Have you ever received a text from a friend that included a string of unidentifiable black boxes where emojis should be? These black boxes are called “Tofu” and are the subject of a recent “Ask a Techspert” article on Google’s “The Keyword” blog that explains the reason why this happens and lays out the steps […]
Continue ReadingAndroid
The Google Play Store will soon start to hide old and out of date apps for your protection
Google is adding a new requirement for application developers on the Play Store, and should they not comply by updating their app to work with the most recent version of Android, they could be at risk of being completely hidden from all users, and by extension, unable to have their app downloaded at all. According […]
Continue ReadingAndroid 12 QPR3 Beta 2 available now for Pixel phones
The second beta of the Android 12 QPR3 (Quarterly Platform Release) was released yesterday and announced by Google on the r/android_beta subreddit. This release (S3B1.220318.003) follows the initial release plus an interim patch targeting the Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro. However, it includes the latest April monthly release changes and security patches, as well […]
Continue ReadingGoogle announces partnership with iFixit for Pixel replacement parts
Google announced today that as part of a new partnership with iFixit, genuine repair parts for Pixel devices will become available for customers to purchase via the iFixit site. The announcement follows long-held debates and legislation about the “right to repair” and improving repairability on consumer products. Google states that iFixit.com will carry the full range […]
Continue ReadingMaterial You style dialer starts rolling out to Google Phone app
The Google Phone app, which is the default dialer on Pixel phones, has, for the most part, maintained the same look throughout the “Material You” overhaul of the Android UI. However, it looks like this is about to change. 9to5Google is reporting that a new “Material You” style dialer is rolling out to some users […]
Continue ReadingSuccessful Failures: Google TV is dead. Long live Google TV.
Content is king. At least, that’s how the saying goes in the entertainment industry. If the wildly-productive state of TV in 2022 is any gauge, the phrase is accurate. The term ‘Peak TV’ has been used to describe the content of the last decade, as studios fill their customers’ plates with a steady diet of […]
Continue ReadingGoogle Maps rolls out estimated toll prices and more detailed navigation, iOS improvements
Google Maps is rolling out a series of updates to the Android and iOS apps aimed at helping you plan your drive, save money and explore new places. More notable is the addition of estimated toll prices and a more detailed navigation map that now includes traffic lights and stop signs along your route, among […]
Continue ReadingHow to see if your Chromebook got the new Android ARCVM container in ChromeOS 100
With the recent launch of ChromeOS 100, Google has made it clear that the not-so-new ARCVM container will be rolling out to more Chromebooks in the near future. Though Google created and launched the newer ARCVM method of delivering Android apps on Chromebooks back in 2021, the tech hasn’t reached the majority of Chromebooks just […]
Continue ReadingHow to use the Files by Google app to reclaim space on your Android phone
Most of us can agree that 2020 was not a great year. The world was ravaged, and our lives were forever changed by a global pandemic; Australia saw one of its most devastating wildfire seasons, and Android users lost the system Files app with the release of Android 11. While the first two were serious […]
Continue ReadingAndroid 12 April security update rolls out, all Pixel phones included
It’s a new month, so you know what that means. Another Android security update is rolling out, which addresses several high-severity bugs, including a severe vulnerability that could lead to “local escalation of privilege with no additional execution privileges needed,” as detailed in the Android Security Bulletin. There are two security patch levels included in […]
Continue ReadingNordVPN launches new Threat Protection feature
Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, online security has become a hot button for millions of users who have been forcefully thrust into a newfound online lifestyle. Whether you’re working from home, learning remotely, or simply a digital nomad, keeping your online activity safe and secure is more important than ever. Thanks, in part, […]
Continue ReadingHow to set up and use Play Points, the Google Play Store’s free rewards program
You’ve probably at least heard of something called “Google Play Points”, but what are they, and why do they matter? How do you set them up and more importantly, how do you even spend them, and on what? Today, I’m going to answer all of these questions for you so you can make the most […]
Continue ReadingGboard rolling out new magic wand “Emojify” feature
Gboard is one of Google’s feature-packed applications that is great no matter which platform you use it on. It is top-rated on both the Android Play Store and the Apple App Store alike and has been instrumental in bringing features like glide and voice typing to the mainstream. It has also gained quite a few […]
Continue ReadingClassic Hangouts removed from Google Play and Apple app stores
The writing is on the wall for classic Google Hangouts. Last month, we reported that the transition from classic Hangouts to Google chat was entering its final phase for Workspace customers. This shift has been a couple of years in the making but hasn’t been well received by fans of the dying service. Its death […]
Continue ReadingGmail expands mobile notifications pause to favor desktop ones
Last month, a test rollout was discovered that prompted users to pause their Gmail mobile notifications in favor of Gmail notifications on the full browser. The feature simply paused notifications on your phone when it detected that you were using the desktop version of Gmail. At the time, we didn’t know how wide the rollout […]
Continue Reading
