Normally, enabling your phone's flashlight consists of swiping down from the top notification shade to reveal the quick settings and then tapping the "Flashlight" icon. To turn it off, you have to go and do the same thing. In recent memory, Google has added more efficient ways of doing this like … [Read more...] about Pixel users can now easily turn their flashlight off with one tap
Support our independent tech coverage. Chrome Unboxed is written by real people, for real people—not search algorithms. Join Chrome Unboxed Plus for just $2 a month to get an ad-free experience, access to our private Discord, and more. Learn more about membership here.
START FREE TRIAL (MONTHLY)START FREE TRIAL (ANNUAL)
After 17 years, Google Talk is finally dead
It's the end of an era and the beginning of yet another for Google. The company's Google Talk service is finally winding down after 17 years. Well, if we're honest, most people haven't been using it for the past few years aside from through Pidgin messenger or something for Linux - something I also … [Read more...] about After 17 years, Google Talk is finally dead
The Chrome Cast 172: Apple’s new hardware, Lenovo Duet 3 impressions, and a Pixel Watch app
This week on The Chrome Cast, we begin the show by talking about Apple's latest announcements from WWDC 2022. With a new ARM-based M2 chip, a new Macbook Air, a confusing Macbook Pro with the M2 chip, and an interesting new multitasking tool in Stage Manager, there was a fair bit to discuss on the … [Read more...] about The Chrome Cast 172: Apple’s new hardware, Lenovo Duet 3 impressions, and a Pixel Watch app
Google Fit has a new logo
Google has big plans for Google Fit and how it "fits" into Fitbit's future. Wow, that's a mouthful, but it's true. Even with Fitbit becoming the central focus of the company's health and wellness efforts ever since its acquisition, the original step tracking, calorie counting app is going nowhere … [Read more...] about Google Fit has a new logo
You will soon be able to stream your Xbox Game Pass games directly on 2022 Samsung Smart TVs
In addition to the Xbox game streaming device that's coming to market within the next six months - something we reported on earlier this week - Microsoft will soon let 2022 Samsung TV owners stream their Game Pass games directly through their televisions without the need for a game console! … [Read more...] about You will soon be able to stream your Xbox Game Pass games directly on 2022 Samsung Smart TVs
ChromeOS will soon have two-thirds and one-third window snapping
Before the release of Windows 11, ChromeOS had, in my opinion, the best – yet simple – approach to native window management. I preferred it to Windows 10's split screens and MacOS' split view, which forced window pairings into full-screen mode. However, all of that changed when Windows 11 introduced … [Read more...] about ChromeOS will soon have two-thirds and one-third window snapping
How to use Google Assistant Driving mode
In case you are not aware, Android Auto for phone screens – not the version of Android Auto that displays in your car's display – is going away soon in favor of Google Assistant driving mode. While Google Maps is still what your phone will use for navigation, Assistant driving mode makes it easier … [Read more...] about How to use Google Assistant Driving mode
Chromecast with Google TV’s “Proactive” screensaver rolls out more widely
In what may be the longest rollout in the history of Google releases, the long-awaited ambient mode screensaver for Google TV that features "proactive personal results" is starting to see a wider rollout and an official announcement on Twitter, as well as a mention on the Google TV Help page. … [Read more...] about Chromecast with Google TV’s “Proactive” screensaver rolls out more widely
Android 13 Beta 3 and 3.1 released just two days apart
On Wednesday, Google announced the release of Android 13 Beta 3 for Pixel phones, marking the Platform Stability milestone for Android 13 in general. Simply said, the release had already reached a point where Developers needed to start all the final compatibility testing for their apps and prepare … [Read more...] about Android 13 Beta 3 and 3.1 released just two days apart
YouTube Music giving away a free year to those who have been subscribed since the beginning
You're a real one if you've been subscribed to YouTube Music since the beginning. In fact, if you've been around that long without any interruption to your subscription, you may end up receiving a free 12 months of service directly from Google as a thank you! One user who goes by the name of … [Read more...] about YouTube Music giving away a free year to those who have been subscribed since the beginning
How to collaborate on YouTube video playlist curation and why you may want to
I'm often an edge case when it comes to how I use Google services due to the fact that I try my hardest to keep my personal, work, creative and other endeavors separate while simultaneously attempting to cross-pollinate my access to each from the other Google Accounts. I think that the company does … [Read more...] about How to collaborate on YouTube video playlist curation and why you may want to
How to open HEIC images on your Chromebook
So, you've got a Chromebook and your friend with the iPhone just sent you a photo they snapped via a chat app. You download the file only to find that your ChromeOS device can't open this possibly unfamiliar file format called .HEIC. Now, you may be thinking "I've never encountered this problem nor … [Read more...] about How to open HEIC images on your Chromebook
