Google Home Mini update restores touch functionality with long-press on the side

Google Home Mini -3

Google Home Mini is without a doubt the most affordable smart speaker to have with Google’s Assistant support. However, shortly after the launch, the company had to disable the touch sensor as the smartphone speaker was accidentally recording everything on random occasions to which later Google promised to roll out a fix and the day is finally here.  Continue reading “Google Home Mini update restores touch functionality with long-press on the side”

Google search to answer celebrity questions with selfie-style videos

Google Search

Google is making the celebrity search queries more personal as the company is now adding a feature where you can get answers to your celebrity searches directly from the source through selfie-style videos. This feature is piloting in the U.S. currently, but it also worked for us in India. Continue reading “Google search to answer celebrity questions with selfie-style videos”

Google shuts down Chrome apps Web Store section on Mac and Windows

Chrome Web Store

Last year Google had announced that it will shut down the Chrome Apps web Store section on Windows and Mac platforms in 2017 and it looks like the day has finally come. The company has finally shut down the section and started sending out emails to Chrome app developers about the same.  Continue reading “Google shuts down Chrome apps Web Store section on Mac and Windows”

Google Chrome 63 for Android brings new flags page, changes to Chrome home UI and more

Google Chrome 63 Beta for Android

Google has started rolling out Chrome 63 for Android after testing it in beta for over a month. The update brings new flags page, minimal U.I for web apps, and major changes to Chrome Home U.I which looks like the company is giving finishing touches for a wide-roll out.  Continue reading “Google Chrome 63 for Android brings new flags page, changes to Chrome home UI and more”

Android Wear Android 8.0 Oreo update starts rolling out

LG-G-Watch-R

After being in the beta stage for over a month, Android 8.0 Oreo update for Android Wear finally starts rolling out from today. Google has started taking the beta registrations for eligible models back in October. Continue reading “Android Wear Android 8.0 Oreo update starts rolling out”

Google expands featured search snippets to offer more relevant search results

Google Search

Google has always been active in improving their search results and the information it provides. Over the past few weeks, the company has made three new additions expanded Featured Snippets, improved functionality of Knowledge Panels, and suggested content for searches on a particular topic. Continue reading “Google expands featured search snippets to offer more relevant search results”

Google Maps gets Two-wheeler mode in India, shows directions and voice navigation for motorcycles

Google Maps Motorbike

At the Google For India 2017 event today, apart from announcing Android Oreo Go edition and launching new apps, Google has announced new Two-wheeler mode in Maps for India. This is the India-first feature which is debuting in the country before it goes to other parts of the world. The new two-wheeler mode is placed alongside the other modes; Car, Foot, and Train that are present. Continue reading “Google Maps gets Two-wheeler mode in India, shows directions and voice navigation for motorcycles”

Google Safe Browsing to restrict apps that collect personal user data without consent

Google Safe Browsing

Google in an effort to take on unwanted and harmful mobile behaviors on Android, will now show warnings on apps and on websites leading to apps that collect user’s personal data without consent. The new rules of the Google’s Safe browsing team will restrict Apps and their behavior while handling personal user data. Continue reading “Google Safe Browsing to restrict apps that collect personal user data without consent”

Google Chrome for Android to get HDR Video Playback support soon

Google Chrome Android

Google Chrome for Android will get HDR video playback support soon, and it is about time given that Android operating system officially supports HDR playback since Android 7.0 Nougat. Though the OS might support HDR playback, it all depends on the hardware of the device to support a high color depth format and individual applications to support extracting HDR metadata from videos. Continue reading “Google Chrome for Android to get HDR Video Playback support soon”

Google Introduces AIY Vision Kit with on-device neural network acceleration for Raspberry Pi

AIY Vision Kit

Google has introduced the AIY Voice Kit back in May, and today the company has launched the AIY Vision Kit that has on-device neural network acceleration for Raspberry Pi. The Vision kit includes a new circuit board, and computer vision software can be paired with Raspberry Pi computer and camera. Continue reading “Google Introduces AIY Vision Kit with on-device neural network acceleration for Raspberry Pi”

Google Assistant will now help you connect with local home services

google assistant

Google is rolling out yet another useful feature for Assistant that helps you connect with local home services like an electrician, plumber, house cleaner and more. Assistant already helps you with key information local traffic or a local business.  Continue reading “Google Assistant will now help you connect with local home services”

Google identifies fix for Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL random reboots, to roll in coming weeks

Google Pixel 2

Many users have reported about the random reboots of Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL and had to wait for Google to identify the root cause of the issue before it pushes out an update. The company has finally identified a fix for the issue, though specifics weren’t discussed. Continue reading “Google identifies fix for Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL random reboots, to roll in coming weeks”

Gboard v6.8 brings handwriting keyboard, to get Motion Stills for GIF creation and more

Gboard V6.8

Gboard after bringing 40 additional languages support in the previous update is now receiving yet another update with version number v6.8. The new update brings features like handwriting keyboards; planning Motion Stills integration and more. Continue reading “Gboard v6.8 brings handwriting keyboard, to get Motion Stills for GIF creation and more”

Google receives patent for a motorized laptop hinge that auto-aligns with users face

Acer Chromebook 15 2017_fonearena-1

Google has been granted patents for motorized laptop hinge that auto-aligns with users face which could feature in the upcoming Chromebooks or Pixelbook in the future. The patent was first filed back in 2013 by Google and Ken Loo, Senior Product Design Engineer who was a part of the self-driving car project, the Pixel smartphones, and the Pixelbook. Continue reading “Google receives patent for a motorized laptop hinge that auto-aligns with users face”

Microsoft Office apps now available on all Chromebooks

microsoftoffice

Though Microsoft Android Apps are available for Android phones, they were never available for Chromebooks which was a deal breaker for those who are into the Microsoft ecosystem. However, that changes today as the company has silently made available the office suite apps for all Chromebooks. Continue reading “Microsoft Office apps now available on all Chromebooks”