With our teardown of Duo 20 in October, we spotted that Google’s video messaging service was working on screen sharing. We have since been able to activate this useful feature that lets you quickly show off something on your phone’s display.
Version 7.16 of the Google app rolled out in beta last week and revealed more about Assistant Routines and improvements to the built-in podcast player, among other updates. We’ve since been able to activate some new features that detail some minor tweaks in the works.
Android Messages is Google’s official RCS client and has also been adopted by several manufacturers. Version 2.7 is rolling out and a teardown reveals work on Rich Communication Service features like Business Messaging for interactive messaging, as well as dual-SIM support. Meanwhile, the app is preparing payments through Google Wallet and Duo integration.
Version 22 of Allo introduced selfie clips and the ability to have admins with privileges in group chats. The latest update is now rolling out and a teardown reveals Google might be closer to launching camera effects and audio transcriptions. Meanwhile, new features under development include contact sharing.
This morning Google announced several new features for the Home app, including improved search and advanced audio controls like bass and treble. These changes are rolling out with version 1.26 of the app, with a teardown also revealing the addition of support for the Google Home Max launching next month. It also details upcoming features and possibly a new device.
With every new update to the Google app, we’re learning more about Assistant Routines that can string together commands. Version 7.16 also details an expansion to the podcast functionality and feedback/training for Lens and the Feed. In terms of visible changes, Assistant for tablets is hinted at, while the Feed’s bottom bar sees a partial redesign.
The latest version of Google’s Phone dialer for Pixel, Nexus, and Android One devices is rolling out today with some exciting features in the works. None of these changes appear to be live yet, but most notable is a voicemail transcription service powered by Google.
Version 22 of Google Duo is rolling out this afternoon with two notable features from Allo. Like the text messaging app earlier this week, Duo now has improved Adaptive Icon support. Meanwhile, upcoming Google account linking will let users be reached via email. Duo is also continuing work on their messaging feature.
The latest version of Google Allo rolled out over the weekend with a mix of new fun and useful features in the works. This latter group includes audio message transcription, replies, and better adaptive icon support. Meanwhile, work on camera filters continues in version 22.
On the Pixel and Pixel 2, Pixel Buds enable a futuristic real-time translation feature. As we near its November release, the latest version of Google Translate adds several strings describing how Pixel Buds will work, as well as more about an upcoming “Word of the Day” feature and new handwriting UI.
The latest beta version of the Google app is rolling with more about multi-command “Routines” for Google Assistant, as well as further details about Pixel Buds. Additionally, version 7.15 contains more information about the Search Bar Widget and the recently uncovered Quartz device that’s possibly a Google Home with a display.
Over the weekend, Google rolled out the version 21 of Allo for Android. This update includes a cropping tool for editing profile pictures and support for the EmojiCompat library.
Following an update to YouTube Music last night, the latest version of the main YouTube app is rolling out. Version 12.41.53 has very little in the way of new features, though there is one notable server-side change to the YouTube app.
With YouTube’s brand redesign in August, Google’s video service significantly revamped its web app, while its mobile apps received various tweaks to match. YouTube Music was initially updated with some of this new branding, but this week receives a new icon.
Two weeks ago, we revealed that the Google app was working on a bottom bar redesign. The latest version 7.14 shows Google refining that interface, while revamping the “Explore” page for Assistant apps, adding “Hey Google” on phones, and other tweaks.
The latest beta version of the Google app rolled out this evening and hints at Assistant finally being available on tablets, as well as other features possibly coming to more devices. Version 7.14 also includes some user-facing changes, while there are some mentions about the upcoming Pixel Buds.
Google Duo has seen a number of big updates in recent weeks, like picture-in-picture officially launching and deeper integration with the Pixel’s phone dialer. Version 20 is now rolling out and it reveals Google working on screen sharing, new security features, and more.
Last month, a teardown of YouTube for Android revealed a string that referenced a new “YouTube Plus” service. Likely complimenting the existing “Red” subscription, another reference for YouTube Plus has now appeared in YouTube Music.
In our teardown of the latest Google app beta this morning, there were several strings describing new tabs for the app. Since then, we have been able to activate it and now have our first glimpse at what is most likely the redesign we’ll see tomorrow of the Google app for the Pixel 2.
The latest beta of the Google app is rolling out this morning and features a number of strings related to Assistant. Version 7.13 notes new features in the works for Assistant-enabled headphones, as well as what is possibly a new device: “Google Earphones.”
Since I/O 2017, Google has been working on adding Google Lens to Assistant. With version 7.12 of the Google app, we’ve been able to activate Lens and demonstrate what it looks like. Additionally, we were able to initiate the new male Assistant voice that we spotted last week.
In our teardown of version 7.12 of the Google app last week, we spotted several mentions of a customizable “Google Bar.” Since then, we have been able to activate the feature to reveal that future versions of the Google app could allow users to customize the search bar widget.
The latest version of Google Allo rolled out over the weekend and shows the messaging service preparing a number of new features, including camera effects and sticker search on the web. Version 19 also integrates Allo with the Google app’s In Apps search feature.
In our teardown of the latest Google app beta yesterday, we spotted a number of features being prepped for Assistant. This included the ability to set a different voice, as well as the ability to launch it on the Pixel 2 by squeezing the Active Edge. Since then, we have been able to activate several of those features and a handful of other new ones.