With podcasts being the latest crowd favorite, it shouldn't come as a surprise that YouTube is keen to have a slice of the lucrative new segment. An internal document that has leaked online also revealed there already are grand plans afoot on how best to tap into a segment where many of its competitors seem to have an edge already. As PodNews claimed, YouTube is working … [Read more...] about Google working to emerge as a serious player in the podcast space
Google will ask Australians to show ID to use Google Play
As part of an increasing trend that makes it mandatory for individuals to verify their age before being allowed to access restricted content on social media, Google said the same regulations are set to be imposed on viewers in Australia in about a months’ time from now. The company revealed in a blog post users in Australia will be asked to furnish documents such as a driver's … [Read more...] about Google will ask Australians to show ID to use Google Play
Pixel tablet renders – too ambitious or realistic?
The tablet segment is suddenly alive and kicking thanks to the pandemic, something that has made Google to stop and take notice. The company announced they are ready to infuse new life into the Android tablet segment which it had neglected for years. The first move in this regard could be the launch of the Android 12L - L stands for Large - which the company said has been … [Read more...] about Pixel tablet renders – too ambitious or realistic?
Does Android need a tablet-specific version similar to iPadOS?
It was in September 2019 that the iPad got its own dedicated OS – the iPadOS - for the first time ever. This sort of marks a coming of age for the world's most sought-after tablet device, almost a decade after it was first introduced back in April 2010. Prior to that, it continued with the iOS software which was primarily designed for the iPhone. That said, the iPadOS still … [Read more...] about Does Android need a tablet-specific version similar to iPadOS?
Android users will be able to turn off app tracking by end-2021
With Apple setting the ball rolling on making privacy almost uncompromisable for iOS users with its App Tracking Transparency feature, Google too has announced something similar that would make Android users off bound of advertisers. The feature, though similar in scope to that of Apple's App Tracking Transparency differs a bit when it comes to the actual … [Read more...] about Android users will be able to turn off app tracking by end-2021
Here are the best features of Android 12
The new Android 12 version is here, well sort of, at least. To put things in the right perspective, Google announced Android 12 at its recently concluded IO 2021 event and is currently available to download as a beta version in some select smartphone devices. The fully polished thing should be with us later in the year, like around the September - October window. This means … [Read more...] about Here are the best features of Android 12
New Google Entertainment Space system is designed for Android tablets
Google announced a new feature added to its Android tablet - Entertainment Space. That comes across as a new interface that is going to be exclusive to Android tablets and will serve as a one-stop window for all your entertainment needs, be it watching videos, shows, movies, listening to music, reading books, playing games, or whatever. From the looks of it, the … [Read more...] about New Google Entertainment Space system is designed for Android tablets
Google Play Books now has new tools to make reading easier for kids
Google Play Books has introduced a set of new tools that aim to make it easier for even kids to get started with reading books. This makes for a significant departure from the usual trend so far where the Google app only catered to the requirements of seasoned readers. That has changed now as kids who have just started to grasp the nuances of the English language will also have … [Read more...] about Google Play Books now has new tools to make reading easier for kids
Google’s new App Install Optimization feature aims for quicker app installations
Towards its objective of making Android apps leaner and meaner than what they already are, Google is set to introduce 'App install optimization' techniques which it claims will speed up the app installation process by several notches. Google though said it is going to be an optional process, and when you opt in, certain usage data is going to be collected to find out which … [Read more...] about Google’s new App Install Optimization feature aims for quicker app installations
Google is planning new privacy features
With Apple making it known its new App Tracking Transparency feature is going to be one of the biggest highlights of its upcoming version 14.5 update for both iOS and iPadOS, now Google has stated they too are contemplating something similar for the Android platform. However, it is not exactly clear right away to what extent Google intends to go before cutting off advertiser's … [Read more...] about Google is planning new privacy features
Ebook Piracy is out of Control and the Authors Guild is Mad
The Authors Guild has accused Google of promoting ebook piracy in their search engine results and paid services such as Adwords. Piracy is rewarded with millions of dollars in revenue from the Adsense program. The US Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Intellectual Property is looking for options to address online piracy. Earlier this year, it held a hearing to see what could … [Read more...] about Ebook Piracy is out of Control and the Authors Guild is Mad
Google Play Books has been redesigned
Google has updated Play Books with a new material design that makes it look more minimalist and streamlined. The redesign is mainly all about aesthetics, the iconography is now hollow, backgrounds are mostly white, and fonts have been replaced with Google/Product Sans. The carousel on the home screen is now smaller and more compact and this change also is applicable to the … [Read more...] about Google Play Books has been redesigned
Google plans on forcing phone companies to push more updates
One of the big benefits of buying a Blackberry, iPhone or Google Pixel is the sheer amount of updates. These companies put a heavily emphasis on security and are always patching vulnerabilities so their devices are safe and secure. Apple and Google both constantly update their OS to the latest and greatest and most other flagship devices often fall by the wayside a year after … [Read more...] about Google plans on forcing phone companies to push more updates
Google Reopens their Play Books Publisher Program
The Google Publisher Program allowed independent authors and small presses to sell ebooks in the Google Play bookstore. When the program was active it become a cesspool of piracy. Fake authors would sell ebooks they never wrote and publishing companies would rename all of the main characters in Harry Potter or 50 Shades of Grey and would peddle them off as their own original … [Read more...] about Google Reopens their Play Books Publisher Program