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03

The Rabbit R1 is based on Android after all [U]

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AI hardware has the potential to be super interesting, but it’s off to a pretty rough start. The new Rabbit R1 looked fun ahead of its launch, but most early users have asked why it’s not just an Android or iOS app. As it turns out,…

Tuesday, Apr 30

00

Google needs a more formalized way to kill products

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Google should standardize when it kills products and major features instead of doing it sporadically throughout the year. The current approach, especially for the average user, is too hard to keep track of, and contributes to the perceived…

23

Google Messages rolling out ‘expressive animations’ setting to turn off Reaction Effects

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As previously spotted, Google Messages is now rolling out a “Show expressive animations” setting to disable Reaction Effects, Animated Emoji,...

Android may soon let smartwatches control your phone’s audio output

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Google appears to be preparing a new feature for Android that would allow your smartwatch to control the audio output setting on your smartphone.

22

Google Wallet replacing Fitbit Pay in July

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Fitbit’s integration into Google continues with Google Wallet replacing Fitbit Pay on smartwatches and trackers in July.

Pixel 8 Pro mod gives the camera bar the brushed finish Google should have used [Gallery]

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Google’s Pixel 7 Pro and Pixel 8 Pro are well-designed smartphones, but the polished metal finish around the camera module is often easy to scratch and not the best look. Now, though, one Pixel 8 Pro owner took it upon themselves to…

Google 3D animals and objects: Which ones are still available and how to use them

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At its I/O conference in 2019, Google announced that it would be adding augmented reality objects to Search. Over the years since, Google has added a bunch of 3D animals and objects you can view in Google Search using AR — here’s the full…

21

You can now buy Google merch on the online Google Store with your Pixel

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Besides Pixel, Fitbit, and Nest devices, the online Google Store is now selling company merch. Swag includes water bottles, clothing, and some actual toys.

Wear OS is growing quickly, will ship roughly half as many units as Apple Watch this year

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Google’s Wear OS spent years on the back burner, barely holding on with the help of a couple of brands. But the platform has seen renewed focus over the past couple of years and, now, that’s paying off, as Wear OS is set to make up just…

20

ChatGPT rolling out ‘Memory’ to Plus tier, excludes users in Europe and Korea

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OpenAI is equipping ChatGPT with a new feature named “Memory.” The tool allows users to train the language model on a more personal level, though users in Europe and Korea are currently left out.

The best Android launchers to use with your smartphone in 2024 [Video]

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Customization is still at the heart of Android, and a custom launcher is a great way to personalize a device. Here are some of the best options you should try in 2024 and beyond.

19

Huawei’s next smartwatch is a blatant Apple Watch ripoff at a fraction of the price [U]

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Huawei this week revealed its super interesting new flagship smartphone, but around the corner still is the new “Watch Fit 3,” which does nothing to hide the fact that it’s a clear clone of the Apple Watch.

Samsung confirms ‘new premium’ Galaxy Watch is coming following rumors of three models

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Rumors have been circulating regarding Samsung’s upcoming lineup of Galaxy Watches, and a new financial report indicates that the company plans to continue the pattern of releasing a “premium” model alongside similar counterparts.

Google Phone starts rolling out ‘Audio Emoji’ and they’re really weird [Video]

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The Google Phone app is picking up a new trick, with the app now rolling out “Audio Emoji” to some users.

Gemini shortcut coming to Chrome, mobile app expands language support

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Following the last update to gemini.google.com in early March, Google is expanding international availability of the Gemini mobile app and adding a useful shortcut in Chrome.

18

Tuesday’s best deals: Fitbit Charge 6 $140, Galaxy Buds 2 Pro $160, more

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Today’s best deals are dropping Fitbit Charge 6 down to $140 as its second discount of the year. It comes joined by the best price ever on Galaxy Buds 2 Pro at $160, as well as this Google-powered Hisense 55-inch 144Hz mini-LED TV at $650.…

Google Drive keyboard shortcuts on the web are changing

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The Google Drive web client is updating its existing keyboard shortcuts to make possible “first-letters navigation.”

17

Latest Pixel 8a leak reveals bigger battery and $499 starting price

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Another fresh leak of the Pixel 8a has revealed more images of the device, as well as the pricing in the US which, contrary to past rumors, may not be getting a price hike after all.

14

Are Wear OS Tiles for Google Messages and Wallet coming?

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Quite a few of Google’s Wear OS apps already offer Tiles, with more from Messages and Wallet maybe on the way if a Play Store collection is to be believed.

12

[Update: Fix rolls out] WhatsApp bug breaks ability to send video from Android devices

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A bug in the most recent versions of WhatsApp appears to have broken the ability to send on-device video files on Android phones.

01

YouTube Music rolling out Cast menu redesign on Android with no stop button

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After testing earlier this year, YouTube Music for Android is widely rolling out a sheet-based Cast menu redesign.

Monday, Apr 29

00

Google Play quickly proves it knows almost nothing about Sonic the Hedgehog

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In a bizarre set of posts, the official Google Play account on Twitter/X has shared a wildly inaccurate timeline of Sonic the Hedgehog designs over the years.

Google Search adds ‘Speaking practice’ tool for English learners, powered by AI

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Google is testing out a new AI-powered “speaking practice” tool in Search that helps users to improve their skills in...

YouTube TV starting to roll out Multiview on Android phones, tablets

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Last month, YouTube TV brought Multiview to the iOS app and it’s soon rolling out on Android.

23

Samsung’s Galaxy Tab S9 gets boosted trade-ins and 50% off its keyboard case

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Samsung is offering a great deal on its Galaxy Tab S9 series right now, with solid trade-in offers and an automatic 50% off its keyboard case.

22

Pixel Watch 2 deals return to the US, deep discounts in UK

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In the US, the Google Store has brought back a discount on the Pixel Watch 2 in both Wi-Fi and LTE versions, but the real deal is in the UK where the cellular model is 62.5% off.

21

Android 15 might drop At a Glance… to the bottom of your lockscreen

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With Android 15, Google is testing a move of At a Glance from its top-left lockscreen position to the very bottom.

Google has quietly removed most of its 3D animals and other models from Search

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For the past several years Google has been building out a ton of 3D models of animals and other objects that you can view in augmented reality but, recently, Google has removed the vast majority of these fun models from Search.

19

You can get an official Pixel Watch band for $10 right now

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If you’re looking for a spare band for your Google Pixel Watch or Pixel Watch 2, a deal over at Best Buy can get you the official Active Band for a mere $10.

Chrome’s Omnibox address bar is now powered by machine learning

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With Chrome 124 on Mac, Windows, and ChromeOS, Google has updated the address bar, or Omnibox, with ML models to offer better suggestions.