google will be launching both soon.
Expand Expanding CloseYouTube Music wants to be the ‘ultimate destination for podcasters and fans’
YouTube today released an interview with Chief Product Officer Johanna Voolich about the “Future of Podcasts” on the platform and in YouTube Music.
Expand Expanding CloseYouTube Music adding more podcast sort filters, artist search in radio creator
YouTube Music is making two quality of life improvements to podcasts with more sort filters and the ever popular radio (music tuner).
Expand Expanding CloseChrome’s deprecation of third-party cookies delayed again
Google originally planned to get rid of third-party cookies in Chrome by 2022. Following two delays, Google yesterday announced a third to 2025.
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