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Google could shutdown Google News in Europe over Article 11 ‘link tax’

Google News

In recent weeks, the European Union’s Copyright Directive has come under immense online scrutiny, with Article 13 possibly resulting in YouTube blocking some videos in the continent. However, Article 11 — dubbed a “link tax” — has potentially equal ramifications, with Google News possibly shutting down as a result.


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Fast Pair

Google releases ‘Fast Pair Validator’ app for Bluetooth manufacturers on the Play Store

With the launch of Pixel Buds last year, Google announced “Fast Pair” as Android’s solution for seamless Bluetooth accessory pairing to phones. Headphones released in the past year that include Assistant often feature the solution, with Google last week releasing a “Fast Pair Validator” app for manufacturers implementing the functionality.


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LG G7 One becomes first LG device to get Android Pie

LG doesn’t have the best track record with Android updates, but with the LG G7 One being part of the Android One program, this is set to change. The program does wonders for hardware that would otherwise chug under the weight of a heavy third-party OS skin. With this update, the G7 One becomes the company’s first device to run Android 9.0 Pie.
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OxygenOS OnePlus 6

T-Mobile OnePlus 6T Oxygen OS update starts rolling out w/ Nightscape, in-display fingerprint reader improvements

Anyone who has already bought or is planning on picking up the OnePlus 6T from T-Mobile will be pleased to hear that the first carrier OnePlus 6T Oxygen OS update is rolling out to users right now. Initially being available on launch day for those with unlocked devices, this release improves a few of the core features on the OnePlus 6T.
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YouTube now features ‘Free with Ads’ Hollywood movies, no ads in YouTube Premium

While YouTube has recently been pushing users to music and video subscriptions, as well as supporting favorite channels, the Google company is still introducing new ad-supported options. The video site in October started streaming movies like the “Terminator” and “Rocky” for free, but with occasional advertising.


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Hands on: Pocket Casts 7.0 is a major overhaul w/ Material Theme redesign, public beta today

Pocket Casts 7.0

Back in May, NPR and a consortium of public radio channels acquired Pocket Casts. It comes amid the “golden age of podcasts,” with Google this year entering the field and detailing ambitious audio plans of its own. Pocket Casts 7.0 is entering public beta on Android today with a major overhaul and new features on all platforms.


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Google Home and Smart Displays will soon support replying to Broadcasts, add recipe cards, more

Google Nest Hub

Amid a series of hardware unveils at 10/9, Google announced several new features for Assistant. The Home View dashboard launched on the Google Home Hub and made its way to other Smart Displays, along with Digital Wellbeing. Google Assistant is now adding Broadcast replies, cooking cards, and more.


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Google Clock integrating w/ Assistant Routines as Google Home can soon enable phone DND

Google Assistant

Routines in Google Assistant allow users to string together various Actions that are naturally invoked together over the course of a day. Useful for controlling smart home gadgets, these custom macros now integrate with Google Clock to invoke after an alarm is dismissed. Meanwhile, Assistant will soon be able to invoke Do Not Disturb on your phone.


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November security patch in ‘final testing’ for 2016 Google Pixel devices halfway through the month

One of the biggest reasons to buy a Google Pixel device of any generation is for software updates. Oddly, though, the original Pixel and Pixel XL are a bit behind in that department as the Pixel November update and its associated security enhancements have yet to arrive. According to Google, though, they’re on the way.


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Project Fi’s ‘enhanced network’ adds free cellular VPN, enables mobile data on poor Wi-Fi

Project Fi

Earlier this month, Project Fi was rumored to be dropping the “project” status from its branding and logo. That has yet to happen, but the Google MVNO is announcing today an “enhanced network” that improves switching between Wi-Fi and cellular, with the latter connection now routed through a VPN.


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Google Contacts 3.2 adds dark theme, respects system Night mode in Android Pie

Google Contacts

Following last week’s encouragement that apps adopt dark themes to conserve battery life, Google Contacts is the latest Android client to gain one. In recent weeks, the company has been updating its communication apps, with Google Phone’s dark look already announced and in-development.


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