Announced earlier this year, Google Meet is now leveraging gesture detection when you physically raise your hand to trigger the corresponding indicator.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle Meet can now detect when you physically raise your hand
Latest
Google Drive redesigns the document scanner on Android
In addition to a new homepage and other UI tweaks, Google Drive on Android is rolling out a big redesign of the document scanner interface with more features.
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Google Messages reminders and Google Photos upload missing for some
Google Messages has added a slew of new features in recent weeks, but some users are currently missing existing ones — message reminders and uploading video via Google Photos — in what’s hopefully a bug rather than permanent removals.
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Google Home adds search bar for devices on your Wi-Fi network
The Google Home app is adding a small but handy search feature to quickly find what Wi-Fi devices are on your network.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle Drive on Android tablets now looks even more like the website
Google is rolling out its latest round of large-screen optimizations for Drive, and the clear trend is how the website UI is coming to Android tablets and foldables.
Expand Expanding CloseFullscreen Google Tasks UI rolling out to Calendar on the web
For the past several years, Google Tasks has been restricted to a side panel in Gmail, Drive, and other Workspace sites. Google Calendar on the web is now adding a fullscreen Tasks interface.
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Old Manifest V2 Chrome extensions will be disabled in 2024
With Manifest V3, Google wants to make extensions safer by prioritizing privacy, but was initially criticized for the impact to ad blockers. The Chrome team has since added new features in response and is ready to disable old Manifest V2 extensions in 2024.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle SGE will let you visualize clothing using AI and shop for real matches
In one of the more interesting and practical AI use cases, the Google SGE (Search Generative Experience) will let you imagine the clothing you want and then shop for real-life matches.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle Bard now available for teens with safety features, chart generation
Following the Search Generative Experience (SGE) in September, Google is rolling out Bard access for teens with safety guardrails in place.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle Photos rolling out ‘Stacks’ for auto-grouping, better document sort, and reminders
Following the big app redesign, Google Photos is rolling out a trio of new features, like auto-grouping Photo Stacks.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle Search will let you leave and read ‘Notes’ on web pages
In a bid to have Search surface more authentically human content, Google is experimenting with a quick way for people to create and read “Notes” that contain “helpful tips about an article or topic from both experts and everyday people.”
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle Maps will let you filter transit directions and vote in lists
Ahead of the holiday season, Google Maps is adding shared lists that let people vote on places, as well as filters for transit directions.
Expand Expanding CloseYouTube Music rolls out manually adding podcasts via RSS [U]
With Google Podcasts shutting down in 2024, YouTube Music is getting the ability to add podcasts via RSS feed. This is now rolling out for the first users.
Expand Expanding CloseFitbit app rolling out Steps streak, goal celebrations, and Pixel Watch battery
In addition to battery percentage, the Fitbit app is rolling out goal celebrations and the Steps streak in response to user feedback about the initial Material You redesign.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle Messages rolling out ‘Profile discovery’ to set Account-level name, avatar
As we’ve been tracking, Google is now beginning to roll out “Profile discovery” in Messages for Android to establish your name and photo across the RCS app and others.
Expand Expanding CloseRedesigned Fitbit app brings back battery percentage
Last month, Fitbit detailed a handful of upcoming changes for its redesigned app in response to user feedback, including the return of battery percentage for trackers and smartwatches.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle Drive rolling out new homepage on Android & iOS with double FABs
Google is redesigning Drive’s homepage on Android and iOS with a more compact UI to “help you more easily find the right file much faster.”
Expand Expanding CloseGboard switching to its floating keyboard when landscape
Given the tall aspect ratios of today’s phones, Gboard in landscape orientation often takes up most of the display (and leaves only a few lines of text visible), but Google now has a floating alternative.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle Chrome Material You redesign widely rolling out
Back in September, Google announced a Material You redesign of desktop Chrome that’s now more widely rolling out.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle Chat rolling out new icon, redesigned ‘Home’ and ‘Mentions’ navigation
As we spotted over the weekend, Google Chat is getting a new icon, as well as redesigned navigation on the web app with dedicated views for “Home” and “Mentions.”
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle Play requiring devs to do more app testing before launch
Google Play’s work to boost app quality on Android continues today with a requirement for wider testing before release.
Expand Expanding CloseChrome Sync being replaced on iOS with simpler Google Account sign in
Google is simplifying the process of setting up its browser on iOS by getting rid of Chrome Sync.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle Chrome gets quick way to see how much memory each tab is using
After adding a Memory Saver earlier this year, Chrome on desktop platforms (Mac, Windows, ChromeOS, etc.) will now report “Memory usage” when you hover over a tab.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle Home ‘Help me script’ preview starts rolling out to Script Editor
The generative AI-powered “Help me script” feature for the Google Home Script Editor is now beginning to roll out for those enrolled in the Preview Program.
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