Latest Articles
Google releases Soli Sandbox app to kickstart gesture-based experiments (APK Download)
Possible proof that Soli isn't dead yet
Google first demonstrated Project Soli at Google IO 2015. Four years later, the Pixel 4 debuted the radar-based sensor as a feature called Motion Sense with the ability to detect basic gestures in front of the phone. If you happen to have a Pixel 4 and want to try out the gestures for yourself in an interactive space, or you want to go further and build your own simple apps and games, Google just released a sandbox app that brings Soli to life.
Messages v6.2.031 promises end-to-end encryption over RCS and expanded web features for Google Fi (APK Teardown)
Google Fi will get significant integration into Messages for Web
Google Messages has become the app to watch now that new leadership has been tasked with cleaning up some of sprawl created by projects of the past. A new dogfood build of the app made it into circulation, and it contains signs for some important features people have been looking forward to. For those with a desire to keep their messages private, Messages will soon support end-to-end encryption over RCS. And if you're a Google Fi user, get ready to see some huge improvements to the Messages for Web service that will bring browser-based access to calls and voicemail.
Arlo's home security products have been a popular option for people looking to set up a few wireless cameras. The top of the line Arlo Ultra is weather sealed, shoots in 4K, shoots a great image at night, and offers plenty of well-designed features. While we liked this model, price was a bit of a turn-off. However, Amazon has a 4-pack on sale for just $800, which is $200 off MSRP.
DOOM 64 lands on Stadia, bringing classic pixelated carnage to the platform
Early DOOM Eternal buyers are getting it for free
Admit it, your soul demands a meal made of crazy guns, demons from Hell, and a side of exploding barrels. If you were a gamer back in the late 90s, your first taste of this exquisite dish may have been served up by DOOM 64, a sequel to DOOM II launched exclusively on the Nintendo 64. It's back after 25 years, but this time on Stadia; and now everybody can be nostalgically engulfed in the low resolution chaos.
Bing Wallpapers app launches with daily updates to your background (APK Download)
New photos every day from some fantastic photographers
While the search engine wars haven't been particularly kind to Bing, fans of the service often praise it for updating the home page with beautiful and interesting background photos each day. It has been so popular that it has sparked a small following, and there are several wallpaper apps dedicated to pulling the images from Bing's homepage to use as wallpapers on our phones. Microsoft has even delivered the same functionality a couple times in the past with its Bing search app and a now-defunct lockscreen app; but if you don't want all of the extra weight that comes with those, Bing now has a new app dedicated to just doing wallpapers.
Latest VLC beta switches to bottom navigation, adds share menu
New video information overlay during playback
The once ubiquitous navigation drawer has become a pariah of app design over the last couple years thanks to a forced movement toward gesture navigation. We've seen plenty of apps switch to a tabbed bar at the bottom of the screen, and now VLC is joining their ranks. Along with a few other new features, the first beta of v3.3 now sports a browser screen with an updated navigation model.
DJI announces Mavic Air 2 with 34 minute flight time
Bigger camera sensor, 48MP photos, and a new controller
Rumors and leaks have been calling for DJI's next aerial drone to make an appearance in the company's April 27th announcement, and now it's official. The Mavic Air 2 is coming to market with some notable improvements over the original Mavic Air, and a few changes that set it apart from the original in some interesting ways.
Android Auto should bring back calendar integration and reminders
It was one of the best features and Auto isn't as good without it
Android Auto saw some big changes last summer, including removal of the Google Feed-inspired home screen and the addition of semi-persistent audio controls in the navigation bar. While most of the changes were welcomed, a few things were lost in the transition. Complaints have been stacking up over the sacrifice of calendar integration, or more specifically, that there are no appointment reminders or a convenient way to kickstart navigation to the places you need to go.
Aptoide database breach exposes 20 million user accounts, possibly more to come
At least there aren't any payment details to worry about
Website hacks are nothing new, and it's all but certain that everybody has had at least at least a couple login credentials and other details exposed at some point. Unfortunately, another incident has occurred, this time with the Aptoide app store. Minimal personal information and zero payment details were exposed, but login credentials are exposed.
Google Play Music subscriptions are failing to auto-renew for some
Go check on your grandfathered subscription
Read update
Holding onto a grandfathered Google Play Music subscription has become a badge of honor for many, but a hiccup in billing may require that you double-check that it's still active. There have been a growing number of reports that accounts with the original $7.99 Play Music subscription haven't auto-renewed this month. Some people are able to restore the subscription easily enough, and others may have to reach out to support to get things corrected.
Google Fit adds new Wear OS Tiles, prioritizes step counter, and improves Heart Point recommendations (Update: APK download)
Now there's a reason to keep checking your watch while you're stuck inside
Read update
Just as many people are getting a bit stir crazy from staying indoors, the Google Fit team is delivering some long overdue attention to the Android app and Wear OS. Over the next week or so, several enhancements to the interface are set to roll out, meant to make information more visible while streamlining the interface so users can quickly pull up the most important bits of data.
If you've had your eye on a Moment case and were just waiting for a killer sale, there has never been a better time to pick one up. All of Moment's cases are currently on sale for just $20, down from the regular price of $40; and the discounts get bigger with more cases. And while you're shopping cases, many other products from Moment and other brands are also on sale for as much as 30% off.
Google Phone v47 prepares to add Flip to Silence gesture (APK Teardown)
May soon enable answering as 1-way video calls
While some of us spend very little time on the phone, it's still very important that we can make and respond to calls in the most intuitive ways possible. That might involve knowing where buttons are and what direction to swipe, what to look for on a screen, or how some things will react to gestures and button presses. The latest update to the Google Phone app reveals it's about to get a popular feature for muting call ringers by simply flipping the phone over.
Google Play introduces Asset Delivery system to streamline game downloads
Developers can fast track game installs to get you playing faster and use less space
While the world is slowly progressing with faster Internet connectivity, and OEMs are iteratively offering more storage space in devices, it's still hard to keep up with the rate that games and some other apps have been growing. To combat this trend, Google is introducing a new Asset Delivery API so developers can further streamline the install process for games so users can get up and running even faster and with less space used.
Plenty of Fish adds video chat so you can keep dating during social isolation
We only lose when we stop trying
As modern society rapidly prepares for what will become one of the loneliest times we will likely ever know, it doesn't mean singles have to be stuck in limbo until things return to normal. Dating service Plenty of Fish is launching a new video streaming feature that will make it easier for potential dates to meet virtually without abandoning the practice of social distancing for an IRL meeting.
Spike in uploads to Google Drive is slowing down video processing
Patience is a virtue... or maybe your only option
While many people are hunkering down for the next couple of weeks, it's a great opportunity to do some spring cleaning of your home, computers, and other gadgets. At least that's something I've been trying to do, but maybe you're just kicking back with a game and binge watching a show you've been meaning to catch up on. As it turns out, quite a few people are putting Google Drive to the test as uploads have evidently spiked and are now causing slower than usual processing time for videos.
Google Hangouts loses location sharing in latest update
It's not like people need to know where you are
We've known for a long time that Google Hangouts was destined to shut down, but most of us couldn't have predicted individual features would be slowly picked from its not-quite-dead body. That seems to be the case with the location sharing function formerly found in Hangouts. As of v32, the convenient messaging feature has been quietly removed.
Moment releases universal lens mount compatible with most phones and tablets
An answer for everybody that can't get a photo case
One of the best things about Android is that you can choose from a multitude phones in many different form factors. Unfortunately, that's the reason accessory makers have a hard time keeping up with so many designs, and as a result, they often don't bother to support more than a select few models. Moment has been in this position for quite a while and regularly hears requests from people that want to use the lenses, but can't get a case for their model of phone. Now Moment is introducing an adjustable clip with a mounting bracket suitable for use on most smartphones and tablets.
Stadia finally offers downloadable screenshots and game videos
Sharing to social networks still has to be done by hand
Stadia has progressed quite a bit since it the invites started flowing to early adopters, but many people still say it feels very incomplete. Many standard features are still missing, the game library isn't very expansive, and it still hasn't fulfilled some of the core promises — playable on Android TV, anyone? Nevertheless, the Stadia team can (partially) cross off one of the features users have been expecting: access to screenshots and videos.
Google Cloud Next turns into digital-only conference amidst coronavirus concerns
Is Google I/O Next?
One by one, major conferences and events have been postponed or cancelled in response to the spread of COVID-19, widely referred to simply by the name: Coronavirus. Most major cancellations were occurring for events scheduled in February and March, but it was inevitable organizers would have to begin dealing with events further out on the calendar. The latest name to get his is Google Cloud Next, an event focused on building software using Google services and other web technologies. However, instead of cancelling the event, Google Cloud is turning it into a virtual conference.