Epic’s decision to bypass the Play Store and have users download an APK on the web was widely criticized from a security standpoint. That backlash was quickly proven to be warranted after Google discovered a flaw in the Fortnite install process. Fortunately, Epic Games was able to very quickly address the issue.
App Store curation is a trend on both Android and iOS with Google last year introducing an Editors’ Choice section featuring editorial lists and recommendations. Google is now providing developers with more insight into how users are discovering apps on the Play Store.
The camera on Google’s Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL is amazing. Part of what makes it so good is Google’s HDR+ mode. Thanks to the Pixel Visual Core, that handy trick can be extended to other apps, and now one of our favorite camera apps is picking up public support…
Datally is an app from Google’s Next Billion Users initiative for managing data usage in constrained cellular markets around the world. The app’s latest capabilities are aimed at ensuring you always have a reserve of data for emergency usage, and to make sure apps don’t drain data overnight.
The hit game Fortnite made its debut on Android just a couple of weeks ago, and today the game is getting one of its first big updates since release with some new improvements in tow.
Expand
Expanding
Close
Earlier this year, Google announced a refined messaging strategy that centered around “Chat,” the company’s RCS initiative. At the core of that was the Android Messages app, and with a coming update, it seems Google Assistant will be integrating with that app…
Besides the Google Material Theme, Gmail added a number of productivity features with its revamped web version in April. Today, the “quick-access side panel” that provides convenient access to Keep, Tasks, and more is making its way to other G Suite web apps like Docs and Calendar.
The rise of wearables and smartwatches in recent years has entrenched the perception that step count is the metric of fitness. It’s no surprise that many of the accompanying services have leaderboards that try to gamify exercise. Now, Google is out with a different approach that focuses on new metrics. Featuring the Google Material Theme, the revamped Google Fit is without a doubt more than a step counter.
Google Assistant was announced two years ago at I/O and quickly made its way to Home smart speakers and Android devices. Just last month, the first Smart Displays were released with Google today detailing what it has learned about Assistant usage since the launch.
Google Podcasts officially launched in June with the company already previewing AI-powered features that are coming in the future. This includes audio one-day being surfaced alongside text and video as Search results. Given the importance, Google’s in-house incubator is developing another experimental podcast player called “Shortwave.”
One of the useful features that Gmail gained over the years is “Undo Send.” Like the name suggests, Gmail will allow you to take back an email after tapping the send button through an artificial delay. Long available on the web, this functionality is now making its way to Gmail for Android.
In addition to customizable backgrounds in Chrome’s New Tab page, Google is testing a row of related search queries. Topic-based and populated from your search history, the bar began appearing for some users over the weekend.
Even before the Google Material Theme was showcased at I/O 2018, the Chrome team has been working on a big redesign for the browser that shares many similarities like rounded corners and stark white backgrounds. Available on both desktop and mobile, this “Material Design refresh” is now scheduled to begin rolling out in September with Chrome 69.
Following an update to its iOS counterpart earlier this week, Google has been rolling out some server-side changes to Google Voice for Android. Now, the app is getting a new icon and some design tweaks.
Expand Expanding Close
Knowledge Panels are a useful way to get quick facts and other answers without having to dive into a full page. Google Search is now introducing new result types that answer queries about comparisons, while also adding relevant subtopics to panels.
Today’s hearing aids increasingly overlap and share the same functionality as Bluetooth headphones. Google is now working to improve the experience on Android with native support through a new direct audio streaming specification coming in a future OS update.
Earlier this week, a revamped Google Voice featuring a new icon, G Suite integration, and Contacts tab rolled out to iOS. The majority of these changes are now coming to Android with a server-side update.
Expand Expanding Close
Hot off Pixel 2 XL and LG flagship deals earlier this week, Project Fi today announced that it’s killing the ability to automatically forward text messages on September 12th. Fortunately, there is an easy alternative and call forwarding remains unchanged.
Last year, Google and other companies detailed how Russia used tech platforms to interfere in the 2016 U.S. election. Ahead of the 2018 midterms, Google is releasing a new category on its Transparency Report that details political advertising and a searchable political Ad Library.
Chrome OS 68 arrived on the stable channel earlier this month with Display Size settings, new accessibility features, and more “Material 2.0” design tweaks. However, an issue with Wi-Fi on some Chromebooks has caused Google to temporarily pull the update.
Next-generation 5G wireless technology will be notable for providing both mobile connectivity and residential broadband. Verizon is slated to deploy the latter service in 2018 and is partnering with YouTube TV to provide the first subscribers with content.
Launched in early 2017, YouTube TV in the past year has added more channels and premium add-ons, while dealing with notable outages. Google today announced that its cord-cutting solution is now available in 100 cities across the country.
The latest version of Google Duo is rolling out this morning with a Material Theme that features a handful of tweaks to the video calling app’s design. Meanwhile, a teardown reveals that screen sharing has been removed, while there are more rewards for Indian users.
At Cloud Next 2018, Google announced that Google Voice was now a part of G Suite and showed off a redesigned app. That mobile revamp is now beginning to roll out on iOS with new features for enterprise users, and it’s likely coming soon to Android.