Google wants to sell you a phone. And a speaker. And a thermostat. Maybe a stick for your TV, too. Not convinced? The company is trying to get you to let it convince you to buy its wares with a new product consultation hotline. And if a service rep isn't breathless enough for you, customers in Southern California can even book in-home appointments.
Read More[Update: Now live] Google extending mail-in repair service for out-of-warranty Pixels to Europe
Here in the US, Google has had its own mail-in repair center set up for Pixel phones for around eight months. In the rest of the world, though, Google offers nothing of the sort, instead pointing customers to recommended walk-in and mail-in service centers via a support page. These support pages have just been updated, indicating that official mail-in services will soon be offered in a number of European countries.
Read MoreGoogle faces first GDPR investigation in Europe
Europe's General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) is more than a scheme to add another pop-up to every site you visit. It's a framework of regulations that govern how companies can use the data collected about people online. As perhaps the largest handler of personal data online, Google would inevitably face GDPR inquiries. Today, the Irish Data Protection Commissioner (DPC) has initiated the first GDPR investigation of Google, probing whether or not it misused data in order to target advertising.
Read MoreInBrief
[Update: It's official, APK Download] Google Drive dark mode is showing up for some users
Google in 2017-2018: "Whiten all the things!" Google in late 2018-2019: "Darken all the things!" Things have evolved from the eye-searing white and every few days, we see a new app embrace its darker side and offer a black or dark grey mode for sensitive eyeballs and AMOLED displays. The latest to test the waters of a dark mode is Google Drive.
Read More[Update: Up for pre-order] The long-awaited Lenovo Smart Clock will likely go on sale imminently
When the Lenovo Smart Clock was unveiled at CES in January, it was hard not to want one despite the $79.99 price tag. It's a tiny smart display with a 4-inch screen made specifically for your nightstand and it's undeniably adorable. It's been pretty much radio silence since the announcement, however, with only a vague Spring arrival touted. New pages just added to the Lenovo support site suggest we won't have to wait much longer.
Read More[Update: 18 more banks] Google Pay adds 16 US banks and credit unions to its already enormous support list
Even though Google Pay is already supported by around 2,000 banks, Google somehow keeps finding new banks and credit unions to add. 14 more banks and credit unions in the US have been added with this update, though we fully expect to see even more in the coming weeks.
Read MoreAndroid Q Bluetooth settings and notifications will focus on battery levels, Find My Accessories coming to Fast Pair
Google's streamlined Bluetooth pairing protocol for Android devices, Fast Pair, is about to support way more devices — not just Chromebooks, as previously promised, but more headphones, earbuds, speakers, and even smartwatches — and get a lot more useful for people who have lost a wireless earbud around the house. The company is also preparing a UI revamp for Bluetooth settings in Android Q.
Read MoreThe Best Of AP
Mysterious Bluetooth-only Google device gets FCC approval
It's not uncommon that we learn about new products through FCC filings — just about anything that communicates wirelessly has to get the Commission's approval before going on sale in the US. Usually, the filings give us some inkling of what the product may be. Not this time, though: the FCC has approved a new Google product, and all we know about it is that it communicates solely via Bluetooth.
Read MoreGoogle Assistant rolls out to several Bose speakers and soundbars
Back in August last year, Bose unveiled two soundbars and a smart home speaker that came built-in with Alexa. This move was somewhat surprising given the company chose to integrate Assistant into the refreshed QC35, but the manufacturer did say other voice assistants would make their way to its speakers at a later stage. This is now the case, as an automatic software update brings Google’s digital helper to the Home Speaker 500, Soundbar 500, and Soundbar 700. The feature will also be available on the Home Speaker 300, a new compact product that will be available this summer.
Read MoreLatest Deals
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Moto G7 and G7 Play are $270 ($30 off) and $180 ($20 off) at multiple retailers
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Multiple Nest devices are steeply discounted on the Google Store today
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August Smart Lock is just $99 ($51 off) on Amazon right now
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Samsung's Galaxy Tab S4 is down to $498 on Amazon ($152 off)
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Dual-SIM Galaxy S10 series pricing drops further on eBay — S10e ($520), S10 ($600), S10+ ($700)
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Latest Poll
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Synology's LiveCam app can turn old phones into security cameras, but I wish it worked better
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The Anker Powerhouse 200 is a $350 USB-C battery pack the size of a lunchbox
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The Anker Nebula Capsule II with Android TV is the new portable projector to beat
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The Honor 20 Pro is a stripped down Huawei P30 Pro — in all the right ways
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The OnePlus 7 Pro is the best smartphone you can buy right now
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Latest Roundups
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[Bonus Round] Daggerhood, SiNKR 2, Word Forward, Ordia, Fort Sumter: The Secession Crisis, and Godzilla Defense Force
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12 best new Android games released this week including Durango: Wild Lands, Terraforming Mars, and Alt-Frequencies
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16 best new Android games released this week including Magnibox, Hamsterdam, and Merge Empire
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[Bonus Round] Hamsterdam, PLAYMOBIL Mars Mission, Onslot Car, pliq: Epic Clash Arcade Puzzle, Dungeon of Weirdos, and Fishing Paradiso
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18 new and notable Android games from the last week including Grimvalor, Tesla vs Lovecraft, and Golf Blitz
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Recent Apps and Games
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Google Pay now supports custom credit card designs
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[Update: Filed with bipartisan support] Politicians finally realize loot boxes are thinly veiled gambling, introduce bill to combat
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[Bonus Round] Daggerhood, SiNKR 2, Word Forward, Ordia, Fort Sumter: The Secession Crisis, and Godzilla Defense Force
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Adobe Scan updated to better capture forms, business cards, and more
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Instagram's IGTV still exists, adds support for landscape videos
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Blast from the Past
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1 Year Ago Today
[Update: More details from internal email] Essential reportedly cancels second phone, puts itself up for sale
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2 Years Ago Today
Google Photos archiving is rolling out to everyone right now
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3 Years Ago Today
Google Is Preparing To Add The Raspberry Pi 3 To AOSP, It Will Apparently Become An Officially Supported Device
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4 Years Ago Today
An Exclusive Early Look At The New Google Photos App
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5 Years Ago Today
ZeroLemon's 9500mAh Extended Battery For The LG G Pro 2 Is Now On Sale For $50
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6 Years Ago Today
[Bonus Round] Sci-Fighters, Judge Dredd: Countdown Sec 106, Race Illegal, Mensa Academy, And RE-VOLT Free
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7 Years Ago Today
Better Than Magic - Stick Your Phone To A Wall, Treadmill, Or... Ceiling With PU Pads From The Makers Of Capta
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8 Years Ago Today
HTC "Reviewing" Its Bootloader Policy - We'll Believe It When We See It
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9 Years Ago Today
That Was Quick: EVO 4G’s Already Been Rooted
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