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Google creates developer helpline to solve problems ... caused by Google
Maybe this will reduce wrongful takedowns on the Play Store
You can install apps from any source on Android, but most of us still turn to the Play Store to find new software. Google's security policies help make it the safest, most straightforward way to use apps on your phone, but the reliance on algorithms to help issue automatic takedown notices can leave developers high and dry. After countless false removals, Google is finally testing a new help desk solution for devs to use with any questions and concerns.
The Core i5 Pixel Slate's flash storage is failing for some users
Google is aware of the issue and is actively investigating the situation
It's no secret that Google's Pixel Slate has been a colossal disaster since it launched in late 2018. Google was betting big on making a compelling tablet powered by Chrome OS, but the software quirks, egregious price, and awkward tablet experience made it a painful product to use. The good news is that Google fixed most of the weird software bugs with updates, resulting in a much-improved user experience that doesn't nearly impede your workflow as much as it did before. However, the Pixel Slate once again finds itself in a nasty predicament, and it's something that can't easily be fixed by updating the software.
Google sure loves its negative space. Following bright refreshes of both Gmail and Google Drive earlier this year, Google Help has been overhauled with a new layout that includes way, way more white than the previous design.
Android Device Manager is Google's rather handy package of web and mobile software that allows you to remotely locate, ring, or lock your phone or tablet. Of course, it's not especially useful if it can't actually interact with your device. Most of the time errors are because a phone can't be reached via data, or because permission has been reset in the ADM app itself. But a small group of users are having trouble with getting ADM to recognize their devices at all.
Since the launch of Android 5.0 last month, the sheer number of app updates has been magnificent – and downright overwhelming. Believe it or not, most of the new versions haven't done much more than add Lollipop support and splash a fresh coat of Materialized paint on the UIs. Seriously, we've been checking. This isn't entirely a bad thing, as it's giving me time to work on some other projects... You'll see soon enough <wink>. But, we've finally got something to talk about with the latest release of Google Play services 6.5. Strictly speaking, a few of tidbits to follow were actually first seen in different minor releases of 6.1, but we're putting it all together here. It's time for a teardown!