Last week, we spotted the very early signs of a bottom bar redesign for Google Podcasts. We’ve now enabled it in full and can confirm some new functionality, including a built-in queue.
Google’s Advanced Protection Program, an initiative to help protect the Google Accounts of those who are “most at risk,” may be getting a new protection feature on Android devices to block sideloading, according to the latest Play Store update.
Google uses the Pixel Tips app to introduce you to the latest features of your Pixel phone. Today, the app has been updated with new information about upcoming features for Google Pixel phones, like Cards & Passes, automatic Call Screen, and portrait mode in Google Photos, along with some that are already beginning to arrive, like the Recorder app for older Pixels.
One of the more annoying parts of owning a cell phone these days is the number of robocalls and outright spam that randomly rings your phone from unknown numbers. To help combat these robocalls, Google Phone 42 is prepping for the Google Assistant to be able to automatically screen incoming calls from unknown numbers.
The latest Gboard beta is rolling out today after features like translating emoji into GIFs and stickers emerged over the weekend. Gboard 8.9 introduces a new design for the sticker tab, while making some visual tweaks in settings.
As we near Stadia’s imminent launch, more is becoming clear about how it will work and what we can expect on the first day. Yesterday saw the release of the Stadia mobile app on the Play Store, and since then we’ve been digging into it for info on the highly anticipated cloud gaming platform. Google has commented on what we’ll be able to do with Stadia, but info on what Stadia features aren’t ready for launch is scarce. Here is a collection of evidence we found in the Stadia app that tells us what could come after November 19th’s launch.
Earlier today, the Google Stadia app arrived on the Play Store, less than two weeks ahead of the service’s official launch. While you cannot sign in and use the Stadia app without your Founders or Premiere Edition code, our APK Insight team was able to uncover a treasure trove of information about Google Stadia through the new app including data usage, player limits, and more.
The latest beta version of the Google app rolled out last night and it continues work on a handful of features. Google app 10.83 provides our first look at the in-app browser and an early user interface for it. Elsewhere, there’s development on AR features and Voice Match for Assistant headphones.
One of the handiest features of Google Pixel phones is “Now Playing,” its ability to listen to music playing around you and identify songs without you needing to ask first. Now, it looks like Google is working on a way to export your Now Playing history.
At Made by Google 2019, a revamped Home app was introduced. Rolling out to Android and iOS today, Google Home 2.15 readies Nest Wifi support and migrating Google Wifi units to the new companion client. There are also a handful of strings related to Stadia.
We’re now just over three weeks away from the official launch of Stadia, Google’s game-streaming service that will allow playing games in up to 4K on a device as low-powered as even a Chromecast Ultra. In preparation for the launch, Google Family Link has updated its app to be ready to handle parents/guardians approving and purchasing Stadia games for their children.
One key aspect of Fi is the ability to switch between different networks for the best connection. Google had to exclude this feature when the MVNO rolled out to all Android and iOS phones late last year, but now looks to be working on a new implementation that will make switching faster.
An update pushed today for the Nest app contains hints towards a seasonal “themes” feature which allows the user to change the chime of their Nest Hello doorbell for a holiday season. For Halloween, which is a mere two weeks away, users will soon be able to enable a “Spooky sounds” theme.
Days away from the Pixel 4 unveil, last-minute details about the flagship are emerging. An update to the Google One app today reveals that the Made by Google phones will feature a 3-month trial to the subscription service.
Ahead of new Nest devices next week, an updated version of the Home companion client is widely rolling out today. Google Home 2.14.50 confirms ‘Nest Mini’ and interestingly references Stadia.
Just over a week ahead of the Google Pixel 4 launch, we’ve obtained what will likely be the official version of the Google Camera app to launch on the new phone. Google Camera version 7.1 preps the previously seen “Dual Exposure” controls, adds info on the downsides of saving depth data on the Google Pixel 4, and the exact apps compatible with “Social Share.”
Update 10/10: Another new feature, “Frequent Faces,” has been uncovered in an unexpected place.
The latest beta of Google’s Android keyboard is rolling out this afternoon with a handful of changes in development. Gboard 8.8 most notably details how the emoji handwriting feature is going away.
The latest version of Google Play is rolling out today, and it addresses how inline changelogs were broken and inaccessible for the past week. Play Store 17.0.11 also details work on a manual Theme toggle and new account switcher.
Last month, Google announced several new Photos features including “Memories,” in-store printing at CVS or Walmart, and a new “Canvas” print. Google Photos 4.26 is rolling out today with “Manage your library” and work on a new “Astro” filter.
Android Auto’s new redesign surfaces all compatible apps on your homescreen, and that can feel understandably cluttered at times. Now, the latest update to Android Auto is preparing homescreen customization and more.
Last week, we put special attention on the specific apps that we know for sure will work with the Google Pixel 4’s Motion Sense to allow skipping tracks without touching your phone. However, Motion Sense will be capable of more than just media controls. Check out everything you’ll be able to do with Motion Sense on the Google Pixel 4 at launch.
According to the Wear OS companion app for Android, Xiaomi might be working on a smartwatch powered by Google’s wearable platform. Wear OS 2.28 today features a string that references a “Mi Wear” companion app.
Google app 10.61 is rolling out as the latest beta and reveals work on a new “Smart Screenshots” feature that integrates Lens. A bug with the “Preferred input” setting for Assistant has also been resolved.
The Google Pixel 4 continues to bare all this week, as an internal “dogfood” build of the Google Camera app has leaked out into the wild. This version of Google Camera 7.0 confirms our report of a Motion Blur mode, prepares new AR-based features for Photobooth mode, and more.
