Workspace customers can soon send video messages in Google Chat, while voice transcripts are now available.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle Chat adds voice clip transcripts, video messages
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 Docs rolling out new ‘document tabs’ organization system
After announcing in April, Google Docs is rolling out a “document tabs” feature for improved organization.
Expand Expanding CloseUS judge rules how Google Play must change following monopoly ruling
After a jury found that Google has an “illegal monopoly” with the Play Store, a judge today detailed what changes must be implemented in the US for a period of three years.
Expand Expanding CloseFiles by Google rolling out ‘Receive’ Quick Share FAB
The latest addition to Files by Google is a “Receive” floating action button (FAB) for Quick Share.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle sends out ‘Your Android has new features’ notification
On Pixel, the Tips app helps detail new additions from the quarterly Feature Drops. Google now has something similar to detail new features on all other Android devices.
Expand Expanding CloseSeptember Chromecast with Google TV update rolling out
Following the launch of the Google TV Streamer last month, the next Chromecast with Google TV update (September 2024) is rolling out.
Expand Expanding CloseThe Fitbit Luxe is nearly out of stock
Announced in April of 2021, the Fitbit Luxe is very close to being out of stock around the world.
Expand Expanding CloseA look at the ChromeOS Recorder app for Chromebook Plus [Gallery]
With ChromeOS 130 later this month, Google will roll out a Recorder app for Chromebook Plus. From real-time transcription that works offline to speaker identification and summaries, there are more than a few similarities with the Pixel Recorder app.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle Shopping looks to be getting a new logo
Last week, we spotted a redesign of the Google Shopping website, and that now looks to be accompanied by a new logo.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle Wallet purchases get a new notification icon
Earlier this year, the Google Wallet app was updated to directly send purchase notifications, and there’s now a new icon for it.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle starts rolling out Android Theft protection features
After announcing at I/O 2024 in May, Google is beginning to roll out a trio of Theft protection features for Android 10+ devices via Play services.
Expand Expanding CloseWith Gemini for Pixel Buds, spoken notifications are only for messaging apps
With Gemini rolling out to all Pixel Buds, one thing you should be aware of is that spoken notifications cannot be enabled for every app.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle app rolls out Song Search Quick Settings Tile on Android [U]
Google is adding yet another way to access its excellent Song Search feature on Android with a Quick Settings (QS) Tile.
Expand Expanding CloseYouTube fixes accidental account bans and channel removals [U]
Over the past few hours, YouTube appears to have accidentally removed channels and banned accounts for violating its “spam, deceptive practices, and scams policy” even for users that have never uploaded videos in what looks to be a bug.
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[Fixed] Google Home Activity feed and Settings are down on Android
As of Friday morning (PT), the Google Home app is facing some issues with the Activity feed and Settings tab.
Expand Expanding CloseWaymo’s next robotaxi will be the Hyundai IONIQ 5
Waymo today announced a “multi-year, strategic partnership” with Hyundai Motor Company, starting with the all-electric IONIQ 5 SUV.
Expand Expanding CloseGmail Q&A now on Android, iOS as ‘new way of searching your inbox’ [U]
At I/O 2024, Google announced a Gmail Q&A feature that brings the Gemini side panel available on desktop web to Android. This is now officially rolling out.
Expand Expanding ClosePixel Studio 1.1’s new share target now fully works [U]
The first big update to Pixel Studio is supposed to make it easier to bring a photo into the app for editing, but the share target is currently broken.
Expand Expanding CloseSony updating headphones & earbuds with Find My Device network, app gets Material 3
Following the Pixel Buds Pro 2, Find My Device network support is now rolling out to Sony headphones and earbuds.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle Meet gets new ‘Start a call’ screen on Android
Google is working to upgrade the personal Meet calling experience to be more inline with the feature-rich enterprise version. As part of that, Google Meet has a new “Start a call” page.
Expand Expanding ClosePixel 9 has Google’s ‘most hardened baseband’ to counter modem vulnerabilities
Google today detailed how it has “significantly increase[d] Pixel 9’s resilience to baseband attacks” and cellular modem vulnerabilities.
Expand Expanding CloseYouTube Shorts will soon be up to 3 minutes long
To date, Shorts have been 60 seconds or shorter, but YouTube is extending the max duration to 3 minutes starting October 15.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle Lens streamlines voice input and tests video search
According to Google, “Lens queries are now one of the fastest growing query types on Search” with 20 billion visual searches every month. Google Lens is now rolling out the voice and video search capabilities announced at I/O 2024.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle Search results will be ‘Organized with AI’ and AI Overviews get ads
In addition to the latest Lens feature today, Google Search is rolling out “Organized with AI” and ads in AI Overviews.
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