It's been a bad year for data privacy — though it might be more accurate to say it's been a bad year for blissful ignorance. User data privacy issues are suddenly erupting into the spotlight after bubbling under the surface for years. While Facebook provided the most scandal fodder so far this year, Google hasn't been immune. One issue that gained widespread attention was its misleading representation of how Location History tracking works. After changing the wording on its support page in August, the company has now once more edited the page, moving to a description that is technically correct, but slightly more vague than its original fix.
Read MoreGoogle updates Gmail API policies for developers and will require app reviews with security assessments
Since the beginning of the year, Google has worked on Project Strobe, an extensive review of third-party developer access to the data of your Google Account and Android device. The operation also analyzed the company’s underlying philosophy of how information is used by other apps. As part of its findings and changes, it determined that users give third-party access to their Gmail with only specific intentions. Consequently, limits will be implemented for which use cases will be permitted.
Read MoreGoogle accounts will soon have more granular control over third-party app permissions
It's the day before Google's big annual hardware event, and the company is busy weathering some major bad press. Google+ for consumers is shutting down, and far from being a graceful death, its demise is pinned on a March 2018 bug that was not disclosed until today. The company says this is because it simply didn't meet the necessary thresholds for reporting, but the Wall Street Journal reports it was because the company feared regulation. Either way, the news casts a shadow over the Pixel event, and completely distracts from the other small but useful tweaks the company released today regarding privacy, in particular the fact that it is now rolling out more granular Google account permissions.
Read MoreGoogle responds to controversy over Chrome 69's account login changes
Chrome 69 was a major update. It finally rolled out the Material Design makeover that has been in testing for months, added a password generator, and brought Linux app support to Chromebooks. There was also a feature change that Google didn't publicize, which has been a source of controversy over the past few days - the new login functionality.
Read More[Update: Rolling out across Android now] A new, fresher look for Google Account settings is being tested
Google is currently testing a new design for its account page --- you know, the one buried in settings under the Google tab. In spite of the timing, it's not actually a feature of Android P DP3; it's just another one of Google's beloved server-side tests.
Read More[Update: APK Download, linking works but contacting doesn't] Google looks nearly ready to link Duo with your Google account
Google Duo is a little unusual among the company's apps, as it identifies users not based on the Google account that connects you to everything from Gmail, to YouTube, to the Play Store, but instead uses your device's phone number. Pretty much ever since it launched, we've been wondering if that situation would ever evolve. Now it looks like that's finally happening, as Google updates its Duo support pages in anticipation of the change.
Read MoreGoogle Duo v30 hints at user-created contact groups, continues work on adding Google accounts and screen sharing [APK Teardown]
Just one day after the Duo team completed the rollout of video messages to all users, a new version of the app is hitting the scene. In a side-by-side comparison, it looks like the interface of the app hasn't gone through any changes with this new release, but we're still looking for additional changes. However, a teardown of the APK has turned up some topics to discuss, including an upcoming feature that will allow users to create contact groups. There are also minor follow-ups for adding Google accounts and screen sharing.
Read MoreGoogle Duo v29 closes in on launch of video messaging, screen sharing, and Google sign-in [APK Teardown]
Friday morning is starting off with a fresh update to Google Duo. The v29 release doesn't change much on the surface, but there is a new notification channel that happens to tease one feature we've been expecting. A teardown also turns up new activity for two more features many people have been anxiously awaiting: screen sharing and google sign-in. If you'd like to grab the latest update, hit the link at the bottom to get a headstart.
Read MoreThe Best Of AP
Google Duo v27 confirms multi-device support is coming with Google account linking [APK Teardown]
Ever since the launch of Google Duo, one of the top criticisms has been that you can only have a single device registered at a time. That means a person with both a phone and a tablet has to choose just one of those devices to receive calls. But a few months ago, we got the first clue that Duo would soon enable users to link a Google account, making it possible to contact people with their email address rather than needing a current phone number. This also raised the question of whether or not multi-device support might be coming. As of Duo v27, that question can be answered...
Read MoreAllo v26 prepares multi-account support, breaking news camera effect, and more [APK Teardown]
Allo updates are starting to roll out, but as the trend has been going, there's not much to see in the main interface for this update. However, tearing down the APK has turned up signs of good things to come. Support for using Google accounts to find contacts and start conversations is going to be pretty robust as hints suggest we'll be able to sign in multiple accounts. There's also a new camera effect listed, a little activity around the scene generation feature, and a hint that the behavior of bots may by changing.
Read MoreLatest Deals
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35 temporarily free and 19 on-sale apps and games to kick off the weekend
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Select items on Google Express are 15% off for today only
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Ring Video Doorbell Pro, Chime Pro, and Echo Dot bundle is just $180 ($120 off) at Best Buy
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Sony's smaller 2018 flagship, the Xperia XZ2 Compact, is now just $450 ($200 off) at B&H
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Sony Xperia XA2 is $220 ($30 off), XA2 Ultra is $280 ($120 off) at B&H
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[Bonus Round] Ding Dong XL, Knight Life: Medieval Fantasy RPG, Human Heroes Einstein On Time, Super Fowlst, Hexanome, and WordClue
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26 best new Android games released this week including Hydropuzzle, Marching Order, and Age of Civilizations II
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[Bonus Round] Moshpit - Heavy Metal is war, the Sequence 2, Absolute Drift, Twinfold, 7Days - Decide your story, Morels, and Slint
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24 best new (and 1 WTF) Android games released this week including CHUCHEL, HELP, and Star Trek Fleet Command
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12 new and notable Android apps and live wallpapers from the last two weeks including Ralph Breaks the Internet Stickers, Typing Hero, and T-Mobile MONEY (11/17/18 - 12/1/18)
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Recent Apps and Games
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35 temporarily free and 19 on-sale apps and games to kick off the weekend
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Netflix certifies new devices for HD and HDR support including Huawei Mate 20
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Google finally rolls the new Discover out to the Google beta app
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Google Maps now features Lime bike and scooter transit in 13 cities
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Google testing new Cast UI for Chrome, with new icons and a source toggle
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Blast from the Past
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1 Year Ago Today
Allo v25 enables automatic transcriptions for audio messages, may hint at threaded conversations [APK Teardown]
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2 Years Ago Today
Most Wanted: The top budget (<$250) smartphones of 2016
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3 Years Ago Today
[Update: Nexus 6] [Flash All The Things] Android 6.0.1 Marshmallow Nexus And Android One OTA Roundup
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4 Years Ago Today
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5 Years Ago Today
[Holy Crap Finally] Netflix Profiles Available In Build 3.1.0, Rolling Out Now Through The Play Store
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6 Years Ago Today
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7 Years Ago Today
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8 Years Ago Today
Dolphin Browser Mini Goes Into Public Beta, Offers Much Faster Performance All Around
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