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Google Weather and Search no longer displaying air quality data on Android or web

Checking the weather is a key function of every device from phones to Google Home to Smart Displays. On Android, Google Search has a rather excellent built-in weather experience that is well-designed and visually delightful. Unfortunately, Google Weather on Android and Google Search over the past few months has lost the ability to check air quality.


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Google might be planning to remove & replace Android voice unlock on all devices

Google Assistant

For several years now, the Google app allowed users to unlock a device with your voice when interacting with Google Assistant. After removing on the Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL, “Unlock with Voice Match” appears to be nearing deprecation and replacement on all other Android devices given that it’s not too secure.


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Google testing a dark theme for the Google Feed, including on non-Pixel devices

Google Feed

Starting with Android 8.0 on the Pixel 2, Google introduced a device dark theme that was dependent on your wallpaper. This themed the Pixel Launcher, app list, Quick Settings, and the Google Feed. However, for the latter, this only darkened the background. Google is now A/B testing a true dark mode that’s applied to the entire interface.


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Google app 8.20 reveals Digital Wellbeing for Home, preps Assistant Households & Explore [APK Insight]

The latest beta update for the Google app began rolling out this evening, but was quickly pulled due to a likely bug involving Assistant. Regardless, version 8.20 details Digital Wellbeing for Home and a new “Explore” feature that surfaces similar articles. We have also managed to enable Google Assistant for Households.


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Google app 8.19 resumes work on customizable Search bar, links to podcast RSS feed [APK Insight]

The Google app this week began rolling out bilingual support for Assistant and Routines to more countries, while the last beta revealed a redesign of Assistant settings. Version 8.19 today features new work on the customizable Search bar spotted last year, as well as two shortcuts in Google Podcasts.


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Google Assistant preps settings redesign that reveals ‘Household,’ ‘Family mode,’ & ‘Downtime’ [Gallery]

Version 8.18 of the Google app this weekend revealed that Assistant is readying support for multilingual voice input. An updated beta is rolling out today with a redesign of the Google Assistant settings page. We have also managed to enable a new bottom bar being tested for the Google app.


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Google app 8.16 preps ‘eyesfree’ notification TTS, ‘Confidential’ watermark, more ‘dreamliner’ [APK Insight]

The latest Google app beta rolled out later — in the early hours of Saturday morning — than usual this week. Version 8.16 continues work on “dreamliner” wireless chargers after the “Pixel Stand” leaked and reveals more about an “eyesfree” feature, presumably for Assistant, for reading your notifications aloud.


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Google app 8.15 preps ‘Memory Aid Locker’ for Assistant, new Material Google Duo icon, more [APK Insight]

The latest Google app beta is rolling out today and while it did not provide more insight into the Pixel Stand. However, like last week, there are several new features. Version 8.15 reveals work on a “Memory Aid Locker” for Assistant, while also revealing a new Material icon for Google Duo.
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Google killing ‘Save to Google’ Chrome extension, ‘Saved’ site gains Material Theme

Unbeknownst to most users, Google has long featured native “Save” functionality to bookmark links and images. First built into Image Search and later the Search app on Android, Google also maintained a Chrome extension to save pages. However, Google is set to kill that client next month, thus sending mixed signals on the future of the feature.


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