It has always been a bit of a strange omission; for years, if you wanted to give someone the gift of Google Play credit, you had to physically go to a store and buy a plastic gift card. In a world where everything is digital, it felt like a relic of a bygone era. Well, that is finally changing. … [Read more...] about The Google Play Store is finally adding a digital gift cards feature
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ChromeOS 140 is one of the quietest updates ever, and might be a sign of things to come
It's been about two weeks since ChromeOS 140 began rolling out to the stable channel, and if you've been waiting for a post from us detailing all the new features, you're not alone. With every new milestone update, we get excited to dig in, flip some flags, and find all the latest goodies. But with … [Read more...] about ChromeOS 140 is one of the quietest updates ever, and might be a sign of things to come
Gmail now lets you send end-to-end encrypted emails to anyone, even outside of Workspace
End-to-end encryption (E2EE) is the gold standard for secure communication, ensuring that only the sender and the intended recipient can ever read a message. But for email, implementing it has always been a clunky, complicated affair, especially when trying to communicate with someone outside of … [Read more...] about Gmail now lets you send end-to-end encrypted emails to anyone, even outside of Workspace
The powerful ‘Gemini in Chrome’ AI assistant is now rolling out to Workspace users
Just a couple of weeks ago, Google unveiled a massive suite of new AI features for the Chrome browser, with the "Gemini in Chrome" AI browsing assistant as the clear centerpiece. Today, the wait is over for business and education users, as Google is now beginning the general availability roll-out of … [Read more...] about The powerful ‘Gemini in Chrome’ AI assistant is now rolling out to Workspace users
Pixel 10’s new ‘Take a Message’ feature is the upgrade to voicemail you’ve been waiting for
Let's be honest: dealing with voicemails in 2025 can feel like a chore. Between spam calls and the time it takes to listen to a message, it's often an inefficient way to communicate. In a fantastic new update, Google is rolling out a feature on the Pixel 10 series called "Take a Message" that uses … [Read more...] about Pixel 10’s new ‘Take a Message’ feature is the upgrade to voicemail you’ve been waiting for
Google just made its AI coding agent, Jules, way more useful for developers
Jules, Google's AI-powered coding agent, has been a powerful tool for developers, helping with everything from generating code and fixing bugs to writing tests and improving performance. But until now, using it meant working primarily through its dedicated website or a GitHub interface. In a step … [Read more...] about Google just made its AI coding agent, Jules, way more useful for developers
Hear the fascinating story about how Google made the Pixel Buds 2a
The new Pixel Buds 2a, Google's latest entry into the affordable earbud market, are not just a minor refresh. In a recent episode of the Made by Google podcast, host Rachid Finge sat down with Pixel Buds Product Manager Vanessa Pau to get the inside story behind these new earbuds; and it's clear … [Read more...] about Hear the fascinating story about how Google made the Pixel Buds 2a
Google Meet’s AI-generated backgrounds are now available on your phone
The ability to create custom, AI-generated backgrounds in Google Meet has been a fantastic feature for desktop users. It's a fun way to express your personality, reinforce your company's branding, or simply hide the messy room behind you during a video call. But until now, this fun tool has been a … [Read more...] about Google Meet’s AI-generated backgrounds are now available on your phone
Even the very original Google Home will get the new Gemini for Home update
After yesterday's massive announcement of Gemini for Home, the big question on everyone's mind was a simple one: "Will my existing speakers and smart displays get this new, smarter assistant?" We've all been burned by new software features being limited to the latest hardware, and many were bracing … [Read more...] about Even the very original Google Home will get the new Gemini for Home update
Chrome is still smashing the competition, commanding nearly 72% of the desktop browser market
In the ongoing battle for browser dominance, it seems Google Chrome's position is more secure than ever. According to the latest desktop market share data from Statcounter (via NeoWin) for the month of September 2025, Google Chrome has not only widened its massive lead, but has also surged to a new, … [Read more...] about Chrome is still smashing the competition, commanding nearly 72% of the desktop browser market
Google opens up the Nest camera platform to third parties, starting with a $23 Walmart camera
Amidst all the exciting new first-party hardware announced at Google's smart home event today, one of the most strategically important pieces of news was a fundamental shift in philosophy. Google has announced that it is opening up its Nest camera platform and all of its new Gemini features to … [Read more...] about Google opens up the Nest camera platform to third parties, starting with a $23 Walmart camera
The new Google Home app is finally here: faster, smarter, and redesigned for Gemini
Alongside all the new hardware and the powerful new Gemini for Home intelligence, Google is rolling out the final, crucial piece of its smart home revitalization: a completely rebuilt and redesigned Google Home app. Based on user feedback, Google rebuilt the app from the ground up with three primary … [Read more...] about The new Google Home app is finally here: faster, smarter, and redesigned for Gemini











