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Google Calendar add-ons bring native support for Citrix and other conferencing tools
Add-ons in are essentially mini applications that brings useful third-party functionality into Gmail, Google Docs, and other G Suite services. The first add-ons for Google Calendar are conferencing tools from Cisco, Citrix, and other enterprise services.
Google Assistant adds streaming support for Bugs Music, the Tidal of South Korea
In addition to features like bilingual support, one way Google Assistant is improving its global footprint is by supporting local services. Over the weekend, the company added support for Bugs Music, a Korean streaming app that specializes in high-resolution audio.
Google Calculator 7.5 rolling out with Google Material Theme tweaks [Gallery]
With several major services updated to the Google Material Theme since I/O 2018, the latest to feature it is a common everyday utility. The redesign of Google Calculator includes a tweaked color palette that is expectedly very bright and makes great use of Google Sans.
YouTube TV on the web features a convenient dark theme
While the primary Android client picked up a dark theme earlier this month, another YouTube application gained the appearance just before it. YouTube TV on the web quietly added the mode in August, with the look matching the rest of the YouTube family.
Google Pixel 2’s Now Playing tech now powers Sound Search in Google Assistant
With the Pixel 2, Google introduced a very impressive Now Playing feature that uses on-device neural networks to always recognize what’s playing in the background. Google is now improving Assistant’s and the Google app’s native Sound Search feature with the same underlying technology.
YouTube testing AV1 codec on Chrome, Firefox for more efficient streaming
AV1 is an open, industry-backed codec that will allow for more efficient and better quality video streaming. YouTube is beginning to test AV1 through an initial beta with Chrome 70 and Firefox Nightly on desktops now supporting it.
Chrome 70 beta enables Android/Mac fingerprint sensors, removes mobile OS build numbers
Earlier this month, Google celebrated Chrome’s 10th anniversary by introducing a Google Material Theme for the browser, making the Omnibar smarter, and introducing a slew of other useful features. Chrome 70 is now rolling out in beta with various new APIs that developers can take advantage of.
Google activates SOS Alert in Search and Maps for Hurricane Florence
Over the past several years, Google has introduced new features to provide important safety information during emergency events and natural disasters. Ahead of Hurricane Florence, Google has enabled an SOS Alert for those directly impacted by the Atlantic storm.
YouTube Kids now allows parents to whitelist any video or channel
In light of YouTube’s algorithmic approach to finding appropriate videos for kids failing, the Google division turned to human curation in April. YouTube Kids is now launching the ability for parents to pre-approve every video and channel available their child, while adding a new experience geared towards older kids.
Spotify raises download limit to 10,000 songs on up to five devices at a time
Spotify is one of the most popular music streaming services available today, but that doesn’t mean it’s perfect. This week, the service is revealing that it is adjusting its annoying download limit to let users store a lot more music for offline listening.
Hangouts Meet adds live streaming for up to 100K participants
Announced last year, Hangouts Meet is Google’s video conferencing solution for enterprises and larger organizations. Today, the service is adding support for live streams like company-wide meetings and other events where users need to tune in, but not necessarily participate.
Google supporting local journalism with 200K free G Suite accounts
Earlier this year, Google launched a $300 million company-wide effort to support journalism by adding features throughout various products. Today, the Google News Initiative is offering 200,000 free G Suite licenses for local to medium-sized news organizations.
Gboard testing ‘smarter’ search that contextually suggests cards, stickers, and GIFs
Last month, our APK Insight of Gboard 7.5 revealed Google’s work on “smarter” search. This functionality highlights “relevant content”, and it’s now being A/B tested for some users.
Google Assistant rolling out Danish and Norwegian support
Google last month added bilingual support to Assistant, thus allowing users to speak and get replies from devices in two languages. Google Assistant is now adding support for Danish and Norwegian as previously detailed.
Google Home sometimes asks for verbal feedback after commands, responses
User feedback is an important part of improving any service, with all Google apps on Android featuring a quick way to do so. However, getting feedback on a product with a voice interface is slightly harder. Google Home and Assistant does so by asking users how satisfied they were using a one to five scale.
Google News gets data-saving enhancements with offline saving, rolling out soon
Google News got a massive revamp back at Google I/O this year, and along with plenty of other new features and enhancements came new mobile apps. Today, Google is announcing some new data-saving changes for the Google News app…
Google testing a dark theme for the Google Feed, including on non-Pixel devices
Starting with Android 8.0 on the Pixel 2, Google introduced a device dark theme that was dependent on your wallpaper. This themed the Pixel Launcher, app list, Quick Settings, and the Google Feed. However, for the latter, this only darkened the background. Google is now A/B testing a true dark mode that’s applied to the entire interface.
Google’s ‘Blog Compass’ helps bloggers manage their sites, exclusive to India
Google is constantly working on new applications to suit specific needs, and this week its new “Blog Compass” app has started making the rounds as an easy tool for bloggers to manage their sites from a mobile device.
Touring Bird by Google Area 120 helps travelers find and customize tickets, tours, & activities
The latest project out of Google’s Area 120 incubator is called Touring Bird and it’s a simple website that helps travelers find things to do. Curated by city, it brings together various activities and provides a comparison to help users get the cheapest deals from multiple tour providers.
This is ‘Shortwave,’ Google Area 120’s experimental podcasting app
Last month, Google confirmed that it was developing an experimental podcasting app called “Shortwave.” Now, we have a clearer idea of what this Area 120-developed project could be and it points to a grand vision of an app that delivers only personalized and relevant snippets of podcasts.
Hands-on: Android 9 Pie arrives on OnePlus 6, here’s what’s new and how to install [Video]
OnePlus 6 users can now get a piece of Android Pie thanks to the first open beta — which is available to all users simply by downloading the beta installation files. But first, let’s take a look at the host of new features, tweaks and updates this beta brings to users of the “flagship killer” phone…
Instagram announces parent’s guide to help them assist teens with privacy, safety and time
Most parents will want to ensure that their kids are safe online, but that can be tricky when they are unfamiliar with the apps used by their offspring. That’s an issue Instagram set out to address with a new Parent’s Guide …
Google Photos 4.0 rolling out w/ Google Material Theme, swipe up Info shortcut [Gallery]
Briefly showed off on stage at I/O 2018, Google Photos is now the latest app to gain a Google Material Theme. Today’s Google Photos 4.0 update is focused on implementing the brighter look and various new icons, with primary navigation remaining unchanged.