If you've got a Chase account, you may have noticed quite a few changes to the Android app within the past few days. Those include an adaptive icon, app shortcuts, and an updated interface with a lot more functionality.
Read MoreChrome OS gets Android app shortcuts in the dev channel
Google has worked to make Android apps feel at home on Chrome OS, and we've certainly come a long way. Your apps will be even more integrated soon with support for app shortcuts on the Chrome OS desktop. This feature is only in the dev channel right now, but it should eventually filter down to beta and stable.
Read MoreGoogle working on improved Chrome address bar, revamped Bluetooth stack and Android app shortcuts for Chrome OS
Chrome OS has been rapidly evolving over the past few months, mostly in regards to Linux application support. There are even more improvements in the works, from minor UI changes to a major reworking of Chrome OS' Bluetooth functionality.
Read MoreGoogle Wifi adds app shortcuts, prepares batch testing and something called port opening in BV10144 update [APK Teardown]
If your home or business is keeping wireless devices connected through a Google Wifi, you'll be getting an update to the companion app today. The new version brings a pair of app shortcuts for those of us using it on Android 7.1 or above, but that's about it for visible changes. A teardown adds to the subject with hints of a new batch testing feature and settings for something called "port opening."
Read MoreGoogle Translate v5.16 adds proper names for several regional dialects, prepares to add app shortcuts [APK Teardown]
Google Translate is getting an update today, but it looks pretty light on features. The main changes appear to center around properly labeling languages. Nine dialects are getting proper names, and it seems the term 'dialect' is going out of style, so Translate is now saying 'region' everywhere. A look through the APK also shows that we can look forward to app shortcuts in the future.
Read MoreWeekend poll: Do you use app shortcuts?
Ever since Android Nougat 7.1 (and the second N Developer Preview), developers have been able to add a second set of actions to app shortcuts in supported launchers. By long-pressing a supported app on the homescreen or app list, you can quickly access specific functions in it. Although we've had the feature for over a year, not all developers have updated their apps to take advantage of it, and plenty of us forget that the option is even there. What about you, do you use app shortcuts?
Read MoreGoogle Home v1.26 reveals 'speaker pairs' for stereo casting, adds EQ settings, new Backdrop screen, and more [APK Teardown]
The Google Home app has seen some big enhancements lately, and with the rollout of v1.26, it's gearing up for some more. The latest update brings the notable addition of EQ settings for speakers and introduces a new screen for backdrop history. Users of Android 8.0 Oreo might also notice their app shortcuts are now sporting fresh adaptive icons. However, the main topic comes to us via a teardown that shows a new feature called Speaker Pairs which will enable us to take two speakers and set them up to work in stereo.
Read MorePlay Music v8.5 drops 2 MB of dead weight by unbundling Wear app and fixes app shortcut adaptive icons [APK Teardown]
A new version of Play Music is available this afternoon and it's making a big leap in versions from 8.0 to 8.5. This update doesn't come with the redesign that had seemed likely after last month's visual refresh to Play Music on Android TV. But cosmetic touchups were in the cards as the adaptive icons for app shortcuts were fixed in this release. Additionally, Play Music lost some megabytes after unbundling its Wear app.
Read MoreThe Best Of AP
Google+ v9.23 adds app shortcuts for quickly starting new posts [APK Download]
Most updates to the Google+ app tend to fit the "bug fixes and performance improvements" theme, but last month's release of v9.20 did bring custom notification channels for Android 8.0 Oreo – but maybe not the ones we needed. Today's bump to v9.23 makes a similarly subtle addition with support for a slightly older OS feature: App Shortcuts. If you're running on 7.1 Nougat or above, or using a custom launcher with support for static app shortcuts, you'll now have the option to quickly start a few different types of Google+ posts directly from your launcher.
Read MoreApple Music 2.2 adds user profiles and integrates better with Android: OK Google voice search, app shortcuts, one more widget
Apple Music had a lot of promise when it launched, but the app didn't stick well with the times, especially on Android. It seemed as if the developers behind it just didn't want to bother with anything specific to the Android platform, preferring to stick with the basic features and not making use of all the APIs that were available to them. But with the last release of v2.2, it looks like Apple Music is finally realizing some of its potential on our beloved platform.
But before we focus on that, the headline here is the addition of user profiles so you can now share your favorite music and playlists with friends and discover what they've shared as well.
Read MoreLatest Deals
-
0
7 of our favorite tech deals this week: Nokia and LG phones, Amazon Fire hardware, and more
-
0
[Deal Alert] Anker Nebula Mars II Android projector is $400 ($200 off), Mars Lite is $230 ($170 off)
-
8
[Deal Alert] Google Home Max down to $349 ($50 off) at Google Store, Best Buy, Target, and more
-
101
The Android phones with the best resale value in 2018
-
6
41 temporarily free and 73 on-sale apps and games for the weekend
-
0
Latest Poll
Loading ...Recent Reviews
-
13
Ricoh Theta V review: The DSLR of 360-degree cameras
-
16
Jaybird X4 review: Great earbuds without much new to offer
-
40
JBL Link View review: Great sound from JBL, but Smart Displays still have a long way to go
-
46
Samsung Galaxy Watch review: A competent smartwatch you probably shouldn't buy right now
-
30
Channel Master Stream+ Android TV DVR review: So much wasted potential
-
13
Latest Roundups
-
114
7 smartphone trends that were terrible ideas
-
2
30 best new Android games released this week including Life is Strange: Before the Storm, Flipflop Solitaire, and Phantomgate : The Last Valkyrie
-
2
[Bonus Round] BestLuck, Stockpile, Cube Escape: Paradox, Tsuki, TOKYO GHOUL [:re birth], Warhammer Age of Sigmar: Realm War, and Brave Frontier: The Last Summoner
-
5
16 best new Android games released this week including Chaos Reborn: Adventures, Vampire's Fall: Origins, and Paper.io 2
-
12
22 new and notable (and 1 WTF) Android apps from the last two weeks including Tor Browser, Yahoo!, and FameBit (9/1/18 - 9/15/18)
-
114
Recent Apps and Games
-
2
30 best new Android games released this week including Life is Strange: Before the Storm, Flipflop Solitaire, and Phantomgate : The Last Valkyrie
-
37
Google+ v10.15 hints at custom streams with unread counts [APK Teardown]
-
6
41 temporarily free and 73 on-sale apps and games for the weekend
-
2
Google Maps' group planning Shortlist starts showing up for some users
-
1
Twitter API bug potentially allowed developers to read DMs and private accounts
-
2
Blast from the Past
-
46
1 Year Ago Today
Paranoid Android updated to 7.3.0, adds its own camera app, launcher tweaks, and BlueBorne fixes
-
241
2 Years Ago Today
Exclusive: Google will introduce Google Wifi, a $129 home Wi-Fi router, on October 4th
-
480
3 Years Ago Today
[Exclusive] Behold The Leaked Press Renders Of LG's Nexus 5X In White, Black, And Greenish Blue
-
77
4 Years Ago Today
How To Enable Experimental Google Now Cards [Root Needed]
-
5
5 Years Ago Today
[Bonus Round] Six O'Clock High, Edge Of The World, And Jungle Rampage
-
230
6 Years Ago Today
[Weekend Poll] What Was Your First Version Of Android?
-
5
7 Years Ago Today
Android Developers, This Guy Created Thousands Of Android Icons You Can Use In Your Apps - They're Free And Look Great
-
1
8 Years Ago Today
Under The Radar: HTC’s DLNA Companion Box Lets You Wirelessly Stream To Your TV
-
46
