The latest version of Chrome for Android is rolling out this evening following last month’s 10th anniversary update. Chrome 70 features privacy changes, more Google Material Theme tweaks, and a Downloads menu, in addition to other security fixes and bug patches.
Last month, Google Keep was quietly renamed to “Keep Notes” on Android. That change is still not reflected on the Play Store or the web app, but the service is now rolling out the Google Material Theme.
Google seems to always be testing out new changes to the YouTube platform, but recently not all users have been happy with being a part of that. Now, a new YouTube beta program has been opened up for the Android app to test out changes before they hit the public.
Last month, our APK Insight of the Google app revealed that Google Lens was gaining the ability to import and visually search any image on your device. This evening, Google is beginning to roll out and test this feature.
Alongside the Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL, the Pixel Stand is also launching later this week. Like the Made by Google phones, the wireless charging accessory was leaked ahead of time thanks to teardowns of the Google app. Codenamed “dreamliner,” Google has now uploaded a companion service to the Play Store.
Following last month’s Google Material Theme, smarter Omnibox, and various other tweaks, Google today is rolling out the next version of the browser to Mac, Windows, and Linux. While not as major a release, Chrome 70 includes more HTTP warnings, PWAs on Windows, and better Google Account sign-in status.
Google takes security on Android pretty seriously, and Google Play Protect is one of the most effective tools the company has to do that with. Now, Files Go is adding Play Protect enhancements for all apps shared through the handy file explorer.
Back in August, Google began testing a redesigned settings page for Assistant that is in line with the Google Material Theme. This week, the simplified Google Assistant settings page with tabs is rolling out.
Chrome 66 in April introduced restrictions that prevent annoying videos with sound from autoplaying. However, these new policies came to the detriment of web games and other experiences, with Google in May partly delaying them. Once set to return with Chrome 70 this month, Google is again pushing back these policies.
With the roll out of 4K HDR content on iTunes last year, Apple took the notable step of upgrading prior purchases to the higher quality free of charge. Google Play Movies might be taking a similar step according to a teardown of the Android app today.
If you saw our coverage of the Google Home Hub, one of the standout features — including the hardware itself — was the new Home View dashboard. This simplified home control system has now found its way to the Google Home app on mobile with the entire Home app receiving a complete visual overhaul as well.
With Google One, the company for the first time rolled out paid support for its service. Google, however, continues to maintain product forums answered by community members. Today, Top Contributors is being relaunched as the Google Product Experts program.
Back in May, Google began displaying ads in the Google Feed for a small number of users. Following the rebrand to Google Discover last month, some are beginning to see ads in the feed again.
While the fervor around Pokémon GO has decreased since its 2016 debut, the game still has a solid following and is continuously adding new features. The latest is an enhanced AR+ mode on Android that takes advantage of ARCore for a more realistic experience.
After spotting in an APK Insight last month, Google at 10/9 announced a new Live Albums features for Google Photos. This updating collection of images allows you to easily share new pictures without having to manually add new ones. Meanwhile, Google Photos 4.3 also reveals work on new Suggested Actions.
With recent Android versions, Google has redesigned the Settings app a handful of times to make it easier to use. Search plays a role in surfacing various options and menus, with Google today updating a “Settings Suggestions” app for the Pixel and Pixel 2.
With the Google Home Hub on Tuesday, Made by Google debuted a slew of new features like Home View and Live Albums. That functionality, along with multi-room audio, is coming to all existing Assistant Smart Displays with an update in the coming weeks.
Since launching in 2016 with the original Pixel, Google has periodically updated the Google Wallpapers app with new collections to stay current. After yesterday’s Pixel 3 event, the app has been updated with a number of new backgrounds across the existing categories.
As we noted last night, the Google Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL deliver delightful hardware that is noticeably more refined than last year. Beyond the physical devices, a key part of Made by Google is the “AI + software” experience, with the Pixel 3 debuting a handful of new Google AI-powered features at launch.
Earlier this year, Google’s internal Area 120 incubator unveiled Reply as a smart response toolbar appended to notifications on Android. In an email today, Google revealed that it is ending the experiment.
Back in June, Google Translate was able to run the more advanced Neural Machine Translations entirely offline on Android and iOS. Today, the app’s Camera Translation features is adding support for 13 additional languages.
As we detailed last night, the camera is a big focus for the Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL. One feature Google announced in 2017 was AR Stickers, and this year they have been renamed to ‘Playground‘ with four new packs now available on the Play Store.
In theory, slides should only convey the key points of a presentation and are not the presenter’s words verbatim. However, having a word-for-word transcript can be useful, especially for those that are hard of hearing. Google Slides is now adding real-time closed captions to help with accessibility.
According to the Wall Street Journal this morning, Google discovered a user data bug in Google+ last spring. However, the issue appears to not have been abused by any third-party developers. The company opted to not disclose the issue, but in response is now shutting down the failed social network for consumers.