if you're a Google Keep user, you might have noticed a little prompt nudging you to "Reload Keep" this week. I had it pop up a few days ago and didn't think too much of it, but it seems it's happening to most users across the board. It looks to be a simple update of some sort, but the front-facing … [Read more...] about Google Keep is forcing users to “reload” their notes for some reason
New & Upcoming Features
Pixel’s “Enhance Now Playing” feature is now rolling out to users
Google's December 2024 Feature Drop brought a promised update to the Pixel's Now Playing experience, introducing an "Enhance Now Playing" setting. While the concept is promising, the rollout had yet to actually happen: until now. Rolling out now to Pixel 6 and newer, "Enhance Now Playing" … [Read more...] about Pixel’s “Enhance Now Playing” feature is now rolling out to users
Real user trials of Google Veo 2 AI video generation are wild
Google has clearly been on a rampage lately as they continue rolling out new, amazing AI technology. However, instead of simply announcing things, Google is shipping them in a speedier way than we are used to, and there are real users out in the wild with access to Veo 2 - Google's new AI-powered … [Read more...] about Real user trials of Google Veo 2 AI video generation are wild
ChromeOS 131 official release notes showcase what’s new
ChromeOS 131 began rolling out a couple days ago, and like I assumed at the beginning, it's not really bringing along too many big changes under the hood this time around. Along with the requisite bug fixes and security patches, here's a quick look at what's new in the last ChromeOS update of … [Read more...] about ChromeOS 131 official release notes showcase what’s new
Pixel’s December update quietly introduced “Bypass Charging”
Google's December Pixel Drop quiet delivered users a significant, albeit unadvertised, improvement to battery management: "bypass charging." This feature, coupled with the new ability to limit battery charging to 80%, offers Pixel users a powerful combination for preserving battery health and … [Read more...] about Pixel’s December update quietly introduced “Bypass Charging”
How to try out Gemini on your Nest Audio or Nest mini smart speakers
We've been talking for a bit about the arrival of Gemini's conversational abilities finally coming to the Google Assistant on smart speakers, and that roll-out looks to be happening now. It still requires opting in to the Home App's public preview and enabling some experimental features, but some … [Read more...] about How to try out Gemini on your Nest Audio or Nest mini smart speakers
Pixel’s Now Playing feature looks set to get a default playback option
Pixel's Now Playing feature that identifies songs playing around you for at-a-glance reference is about to get even better. This handy tool which first appeared on the Pixel 2 and 2 XL back in 2017 acts like a built-in Shazam, automatically displaying the song title on your lock screen and in your … [Read more...] about Pixel’s Now Playing feature looks set to get a default playback option
The December Pixel Drop is here with a host of updates
Google's December Pixel Feature Drop is upon us, and it's brimming with enhancements designed to make your Pixel experience even more intelligent and intuitive. This update goes beyond simple tweaks, offering substantial upgrades to Gemini AI, camera capabilities, and security measures. Let's break … [Read more...] about The December Pixel Drop is here with a host of updates
If you like YouTube TV’s “Enjoy the Zen,” I have good news for you
YouTube TV has taken its "Enjoy the zen" ad breaks to a whole new level with the launch of a dedicated channel just for their soothing, enjoyable content. That's right: those tranquil nature scenes and adorable animal clips are now available 24/7 for your viewing pleasure - no waiting for a dead ad … [Read more...] about If you like YouTube TV’s “Enjoy the Zen,” I have good news for you
Gemini extensions for your Phone, Messages, and WhatsApp are now arriving
The past couple weeks have seen quite a bit of movement in the Gemini space, and today is no different. To keep up with the theme of new functionality arriving every few days for the Gemini app on Android, Google is now rolling out extension for your Messages, Phone, and even WhatsApp, allowing … [Read more...] about Gemini extensions for your Phone, Messages, and WhatsApp are now arriving
Pixel phones can now tell you how hot they are running
If you've owned a Pixel 6 or newer, you know the feeling you get when your phone starts to overheat. In one way or another, you've perhaps pushed the device a bit too hard, maybe gaming or shooting a long 4K video, and the back of your phone starts to feel like a hot plate. But how hot is actually … [Read more...] about Pixel phones can now tell you how hot they are running
Gemini is getting a Spotify extension for playback and search
Google is continuing to reveal and release Gemini Extensions for users looking to leverage the LLM on their phones to actually get things done outside of simply chatting with an AI bot with endless, factual (most times) knowledge. While the roll-out of these new extensions has been a bit slower than … [Read more...] about Gemini is getting a Spotify extension for playback and search