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You can now invite anyone to join a Google Duo group video call with a simple link
The feature that was missing
The last few months have seen a skyrocketing use of video calling, be it for work or personal communication. Some services, like Zoom or Google Meet, made joining calls easier for groups of people by simply sharing a link, and now Duo is catching up to them.
Google Camera v7.4 adds a 4K video resolution quick toggle (APK download)
Still limited to 30fps, though
Back in March, a leaked Google Camera 7.4 APK suggested Pixel phones might get the capability to record 4K 60fps video. That version of the Camera app is now available and rolling out to users, but unfortunately, it doesn't bring that much-awaited feature. What it adds is a quick toggle in the video mode to switch between 1080p and 4K.
A minor, but very noticeable change is hitting the Gmail app on Android. No, it's not the ability to mark emails as read from the notification — heaven forbid we get a useful feature like that! — but it's a new floating button for composing emails.
Chrome is testing 'Query tiles' to help you start a quick search from any tab
They're like search shortcuts with images
Chrome's team is always experimenting with new ways to surface content for your or speed up your search when you open a new tab page. Over the years, we've seen bookmarks, downloads, Discover content, games, top sites, and more, show up on this previously empty page, and now we've spotted another experiment called "query tiles."
How to manually add and remove content from your 'Play Next' queue on Android TV
A great way to pin content you want to watch later and/or repeatedly
Android TV's homescreen is probably getting a massive revamp soon, but until it does and until that update rolls out to our TVs and set-top boxes, we're all stuck with the current interface. One way to partially improve that is an old trick we recently re-discovered that allows us to manually choose what shows up in our Play Next queue.
Google Photos' new trash interface tells you when each image will be permanently deleted
So you know how long you have to make up your mind
Deleting images in Google Photos, be it on your phone or computer, doesn't permanently remove them. They're siloed into the trash and remain there for 60 days, giving you plenty of time to reconsider your decision and restore them. However, since trashed images are ordered by the date they were taken in, you couldn't easily guess when their timer would expire. Now, Google is making the deletion date clearer for each image, so you know when exactly it'll be gone for good.
Google would really like to remind you that all Duo calls are end-to-end encrypted
The app has also added an option to send emojis
Since its launch in 2016, Google Duo has used end-to-end encryption for calls, messages, notes, and all kinds of communications carried through it. That encryption is one of the reasons we recommend using Duo to catch up with friends and family, but most users may not be aware of it. Now Google is boasting this privacy-centric approach for everyone to see, and while it's at it, it added the option to send more emojis to your contacts.
Android TV milestone: YouTube reaches 50 million installs on the platform
Hinting at how many users have tried Android TV over the years
Unlike the mobile Android operating system, Android TV isn't a subject Google often gloats about. Every year or so, we get a small hint about the platform's popularity, but no monthly active users or total sales units have been shared recently, or ever. This lack of marketing has lead many to think Android TV is close to abandoned, when in fact Google has been actively pushing the platform to vendors more than end users. In March, the company announced 160+ TV providers were using its OS. Now, we're getting another hint: YouTube for Android TV has just passed 50 million installs.
YouTube makes video chapters official, helping you skip to the parts that matter
They're based on the creator's submitted timestamps
Read update
I watch YouTube videos in two distinct ways: If it's a song I like or creator I enjoy, I'll watch the whole thing; but if I was searching for a tutorial or more info about a topic, I usually just fast-forward or skip through it to get to the parts that matter. Google is now preparing a cool improvement to help is with that second kind of situation: video chapters.
YouTube makes it easier to catch up on recent or unwatched videos from your favorite channels
New filters clean up your subscription tab
Earlier in 2020, YouTube began testing new filters in the Subscriptions tab of its iOS app to help you sift through the noise of all your followed channels. These filters are now widely rolling out to users on Android.
YouTube Music has recently been on a fast track of updates; no sooner had we uncovered one new feature than two more pop up. The latest change that's been spotted is support for unreleased albums. Like Spotify and Apple Music, YouTube Music can now show you the full track list of an album before its release, as well as let you pre-save or download it.
The original Google Home is no longer available on the Google Store — is a successor on the way?
End of a cylindrical era
I/O 2016 feels like an eternity ago. It was a simpler time when Google didn't know what it would call Android N, Daydream was new, Allo had just launched, and the smart speaker ecosystem was about to see the first challenger to Amazon's Echo thanks to the original Google Home. With its iconic air freshener design, removable bases, and innovative features, the original Google Home quickly became one of the most interesting devices to come out of Google in 2016, and started a whole lineage of Home and Nest speakers and smart displays. Four years later, the Home appears to be reaching the end of its life as it's "no longer available" on Google's Store.
OnePlus Launcher adds support for Android's Freeform windows (APK download)
Also comes with a new app switcher
Read update
OnePlus has recently revamped the app switcher part of its launcher on Android and introduced a few nifty features. One of them lets you quickly jump between all open apps, the other introduces freeform window support.
Google Duo no longer requires phone numbers on tablets (APK download)
It'll work on your kids' tablets too
Last week, Google Duo started rolling out a long-awaited feature that let others reach you over your email address, which meant you didn't have to share your phone number with anyone you wanted to video call. When we covered the news, we tried setting up Duo from scratch using only an email address, but discovered we still needed a phone number for the first sign-up. It turns out there's a nuance: you do need a phone number on phones, but not on tablets.
Myki password manager adds face unlock on the Pixel 4
My favorite password manager is now all up to date with Android 10's biometrics API
Password managers and 2FA apps are a personal affair. From cloud to self-hosting to offline, there are different approaches that try to balance out convenience and security, and every one of us will end up weighing those differently and picking what works for them. I used Enpass for several years, but for the past 18 months or so, I found myself gravitating toward Myki. Now the app has finally added Android 10's biometrics API in v1.27, which means it supports face unlock on the Pixel 4.
Killer deals: Pixel 3a and 3a XL are down to $279 and $319 (up to $160 off)
Their lowest prices ever
Rumors of this year's Pixel 4a abound, but the device's release date is still up for question. In the meantime, the 2019 Pixel 3a is still sitting tight in a quickly emptying field of decent midrange phones with excellent cameras. When it launched, it was a tremendous value at $399 and even gained our smartphone of the year award, but discounts have made its appeal even more undeniable. Today, it has dropped to its lowest ever price: $279 for the 3a and $319 for the 3aXL.
WhatsApp beta lets you share your profile with others via QR code (APK download)
Faster than sharing phone numbers
WhatsApp's reliance on phone numbers for authentication is part of the reason the app took off so fast — no username, no email, no password, no fuss. But that requirement has become a hindrance over the last few years, be it in the lack of multi-device support or the inability to quickly start chatting with someone without adding them to your phone's contacts first. There are workarounds for the latter, but nothing too straightforward. Now WhatsApp is starting to address this by adding QR codes for profiles in the latest beta.
Google Live Transcribe gets updated to v3.0 with two new nifty accessibility features (APK download)
Perfect for being notified when someone mentions your name or to transcribe custom words
A year ago, Google introduced two accessibility apps for Android: Live Transcribe and Sound Amplifier. As the name implies, the first one lets deaf and hard-of-hearing people use their phones to instantly transcribe any conversation around them and read it on their screen. The app has now been updated to v3.0 and gained two new features: Custom words and Vibrate when name is spoken.
Authy gets renamed to 'Twilio Authy' and rolls out dark theme in latest beta
Twilio bought the app five years ago
Five years after its acquisition of Authy, Twilio is now adding its ownership stamp on the app. The Play Store listing has been renamed to "Twilio Authy," though the launcher icon retains its simpler "Authy" name. The app also rolled out a new dark mode in its latest beta.
Chromecast audio streams can now play in the background on Android TV (APK download)
No more interruptions if you go back to your homescreen
Earlier this month, an update to the Chromecast built-in app on Android TV finally brought with it speaker grouping, but it was removed soon after. It turns out this update introduced another feature that went unnoticed until 9to5Google spotted it: Chromecast audio streams no longer need to remain in the foreground to keep playing, they now support background playback.