Since we already have a good idea of the hardware, the remaining unknowns about Google’s upcoming fordable are focused on the software experience. The latest tidbit is how the Pixel Fold will offer the same Flip to Shhh gesture as on phones for enabling Do Not Disturb.
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Smart Lock becoming ‘Extend Unlock’ as Wear OS Watch Unlock ‘upgrade’ requires Android 13
We’re still waiting for the ability to use Wear OS to unlock Android devices and Chromebooks. Watch Unlock was demoed earlier this year, and ongoing work reveals how Smart Lock will be sticking around as “Extend Unlock.”
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle Photos might soon always show RAW images in the main feed
On Pixel phones, enabling the Camera app’s RAW+JPEG capture results in an on-device “Raw” folder. Google Photos might soon offer a more integrated experience for RAW images in the app.
Expand Expanding CloseDigital Wellbeing preps Focus Mode ‘holidays’ and removes work on live wallpaper
The latest beta version (1.5) of Digital Wellbeing is rolling out with one upcoming addition and the removal of an in-development feature.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle preps Fast Pair low-battery notifications for styluses [APK Insight]
Since its launch, Fast Pair has grown beyond Bluetooth headphones to smartwatches and Matter smart home devices. Fast Pair’s next device category looks to be the stylus ahead of the Pixel Tablet.
Expand Expanding CloseGboard toolbar redesign work continues as tablet layout tweaked [Gallery]
Since August, Gboard has been working on a redesign of the Shortcuts toolbar. Development on that continues with the latest beta this week, while Google has decided to tweak the tablet UI.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle rolling out Material You tweaks to Nearby Share on Android [Gallery]
The other change Google is making to Nearby Share are UI tweaks that infuse Material You to the main sheet you interact with.
Expand Expanding CloseHere’s a sneak peek at the Google app’s Material You redesign [Gallery]
While Search results and the Discover feed are visually tweaked from time to time, other parts of the Google app are often slow to change. Fortunately, Google is now working on a Material You redesign of the Search app.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle Calendar removing ‘Goals’ from Android and iOS [U]
Back in April of 2016, Google updated Calendar for Android and iOS with a tool to help you find time for personal goals. Amid another upcoming removal, Google Calendar is planning to get rid of “Goals.”
Expand Expanding CloseWear OS backups will cover watch faces and tiles as Wallet preps more on-wrist features
Like on phones, many Wear OS features are delivered via Google Play services, and the latest version reveals what backups on watches will cover, as well as more features for Google Wallet.
Expand Expanding CloseNew Google Home app suggests work on ‘Yuzu’ and ‘Korlan’ dock options for Pixel tablet
Ahead of the Pixel event, a pre-release Google Home update includes early signs of two distinct docks for next year’s Pixel tablet.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle Photos preps Wear OS watch face support, likely for Pixel Watch
Watch faces that let people set pictures of their family and friends are quite popular. Ahead of the Pixel Watch, Google Photos is readying support for such an integration.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle Assistant preps letting you make custom Quick Phrases for Nest Hub Max
Just last week, the Nest Hub Max was updated with another way to skip “Hey Google.” This currently only works for certain commands, but Google Assistant will eventually let you make custom Quick Phrases.
Expand Expanding CloseAndroid 13 QPR1 details how face unlock should work on the Pixel 6 Pro
Back in April, we reported that the Pixel 6 Pro was supposed to launch with Face Unlock, and we’ve since detailed Google’s continued development of the capability. Android 13 QPR1 reveals what the end user Pixel Face Unlock experience will be like.
Expand Expanding CloseStadia 4.33 prepares Party Stream for Android and Ubisoft+ promotion
Stadia 4.33 for Android is rolling out now via the Google Play Store, and in it, our team has found early signs of Party Stream coming to Android, as well as a potentially upcoming Ubisoft+ promotion.
Expand Expanding CloseDigital Wellbeing and Google Clock prep cough & snore detection
Back in May, it emerged that Google was working on built-in snore and cough detection for Android, and new evidence shows that this tracking capability will be offered through Digital Wellbeing.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle Assistant’s new Quick Phrase will ‘silence’ incoming calls on Pixel 6 [APK Insight]
With the Pixel 6 last October, Assistant debuted “Quick phrases” to skip the hotword for two specific actions, and you might soon be able to “silence” incoming calls.
Expand Expanding CloseApple Music 4.0 for Android now in beta with iOS 16 features and ‘Apple Classical’ mention
Ahead of iOS 16 launching next month, Apple Music for Android has been updated with the latest features to ensure parity as part of version 4.0, which is currently in beta.
Expand Expanding CloseHere are the other colors Google considered for Pixel Buds Pro
The Pixel Buds Pro launched earlier this week in four delightful colors, but it should come at no surprise that Google considered many more during the development process. Here are some variants that we believe came closer to launching, but ultimately didn’t.
Expand Expanding CloseYouTube Music for Android is working on a sleep timer [APK Insight]
A sleep timer to pause playback after a specified increment is in the works for YouTube Music. This has been a long requested feature, especially since Google Play Music offered one ages ago.
Expand Expanding CloseStadia 4.22 preps reactions for Explore tab, ‘too many players’ warning, more
The latest update to Stadia’s Android app, version 4.22, includes preparations for reactions on the Explore tab, a warning about “too many players,” and more.
Expand Expanding ClosePixel readies trio of new At a Glance features, including ridesharing status
As of today, At a Glance on Pixel has 14 distinct capabilities and Google is readying three more, with ridesharing status being the most notable.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle Calendar Reminders migration: Mandatory, no location-based Tasks or Keep integration
Last month, we reported how Google Calendar was laying the groundwork to replace Assistant Reminders with Tasks. More details on how the Reminders-to-Google Tasks migration in Calendar should work are now available.
Expand Expanding CloseAt a Glance on Pixel prepares to show timers from Nest Hub and Assistant speakers
Last month, Google updated At a Glance with flashlight reminders and Nest Doorbell alerts. The Pixel At a Glance widget could soon get a “Cross Device Timer” capability that integrates with Google Home.
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