As the Google Home ramps up preview testing for its big redesign, Google is making more tweaks to the UI, but also apparently breaking existing Assistant routines for some users.
Over the past several days, the Google Home app has rolled out a new interface for adding smart home devices to routines. Where the app previously allowed users to adjust on or off settings through a single page with…
Google focusing Duplex on voice calls, shuts down web version that changed passwords, more
December 4, 2022
“Duplex” is Google’s umbrella term for technologies that can handle tedious, multi-step tasks on your behalf. The phone version was the most well-known application of this technology, and Google is now shutting down Duplex on the Web.
Google Duplex was famously…
Judge dismisses indictment against Huawei exec Meng Wanzhou
December 3, 2022
More than four years after her arrest, the drawn-out legal saga of Huawei Chief Financial Officer Meng Wanzhou came to a formal end this week. On Friday, US District Judge Ann Donnelly dismissed an indictment against Meng, according to Reuters. On behalf of the US, Canadian…
Google Stadia hardware refunds are already rolling out to many
December 3, 2022
Earlier this week Google widely confirmed that refunds for Stadia hardware would be available within the next two weeks, and just a couple of days later refunds are already starting to arrive.
Over the past several hours, we’ve had multiple refunds arrive across our own accounts, and there are numerous reports across Twitter and Reddit further confirming the rollout. Refunds for Stadia…
Android TV 13 launches today, but not for any of your devices
December 3, 2022
After months in preview, Google has finally launched Android 13 for Android TV OS. It won’t be available on any devices you have for a while, but here’s what it brings to the table.
Android TV 13, like many of the other previous platform updates for the big screen, is…
Google Messages starts rolling out end-to-end encryption (E2EE) for group chats in beta
December 3, 2022
Starting today, Google is rolling out end-to-end encryption (E2EE) in group chats for Messages users enrolled in the beta program.
RCS conversations between two people picked up E2EE in June of 2021, and Google said it was coming to group chats at I/O 2022. In October…
OnHub support now ending after the holidays, but you should remove from Google Wifi mesh now
December 3, 2022
Last year, Google announced that OnHub router support and Home app control would end in 2022, but that’s now being delayed to after the holidays.
Instead of December 19, 2022 (in a little over two weeks), the “timeline for OnHub router support” is now January 11, 2023, according to an updated Google support document. Until then, “your OnHub router will continue to work as expected, but…
Through an exclusive deal with VIDAA OS – a Hisense product – Google is able to bring FIFA+ to Google and Android TV devices, expanding the ways users can watch coverage of the World Cup and soccer, in general, going forward.
If you’ve paid attention to the spars…
Here are the first things you should set up in Google Messages on your Android phone
December 3, 2022
Google Messages is absolutely rich with features. The RCS app’s selection of settings makes it a fantastic default messaging app for the Google Pixel or any Android phone. This guide will take you through everything we think you should set up in Google Messages on your…
The increased prominence of Google Password Manager continues with the latest version of Chrome for Android replacing the browser’s built-in saved credentials list.
Update 12/2: After the official announcement in late June, Chrome 107 and 108 are widely replacing the Android browser’s native credentials list with the Google Password Manager. You’ll see a “New” badge in Chrome settings…
