Google transforms your browser into a digital easel with Chrome Canvas
Now, you can take quick notes or doodle straight within your browser thanks to the launch of Chrome Canvas. The Google-made app lets you use your finger or a digital stylus to draw from within the browser. And on a computer without a touchscreen, you can also create sketches with your mouse or touchpad.
The 10 biggest GIF moments of 2018, according to Google’s Tenor
Whether it's a shocking sports result or a celebrity death, sometimes a GIF is the best way to sum up your reaction. Find out which events in 2018 sparked the highest levels of GIF searches and activity on Tenor, a GIF search engine used by hundreds of millions of people around the world.
Wear OS for smartwatches: Everything you need to know
Google has officially rebranded its Android Wear operating system to Wear OS. Removing the Android name may help people better understand Google-powered smartwatches. How does Wear OS differ from Android Wear? Outside of the name change and the new logo, Google is also gradually rolling out new features.
Google patent shows off a hinged smartphone with selectable displays
Google has been awarded a patent on a folding smartphone design that could set it apart from the other major players in the game. Google's patent shows a hinged smartphone that can be used in a number of different ways, including in a two-player tent-style fold that would allow for different inputs.
Google Play is offering discounts on apps, games, movies, and more
Google has announced a series of discounts on apps, games, movies, and more in celebration of the holiday season. In particular, you'll get discounts on the first season of Game of Thrones, as well as in games like Pokemon Go and Lineage 2. The deals run until January 2.
Close your tabs: Chrome for Android may launch a new sneak peek feature
A new browsing feature may soon let Chrome for Android users browse the internet without having to open a ton of tabs. The new feature, currently being tested out on Google Chrome Canary and Dev, allows users to view the content of another webpage as an overlay within a currently open tab.
Here’s how the Google Play Store detects fake ratings and reviews
Reviews and ratings are critical when figuring out if an app is worth your time or money. That's why Google spares no expense when cracking down on fake reviews and ratings on the Google Play Store. 2018 saw Google launch a new model for detecting them, and has let us know how it did.
You’ll soon be able to run Windows and Chrome OS on your Chromebook
Chromebooks may finally get access to the long in-development dual boot feature previously known as Project Campfire. Although not officially announced by Google as of yet, several commits within the Chromium repository suggest it could be far along in development and we may see it announced in early 2019.
Google’s Gboard keyboard app reaches 500 languages in just two years
In December 2016, Google launched Gboard with support for an already-impressive 100 languages. Since then, however, Google has added a hefty 400 languages to the software keyboard, bringing the total number to 500. Google also gave some insight into how to adds new languages to Gboard.
Former Microsoft intern claims Google may have sabotaged Edge browser
Google's Chrome web browser has been able to establish such dominance that Microsoft is abandoning its propriety web rendering engine, switching Edge over to the Chromium Project, but did Google may have played dirty with code in an attempt to force Microsoft to make the decision with little choice?
Which smartphone manufacturers won and lost in 2018
With 2018 drawing to a close, we take a look back over the last 12 months to see which smartphone manufacturers enjoyed a good year, who was treading water, and who would rather forget 2018 completely. Find out which phone makers won and lost in 2018.
Google to expand New York City presence with $1 billion campus
Google is following in Amazon's footsteps with its own plans to significantly expand its presence in New York City. The company announced on Monday, December 17 that it's investing $1 billion on three sites in Manhattan for more than 7,000 workers. The first buildings will be open for business by 2020.
Chrome fights manipulative sites that don’t allow you to hit the back button
Have you encountered a webpage that won't let you hit the back button? Some unscrupulous websites employ what is known as history manipulation, preventing you from hitting the back button and returning to your original destination, but now Google Chrome will be fighting back.
Project Stream testers get to keep a free copy of ‘Assassin’s Creed Odyssey’
Those who participated in Google's technical test of Project Stream won't be able to access the service to play Assassin's Creed Odyssey after January 15, but they'll get to keep the game on PC anyway. Players only need to log an hour of playtime on Project Stream beforehand to qualify.
Google Chromecast returns to Amazon just in time for the holiday shopping crunch
It's been a chilly few years between Google and Amazon, with each company taking increasingly nasty shots at the other. But things may be improving. Just in time for the holiday shopping crunch, you can now buy two versions of Google's Chromecast on Amazon, something that hasn't be possible since 2015.
G’day, Google: U.S. users can now give Assistant a British or Australian accent
U.S. Google Assistant users can give their Assistant a different voice. Google has updated Assistant with the ability for users to give it either a British or Australian accent. So if you live in the U.S. but are used to other accents, you should be able to make Assistant a little more personal.
No more wild goose chase: ‘Duck.com’ now leads to DuckDuckGo instead of Google
DuckDuckGo users can now access their favorite privacy-focused search engine via a new domain: duck.com. DuckDuckGorecently acquired duck.com from Google. As a result, Duck.com no longer redirects to Google's search engine page. Instead, duck.com will lead users to DuckDuckGo's search page.
Google makes it easy to donate to charity straight through the Play Store
As we head into the holiday season, Google has announced a new feature on Google Play that makes it a little easier to donate to charity. Through the new page, you will be able to choose from a range of charities and donate to the ones you prefer in only a few simple steps.
Google+ continues to sink with a second massive data breach. Abandon ship now
Google+ was scheduled to shut its doors in August 2019, but the second security breach in only a few months has caused the company to move its plan forward a few months to April. In that case, it might be a good idea to delete your account sooner rather than later.
Google Fit app finally gets a widget, among other new features
Google Fit hasn't received any new features since its major redesign this past summer. Starting this week, the company is rolling out a few new tools -- ranging from a widget to the ability to adjust workout intensity. Wear OS smartwatch owners will also have access to a breathing exercise app.
Google to end support for Android devices running Ice Cream Sandwich
Anyone with an old phone that is still running Android 4.0 may want to look into upgrading their phone, as Google has announced that it will be ending support for this older version of Android. This change will only affect the 0.3 percent of Android users who are running Ice Cream Sandwich.
Google Store sale is on now through December 24!
Starting today and continuing through Christmas Eve, Google is putting a slew of stuff in its online emporium on sale, including new Pixel phones and Google Home products. And customers sending gifts from the U.S. Google store can add custom gift messages printed on Google-branded greeting cards.
Google will shut down its Allo messaging app in 2019
Only a few days ago, reports surfaced that Google Hangouts was shutting down in 2020. While Google has since clarified any confusion, it didn't take long for another rumor to appear -- this time, about its chat app Allo. Sources close to the matter claim the tech giant is shutting it down "soon."
Google denies claim that it’s tracking internet users when incognito mode is on
After rival privacy-focused search engine reported that Google is following users on the internet to deliver personlized search results -- even when incognito mode is enabled -- Google released a statement denying those claims. Google claimed that DuckDuckGo's study was flawed, and that it's not tracking users.
Google’s design elements may be coming to a lot more apps in the near future
Google's Flutter is now public, allowing developers to use the same code for both iOS and Android apps. It hopes to blow away the competition by offering better performance and robust design tools – which might mean you'll see a lot more apps featuring Google's style language.
Here’s how Google’s Call Screening A.I. works, and how to use it
Google's Pixel 3 and 3 XL smartphones can take excellent photos, but they also feature a few artificial intelligence features that steal the show, and Call Screening is one of them. Call Screening uses the power of Google Assistant to answer the phone for you if telemarketers or robocalls are ringing.
Google’s Morse code-powered games aim to serve kids with limited mobility
Whether you need a more accessible way to access software, or whether you're simply interested in learning Morse code, Google's Morse code functionality on Gboard has helped open up tech for many people. Now, Google has teamed up with Adaptive Design to make learning Morse code open to even more people.
Why commercials in Android Auto could turn your dashboard into a dumpster fire
Google just announced a few tweaks to the Android Auto experience, focused on making messaging and media easier, but I worry about the future of platforms like Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. For better or worse, there’s a real chance our dashboards could turn into dumpster fires.
Where Toronto sees smart sidewalks, residents see ‘1984.’ So what now?
Citing personal data and privacy concerns, consumer advocates in Toronto are raising alarm about Alphabet’s plans to transform a derelict neighborhood into a smart city. Here’s what you need to know about the Sidewalk Toronto project.
‘PUBG Mobile’ highlights Google Play’s most popular content for 2018
Google has announced its most popular content for 2018, including the most popular games, apps, movies, and more. Notably, PUBG Mobile was the most popular Android game of the year, while superhero movies nabbed four of the five top movies spots, with Black Panther being the most popular.
Google Call Screen transcripts start rolling out to Pixel smartphones
The Call Screen feature that Google rolled out with the Pixel 3 will now get even better with the addition of the ability to save the transcripts. The Call Screen transcripts may be accessed with just a few taps on the touchscreen, but the extent of the rollout to Pixel phones remains unclear.
Like them or not, YouTube Stories just expanded to more channels
YouTube Stories are exiting testing. Beginning today, November 29, the feature will be available to channels with more than 10,000 subscribers. The launch comes with a comment tool and updates based on feedback. YouTube Stories can be recorded from the YouTube app and will stick around for seven days.
Google Assistant adds new features to help get you through the holiday rush
There's no denying the holidays really are the most wonderful time of the year. But the month of December also means crunch time. That's why Google has conveniently debuted a handful of new Google Assistant features to help your spirts up. But don't worry, they can also be used all-year round.
Google confirms virtual desktop support will eventually arrive on Chromebooks
Google is looking at ways to make Chrome OS a better alternative to Apple's MacOS and Microsoft's Windows 10 platforms, and one way to do that is by introducing a virtual desktop. Though Google has confirmed that Chromebooks will be getting the virtual desktop feature in the future, a timeline was not given.