In an unexpected move, it seems Google is rebranding Nearby Share, Android’s AirDrop competitor, to “Quick Share.”
Expand Expanding CloseAndroid’s Nearby Share is getting rebranded ‘Quick Share’
Author
Kyle Bradshaw joined 9to5Google in 2018 with a special interest in Google’s Fuchsia OS, rooted in his experience of being the first to offer a visual preview of the revolutionary design of the in-development operating system. Since then, his attention has broadened to include the secrets hidden within other areas of Google’s public codebases.
By reading the public Fuchsia code, Kyle was able to prove the existence of the Nest Mini and the Nest Hub Max months ahead of their respective announcements. With evidence from Chromium, he reported on Google’s since-canceled efforts to create an offshoot of Android designed for “touchless” feature phones.
In 2018, Kyle reported on three distinct Made by Google Chromebooks in development, the Pixel Slate, the Pixelbook Go — a full year before its release — and “Meowth,” the original version of the Pixel Slate that was canceled due to Intel’s delays that year. For ChromeOS itself, Kyle was the first to demonstrate the upcoming light theme redesign in action.
Looking at the early evidence of the Pixel 5’s specs, Kyle accurately predicted in February 2020 that the Pixel 5 might not be a traditional “flagship” phone. In 2021, he reported that Google’s next headset would be the “Pixel Buds A.”
Kyle was the first to report that the Pixel 6 would mark the debut of Google’s in-house processors, later revealed to be the Tensor chips.
Kyle contributes to the APK Insight column at 9to5Google, discovering the hidden changes in Google’s apps. These efforts have revealed hotly anticipated features, details about upcoming devices, and unexpected connections between companies.
He can be reached for tips or just friendly chat by Threads, Mastodon, Bluesky, or email. If you’re looking for his other works or side projects, head over to Kyle’s personal portfolio.
Android Auto will soon stop working on older devices
Following similar moves by Google Chrome and Calendar, Android Auto is set to stop functioning on older devices in the near future.
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Google really wants you to save $100 more on Pixel 8
With the holiday shopping season nearly coming to a close, Google seems eager to boost sales for the Pixel 8 and 8 Pro by sending out $100 discount codes to Google One members and Google Wallet users.
Expand Expanding CloseASUS unveils high-powered ExpertBook CX54 Chromebook Plus
Building on the “Chromebook Plus” platform that Google unveiled earlier this year, ASUS has revealed the ExpertBook CX54 Chromebook Plus, which packs high-end specs, including up to an Intel Core Ultra 7 processor.
Expand Expanding CloseComment: I’ll miss Google Podcasts for its simplicity
Earlier this year, Google announced that it would shut down its Google Podcasts app in 2024, moving users to YouTube Music. Unfortunately, YouTube Music misses the point of why I used Google Podcasts in the first place: simplicity.
Expand Expanding Close‘Experiments with Google’ is shutting down, moving to Labs
After 14 years of providing a space to showcase thought-provoking projects built on Google’s tech, Experiments with Google is shutting down, encouraging users to share on Google Labs instead.
Expand Expanding CloseAndroid readies ‘Private Space’ for apps you want to keep hidden
There’s a wealth of Android apps available, but among those are some you’d rather stay hidden when you’re not using them. You know the ones. The latest Android preview shows Google is working to bring a new “Private Space” to safeguard your most sensitive apps.
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Patched Chromecast with Google TV exploit bypassed Android Verified Boot
Following this month’s updates to both the HD and 4K models of Chromecast with Google TV, a group of LineageOS developers have shared the details of a (now-patched) exploit that enabled rooting the dongle by entirely bypassing Android Verified Boot.
Expand Expanding Close‘Help me write’ AI is coming soon to Chrome for desktop
Over the past few months, Google has been steadily introducing AI tools to its many apps and services. The latest example will see AI-powered “Help me write” become available in Chrome for Windows, Mac, and Linux.
Expand Expanding CloseInstagram and Facebook Messenger chats are being disconnected this month
Meta is beginning the process of disconnecting the ability to have “cross-app chats” with your Instagram contacts via Facebook Messenger and vice-versa.
Expand Expanding CloseFuchsia version 14 rolling out to Nest Hub Preview Program, here’s what’s new
Google has begun rolling out a new preview update for the Nest Hub series, and we have an idea of what’s new, thanks to the Fuchsia version 14 patch notes.
Expand Expanding CloseKeep Notes on Android preps Google AI-powered ‘Help me create a list’ [Gallery]
Google’s Keep Notes app for Android is preparing to launch a new AI feature that makes it easy to generate a list, whether you’re deciding what to pack for a trip, preparing to go grocery shopping, or planning the steps to complete a task.
Expand Expanding CloseGeForce Now gets its first Call of Duty titles, including Warzone
Call of Duty is finally arriving for cloud gamers, with three of the latest titles, including Warzone, launching onto GeForce Now.
Expand Expanding CloseYouTube begins public testing of ‘Playables’ gaming effort [Update: Rolling out]
Following YouTube’s pushes into music, television, gaming livestreams, and podcasts, the service has now begun public testing of its “Playables” initiative, which adds games to YouTube.
Update: YouTube Playables are now more widely available, particularly for those with a Premium subscription.
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November Google System Updates: Play Store tweaks, QR codes in Wallet, more [U]
Google has begun sharing what new features and changes to expect in November from the core system apps on our Android devices, including some tweaks to the Play Store’s UI and support for QR codes in Google Wallet.
Expand Expanding ClosePixel Watch app will soon notify you when the battery is full
A new feature coming soon to the Google Pixel Watch app will save you some time and effort when charging the watch by notifying you when the battery is full.
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Firebase demos upcoming suite of AI tools for app developers
During its first-ever “Demo Day,” Google’s Firebase team has shared four ways developers can easily harness the power of AI for their own apps.
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October Google System Updates: Connect Wear OS to ‘multiple phones,’ more [U]
With Android 14 and Wear OS 4 both now fully released, this month’s Google System Updates showcase a few other improvements coming for our phones, tablets, and smartwatches, including the ability to connect a Wear OS watch to “multiple phones.”
Update: The latest patch notes reveal new changes coming to the Play Store on Wear OS, among other upgrades.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle Registry launches .ing domains, begg.ing for wordplay
Follow.ing the latest launch from Google Registry, you can now purchase domains end.ing in “.ing” – a situation seem.ing ripe for exceed.ing amounts of wordplay.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle Messages for Web readies account-based pairing with an emoji twist [Updated]
Google Messages is preparing an easier way to pair your phone and send messages from the web browser, and there’s a fun emoji twist.
Update: The new pairing flow is beginning to appear on the web, revealing more about how it works.
Expand Expanding CloseReview: Backbone One PlayStation Edition is the essential controller for PS5 owners
Backbone One PlayStation Edition is the cleanest way to take your PS5 games with you everywhere, but a few minor issues hold it back from being the outright best mobile controller.
Expand Expanding CloseReview: Onyx Boox Poke 5 is an affordable e-ink reader with just enough Android
Part of the point of using an e-ink reader is to disconnect from the constant noise of our digital lives. So why would you want your reader to run Android? That’s a question the Onyx Boox Poke 5 answers masterfully and affordably.
Expand Expanding CloseReview: Asus Chromebook Plus CX34, at $399, is an excellent everyday laptop
At the vanguard of Google’s Chromebook Plus initiative, the Asus Chromebook Plus CX34 delivers everything you need from an everyday laptop at an excellent starting price of $399.
Expand Expanding CloseBard update adds better email summarization and image sharing
Google’s latest update to Bard allows the AI chatbot to offer better and more thorough summaries of your recent emails as well as share the images uploaded to a conversation.
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