Since launch, Google One has provided additional cloud storage, family sharing, expert support, and occasional promos. The subscription service is now adding automatic Android phone backups.
Google One now backs up MMS messages on Android
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Google Search will now highlight and elevate original reporting
Google’s latest news initiative has Search “elevating original reporting.” This will see articles that broke a story — instead of reblogs — be prominently featured to people searching and stay visible longer.
Google Photos adds story-like ‘Memories’ and soon built-in picture messaging
Inline with what we’ve been tracking for the past several weeks, Google Photos today announced a slew of updates. Inside the app, there is a new stories-esque Memories feature that lives above the gallery, and message-esque sharing in the coming months.
Google Assistant Routines redesigned with Material Theme [Gallery]
Over the past several months, Google has slowly revamped the look of individual pages in Assistant Settings. The latest Material Theme redesign is for Google Assistant Routines, and it’s already rolling out to some users.
YouTube app offering to open YouTube Music when playing songs
Most YouTube Premium users are primarily interested in ad-free video playback. However, the top subscription tier also includes Music Premium, and Google is now advertising that fact in the primary YouTube app and offering to open YouTube Music.
Google revamps Jamboard on Android and iOS to be more like G Suite apps
While most people are only aware of Jamboard as a 55-inch 4K touchscreen for enterprise, there are also Android, iOS, and web apps. The mobile clients today are getting a revamp that brings Jamboard closer to other G Suite apps.
Chrome 77 for Android rolling out: New Downloads page, ‘Send this page’ sharing
Following the Mac, Windows, and Linux release, Chrome 77 for Android is now rolling out. There are tweaks to the Downloads page and wider availability of “Send this page” sharing.
Google Photos testing combined menu and info sheet
In addition to Google Photos soon gaining support for ordering in-store canvas and 4×6 prints, the Android client is testing a redesigned photo viewer. The big change is a combined menu and info sheet.
Chrome 77 for Mac, Windows rolling out: ‘Send this page’ sharing, new favicon animation, more
Google is rolling out the latest version of Chrome for Mac, Windows, and Linux. Chrome 77 more widely introduces the “Send this page” cross-device sharing functionality. It also features a new favicon loading animation and welcome experience, as well as security improvements.
Google teases ‘Play Pass’ subscription service, launch ‘coming soon’
In late July, Google Play Pass was spotted in testing as a subscription service that provides “access to hundreds of premium apps.” Google today teased the Android offering as “coming soon” and unveiled the official icon.
Google Docs gaining always-visible word count box on the web
Google Docs has long featured a pretty straightforward word count tool. The G Suite editing app is soon gaining an always-visible counter in the bottom-left corner of your screen on the web.
Google unveils Assistant Ambient Mode for Android phones and tablets
For the past several weeks, we’ve been tracking an “Ambient Mode” in the Google app. At IFA 2019, Google officially introduced the new Assistant Ambient Mode for Android phones and tablets.
Android Auto for Phone Screens app will be a ‘stopgap’ as Assistant Driving Mode delayed
Yesterday, it emerged that Android Auto would be gaining a “Phone Screens” app even after Google in May announced Assistant Driving Mode as a replacement. A new report paints that upcoming app as nothing more than a stopgap in light of the Assistant-backed feature not meeting its summer release.
YouTube launches optimized /Fashion page with curated videos, original content
To tap into how the video site is already a destination for beauty videos and style tips, YouTube.com/Fashion is launching today. This “single destination for style content on YouTube” features a unique homepage and video watching experience on mobile.
Google open sources differential privacy library that powers some core products
Machine learning inherently requires large amounts of data to work and draw patterns. In recent years, there has a been a push to ensure the information used remains private. Google today announced an open source differential privacy library that its own products use.
Google Drive for Android adds manual dark theme setting
Google Drive for Android’s dark theme began appearing for some users with the Material Theme redesign in April. Thanks to a new theme setting, it’s now more widely available for users not running Android 10.
Google Calendar makes ‘Working Hours’ more prominent, enables by default
One place Google has been encouraging Digital Wellbeing and work-life balance is in Google Calendar. The “Working Hours” feature is now more prominent, proactive, and enabled by default.
Google Camera ‘Smart Burst’ replaced by ‘Top Shot’ on Pixel 3
Google Camera 6.3 notably elevates Night Sight to the main interface but also removes manual white balance controls. According to the official release notes, this update also deprecates “Smart Burst” in favor of “Top Shot.”
Google Maps for Android adds dedicated Street View layer
In addition to being a fun way to explore landmarks, Street View is useful for getting a detailed sense of where you’re going. Google Maps on the web has long provided a more useful Street View experience, but the Android app was just updated to match.
[Update: Schedule] New YouTube Originals after Sep 24th will be free with ads
Back in May, YouTube confirmed that its Originals programming would soon be free with ads. In an email to Premium subscribers today, the Google video site provided a date for when this change will begin.
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[Update: Widget dark theme] Gmail for Android updated with ‘swipe-to-switch’ account gesture
With its Material Theme update last year, Gmail for iOS added a very convenient gesture for switching accounts. After appearing on other Android apps over the past month, swipe-to-switch is now available in Gmail for Android.
North Focals can now show native actions from Android notifications
North has released frequent updates for its Focals smart glasses since launching earlier this year. The latest makes native Android notification actions available in addition to smart replies and voice dictation.
‘Out of office’ Google Calendar reminders coming to Gmail, Hangouts Chat
At Cloud Next 2019 in April, Google announced a slew of upcoming Gmail and Hangouts Chats features to help boost productivity. “Out of office” Calendar integration will begin rolling out to those two apps in the coming weeks.
[Update: Play Store] New Google Camera 6.3 version requires Android 10
The last major update to Google Camera elevated Night Sight to the main interface and made a number of other tweaks. It officially began rolling out with Android Q Beta 6, and should be available for all Pixel phones when Android 10 launches. Ahead of that, a new version of Google Camera requires the latest OS.