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Google is giving Web Stories a bigger spotlight in its mobile app
They'll pop up in the Discover feed on iOS and Android.
Google makes it easier to search from the comforts of iMessage
GBoard is great for accessing Google without leaving iMessage, but, unless you're already using it as your default keyboard, switching back and forth is clunky. That should change with today's update for the Google app on iOS. Now the Google app is available within the iMessage app drawer and it offers weather forecasts, trending news and location-based information in addition to GIFs, YouTube videos and search.
Google app beta adds built-in screenshot-editing tools
Google app is extremely close to rolling out a built-in screenshot-editing tool -- so close that you can now try it out as a beta tester on Android. If you join the app's beta program and download version 7.21, you'll find an option that says "Edit and share screenshots" under settings and then under Accounts & Privacy. Toggle that on, and you'll see a panel pop up from the bottom of the page whenever you take screenshots anywhere you are within the Google app.
Google mobile saves searches if your connection drops
It may be 2017, but there are still lots of areas where cellular data doesn't reach. Like underground on the subway or in the middle of a rural lake, for instance. Google wants to make sure that lack of coverage doesn't hurt your curiosity, though. A new update to the Google app on Android will save your search for when a data connection reappears.
Google's mobile app gets a streamlined news feed
Google would love for its flagship, search-focused app to be the first thing anyone tapped after unlocking their smartphone, so the company is making a few changes to the app's front page in order streamline how you get your information. Starting with today's update, Google has helpfully broken up the information cards on the main feed into two main categories: current topics and upcoming events.
Google's neural network is binge reading romance novels
The Big G wants its app to be more conversational, so it's feeding a neural network with steamy sex scenes and hot encounters. According to Buzzfeed News, the network has been devouring a collection of 2,865 romance novels over the past few months, with saucy titles like Fatal Desire and Jacked Up. It seems to be working too: it was able to write sentences resembling passages in the books during the researchers' tests. While the AI now has what it takes to become an erotic novelist, the team's real goal is to use its newly acquired conversational tone with the Google app.
Find and play podcasts in the Android Google app
Google finally added podcasts to Google Play Music this week, but the episodic content is still rolling out to the music service's Android app. While you're waiting to have all of your listening content in one place, the folks in Mountain View are giving you another option in the main search app. Starting today, you'll be able to fire up a podcast right from the search results in the Google app on Android. Once you start a show, a player appears at the bottom of the window with play/pause controls and options for skipping ahead 30 seconds and skipping back 10 seconds.
Google's mobile app gets more detailed weather info on Android
You can now get more detailed info about the weather from Google's standalone Android app. In an effort to help people better prepare, the search giant has revamped its interface with new climate-related tidbits that'll be useful for everyone. Starting today, the Google app will display an array of fresh data, such as severe weather alerts (pictured above), 10-day forecasts, hourly sky conditions and what the chances of rain are, among other things. This update also lets you set multiple favorite locations, in case you'd like to access information regarding these at a later time.
Google's iPhone app gets better (looking)
Not to be outdone by Microsoft's new Bing app for the iPhone, Google has just released version 10 of its main iOS search-focused app. It's not a massive revision like Microsoft released today but rather a tweak to put the iOS app on par with its Android counterpart. The biggest change comes in Google Now: cards are more clearly organized by different categories like "upcoming," "updates," "stories to read" and so forth. While they weren't exactly displayed randomly before, these new headings help make more sense out of the various info Google Now will throw at you at any given time. Google says "timely info" like details relating to upcoming travel will show up first, while less time-sensitive cards will show up lower down your feed.
Google's 'Who's Down' app is here because no one replies to your texts
Never let it be said that Google doesn't like throw weird ideas at the wall and see what sticks. Take the quietly-released "Who's Down" Android app that just hit the Google Play store, for example. It's an invite-only app that simply shows you whether you're "down" to hang out -- presumably, once you have confirmed that you are indeed "down," your friends nearby will see that status and include you in whatever wonderful activities they have planned.
Google Now pulls info from 70 more Android apps
Google Now started pulling details from third-party Android apps back in January, but today the folks in Mountain View added support for a truckload more. As expected, in addition to the collection of nearly 40 integrations announced a few months back, Google displays info from 70 more inside the card-based repository. This means that you'll be able to easily keep track of items like your Zipcar reservation return time and quickly snag directions back to the drop-off spot. We won't run down the full list of new additions, but you can peruse the currently supported lineup right here -- just know that Spotify, ABC News, RunKeeper, Jawbone and OpenTable all made the cut. To leverage the new functionality, make sure you're device is properly equipped with the latest version of the Google app.
Trusted Voice unlock is rolling out to some Android users
When the latest version of Google's Android app arrived last week, there was a hint that a new method for unlocking a device was on the way. Well, it seems the wait is over... for some. Android Police reports that a handful of folks are seeing the newfangled Trusted Voice feature in the Smart Lock settings menu. The tool allows you to access your device when it recognizes you saying "OK Google," joining Trusted Face, pattern and PIN as options for keeping that trusty handset locked down. Of course, when you select the verbal method, you'll be warned that, like the facial recognition feature, Trusted Voice is less secure than a swipe pattern or numeric PIN. If you're not seeing the option yet, sit tight (no dice on my second-gen Moto X). It appears to be rolling out slowly, so it should hit your device soon enough.
Google app update lets Android users add nicknames for contacts
If you've got someone in your contacts list who's a real jerk, Google now lets you call them by saying just that. Thanks to an update to the Google app on Android, you can give those folks nicknames. The feature was already live for some, but it seems to be available for everyone now (just showed up for me). This means when you say "Call Jerk Face," or use something other term of endearment, your phone will dial them automatically. Upon further examination of the APK, the folks at Android Police discovered Mountain View is progressing towards the Trusted Voice feature that surfaced a few versions ago. That Smart Lock tool will seemingly allow you to unlock a device with a spoken phrase. There's also mention of something called Seamless Hotword, but for now, the name is about the only detail we've seen. If you're not sporting the latest version yet, it's available for download over at Google Play. The more adventurous can snag the APK right here.
Google confirms Glass will work with iPhone
Google held an event this week to show off its upcoming "Google Glass" interactive headset/system, and from that meeting came one important note for us iOS fans. Google confirmed that the system will definitely work with Apple's iPhone. The exact details of the relationship aren't clear, but there are of course a number of ways your iPhone could work with Google's glasses, from simply acting as a Bluetooth headset, to a more complex relationship with a Google app, sharing information or even an Internet connection back and forth. Obviously, Apple and Google aren't on the best terms at the moment, with Apple forcefully uprooting its deal with Google Maps to go with a more native solution. But Apple's also been very open to having Google apps on the App Store, so Google may work out some sort of solution where Glass plugs in through the Bluetooth connection or even right through the Lightning connector. At any rate, it sounds like your iPhone and Google Glass will play nice. Consumer versions of the Glass units are expected later on this year, though the price will be steep -- somewhere around US$1,500, according to the speculation. The tech will only get cheaper, so it might not be long at all before you're wearing your interactive glasses and connecting to your iPhone.
United Nations launches My Life as a Refugee Android app (video)
As the great Tom Petty once said, you don't have to live like a refugee, but one UN agency is hoping you'll at least download its new app to see what it could be like. My Life as a Refugee is designed to raise awareness about the plight of millions of people living in conflict-ridden places around the globe, and it's available right now for free on Android (coming soon to iOS). We found the app to be only marginally interactive, with users simply encouraged to click through a litany of facts. However, you do get to choose one of two possible options before time runs out as each situation unfolds. You can only "play" a certain amount each day, which means you get some cliffhangers, and of course you can "share your experience" on Facebook right from the app. You can learn more there in the source link.
Google app gets updated with push notification for Gmail
After many months of users having to resort to third-party or jailbroken apps to get push notifications from Gmail, Google has finally released an updated version of its iPhone app that now handily does that all for you. The update -- which is now freely available in the App Store -- allows you to sign into one or several Google accounts and set up Gmail and Google Calendar push events, which work just as you'd expect. It's not yet clear how consistently quick the app is at alerting you of new mail, though it seems to have a significant delay upon initial testing. So far connectivity to my Gmail account using the Mail app responds much quicker. As you can see from the screengrab of the update, you can specify quiet times for notifications, which could be handy if you tend to get a deluge of mail in the wee hours of the night. Google customers rejoice: push notifications are finally here!
