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Google details developer process for adding stickers to Gboard

Gboard 6.5 is now rolling out to all users after entering beta earlier this month. Sticker integration was the major addition in this update and allows for users to insert stickers, similar to GIFs, into compatible text fields. At launch, Bitmoji was a major partner, but Google has now detailed how developers can surface their artwork in the Gboard sticker collection.


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Project Fi provides credits to those impacted by Hurricane Harvey as Google makes donation

While Hurricane Harvey made landfall over the weekend, the impact of the natural disaster is still ongoing for the people of Texas and surrounding areas. Google and their philanthropic arm has launched a number of efforts in response, including offering Project Fi credits for those in affected regions.


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Google Glass will continue to work on iOS as companion app updated w/ 64-bit support for iOS 11

Google Glass has seen a number of developments in recent weeks with the most significant being a wider launch for the Enterprise Edition. Meanwhile, the Explorer Editions and the My Glass companion app for Android received their first updates in nearly three years. Over the weekend, Google has gone ahead and updated the iOS version with 64-bit support.


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Google searches for depression now feature a clinically validated screening quiz

Since 2012, Google Knowledge Graph cards have grown to include a large corpus of useful information. Last year, Search began rolling out health-related cards that list symptoms and the usual treatments. Google is today adding a clinically validated screening questionnaire to the Knowledge Panel on depression.


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Google releases Android 8.0 Oreo factory images for Pixel, Nexus as OTA fails for many [Update: Fixed]

Update: Google claims to have addressed the OTA issue, with Android engineering head Dave Burke noting that a signing issue was at fault. However, some Pixel users still report that the installation is failing even with the new OTA.


After revealing this morning that Android 8.0 is named Oreo, Google has gone ahead and posted the factory images for current Pixel and Nexus devices. Meanwhile, devices upgrading from Developer Preview 4 are facing some issues installing the OTA update.


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Android 8.0 Oreo launching today w/ AOSP push, Google Pixel/Nexus update coming soon

Following Developer Preview 4 at the end of June, Google is now rolling out the final version of Android 8.0 Oreo. Unlike previous years where the release coincides with an OTA update for recent devices, Google is today only pushing the latest version of Android to AOSP for other manufacturers. However, Google does note that it plans to start rolling out to Pixel and Nexus devices soon.


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Google app prepares for Google Lens, working on Search UI redesign, quick search bar in notifications, more [Video]

Google Search app

Google Lens is one of the most exciting launches coming from Google this year. A look at the latest Google app beta (version 7.9) reveals more about the visual search feature, its interface, and how it could be activated. Meanwhile, Google is working on adding a Quick Search bar to notifications and a redesigned Search interface. Other changes include an updated screenshot editing feature and minor tweaks to Google Assistant.


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How to watch today’s total solar eclipse on your Android, Chrome OS, and other devices

A total solar eclipse – the entire sun blocked by the passage of the moon – is one of the most awe-inspiring natural events you can experience. I travelled to Germany to view one in 1999, and I remember it vividly today. The light getting gradually dimmer and dimmer, a deep twilight and then the sudden and dramatic transition into total darkness.

Today will see America’s first coast-to-coast total solar eclipse in almost a century. You need to be in quite a narrow band of the U.S. to experience the totality in person, but if you’re not able to do so, there are plenty of ways to livestream the event …


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Action Launcher updated with customizable App Shortcuts and a Pixel-style weather widget

Action Launcher — one of the most popular third-party launchers on the Google Play Store — received a massive update a little less than a month ago to support Google Feed integration, App Shortcuts, and plenty of other Android O-related features. Now, Action Launcher is being updated once more, and with version 27 of the app, users now have even more customization options of these previously released features..


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