Android Cross-device services rolling out: Call casting, Internet sharing
At the end of May, Google announced the first set of Cross-device services features, with Call casting and Instant hotspot now rolling out to Android devices.
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Gemini now answers ‘general questions’ when your Android phone is locked
After initially being limited to Google Assistant-level commands, activating Gemini on the Android lockscreen now lets you ask “general questions.”
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Google Play services updates for Android Lollipop end
Google today is “discontinuing Google Play Services updates for Android Lollipop devices.” Android 5.0 hit stable in November 2014, with Lollipop representing less than 1% of active devices.
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What’s new in the July 2024 Google System Updates [U: 7/29]
The monthly “Google System Release Notes” primarily detail what’s new in Play services, Play Store, and Play system update across Android phones/tablets, Wear OS, Google/Android TV, Auto, and PC. Some features apply to end users, while others are aimed...
Dave Burke no longer Android engineering VP, Google ‘Platforms’ team undergoes reorg
Back in April, Google announced a merger of the Platforms & Ecosystems and Devices & Services divisions. According to sources, the resulting Platforms & Devices team is now undergoing a reorganization.
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Google letting the first users test Android’s new Theft Detection Lock
Following the announcement of Theft Detection Lock, Offline Device Lock, and Remote Lock at I/O 2024, Android users in Brazil can now sign-up to test that functionality.
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Where iOS 18 is playing catch-up with (and surpassing) Android
At WWDC 2024, Apple demonstrated how it’s infusing AI into the iPhone with iOS 18. Google said it wants to do the same with Android a month earlier at I/O and that this would be a multi-year journey.
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Google Messages will soon let Android users text 911 using RCS
Google today announced a partnership that will allow Android users to message 911 through RCS. The capability is set to start rolling out this winter.
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What’s new in the June 2024 Google System Updates [U]
The monthly “Google System Release Notes” primarily detail what’s new in Play services, Play Store, and Play system update across Android phones/tablets, Wear OS, Google/Android TV, Auto, and PC. Some features apply to end users, while others are aimed...
Google Wallet now supports PayPal on Wear OS, more digital car keys coming
After a number of updates at I/O 2024, Google Wallet is rolling out PayPal support on Wear OS and expanded digital car key availability.
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