Google Products & Services: Discussions

[Nairrk]

Google Messages might soon get a WhatsApp-like edit sent messages feature

Google Messages, a popular messaging app that lets you send and receive images, videos and text messages might soon be getting a new WhatsApp-like ‘Edit’ feature. According to code spotted by TheSPAndroid in a beta version of the app, the app may soon let users edit sent messages.

It looks like the tech giant recently added four new flags to the app labelled ‘bugle.enable_edit_ui’, ‘bugle.load_edit_history’, ‘bugle.process_outgoing_edits’ and ‘bugle.process_incoming_edits’, but they seem to be placeholders since enabling them at the moment reportedly doesn’t do anything.

While message editing is not a part of the RCS standard by default, the Mountain View-based tech giant has previously added some features like end-to-end encryption in the past, so it won’t come as a surprise if Google lets you edit messages sent in the future. Currently, the ability to edit sent messages seems to be a work in progress and there is no information on when it will be available.
Also Read | Google Messages: How to schedule text messages on your phone

Moreover, it is still unclear if messages sent using Google Messages will have a time limit, as is the case with both iMessage and WhatsApp, which let you edit messages two minutes and fifteen minutes after you hit the send button.

Also, it is still not known if the receiver will be able to see edit history. Both iMessage and WhatsApp also let you delete sent messages, but there is no indication that Google is working on a similar feature.

In the last few months, Google Messages introduced several new features like Photomoji, which lets you transform any image into stickers and reaction emojis. The tech giant was also reportedly working on bringing satellite-based text messaging to its in-house app using Garmin’s emergency SOS via satellite service.

Indian Express

 

[Nairrk]

Google Maps gets new ‘Fuel Efficient Route’ feature

Google Maps is the de-facto navigation app for most people and it continues to evolve and add new features to make the app more enjoyable and user-friendly. Now, the search engine has introduced a new update to help commuters save more fuel. This latest feature is currently available across select countries and it is soon expected to be launched for Indian users too. It will help commuters pick alternative eco-friendly routes to help lower their car's fuel/energy usage and CO2 emissions.

This feature is called eco-friendly routing and it works by showing fuel or energy-efficiency estimates on some routes based on the vehicle's engine type. Once this feature is turned on, Google Maps will show the fastest route, along with the most energy-efficient one, even if they aren't the same. However, if you choose to disable this feature, Google Maps will only recommend the fastest route, ignoring the fuel/energy-efficient option.

"The Google Maps app shows fuel or energy-efficiency estimates on some routes based on your vehicle's engine type. The more fuel or energy-efficient the route, the lower your car's fuel/energy usage and CO2 emissions," a press note read.

Google explained that fuel-efficient routing uses artificial intelligence (AI) to suggest routes that have fewer hills, less traffic and constant speeds with the same or similar ETA. In India, the new update will also include fuel-efficient routes for two-wheelers in a bid to help even more people travel more sustainably.

How to activate fuel-efficient routes
Activating this latest feature is easy. If the update is available at the location of the user, one has to open the Google Maps app, tap on the profile picture or initial, go to settings, and tap on Navigation settings. Then scroll to 'Route options', tap "Prefer fuel-efficient routes" to turn on eco-friendly routing. Then select your engine type, tap 'Engine Type' and choose accordingly.

If you have a vehicle that has an internal combustion engine, choose between gas (petrol) or diesel. If you have a hybrid car, choose hybrid, or if you have an electric vehicle, choose electric. If you skip this step, the app will pick petrol as the default engine and offer alternative fuel-efficient routes.

"The most fuel-efficient route suggestion could be different based on the engine type. For example, diesel vehicles' relative fuel economy advantage is generally greatest in highway driving. Hybrid and electric vehicles tend to provide progressively greater efficiency in stop-and-go city driving and hilly driving environments where they can extensively use and benefit from regenerative braking," Google explained.

NDTV

 

[Nairrk]

AI continues to supercharge Google Maps for India

Our goal with Google Maps has always been to organize information about the real-world and make it accessible and useful for everyone. And along this journey, AI has supercharged the way we map for nearly a decade, enabling us to build a comprehensive, up-to-date, and helpful map that's at the foundation of everything we do.

In India, it's allowed us to map millions of kilometers of urban and rural roads and more than 300 million buildings. This is serving millions of users on a daily basis, on average surfacing over 50 million searches across multiple languages, and powering over 2.5 billion kms of directions every single day on Google Maps in India. Our AI technology has made commute decisions more seamless, helping people choose the most time-efficient route with traffic predictions.

Read more..

 

[Nairrk]

Chrome will now automatically run Safety Check on desktop for more security

• Google announced updates to Chrome's Safety Check feature, automatically running in the background to detect security vulnerabilities and notify users quickly.
• Memory Saver feature in Chrome gets enhancements, giving users more control over which tabs should be closed or remain open to preserve battery life.
• Users will soon have the option to save tab groups on desktop and access them on different devices for a seamless browsing experience.

Google is continuously working on new updates to improve the UI in Chrome, but not everything is about customization and design. Security updates and features are commonly developed by Google to protect Chrome users from constantly evolving vulnerabilities. Now, the company has announced a slew of new performance and safety changes, specifically to do just that.

Google has announced that Safety Check, its security and privacy measure for Chrome, is receiving updates to bolster protection for desktop users. Rather than needing to deploy the feature — which detects security vulnerabilities and protects against third-party attacks — Chrome will automatically run Safety Check in the background while using the browser on desktop. This means that if one of your passwords is compromised, for example, you’ll be notified more quickly. Site permissions will also be revoked if Chrome recognizes that you have not visited the website for an extended period of time.

If you’ve already started using Chrome’s Memory Saver feature, you’ll soon notice new enhancements as well. Introduced in 2022, Memory Saver is a relatively new feature created to free up memory on your computer while you’re browsing in Chrome. It works by discarding inactive tabs, helping to preserve your device’s battery if you happen to be unplugged. Now, Google is giving Chrome users more control over which tabs should be closed or remain open when Memory Saver is enabled.

On a smaller (but still significant) note, the company has revealed a new feature designed to create a more seamless browsing experience. Over the next few weeks, Chrome users will see a new option that allows them to save tab groups on desktop. By doing so, they will be able to access them on a different device, picking up where they left off.

Many of these changes will undoubtedly enhance the Chrome user experience, even if they aren’t immediately as noticeable as customization features. That being said, Google is still facing stiff competition from other browser developers that are keeping pace with users’ ever-changing needs. For example, Mozilla already rolled out advanced security measures for its browser earlier in 2023 in the form of Firefox Relay. Relay, which is automatically integrated into Firefox, helps users shield their email addresses and other personal information while browsing the web. In turn, they can not only reduce the risk of data exposure, but cut down on the information being used for marketing purposes.

Google continues to push the narrative that security and performance are some of its top priorities. Its hesitancy to stop supporting third-party cookies, for instance, seems to suggest otherwise. With the abundance of alternative browser options, it might be worth considering just how comfortable you are with using Chrome — even as performance enhancements and personalization features are touted by the tech giant.

Androidpolice

 

[Nairrk]

Google Wallet Officially Launched In India

Google India has officially launched Google Wallet App in India after it began becoming available for some users a couple of weeks back. The official announcement of Google Wallet says that it will allow users to conveniently store and retrieve important digital documents like boarding passes, loyalty cards, movie tickets, and more.

Google Wallet India: Features
Google says that Wallet complements Google Pay, which will continue to serve the payments needs of users across India. At launch, Google has partnered with 20 of India’s top brands to enable the Google Wallet experience, including PVR & INOX, Air India, Indigo, Flipkart, Pine Labs, Kochi Metro, Abhibus and many others, with more partners to be added in the months to follow.

Read

 

[Nairrk]

Google Maps Gets a Redesign With Sheets UI: Know Details

Google Maps has received a set of new UI changes accounting for a redesign with a Sheets-based user interface. These changes were first spotted being tested back in February of this year, followed by another round of testing in May. Now, the redesign for Google Maps is rolling out to everyone.

As spotted by 9to5Google, these sheets in the UI, with their more rounded corners, display the map more prominently, highlighting the background layer. This redesign not only helps preserve context while navigating the App but also gives Google Maps a lighter appearance. If one wants to close these sheets, they’ll have to tap on a new ‘x’ button in the top-right corner of the sheet, or by swiping back from the left/right EDGE of the display, which is the normal back gesture used across the system.

Another significant change is in the directions search interface. While the initial UI for entering your destination, complete with the transportation methods switcher and a list of recent locations, remains unchanged as a fullscreen page, the post-entry interface has been updated.

Now, the top of the screen only displays the start and end locations, and the mode switcher has been relocated to the bottom for better reachability. According to the report, the Google Maps redesign is rolling out to users on Android only for now, as the change isn’t visible on the iOS version of Google Maps yet.

As for other news related to Google Maps, the navigation service is set to receive support for Satellite Connectivity according to a recent leak. Google Maps will allow you to update your location in the app via satellite at 15-minute intervals, up to five times a day. This could be a useful and probably a life-saving feature if you’re stuck in an area with no network reception.

Themobuileindian

 

[Nairrk]

Google Maps’ new AI feature will onw help you skip narrow city roads

Google Maps has announced a new set of features that are built for India. By mapping many roads, buildings, and businesses, it has provided real-time traffic updates, Street View, and solutions for traffic congestion and flood forecasting. The latest updates aim to make journeys more efficient and sustainable, tailored to the needs of Indian users.

Google Maps has introduced a new feature to help four-wheeler drivers avoid narrow roads. An AI model developed for India's road network uses satellite images, Street View, and other data to estimate road widths. This information improves routing algorithms to reduce the use of narrow roads, enhancing safety for all commuters.

Clear alerts will inform users about narrow sections on their route, allowing for careful navigation or alternative route choices. This feature is starting on Android devices in cities like Hyderabad, Bengaluru, and Chennai, with more cities and iOS support to follow.

Flyover navigation
A new feature will help drivers navigate flyovers in many Indian cities. Google Maps will highlight flyovers on recommended routes, allowing drivers to prepare in advance. This feature is available for four-wheeler and two-wheeler navigation in 40 cities across India on Android apps and Android Auto, with iOS and CarPlay support coming soon.

EV journeys
Google Maps now includes information about EV charging stations to support electric vehicle drivers. In collaboration with local providers like ElectricPe, Ather, Kazam, and Statiq, Google Maps offers details on over 8,000 charging stations, including plug types and real-time availability. This feature also covers two-wheeler chargers and is expected to expand nationwide.

Metro ticket bookings with ONDC and Namma Yatri
Google Maps now enables metro ticket bookings in Kochi and Chennai through a partnership with ONDC and Namma Yatri. Users can book tickets directly through Google Maps, making the public transport experience more convenient. This feature will expand to more cities and transport modes in the future.

Incident reporting
Google Maps has made it easier to report road incidents. Users can report construction or traffic issues with a few taps and confirm others' reports to improve the reliability of the information. This update is available across all platforms, including Android, iOS, Android Auto, and Apple CarPlay.

Curated lists from local experts
Google Maps has improved its "Lists" feature, allowing users to create, share, and collaborate on lists of favourite places. Collaborations with local experts like NDTV Food and MagicPin provide curated lists for major cities and tourist spots, offering trusted recommendations for dining and exploring. Users can now find lists such as "Best Ocean-View Cafes in Goa" or "Top Breakfast Spots in Mumbai" when searching on Google Maps.

Businesstoday

 

[Nairrk]

Google Maps bottom bar redesign rolls out on Android

As previewed at I/O 2024, Google Maps is more widely rolling out a redesign that simplifies the bottom bar.

Google Maps goes from five tabs to just three, with Go and Updates removed. Explore is unchanged, while the functionality of the Go tab becomes “Saved trips” under Your lists in the center feed.

“Saved” has been renamed to “You,” though the contents of this feed is mostly unchanged, with the bookmark icon also retained. However, Notifications and Messages from the old Updates tab — Following is already part of Explore — has been moved to the top-right corner. Google has also removed the search bar from this view.

Contribute rounds things out and is unchanged.

Overall, it makes app navigation a little bit cleaner with five tabs — in general — pushing things (see: Google Home). It’s also not a tall Material 3 bar with Dynamic Color not leveraged. This follows the sheet-based redesign earlier this month on Android. These two changes are not yet available on iOS.

We’re seeing this bottom bar redesign with version 11.138.x of Google Maps for Android. Force stop the app if you’re not seeing it yet.

9To5google

 

[Nairrk]

Google expands AI overviews to India with Hindi language support

Google has announced the expansion of its AI Overviews to India and other countries after rolling it out in the US back in May. The AI overviews are integrated within Google Search and also bring some India-specific features, such as the ability to switch between English and Hindi results with the language toggle button.

Google had a setback with AI overviews in Search where it not only faced backlash from publishers across the globe, but also showed some odd and unfavourable results to users who made unique queries in Google search. Because of that, a report back in June stated that Google had to dial down the visibility of AI overviews search results by a whopping 84 percent.

However, it hasn’t stopped Google from working and refining the feature further. In the latest blog post, Google says that since AI overviews went live in the US, “people are asking longer questions, diving deeper into complex subjects and uncovering new perspectives — which means more opportunities for people to discover content from publishers, businesses and creators.”

Now, after extensive testing and positive feedback, including in the U.S. and in Search Labs globally, Google is “bringing the helpfulness of AI Overviews to six new countries: India, United Kingdom, Japan, Indonesia, Mexico and Brazil – along with local language support in each country.”

In India, Google is rolling out AI Overviews in English and Hindi and is also introducing popular India-first features that were well-received during its Search Labs experiment: helping you easily switch between English and Hindi results with the language toggle button, and listen to responses with Text-To-Speech by tapping the ‘Listen’ button.

Google reiterates that through testing in various markets, it has found that people prefer using Search with AI Overviews, and they find their search results more helpful. In fact, as part of the testing, Google saw that Indian users listen to AI Overviews responses more often than other countries.

Google is enhancing the connectivity of AI overviews with the Web, where it’s introducing more ways to check out relevant websites while you search, with a new right-hand link display for AI Overviews on desktop – also accessible on mobile by tapping the site icons on the upper right.

These updates are starting to roll out globally today for AI Overviews in all launched countries, as well as for Search Labs users in more than 120 countries and territories. “As we launch in these new countries, ads appearing above or below AI Overviews will continue to provide valuable options for people to take action and connect with businesses,” said Gogole.

The company adds that it is also currently testing the addition of links to relevant web pages directly within the text of AI Overviews (in addition to the prominent links it already shows), making it even easier for people to click out and visit sites that interest them.

Themobileindian

 

[Nairrk]

Gboard for Android gets a redesigned emoji & GIF picker on tablets and foldables

Google is giving Gboard, its Android keyboard app, a redesigned menu for emoji and stickers that works better on tablets and big-screen devices like foldables.

Emoji has become a part of everyday language for many, making how you pick an emoji, a sticker, or a GIF a pretty key part of your smartphone. In some cases, this has been lacking. For instance, iPhones for years couldn’t search for emoji by name, instead requiring users to scroll through a lengthy list. Google’s Gboard keyboard for Android has always been pretty good in this regard, and now it’s getting a further boost on tablets and foldables.

In the latest Gboard beta updates (v14.6.02) Google has started rolling out a redesigned emoji and GIF picker that works on larger screens.

The big change here is that emoji, GIFs, and stickers now show up along the right side of the screen, with a portion of the left side now showing titles for each category.

Gboard already does this on smaller displays, but without full text descriptions and usually just showing icons for the various categories. The search bar is also considerably larger. The “lost” space isn’t really lost either, as GIFs especially were never formatted well on foldables, often only showing a row or two at a time, where this new UI can show several at a time. Tablets, apparently, spread this out even further with an additional bar to the left for the different pickers for emoji, GIFs, stickers, etc.

This new UI is showing up for us on Pixel 9 Pro Fold and Galaxy Z Fold 6 and, as Android Authority notes, it may not be a server-side change. Apparently, updating the Gboard app on a OnePlus Open was enough to trigger the new UI to show up.

Google will likely launch this to all users in the not too distant future but, for now, it’s only live for those enrolled in the Gboard beta.

9To5google

 

[Nairrk]

ChromeOS 128 rolling out: Snap groups upgrade splitscreens, Camera OCR, more

Google is rolling out ChromeOS 128 starting today with a number of sizable updates for Chromebooks.

Snap groups are formed when you split-screen two windows. They are now paired instead of existing separately, with users able to “bring the windows back together, resize them simultaneously, or move them both as a group.” There’s a more prominent handle bar in the middle for resizing that makes one window larger and the other smaller, or vice versa.

To streamline how camera and microphone access requires both privacy controls and app permissions to be enabled, the ChromeOS Apps settings page will “provide actionable reminders” that let you quickly turn on something missing.

ChromeOS 128 enables Auto Gain Control (AGC) by default to “automatically optimize microphone volume for best audio quality,” especially on video calls:

• “When auto gain control is enabled and in-use, a message appears in the quick settings panel to inform the user that the microphone gain slider is being overridden.”
• “If you want to manually control the microphone volume even for apps that support AGC, you can go to Settings > Device > Audio and deselect Allow apps to automatically adjust mic volume.”

The ChromeOS Camera app now supports Optical Character Recognition (OCR) for extracting text in 77 languages. Both horizontal and vertical detection are supported. To enable: Settings > Text detection in preview.

ChromeOS 128 now “significantly differentiates the visual look of pinned notifications from typical notifications to reflect their significant difference – we notify the user of an ongoing process rather than an instantaneous event.

Other changes include:

• “For ChromeOS cellular-enabled devices, we have made it easier to view, manage, and add Access Point Names (APNs). We’ve also improved registration failure handling and messaging.”
• “When you read text aloud using ChromeVox, the screen magnifier now automatically follows the words, so you never lose your place. To try this out, you can enable both Magnifier and ChromeVox in your settings. Zoom in to your preferred zoom level using Ctrl + Alt + Brightness up and Ctrl + Alt + Brightness down. A setting is available under the Magnifier settings to adjust this behavior.”
• “From ChromeOS 128 onwards, we store aggregated vitals data for one-year retention to better track the progress over time. Vitals data includes Android app performance metrics, such as crash rate, and these metrics will help us improve Android app performance on ChromeOS devices.”

9To5google

 

[Nairrk]

Improved search in Google Photos — plus early access to Ask Photos

The ability to search your photo galleries for people, pets, places and more has long been a beloved Google Photos feature — nearly half a billion people use search in Photos every month. Now you can use more descriptive queries — beyond just using simple keywords — to search for images and videos in Photos and get more relevant results. We're also rolling out early access for Ask Photos, our Gemini-powered conversational search experience, to select users in the U.S.

A new, improved way to search for images and videos
As photo libraries get larger and larger, finding what you’re looking for sometimes requires more descriptive queries. Starting today, you can find what you’re looking for using everyday language. For example, you can search for specific photos in a natural, descriptive way, like “Alice and me laughing,” “Kayaking on a lake surrounded by mountains” or “Emma painting in the backyard.”

In addition to getting better results, you can choose whether to sort your search results by date or relevance, helping you find the specific image you’re looking for even faster. The improved search experience is rolling out in English to all users on Android and iOS, and will expand to more languages over the coming weeks.

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