Google looks to be bringing the Google Photos slideshows on Nest Hub, Chromecast, and Google TV to more “eligible,” third-party devices.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle Photos ambient slideshows coming to more smart TVs, photo frames
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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 Tasks adding ‘Completed’ date to reminders
Following the new website, Google Tasks is now showing what date something was “Completed” in the Android and iOS app.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle Assistant adds Amazon Music support for Home speakers, Nest displays
In recent weeks, Google Assistant has gained support for setting Amazon Music as the default streaming service on Nest speakers and displays.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle Lens powering new Screen Search in Chrome for iOS
Google is more deeply integrating Lens visual search into Chrome for iOS with a new Screen Search capability that takes after Circle to Search on Android. Meanwhile, Google Lens can now recognize more unique images.
Expand Expanding CloseGemini app removes old 1.5 Flash and 1.5 Pro models
As previously announced, Google has removed the 1.5 family of models from the Gemini app following the launch of 2.0 Flash.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle teases what is coming next to Gemini Advanced
In a newsletter (email) to Gemini Advanced subscribers today, Google teased what will be available in the coming months.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle Tasks is now its own website
At the end of 2023, Google Calendar gained a fullscreen Tasks interface on the web. That experience is now available as a standalone Google Tasks website.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle Meet adding 30-minute history for live captions
Google Meet is updating a trio of existing features today, with a short history now available for live and translated captions.
Expand Expanding CloseYouTube on TVs adding music ‘Display’ with live lyrics, artwork
YouTube is improving the experience of listening to songs and watching music videos on TVs with Display options, like live lyrics.
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What is this pulsating Google Lens Translate button?
In the second strange component change of the last few days, Google Lens is testing a wild Translate button that is rather different from the company’s existing design language.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle Play Books makes it ‘easier’ to buy ebooks on iOS
Third-party ebook apps on iPhone and iPad have historically not let users make direct purchases. Google Play Books for iOS is now supporting Apple’s “reader” apps exception for providing external links to buy ebooks.
Expand Expanding ClosePixel Watch updated with Emergency SOS confirmation step
As announced at the end of January, Google is rolling out a Personal Safety update that adds a confirmation step for Emergency SOS on the Pixel Watch.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle Wallet prompting pass upgrades for some loyalty cards
Google Wallet on Android is encouraging users to “upgrade” some of their loyalty card passes today.
Expand Expanding CloseAndroid 16 Beta continues work on Pixel ‘Battery health’
Google has been preparing a “Battery health” settings page for Pixel since October of 2022, and work continues with Android 16 Beta 2.
Expand Expanding ClosePhone by Google adding call history filters, Material 3 search bar [U: Beta]
The Phone by Google app is adding filters to the “Recents” tabs that lets you sort and quickly triage your call history list.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle Chrome for Android rolling out tab search and Tab Group sync
Google is rolling out the straightforward ability to search your open tabs, as well as Tab Group sync, to Chrome for Android.
Expand Expanding CloseGmail rolling out redesigned summary card for bills on Android, iOS
Following purchase (before the holidays) and calendar (last month), Gmail is updating the bills summary card on Android and iOS.
Expand Expanding ClosePixelated 041: Google Input/Output 2025
Welcome to episode 41 of Pixelated, a podcast by 9to5Google. This week, we talk about the Google I/O 2025 date reveal, YouTube on televisions, and Apple TV for Android.
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Android 16 preps ‘robust open/close detection’ for Pixel 9 Pro Fold
Foldables make use of hall (effect) sensors to determine the open or closed state. To prevent interference from magnetic accessories, the Pixel Fold might add “robust open/close detection” with Android 16.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle Home Gemini Extension widely rolls out: How to enable
As announced last month, the Google Home Gemini Extension is no longer in preview and widely available. This stable rollout took a few weeks.
Expand Expanding CloseFirst Google TV Streamer update of 2025 rolling out
Last year, the Google TV Streamer got a small update about a month after it launched. The first Google TV Streamer update of 2025 is now rolling out and it’s more sizable.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle rolling out file upload, analysis for free Gemini tier
After introducing for paid Advanced subscribers last year, free Gemini users are starting to get the ability to upload and analyze files.
Expand Expanding CloseYouTube TV could lose CBS, more due to Paramount dispute [U: Extension]
YouTube TV shared this afternoon that negotiations with Paramount have failed to result in an agreement. If there’s no deal, “all Paramount content, including CBS and CBS Sports, will be unavailable on YouTube TV.”
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle Chat will let you rename group chats, adding ‘board’ tab
A nice quality-of-life improvement for Google Chat will let you rename group conversations, while teams will benefit from a new “board” feature.
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