I've been waiting for this feature for a long time, and it looks like a whole new system for backing up and restoring your stuff in Google Messages is finally on the way! Right now, Android relies on Google (One) at the system level to handle message backups, and if you are setting up a new device … [Read more...] about Google Messages is finally getting a proper backup and restore feature
New & Upcoming Features
Android 16 Developer Preview 1 is now available, 3 months early
It seems Google is wasting no time in getting Android 16 up and running quite a bit ahead of the normal schedule. With a planned launch in Q2 of 2025, we're already seeing the first Developer Preview land on Pixel devices a whole three months earlier than usual. This shift definitely aligns with … [Read more...] about Android 16 Developer Preview 1 is now available, 3 months early
ChromeOS 130 touts yet another vaporware feature with multi-calendar
Right before the absolute largest bombshell that could have dropped in the Chromebook world hit me smack-dab in the face yesterday, I was sitting here at my desk, answering questions in our Chrome Unboxed Plus community about a feature that was supposed to ship in ChromeOS 127, never showed, and was … [Read more...] about ChromeOS 130 touts yet another vaporware feature with multi-calendar
Google Weather update brings “immersive weather vibrations” to users
Google is now beginning the roll-out of a few nifty additions that make checking the weather a bit more immersive and informative on Pixel devices. If you're rocking a Pixel 8 or newer, you'll soon get introduced to "Immersive weather vibrations" to accompany those fun, new AI-generated city … [Read more...] about Google Weather update brings “immersive weather vibrations” to users
Android’s new ‘Screen Time Reminders’ are my absolute favorite wellbeing feature
Google has been quietly rolling out a new feature to its Digital Wellbeing suite on Pixel and other Android phones called Screen Time Reminders. This feature aims to help users avoid getting sucked into their favorite apps for hours on end, and I'm already 100% on-board with this helpful, … [Read more...] about Android’s new ‘Screen Time Reminders’ are my absolute favorite wellbeing feature
Gemini-infused Google smart speakers and displays might be just around the corner
Remember back in August when Google casually dropped the news that Assistant was getting a Gemini-powered upgrade? Well, it seems like the time for that upgrade might finally be just around the corner. Folks at 9to5Google have been digging through the latest Google Home APK and uncovered some … [Read more...] about Gemini-infused Google smart speakers and displays might be just around the corner
Pixel Phone app real-time Scam Detection is rolling out in Beta
Remember that awesome real-time Scam Detection feature Google demoed at I/O 2024 back in May? Well, it's finally rolling out to Google's phones from Pixel 6 and newer - in the beta version of the Google Phone app, anyway. This is a pretty big-time addition to the Pixel's anti-spam arsenal, and it's … [Read more...] about Pixel Phone app real-time Scam Detection is rolling out in Beta
The Chromebook overview mode is getting a quick-glance weather widget
Since the debut and semi-slow roll-out of ChromeOS 130, I'm sure many of you have noticed and used the new overview mode feature. It works in tandem with the new Welcome Recap feature that allows you to launch every single window - right where they all were - upon returning to your device. … [Read more...] about The Chromebook overview mode is getting a quick-glance weather widget
Google’s Gemini Gems are a hit, and they are getting even more powerful
Google just dropped some new features that make their already-useful Gemini Gems even more impressive. If you aren't yet familiar with Gemini's custom Gems, think of them as specialized AI assistants tailored to your specific and evolving needs. With their initial announcement, you've already been … [Read more...] about Google’s Gemini Gems are a hit, and they are getting even more powerful
Finally, Chromebook Plus devices are now all on ChromeOS 130
It's been a bit of a long ride this time around, hasn't it? With ChromeOS technically rolling out back around October 30th, the two weeks its taken for it to actually arrive for most Chromebook Plus devices have felt like an eternity. Normally, with smaller updates and small feature add-ons, these … [Read more...] about Finally, Chromebook Plus devices are now all on ChromeOS 130
The Pixel Watch security update for November is rolling out now
Google is finally back on track with their Pixel Watch updates. After a bit of a botched update in September when they paused the Wear OS 5 update for older devices, the November 2024 update is rolling out today. This time, it's packing new stuff for Pixel Watch, Pixel Watch 2, and Pixel Watch 3 … [Read more...] about The Pixel Watch security update for November is rolling out now
YouTube is testing a swipe-up change that I really hope doesn’t happen
Though the past few years have seen the emergence of video platforms like TikTok, YouTube is still the king of online video. Regardless of this fact, YouTube has continually been changing to keep up with the trends that have emerged thanks to all the short-form video platforms gaining so much … [Read more...] about YouTube is testing a swipe-up change that I really hope doesn’t happen
