audio content Archives

AppWizard

August 5, 2025

Gemini Android app beta adds audio file support

The Gemini Android application beta has introduced a feature allowing users to attach audio files, such as MP3s, to chat conversations. This feature, noted in version 16.30.59.sa.arm64 of the Google app beta, includes a “Talk live about this” prompt when a file is attached. However, the audio processing capabilities are still in early development, with inconsistent processing of audio input and occasional irrelevance in responses. The Gemini API supports audio input for tasks like generating descriptions, summarizing spoken information, and transcribing speech, with support for MP3, WAV, and FLAC formats. The integration of audio file attachment is part of a broader development initiative by Google, although no official launch date has been announced.

BetaBeacon

May 24, 2025

Check out the 5 Best New Apps for Android and iPhone this Week

- Chainsaw Juice King is an idle simulation game where players manage a juice empire by harvesting animated fruits using a chainsaw and selling the juices to customers.

AppWizard

May 21, 2025

Android Auto will soon let you browse the web and watch videos

Android Auto is enhancing its app ecosystem by allowing developers to publish weather apps that provide localized information, now that these apps have moved out of beta. Google has also introduced beta support for games and plans to add browser and video apps soon. Video apps will be available for devices running Android 16 in compatible vehicles, but playback will only be allowed when parked. Additionally, an audio-only mode for video apps will enable users to listen to content while driving.

AppWizard

May 21, 2025

Google Play adds topic pages, audio previews, and new subscription tools for developers

Google is enhancing its Play Store with upgrades for Android app developers, including a robust toolset for managing subscription-based applications, allowing developers to pause live app releases. New "topic browse" pages will help users discover apps related to over 100,000 media and entertainment titles, and the "Where to Watch" feature will expand to the U.K., Korea, Indonesia, and Mexico. Developers can integrate new visual content options, such as a hero content carousel and audio samples, which have increased app installs for Health & Wellness developers. Curated spaces for user interests will expand, particularly in Japan. The Play Console will feature a new asset library for organizing visual assets and provide new metrics for app listing performance. Subscription management tools will allow multi-product checkout and enhanced reminders about subscription benefits, reducing voluntary churn by 3%. Developers can offer a grace period of up to 30 days or a 60-day account hold for declined payments. The Engage SDK will support additional categories and markets, while the Play Integrity API will improve security with enhanced abuse detection and device security update checks.

AppWizard

May 15, 2025

Chrome’s Android app will now let you zoom in on text without affecting the webpage

Google has introduced updates to enhance user experience on its platforms, focusing on accessibility and usability for Android users. The TalkBack screenreader now allows follow-up questions about images, enabling users to ask specific queries like identifying colors or materials. An update for Chrome on Android improves text zooming, allowing users to enlarge text without affecting the webpage layout, using a slider accessible through the three-dot menu. Google’s Optical Character Recognition (OCR) tool now automatically recognizes scanned PDFs on desktop, enabling text highlighting, copying, and searching. Expressive Captions provide real-time captions for audio content on Android devices, capturing spoken words along with tone and emotion, and are being rolled out in English across the US, UK, Canada, and Australia for devices on Android 15 and later.

AppWizard

April 11, 2025

I really wish these 7 apps worked on Android Auto

Google's Android Auto has the potential to enhance the driving experience through the integration of various apps, which are currently limited due to safety concerns. Anticipated additions include: - Google Tasks: Allows access to to-do lists and checklists directly from the car dashboard, facilitating pre-trip preparations and reminders. - Google Keep: Provides quick access to stored information like road trip plans and addresses, improving efficiency for passengers. - Airbnb: Enables reading host messages aloud and accessing check-in procedures and contact information while driving. - Google Drive: Offers quick access to important documents and reservation confirmations on the Android Auto screen. - Slack: Could allow users to manage workplace communication and respond to messages safely while on the road. - Fitbit: May provide insights into health metrics like heart rate during driving, potentially suggesting optimal driving times and rest breaks. - YouTube: Could allow access to audio content while driving, with video playback available when parked. These apps could significantly enrich the Android Auto experience, making it safer, more enjoyable, and efficient.

Winsage

April 4, 2025

Microsoft Wants Consumers to Make Friends With its Copilot AI ‘Companion’

During a presentation at Microsoft’s headquarters, CEO of Microsoft AI, Mustafa Suleyman, was interrupted by a protestor criticizing Microsoft for providing AI tools to military forces in Gaza. The protestor accused Microsoft of contributing to the deaths of 50,000 people and urged Suleyman to stop using AI for genocide. Suleyman acknowledged her protest and continued with his presentation about Microsoft's AI companion software, Copilot, which aims to redefine user-technology relationships. Copilot features include memory and personalization, actions for task execution, camera integration, organization tools, personalized podcast generation, shopping assistance, and deep research capabilities. Suleyman emphasized that Copilot is designed around individual needs and values, ensuring user control over data and interactions.

AppWizard

December 5, 2024

Google spruces up Android with 6 new features improving Gemini, accessibility, and sharing

Google has introduced new features for Android, effective immediately, focusing on accessibility, sharing capabilities, and document management. Key updates include: - Expressive Captions for improved audio caption reading, available system-wide. - Enhanced image description capabilities in the Gemini platform, with vocalized descriptions and follow-up questions. - Emoji Kitchen for creating unique emojis by combining two default ones, integrated into Gboard. - Revamped Quick Share functionality allowing QR code generation for sharing content. - Higher quality document scans with automatic enhancements in Google Drive. - New Gemini Extensions for Spotify and Home, expanding features available to users.

AppWizard

November 27, 2024

NatWest Blocks Staff Usage of WhatsApp, Skype & Messenger

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AppWizard

November 26, 2024

The Wear OS 5.1 preview is now available — and it’s based on Android 15

Google has released the first developer preview of Wear OS 5.1, based on Android 15, for testing in the Android Studio emulator. Key features include audio playback through smartwatch speakers and the new Credential Manager API. The build number for this preview is AP4A.241205.004.F1. Known issues include difficulties in adding accounts during setup, notifications not opening corresponding apps until the screen is scrolled, and potential failures in initiating exercise sessions with Wear Health Services. The audio feature allows users to listen to music or podcasts from the smartwatch's speaker, while the Credential Manager API supports password management and synchronization across devices.