YouTube CEO Neal Mohan today shared what the video service is focusing on in 2024. At a high-level, it’s AI, elevating creators, safety, and the “next frontier” of the living room and subscriptions.
Expand Expanding CloseAuthor
Send tips/talk to abner@9to5mac.com or @technacity (open DMs).
Abner Li has worked at 9to5Google since 2015 and in late 2020 took on the role of editor-in-chief. He is keenly focused on tracking what happens at Google, and is often the first to spot new features in Google’s ever-growing family of applications that are updated on a daily basis, including Search, Assistant, Maps, Workspace, Android, Chrome/OS, Wear OS, and YouTube Music.
To him, what Google does greatly impacts the technology space and modern life. Inside the company, he is particularly interested in the key products mentioned above, as well as services like Google Podcasts and Google Lens. Each are massive platforms that can be unwieldy to grasp, with Abner keenly bent on understanding their philosophy and future direction. He is most excited about Google’s plans for augmented reality glasses.
Abner spearheads the APK Insight program at 9to5Google to chronicle all changes in the company’s Android apps, often finding new features before they are officially announced. This includes redesigns and revamps, launches, and new products.
A big area of interest is Google’s hardware division, including Pixel, Fitbit, and Nest. He detailed all of the Pixel 3’s camera features before launch and scooped the 2nd-generation Nest Hub’s Soli-powered Sleep Sensing capability, including how it would integrate with Google Fit.
Recently, Abner detailed the Pixel Watch’s specs in full before launch, including bands and pricing. He also got wind of the Pixel Tablet’s ultimate form factor.
GFiber looking for external investment to expand to more cities
GFiber, previously Google Fiber, is planning to raise external capital in order to expand and offer internet service in more cities.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle partners with ‘Highlights Magazine,’ Password Manager adding family sharing
As part of Safer Internet Day, Google announced a trio of upcoming Family Link capabilities, including Password Manager sharing, and partnerships with the Sesame Workshop and Highlights Magazine.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle Chat rolls out ability to star messages and floating bar overflow sheet
After introducing on desktop last year, Google Chat for Android now lets you star messages. However, this required the addition of an overflow button to the floating bar that now looks a bit crowded.
Expand Expanding ClosePixel Watch February 2024 update rolling out
Google is rolling out the next Pixel Watch and Pixel Watch 2 update with the February 2024 security patch today. It’s coming at the same time as the phone updates earlier this morning.
Expand Expanding CloseYouTube planning Apple Vision Pro app, points users to Safari until then
No* Google apps are available on the Apple Vision Pro at launch, but YouTube revealed today that a “Vision Pro app is on [its] roadmap.”
Expand Expanding CloseAndroid 14 February security patch rolling out: What’s fixed for Pixel
The year in updates continues with Android 14 February security patch today for the Pixel 5a, 6, 6 Pro, 6a, 7, 7 Pro, 7a, Tablet, Fold, 8, and 8 Pro. This is still Android 14 QPR1 and not QPR2.
Expand Expanding CloseAndroid Reading mode now works in Gmail and social media apps
Reading mode is Google’s best text-to-speech offering and has just gained the ability to work in Gmail, as well as social media apps.
Expand Expanding ClosePixel Tips erroneously alerted owners that Circle to Search is available
Circle to Search is only live on the Pixel 8, 8 Pro, and Samsung Galaxy S24 series, but that didn’t stop the Pixel Tips app from notifying some users that it was available on their unsupported device.
Expand Expanding CloseYouTube tries red, green, and blue (RGB) color feeds
YouTube is experimenting with a rather curious way to surface video: feeds organized by color.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle combines Pixel 8 Pro and Fold discounts with boosted trade-ins
In addition to discounting the Pixel 8 Pro, 8, Fold, and 7a, the US Google Store is offering elevated trade-in rates.
Expand Expanding CloseLaunching Circle to Search with gesture nav is just frustrating
Circle to Search is great – and very much a continuation of Now on Tap that Google should have prominently maintained as a core Android experience instead of relegating to Assistant for a few years – but how you launch it with gesture navigation is driving me mad.
Expand Expanding CloseThe line from Google Glass to Apple Vision Pro
In a few hours, I’ll get to use Apple Vision Pro for the first time. It’s frankly a moment I’ve been waiting for since April 4, 2012.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle Phone app removing Nearby Places, teases more Pixel call AI in 2024
The Phone by Google (as it’s officially named) app is losing a “Nearby Places” feature that “allowed business name search queries entered into the Phone app to provide local business phone number results beyond just your personal contacts.”
Expand Expanding CloseWatch Google’s Pixel 8 Super Bowl camera ad about Guided Frame
Google will once again have a Pixel commercial during the Super Bowl. The Pixel 8 and 8 Pro Super Bowl ad focuses on using the camera with Guided Frame.
Expand Expanding CloseChrome boss says Apple’s new iPhone browser engine approach stifles ‘real choice’
In response to the Digital Markets Act (DMA), Apple announced last week that it would allow “alternative” browser engines on the iPhone in Europe. Google’s head of Chrome today shared their thoughts on the upcoming iPhone browser engine change.
Expand Expanding CloseYouTube Music sending out more notifications, adds ‘Samples’ carousel
Since the start of this year, there have been more YouTube Music notifications on Android and iOS alerting users about new releases and playlists.
Expand Expanding Close‘Google’ preferences redesign in Android Settings rolling out [U]
Google Play Services is responsible for many features on modern Android, and its primary settings menu is now getting a redesign.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle Translate redesigns Conversation mode with Material You flourishes
Google Translate has rolled out a redesign of the Conversation experience that can “automatically detect and translate languages as you converse.”
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle Assistant Driving Mode is not dead, but it’s now just a voice bar
Earlier this month, Google announced it was deprecating a slew of Assistant features. One of those removals was the “App Launcher” in Assistant Driving Mode, which most people assumed was the entire experience. Google tells us that is not the case, and here’s what will be left of Assistant Driving Mode after February 7.
Expand Expanding CloseVerizon switching to Google’s Jibe for RCS on Android
Following AT&T and T-Mobile in 2023, Verizon is switching to Google’s Jibe platform for RCS on its Android phones.
Expand Expanding ClosePixel Watch Camera app can now switch to Night Sight, Video, & other modes
The Pixel Camera app on Wear OS that acts as a controller was recently updated with the ability to switch to the various photo and video modes on your Pixel Watch.
Expand Expanding CloseYouTube Music and Premium reaches 100 million subscribers
YouTube announced today that Music and Premium has 100 million subscribers. It follows Sundar Pichai revealing that Google One was about to reach the same milestone.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle Maps adding generative AI to ‘supercharge’ search
Generative AI is coming to Google Maps and will let you find places in a conversational manner.
Expand Expanding Close