All articles tagged with #apk insight
Google is developing new Weather homescreen widgets for the Google app, potentially replacing the current Pixel-exclusive widgets and making them available for all Android devices. The new widgets feature a refreshed design with improved functionality, including a six-hour forecast and a three-day forecast option. These updates were discovered in the latest Google app beta and have not yet been rolled out.
The Google Home app on Android is set to introduce a "Favorites" homescreen widget, providing quick control of actions, automations, and devices. The widget, which can sync with the existing Favorites tab or be customized, features a simple layout and dynamic color theming. It is expected to roll out soon with version 3.18 of the app.
Google Photos is set to replace the Library tab with a redesigned "Collections" page, featuring shortcuts for "People & pets," "On this device," "Albums," "Documents," and "Places." The app will also introduce filter options to hide clutter such as screenshots, GIFs, and memes from the photo library, aiming to keep the Google Photos library relevant and uncluttered.
Google Messages is working on supporting satellite connectivity, allowing users to send and receive messages without a mobile or Wi-Fi network. The feature may have limitations such as longer message delivery times and the inability to send photos or videos. Users will be able to message anyone, including emergency services, and a system-level notification in Android 15 will indicate when the device is "Auto-connected to satellite."
YouTube Music is preparing to add a "Trim Silence" option for podcasts in its latest update, as Google continues to enhance its podcast offerings amid the fading of Google Podcasts. The feature, which automatically skips stretches of silence during episodes, is not yet live but has been spotted in the latest version of YouTube Music, indicating its imminent arrival.
Google is expanding its Gemini mobile app to headphones, as hinted in the latest Google app beta. This move suggests a focus on bringing generative AI-powered responses to the audio-only medium, potentially starting with earbuds before expanding to Smart Displays and speakers. The update also includes error messages related to increased traffic for the Gemini app. Additionally, work continues on adding "Look and Talk" to the Pixel Tablet, allowing users to enable a stare-based alternative to "Hey Google" in Hub Mode settings.
Google Messages is preparing to introduce a new feature that allows users to double tap to react, as revealed in the latest beta version. This change would replace the current method of long-pressing on a text or chat to access emoji and Photomoji options. Additionally, the beta release includes a rebranding of the chatbot feature from "Bard" to "Gemini," indicating Google's commitment to this one-to-one chatbot inside Messages.
Gboard is preparing a new "Seamless voice typing" feature in its latest beta version, allowing voice typing to start automatically when the keyboard is shown, eliminating the need to manually initiate it. This optional behavior can be turned on/off in the voice settings and aims to simplify the current two-stage process of tapping a text field and hitting the microphone icon. The feature could potentially work with non-Pixel speech-to-text on all Android devices, and is part of Gboard's efforts to streamline voice input.
Google is introducing Bard to Google Messages, a feature that can help users write messages, translate languages, identify images, and explore interests. Bard can be initiated from the "New conversation" screen and offers various prompts such as drafting messages, suggesting books, and providing recipes. Users can interact with Bard-generated responses and provide feedback. However, chats with Bard are not end-to-end encrypted and may be used to improve Google services, with reviewed data retained for up to 3 years.