Earlier this year, Google rolled out Work Insights for G Suite enterprise customers that help track adoption rates, collaboration statistics, and work patterns. A similar tool is now coming to Google for Education users with “transformation reports.”
Before Assistant, Google had “Voice search” capabilities that were closely integrated with full on Search. Over the past several years, all innovation has been focussed on Assistant and Google is now in the process of fully replacing Voice search on Android.
Google Camera is due for a big upgrade that elevates Night Sight to the main interface. That version will likely launch with a future Android Q release, but until then, a minor 6.2 update rolled out earlier this week. There are no visible changes, but the new Google Camera breaks Assistant’s “Hey Google, take a picture” command.
Fast-loading Accelerated Mobile Pages are prevalent on the mobile web, thanks to Google Search. AMP is now coming to Google Images with a new ‘Swipe to Visit’ action that quickly previews and opens the site where a picture result originates from.
Last year, Google introduced an extremely convenient way to create blank Docs, Sheets, and Slides with the .new domain. The Google docs.new shortcut now supports quick file creation in your other signed-in accounts, including your work or school G Suite.
After coming to Android in May, Google Keep on the web now has a dark mode. This highly requested look, especially on large desktop screens, begins rolling out today.
Over the past several weeks, Google has been A/B testing tweaks to the search field on its iconic homepage. Those changes are now being tested on Android with the latest Google app beta.
Earlier this year, Google launched Sound Amplifier to help Android users hard of hearing better understand what’s happening around them. This Android Accessibility app now works with 6.0 Marshmallow or later, and is getting a redesigned look with an audio visualization feature.
With Project Strobe, Google is conducting a “root-and-branch review” of third-party developer access to personal data. In May, the company announced that the initiative would look at Chrome Extensions, with new policies coming into effect this October.
Last month, the Google Photos dark theme began rolling out to non-Android Q devices. The latest feature for the Android client is a live video preview in the main “Photos” tab.
While voice is an important interaction method, Google has to balance convenience and functionality with security. One current tradeoff is being unable to send a text with Assistant voice commands from Android’s lockscreen, though that may change.
A fairly common complaint with Smart Displays and Home speakers is how the Google Assistant voice is tied to the standard media volume. This can result in search results and responses being too loud or too quiet. Google is now readying a solution with “Custom TTS Volume” in the Home app.
Announced at Google Marketing Live in May, the new Google Shopping homepage is live in the United States. Focussed on personalization and browsing, this experience has been in testing around the world since last year.
Launched last year, the Google Assistant Updates feed is a spiritual successor to Google Now dedicated to showing calendar events, where you last parked, and more. This “visual snapshot” of your day has just gained a “Resume your podcast” Assistant card.
Earlier today, YouTube Music rolled out fast, seamless switching between audio and music videos. The Android app is now A/B testing an elevation of search to the bottom bar.
Unsurprisingly, YouTube’s streaming service has always maintained a big focus on video. The latest YouTube Music feature adds seamless switching between songs and music videos.
Google has long maintained bug bounties that pay researchers for discovering and submitting security issues directly. The Chrome Vulnerability Reward Program is now increasing amounts across the board, with a standing $150,000 prize for Chrome OS compromises.
Back in May, Google announced that Android developers have to specify a “target age range” for all apps in the Play Store. Aimed at boosting child safety, a related effort is the ability to mark applications as “Not designed for children.” Those warning labels are now beginning to appear in Google Play.
Area 120 — Google’s workshop for experimental projects — has produced social networks, travel tools, and educational apps. Recently, the group has veered toward business services, with the latest being Byteboard, an interview tool that measures real-world technical skills.
Last year, Google Maps began listing the status of bike sharing services in New York City. This useful real-time feature is now getting a global launch with availability in 24 cities across 16 countries.
Google Search on the desktop web has seen a slew of visual refreshes in recent weeks. The latest is a substantial redesign of the News tab that does a better job of highlighting headlines and publishers.
Besides building vehicles and operating a delivery service, Wing is working on an air traffic control system for all drones. The Alphabet division today officially introduced an app called OpenSky to help pilots operate their vehicles in Australia.
Early last year, Google hired a “public liaison of search” to help clarify how its flagship product works. The latest in this Search explainer series discusses what appears in Featured Snippets, the Knowledge Graph, and Autocomplete.