We don't hear too much about Play Games anymore, which may seem pretty obvious since the updates have been very slow lately and Google recently announced plans to shutter some of the features that weren't seeing much adoption. However, a new version began rolling out today, and it makes a surprisingly large jump straight from v3.9 to v5.2. Don't get too excited for big changes, though; this update appears to be focused on upkeep and incorporating some of the features added with Android Marshmallow and Nougat, not any major new additions.
Read MorePlay Games v5.2 adds several notification channels, adaptive icons, and support for app data backup [APK Download]
Google Play Music v7.9 adds search history and notification channels for Android O [APK Download + Teardown]
There's a new version of Google Play Music rolling out to users this afternoon, but the changes aren't terribly noticeable if you aren't looking for them. Hidden away in the Settings screen is a shortcut to view your music search history, and buried away in the system settings is a set of new notification channels so you can customize just how much Play Music interrupts you. A teardown also suggests audiophiles can look forward to some even more precise sounds coming from some tracks in the future.
Read MoreGoogle Maps v9.55 adds notification channels for Android O and might add offline maps for whole countries [APK Download + Teardown]
If you're on the Google Maps beta channel, you probably received an update to v9.55 in the last day or so. After hunting for a while, we haven't seen any notable changes on most devices; except if you're running Android O, in which case the latest version enables a full array of notification channels. The hunt for features also brought out a teardown with a hint that users may finally have the option to download offline maps for whole countries.
Read MoreAndroid Messages v2.3 from Developer Preview 3 adds "mark as read" to notifications, replaces settings with Notification Channels, and prepares to add smart replies [APK Download + Teardown]
The third developer preview of Android O came with a stack of new versions for Google's assorted apps. Many of them are essentially unchanged from the regular versions available through the Play Store, but there are a few offering up some excellent new features. Android Messages falls into that group as it adds the option to mark a message read from the notification shade and customization for contact notifications has been completely reorganized to take advantage of Android O's Notification Channels. A teardown also reveals that Android Messages is going to join the ranks of semi-intelligent chat apps that offers suggestions based on context.
Read MoreGoogle Maps v9.54 prepares to add saved locations for your school and gym, notification channels, and what looks like a task list [APK Teardown]
An update to Google Maps v9.54 began rolling out to users through the beta channel yesterday, but it doesn't appear to have any visible changes going live quite yet. However, a teardown of the apk does bring a few hints about what to expect in the future. There are clues about a couple of new saved destinations like the Home and Work slots that have become so useful, the first stirring of support for Android O's notification channels, a few new "promos" to get people interested in various features, and a very curious feature that might turn out to be a task list of sorts.
Read MoreGoogle app v7.3 beta prepares for podcast subscriptions, data saver for Now Cards, and more [APK Teardown]
Version 7.3 of the Google app began rolling out to users in the beta channel earlier today. There are a few odd little changes to be found poking around in the UI, like a new menu shortcut on many of the Assistant settings screens that leads to the Activity Controls settings, but it's all pretty innocuous. We'll surely see more significant features going live as Google activates them remotely over the coming weeks™. Nevertheless, there are some interesting things to be found during the course of a teardown.
Read More[Update: O DP2 broke notification channels] Android O feature spotlight: Android tells you if an app is displaying a screen overlay
Being able to run apps that draw on top of other apps is a powerful feature of Android. Apps like Twilight take advantage of that to add a filter to the display, but other apps just show a floating UI element. However, this can also be a security concern. Android O offers a handy alert when an app is showing an overlay with a link to turn it off.
Read MoreGoogle Phone 9.0 prepares to add Android O's Notification Channels, picture messaging, post-call messages, and more [APK Teardown]
Late last week, an update to Google's Phone app began rolling out with no immediately obvious changes to the experience. While users don't have anything to play with quite yet, there are several interesting hints about what is to come in future releases. Hidden among the app's resources are signs of support for Android O's new Notification Channels feature, in-call picture messaging, post-call messaging, hidden menu codes for Motorola phones, and even some odd images of paws. Yes, seriously.
Update 1: 2017/05/10 3:16pm PDT
Read More
Official changelog posted
Google posted a changelog for the Phone app's latest update with the addition of emergency location display and "call waiting improvements" making up the majority of the new features.
The Best Of AP
Android O feature spotlight: Android System is already using notification channels
There are some cool things you can play around with in the Android O preview, but some of the most useful features won't be available until developers start implementing them. For instance, the new notification channel feature. As it turns out, Google has already implemented notification channels in the Android System. That means you can get a feel for how it'll work.
Read More[Update: more details] Android O feature spotlight: Notification Channels give more controls over notifications to users
Android has allowed blocking notifications from selected apps for a while now, but it was all-or-nothing. Android O aims to give users more control over what notifications they want to see, through the new Notification Channels API.
Read MoreLatest Deals
-
2
Refurbished JBL Link 300 with Assistant and Cast support on sale for $80 ($45 off)
-
30
[Update: Portal+ $100 off, too] Portal from Facebook is half off at $99 from several retailers
-
3
Keep an eye on your little ones with the Arlo Baby Monitor for $145 ($55 off)
-
5
Get a Google Home Hub for $74 ($76 off) at Rakuten
-
12
Prime Exclusive Moto X4 is down to just $120 ($90 off) on Amazon
-
2
Latest Poll
Loading ...Recent Reviews
-
31
The Soundcore Liberty Neo finally bring decent audio to cheap true wireless earbuds
-
100
The LG G8 is a good phone that can't escape some of the bad ideas behind it
-
37
Zendure's SuperTank may be ugly, but it's the best and most powerful Type-C battery you can buy
-
9
Belkin's Boost Up wireless chargers make the Pixel Stand look like a good deal
-
290
Quick, Rapid, Fast, and Power Delivery charging explained: What you need to know about charging your smartphone (2019 edition)
-
31
Latest Roundups
-
4
26 best new Android games released this week including Whispers of a Machine, Agatha Knife, and Metal Slug Infinity
-
1
15 new and notable Android apps from the last week including Swoot, Waymo, and Harmony Express (4/13/19 - 4/20/19)
-
2
[Bonus Round] Evil Dead: Extended Nightmare, Ailment, Doors & Rooms: Escape games, Fireballz: Lava Labyrinth, PGA TOUR Golf Shootout, and Block Shooter!
-
3
29 best new (and 1 WTF) Android games released this week including Construction Simulator 3, Photographs, and Distraint 2
-
4
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)
-
4
Recent Apps and Games
-
2
Chrome's data saver is now 'Lite mode,' still not coming to desktop
-
17
Mobile Passport app introduces Plus subscription, charges for features that were previously free
-
10
Minecraft 1.11.0 revamps villages, refines trading system, and introduces Wandering Trader
-
30
[Update: Fixed] Galaxy Wearable app is partially broken, preventing new setups from fully working
-
56
Google Photos has removed its useful and compact yearly view
-
2
Blast from the Past
-
75
1 Year Ago Today
Google is testing an alternative Material redesign for Chrome
-
50
2 Years Ago Today
[Dick Jokes] Samsung burns another customer, this time with an emoji
-
34
3 Years Ago Today
Android N Feature Spotlight: ADB Has Much Faster Transfer Speeds, Improvements To Shell Commands, And A Bunch Of Compatibility Fixes
-
133
4 Years Ago Today
Stupid User-Submitted Google Maps Change Shows Bugdroid Pissing On Apple, Google Responds By Getting Rid Of It
-
62
5 Years Ago Today
[Deal Alert] Security App Cerberus Is Three Years Old Today, Celebrating With Free Licenses For One Day Only (Plus A New Feature)
-
17
6 Years Ago Today
CyanogenMod To Add Time-Delayed and Voice-Activated Photo Capture Modes
-
4
7 Years Ago Today
Award-Winning Game Rigonauts Coming To Android In May, Bringing Fighting Machines With Some Assembly Required
-
7
8 Years Ago Today
Updated: [Download] CyanogenMod 7 For The HTC Thunderbolt (Pre-Alpha) Now With Fast Mirror!
-
1
9 Years Ago Today
Real-life Photos Of The Garminfone Spotted For Those Of Us Who Are Directionally Challenged
-
75
