After first appearing last month, the Google Messages “Send photos faster” option is more widely rolling out, and we’ve done some quick tests on how it impacts file size, resolution, and quality.

In late March, Google started letting the public test generative AI in Gmail and Docs. It’s now expanding the Trusted Tester program by a significant degree.

The Google Home app this week started rolling out version 3.0 and changes to navigation by introducing an “Inbox,” while also redesigning lighting controls.

While Android 14 Beta 1.1 from last week should alleviate some issues, a different bug with the latest beta version of Google Messages has emerged today that makes the RCS client unusable.

Google has spent the past several years working to replace passwords because of frequent reuse, vulnerability to data breaches, and phishing. Passkeys are the industry solution, and the ability to log in to your Google Account with them is starting to roll out.

After a big redesign last year, YouTube might be embarking on its next visual revamp with changes to the video page, which has mostly stayed the same in recent years.

Google has long wanted to replace the lock icon in Chrome’s address bar, and it’s finally proceeding with those plans in September as part of a broader browser redesign.

Search is one of Google Photos’ most underrated features, bringing the ability to look up objects without any prior tagging on your part. Google Photos is now “experimenting” with “more powerful search.”

Podcasts in YouTube Music officially launched in the US yesterday, and playback is supported by the Wear OS app.

Google News for Android is the latest first-party app to get a Material You redesign, as well as tablet and large screen optimizations.

Besides podcasting support, Youtube Music has been rolling out several quality-of-life improvements lately. A general YouTube Music sleep timer is now rolling out.

Following the February announcement and March testing, podcasts are now officially rolling out to YouTube Music users in the US.

Teased last year, Google Photos is rolling out a new movie editor/creator for Chromebooks to give ChromeOS a iMovie-esque equivalent.

Viewing the profiles/channels of non-artist users in YouTube Music today shows playlists that are set to public. In what could be a bid to make YouTube Music more social, you’re getting the option to make your listening stats public.

On Monday, Google Authenticator launched the ability to sync 2FA codes to your Google Account. It has since emerged that the capability isn’t end-to-end encrypted (E2EE), and Google explained why today.

Back in July, 2TB+ Google One tiers added premium Workspace features focused on video calling. Google Meet is now adding a 1080p streaming option as part of Google One and other paid Workspace tiers.

In recent years, Google has tweaked the menu bar in Docs to make it easier to find what you’re looking for. A prominent search bar is now coming to Google Docs, Sheets, and Slides.

The YouTube Music app on Android and iOS this evening (Pacific Time) sent a “preview ends soon” notification in error to many users.

Google is finally addressing a big gap of its 2FA (two-factor authentication) code app by adding sync capabilities, with Google Authenticator also getting a new icon on Android and iOS today. This will make “one time codes more durable by storing them safely in users’ Google Account.”

Presentations are a big part of video calling, and Google Meet is now letting users co-present Google Slides with support for multiple people.

Following math and logic enhancements last month, Google has updated Bard to generate code, as well as debug and explain it. The company says this can “help you by offering new ways to write code, create test cases, or update APIs.”

YouTube’s Library tab has remained mostly the same over the years, but it’s now dropping the long list of playlists for a carousel that shortens the page on mobile. 

All of the very best third-party Android launchers offer something unique, be that customization or even a minimal aesthetic. Here are the best to install on your Android phone in 2023 – and beyond.