Fitbit for Android has now been downloaded over 100 million times from the Google Play Store.
Expand Expanding CloseDark theme-less Fitbit app hits 100 million Play Store downloads
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.
There is no ‘Google TV Streamer Pro’ – Google’s set-top box almost had another name
Google is not making a more premium version of the Google TV Streamer, with the “Google TV Stream Pro” moniker flying around just a name that was considered for the current model.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle will use Gemini to improve notifications on Pixel Buds Pro 2
At launch, the only spoken notifications available on the Pixel Buds Pro 2 are from messaging apps, but Google is planning to upgrade the alert experience with Gemini.
Expand Expanding CloseWear OS 5 Pixel Watch update issues: Black screen soft brick, wrong font
Following yesterday’s rollout of Wear OS 5 to the original Pixel Watch and Pixel Watch 2, some users have reported issues with the update.
Expand Expanding Close
Google Store now sells a USB-C to HDMI cable for Pixel
Back in June, the Pixel 8 and newer phones gained DisplayPort Support and the Google Store is now selling a USB-C to HDMI cable just for that.
Expand Expanding CloseGmail for Android and iOS adding blue verified sender checkmarks
The blue checkmarks that Gmail introduced to verify senders last year are now coming to the Android and iOS app.
Expand Expanding CloseFitbit redesigns stat pages for Stress management score, Mood, and Mindfulness
Following heart rate last week, the latest Fitbit stat pages to undergo a Material You redesign are Body responses & mood, Mindfulness, and Stress management score.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle rolling out Wear OS 5 to original Pixel Watch and Pixel Watch 2
Following the launch of the Pixel Watch 3 earlier this month, Wear OS 5 is now rolling out to the original Pixel Watch and Pixel Watch 2 with the September 2024 security patch.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle Calendar Gemini Extension starts rolling out
The Gemini Extension for Google Calendar is starting to roll out for some accounts on Android and the web client.
Expand Expanding CloseFitbit․com going away in October, fully replaced by Google Store
The fitbit.com website will be fully replaced by the Google Store starting next month.
Expand Expanding CloseYou can now buy the Google TV Streamer in these 19 countries
When the Google TV Streamer was announced in early August, only the US Google Store listed the device for pre-order. That has now changed with global availability as of September 24.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle Store now sells Google TV Streamer Voice Remote, $20 Google HDMI cable
With today’s Google TV Streamer launch, including at Amazon and other retailers, you can now buy the new Voice Remote directly from the Google Store, as well as a “Google Ultra High-Speed HDMI Cable.”
Expand Expanding Close
‘Popcorn!’ is a battle royale-esque Google Doodle
The latest Google Doodle today is an interactive battle royale-esque game that celebrates “Popcorn!”
Expand Expanding CloseGemini app coming to Google Workspace as LLMs boost Gmail security
To encourage business and enterprise use, Google is now letting paid Workspace tiers access the standalone Gemini app.
Expand Expanding CloseWhat a Pixel Watch Pro/Ultra line would let Google do
The Pixel Watch 3 is barely two weeks old, but I’m already thinking about what comes next. That’s in large part due to this year’s update — outside of the larger screen and smaller bezels — being driven by software.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle Maps getting sharper satellite imagery and more Street View
Google Maps is getting sharper satellite imagery and more Street View content, while Google Earth will soon let users access more historical imagery.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle Photos rolling out video editor redesign with AI ‘presets’
After the Collections tab revamp and search updates, Google Photos is now rolling out a redesign of its mobile video editor. The goal is to make it “easier than ever to edit your favorite videos into stunning clips to share.”
Expand Expanding CloseGemini app rolls out simplified homescreen on Android
Following the web, Google is giving the Gemini app on Android a greatly simplified homescreen.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle TV rolling out Home Panel, AI screensaver, Sports page, and more to all devices
With the launch of its Chromecast successor this week, Google is starting to roll out a number of new Google TV features for the entire ecosystem, like Home Panel.
Expand Expanding CloseYouTube Music web app now syncs the queue from your phone
The queue on the YouTube Music web client now persists through tab closures and relaunches, while also being able to load your phone’s queue.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle TV Streamer already in stores around the world, gets unboxed
For whatever reason, the Google TV Streamer is only available for pre-order in the US, though the September 24 launch date does refer to international availability. Ahead of Tuesday, some around the world have already been able to buy (and unbox) the Google TV Streamer.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle TV redesign continues move away from the full-width search bar
Google TV is redesigning the top portion of its mobile Android app to allow for a more immersive, search field-less UI.
Expand Expanding ClosePixelated 025: RC-Yes
Welcome to episode 25 of Pixelated, a podcast by 9to5Google. This week, we talk about RCS on the iPhone and desktop windowing with the Pixel Tablet.
Subscribe
Expand Expanding Close
Google consolidating X/Twitter accounts, like Pixel and Material Design
Given the vast nature of Google, the company has a lot of product/service accounts on X (formerly Twitter) and is working to consolidate them. There are two separate instances with Google Pixel and Material Design this month.
Expand Expanding Close