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Google app 8.70 preps personalized audio news, Material Theme tweaks, adds Pixel Stand Ambient Display setting [APK Insight]

Google app 8.70

The latest Google app beta is rolling out with more details about Assistant’s personalized audio news feed that was announced this week. Google app 8.70 also includes a new Pixel Stand option to disable personalized results on the Ambient Display, as well as other design tweaks.


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Google Weather and Search no longer displaying air quality data on Android or web

Checking the weather is a key function of every device from phones to Google Home to Smart Displays. On Android, Google Search has a rather excellent built-in weather experience that is well-designed and visually delightful. Unfortunately, Google Weather on Android and Google Search over the past few months has lost the ability to check air quality.


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Google might be planning to remove & replace Android voice unlock on all devices

Google Assistant

For several years now, the Google app allowed users to unlock a device with your voice when interacting with Google Assistant. After removing on the Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL, “Unlock with Voice Match” appears to be nearing deprecation and replacement on all other Android devices given that it’s not too secure.


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Google testing a dark theme for the Google Feed, including on non-Pixel devices

Google Feed

Starting with Android 8.0 on the Pixel 2, Google introduced a device dark theme that was dependent on your wallpaper. This themed the Pixel Launcher, app list, Quick Settings, and the Google Feed. However, for the latter, this only darkened the background. Google is now A/B testing a true dark mode that’s applied to the entire interface.


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Google app 8.20 reveals Digital Wellbeing for Home, preps Assistant Households & Explore [APK Insight]

The latest beta update for the Google app began rolling out this evening, but was quickly pulled due to a likely bug involving Assistant. Regardless, version 8.20 details Digital Wellbeing for Home and a new “Explore” feature that surfaces similar articles. We have also managed to enable Google Assistant for Households.


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Google app 8.19 resumes work on customizable Search bar, links to podcast RSS feed [APK Insight]

The Google app this week began rolling out bilingual support for Assistant and Routines to more countries, while the last beta revealed a redesign of Assistant settings. Version 8.19 today features new work on the customizable Search bar spotted last year, as well as two shortcuts in Google Podcasts.


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