Google will work with Apple on implementing RCS on iPhone
Following the news that Apple is adding RCS support to the iPhone, Google is out with a statement this afternoon.
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Author
Abner Li has worked at 9to5Google since 2015 and in late 2020 took on the role of editor-in-chief. He is keenly focused on tracking what happens at Google and is often the first to spot new features in Google’s ever-growing family of applications that are updated on a daily basis, including Search, Assistant, Maps, Workspace, Android, and Chrome/OS.
To him, what Google does greatly impacts the technology space and modern life. Inside the company, he is particularly interested in the key products mentioned above, as well as up-and-coming services like Google Podcasts and Google Lens. Each are massive platforms that can be unwieldy to grasp, with Abner keenly bent on understanding their philosophy and future direction. He is most excited about Google’s plans for augmented reality glasses.
Abner spearheads the APK Insight program at 9to5Google to chronicle all changes in the company’s Android apps, often finding new features before they are officially announced. This includes redesigns and revamps, launches, and new products.
Another big area of interest is Google’s burgeoning hardware division. He detailed all of the Pixel 3’s camera features before launch and got wind of Stadia’s hardware controller. Most recently, Abner scooped the 2nd-generation Nest Hub’s Soli-powered Sleep Sensing capability and how it would integrate with Google Fit.
Send tips/talk to abner@9to5mac.com or @technacity (open DMs).
Google Chrome Material You redesign widely rolling out
Back in September, Google announced a Material You redesign of desktop Chrome that’s now more widely rolling out.
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Humane fully details $699 ‘Ai Pin’ and what it can do [Gallery]
After years of teasing, Humane today fully unveiled its Ai Pin, a wearable camera with laser projector, for $699 and a $24 per month subscription to access cellular connectivity and other services.
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Google wants Europe to classify iMessage as a gatekeeper that has to be interoperable
The European Commission is currently investigating whether iMessage should fall under the Digital Markets Act (DMA) and therefore be subject to interoperability rules. Google and local carriers have sent a letter to regulators in Europe arguing that iMessage should be considered a “core” service.
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Google Chrome gets quick way to see how much memory each tab is using
After adding a Memory Saver earlier this year, Chrome on desktop platforms (Mac, Windows, ChromeOS, etc.) will now report “Memory usage” when you hover over a tab.
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Apple Watch support for Android was ‘nearly complete,’ canceled to protect iPhone
Apple was working on making the Apple Watch, along with various health features, compatible with Android before the project was canceled.
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Chrome for iPhone, but not Android, now lets you have a bottom address bar
Visually, Chrome on iOS is pretty different from the Android version. That disparity continues to grow today with the new ability to move the Chrome address bar on iPhone to the bottom of your screen.
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YouTube Music rolls out Apple HomePod support
After being teased at WWDC this June, Google today announced support for YouTube Music on the HomePod.
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YouTube rolling out stable volume, You tab, song search by humming, and more
Following the big redesign last year that introduced a black dark theme and Ambient Mode, YouTube is rolling out “three dozen new features and design updates,” like a You tab and stable volume, “over the coming weeks.”
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Google announces ‘Assistant with Bard’ for Android and iOS
In addition to the Pixel 8 and 8 Pro, Google announced “Assistant with Bard” today. This is a preview of what’s to come, with the two phones picking up other voice improvements in the short term.
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Apple Music 4.5 for Android getting new iOS 17-style widgets, more
A big update to Apple Music that’s currently in beta adds new Android homescreen widgets from iOS 17, as well as other features from the latest iPhone and iPad release.
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Google on how to set up Fi eSIM on iPhone 15 and 15 Pro
With the iPhone 15 and 15 Pro launching today, Google Fi has instructions on eSIM activation for those being told that Apple’s new devices are not supported.
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Google taunts RCS-less iPhone with ‘iPager’ as ‘Get The Message’ push continues [Video]
Google started “Get the Message” last year to pressure Apple into supporting RCS on the iPhone, and the campaign continues today with “iPager.”
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YouTube Music for iPhone gets permanent miniplayer with AirPlay, swipe controls
Following Android in June, YouTube Music on the iPhone (and iPad) has been updated with a permanent miniplayer that cannot be removed and adds AirPlay by removing “next song” in favor of swipe controls.
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Chrome for Mac will soon let you access iCloud Keychain passkeys
Back in July, Apple made it so that Chrome on Mac could access iCloud Keychain passwords via an updated browser extension. Chrome 118 will soon let you access passkeys stored in iCloud Keychain.
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Chrome getting Material You redesign for its 15th birthday
To mark Chrome turning 15 this month, Google announced a Material You redesign for the desktop browser on Mac, Windows, Linux, and ChromeOS.
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Google Maps testing new colors that look a lot like Apple Maps
Google Maps is testing an updated color palette for the background map layer that will undoubtedly draw some comparisons to Apple Maps.
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YouTube Music rolls out Now Playing redesign with YT comments [U: Official]
After pulling a variant at the start of this year, YouTube Music is rolling out the latest redesign of Now Playing on Android and iOS, adding a comments section. This follows the launch of real-time lyrics last week.
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Google Photos Locked Folder backup rolling out and coming to iOS, web
Since its 2021 launch, the complaint that emerged with the Google Photos Locked Folder is people setting up new devices only to find that those images and videos didn’t transfer over. Google Photos is now addressing that with Locked Folder backup, with the broader feature also coming to iOS and the web.
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X Pro (previously TweetDeck) starts requiring paid Blue subscription
Following the rebrand to X Pro at the start of this month, the service previously known as TweetDeck now requires a Blue subscription in order to access it.
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Google wants iPhone switchers to know ‘It’s all good’ on Android [Video]
Getting iPhone owners to switch to Android is Google’s perennial aim, and its latest advertising campaign is trying an “It’s all good” approach/tagline.
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Google Chrome officially removing the download bar for a new tray UI
For years, files you download would appear in a bar at the bottom of Chrome, but Google is now changing the desktop browser’s UI so you get a download tray instead.
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TweetDeck is now called ‘XPro’
With the rename and rebrand complete on the web, Android, and iOS, X is now turning its attention to TweetDeck, which is now called “XPro.”
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Google delays launch of Find My Device network and trackers, benefiting Apple
Google at I/O 2023 announced that it would leverage the over 1 billion Android devices in use to find your lost items. The Find My Device (FMD) network was originally supposed to launch this summer, but Google is now delaying it.
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