Google apps Archives

AppWizard

November 8, 2024

Google apps gets new ‘Activity’ tab for easy access to search history and saved items

Google is introducing a new “Activity” tab within the Google app, which will replace the existing “Saved” tab and provide easy access to search history from both the Google app and Chrome. This feature is currently being tested and aims to create a centralized hub for managing saved items, allowing users to view, manage, and take actions on their search history. The development of this feature has been in progress for nearly two months and is currently accessible to a select group of users as part of a limited rollout. A user demonstrated the functionality on a Pixel 7 Pro, indicating a user-friendly rollout process, while the Pixel 8 Pro has not yet received the update.

AppWizard

November 1, 2024

Pixel phones are getting an actual weather app in 2024, with a bit of AI

Google's Weather app features an AI-generated weather report that provides concise summaries, such as "Cold and rainy day, bring your umbrella and hold onto your hat!" The app includes a weather radar for real-time precipitation insights and "Nowcasting" capabilities that predict short-term weather changes. Users can customize the display by rearranging data like UV index and humidity, but the app's data widgets are large, requiring scrolling to see the full daily forecast. The AI summary and 10-day forecast are fixed at the top, limiting personalization. Pollen data is unavailable for allergy sufferers in regions like the US, and some whimsical features, like a frog icon, are missing. Users have criticized the app for requiring saved locations to view weather conditions, integration issues with other Google apps, and aesthetic concerns regarding the weather map and app visibility.

AppWizard

October 27, 2024

How to use the new Private Space feature in Android 15

Android 15 introduces a feature called Private Space, which enhances user privacy by creating a secure environment for selected applications. It acts as a vault to protect sensitive apps from unauthorized access, adding an extra layer of security beyond the primary lock screen. To set up Private Space, users navigate to Settings > Security and privacy > Private space, review the feature overview, and tap Set up. They can choose to use a different Google account or create a new one, set a new lock method, and finalize the setup. Google apps like Chrome and Photos are pre-installed in the private space. Accessing Private Space involves scrolling to the bottom of the app drawer, tapping the padlock icon, and authenticating via biometric or PIN. Users can add or uninstall apps easily, and notifications from apps in Private Space only appear when it is unlocked. The space remains accessible until locked again, and users can configure it to lock automatically under certain conditions. Additional configuration options include changing the lock method, setting automatic lock conditions, hiding the private space from the app drawer, and deleting the private space while keeping cloud-synced data intact. Transferring Private Space to a new device is not supported, requiring users to start anew, although they can sign in with the same Google account to restore data from certain apps.

AppWizard

October 16, 2024

How to print from Android

Smartphones have made mobile printing a necessity, with various built-in features and compatible apps available for Android devices. To print from an Android phone, users need a compatible home printer (Wi-Fi enabled, Bluetooth, or USB), the content to print, and an internet connection for cloud printing. Google Cloud Print was discontinued in December 2020, but some users may still access it. For built-in Android printing, users can navigate to the content, tap the three-dot menu, select "Print," choose the printer, adjust settings, and tap the print icon. If the printer is not visible, a specific print service plugin may need to be installed. Popular apps like Gmail and Google Docs have native print options. Users can print from Gmail by accessing the email, tapping the three-dot menu, selecting "Print," choosing the printer, adjusting settings, and tapping "Print." The same steps apply to Google Docs and other Google apps. Users can also print images or PDFs directly from their phone's storage by opening the file, tapping the menu or share icon, selecting "Print," choosing the printer, adjusting settings, and tapping "Print." For printers that do not support Android printing natively, third-party apps like PrinterShare and Mopria Print Service can be used. Users can download these apps, connect their printer, choose a file, adjust settings, and print. Tips for printing from WhatsApp include ensuring printer compatibility, using Wi-Fi for faster printing, keeping the Android OS and apps updated, checking printer settings, utilizing cloud storage for easier access, and saving documents as PDFs to preserve formatting.

AppWizard

October 10, 2024

Google’s Pixel Buds app now falls in line with the rest of Android

Google has rolled out an update for the Pixel Buds app that aligns with Android's Material You design, featuring themed icons. The update is part of an effort to enhance visual harmony with Android devices. Additionally, Google is reintroducing the "Noise Control" panel in Android 15, which will allow users to quickly switch between active noise cancellation and transparency modes on devices like the Pixel Buds Pro 2. The new panel is expected to include a floating menu that integrates with the Pixel Buds app, and early findings suggest that users may need to select the "Spatial Audio" option to access the Noise Control interface. The information is derived from the Android 15 QPR1 Beta 2, with a potential release rumored for October.

AppWizard

October 3, 2024

Gemini Extensions Will Help Google’s AI Take Over Your Android Phone

Google is introducing Gemini, an AI that aims to enhance its capabilities beyond traditional chatbots by integrating with various Google applications like Google Keep, Google Calendar, and Tasks, in addition to its current functionality with Gmail, Maps, and YouTube. This integration will allow users to transfer information between apps seamlessly, such as retrieving recipes from Gmail and adding ingredients to Google Keep. Gemini will also utilize the phone's camera to capture images for reminders in Google Calendar. The rollout of these features is expected in the coming weeks, and Gemini has begun to take on functions previously managed by Google Assistant. Google has announced enhancements to Gmail's summary cards and "Happening soon" features, which will provide timely updates based on email content. Additionally, Gemini will support over 40 languages, starting with French, Spanish, German, Portuguese, and Hindi, and will allow conversations in two languages simultaneously.

AppWizard

August 2, 2024

Generative AI Chatbot: Gemini to Support More Android Apps

Google is enhancing its Gemini chatbot to replace Assistant on various Android devices. The initial rollout has begun, but Gemini's functionality is limited due to the lack of necessary extensions for apps and services, leading to continued reliance on Assistant. Google showcased some of these extensions during the I/O 2024 event, but did not provide a specific release timeline. Recent updates in Google Workspace applications like Keep, Tasks, and Calendar indicate that Gemini support may be forthcoming. Android Authority has activated some features early, allowing Gemini to create notes and lists in the Keep app, manage notes, and perform basic actions like retrieving notes. The interaction occurs in a floating window, with users shown related notes before finalizing actions. Gemini will also support the Tasks app, enabling users to create reminders and manage task lists. In the Calendar app, users will be able to create events and edit meetings using voice prompts. Additionally, Gemini will be integrated into Google Home and the stock phone/dialer app, allowing users to manage smart home devices and perform phone actions without Assistant. An official launch date for these integrations has not been announced, but the presence of certain components suggests updates may be coming soon.

AppWizard

July 30, 2024

Expect Gemini AI To Be Present In More Google Apps Soon – Talk Android

Google is enhancing its Gemini AI assistant with new extensions, as indicated by an APK teardown of the latest beta version of the Google app. The update will expand Gemini's functionality, allowing it to manage various digital tasks more efficiently. Six new extensions have been identified in the beta version 15.29.34.29, including a Google Home extension for controlling smart home devices, a feature for initiating phone calls through voice commands, and a Utilities extension for interacting with phone settings and applications. Additionally, there are potential integrations with Google Calendar, Keep, and Tasks, aimed at improving organization and task management. The Gemini app is available for download on Pixel phones and other Android devices.

Winsage

July 29, 2024

Google Says Sorry After Passwords Vanish For 15 Million Windows Users

Google experienced a bug affecting a significant number of Windows users, preventing access to saved passwords in the Chrome web browser. This issue occurred on July 24 and lasted for nearly 18 hours until resolved on July 25, due to "a change in product behavior without proper feature guard." The glitch impacted users of the M127 version of Chrome, with an estimated 15 million users affected by the password manager issue. Google provided a temporary workaround and later confirmed that a simple restart of the browser would fix the problem. Additionally, there was a disruption in email verification for new Google Workspace accounts, allowing malicious actors to bypass the verification process and create accounts impersonating legitimate domain holders. This issue was linked to Google Workspace's free trial offerings and was resolved within 72 hours after being reported, with a few thousand non-domain verified accounts created before the fix.

AppWizard

July 24, 2024

Android 101: How to Install Google Play Store app on Any Android

To manually install the Google Play Store on Android devices, users need to enable the installation of unknown apps from the browser settings. This can be done by following specific steps outlined in the text.