#Gboard
You can create text-based stickers soon with Emoji Kitchen on Gboard
Android Police

Emoji are getting fun nowadays with Emoji Kitchen, you could mashup two emoji and make it looks unique and fun. Now Google is currently experimenting text and emoji combination.

You can get access to all these stickers by typing in several words with a emoji followed behind, it will then appear in the suggestion strip. Not all phrases are supported, but shorter phrases will have higher chance of success.

The feature seems to be currently available in the latest Gboard beta for now.

#News
Progressive Web Apps installation captured 270% YoY growth
Chrome OS Dev

Google has been improving Progressive Web Apps (PWAs) over time, makes users feel they are using a native desktop app. As a result, more and more users are starting to use the feature and PWAs manage to see a success.

Google has shared some information in a blog post regarding the PWAs, they reported PWAs have grown by 270% since February 2021. The company also pointed out it contributed to the increasing use of Android apps in Chrome OS.

In the future, more and more sites might add support for PWAs which will further boost the installation number. To install a PWA on supported sites, click the Install icon in the address bar, then click on Install button and you are good to go.

#Updates #Android #GooglePlay
Google Play System Update Changes: March 2022
A new month, a new Google Play system update, Google has listed out the changes for the month of March. By the way, some features like the Play Games service profile is already available without the need of this system update, anyway check the full changelog below.

Updated
Google Play services: v22.09 (March 1)
Google Play Store: v29.5 (March 1)

Critical Fixes
• [Auto, Phone, Tablet, TV, Wear OS] Bug fixes for device connectivity, developer services, safety & emergency, and utilities related services.

Games
• [Phone, TV] With the update to the Play Games Services profile, users will be able to better manage their privacy settings.

Google Play Store
• Improvements to Play-as-you-download feature to let gamers start playing mobile games while the app download continues to reduce waiting times.
• New Features to help you discover the Apps & Games you love.
• Optimizations allowing faster and more reliable download and installation.
• New features to the Play Pass and Play Points programs.
• Enhancements to Google Play Billing.
• Continuous improvements to Play Protect to keep your device safe.
• Various performance optimizations, bug fixes and improvements to security, stability and accessibility.

Wallet
• [Phone] Improved user experience and feature education for NFC/HCE-enabled devices.

System Management
• Updates to system management services that improve device connectivity, network usage, stability, security and updatability.

Developer Services
• New developer features for Google and third party app developers to support ads, accessibility, analytics & diagnostics and machine learning & AI, and security & privacy related developer services in their apps.

Source:
Support Page

Follow @PixelHubUpdates

#Apps #Google
Google app gains darker dark theme
9To5Google

Earlier we saw that Google is starting to test out pure black theme on the web, and now the company seems to be testing out darker dark theme for the Android app too.

This time it's not a pure black theme, instead it's a darker gray (#171717, #202124 currently on stable version) When searching for results, the upper part is also darker now. This change come directly with the beta version of the app.

Download (13.8 beta):
Play Store | APKMirror

#News #Pay #StopRussianAggression
Apple Pay and Google Pay no longer works in Russia
Jason Corcoran (Twitter)

A lot of stuff have happened over the past few days. More and more companies are starting to take actions against Russia, and recently both Apple and Google Pay have started to apply restriction to some Russian banks.

The two companies have already restricted transaction for several Russian bank cards, including VTB Group, Sovcombank, Novikombank, Promsvyazbank and Otkritie, which mean citizens won't be able to do any payment with them. As a result, those people who rely on one of these two services are required to withdraw cash from ATMs, and causing ATMs to even run out of money.

*Could the year 2022 be any worse? COVID-19 pandemic is still there, Ukraine Russia conflict currently ongoing, hopefully this don't trigger a bigger war, we wish everyone can live happily, peacefully and most importantly, healthily.

#Pixel #Pixel6a #PixelWatch
Google Pixel Watch and Pixel 6a spotted in inventory system, hinting at retail launch soon
Android Police

Google seems to be ready to launch Pixel Watch and Pixel 6a at a later date soon, as a source told Android Police that both of these devices have been added to a US carrier's inventory system.

Pixel Watch is reported to have the codename "rohan." The database suggests it will be sold in gray, black, and gold three color variants and come with 32GB of storage, same as Apple Watch Series 7. It is also spotted that the carrier doesn't sell non-cellular smartwatches, hinting that the watch would have eSIM connectivity.

Besides, Pixel 6a is in the listing too, it will come with the codename "bluejay," and available in black, white, and green three colors as well. The device is set to come with a 128GB of storage.

It's likely that both of these devices could be launching in this May with the Google I/O event, but these aren't confirmed yet and we don't know about the pricing too. so take it as a grain of salt for now.

#YTMusic
YouTube Music desktop web let you switch between song & video on the Now Playing page
9To5Google

YouTube Music mobile app has already been offering a switcher to let you switch between playing audio or video, and that's arriving for more users on the web version.

If you preferred just listening to the music, just click on "Song" option in the switcher. You can also easily switch back to play the music video anytime you want, the playback position will be retained so your listening experience won't get interrupted.

Same as the mobile app, the switcher is only available to use if you are a Premium subscriber.

#Workspace #Forms
Google Forms will soon works better with your documents & presentation slides
Google Workspace Updates

Google Forms is a great tool to gather people's feedback or opinion and later make it as a data report for your project. Well, Google had added some sprinkle to it, making it works better in Google Docs, Slides & Drawing.

For a long time, you were required to copy the chart manually and paste it at the place you want. With the upcoming tool, you can just embedded it and when there's update made to the chart, it's as simple as clicking on the "Update" button and done. That's mean you no longer need to copy the updated chart from the form and later paste it again in your documents.

It will be rolling out to everyone, including personal Google accounts over the next two weeks.

#Google #Assistant
Google is sunsetting Assistant Snapshot soon
9To5Google

Google Snapshot is launched back in 2018 to replace Google Now, and after servicing for 3 years+, Google has decided to shut down the service.

Basically Snapshot shows your calendar events, weathers and other personalise cards in one page. Google has informed users about it in the app, and they have also released a support page which tell users where to look for all these information in existing Google products. Google didn't announce a specific date to shut down the service, but soon users won't be able to use it anymore.

Adios Snapshot.

#Apps #Chrome
Chrome 99 released to stable channel
Upcoming Chrome 100 release date: 29 Mar 2022
Android Police

What's New:
• PC: Uninstall web apps via Windows settings
• PC: New download shortcuts in toolbar
• PC: Web apps can use system date picker
• PC: Handwriting recognition API
• PC: Manifest v2 going away, less efficient for ad blockers to work
• CSS Cascasde Layers support
• Web developers can easily implement dark mode support right in the web app manifest
* Last 2-digit Chrome version release

Download:
Play Store | APKMirror

#ChromeOS
You can soon disable Chrome OS from automatically updating
9To5Google

Chrome OS users will soon be able to disable automatic update by themselves after a long time.

There's a flag (chrome://flags/#consumer-auto-update-toggle-allowed) which will add a toggle to the Settings app and let users choose whether to update automatically or not. When proceeding to disable it, you will see a pop-up window with explanations (Your device may no longer work properly, and you may experience security and performance issues). and also options to confirm or cancel the change.

Chrome OS Flex is probably why Google planned to add this option, it is a project by Google which let you install Chrome OS on any PC. Anyway even with that disabled, the Chrome browser will continue to update as usual so you still be able to get new features & security update for the browser at least.

#Workspace #Gmail
Google Workspace will now notify you commenter's email address in notification
Google Workspace Updates

Spams are annoying and everyone hates it. Google has once again stand up to deal with it, by adding the commenter's email address in the comment notifications.

Earlier if someone mentioned you in a comment in a Google Workspace document, you will be notified in your inbox with the commenter's name and the comment itself. Soon you will get to see the commenter's email address too, which will help you identify whether it's a spam from someone else you don't know or not.

This will be rolling out to everyone over the next two weeks.

#News #Pixel6
Google is awarding $10 coupon to those who bought Pixel 6 unit from the Google Store
If you have bought a Pixel 6 or Pixel 6 Pro from the Google Store in US, do check your inbox as you might get a chance to receive a $10 coupon code from Google.

In the email, Google is recommending you to buy their accessories for the Pixel 6 model you have. The first suggestion is their official case which cost $29 per case, by using the coupon code you can get it for just $19. The following suggestions are Pixel Buds A-Series, Pixel Stand 2nd gen and other Qi-certified devices.

You are not limited with only those options though. You can use it for any items that are available on the Google Store. The offer will last till March 16, so you need to react fast if you plan to use the coupon.

#Google
Google Search experimenting new layout for categories section
A few months ago, we saw Google testing out a new look for Search on desktop, and recently Google is now trying to move the categories section to the top right corner.

Currently the search categories are displayed under the search bar with favicon. The new experiment moves this section right next to the search bar. On most desktop screen, you will probably only get to see up to two categories and a More option, zooming out will show you more categories and the maximum amount is 5, just like the current design offers.

This is just a server side experiment for now, but I guess Google will just end up pulling back the idea. In my opinion, I don't think it's a great change after all.

Follow @PixelHubUpdates

#ChromeOS
Chrome OS 99 bring improvements to Nearby Share, palm rejection and more
9To5Google

Shortly after the Chrome browser is updated to version 99, Chrome OS is also getting an update too.

This update brings palm rejection improvement to devices with touch-screen support, which will be able to detect multiple finger touches better. In Overview mode, you can create a new desk by dragging window to the top, a maximum amount of 8 desks can be created, you can also use Shift + Search + (1~8) to navigate across multiple desks.

Nearby Share got the ability to scan in the background, so you are no longer required to open high-visibility mode in order to share stuff with Chrome OS devices. The Files app is also now a System Web App (SWA), nothing has change in functionality though. Lastly, the feature to record five-second videos and share it as GIFs is available too.

#Pixel #Pixel6a #PixelWatch
Google Pixel 6a & Pixel Watch release could be delayed till late July
Jon Prosser

A few days ago, it is spotted that both Pixel 6a & Pixel Watch appeared in a carrier inventory system, which hinted Google will be announcing both these devices soon to the public, but apparently it might not be the case.

Jon Prosser, which is rarely wrong about device launch date, mentioned that his source told him due to the ongoing chip shortage issue, the Pixel 6a has been pushed back till late July. Although the Pixel Watch is still planned for release in May 26, but his source believe that will be delayed as well.

#News
Dieter Bohn leave The Verge, joining Google on the Platforms & Ecosystems team
The Verge | Dieter Bohn | YouTube Video

Dieter Bohn, previously the executive editor at The Verge, will be joining Google and work on the Platforms & Ecosystems team.

He mentioned that he will be working on software platforms like Android and Chrome, which are some of the most used consumers product owned by Google. Hiroshi Lockheimer, SVP of the team, had sincerely welcomed Bohn to join the Google's family.

Bohn is one of the founding editorial team at The Verge, he has been working over there since 2011. Besides, he also used to be the editor-in-chief of Smartphone Experts. Anyway, after nearly 20 years of hard work in the tech media, he has finally got the opportunity to work at Google.

*Never give up. Great things take time.