Last week, the latest version of Android Pay began rolling out with a redesign that switches to a navigation drawer and adds Adaptive Icons on Android 8.0. Meanwhile, the Google payment service is launching a promotion with upcoming DC superhero movie Justice League.
Following this morning’s rollout of the rounded redesign to the Feed and Search, Google Assistant is now gaining that new interface. Widely rolling out this evening, it features a brighter background and rounded interface elements.
Back in September, Google Street View vehicles received their first major upgrade in eight years that should result in high-resolution images. Today, Google Research detailed a new algorithm that should address a common flaw with current Street View panoramas.
Back in August, Google began working on a split screen mode for Chrome OS devices in tablet mode. It addresses a primary complaint on touchscreen Chromebooks and is now nearing release. No longer requiring a shell command to enable, “Split view” is now available as a regular flag in the Chrome OS Dev Channel.
Last week, Google Search began rolling out a redesign that rounded the UI of its mobile website. Today, that same redesign is more widely rolling out to Android, along with deeper changes to how the full app looks and operates.
The latest version of Google Photos is rolling out this afternoon with one notable change to the app’s built-in photo editing feature. The editor now features a quick shortcut to open an image in other editing apps.
On Monday, Google was revealed to be developing a storage manager with smart features like delete suggestions and wireless file transfer. Given the popularity of this neat app, Google has expanded the availability of the beta on the Play Store.
We first saw a trailer for the first proper smartphone South Park game back in June. The freemium game South Park: Phone Destroyer is now available for free download – though with some expensive in-app purchase options …
Skype seems to be having a little difficulty at present figuring out whether it wants to be a business service or a consumer one. After recently adding Slack-like notifications, mentions and more, it is now adding Snapchat-style photo filters.
As seems obligatory for app updates these days, the filters claim to be AI-powered …
Following a very useful tweak to the image picker earlier this week, Google Drive is getting another small, but noticeable feature. Copying a document will soon include the option to bring over the original file’s comments and suggestions.
Google likes to highlight what it calls “Experiments” from third-party developers that leverage Chrome, Android, AI, or virtual reality. The site is today adding a new category called “Voice Experiments” that showcases conversations applied to games and storytelling on platforms like Google Home.
One of the software steps that Google announced to address the Pixel 2 XL’s burn-in issues was to encourage apps to adopt a light navigation bar. Settings in the Android 8.1 Developer Preview was one of those apps and now the Google app is following along.
In recent versions, Chrome has implmented various measures to increase security and ensure a good user experience, like preventing content from autoplaying. The latest defends against malicious redirect behavior and will be rolling out in the coming months.
Google’s Knowledge Graph contains a multitude of facts on people, locations, entertainment, and more. These useful cards in Search results are now adding information on media publications and newspapers.
Instagram is continuing its assault on Snapchat (which is working) by opening up its Stories clone to any photos and videos in your photo library. Stories were originally limited to shots and footage captured in the app, then later updated to include photos and video captured within the last 24 hours.
Snap stock is plummeting following dismal Q3 earnings that revealed losses accelerating faster than revenue. To counteract this, CEO Evan Spiegel noted a number of changes, including developing a new version of its Android client “from the ground up.”
Version 22 of Google Duo is rolling out this afternoon with two notable features from Allo. Like the text messaging app earlier this week, Duo now has improved Adaptive Icon support. Meanwhile, upcoming Google account linking will let users be reached via email. Duo is also continuing work on their messaging feature.
Alongside yesterday’s rollout of music recognition, Google Assistant is also adding a feature long found in Allo to the main Android and iOS version. Subscriptions provide useful recurring alerts and were one of Google Allo’s most useful Assistant features.
Popular Times in Google Search and Maps uses crowdsourcing to conveniently determine whether locations, like stores or movie theatres, are busy. As such, users can use this information to better schedule their visits. Now, the feature is adding wait times for your favorite restaurants.
Earlier today, Google released the November security patch for its Nexus and Pixel devices. For the Pixel 2 and Pixel XL, this update contains fixes for the various screen issues, including more color modes and additional burn-in protections.
To target the next billion users, Google frequently makes apps that are optimized for developing markets around the world. Recent examples include its Tez payment service and a lite version of Google Search. The latest appears to be a “smart storage manger.”
Following the release of apps for Android TV and Xbox last week, YouTube TV on mobile is adding useful reminders for when shows, movies, and other broadcast events air. These notifications are widely rolling out with version 1.10 of the Android client today.
In a small, but impactful update, Google today announced that the Drive apps are receiving “improvements to the image insertion process.” Applicable to Docs, Slides, and Drawings on the web, there is now a redesigned menu and dedicated drawer for adding images to files.
Last month, the Google app began testing a rounded UI for both the Feed and Search results. This afternoon, that latter design is widely rolling out to Google’s mobile site for both Android and iOS devices.