Last month, Google announced that it would fulfill a long-time feature request in its RCS client. End-to-end encryption in Google Messages is now rolling out for some beta users.
In mid-November, Google announced the security feature alongside the global availability of its direct RCS solution. E2EE means that the contents of a chat cannot be read by anybody as its sent from sender to…
Third report adds weight to iPhone getting 10x optical zoom
December 8, 2020
Back in July, we heard reliable Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo predict that iPhone would gain periscope lenses as soon as 2022. A report followed in November saying the same. As we’re about to close out 2020, we’ve got a third report corroborating the tech that could allow…
California finally rolling out COVID-19 iPhone contact tracing based on Apple’s Exposure Notifications
December 8, 2020
After launching a pilot program for digital contact tracing last month, the state of California will now officially start the public rollout this week, that’s about half a year after Apple/Google made the feature available on iPhone and Android. But better late than never…
Apple makes iOS 14.2.1 available for HomePod and HomePod mini
December 8, 2020
After Apple released iOS 14.2.1 for just the iPhone 12 lineup at the end of November and before the iOS 14.3 arrives to the public with new features, HomePod and HomePod mini are getting bug fixes and performance improvements with their own build of iOS 14.2.1 today.
The latest iOS 14.2.1 release is only for HomePod and HomePod mini. Notably, when Apple pushed the update on November 19, it was…
Google Assistant rolling out multi-account sign-in and access; available for Calendar, Meet
December 8, 2020
Assistant has primarily been tied to your main email account since it launched. However, most people use and have several accounts signed in on their phones. Google Assistant now better reflects that reality with multi-account information access.
We first detailed…
Apple Music hit the scene a few years back and, in the time since, has become a huge competitor in the streaming market. Now, Google Assistant speakers are adding full support for Apple Music.
Google Assistant speakers such as the new Nest Audio, Google Home Mini/Nest…
The accelerated death of the headphone port (or jack) on many flagship smartphones increased usage and prevalence of Bluetooth earbuds such as the Pixel Buds, which means that finding accessories and extras is becoming a minefield. We’re going to simplify that process with our dedicated gift guide for wireless audio.
Because earbuds are now effectively an “everyday accessory” akin to a…
Pixel 5 and 4a 5G first to get Android’s ‘spectacularly’ improved GPS accuracy in cities
December 8, 2020
The flaws and constraints of GPS in dense urban environments are well-known by anybody that has used Google Maps in cities, especially downtown. Google is now improving GPS, starting on the Pixel 5 and 4a 5G, with the help of 3D mapping.
December Pixel Feature Drop…
Google’s excellent Recorder app for Pixel can capture audio from Bluetooth headphones
December 8, 2020
The best part of Pixel smartphones is the clever and useful software. Now, one of Google’s best Pixel-exclusive apps, Recorder, is adding support for external mics and Bluetooth headphones for more flexible recording.
Rolling out now through the Play Store, Google…
The last Pixel software update for 2020 is rolling out today with the December security patch. It’s rolling out for the Pixel 3, Pixel 3a, Pixel 4, Pixel 4a, Pixel 4a (5G), and Pixel 5..
December marks the last release for 2017’s Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL. The phones were not updated last month, but November’s patches are included today. The factory and OTA images are not yet available.
This…
