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New tools make it easier to suggest edits & corrections in Google Maps for Android, iOS

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To ensure its accuracy, a million updates from around the world are made to Google Maps on a daily basis. However, that is still not enough to guarantee that every single restaurant, business, or landmark has accurate information. To remedy this, Google Maps is adding new tools to keep the local places you know best up-to-date.


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APK teardown hints at future support for image comments on Google+

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Google+ has never been the “popular” social network, but 5 years after its creation the social network is still here and still has a strong user base. Over the coming months there are several big changes coming to the platform, including a new UI for the web, but one feature we’ve lacked is the ability to add an image in the comments section. That feature, however, is apparently on its way.


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Chrome 52 enters stable channel, removes backspace as a return shortcut (Update: Material Design on Mac)

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Update: Announced in version 50 of Chrome OS, Material Design is now enabled by default on Mac with this latest update. Those who have pointed out how “un-Maclike” it looks can switch back to the older Non-Material design by going to Chrome flags here.


Chrome 52 is rolling out now to Mac, Windows, and Linux. The latest version of the Google browser contains the usual bug and security fixes, but notably removes the ability to use “backspace” as a return shortcut. It also adds several developer features to improve browser performance.


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Google Arts & Culture app adds Cardboard features and Art Recognizer on Android, iOS

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Last year, Google introduced an Arts & Culture app to showcase its collection of digitized art and other projects. The Google Cultural Institute is releasing an updated version of the app that is more feature-rich with a Google Cardboard VR component and a new Art Recognizer tool in select museums.


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Upcoming Inkwire app will offer Android-to-Android remote assistance and screen sharing

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If you’re a “techie” like me, you’ve probably gotten that phone call or text from a family member or friend with the infamous line, “I need help with my phone”. It happens to all of us and when we’re miles away, helping that other person can get complicated. We’ve long had a least a few different ways to externally access an Android phone, but none has ever been as simple and easy as the upcoming Inkwire


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Google Search adds a state-by-state voter registration guide

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Throughout the 2016 Presidential campaign, Google Now has reminded people to vote in state primaries/caucuses. To help voter turnout, Search is adding a new tool that provides clear instructions on how to register in your state. Additionally, YouTube will be live streaming the Republican and Democratic National Conventions over the next two weeks.


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Google Keyboard 5.1 with custom themes rolling out, Clock app updated for Android N

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As part of the third Android N Developer Preview, Google Keyboard 5.1 added multiple themes and the ability to use your own images as a background. That version is now rolling out (via Android Police) to all devices through the Play Store. In other minor app updates today, the Clock app added support for various Nougat features.


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Pokemon Go update finally adds support for Android N [Update: Intel x86 support, live in Germany]

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Update: Many are reporting that the app now works with devices using Intel x86 processors. Also, unrelated to this update, but the app is now live in Germany according to the official Pokemon Go Twitter account.


Following an iOS update yesterday that addressed the Google Account privacy issue, Pokemon Go for Android has just received an update to version 0.29.2. The most notable new feature is support for devices running the Android N Developer Preview.


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Hangouts for Android v11 finally adds video messaging [Update: And removes merged conversations]

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Update: Google has confirmed that Hangouts v11 removes the ability to merged SMS and Hangouts conversations into a single thread. Google says they have done this “because it caused user confusion and had low usage”.


After what seems like an eternity, Google has finally updated Hangouts for Android with video messaging capabilities with version 11 of the app. Hangouts for iOS gained this same functionality early this year and after months of waiting, Android users finally have access…


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Opinion: Pokémon Go is technology at its absolute best

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I have personally seen no less than two dozen people in public playing Pokémon Go since the game’s US launch last week, and from what I’ve heard, many can say the same. Based on some initial data, it seems that pretty much no technology comes close to the rate of adoption that this single app has seen in the past few days. It’s been a wild ride to say the least.

The app is still the top download on both app stores, and there have already been dozens of articles across the web telling the stories of many aspiring Pokémon trainers — everything from robberies to sore legs. Pokémon Go has already become a (mostly) global phenomenon and from what we’ve seen so far, it’s technology at its very best.


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Nextbit announces web client for accessing photos and other data, teases red Robin variant

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In addition to being an Android OEM, Nextbit is also a cloud storage company that helps users manage their data to make sure storage is never an obstacle. Today, Nextbit announced it has been working on a web client to access photos and other data. In addition, the company also showed off a previously-unseen red model of the Robin…


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Google Now on Tap update adds app translation, barcode/QR scanner, and more

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Building on a new text selection and search feature introduced last month, an update to Now on Tap adds the ability to translate foreign languages found in any app. On Tap can now also read QR and bar codes, as well as suggest interesting articles and videos as part of a new Discover feature.


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Pokémon Go now available on Android in select countries

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Update 7/6: Pokémon GO is now available via the Play Store for those in the US. Click here to view the listing and download.

Update: In a statement, the Pokémon Company tells US and Japanese customers to “please wait for a while” for the formal launch.


After a brief field test in May, Pokémon GO is now available on Android. The mixed augmented reality game made in partnership with Ingress-makers Niantic Labs allows users to collect, train, and battle Pokémon characters in the real world. The game is still rolling out on the Play Store and might initially only be available in the United States, Australia, and New Zealand.


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Chrome has Google Cast built in as of version 51, will soon allow tab mirroring to Hangouts

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Soon, the Google Cast extension will do nothing but add an extra button to your Chrome toolbar. Beginning with Chrome 51, Google Cast is built directly into the desktop browser and Chrome OS. And in addition to no longer requiring a separate extension for casting, Google is also adding the ability to mirror a Chrome tab directly into Google Hangouts with version 52…


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Google Search now has a Knowledge Graph card for timely earthquake info

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Often times, the quickest way to confirm whether that rumble you felt was an earthquake is by checking Twitter or other social media for posts about it. As people also have a tendency to frantically search the web after major events, Google has added an earthquake card to search results that will provide a quick summary and safety tips.


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