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Google News partners with publishers to surface local reopening timelines
Back in April, Google introduced easy access to COVID-19 information across Assistant, Podcasts, and News. The latest feature for the latter app surfaces local information, including reopening timelines.
Google streamlines Stadia ‘Privacy’ settings, hinting at ‘Player stats’
Version 2.23 of Stadia for Android rolled out yesterday and revealed work on mobile data gameplay and family sharing. The update also makes some tweaks to Stadia’s Privacy settings that simplify the interface and suggest some upcoming capabilities.
Google opens up Business Messages in Maps and Search
Back in 2018, Google Maps for Android and iOS introduced a way for customers to directly contact stores. Google today is expanding Business Messages in Maps and adding more functionality.
Google announces Android 11 Developer Preview for Android TV
Historically, Android developer previews are primarily focused on phones and other similar form factors. Google this year is launching an Android 11 Developer Preview for Android TV.
‘DontKillMyApp’ will tell you how often your Android phone kills background apps
If you’ve ever been frustrated by an app not working properly or closing when you were trying to use it, the fault may not be on the app. Every Android OEM tweaks portions of the OS, including how often background processes are killed. Now, there’s a new app to benchmark how often that happens.
Gboard beta removes built-in Google Search for some
Back in April, Google’s Android keyboard lost the prominent ‘G’ button for accessing search. Gboard’s built-in Google Search capability now looks to have been removed entirely today for some beta users.
Google defaults to auto-deleting Web & App Activity, YouTube, Location History for new users
Google last May introduced auto-delete controls where your history and activity information is removed after 3 or 18 months. The company today is making this the default behavior across key settings for new users.
Google Play simplifies redeeming Android app subscriptions, adds vanity codes, more
Google is still in the process of detailing everything new in Android 11 over the coming weeks. Some features are not directly tied to the upcoming OS version, with the Google Play Store seeing a number of updates to subscriptions in Android apps.
Google rolling out Spanish grammar suggestions in Docs, Gmail for G Suite
The unifying goal of Google’s productivity apps is leveraging machine learning to boost end user productivity. Today, Google is adding Spanish support for grammar suggestions in Gmail and Docs, with autocorrect and Smart Compose coming later this year.
[Update: Potential release timeframe] Apex Legends squad-based battle royale FPS coming to Android
The battle royale genre has exploded since the release of PUBG, and the immensely popular Apex Legends looks set to hit Android devices in the not-too-distant future.
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Google rolling out support for separate Fi and Voice numbers on same account
Google has long imposed a restriction where Voice users cannot have separate Fi numbers. That is now changing today with the ability to have both coexist on the same account.
Google Images rolling out ‘Fact Check’ labels around the world
YouTube, News, and Search in recent years have surfaced fact checks to deal with misinformation. Google Images is now getting a similar capability to help people “make more informed judgments about what they see on the web.”
[Update: For Android, web] Google Maps overlaying AR-esque place markers in Street View
In addition to being a fun way to explore the world, Street View helps users get their bearings before visiting a new location. Google Maps is now testing AR-esque place marker overlays that make Street View even more of a wayfinding tool.
Chris Lacy’s ActionDash acquired by Sensor Tower, immediately goes ad-free
Digital Wellbeing has been a pretty major focus of Android in its past couple of releases, but not everyone has access to Google’s suite of tools. To fill that gap, Android developer Chris Lacy released ActionDash, a third-party app that essentially replicated and, in many cases, improved on Google’s offering. Now, that app has been acquired.
Compact Google Assistant redesign starts rolling out with Google app beta
Besides on-device processing, the revamped layout is a key part of the Pixel 4’s new Assistant. A more compact Google Assistant redesign that’s been in testing for all other Android devices now looks to be rolling out to some beta users.
Google Assistant tests ‘Updates for you’ feed to onboard new users
Back in March, Google rather quietly rolled out Assistant Snapshot as a Google Now-esque replacement that brings together weather, calendar events, reminders, and other relevant, proactive information. Google Assistant now looks to be testing a second, visually-similar feed called “Updates for you.”
Google adds meet.new shortcut to quickly start video calls
Last year, Google introduced ‘.new’ links to create blank documents in the web. Following this week’s Gmail integration, Google Meet is now the latest G Suite app to get a similar shortcut to immediately start a call.
Google Photos ends monthly print subscription trial, but hints at future
Back in January, we reported that Google Photos was trialing a monthly subscription to get your best pictures printed. That test is coming to an end, but the company does hint at future updates.
Area 120 takes on Pinterest with ‘Keen’ by using Google ML recommendations
Area 120 is Google’s internal incubator for experimental efforts that usually get phased out and rolled into existing products. Keen is the latest Google Area 120 project and is rather Pinterest-esque in nature.
Google Play testing ‘Free trial & install’ button to bundle Android app download with IAP
Alongside the Android 11 Beta last week, Google shared a number of announcements for app developers. One related to in-app purchases and billing sees Google Play test a “Free trial & install button” that both downloads an app and starts a trial.
Smart Displays will soon show AMP news, support Continuous Match Mode for Assistant Actions
Like Android, Google Assistant is also a platform for third-party developers creating apps. Google today is making it easier to build Assistant Actions with new development tools and core platform features, like Continuous Match Mode.
Google Maps adding square Promoted pins as Search’s Shopping tab gains local store info
Every summer, Google Marketing Live is a conference announcing the company’s latest advertising products. Google is now making these announcements over the next several weeks, and starting with new features for small and medium-sized businesses (SMB), like square-shaped Promoted pins in Google Maps.
Google Duo rolling out web group calls with up to 32 people, adds online PWA
While Meet lately has received the brunt of attention in the video conferencing space, Duo is still around for more personal conversations. After announcing a slew of new features last month, Google Duo is now rolling out support for group calls with up to 32 participants on the web.