If you are at all into the root/ROM community, then you should probably be familiar with Open GApps, which combines the Google services that most of us need for our Android phones (i.e., the Play Store, Play Services, and other Google apps) into a collection of convenient, recovery-flashable packages. In a milestone, today Open GApps has released its first builds for Android 9 Pie. ARM packages are live, with ARM64 and x86 architectures to follow in the next few hours.
Read MoreInBrief
Non-essential app blocking for corporate-managed phones comes to G Suite
Corporate data security is paramount—particularly in industries with regulations like HIPAA which include steep fines for negligently handled personal data. Accordingly, allowing employees access to that data on mobile devices is not without its share of risks, as the potential of malware or lost/stolen devices may result in expropriated data. Google has introduced an extra step for IT managers to ensure that devices are compliant with corporate-defined security policy. Device Policy will now restrict apps determined to be nonessential (like Chrome or Gmail) from running until a device is returned to compliance.
Read MoreLocal reviews are now translated to your preferred language automatically
Google's local reviews can be a useful way to decide where to go and what to see when traveling, but what if you don't speak the language where you are? You can fumble with Google Translate to copy and paste the text, but that's clunky. Now, Google search and Maps will translate reviews to your language automatically.
Read MoreOpen GApps launches its own app for quick and easy Google Apps package downloads [APK Download]
If you're involved in the world of custom ROMs, there's little chance you haven't heard of the Open GApps Project. As of late, Open GApps has been the go-to site for downloading Google Apps packages. It's not hard to understand why; the site is pretty and easy to use, and the packages, which come in nine sizes and variations, are always up to date. Now, the guys behind Open GApps have taken the stuff that makes their site so great and infused it into a new Android app.
Read MoreThis evolution of Google Play app icons graphic is funny, but also a little depressing
An infographic posted on Google+ yesterday really has managed to capture the emotional roller coaster of Google's app icon evolution on Android over the past four years. Using the icons for Play Books, Music, Movies, Newstand, and Games, we can watch as Android goes from toy-like skeuomorphism, to paper cutouts, to triangles (!?), to triangles in circles (disgruntled face here) in Nougat.
Read MoreGoogle is demoting Hangouts to "optional" in the Google Apps package for Android, to be replaced by Duo
In an email sent to Google Mobile Services partners on October 5th, Google outlined a significant change to the core GMS package (AKA gapps) for telephony-enabled Android devices (basically, smartphones). As of December 1st, Google will no longer require Hangouts to be bundled with new hardware. An excerpt of that email follows.
Today, we are announcing that Google Duo will replace Hangouts within the suite of core GMS apps, and Hangouts will become GMS Optional for telephony products. This change will take effect on December 1, 2016.
This does not mean Hangouts, or Hangouts for Android, is dead. It does mean that manufacturers may opt to stop including it on smartphones released in 2017, so you'd have to download it from the Play Store after initial setup.
Read MoreGoogle is rebranding 'Google for Work' to 'Google Cloud,' for some reason
Google for Work, also commonly known as Google Apps, is a service available to businesses on a subscription model from Google. As you might figure out from the name, it allows companies to create and manage accounts that can use Gmail, Google Calendar, Hangouts, Google Drive, and other related services. As a matter of fact, everyone at Android Police has a Google for Work account.
The Information reports that Google is discontinuing the use of the 'Google for Work' brand, and replacing it with 'Google Cloud.' One of their sources, someone who was briefed on the change, said "The name change is Google’s way of saying, ‘We have the best cloud platform, period.'" The Information believes they will formally announce the name on September 29.
Read MoreThe Best Of AP
Google and Box partner to make working in the cloud more powerful
Today, Google took to its Work blog to announce the new partnership between Google Apps for Work and Box. The latter will now integrate with Docs and Springboard for further efficiency in business practices. Box will also serve as a third-party repository for Docs, Sheets, and Slides. The cool thing about that is users will be able to create new files and edit collaboratively within Box itself.
Google also announced that it is working to integrate its Springboard enterprise search tool with Box. Through this, users can find the information or files they need regardless of where that all may be hosted — whether that is in Gmail, Drive, Docs, or Box.
Read MoreInvite-only Google Springboard lets Apps for Work users search through everything
If your company uses Google apps to manage email, contacts, cloud storage, and all the other stuff that Google Apps for Work does, then you'll want the latest app in the collection post haste. Springboard is a sort of universal search tool for all the stuff that accumulates in Google Apps, plus a handy agenda view that shows everything new on the company account. Unfortunately it's in an invite-only stage right now, so even if you use Google Apps for Work, it may still be inaccessible.
Read MoreLatest Deals
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Google Store Easter discounts in Europe include up to €250 off a Pixel 3
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Marshall's stylish Kilburn II Bluetooth speaker is down to $258 ($41 off)
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[Update: Working, possibly] Reminder: Grab your Chromebook freebies, including INKredible Pro and Noteshelf
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17 temporarily free and 38 on-sale apps and games to end the week
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Portal from Facebook is half off at $99 from several retailers
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Latest Poll
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The Soundcore Liberty Neo finally bring decent audio to cheap true wireless earbuds
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The LG G8 is a good phone that can't escape some of the bad ideas behind it
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Zendure's SuperTank may be ugly, but it's the best and most powerful Type-C battery you can buy
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Belkin's Boost Up wireless chargers make the Pixel Stand look like a good deal
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Quick, Rapid, Fast, and Power Delivery charging explained: What you need to know about charging your smartphone (2019 edition)
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Latest Roundups
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15 new and notable Android apps from the last week including Swoot, Waymo, and Harmony Express (4/13/19 - 4/20/19)
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[Bonus Round] Evil Dead: Extended Nightmare, Ailment, Doors & Rooms: Escape games, Fireballz: Lava Labyrinth, PGA TOUR Golf Shootout, and Block Shooter!
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29 best new (and 1 WTF) Android games released this week including Construction Simulator 3, Photographs, and Distraint 2
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22 new and notable (and 1 WTF) Android apps from the last two weeks including Spark, Holey Light, and NYTimes - Daydream (3/30/19 - 4/13/19)
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[Bonus Round] Photographs, Tiny Klepto, Eat it Up, LegFish, OCO, and True Surf
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Recent Apps and Games
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Google Photos will finally tell you which photos weren't backed up, like the good ol' days
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15 new and notable Android apps from the last week including Swoot, Waymo, and Harmony Express (4/13/19 - 4/20/19)
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Google improves search result cards: Material refresh, additional information, more tabs
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Samsung releases AR-based Quick Measure app that only works with the Galaxy S10 5G
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Google Opinion Rewards' Material update is finally available to all [APK Download]
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Blast from the Past
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1 Year Ago Today
[Update: Verizon responds] Verizon promises Oreo update for Samsung Galaxy S7 and S7 edge but does not deliver
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2 Years Ago Today
Android Wear users, Google wants your help for some of its research studies
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3 Years Ago Today
[Updated] Google Camera v3.2 From Android N Preview Is Rolling Out To All Devices [APK Download]
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4 Years Ago Today
A Multicolored Google Logo Is Appearing In Android's Search Bar For Some Users
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6 Years Ago Today
ASUS Starts 4.2.1 Rollout To MeMO Pad Smart 10 With Build V10.6.1.15, Posts US Download Link
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7 Years Ago Today
[Update: It's Back!] Deal Alert: All Sprint 4G Smartphones For A Penny Right Now On Amazon Wireless
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8 Years Ago Today
[Updated: Download Link And Instructions] Just In: Samsung Fascinate ED01 Froyo Update Starts Early, Rolling Out Now
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9 Years Ago Today
HTC Gives T-Mobile myTouch Slide's Sense UI An Espresso Boost
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