New Pixel phones released in the fall usually launch with exclusive software features that later become available on older Google phones. The Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro will be the first to feature Material You weather widgets powered by the Google app.
Expand Expanding Close
The latest version of Stadia for Android includes continued work toward adding voice chat, “Instant Trials” for Stadia store games, and more.
Expand Expanding Close
After redesigning the Weather app, Google’s next step is introducing Android 12 homescreen widgets. We enabled the first one last week, and the second Google widget coming is straight from the Pixel 6’s Material You advertising.
Expand Expanding Close
The latest update to the Google TV app, in many areas still known as Play Movies & TV, gives us our best look yet at the upcoming phone-based remote for Android TV devices.
Update: As of version 4.28, we’re now able to preview the Quick Settings tile for the Google TV app’s upcoming remote.
Expand Expanding Close
Google is working on a redesign of Android Auto that borrows elements from Material You and makes your notifications more easily accessible.
Expand Expanding Close
The ability to “Test device speed” was one of the last remaining features of the old Google Wifi app that had yet to be migrated to Google Home with June’s Wi-Fi redesign. An update today introduces that check, and reveals work on ISP access to your Google/Nest Wifi router.
Expand Expanding Close
For the past few years, Google has been working on a “Better Together” initiative to make the experience of owning an Android phone and Chromebook more seamless. Integrations today include a prominent Phone Hub, Instant Tethering, and Smart (Un)Lock. As we reported in February, the latest feature in this family is codenamed “Eche,” and we now know a lot more about the Android side of things. Google Pixel phones look to be the first devices that can “Push” and mirror apps to Chromebooks.
Expand Expanding Close
Ahead of Android 12’s launch later this year, our team has discovered that Google Translate has a Material You revamp in the works, it’s first major redesign in over five years — here’s an early look.
Expand Expanding Close
Back in April, we told you about an in-development “Guacamole” feature that will let you use Assistant without hotwords. This Google Assistant capability will launch as “Quick phrases,” and we now know more about how it works.
Expand Expanding Close
The latest update to the Stadia app, version 3.31, includes continued work toward a touch gamepad for Android TV, a new “magic linking” method for controllers, and more.
Expand Expanding Close
Earlier this week, Gboard widely rolled out its Material You redesign and Dynamic Color theme on Android 12. The Google keyboard is also set to get more MY elements and a redesign of settings.
Expand Expanding Close
The latest update to the Peloton app confirms that a rower is on the way and offers hints of what sorts of rides you’ll be able to take and what metrics will be saved.
Expand Expanding Close
Google is preparing to upgrade its “Find My Device” system to use other Androids to anonymously find your lost phone, as well as gain the ability to protect data on a lost vehicle.
Expand Expanding Close
With the launch of the Nest Cam line and Doorbell, Google is requiring the Home app and bringing over a slew of legacy features from the old companion client. Google Home 2.42 adds support for the new security cameras, and reveals works on two other efforts.
Expand Expanding Close
The latest update to Stadia for Android, version 3.28, works toward taking screenshots and accessing Assistant with third-party controllers, joining parties from your phone, and more.
Expand Expanding Close
Google One, Google’s subscription service that gives you increased storage for Drive and Photos, is set to become available in a discounted bundle with Play Pass.
Expand Expanding Close
One of the more whimsical aspects of Waze is the ability to see your car represented on the map with a 3D model. It seems Waze is getting ready to celebrate the upcoming release of Halo Infinite by including two of the game series’ classic vehicles.
Update: Almost two weeks after being spotted by our team, Waze has made Halo vehicles officially available in the app.
Expand Expanding Close
Google is developing a new iOS app called “Switch to Android,” which should be able to copy the most important data from your iPhone and bring over your apps.
Expand Expanding Close
Google’s Data Transfer Tool, the standard tool for copying files from one Android to another or from iOS to Android, is preparing to offer a way to copy your WhatsApp chats from your iPhone.
Expand Expanding Close
One of the most exciting promises of Stadia on Android TV is that you can get great video games directly on your smart TV, all you may need to buy is a controller. The latest update to Stadia for Android continues working toward playing games on your TV using your phone as a controller.
Expand Expanding Close
The latest Android Auto beta points to the app being able to automatically open itself on more cars’ infotainment centers.
Expand Expanding Close
Google is preparing to shut down its My Maps app on Android this October in favor of only supporting the web app.
Expand Expanding Close
Despite the numerous leaks, there are still quite a few things we don’t know about the upcoming Pixel 6 and 6 Pro. The latest Google Camera update offers some insight into the Pixel 6 series specs, including screen resolution, flash for the selfie camera, and more.
Expand Expanding Close
The writing has been on the wall for Google Hangouts for some time now, but soon Hangouts will begin warning of the app’s upcoming shutdown and migration to Chat.
Expand Expanding Close
