Launched at I/O 2017, Actions on Google is continuing its international expansion with the addition of Canadian English. Starting today, Canadian users will get access to Assistant apps and a directory optimized for the country, while developers will now be able to localize their apps.
This morning Google announced several new features for the Home app, including improved search and advanced audio controls like bass and treble. These changes are rolling out with version 1.26 of the app, with a teardown also revealing the addition of support for the Google Home Max launching next month. It also details upcoming features and possibly a new device.
One of the many announcements from I/O 2017 was TensorFlow Lite for machine learning on mobile devices. Starting today, the Android and iOS optimized version of the ML library is now available as a developer preview.
Coinciding with the October 4th hardware event, the Google Home companion app was completely redesigned with a simpler bottom bar interface. Today, Google announced a handful of new features for it, including search improvements and advanced sound settings for speakers.
Google Assistant finally made its way to Android TV in the past few weeks, and as it expands, developers are making updates to add integration. Now, Plex is playing nicely with Assistant.
A month ago, version 7.14 of the Google app included the first references to Google Assistant for tablets. That functionality is likely nearing a launch as the latest beta of the Google app now lists Assistant as available for the category of larger devices.
News broke over the weekend that Google was instructing Android developers that don’t use Accessibility Services for its intended purpose to strip away that functionality from apps. It has now surfaced that this change is related to a “toast overlay” attack that tricks users into installing malware by masking parts of the interface.
One of the cooler features announced at this year’s October 4th event was a broadcast feature that turned Google Home into an intercom-like system. Today, that feature is finally rolling out to Assistant devices, including phones and speakers.
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.”