#PixelWatch
Google Pixel Watch render leak shows it will have a curved design
91mobiles
The long awaited Google Pixel Watch will be launching very soon as Google redesigned their store page and leaks about the watch are starting to appear. This time, we got a clearer look of the watch face.
From the image, we could see there's a rotating crown on the side of the watch, and there will be a very curved design, which the screen will extend all the way till the edge. Besides, the screen shows the date and time on the top, followed by steps counter, a Fitbit logo and heart rate tracker.
It's likely that the watch will be launched alongside the Pixel 6a at the Google I/O event which is holding on May 10 & 11, anyway time will tell.
Google Pixel Watch render leak shows it will have a curved design
91mobiles
The long awaited Google Pixel Watch will be launching very soon as Google redesigned their store page and leaks about the watch are starting to appear. This time, we got a clearer look of the watch face.
From the image, we could see there's a rotating crown on the side of the watch, and there will be a very curved design, which the screen will extend all the way till the edge. Besides, the screen shows the date and time on the top, followed by steps counter, a Fitbit logo and heart rate tracker.
It's likely that the watch will be launched alongside the Pixel 6a at the Google I/O event which is holding on May 10 & 11, anyway time will tell.
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#YouTube
YouTube Shorts gains new creation tool, expanding experience over on web
YouTube Support Community
Short-form video content has been the mainstream for the past few years and YouTube is following up with the trend.
The Shorts experience has already been made available for a while on most platforms, and soon you'll be able to see Shorts shelf surfacing on the homepage on the web, just like the mobile app.
"Cut" will let creators use one to five seconds segments of video. When posted, the original video will be linked. Creators can opt out of the feature if they don't want their videos to be used by other creators. iOS devices will receive it in the coming weeks while Android will get it later this year.
Besides, there will be more options available in the menu to let you use the sound, save to playlist and stop recommending the same sound used in other videos. The Shorts player page will also soon show quick shortcuts to open your notifications page, search videos and open the account picker menu.
YouTube Shorts gains new creation tool, expanding experience over on web
YouTube Support Community
Short-form video content has been the mainstream for the past few years and YouTube is following up with the trend.
The Shorts experience has already been made available for a while on most platforms, and soon you'll be able to see Shorts shelf surfacing on the homepage on the web, just like the mobile app.
"Cut" will let creators use one to five seconds segments of video. When posted, the original video will be linked. Creators can opt out of the feature if they don't want their videos to be used by other creators. iOS devices will receive it in the coming weeks while Android will get it later this year.
Besides, there will be more options available in the menu to let you use the sound, save to playlist and stop recommending the same sound used in other videos. The Shorts player page will also soon show quick shortcuts to open your notifications page, search videos and open the account picker menu.
#Chrome
Chrome Web Store introduced badges system, find useful extensions easily
Google Blog
Chrome Web Store is a place where you can find extensions for your Chrome browser to enhance the experience, and Google has just updated it to highlight high-quality extensions for users.
Extensions with Featured badge are those which have follow Google’s practice guidelines and also display quality images with clear denoscription on the store listing page. Extensions which have received the badge are manually approved by the Chrome team members.
Established Publisher badge is displayed for developers who have verified their identity with Google, followed the Developer Program Policy and also maintained a "positive track record with Google services."
The changes have already gone live to help users find useful extensions. Developers could also submit a request to get those badges if wanted.
Chrome Web Store introduced badges system, find useful extensions easily
Google Blog
Chrome Web Store is a place where you can find extensions for your Chrome browser to enhance the experience, and Google has just updated it to highlight high-quality extensions for users.
Extensions with Featured badge are those which have follow Google’s practice guidelines and also display quality images with clear denoscription on the store listing page. Extensions which have received the badge are manually approved by the Chrome team members.
Established Publisher badge is displayed for developers who have verified their identity with Google, followed the Developer Program Policy and also maintained a "positive track record with Google services."
The changes have already gone live to help users find useful extensions. Developers could also submit a request to get those badges if wanted.
Google
Find great extensions with new Chrome Web Store badges
We are launching two new badges on the Chrome Web Store to make it even easier to discover great extensions.
#GooglePlay
Call recordings apps on Play Store is vanishing soon
r/Android | Google Play Console Help
Starting May 11, you may not be able to find any call-recording applications on the Play Store, as Google is planning to tighten up the rules with an upcoming policy change to Google Play.
Nowadays a lot of call recording applications are depending on Android accessibility service to offer call recording functionality for devices running Android 10 or later. With the announcement above, Google planned to stop developers from making use of Accessibility service in order to enable call recording.
Just a reminder that this change is only affecting applications on the Play Store. Dialers that are preinstalled on the device itself won't need to require accessibility service in order to obtain incoming audio stream, hence Phone by Google isn't affected under this new rule for example.
Call recordings apps on Play Store is vanishing soon
r/Android | Google Play Console Help
Starting May 11, you may not be able to find any call-recording applications on the Play Store, as Google is planning to tighten up the rules with an upcoming policy change to Google Play.
Nowadays a lot of call recording applications are depending on Android accessibility service to offer call recording functionality for devices running Android 10 or later. With the announcement above, Google planned to stop developers from making use of Accessibility service in order to enable call recording.
Just a reminder that this change is only affecting applications on the Play Store. Dialers that are preinstalled on the device itself won't need to require accessibility service in order to obtain incoming audio stream, hence Phone by Google isn't affected under this new rule for example.
Reddit
From the Android community on Reddit: Google will kill call recording apps once and for all on 11th May
Explore this post and more from the Android community
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#Android
Set up new device process gains Fast Pair UI
9to5Google
For the past few years, Fast Pair is introduced to help you pair up your new Bluetooth devices or accessories. Recently, it was spotted that Fast Pair is used for setting up your new Android devices too.
As seen in the image attached, the pop-up window displays a preview of the device that you are about to set up. There's also a "Set up" button below. which also follows dynamic color theming if your current device is running Android 12 or later.
Small details but it's nice to see it. Hopefully this could be available for all Android devices in the near future.
Set up new device process gains Fast Pair UI
9to5Google
For the past few years, Fast Pair is introduced to help you pair up your new Bluetooth devices or accessories. Recently, it was spotted that Fast Pair is used for setting up your new Android devices too.
As seen in the image attached, the pop-up window displays a preview of the device that you are about to set up. There's also a "Set up" button below. which also follows dynamic color theming if your current device is running Android 12 or later.
Small details but it's nice to see it. Hopefully this could be available for all Android devices in the near future.
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#News #Pixel6
Pixel 6 carrier sales reportedly not doing good
PCMag
Pixel 6 is the latest flagship device from Google, 6 months passed and it still left with a ton of issues, and recently a new report claimed that the device isn't selling well in carrier stores.
Despite Google already giving very high kickbacks to salespeople, the sales of the Pixel 6 still didn't increase by a large margin. There's another report saying that one salesman sold Pixel 6 devices to people looking for Samsung Galaxy S22 models but it went out of stock.
So one question, is Pixel 6 a successful product or not? Google said on their side, it reach its new high since December 2019, when at that time they are selling Pixel 4 models.
Pixel 6 carrier sales reportedly not doing good
PCMag
Pixel 6 is the latest flagship device from Google, 6 months passed and it still left with a ton of issues, and recently a new report claimed that the device isn't selling well in carrier stores.
Despite Google already giving very high kickbacks to salespeople, the sales of the Pixel 6 still didn't increase by a large margin. There's another report saying that one salesman sold Pixel 6 devices to people looking for Samsung Galaxy S22 models but it went out of stock.
So one question, is Pixel 6 a successful product or not? Google said on their side, it reach its new high since December 2019, when at that time they are selling Pixel 4 models.
PCMag UK
Up Against Flashy Flagships, iPhone SE and Pixel 6 Struggle to Find Buyers
The latest midrange phones from Apple and Google suffer from a severe lack of enthusiasm.
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#Workspace #Meet
Google Meet will automatically kick you out of inactive meeting calls
Google Workspace Updates
Not something astonishing but Google Meet is getting a minor update.
When you're the only person in a Meet call for more than five minutes, Google will show you a popup to let you leave or stay in the meeting. If there is no response, then Google will default to kick you out from the meeting. If you find it annoying, you can disable it in Meet settings > General.
Additionally, the host management controls will only now appear at the very last option in the bottom toolbar, and all the options are also gathered here for easy access instead of having to go through various menus to find a particular option.
These changes are available for most Workspace users already, and after you leave a meet call, there's also a countdown timer which will bring you back to Meet's homepage.
Google Meet will automatically kick you out of inactive meeting calls
Google Workspace Updates
Not something astonishing but Google Meet is getting a minor update.
When you're the only person in a Meet call for more than five minutes, Google will show you a popup to let you leave or stay in the meeting. If there is no response, then Google will default to kick you out from the meeting. If you find it annoying, you can disable it in Meet settings > General.
Additionally, the host management controls will only now appear at the very last option in the bottom toolbar, and all the options are also gathered here for easy access instead of having to go through various menus to find a particular option.
These changes are available for most Workspace users already, and after you leave a meet call, there's also a countdown timer which will bring you back to Meet's homepage.
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#Doodle
Google Doodle celebrates Earth Day, showing real imaginary of climate change impact
Earth Day is a day that reminds humanity to protect the planet we are currently on, and Google would like to show how our climate changes over the past few years on this day.
This Doodle is divided into four parts, with each showing for about 6 hours, First, Mt. Kilimanjaro, the highest mountain in Africa located in Tanzania, sees the glacier slowly shrinking in size from 1986 till 2020. Sermersooq, a municipality in Greenland also has similar results as the previous one, progressing from 2000 to 2020.
Great Barrier Reef, the world's largest coral reef system near Australia, sees many corals bleaching in just 2 months. Lastly, Harz Forests, the largest forest national park in Germany, has lost a large area of it from 1995 to 2020 due to drought and global warming.
These are just a few examples of the climate change impact and it's important for us to protect the environment.
Follow @PixelHubUpdates
Google Doodle celebrates Earth Day, showing real imaginary of climate change impact
Earth Day is a day that reminds humanity to protect the planet we are currently on, and Google would like to show how our climate changes over the past few years on this day.
This Doodle is divided into four parts, with each showing for about 6 hours, First, Mt. Kilimanjaro, the highest mountain in Africa located in Tanzania, sees the glacier slowly shrinking in size from 1986 till 2020. Sermersooq, a municipality in Greenland also has similar results as the previous one, progressing from 2000 to 2020.
Great Barrier Reef, the world's largest coral reef system near Australia, sees many corals bleaching in just 2 months. Lastly, Harz Forests, the largest forest national park in Germany, has lost a large area of it from 1995 to 2020 due to drought and global warming.
These are just a few examples of the climate change impact and it's important for us to protect the environment.
Follow @PixelHubUpdates
#Fonts
Material Symbols, a collection of new icons by Google with over 2,500 glyphs
9to5Google | Google Fonts
Bored of Material Icons? Google has just introduced a new set of icons called Material Symbols.
They have four adjustable variable font styles, which are fill, weight, grade and optical size. Besides, there are also outlined, rounded and sharp three styles.
These icons are available for use on the web, Android and iOS. You can browse all the icons over at Google Fonts website if interested.
Material Symbols, a collection of new icons by Google with over 2,500 glyphs
9to5Google | Google Fonts
Bored of Material Icons? Google has just introduced a new set of icons called Material Symbols.
They have four adjustable variable font styles, which are fill, weight, grade and optical size. Besides, there are also outlined, rounded and sharp three styles.
These icons are available for use on the web, Android and iOS. You can browse all the icons over at Google Fonts website if interested.
#Apps #Fi #MY
Google Fi Android app received Material You redesign
9to5Google
A few months ago, Google Fi has already received Material You widget and now the app is getting the redesign too.
Dynamic colors support are there, the bottom bar got a familiar new look like other apps do and that's pretty much it. Everything you could expect is already there. The change is rolling out via server side with the app version 60.
Download (60):
Play Store | APKMirror
Google Fi Android app received Material You redesign
9to5Google
A few months ago, Google Fi has already received Material You widget and now the app is getting the redesign too.
Dynamic colors support are there, the bottom bar got a familiar new look like other apps do and that's pretty much it. Everything you could expect is already there. The change is rolling out via server side with the app version 60.
Download (60):
Play Store | APKMirror
#News #Google #YouTube
Soon it will be much easier to reject all cookies for Google services in EU
Google Blog
If you aren't signed into your Google accounts and living in Europe, when visiting Search and YouTube, you will have noticed a cookie banner popping up. Recently, Google has made some updates to it in order to comply with regulations ordered from France’s Commission Nationale de l’Informatique et des Libertés (CNIL).
The updated cookie banners will show a "reject all" button, which previously users had to manually deselect it all to do the same thing. This particular change has rolled out in France and will make its way to more European countries soon.
Furthermore, Google also mentioned they had to make some deeper tweaks to its infrastructure to make this update possible, this won't change the way you use Search and YouTube though.
Soon it will be much easier to reject all cookies for Google services in EU
Google Blog
If you aren't signed into your Google accounts and living in Europe, when visiting Search and YouTube, you will have noticed a cookie banner popping up. Recently, Google has made some updates to it in order to comply with regulations ordered from France’s Commission Nationale de l’Informatique et des Libertés (CNIL).
The updated cookie banners will show a "reject all" button, which previously users had to manually deselect it all to do the same thing. This particular change has rolled out in France and will make its way to more European countries soon.
Furthermore, Google also mentioned they had to make some deeper tweaks to its infrastructure to make this update possible, this won't change the way you use Search and YouTube though.
#Updates #Android #GooglePlay
Google Play System Update Changes: April 2022
It's already 23rd April and Google has been quietly updating the Play System Update changes for the month of April. At the start of April, it's just perfunctory as the changes that are listed are basically repetitive from last month, and the usual bug fixes & minor improvements shown doesn't seem to have made any difference.
Recently, the company mentioned they have improved the Autofill suggestion experience and removed Find My Device functionality on work profile enabled devices. It could get further update in the next few days though, anyway below are currently the latest changes Google has listed:
Updated
Google Play services: v22.12 (April 22)
Google Play Store: v30.2 (April 22)
Critical Fixes
• [Auto, Phone, Tablet, TV, Wear OS] Bug fixes for security & privacy, and system management & diagnostics related services.
Account Management
• [Auto, Phone, Tablet, TV] Introduction of new settings and notifications for on-device encrypted data to improve password security.
• [Auto, Phone] With updates to the Google Account design, you can observe an improved interface - cleaner and easier to understand.
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.
Security & Privacy
• [Phone] With improvements to Google Password Manager, users can now import passwords, store passwords for local users and switch accounts.
• [Phone] Remove support for using Find My Device on Android Work Profiles.
Utilities
• [Phone] Reminder experience for users to enable photo backups on their backup enabled devices.
• [Auto, Phone] Improved suggestion experience for Autofill.
Wallet
• [Auto, Phone] Updated Terms of Service for autofill service.
• [Phone] Support virtual card enrollments when using Autofill. A virtual card disguises your actual card to help protect you from potential fraud.
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
Google Play System Update Changes: April 2022
It's already 23rd April and Google has been quietly updating the Play System Update changes for the month of April. At the start of April, it's just perfunctory as the changes that are listed are basically repetitive from last month, and the usual bug fixes & minor improvements shown doesn't seem to have made any difference.
Recently, the company mentioned they have improved the Autofill suggestion experience and removed Find My Device functionality on work profile enabled devices. It could get further update in the next few days though, anyway below are currently the latest changes Google has listed:
Updated
Google Play services: v22.12 (April 22)
Google Play Store: v30.2 (April 22)
Critical Fixes
• [Auto, Phone, Tablet, TV, Wear OS] Bug fixes for security & privacy, and system management & diagnostics related services.
Account Management
• [Auto, Phone, Tablet, TV] Introduction of new settings and notifications for on-device encrypted data to improve password security.
• [Auto, Phone] With updates to the Google Account design, you can observe an improved interface - cleaner and easier to understand.
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.
Security & Privacy
• [Phone] With improvements to Google Password Manager, users can now import passwords, store passwords for local users and switch accounts.
• [Phone] Remove support for using Find My Device on Android Work Profiles.
Utilities
• [Phone] Reminder experience for users to enable photo backups on their backup enabled devices.
• [Auto, Phone] Improved suggestion experience for Autofill.
Wallet
• [Auto, Phone] Updated Terms of Service for autofill service.
• [Phone] Support virtual card enrollments when using Autofill. A virtual card disguises your actual card to help protect you from potential fraud.
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
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#Android #A14
Android 14 messes around with Upside Down Cake
9to5Google | AOSP Gerrit
Android 13 is still in the Developer Preview stage and Google has already planned their next major Android version internal codename.
Although Google did mention dessert names won't be publicised anymore with Android 10, in fact they are still using them internally and it's still fun to know it. A recent commit appeared on AOSP gerrit hints us the upcoming Android 14 internal codename, it's given the name Upside Down Cake.
Yeah, what a weird name but this cake does really exist. After baking it, it will be flipped over and served to customers as an "upside down cake," so all the toppings and decorations are at the bottom in reality.
Android 14 messes around with Upside Down Cake
9to5Google | AOSP Gerrit
Android 13 is still in the Developer Preview stage and Google has already planned their next major Android version internal codename.
Although Google did mention dessert names won't be publicised anymore with Android 10, in fact they are still using them internally and it's still fun to know it. A recent commit appeared on AOSP gerrit hints us the upcoming Android 14 internal codename, it's given the name Upside Down Cake.
Yeah, what a weird name but this cake does really exist. After baking it, it will be flipped over and served to customers as an "upside down cake," so all the toppings and decorations are at the bottom in reality.
#PixelWatch
Google files trademark for Pixel Watch as it approaching to launch
9to5Google
Many Pixel Watch related stuff popped out this week and here's another one, which likely confirmed the name for the first Google's smart watch.
Recently, Google has submitted a filing to the United States Patent and Trademark Office, to trademark the “Pixel Watch” name. Besides knowing the "Pixel Watch" name has been trademarked, that's all. The filling also shows the name will be covering smartwatches categories. which we know and expected.
Just hope Google doesn't break the user experience of the watch just like their Pixel 6 when they first released it.
Google files trademark for Pixel Watch as it approaching to launch
9to5Google
Many Pixel Watch related stuff popped out this week and here's another one, which likely confirmed the name for the first Google's smart watch.
Recently, Google has submitted a filing to the United States Patent and Trademark Office, to trademark the “Pixel Watch” name. Besides knowing the "Pixel Watch" name has been trademarked, that's all. The filling also shows the name will be covering smartwatches categories. which we know and expected.
Just hope Google doesn't break the user experience of the watch just like their Pixel 6 when they first released it.
9to5Google
Google files trademark for 'Pixel Watch' ahead of device's launch
The first Made by Google smartwatch now has a more definite name thanks to a new trademark for "Pixel Watch."
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#PixelWatch
First look at Pixel Watch in real-life
Android Central
We have been seeing the rumored Pixel Watch by Google only from renders, and now the first real-life image of the watch surfaced on the web. Apparently, it is founded in a restaurant whose someone forgot to take it when they leave, likely to be a testing model for the internal Pixel team.
Like the rumor suggested, there will be a rotating crown on the side and there's also one button next to it. The watch band might be hard to swap though, as it could attach directly to the watch case. The charging method for the watch is unsure, but it could share a similar method like the Apple Watch does.
The watch back “looks metallic but feels like it’s coated with glass.” When booting up the watch, it failed to pass through the boot logo. Lastly, this model spotted in the wild is meant for “internal testing and development only,” with the “markings and packaging are not final.”
First look at Pixel Watch in real-life
Android Central
We have been seeing the rumored Pixel Watch by Google only from renders, and now the first real-life image of the watch surfaced on the web. Apparently, it is founded in a restaurant whose someone forgot to take it when they leave, likely to be a testing model for the internal Pixel team.
Like the rumor suggested, there will be a rotating crown on the side and there's also one button next to it. The watch band might be hard to swap though, as it could attach directly to the watch case. The charging method for the watch is unsure, but it could share a similar method like the Apple Watch does.
The watch back “looks metallic but feels like it’s coated with glass.” When booting up the watch, it failed to pass through the boot logo. Lastly, this model spotted in the wild is meant for “internal testing and development only,” with the “markings and packaging are not final.”
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