There are quite a few new features (and some removed functionality) present in the first beta of Android Q — we've documented around 50 major changes already. There are also plenty of smaller tweaks that don't warrant separate coverage, so we're going over them here. Without further ado, here all of the smaller changes in Android Q Beta 1.
Read MoreGoogle Voice now supports calling emergency services, but only for businesses and schools
One of the major limitations of Google Voice since its inception is that you can't call 911 or other emergency service numbers. Most VoIP services share this problem, since it's usually impossible for responders to obtain your exact location. Google is working on addressing this, but not for regular users.
Read MoreUber now has a panic button in the US
Safety is a major concern of ridesharing services such as Uber and Lyft. In an attempt to make its riders feel more secure, Uber has added a direct method to call 911 via its app in the US. The company has tested the function out in India, but it's now live for everyone stateside. Additionally, these 911 calls will come with location tracking in select markets. These are both part of new Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi's initiative to improve the company's safety record.
Read MoreGoogle aims to make 911 call locations more accurate
When you call 911 from a landline phone, that number is tied to a physical address. It's easy for emergency responders to get to the right place. However, cell phones can be anywhere, and the carrier-based location reports sent to call centers are not always good enough. Google is working on a system that would provide faster, more accurate locations to 911 operators, and its first test reportedly went well.
Read MoreAsus releases the ZenUI 4.0 Safeguard app on the Play Store [APK Download]
It's been a busy month so far for Asus, what with the launch of the myriad different phones in the ZenFone 4 family and the Project Tango equipped ZenFone AR going on sale. With the new products comes a new software skin nobody asked for, ZenUI 4.0, and one of its key features has been released as a standalone app.
Read More[APK Download] Google releases Trusted Contacts, a location sharing app for personal safety and emergency assistance
Over the past couple of years, we've seen many iterations on the personal safety app, but the gist has always remained the same: choose a few persons you trust to share your location with all the time, or at least when you feel the need or they request it. Now Google is releasing its own official take on the matter, Trusted Contacts, and part of me is wishing this app or its functionality at least becomes integrated in all Android phones from now on.
Read MoreRescue strategy game EMERGENCY goes free on Android
EMERGENCY came to Android more than 3 years ago in March of 2013. Back then, the Xperia Z was the hottest phone on the block, the Galaxy S4 was starting its pre-orders, and Holo was the coolest design language we could imagine. But EMERGENCY was rather well received thanks to its replay value. With 13 disaster scenarios and 18 units under your command, you could manage your resources differently to try to save as much lives and fight as many terrorists as you could, and thus control the situation better and faster.
The game has seen several updates on Android since its release, though none in the past 8 or so months.
Read MoreGoogle adds Emergency Location Service to Android, rolling out first in the UK and Estonia
You may be wary of making your location available to apps and services on Android, but that uneasiness goes away in an emergency situation. If you call emergency services, you want them to know exactly where you are, and now Android has the tools to make that happen. Well, if you live in the UK or Estonia. Those are the first two countries with support for the new Emergency Location Service.
Read MoreThe Best Of AP
Call Blocking Is Now Automatically Disabled For 48 Hours After You Call An Emergency Number
Apparently if you call an emergency number from your Android device, you can't block calls for the next 48 hours.
We don't know why this is the case, though we imagine it may be to prevent you from blocking your local police department or other emergency personnel.
Read More
[Update: AT&T Too] Verizon, T-Mobile, Sprint, And Skype Also Offer Free Or Reduced Cost Calls To France After Paris Attacks
Shortly after ISIS-affiliated gunmen killed over a hundred people in multiple attacks in Paris on Friday evening, Google allowed users of its Hangouts chat platform to make free VOIP calls to France from anywhere. Later this weekend American telecom companies have followed suit. Carriers Verizon, T-Mobile, and Sprint are allowing their customers to call French telephone numbers without incurring international calling charges, and Skype is allowing free SkypeOut (VOIP-to-standard phone number) calls into France.
Read MoreLatest Deals
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[Update: Now at Best Buy] Razer Phone 2 slashed to $500 ($300 off) for a limited time
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Get a brand new Pixel 2 XL for just $400 ($300 off) from Best Buy
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Tribit's excellent X-Boom Bluetooth speaker is $60 ($10 off) on Amazon
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34 temporarily free and 32 on-sale apps and games to start the weekend, including Baldur's Gate
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Nvidia Shield TV and SmartThings Link bundle drops to $179 ($41 off)
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Latest Poll
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The Sony Xperia 10 is really long and really boring
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The Nokia 9 PureView is a good phone ruined by serious problems
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Galaxy S10e review: The best Android phone for the money - and for most people
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My home never smelled nicer, but Moodo is still a luxury smart fragrance diffuser
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TP-Link's Smart Outdoor Plug is perfect for porches, not for yards
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Latest Roundups
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[Bonus Round] Golf Peaks, Yume Nikki, Shieldwall Chronicles: Swords of the North, R.B.I. Baseball 19, Adrestia - Magic Battles, and Emoji Mine
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22 best new Android games released this week including Stardew Valley, Returner Zhero - Final Cut, and Where's Om Nom?
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40 new and notable Wear OS apps and watch faces from the last 6 months (9/13/18 - 3/16/19)
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[Bonus Round] Linn: Path of Orchards Premium, GRIT Platform Runner, Tricky Taps, Dad Jokes Duel, Endless Lake, and Pa Pa Land: Head Escape
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22 best new Android games released this week including This War of Mine: Stories, RollerCoaster Tycoon Classic, and Tick Tock: A Tale for Two
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Recent Apps and Games
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[Update: App available] Mozilla Firefox Send lets you share encrypted files privately and for free
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Chrome tab groups are live in Canary on Android
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34 temporarily free and 32 on-sale apps and games to start the weekend, including Baldur's Gate
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Android Auto v4.1 adds widescreen support and UI tweaks, prepares auto-resume, and more [APK Teardown]
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Xiaomi's Mint Launcher comes to the Play Store, but it's not available on any phones yet [APK Download]
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Blast from the Past
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1 Year Ago Today
Project Fi v2.5 prepares to filter spammy callers, add notifications for data usage spikes, enable easier override of Bill Protection, and more [APK Teardown]
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2 Years Ago Today
Qualcomm Snapdragon 835: The first benchmark results - comparisons to Pixel, OnePlus 3T, Galaxy S7, and more
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3 Years Ago Today
Saying Goodbye: After Five Years, I Bid Farewell To Android Police
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4 Years Ago Today
[Weekend Poll] When's The Last Time You Bought A Paid App Or Game On The Play Store?
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5 Years Ago Today
Google Patent Application Shows Multi-Sensor Contact Lenses For Wearable Device Input Via Blinks
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6 Years Ago Today
Amazon Appstore Offering 18 Free Apps In Its 'Greatest Hits' Promo
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7 Years Ago Today
[Video] Meet BPJ, World's Biggest TouchWiz Fan - Prepare A Fresh Pair Of Pants For This One
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8 Years Ago Today
EVO 3D and EVO View 4G Officially Announced - Dual-Core EVO 3D Doesn't Have A Kickstand
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