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Google Stadia now lets you share games with family members
The family sharing feature includes titles you've claimed through Stadia Pro.
Google Drive's new plans bring family sharing and more options
You probably haven't had a huge reason to upgrade from Google Drive's free 15GB service, but Google thinks it can sway you with the right incentives. It's launching a new set of plans, nicknamed Google One, that give you considerably more than extra capacity. There's now a family sharing option similar to services like iCloud, for starters -- up to six family members can share a plan, each with their own private storage areas. Google is promising better support as well, with "one-tap" access to experts for Drive and other services. Previously, you needed a G Suite business account to get that kind of live help.
iOS 11.3 will let iPhone X users approve family purchases with Face ID
iPhone users will a get a handful of new capabilities when Apple releases iOS 11.3 this spring, one of which is sure to be welcomed by parents with an iPhone X. With the introduction of Face ID, some processes got a little easier for iPhone users, but parents who approve their children's purchases through the Ask to Buy feature have been a little irritated with the system. That's because while Touch ID-enabled iPhones let parents use their fingerprints to approve a child's purchase request, the iPhone X has been forcing parents to input their password each time. However, that's about to change because it appears iOS 11.3 will allow Face ID for purchase approvals.
iPhone X owners can't use Face ID to approve family purchases
Face ID on the iPhone X is helpful for authorizing a purchase for yourself, but don't expect to use it if you're approving a purchase for your kids. Numerous owners have discovered that the face authentication feature doesn't work for family purchases (that is, where a family member asks you to buy apps or music on their behalf) like Touch ID does on earlier iPhones. It's not a tremendous pain, but you probably won't relish the thought of punching in your password every time your little ones want a new game for their iPads.
Google's Family Library will let Android users share apps
It's been a long time coming, but Android users will soon be able to share apps with other family members. Android Police reports that Google has begun notifying developers that Family Sharing, which lets up to six family members enjoy the same paid app, will be enabled by default from July 2nd, giving Android households the opportunity to enjoy similar perks to those with iPhones and iPads.
Apple is shutting down iTunes allowance for kids
After May 25th, you'll have to come up with an alternative arrangement for your kids' iTunes purchases. Apple is killing iTunes allowance that day and even already stopped allowing new users to sign up for the feature on April 13th. iTunes allowance automatically replenishes kids' balance every month with a set amount, from $10 to $50. That way, they wouldn't have to have access to your credit card details, which could lead to debts, headache and the need to drink something stronger than beer.
Family Sharing on iOS spreads photos, purchases and more amongst relatives
With the arrival of iOS 8, sharing amongst the family is about to get a lot easier. Once you set up all the members of your household (up to six total), you can automatically share photos, calendars, reminders, location and more. But that's not all. You know that catchy tune your son bought last week? Well, you'll be able spin it on your iPhone too. Sharing books, movies, apps and songs is also thrown in, and it can all be tied to a single credit card. Don't worry parents: You'll get a notification when your kids want to make a purchase.
Steam Family Sharing exits beta, lets you borrow all of your friends' games
One of the inherent drawbacks of digitally distributed games is that you can't loan them out to friends, but Steam has rewritten the rules a bit. Now that Valve's Family Sharing feature is out of beta, pretty much anyone can authorize another user -- that they trust with their account and its attached reputation/information -- and their device to "borrow" a game from their library. It's taken a few months to happen, but if your best Steam buddy owns Rust, you should finally be able to give it a shot before plunking down the cash for it yourself.
Steam announces Family Sharing beta, for lending out your digital downloads
You probably thought family plans were just for cellular data. Well, sir or madame, you are wrong. Soon enough you'll be able to share games you purchased through Steam with your friends and family, as well. The king of downloadable gaming has just announced Steam Family Sharing, which will allow customers to authorize certain devices to access their library of lendable titles. The same way that you're able to loan out a physical copy of a game or a book, you'll now be able to lend your digital downloads to others. And, if you see that your brother has a game you've been on the fence about, you can request access and try it for yourself. There are, of course, limitations. Your library can only be used by one person at a time. So if you, the primary user, log in to spend some quality time with Call of Duty Ghosts, your buddy checking out Bastion ahead of Transistor's release will have only a few minutes to either save and quit, or buy the title for themselves. Family Sharing will be launching in a limited beta next week, and you can sign up for it at the source link.
