Mobile

After floundering for a few years with a seemingly directionless Android TV, the launch of Google TV has apparently lit a fire under the company to take over more of the streaming industry. A new report today claims that Google TV is a “top priority” for the company, according to even Alphabet CEO Sundar Pichai, and that Google TV pays more to its partners than Roku does. The Information…

Facebook announces today that Group Effects, which bring new AR experiences, are available on Messenger video calls and Messenger Room, and it will be coming soon to Instagram as well. According to a blog post, these new AR experiences can “augment everyone on a video call at the same time, enabling a more fun and immersive way to connect with friends and family.” There are over 70 Group…

In October 2020, a big Smart Display redesign that brought more interactivity, as well as a dark theme, widely rolled out. Google is now introducing an “app” – though it’s more akin to shortcuts – launcher on the Nest Hub Max. Update 10/21: We’re now seeing the app launcher on a 2nd-gen Nest Hub running Cast firmware 1.56 (and system firmware 265669). It’s unchanged from the Nest…

Indie developer Raw Fury just released Townscaper, a beautiful game for iPhone and iPad users. The challenge here is to build a town in your own way. With no goal and no gameplay, Townscaper lets you build quaint island towns with curvy streets. It’s possible to build small hamlets, soaring cathedrals, canal networks, or sky cities on stilts block by block. The appeal of Townscaper is as…