Every app open on Android 12 is accompanied by a launch animation to make “startup a more consistent and delightful experience.” One aspect of this is an animated icon on the splash screen, with Drive being the first Google app to support this on Android 12.
Update 8/24: After a lull in updates, Google News is the latest app to adopt Android 12’s animated splash screen.
It’s introduced…
OnePlus Buds Pro ditch Google Fast Pair in favor of a solution only on OnePlus phones
August 24, 2021
The OnePlus Buds series delivered two solid pairs of truly wireless earbuds last year that were great options for all Android users thanks to the addition of Google Fast Pair support. Now, though, the even-better are on the horizon, but they ditch support for Google Fast…
YouTube will force creators to use 2-step verification on Google accounts starting this year
August 24, 2021
Google takes account security fairly seriously and, over the past few years, has been pushing 2-step authentication/verification for users, sometimes requiring it for specific account actions. This week, Google has announced that YouTube creators will be required to use…
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3 review: nearly normal
August 24, 2021
The Galaxy Z Fold 3 is the best possible case Samsung can make for a phone that unfolds into a small tablet. It’s the fourth iteration of the same basic idea, refined and repaired over the course of years following an embarrassing false-start failure on the first attempt.
Because this is a story of refinement, the changes since the last model are minor. But added together, they make this the…
Should you buy an iPhone now or wait for the iPhone 13?
August 24, 2021
It’s that time of year again — we’re just a month away from the expected introduction of Apple’s flagship iPhone 13 lineup. This year, we’re expecting a focus on camera upgrades, performance improvements, and a smaller notch. With the iPhone 13 looming, should you…
Hands-on: Here’s how the all-new Safari in iOS 15 works
August 24, 2021
One of the major changes arriving with iOS 15 is a totally redesigned Safari. The all-new browser aims to make it easier to use with one hand as it shifts the search/tab bar to the bottom, introduces customizable Tab Groups, new start page, and more. Let’s dive into how…
Android Automotive review: Your future in-car OS [Video]
August 24, 2021
Android Automotive is the next iteration of in-car entertainment that takes the common Android Auto and builds it out specifically for vehicles.
If you’re trying hard to work out the differences, think of this as Android Auto leveled up and not simply shoehorned into a standard in-car head unit. There are some real changes here that take advantage of the unique hardware of the — admittedly…
Largest-ever Google Doodle game celebrates the Paralympics w/ seven minigames [Updated]
August 24, 2021
The Tokyo Olympics are set to begin on Friday, and keeping in that friendly competitive spirit, Google is launching “Champion Island,” their largest-ever Doodle game, letting you compete for one of four teams across seven different minigames and explore a fantastic…
Android app ratings on Google Play will soon be specific to every country, form factor
August 24, 2021
Google Play today announced that Android app ratings will be localized by country and device type to make the star count “more personalized and indicative of the experience each individual user can expect.”
We’ve heard from both Play Store users and developers that…
Google Tasks tab redesign lets you quickly switch lists on Android, iOS [Update: Rolling out]
August 24, 2021
Google Tasks is a straightforward organization tool that’s tightly integrated with Gmail, Calendar, and other Workspace apps. A small redesign of Google Tasks for Android and iOS introduces tabs that let you quickly jump between lists.
Update 8/23: The Google Tasks redesign is beginning to roll out as a server-side update today. Tabs are not centered, but rather left-aligned for an odd look if…
