Android's "Link Your Devices" settings may also add "instant hotspot" and "automatically share Wi-Fi" features, in addition to the previously spotted "call switching" and "Internet sharing" features.

As initially spotted by user @AssembleDebug, the latest version of the Google Play Services app has added new strings pertaining to these features.

1) "Instant hotspot": "Your devices can turn on this hotspot and connect whenever they need internet"

2) "Randomize name & password": "Prevents other devices from discovering your instant hotspot"

3) "Internet sharing": "Let your devices connect to your hotspot and Wi-Fi." "Internet sharing works with Chromebooks and Android devices signed in to your Google Account. Bluetooth needs to be on to share internet."

4) "Automatically share Wi-Fi": "Your nearby devices can connect to Wi-Fi without entering the password again"

5) (Previously seen) "Call switching": "Switch between devices for calls"

I personally think the features that the Cross-Device services/Nearby team is working on at Google are REALLY important for the future of Android. Ecosystem interoperability is one of the biggest strengths of Apple products, and it results in making it harder for users to switch from that ecosystem.

Google really needs to counter Apple's ecosystem with more cross-device features. I'm looking forward to seeing what the team there releases next!

Google Play Services is starting to roll out a big redesign of its settings page. I'm referring to the page you access by going to Settings > Google.

Now, instead of showing the full list of settings by default, you'll get quick access to a couple of key settings in the "recommended" tab. The "all services" tab houses the remaining settings.

I got this new UI after updating Google Play Services to version 23.33.14, but I only see it on one of my devices. Let me know if you see this new UI on your device - it's long overdue, IMO!

Google is adding new wallpapers to the Wallpapers & Styles app.

They can be found in the Cityscapes, Textures, and Life categories. A total of about 20 new desktop wallpapers have been added to each section.

Google News | En

The September 2023 Android Feature Drop is here! The Android Feature Drop is a roundup of new features in Google apps. The latest drop brings an updated At a Glance widget, new Android Auto apps, and improvements to Lookout, Wallet, and Routines. Here's a 🧵 about what's new:

Because this ALWAYS causes confusion, no, this is NOT the same thing as the Pixel Feature Drop. The Pixel Feature Drop is for new Pixel-exclusive features, while the Android Feature Drop is for new features in Google apps that are available to all Android devices.

1) The Google App's At a Glance widget is getting a visual revamp and new features. The widget will surface helpful information like weather alerts, travel updates, and event reminders. (Note: this is not the same At a Glance widget found on Pixel devices.)

2) With image Q&A, now out of closed beta, the Lookout app can automatically generate descriptions from images that have low quality captions or that don't have alt text at all. Users can then use their voice or type to ask questions about the image.

Lookout also now supports 11 new languages, including Japanese, Korean, and Chinese, bringing the total number of supported languages to 34.

3) Google Wallet now supports Pass photo import, letting you digitize any pass that has a barcode or QR code. You can, for example, upload an image of your gym or library card to store a digital version of it in Google Wallet.

4) Apps for Zoom and Webex by Cisco are coming to Android Auto, letting you join conference calls by audio and browse your meeting schedules right from your car display.

5) You can now get Assistant to automatically read out your activity and sleep data (from Fitbit or Google Fit) through a new action in personal Routines. For example, you can add the "get wellness info" action to the "Hey Google, good morning" routine.

Google is overhauling Android's logo and iconic robot mascot! The new visuals "draw inspiration from Material design to complement the Google brand palette, as well as be adaptable." The updated visuals will "appear on Android devices and in more places starting this year."

What do you think of the new logo and robot design?

Pixel 8 Pro from all angles and in all colors!

For a short period of time Google made the Pixel 8 Pro available for preview on its new Pixel Simulator service, where you can see the company's devices from all sides. Dylan Roussel was the first to discover this.

Naturally, the company quickly shut the shop, but the internet remembers everything. This post is accompanied by images of the device in three different colors: Sky (bluish), Porcelain (beige) and Licorice (gray). These renders confirm the presence of a temperature sensor and a SIM card tray, rumors about the absence of which were rumored earlier.

There is also a fun video based on this simulator made by Brandon Lee.

Google News | En