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Google Assistant preps connecting health apps to show sleep and fitness data - 9to5Google

Google positions Assistant as being able to help throughout the day, and recently rolled out Gentle Sleep & Wake. Google Assistant sleep integration...

Google positions Assistant as being able to provide help throughout your day, and recently rolled out Gentle Sleep & Wake to all smart lights, while Routines let you quickly turn off devices for the night. Google Assistant is now readying integration with health services so that you can verbally ask for fitness and sleep information. About APK Insight: In this “APK Insight” post, weve decompiled the latest version of an application that Google uploaded to the Play Store. When we decompile these files (called APKs, in the case of Android apps), were able to see various lines of code within that hint at possible future features. Keep in mind that Google may or may not ever ship these features, and our interpretation of what they are may be imperfect. Well try to enable those that are closer to being finished, however, to show you how theyll look in the case that they do ship. With that in mind, read on. In addition to hinting that Assistant Driving Mode is almost here, the Google app 11.31 beta reveals work on “sleep_account_linking.” The strings suggest that Fitbit is one such provider, and that the data will be used by Assistant to answer “sleep-related questions.” This could be useful for quickly finding out how long or well your slept, and seeing if anything can be done to improve it. Specific capabilities presumably depend on the service you’re connecting to Assistant. Your Assistant will get access to your <xliff:g id=provider example=Fitbit>%1$s</xliff:g> sleep data. Google Assistant will use this data to answer your sleep-related questions across your devices that have personal results turned on. Google today lets you enable “personal results” on Smart Displays and speakers. Information is only provided after verifying through Voice or Face Match that you’re the one asking. This sleep integration is accompanied by a new Google Assistant option to allow “proactive health and fitness results.” The preference would allow Assistant to show health “data, suggestions, and related content.” It suggests that you’ll be able to ask about more than just sleep in the future. To protect your privacy, Google will delete these audio queries after answering.   On devices where you have proactive health and fitness results turned on, the Assistant will show this data, suggestions, and related content without you having to ask. This data also helps troubleshoot and improve your health and fitness experience with the Assistant. Once your Assistant successfully fulfills your request to update, show, or answer questions about this data, Google will delete your audio query. The text from your request and other Assistant usage information is used to troubleshoot, develop, and improve Assistant services. Meanwhile, you’ll be able to disconnect health services from Assistant in settings, while this entire capability can be disabled. Fitbit is the most likely candidate for this integration given the upcoming acquisition. Their latest smartwatches already feature on-device Assistant, but this feature would let users get and hear their fitness data without having to use the Fitbit app. FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links.More. Check out 9to5Google on YouTube for more news:

Google Nest Hub Max is getting a dark theme, sticky notes alongside UI refresh [Video] - 9to5Google

Another video of a Nest Hub Max running unreleased software shows that Google is working on a new dark theme and finally sticky notes for its smart displays

Last month a video of unreleased software for Google’s Nest Hub Max hit the web to show off a completely revamped interface. Now, more videos give us a better look at the new Nest Hub Max UI with its included dark theme and sticky notes. Shared by the same user, Jan Boromeusz, a longer YouTube video gives us an in-depth look at the new Nest Hub Max UI. There’s not much we didn’t at least get a glimpse of in the previous video, but this time around it comes with Google explaining the UI with on-screen prompts and verbal responses. Notable things we see in this video that we didn’t see before include long-press options for the various tiles and, more importantly, dark mode. A tile links to a settings page which offers the ability to switch between light, dark, and automatic themes. That automatic theme works as you’d expect, switching to dark when the time of day or the ambient light demands it. This should be useful on Nest Hubs, but the dark theme will likely come in handy on other smart displays even more so since they lack Ambient EQ. Beyond a dark theme, this new interface appears to bring another long-awaited feature with it. In another video, Jay shows off sticky notes working on his Nest Hub Max. Google first announced the sticky notes feature for Nest Hub devices in January of this year, but it still hasn’t rolled out to users. From the looks of it, though, it may finally arrive with this mysterious v32 update. In action, sticky notes look super useful. A voice command can leave a sticky note for one user, while another command can leave sticky notes that the entire family can see. As a reminder, we previously asked Google if this update was rolling out in any capacity and the company had no comment. From what we can tell, it’s not rolling out via the Preview Program, and this user has no insight on how he got the update. FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links.More. Check out 9to5Google on YouTube for more news:

Someone in the UK unboxed a Google Pixel 5 retail demo unit [Video] - 9to5Google

Google Pixel 5 review units probably aren’t shipping out to tech publications for a week or two and the phone itself isn’t landing in customers hands until the end of October, but someone in the UK managed to get their hands on a Pixel 5 retail demo unit some…

Google Pixel 5 review units probably aren’t shipping out to tech publications for a week or two and the phone itself isn’t landing in customers hands until the end of October, but someone in the UK managed to get their hands on a Pixel 5 retail demo unit somehow and posted a video of it to YouTube today… There’s not exactly anything new to learn in the video, but it is our first look at the phone, its retail box, and all of its accompanying accessories in the flesh. We had full coverage of the Pixel 5 after its announcement during the Launch Night In event earlier today. As Google confirmed, the phone has a 6-inch display, 8GB of RAM, 128GB of storage space, a Qualcomm Snapdragon 765G chip, a 4080 mAh battery, an ultrawide camera, and a handful of new software features. One minor tidbit that this video confirms for the first time is that the box does include the USB-A to USB-C adapter for switching from another phone to the Pixel. Warning: The video has atrocious music that plays way too loud. Thanks for the heads up Piet! FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links.More. Check out 9to5Google on YouTube for more news:

Future Pixel phones will not include Playground AR stickers, starting with Pixel 4a - 9to5Google

Since 2017, the Google Camera app has been home to fun AR stickers that let you liven up photos and videos. Pixel 4a Playground stickers...

Since 2017, the Google Camera app has been home to fun AR stickers that let you liven up photos and videos. Later rebranded to Playground, Google is dropping support for these Playmoji characters on future Pixel devices, starting with the Pixel 4a.  The Playground mode is missing on the Pixel 4a. It no longer appears when swiping over to the Google Cameras More tab. Users were previously taken to a separate interface where tapping the stickers button to the left of the shutter slides up a sheet with several tabs. Under Playmoji, you can browse and download available packs. Once installed, you tap to overlay in your viewfinder. Some characters, especially in selfie mode, automatically react to whats in the scene and your gestures. Meanwhile, you can also place animated 2D stickers, as well as floating signs with custom messages. Google confirmed to us today that Playgrounds absence on the Pixel 4a is intended. You can oddly install the Playground app, but nothing will happen. Moving forward, future Pixel phones will no longer feature Playmoji. In a statement, the company reaffirms its commitment to the underlying ARCore technology and “great AR experiences.”  Were continuing to bring ARCore and its latest features to Pixel 4a and the many other ARCore-enabled devices. Playground will still be supported on earlier Pixel devices and well focus our efforts on building great AR experiences that serve a much wider audience. Playground will remain on existing devices that launched with AR stickers, like the Pixel 4, 3a, and all earlier Pixels. It’s also available for some LG and Motorola phones as of last year. However, notable Playmoji from Star Wars, Stranger Things, Detective Pikachu, and Childish Gambino are no longer available on the Play Store. Only Google packs remain today: Weather, Pets, Japanese Phrases, Travel, Love, Sports, Signs, Food, and Winter. Moving forward, Google says its focus is on AR experiences that serve a much wider audience. This is presumably in reference to the wildly popular 3D animals in Google Search. Leveraging ARCore, its available on most modern Android devices, iPhones, and iPads. FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links.More. Check out 9to5Google on YouTube for more news:

French retailers list Google Pixel 4a in ‘Just Black’ and ‘Blue’ - 9to5Google

Almost everything about the Pixel 4a is known at this point. The question everyone is asking of Google's next phone is the launch date. French Pixel 4a...

Specification and design-wise, everything about the Pixel 4a is known at this point. The question everyone is asking of Google’s next mid-range phone is when it will launch, with two French retailers today providing a little bit more information about the Pixel 4a. The listings from Ordimedia and eStock.fr are for the 128GB Google Pixel 4a in two colors:

• Just Black: GA02099-FR
• “Blue”: GA02101-FR

OxygenOS 10.3.3 now rolling out for the OnePlus 6 and 6T w/ April patch, more - 9to5Google

The OxygenOS 10.3.3 update is now rolling out for the OnePlus 6 and 6T with the April 2020 security patchand more included.

The OxygenOS 10.3.3 update is now rolling out for the OnePlus 6 and 6T with the April 2020 security patch being the headline inclusion alongside some other minor tweaks and improvements. You may have seen the recent ending of the Open Betas for the same devices, well, downloading and installing this build will negate the need to flash back to an older OxygenOS version although you will still lose valuable user data. That said, should you have held off, the confirmation of the update package has come from the official OnePlus Forums. As we mention, the April 2020 security patch is the main event but there are still some extras for fans such as VoLTE and VoWiFi support on the Danish network Telenor and VoWifi support on the Indian network Reliance Jio. To add to that, the pre-installed Google Mobile Services package has been updated to the February 2020 release. The CloudService 2.0 update is also available but only for people with the OnePlus 6 and 6T in India. You can check out the full OxygenOS 10.3.3 update below:

• System
  • Fixed the issue with a black screen randomly appearing while playing games
  • Updated GMS package to 2020.02
  • Updated Android Security Patch to 2020.04
  • Improved system stability and fixed general bugs
• Network updates
  • Integrated VoLTE & VoWifi support for Telenor – Denmark
  • Integrated VoWifi support for RJIO – India
• Cloud Sync updates [India only]
  • Updated the CloudService to Version 2.0

Alphabet Scoop 088: Pixel 4a details, Google Meet/Chat, and some Made by Google rumors - 9to5Google

This week we talk about our exclusive and definitive report detailing the Google Pixel 4a, while the new Pixel Buds have also been in the news. We then go into the Google Meet and Chat rebrands, as well as Stadia’s free tier launch. Alphabet Scoop is availabl…

This week we talk about our exclusive and definitive report detailing the Google Pixel 4a, while the new Pixel Buds have also been in the news. We then go into the Google Meet and Chat rebrands, as well as Stadia’s free tier launch. Alphabet Scoop is available on Google Play, Google Podcasts, iTunes and Apples Podcasts app, and through our dedicated RSS feed for Pocket Casts and other podcast players. New episodes of Alphabet Scoop are recorded every Thursday afternoon at 4-5 PM ET and published on Friday mornings. Subscribe to our podcast in Google Play or your favorite podcast player to guarantee new episodes are delivered as soon as they’re available. Hosts: Links: Feedback? Drop us a line at [email protected] You can also soon rate us in Google Play, Google Podcasts, Apple Podcasts or recommend us in Pocket Casts to help more people discover the show. FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links.More. Check out 9to5Google on YouTube for more news: