Google is readying some sort of “AI Mode” for the Search app on Android that appears to be a new conversational and visual (or multimodal) experience.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle teases ‘AI Mode’ as new way to talk to Search [APK Insight]
Latest
Pixel Recorder preps ‘Clear voice’ background noise reduction
Google is working on a “Clear voice” feature for the Pixel Recorder that will “Reduce background noise while recording for clearer speech playback.”
Expand Expanding ClosePixel ‘At a Glance’ widget might show sports scores
Besides “Enhance Now Playing,” the latest version (V.13) of Android System Intelligence for the Pixel 9 reveals how Google is working to sports scores to the At a Glance widget.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle to ‘Enhance Now Playing’ on Pixel, tweaks homescreen icon
The Pixel’s background song recognition feature has not been updated in ages, but Google is now getting ready to “Enhance Now Playing.”
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle Messages working on new in-app ‘Backup & restore’ system
For the most part, message backup on Android today is handled on the system-level by Google (One). Google Messages is now readying an in-app “Backup & restore” experience.
Expand Expanding CloseHow Gemini will ‘improve’ Google Assistant for speakers, displays
Back in August with the Google TV Streamer and new Nest Learning Thermostat, Google revealed that Assistant is being upgraded with Gemini.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle working on ‘Shielded Email’ to hide your address from apps
Google might let you hide your actual email address from Android apps with a new “Shielded Email.”
Expand Expanding CloseAndroid Auto 13.3 update prepares support for radio stations
Google is rolling out another new Android Auto update and this one further prepares for a new form of media control, including a bunch of different radio stations.
Expand Expanding CloseFitbit redesigns Weight stats page, preps LLM ‘Sleep Lab’ and logging
The modernization of the Fitbit app continues with a redesign of the Weight stats page and logging experience, while Google is working on a new “Sleep Lab.”
Expand Expanding ClosePixel Phone app working on contextual ‘AI Replies’ in Call Screen
Google updated Call Screen with contextual replies last December, and the Pixel Phone app is now readying “AI Replies” powered by large language models.
Expand Expanding Close
Android Auto seems to be preparing support for more calling apps
Android Auto currently only supports using your phone’s default dialer app for making phone calls, but that may soon change as the new Android Auto 13.0 update prepares support for third-party calling apps.
Expand Expanding CloseAndroid Auto 13.0 update is now rolling out, prepares for new ‘Car Media’ feature
Google is rolling out the next version of Android Auto, version 13.0, which doesn’t bring any user-facing changes, but does continue some work behind the scenes.
Expand Expanding Close
Find My Device prepares a ‘compass’ for finding trackers, likely for UWB support
Google’s rollout of the Find My Device network has been a bit less than ideal, but things are due to get better over time. One of the highly anticipated additions to Find My Device is support for UWB trackers, which the app appears to be preparing for with the addition of a “compass.”
Expand Expanding CloseAndroid Auto preparing Gemini Live support and ‘local media’ controls alongside radio
Google appears to be working on a couple of new Android Auto features, with further support for “local media” from your car continuing to be developed alongside hints that Gemini Live may be supported in the car.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle Messages adding support for dual SIM RCS [U]
Since launch, Google Messages has not allowed RCS on more than one phone number, but the app is now adding support for dual (multi) SIM.
Expand Expanding CloseFiles by Google adds Circle to Search for images, preps AI summaries
After redesigning Recents on the homescreen, Files by Google now has a shortcut for Circle to Search when viewing images.
Expand Expanding ClosePixel Weather will have notifications, ‘Weather map,’ and AI summaries
Following the leak earlier this week, the native Pixel Weather app is available for manual sideload.
Expand Expanding Close‘Gemini on earbuds’ is ‘Your new AI assistant’
Work on bringing the Gemini assistant to more form factors beyond the web and phones continues with a new mention of “Gemini on earbuds.”
Expand Expanding CloseAndroid Auto appears to be adding support for controlling your car’s radio
One of the key points of appeal for Android Auto and CarPlay is the ability to control media from music and podcast apps, but both platforms currently ignore the car’s built-in radio. Soon, though, that may change.
Expand Expanding ClosePixel Watch Find My Device network support is coming
The Find My Device network’s offline capabilities work with Android phones and tablets, as well as trackers, today, with Wear OS — and Pixel Watch — support in the works.
Expand Expanding CloseHere are the new Google Weather widgets [Gallery]
The Google app is working on new Weather homescreen widgets. They look to overhaul/replace the existing set of widgets that are currently exclusive to Pixel, and will hopefully be available for all Android devices.
Expand Expanding ClosePixel 9 Pro might come with 1-year of Gemini Advanced
With less than a month until Made by Google 2024, the latest leak suggests that the Pixel 9 Pro will come with 1-year of Gemini Advanced.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle Wallet Quick Settings Tile might come to Samsung phones
After rolling out direct notifications back in June, the Google Wallet app is adding its own Quick Settings Tile, which might finally bring the shortcut to Samsung devices.
Expand Expanding CloseGemini Live might work in the background as you use other apps
“Live” will let you have a two-way conversation with Gemini when it arrives this summer. Shown as a fullscreen experience at I/O 2024, Gemini Live might also work in the background, including on your lockscreen.
Expand Expanding Close