Google announced a beta for its Phone app this afternoon, with spam filtering as one of the first features. Today’s first beta also contains some other changes like the bottom bar redesign that we enabled several versions ago and tweaks to voicemail transcription.
Rumors last year pegged the launch of Google’s new YouTube music streaming service in March, but of course that month has come and gone. Meanwhile, YouTube Music continues its regular updates that don’t reveal many user-facing changes, but always show work under-the-hood.
The last beta version of the Google app was peculiar in that it moved from a bimonthly release cycle to a weekly cadence. Google app 7.26 this evening continues that increased pace with a version jump after only six days. The update provides a glimpse into the UI for smart displays, including icons and details about a home screen. It also follows up on emails for Google Home and reveals a possible new Reservation functionality for Assistant.
Only a week after the last version of the Google app arrived in the beta channel, the next variant is already available. Version 7.25 reveals that Google is working on “Assistant for Households” and possibly getting email notifications on Home smart speakers. Meanwhile, it is also preparing Search widget customization and rearranging actions in custom Routines.
The Gboard 7.1 beta began rolling out last evening with the notable addition of auto-spacing after punctuation. Meanwhile, the app is working on a number of other features like new emoji and handwriting settings, as well as preparing the ability to make GIFs.
After seeing a spate of ARCore apps announced last week for GDC, Google is today rolling out version 1.1 of the Android SDK for augmented reality. As promised at launch last month, this update hints at support for more devices.
The last update to the Google app earlier this month revealed a number of in-development features like new gestures for Pixel Buds and came ahead of Routines for Assistant officially launching. Version 7.24 has entered the beta channel this evening with details about custom Routines and a new “pinned matches” feature for sports scores.
The last update to the Google Phone app in February added a convenient chat head option to quickly and easily access in-call controls. Version 18 is now rolling out with a tweak to the bottom bar redesign we’ve spotted, support for Android P, and a switch to the system sound and vibration settings.
After launching last week, Google Duo’s visual voicemall feature is now fully rolled out on Android and iOS. The company is now working on version 30 that better details the upcoming screen sharing and Google account linking functionality. Meanwhile, a group calling feature is also in development.
With version 3.0 of Android Messages beginning to roll out this week, Google is already working on the next update to the SMS and RCS client. We’ve received a dogfood (or internal test) version of Android Messages 3.1 and it reveals upcoming support for Android P, a built-in GIF picker, and more about the web app.
Recent updates to YouTube Music over the past few weeks have made the app more like Play Music in a sign that a revamp is in the works. Version 2.23 over the weekend continue this and hints at SD card support and an Incognito mode.
Last month, Google announced that Routines would finally be rolling out in the coming weeks. First unveiled at last year’s 10/4 event, this new feature allows Assistant to do multiple actions with a single command. In version 7.23 of the Google app, we’ve been able to activate the functionality in its entirety.
In recent weeks, Google has announced that functionality like Routines for Assistant and Lens are soon rolling out. Version 7.23 of the Google app better details those features, while it also reveals work on an upcoming alpha/beta testing channel and upcoming Pixel Buds functionality.
The latest version of Google Duo is rolling out this morning and it reveals more about the phone number-only Guest mode, while hinting at upcoming features like messaging, Google account linking, and a revamped screen sharing interface. We’ve also managed to enable a number of these new features ahead of time in version 29.
In recent months, YouTube Music has been frequently updated on Android. This comes ahead of a rumored revamp of Google’s music services reportedly led by YouTube. That possible merger intensifies with version 2.21 of YouTube Music adding the same quality controls found in Play Music. Meanwhile, the app is preparing for an international expansion that likely coincides with YouTube Red’s.
The latest version of Google Photos is rolling out today with some minor visual changes already live. However, version 3.15 hints at the wider release of Google Lens to all Android devices, liking content in Shared albums, and a possible GIF export option.
Rolling out earlier this week, version 7.22 of the Google app contained strings that detailed how users will be able to customize the search widget. We’ve now been able to activate that new interface, as well as a slightly new look for the Google Assistant and shed more light on “Google Temperature.”
The latest beta update to the Google app is rolling out this evening with more details about several in-development features. Most notable is the customizable search widget possibly nearing a launch, while there are more details about smart displays.
The latest version of Google Duo is rolling out and it continues work on several in-development features that we’ve previously spotted. Besides more hints of the messaging feature and multi-device support, version 28 reveals that a “Guest mode” is in the works.
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The latest update to the Google Home companion app is rolling out and hints at a number of in-development features, including the possible ability to pair regular Bluetooth speakers to Home devices. Meanwhile, version 1.27 adds some new codenames, ability to reverse Home Mini controls, and some slight interface tweaks.
While the marquee feature of Google Phone 17 is the addition of floating chat heads, this update also details some in-development functionality. Namely, a new bottom bar redesign and support for Real-time text.
Over the weekend, we were able to activate Favorites within Google Photos. Version 3.14 is now rolling out and offers more details about the long overdue feature. Meanwhile, the update hints at controls for adjusting blur that could possibly be for the Pixel 2’s Portrait Mode.
Google Photos first added strings referencing a “Favorites” feature last August. Several versions later, this staple feature found in most other gallery apps is still absent. However, with version 3.13 of the Android client, we’ve now been able to activate and use Favorites.
The latest beta version of the Google app is rolling out earlier than expected on a Friday evening. Version 7.21 hints at future devices gaining a hardware Assistant button, while users may soon get the ability to set default speakers and TVs to play content through. Meanwhile, this update enables the ability to “donate” images taken by Google Lens.