When Data Saver in Chrome for Android first launched, the feature was focussed on reducing data usage. Given its other capabilities today, Google is renaming it “Lite mode” and making the capability Android-only. The desktop Chrome extension is being deprecated in the coming weeks.
Google Maps is now able to show you the real-time availability of nearby EV charging stations when you use the map search feature.
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Vine was a cultural phenomenon and gave birth to many a YouTube star — some inherently more likeable than others — but the looping video app’s successor Byte has been pretty quiet of late, until word of a closed beta has now been confirmed.
Back in March, Google introduced a new rounded square icon requirement for the Google Play Store on Android and Chrome OS. App developers can choose to enable the new icon specification immediately, with the Google Contacts listing already featuring the updated style.
After rolling out a Material Theme navigation drawer last week, Google Photos for Android is set to receive backup status indicators right in the gallery view. The app is also adding support for Android Foldables ahead of next week’s Samsung Galaxy Fold launch.
Last August, we enabled a Material Theme redesign for Google Opinion Rewards on Android. The survey app that compensates users with Play credits or through PayPal is finally rolling out that new look.
Earlier this month, Google’s Spring Cleaning killed off some beloved products, but none with more outrage from users than Inbox. The unique email app technically closed up shop on April 2nd, but workarounds kept it working for quite a while after. Now, it seems that the Inbox by Gmail app is officially dead.
The constant stream of WhatsApp beta updates has new features tried and tested long before they become available to the public. In the latest beta update, we’re seeing brands new animated stickers alongside Doodle UI emoji improvements.
Google Contacts last year was one of the first apps to implement a dark theme on Android. Version 3.5.7 today adds a better “Choose theme” switcher in settings that is more apparent to the user and provides additional granularity.
Following Home’s new “Gentle Sleep & Wake” feature yesterday, Google speakers and Smart Displays now support YouTube Music’s free tier. This allows you to listen to stations that feature ads, with availability starting today in 16 countries.
In March, Google announced that Android would prompt new and existing users in Europe to select a default web browser and search app. Earlier this month, we saw signs that this “choice” would be handled by Google Play. Google today officially detailed the Play Store interface and it’s availability over the coming weeks.
New features are constantly being added to Google Maps, and today a handy new addition has rolled out. If you’ve copied an address to your clipboard, Google Maps for Android will now suggest it for searches.
At CES 2019, Philips Hue announced Google Assistant integration for its sleep and wake up feature. In time for spring, ‘Gentle Sleep & Wake’ for Google Home and Hue smart lighting is launching today.
Since launching three years ago, Accelerated Mobile Pages adoption has flourished across the web and on mobile. Google announced at AMP Conf 2019 today that it is addressing AMP’s biggest complaint by displaying actual website URLs.
With the Pixel 3, the Google Camera app gained a number of AI-powered features like Night Sight, Top Shot, and Photobooth. The latter is essentially Google Clips running on a phone, with the mode adding automatic kiss detection.
Last week, we spotted references to “system updates” occurring via the Google Play Store. This feature — which specifically delivers a “Google System Update” — appears to be live as part of Android Q.
HTC’s hardware division has been in rough times lately. Worse yet, the company’s loyal customers were given reason to worry this month when several HTC apps vanished from the Play Store. Now, HTC is confirming that those apps are coming back, as well as explaining why they were removed.
Ahead of next week’s Avengers: Endgame premiere, Google is updating the Avengers Playground sticker pack with more superheroes. Five new characters join the existing set first introduced with the Pixel 3 in October.
Google Help features a wealth of support articles for every product the company offers, especially its G Suite services. Gmail, Calendar, and Drive on the web will soon gain a prominent ‘?’ button for “quick access to a range of help and support content.”
Microsoft’s brand new Chromium-based Edge browser might finally gain some ground in the battle to remain relevant in the web search space. The problem is that Microsoft seems to be cherry-picking features to remove, much to the disappointment of users.
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Android 9 Pie introduced support for indoor positioning by leveraging 802.11mc. Wi-Fi Round Trip Time (RTT) allows the system and apps to “measure the distance to nearby RTT-capable Wi-Fi access points.” Google this week published a “WifiRttScan App” for developers through the Play Store.
Science Journal is a digital notebook from Google for taking notes, saving pictures, and even recording sensor input. This education-focused app now features Google Drive sync so that data and experiments can be viewed on multiple devices.
Skype might not be the most used or the most popular video calling service any longer, but that doesn’t mean it has dwindled in support and features. The Microsoft-owned video chat application is planning on adding screen sharing to upcoming releases and has already added support for the feature in its latest beta for Android and iOS.
The Google Material Theme has slowly expanded to all of the company’s apps. Version 4.0 last September introduced the bulk of design changes to Google Photos, with the latest now updating the navigation drawer on Android.