Google Assistant has fundamentally changed the way we all live our lives. From a convenience standpoint, intelligence and learning, and even a social aspect play a role in how it’s shaped and shifted the landscape of how we interact with technology and one another. Ever since the global COVID-19 pandemic struck, I’ve noticed something strange, […]
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The full Pixel phone roadmap has leaked, all the way through 2025
Some of you read that headline and thought exactly what I did when I heard this news: how hard is it to discern Google’s Pixel phone strategy? After all, the company has been pretty solid with their release cadence, only modifying things a bit during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. Should be simple, right? […]
Continue ReadingGoogle’s Santa Tracker begins counting down the days till Christmas with fun games for your kids
Is it weird that I genuinely enjoy writing about Google’s Santa Tracker each year? Yes? Well, I’m still going to do it, because I think many children enjoy playing the various mini-games added to it! I absolutely love Christmas above all other holidays, and my son has a ton of fun with it too. Over […]
Continue ReadingGoogle is working on built-in video conferencing controls for Chromebooks
When the COVID-19 pandemic descended on the world back in 2020, Chromebooks saw an explosion in sales and use across every market imaginable. Droves of students were issued ChromeOS devices as remote learning became the new normal while hybrid and displaced employees scrambled to relearn what it meant to work remotely. With that shift came […]
Continue ReadingRIP Google Hangouts: You were good to us and we’ll miss you
The last stand for the classic Google Hangouts messaging app ends today with the shuttering of the web-based version, which served as a stopgap for those that hadn’t completely made the switch to Google Chat. Starting November 1, 2022, Hangouts on the web will no longer be available. If you wish to keep your Hangouts data, we […]
Continue ReadingChromeOS is getting on-device background blur and other video conference effects
For a while there, ChromeOS users had no choice but to watch from afar as users of other desktop platforms enjoyed background blur and video effects on Zoom and other video conferencing apps. However, in 2020 – mostly due to the COVID-19 pandemic forcing a high demand for using video as a means to communicate […]
Continue ReadingHow to add gift cards to the new Google Wallet app
Google has prepared a blast from the past in the form of its efforts to revive the Google Wallet app and branding. The idea is to offer users a more card-centric, user-friendly experience that’s not centered on peer-to-peer payments and transaction management like Google Pay. Wallet allows you to add credit and debit cards, passports, […]
Continue ReadingBetter background blur for web-based video calls is in the works
Since the onset of the global pandemic, we all began a journey that would have us in front of our webcams far more often than ever before. Prior to COVID-19, I was on a video call a few times a year at most and only video chatted with family and friends when necessary. I didn’t […]
Continue ReadingJune 2022 Pixel Feature Drop begins rolling out today
It’s that time again, Team Pixel! Google’s latest Pixel drop has begun rolling out today, bringing a nice selection of helpful features as well as some fun and unexpected ones. The update will apply to Pixel 4 through Pixel 6 and 6 Pro devices. Here’s everything that was announced: Turn your videos into music with […]
Continue ReadingAndroid 12 QPR3 Beta 3 breaking Pixel Launcher app search for some
Android 12 QPR3 Beta 3 was made available to beta testers earlier this month as the third and final build before moving on to stable. The release was reported to include a few bug fixes pertaining to a white line on the screen of Pixel 6 Pro devices, a crashing issue with the NHS COVID-19 […]
Continue ReadingRevamped Google Wallet officially revealed, Pay gets Virtual Cards for better checkout protection
Last month, we got an early sneak peek at Google Wallet, the resurrected service that now ties in with Google Pay as a frontend UI for housing your loyalty cards while Pay handles payment processing in the background. Along with the new user interface, the new icon or logo leaked early. Today at Google I/O […]
Continue ReadingGoogle now lets you track Flight prices across any dates, save hotels and rentals to Collections
Many people, myself included, are looking to use this summer to begin traveling again and Google has continued to provide updates to Maps, Search, Travel, and more to ensure it’s prepared to help. It’s actually rolling out a few new features for flights, hotel searches to help you make the most of its services as […]
Continue ReadingAndroid 12 QPR3 Beta 3 available now for Pixel phones
The third and final Beta build of Android 12 QPR3 (Quarterly Platform Release) was released yesterday and is rolling out to eligible Pixel devices via an OTA (over-the-air) update. Beta 3 (S3B1.220420.005) includes May’s Pixel security patch and additional bug fixes. For those not aware, the Android 12 QPR Beta program was launched in March as a […]
Continue ReadingHow to create and join a Google Meet from your browser
Google Meet, Google’s flagship video conferencing tool, rose to popularity along with Zoom and Microsoft Teams with the arrival of the COVID-19 global pandemic. Suddenly, video conferencing was not just for workplace conference room interactions but necessary for everyday human connection in the face of a worldwide emergency. This rapid growth in users prompted Google […]
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, […]
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