For the past several years, Magic Leap’s augmented reality device has been fervently anticipated due to the various claims made about the company’s technology. However, as 2017 ends, the startup has yet to unveil a product, though a new report today details one app that showcases Magic Leap’s capabilities.
In late 2016, Google began experimenting with mobile-first indexing of Search results to provide an experience that better reflects how people now use the web. A year later, Google has provided an update on the effort that is now underway for a “handful of sites.”
Third-party launchers on Android are available to suit every need, but one of the best for years has been Nova Launcher. As of last week, Nova has been available for a whopping 6 years, and the developers have a special treat for those who haven’t bought it yet…
Over the past month, users have noticed that the “Hey Google” hotword is no longer limited to Google Home. For some, the command is recognized on Android and works to invoke Assistant. Today, this feature is now more widely rolling out.
While ARCore made its first big consumer debut with AR Stickers on the Pixel and Pixel 2 this week, Google announced today that its original augmented reality project is shutting down. Tango will no longer be supported next year and given the advantages of ARCore, this moving is not all too surprising.
When Google introduced Inbox, the app’s smart sorting and organization features differentiated it from the standard Gmail email client. Since launching, the app has been updated with new functionality like the ability to remind users to follow-up on sent emails. A new feature within Inbox, rolling out now, automatically detects when you haven’t read emails from a certain sender and offers to automatically unsubscribe you from the email list.
After entering beta last month, the stable version of Gboard 6.8 is now rolling out. Notable functionality includes the addition of a built-in handwriting support without the need to download a separate app, as well as suggestions in URL fields, like Chrome’s Omnibar.
ARCore made a significant public debut with AR Stickers rolling out to the Pixel and Pixel 2 earlier this week. However, Google’s platform for Android-based augmented reality is still a developer preview for several more months, with the latest version rolling out today.
In a teardown last month, we spotted Allo preparing a transcription feature for voice messages. With version 25 rolling out now, that functionality is beginning to go live for users, while Google continues work on camera effects and a Reply feature that quotes previously sent messages.
Google constantly changes up minor UI aspects of its various products, and often those changes aren’t received well by users. Currently, it appears that Google is testing a new change to the Pixel Launcher which adds text to the search bar, and it’s…bad.
With version 63 rolling out on Mac, Windows, Linux, and Android, Chrome 64 is now in the beta channel. End users will particularly benefit from a stronger pop-up blocker, sitewide audio muting, and an assortment of other features, including those on Chrome OS.
Google’s suite of travel applications and services are already gearing up for the next traveling season with a number of updates today. Google Flights will now use its machine learning smarts to track hotel prices, while Trips is adding a new Discounts feature.
Following this week’s addition of advanced search filters and more stats for Community moderators, Google+ is now gaining more tools to moderate comments. Specifically, all users will be able to delete, report, and block comments on their posts.
Spotify’s Android app has a design which is clearly ripped from the iOS version, but that’s not really a bad thing. However, it would be nice if the company took the time to adjust its design a bit to better suit the platform it’s on. Now, it seems Spotify might be doing just that with a redesign that is being tested.
Besides offering a host of cloud applications, one of G Suite’s key features is the ability to manage a fleet of employee devices. Today, the service is adding new protections to ensure enterprise data isn’t compromised on insecure Android and iOS devices.
Virtual keyboards on Android are always introducing new features and getting smarter. While the built-in autocorrect is meant to pick up on small spelling mistakes, it doesn’t actually help you form proper sentences. That all changes today as Grammarly, a widely popular grammar and spelling tool on desktops, has made its way to the Google Play Store…
After spotting references in our teardowns over the past several weeks now, the Google Assistant is finally coming to tablets. Meanwhile, Google is today also expanding the virtual personal assistant to phones running Android 5.0 Lollipop.
PhotoScan is an incredible tool for digitizing physical prints en masse without the need of a dedicated photo scanner. Today, the app is getting even more convenient with images now automatically saved to device — and Google Photos — after capture. Meanwhile, version 1.5 also adds cropping enhancements.
Besides YouTube, Google’s other major yearly recap is for Search. The big trend — as encapsulated by the annual video — in 2017’s top searches are questions of “how.” These queries range from how to help those affected by natural disasters, local communities, and more. Meanwhile, Google has also posted the global and national list of top searches.
Google’s nascent social network geared towards Collections and Communities is gaining advanced search features to make it easier to find posts. Meanwhile, Google+ is also adding more metrics for Community moderators and G Suite admins.
As is tradition, Project Fi is again gifting a “holiday treat” for subscribers of the Google MVNO service. The interactive experience for 2017 is a fun ski game that’s coupled with an in-flight Wi-Fi code.
Google Maps has a lot of useful features and it’s constantly improving. Now, Google is preparing to add another useful feature to Maps for those who are regular users of public transit.
Google’s Duo video service is definitely underrated, but the company is pushing it in several ways to get more users interested. Now, users with Google’s own dialer application can start Duo calls with just a tap.
YouTube TV’s last rollout in September brought the streaming service to nearly 50 markets around the U.S. Since then, Google has added features like dedicated Android TV, Xbox, and smart TV apps, as well a useful picture-in-picture mode for Android. A huge expansion today now brings the cord-cutting solution to 35 more markets.