Latest Articles
Google Translate now lets you save transcripts of real-time speech transcriptions
The Google Translate app for Android now supports saving the text transcript of real-time speech transcriptions, and it now supports Italian.
Back in March, the Google Translate app on Android received a new feature that allowed users to transcribe and translate speech in near real-time. Google is now rolling out an update to this feature that will let users save these transcriptions for later reference.
Google Autofill on Android now supports biometric authentication
The Google Autofill service on all Android devices now supports biometric authentication (fingerprint, face) for passwords and purchases.
Back in January, we discovered that Google was testing biometric authentication support for its first-party Autofill service. Now, this feature appears to be rolling out to Google Autofill via a recent update to Google Play Services.
Google beefs up its SOS alerts in Search and Maps with near real-time wildfire data
Google today announced that it will use satellite data to show near real-time boundaries of wildfires in Google Maps and Search.
When you search for information about a wildfire in Google Search, you’ll now get results that show you key insights about the areas impacted by the disaster. Google today detailed its efforts to use satellite data to beef up its SOS alerts in Google Search and Google Maps. The search engine now shows wildfire boundary maps that allow the public to see exactly where a blaze is and how best to avoid it. Search results will also provide news articles and helpful resources from local emergency agencies.
Huawei and Honor say Android updates for existing devices won't be impacted by the loss of their trade license
Huawei and Honor are reassuring consumers that existing Android devices will keep receiving updates following the loss of the trade license.
Huawei and Honor this week said its existing devices will continue to receive software and security updates, despite being placed on the U.S. Commerce Department’s “Entity List.â€
Samsung's One UI 2.5 update lets you use navigation gestures with third-party launchers
Samsung's One UI 2.5 release, which is available for the Galaxy Note 20 and Z Flip 5G, supports navigation gestures in third-party launchers.
Samsung owners patiently waiting to use Android 10's full-screen navigation gestures in third-party launchers will be happy to know that the One UI 2.5 release adds compatibility for this feature. It's been a long wait for Samsung device owners who are also fans of launchers like Nova Launcher, Action Launcher, Lawnchair, and others, but it's better late than never. As of now, the Galaxy Note 20, Galaxy Note 20 Ultra, and Galaxy Z Flip 5G are the first devices to run One UI 2.5, which is based on Android 10.
Zoom is coming to Google Nest, Facebook Portal, and Amazon Echo Show smart displays
Popular video conferencing platform Zoom is coming to the Google Nest Hub Max, Facebook Portal, and Amazon Echo Show smart displays.
Zoom on Wednesday announced it will make its video conferencing software available to use on the Google Nest Hub Max, Facebook Portal, and Amazon Echo Show smart displays later this year.
Microsoft outlines its end-of-life timeline for Internet Explorer 11 and Microsoft Edge Legacy
In 2021, Microsoft 365 will end support for Internet Explorer 11. The company will also sunset Microsoft Edge Legacy support in Windows 10.
Following the debut of its Chromium-based Edge browser earlier this year, Microsoft yesterday announced plans to sunset the legacy version of Edge. Additionally, the company said its Microsoft 365 suite of apps and services is dropping support for Internet Explorer 11.
Google Meet adds Chromecast support for video conferencing on larger screens
Google Meet now lets you cast your meetings from Google Chrome to a larger screen thanks to Chromecast support. Camera, mic, and audio still play from PC.
With the COVID-19 pandemic still a concern in many parts of the world, working from home has become the norm for many students and professionals. While most people rely solely on their phone or PC screen to video chat, Google wants to elevate the experience by adding a larger TV screen to the mix. Google Meet on Chromecast will make it easier than ever to expand the group video conferencing experience. Now, you can cast your meeting to your living room Android TV or other Google Cast-connected device.
You can now send audio messages to your contacts through Google Assistant
Google Assistant in English and Portuguese now supports sending audio messages to contacts through SMS (Google Messages) and WhatsApp.
If you can't pick up your phone with your hands or you’re feeling too lazy to type out a message to your friends or family members, you can use your voice to dictate a message. Google is now making it even easier to send voice messages to your contacts. In a blog post, the company announced that users can now send audio messages to contacts through Google Assistant.
Google Maps will soon show more colors and details for landscapes and streets
An update to Google Maps shows more colors for landscapes. In addition, more detailed street maps will soon show crosswalks and other information.
Google Maps has introduced a redesign that provides users with a more detailed, colorful map. With the changes, Google says its service will display more varied geography, so users can distinguish between “tan, arid beaches and deserts from blue lakes, rivers, oceans, and ravines.”
Google Assistant smart displays add support for multi-room audio control
On Google Assistant smart displays like the Google Nest Hub, you can now create temporary rooms to broadcast audio to other Assistant devices.
Google’s suite of Nest devices makes for a great home audio system, with a nice feature that allows them to be grouped together in the Google Home app for multi-room listening. With a new update rolling out for Google Assistant-enabled smart displays like the Google Nest Hub, multi-room listening is about to get even better.
LG Velvet comes to Verizon in Aurora Red for $699
The LG Velvet is coming to Verizon this week in a mesmerizing Aurora Red color. It will support Verizon's 5G Ultra Wideband and 5G Nationwide networks.
Verizon subscribers are being treated to a nice surprise today: the LG Velvet 5G UW is coming to the carrier on Friday, August 21, and Verizon will be the only U.S. carrier to have the mesmerizing Aurora Red color.
[Update: Flip camera teaser, leaked specs] ASUS ZenFone 7 series launches next week on August 26th
The ASUS ZenFone 7 "series" will launch next week on August 26th. We don't know a lot about the next ZenFone smartphone(s), though.
Last year, ASUS launched the ZenFone 6, a flagship smartphone practically aimed at the Reddit and XDA crowd. It features the Qualcomm Snapdragon 855, a 3.5mm headphone jack, a rear-mounted fingerprint scanner, no notch or hole-punch thanks to a flip camera with a motorized swivel, a 5,000mAh battery, a wide-angle camera, and a clean version of Android in the form of ZenUI 6. Over a year later, ASUS is now preparing to launch the successor to the ZenFone 6, which will aptly be called the ZenFone 7. ASUS this week quietly put up a YouTube live stream event for the launch that will happen on August 26th.
MediaTek unveils the Dimensity 800U, another mid-range 5G chip for smartphones
The MediaTek Dimensity 800U is a new mid-range chipset from the fabless chip design company that features an integrated 5G modem.
MediaTek has just announced the Dimensity 800U, a new mid-range chipset in the company's Dimensity 800 series. This is the company’s sixth system-on-a-chip with an integrated 5G modem and the sixth chip in the Dimensity series overall.
Google Chrome 86 will warn users about filling out insecure forms on HTTPS pages
Google Chrome 86 will warn users when they try to fill out forms that are submitted insecurely on otherwise secure (HTTPS) pages.
When Google rolls out Chrome 86 in October, the web browser will warn people when they try to complete forms that are submitted insecurely on otherwise secure (HTTPS) pages. According to Google, the new warning is meant to provide users with a more secure browsing experience, as submitting information on insecure forms could potentially reveal private information to eavesdroppers.
Google Chrome tests a "Fast page" label to denote websites that meet Core Web Vitals metrics
Google Chrome 85 beta tests labeling fast pages, websites that consistently provide a good user experience consistent with the Core Web Vitals initiative.
Over the past several months, Google has been rolling out Chrome developer tools to reduce page load times, enable secure browsing, and build native app-like experiences. Now, the company is introducing a feature that will highlight high-quality user experiences on the web. Starting with Chrome 85 beta for Android, Google will label links in the context menu that lead to a "fast page". When a web page is labeled as fast, it means users navigating to it have historically had a “particularly good experience.”
OnePlus rolls out the August 2020 security update for the OnePlus 8 series
The August 2020 Android Security Patch update is now rolling out for the OnePlus 8 and 8 Pro with the latest OxygenOS stable updates.
The August 2020 Android Security Patch update rolled out for Google Pixel phones and several Samsung phones last week. Now, OnePlus is now rolling out the August 2020 security update for the OnePlus 8 series. We’ve provided all the necessary links below for easy access.
Report: Google Meet is going to replace Google Duo
A new report suggests that Google Duo, Google's alternative to FaceTime, is going to be replaced by Google Meet, Google's alternative to Zoom.
Google reportedly has plans to phase out Google Duo, originally a FaceTime competitor, in favor of Google Meet, its video conferencing app that competes in the same space as Zoom.
Google Assistant with compact UI sees wider rollout in beta
The Google Assistant is getting a more compact UI for many users on the latest Google App beta. Here's what it looks like.
Google has been testing a more compact Assistant UI for months, and it looks like the new UI is receiving a wider rollout — albeit for users with the Google App beta release.
[Update 4: Epic Sues Google] Fortnite bypasses Google Play, Apple App Store fees with direct payments
Epic Games announced a new direct payment option in Fortnite, circumventing Apple and Google's respective App Store and Play Store fees.
Epic Games on Thursday announced the Fortnite Mega Drop, a permanent discount on V-bucks and other purchases of up to 20% off. The developer said these changes are permanent and available on every platform where you can download Fortnite.