Google’s new ‘Platform and Devices’ team puts Android, Chrome, Pixel, more under Rick Osterloh
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This is why your Pixel 6/6 Pro makes noise when you shake it
All devices are made of hundreds of tiny parts and pieces that fit together to form what you know as a “smartphone.” That being said, it is a little disconcerting when you start to hear your Pixel 6 Pro make weird clicking or tapping sounds. So what is it, and is it a bad thing? This explainer will break it down for you.
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Google Tasks adds support for recurring tasks, rolling out now
The to-do list app Google Tasks is finally picking up an overdue feature. Rolling out now, Google Tasks is adding support for recurring tasks in your lists.
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Android app deals of the day: Package Inc, Traffix, Boxing Gym Story, Railways, more
Your Thursday collection of the best Android game and app deals are now up for the taking courtesy of Google Play. We also have solid price drops on Samsung’s leather and silicone Galaxy S22 Ultra cases as well as the brand’s Galaxy S21+ smartphone and the Galaxy Watch 4/Classic. Our app deal lineup is headlined by titles like Package Inc – Cargo Simulator, Siege of Dragonspear, Lovecraft’s Untold Stories, Traffix, Boxing Gym Story, and more. Head below for a complete look at today’s best Android game and app deals.
Expand Expanding CloseRoboto Flex is a ‘major upgrade’ that adds customization to Google’s most popular font
Since its release in 2011, the Roboto font has expanded to include several variants and just got a reading-optimized Serif version in February. Roboto Flex was officially unveiled today as a “major upgrade” and “Google Fonts’ biggest project to date.”
Expand Expanding CloseFortnite debuts on Xbox Cloud Gaming completely free for Android users, no membership needed
Cloud gaming has been a great way for everyone to discover and play new games with no downloads, though there is one problem. Not many free-to-play games come to cloud gaming in any capacity. Today, Xbox is looking to change that by bringing Fortnite to the cloud for free with no membership needed.
Expand Expanding CloseHP unveils two business-ready Chromebooks, including first with smart card reader
HP is expanding its lineup of business-ready Chromebooks, with the first ChromeOS devices to offer a smart card reader, including one model with the latest AMD Ryzen processors.
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Sony XM5 retail packaging confirms less battery life than originally thought and Google Assistant
Last week we saw leaked official-looking images that showed off the sleek new design of the upcoming Sony XM5s, along with information suggesting that the battery life of these new headphones would reach 40 hours. Even newer leaks of retail packaging suggest otherwise.
Expand Expanding CloseOvercooked: All You Can Eat is now available on Stadia w/ 20% discount, free trial, no crossplay [U]
Following a brief delay, the hit party game Overcooked: All You Can Eat will officially arrive tomorrow on Google Stadia.
Expand Expanding CloseAmazon app for Android removes the ability to purchase digital content to avoid Google fees
Google’s crackdown on in-app billing on Android has resulted in changes to quite a few apps. Now, the main Amazon Shopping app for Android has removed the ability to purchase digital content on Android.
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Deals: Samsung Galaxy S21+ refurb hits $615, Galaxy Watch 4 from $174, more
All of today’s best deals are headlined by a one-day refurbished discount on Samsung Galaxy S21+. That’s alongside Samsung Galaxy Watch 4/Classic from $174 and the Made for Google iOttie iON Wireless Duo 15W Stand at $43. Hit the jump for all that and more in the latest 9to5Toys Lunch Break.
Expand Expanding ClosePixel 6 long-term review: All the ‘Pros’ with very few cons [Video]
Some six or so months after launch, we’re taking another look at what the Pixel 6 has done right and wrong in our long-term review of the entry-level Made by Google flagship phone for 2021 and most of 2022.
Expand Expanding CloseAndroid 12 QPR3 will make it much easier to find the Pixel Battery widget
The March Feature Drop introduced a system battery widget on Pixel, but it’s not the easiest homescreen object for people to add. To address that, Android 12 QPR3 makes it easier to find the “Battery” widget.
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Google TV’s latest ‘Watch with Me’ showcases Andra Day’s watchlist [Video]
In its continued series, Google TV is rolling out a new “Watch with Me” row on the homescreen, this time focusing on picks from musician Andra Day.
Expand Expanding CloseSamsung Galaxy Watch 5 ‘Pro’ gets further confirmation through codename leak
The Galaxy Watch 5 series is set to debut in the coming months and some recent rumors suggested that a “Pro” model was on its way. Now, another leak supports the existence of the Galaxy Watch 5 “Pro,” and clears up the branding that Samsung will use.
Expand Expanding CloseAre you planning on buying the Pixel 6a? [Poll]
Leaks have been few and far between over the past few weeks, but we already have a fair idea of what the Pixel 6a might bring to the table if it does get an I/O 2022 unveil. That begs the question, are you planning on buying the Pixel 6a when it’s available?
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Galaxy S22, OnePlus 9 Pro, and more can now play games on GeForce Now at 120fps
GeForce Now is bringing its premium high frame rate streaming to more Android phones, including the Galaxy S22 and OnePlus 9 Pro.
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GeForce Now adds support for 4K streaming on Windows and macOS
A couple of years after its debut, Nvidia GeForce Now is finally expanding its streaming options on PC and Mac. Starting today, GeForce Now supports 4K streaming on Windows and macOS.
Expand Expanding CloseAcer Chromebook Spin 514 gets Ryzen 5000 refresh from $579 – Here’s a first look [Gallery]
Ushering in a new era of AMD chips on Chrome OS, the Acer Chromebook Spin 514 is getting a 2022 refresh with a Ryzen 5000 series chip and other new tweaks. And we’ve had a chance to take an early look at the device.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle previews how password-killing ‘passkeys’ will work on Android, Chrome
Following our report last month, Google today announced its support for “passwordless FIDO Sign-in standards” and previewed what the end-user experience of passkeys on Android and Chrome will look like.
Expand Expanding CloseAMD unveils Ryzen 5000 chips for Chromebooks with major performance and battery life boosts
The vast majority of Chromebooks on the market today run on top of either Intel or ARM-based chips from brands such as MediaTek. But as Chrome OS enters a new era that includes support for Steam, there are new options coming out. Today, AMD is announcing Ryzen 5000 “C-Series” chips for Chromebooks.
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Google Assistant adds settings for ‘Your vehicles’ parking feature
Back in March, Google introduced the ability to pay for public parking with your voice. As part of this feature, Google Assistant has added “Your vehicles” settings. Meanwhile, the Google app has made a tweak to its preferences.
Expand Expanding CloseAndroid team once again hosting a fireside Q&A chat at Google I/O 2022
Live Q&A sessions with the Android team were a staple of previous Google developer conferences. After skipping last year, Google I/O 2022 will once again see an Android fireside chat.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle acquires microLED startup Raxium to boost hardware team, likely for AR
Following rumors, Google announced today that it has acquired microLED startup Raxium to join the Devices & Services team.
Expand Expanding CloseNo, ChromeOS won’t let you refresh your wallpaper every 10 seconds
A new Chrome flag has led some to believe that ChromeOS will soon let you refresh your wallpaper every 10 seconds, but that’s not what’s happening here.
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