#Google
Google Search desktop homepage gain Discover-like widget cards
9To5Google

Google, the search engine company has finally added something to their search homepage so that it doesn't feel boring anymore.

There are a total of six cards being displayed on the homepage. Here's some information of what does the card display:
• Weather: Condition (with) icon + temperature. Three-day forecast on hover
• Trending: Cover image with search count
• What to Watch: Shows and movies with cover art
• Stocks/markets: Day graph on hover
• Local Events: With date
• COVID News

The cards aren't widely rolling out for now. There's also option to hide the cards if you prefer to have a cleaner homepage. Anyway, hope Google could quickly roll out this feature and probably do the same thing for Chrome's New Tab page too.

#Android
Google will let you remove Android advertising IDs entirely soon on older Android version
Mishaal Rahman (2)

Google has earlier rolled out the ability to delete advertising ID on Android 12 devices, and soon they will be doing it for older Android versions too.

The option will be available over at the Google section in your device system settings > Ads. You will then see an option to delete advertising ID, tapping on it will bring you to another page detailing all the information. Besides that, Google will also require apps to list out com.google.android.gms.permission.AD_ID permission to query advertising IDs on Android 12 and later. The catch here is apps targeted at mostly kids won't have the permission to do that, which means no ads-targeting for kids apps.

Both of these will go effective starting April 1st, and you can learn more about how advertising ID on Android works over at the support page.

#Updates #Pixel6
Google released an unexpected update for Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro
9To5Google

UPDATE: The new update apparently only bring in missing fixes.

Google has just released February security patch update for all supported Pixel devices over a week ago. And just today, Google released another new update only for the Pixel 6 series.

It's unclear what's changes are being made to the updated build, probably to fix the Wi-Fi issue that a few users faced earlier? No one knows for now except Google themselves. We will keep you updated about it if there's any information regarding it.

Download:
*Build ID: SQ1D.220205.004
• Pixel 6: Factory Image | OTA
• Pixel 6 Pro: Factory Image | OTA

Follow @PixelHubUpdates

#Android #GooglePlay #PlayStore
Play Store now show the required Android OS version in the app info listing
9To5Google

Earlier Play Store has just added installation progress app icon on the home screen, and recently they quietly added the required Android version to install the app in the app info listing.

Simply open any app listing and go to App info, you will see that Google added "Android OS" section. This section simply tell you what's the minimum required Android version to install the app, to be exact it's the APKs variant. This is something what the web version has offered a while but for some apps that offered multiple APK bundles, it will only show up "Varies with device."

The new changes has already widely roll out to all recent Play Store version.

#Updates #Pixel6
The new update for Pixel 6 series only added back some missing fixes
Daniel Micay | Previous post

A few hours ago, it is spotted that Google released a new update for the Pixel 6 series, but there isn't any known changes at first. Apparently someone had already investigated the build difference.

According to Daniel Micay, founder of GrapheneOS, he mentioned that the new update for Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro only "added a missing security fix in AOSP, updated Camera HAL APEX and patched Samsung RIL HAL library." There isn't a single change in APN or carrier configuration, modem firmware is also untouched.

That's pretty much the changes made in the new update. The OTA update weigh around 10.25MB. And about the Wi-Fi issues, most people said they aren't facing it at all, so it's a false alarm and safe to update after all.

Edit: The audio firmware has also been updated
flawedworld

#News
Material You Dynamic Color theming engine by Google is now open source
Material Design Blog

Soon all Android 12 devices will be getting the Material You with dynamic theming engine out of the box. Before that, Google has just release the source code for the dynamic theming system, and also explained how does it works.

Material You dynamic color is based on Google's own HCT color system. They explained the new color system "is built on existing work," defining "many perceptually accurate color spaces."

Besides, they also explained how the dynamic theme works on Android. When applying wallpaper, it will be quantized , they determined top-ranked color by algorithm, which will become the main accent color. With that, they continued using it and create 4 new palettes. bringing the total palette number to 5.

Material Color Utilities is where all the open source libraries for the dynamic theming engine are located. Soon it will be also available for iOS, CSS via SASS, and GLSL shaders.

#YouTube
YouTube will soon let creators to create image polls in their channel community section
XDA Developers

YouTube is apparently preparing to let creators create image poll and post them in their channel community section.

XDA Developers did an APK teardown and found out that there are strings which mentioned the new feature (<string name="post_creation_quickstart_image_poll_button">Image Poll</string>). So far till now, YouTube has only gave the ability to create text polls,

The new feature isn't going live yet and there isn't any other info on when this feature will start to make its appearance.

#Apps #Gboard
Gboard can check for grammar mistake on other Pixel phones now
9to5Google

A few months ago, Google rolled out grammar check feature for their Pixel 6 series, and now the feature is making its way to older Pixel phones.

The feature, as the name implies, helps you to find out grammatical errors while you are typing. For now, the feature is supporting English only. If the featured has rolled out for you, it already enabled by default, but if you don't like the feature, you can always choose to turn it off from Gboard settings > Text correction, then toggle the "Grammar check" option.

The feature seems to be live on the app version 11.4.08 beta only, and is currently exclusive for older (supported) Pixel phones.

Download (11.4.08 beta):
Play Store | APKMirror

#Pixel7
Google Pixel 7 first leak is out, teasing codename and new Tensor chip
9to5Google

First batch information of the Pixel 7 series is here, but not much about the specs for now.

9to5Google discovered new info from the Android 13 Developer Preview 1 build about it. Apparently, the new codename for the Pixel 7 family will be related to cat, respectively "cheetah" and "panther" for the Pro models.

Besides that, there are also more info about the 2nd generation Tensor chip. It's spotted that the chipset will include a new Samsung modem with the model number "g5300b," which hinted it would come with Exynos Modem 5300, but this is unconfirmed yet.

Lastly, there's another device codename being founded, named "ravenclaw." That device is believe to be an internal testing device, which use a Pixel 6 Pro body and equipped it with the GS201 Tensor chip. In case you missed it, Google had done something similar with the Pixel 5.

This will sum up the Pixel 7 leaks for now, as Google start to work more on the Pixel 7, more info will be leaked and we will keep you updated about it here.

#ChromeOS
Gaming on ChromeOS is coming with a specsheet for Steam to run.
9To5Google

Google has introduced an initial list of supported Chromebook models, along with a few extra minimum specs they’ll need to have. Your Chromebook needs to have an (11th gen) Intel Core i5 or i7 processor and a minimum of 7 GB of RAM. This eliminates almost all Chromebooks but those in the upper-mid range and high end.

Steam supported Chromebooks:

Volta – Acer Chromebook 514 (CB514-1H)
Volet – Acer Chromebook 515
Voxel – Acer Chromebook Spin 713 (CP713-3W)
Delbin – ASUS Chromebook Flip CX5 (CX5500)
Drobit – ASUS Chromebook CX9 (CX9400)
Elemi – HP Pro c640 G2 Chromebook
Lindar – Unknown/unreleased Chromebook from Lenovo

At the same time, Nvidia has been actively working on making it possible for Chromebooks to have a discrete graphics card, which is strictly used for intensive usage - like the virtual machine that will be used by Steam. Considering there aren’t any Chromebooks on the current list that offer a dGPU, surely there are more supported models to be added in the future.

#YouTube
YouTube wants to improve Shorts and live stream on its platform in 2022
YouTube Blog

We all know that YouTube is the world's largest video platform, but as short video platforms debuted and gaining more features, it's hard for them to keep user stay longer on the platform, so they decided to borrow features and bring it to more audiences.

YouTube Shorts has been tested out for over two years now, and YouTube reported back positive signal for the short-video platform. YouTube will soon introduce new video effects, editing tools and more for mobile creators. You can also create a Short to reply comments soon.

You might have already known that some short video platforms out there have implemented shopping feature so that audience can buy the same items that are featured in the video, and well, it's coming to YouTube Shorts as well as regular YouTube videos. Creators will also be able to create branded content through BrandConnect. Lastly, Super Chat will be available as well in Shorts so fans can support their favourite creators by donating money.

Lastly, I want to discuss about live streams. To encourage more creators to open up live stream, YouTube is implementing yet another feature from other short video platforms, collaborative livestreaming. This feature will allow for a more interactive live stream than before.

I have try my best to keep the post short by only writing those cool new features that will be coming on YouTube in 2022. We can expect that some features like shopping will only be available for a few countries initially, and later slowly expand to more countries, anyway excited to see YouTube is becoming a multi-interactive video platform soon.

#YouTube
YouTube will soon show Live rings on channel avatar when the creator is on live
Neal Mohan (Twitter)

As mentioned earlier, YouTube is focusing on improving live stream on its platform. One of the feature they are currently rolling out is the Live rings.

Live Rings will appear on the channel profile picture when a creator is currently having a live stream. Tapping on the channel avatar will bring you directly to the live stream (wondering what will happen when a channel have more than one live stream). It is known that the feature is rolling out on the mobile app for now.

*Continuing the previous post. Here are some more features that could possibly come to YouTube live stream. Creators will be able to sell products, have conversations with each other and bring program effects to make the live stream fun for audience to watch... Soon YouTube live streams content will catch more audience attentions if more creators decided to join the live stream space.

#Google #EasterEgg
Google added "Twosday" one-day Easter Egg
9To5Google

Oops, seems like we are one day late to the party. Yeah, being busy with real-life stuff and now posts are back. Yesterday is an epic palindrome date, 22-02-2022, happen on a Tuesday, and it's 22nd day of first month Year of The Tiger of the lunar calendar.

To celebrate this very special day, Google has prepared an one-day special Easter Egg for those who searched "Twosday." At the time of posting, it's already gone sadly. The next time to see this epic palindrome date happening on a Tuesday again, will take another 400 years time.

#Pixel #Pixel7
Google Pixel 7 CAD renders
xleaks7

Here is a 3D render of the Pixel 7 by xleaks7. Not much has changed from the Pixel 6, it still featured the same bar-like camera bump. You can check out more renders over at this site.

*This is my personal opinion, but I think it's a Pixel 6a, not 7, but we're reporting it as the source claims.

#Chrome
Chrome for Android Lite Mode is going away at the end of March
Android Police

If you've been using Chrome on your Android device for awhile, you might have noticed one feature called Lite Mode, which helped to cut down data usage when visiting sites. That feature is set to come to an end soon.

According to the Chrome support forum post, Google will be killing off the Lite Mode feature on Chrome version 100 and older versions of the Android app starting from March 29. Google explained that nowadays most countries have already decreased the price for data plan and Chrome will still continue delivering fast webpage loading experience.

#News #Pixel6
Google confirms Pixel 6 Wi-Fi issues, will be resolved in March update
9To5Google

A few Pixel 6 owners who have updated to the February security patch noticed their devices are having issues with the Wi-Fi connectivity, and Google has confirmed the bug existence and will be releasing an update to fix it soon.

A few days ago, Google has released a small update for the Pixel 6 series, but that doesn't seem to fix the Wi-Fi issue as the update only included a few missing changes. Just recently, Google has responded on a Reddit thread stating that they've been able to identify the issue and will be rolling out the fix with the March update.

For those who faced the Wi-Fi issue and want to eagerly get the fix, you can try out Android 12L Beta 3 which most Pixel 6 users find out to be even stable than the Android 12 release.

#Workspace #Chat #Hangouts
Google Chat will replace classic Hangouts for Workspace users starting March 22
Google Workspace Updates

Google is preparing to shift even more users to Google Chat who haven't done so.

Starting from March 22, "Chat preferred" switch will be turn on for all Workspace organisations, which mean the default chat application will be Google Chat later on, and no one will be able to opt out of the change The desktop site version hangouts.google.com will continue to be operational, but the mobile apps and Hangouts in Gmail for the web will be disabled.

Organisations which has set to "Chat and classic Hangouts" in the Admin console settings will get the automatic upgrade over to “Chat preferred” in the next three weeks starting March 22, meanwhile "Classic Hangouts" will get it over the course of five weeks starting April 4. It won't affect personal accounts for now, but that will possibly happen later after Google has done migrating Workspace users from Hangout to the new Google Chat experience.