Google confirms it will shutdown Allo messaging app in March 2019, will upgrade Hangout users to Hangouts Chat and Meet

Google_Allo

Google has finally announced that it is giving up on Allo after it stopped investing in the app earlier this year. The app will become non-functional in March 2019. The company officially announced that it will upgrade users to Hangouts Chat and Meet at some point and they will remain a primary focus for the team. Continue reading “Google confirms it will shutdown Allo messaging app in March 2019, will upgrade Hangout users to Hangouts Chat and Meet”

Google Chrome 71 brings Duet UI improvements, auto-play changes, new API’s and more

Google Chrome 71 is rolling out to desktop and Android, it is a minor release which particularly brings changes to the ‘Duet’ interface and autoplay. Part of the Google Chrome button address bar redesign which the company shut down in the last minute turned into ‘Chrome Duplex,’ which is now called ‘Chrome Duet.’ Continue reading “Google Chrome 71 brings Duet UI improvements, auto-play changes, new API’s and more”

Google Hummingbird project to bring Flutter applications to the web

Hummingbird

At the Flutter Live Google announced it is experimenting Flutter on the web which it is calling Hummingbird project. It also debuted the Flutter Live which is Google’s first ever major standalone event for their Flutter app development SDK. Flutter is Google’s cross-platform application SDK which is no longer restricted to mobile. Continue reading “Google Hummingbird project to bring Flutter applications to the web”

Google expands eSIM support on Pixel 3 to more carriers including Airtel and Jio in India

Google has announced that it will bring eSIM support to more carriers and more countries. Pixel 2 was the first major smartphone with eSIM, and now, on Pixel 3. In Germany, Google is supporting eSIM from networks including Deutsche Telekom and Vodafone soon. Continue reading “Google expands eSIM support on Pixel 3 to more carriers including Airtel and Jio in India”

Google rolls out December 2018 Android security update for Pixel and Nexus devices, Improves memory and camera performance for Pixel 2 and 3 series

Google has started rolling out new over-the-air (OTA) update for Pixel devices and also posted factory images as part of monthly Android Security release. The update for this month also includes several functional improvements for these eligible Pixel and Nexus smartphones. however the first generation Pixel and Pixel XL have not received the update. The update includes Improved memory performance in certain circumstances, Improved camera capture performance, Improved Android Auto compatibility and more. Check out the complete details below.

Continue reading “Google rolls out December 2018 Android security update for Pixel and Nexus devices, Improves memory and camera performance for Pixel 2 and 3 series”

These are Google Play’s best apps and games for 2018 globally and in India

Google has announced the list of best games and apps for Android smartphones on Google Play during 2018. This list also includes best apps globally, in the U.S. and in India. Best App of the Year is Drops: Learn 31 new languages and Best Game of the Year is PUBG Mobile. Best Fan Favorite app is YouTube TV in the US and Google Pay (Tez) in India. Continue reading “These are Google Play’s best apps and games for 2018 globally and in India”

Google denies Hangouts shutdown, will upgrade users to Hangouts Chat and Hangouts Meet

Google Hangouts

After reports of Google shutting down Hangouts to consumers in 2020, Google’s Scott Johnston who runs Hangouts and other related products has denied the reports, however, said that users of consumer Hangouts users will be “upgraded” to Hangouts Chat and Hangouts Meet which are enterprise-focused products.  Continue reading “Google denies Hangouts shutdown, will upgrade users to Hangouts Chat and Hangouts Meet”

Google said to be planning on shutting down Hangouts in 2020

Google Hangouts

According to a new report, Google said to be planning on shutting down Hangouts sometime in 2020. This doesn’t come as a surprise as Google stopped any further development of the app more than a year ago. Continue reading “Google said to be planning on shutting down Hangouts in 2020”

Google to roll out Call Screen transcription for all Pixel phones later this year [Update: Now rolling out]

https://support.google.com/pixelphone/forum/AAAAb4-OgUsoY4-S4r1fsw/

Update: Google is now rolling out Call Screen transcript feature for select users. You can view this under Recent calls -> Call Details -> See transcript.

Continue reading “Google to roll out Call Screen transcription for all Pixel phones later this year [Update: Now rolling out]”

Android Auto update brings improved media browser, search, message previews and more

Android Auto Discover Media

Google has announced new Android Auto features including easier access to your favorite content with improved media browse and search features, plus new ways to stay connected with visual message previews and group messaging. Continue reading “Android Auto update brings improved media browser, search, message previews and more”

Google explains how it achieved Portrait mode on Pixel 3

Similar to last year, Google again is describing how it achieved Portrait mode on the Pixel 3 smartphones. Google says that Portrait Mode uses a neural network to determine what pixels correspond to people versus the background, and augments this two layer person segmentation mask with depth information derived from the PDAF pixels. This is meant to enable a depth-dependent blur. Continue reading “Google explains how it achieved Portrait mode on Pixel 3”

Google Translate for web gets new responsive design, easy navigation and much more

Google_Translate

Google has redesigned Translator on the web to make it easier to use. The site’s new look is now consistent with other Google products, and updated labeling and typography make it easier to navigate. Continue reading “Google Translate for web gets new responsive design, easy navigation and much more”

Google rebrands to Project Fi to Google Fi, expands to more Android and iPhones

Google Fi

Google is expanding Project Fi to more phones including the majority of Android devices and iPhones. Owing to this occasion, the company is also rebranding Project Fi to ‘Google Fi.’ Users can now sign up for Fi with popular Android and iPhones (in beta).
Continue reading “Google rebrands to Project Fi to Google Fi, expands to more Android and iPhones”

Google Fast pair now pairs with Bluetooth accessories across Android devices, Chromebooks to get support in 2019

Fast_Pair

Google last year introduced ‘Fast Pair,’ a set of specs that make it easier to connect Bluetooth headsets and speakers to Android devices. The company announced that it is making it easier to connect Fast Pair compatible accessories to devices associated with the same Google Account. Fast Pair will connect accessories to a user’s current and future Android phones (6.0+). Continue reading “Google Fast pair now pairs with Bluetooth accessories across Android devices, Chromebooks to get support in 2019”

Google app beta update brings wider availability of continued conversations, hints at expanding Search Widget

Google app gains a new update bringing the version number to V8.59. It brings wider availability for continued conversations and is testing an interesting new feature for the home screen Search widget. To the right of the oblong bar is a new expand button which when tapped opens a search field overlay at the top of the screen. Continue reading “Google app beta update brings wider availability of continued conversations, hints at expanding Search Widget”