Tag: Google

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Mobile Syrup

Changes coming to Google Nest Speaker Group controls, device set-up following Sonos ruling

Following the United States’ Internactional Trade Commission’s (ITC) ruling in favour of Sonos over Google, the Mountain View, California-based tech giant has detailed several changes to how its Nest/Home Speaker Groups and setup process.

Google says that “a small set of users” will need to use the “Device Utility app” to setup devices and install updates. Below is the full statement from the tech giant.

“A small set of users will need to use the ‘Device Utility app’ (DUA) to complete product installation and updates. You may receive a prompt to download and run DUA, and it will ensure that your device is connected to Wi-Fi and receives the most updated software version.”

Further, users will need to adjust the volume of each speaker individually instead of using a group volume controller. It’s also no longer possible to adjust the volume of a Speaker Group from your smartphones physical buttons. However, you can still do this with a single Google smart speaker.

When it comes to third-party Assistant-enabled speakers, Google says that functionality should remain identical other than the volume rocker being disabled.

Given this is a feature I use quite frequently with my Google Home smart speaker setup when listening to music throughout my entire house, this is definitely dissapointing from a user perspective. Devices effected by this change include Pixel smartphones, the Nest Hub, Nest Mini, older Google Home devices, the Chromecast and more.

Below is a full statement from Google regarding third-party devices:

“Most Speaker Groups should continue functioning as expected unless you have a speaker group containing other brands of Cast-based devices, like JBL or Lenovo, they need to be on 1.52.272222 or higher Cast firmware version. Check out this article on how to find your device’s firmware version or contact your device maker.”

In a statement sent to several publications, Google says that though it doesn’t agree with Google’s decision, it “appreciates that the International Trade Commission has approved our modified designs” and that the company doesn’t expect the ruling to impact its ability to import or sell its products.

With this in mind, it’s unlikely that the ruling will have a future affect on Google’s ability to continue to sell or import its devices around the world. The tech giant has 60 days to implement these changes according to the ITC.

You can find Google’s full blog post about the changes coming to its speakers, here.

Source: Google Via: The New York Times 

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Mobile Syrup

Recently filed lawsuit could reveal how much Google pays Apple to make it the default search engine

Bangkok. Thailand. January 24, 2016:A woman is typing on Google search engine from a laptop. Google is the biggest Internet search engine in the world.

Ever wondered why Google has been the default search engine on all Apple devices?

Speculation points to financial gains as the answer.

9to5Mac labels this relationship “an open secret,” but it’s always remained unclear how much Google was paying Apple to make this happen.

A recently filed class-action lawsuit may soon reveal this number.

A suit by California Crane School has been filed against Google, Apple and their CEOs alleging the search engine is paying Apple to keep other search engines away.

The complaint details a number of measures helped make this possible. This includes Google sharing profits with Apple in return for the search engine being given preferential treatment, Apple suppressing competition, and secret meetings between executives of the two companies.

The complaint seeks the end of these secret payments. It also asks for orders ending the non-compete agreement Apple has with Google and the end of preferential treatment to Google.

The complaint also asks Google and Apple to be broken up into separate companies that function independently.

Estimates covered by 9to5Mac states Apple was paid $15 billion (roughly $19.1 billion CAD) by Google in 2021, an amount that will increase to between $18 and $20 billion (roughly between $22.9 and $25.5 billion) this year.

Image credit: ShutterStock

Source: 9to5Mac via MacRumors

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Mobile Syrup

Google reveals when Apple-like Bluetooth ‘Fast Pair’ will come to more devices

If you’re a Google device user, the tech giant’s latest announcement at CES 2022 could be what you’ve been waiting for.

Google’s ‘Fast Pair’ feature, which allows you to easily connect wireless earbuds and Android smartphones to various devices without accessing your Bluetooth settings, will soon work on Chromebooks, Google TV and more.

Though Google teased that Fast Pair was making its way to more devices a few months ago, we now know more specifically when it will arrive. Fast Pair will work with Chromebooks in a few weeks, making it easier to switch between your Android device and a laptop. Google says it plans to bring Fast Pair to Google TV/Android TV devices later this year.

 

Further, Google detailed plans to utilize Fast Pair to make switching Bluetooth headphones between Android devices and Windows PCs easier through a partnership with Acer and HP. This new platform also includes syncing text messages and sharing files with ‘Nearby Share.’

Other new features include the ability to set up a Chromebook using an Android smartphone, photos you’ve shot with your Android device syncing to your laptop and the ability to drop images into Chrome OS through the Camera Roll in the Phone Hub app. Wear OS smartwatches will also soon be able to unlock Chromebooks and Android devices.

If all of this sounds strikingly familiar, you’re onto something. Apple has offered comparable features through its ecosystem of different devices for several years. In a flip on the way things usually play out in the industry, it seems Google is playing catchup with Apple and wants to create a more cohesive ecosystem for its devices.

You can check out more news from CES 2022 here.

Image credit: Google 

Source: G00gle

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Mobile Syrup

Google removes all traces of Pixel 6 series December 2021 update

All signs of the Google Pixel 6 series December 2021 security patch have officially disappeared.

In December, Google released its December 2021 security update for the Pixel 6 series a little late and only to some users. Following that, this, the tech giant paused the rollout due to an issue related to dropped calls and disconnections, but the company didn’t take down the image files from its developer site, allowing users to still manually update on the Google flagship.

However, following the January 2022 update, Google has officially removed all links to the December update for the Pixel 6 series.

Google’s factory image and OTA image pages for the Pixel now lack the December update and only mentions the November 2021 patch.

January’s update rolled out to the Pixel 3a and the Pixel 5a (not available in Canada.

Unfortunately, Pixel 6 owners won’t get the January or December update until later this month. Pixel 6 owners will recieve the January and December update later this January.

Source: 9to5Google

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Mobile Syrup

January security patch rolls out to Google Pixel 3a to Pixel 5a devices

Google is rolling out the January security patch today for the Pixel 3a, Pixel 4, Pixel 4a, Pixel 4a 5G, Pixel 5 and the U.S.-only Pixel 5a; however, Google is not rolling the update out to the Pixel 6 family until later.

The January security patch provides a fix for an Android issue that can prevent emergency calls. The update also fixes some Wi-Fi dropping issues, incorrect data usage accounting, a memory leak in the system UI and more.

You can check out all the fixes here. The update should hit your handset over the air.

If you own any of the above Pixel phones, you can check for the update in Settings > System Update > Check for update.

Unfortunately, Pixel 6 owners won’t get the Pixel 6 update until later this month. Due to a bug, Google paused the December rollout to the Pixel 6 family. Pixel 6 owners will get the January and December rolled into one and the update later this January.

Source: Google

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Mobile Syrup

Apple is now the most valuable company in the world

Barcelona, Spain – June 7, 2018: Logo of Apple Inc. on a Apple store. Apple is the multinational technology company headquartered in Cupertino, California and sells consumer electronics products.

Apple started the year right with a stock market high on the first day of trading for 2022.

According to Reuters, the stock market value for Apple hit $3 trillion USD (roughly $3.8 trillion CAD), making it the first company to ever do so.

Shares hit a high of $182.88 USD (roughly $232 CAD). The $3 trillion milestone didn’t last long, as shares dropped to $182.01 (roughly $231 CAD) and the company closed the day with $2.99 trillion USD.

The article notes the company’s shares have risen 5,800 percent since Steve Jobs revealed the first iPhone in 2007. Investors are speculating Apple’s value will continue growing, as the company launches new products, and perhaps even enter new markets, such as automated vehicles.

Prior to reaching the new milestone, Apple was only one of two companies that had a value of $2 trillion USD. The other was Microsoft, which now has a value of $2.5 trillion.

Alphabet (the parent company of Google), Amazon, and Tesla are valued at more than $1 trillion USD.

Image source: ShutterStock

Source: Reuters

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Mobile Syrup

Google’s rumoured Pixel 7 Pro could feature an under-display selfie camera

Google’s Pixel 7 might include Samsung-esque technology.

First discovered by LetsGoDigital, Google recently published a patent to the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) for a smartphone that features an under-display camera.

The USPTO describes the patent as a “display configuration for mobile computing devices.” The patent was published back in December but was only spotted recently.

The patent outlines a smartphone with a larger display than we’ve seen before from a Pixel device. However, the overall body of the device doesn’t seem to be larger than the Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro. According to Android Headlines, this isn’t the first time Google has published a patented related to an under-display camera, though this is reportedly the most cost-effective approach to the technology.

The patent outlines how the smartphone would feature an emissive display with a small “non-emissive” part where the camera looks through. Alongside the front-facing camera, a light sensor and other sensors will be placed under the camera. The smartphone also features an in-display fingerprint scanner.

At this point, several smartphone manufacturers offer this technology, including most recently Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold 3. Even Apple is reportedly working on bringing the technology to its upcoming iPhone 14. 

Google’s Pixel 7 Pro will likely be revealed in October at the tech giant’s annual ‘Made By Google’ hardware event.

Image credit: LetsGoDigital

Source: LetsGoDigital

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Mobile Syrup

Google is working on AR smart glasses: report

Google is developing a pair of augmented reality-powered smart glasses, according to a report from The New York Times.

In a broader piece about tech companies’ ongoing AR efforts, the outlet states that “Google is working on a new iteration of smart glasses.”

Details on specs weren’t provided, but The Times indicates this project came about following Google’s acquisition of Waterloo, Ontario-based North last year. Prior to the buyout, North had been working on its own smart glasses, Focals, although those have since been scrapped.

Since then, many former North employees have migrated to Google’s general Devices & Services division, which works on hardware like Pixel and Nest. These rumoured AR-powered smart glasses would, in theory, also be considered part of this division.

Google is far from the only company that’s interested in the AR wearable market. In September, Facebook partnered with Ray-Ban to release ‘Ray-Ban Stories,’ a pair of Snap Spectacles-like smart glasses that can take photos and videos. Meanwhile, Apple has been rumoured for some time to be working on its own AR headset.

Source: The New York Times

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Mobile Syrup

Google pauses Pixel 6 and 6 Pro December update due to dropped calls

Google has officially paused its December system update for the Pixel 6 and 6 Pro, citing reports that calls were getting dropped or disconnected.

In a Google Support blog post, the company confirms that it’s identified a fix for the issue, although it’s set to be rolled out “by late January.”

This update will also include the 80-plus fixes and improvements that were originally slated for December, such as improved fingerprint sensor stability and performance, fast 23W wireless charging with the Pixel Stand 2 and ‘Quick Tap to Snap’ for Snapchat users.

Google says those who have already received the December update and are experiencing issues can use the Android Flash Tool to revert to the previous OS and factory reset their device. However, no action is necessary if you haven’t had any problems with the update.

Source: Google

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Mobile Syrup

Nest Hub Max may soon switch over to Fuchsia OS

While Google quietly released Fuchsia OS to the first-generation Nest Hub earlier this year, the operating system is now heading to the Nest Hub Max.

According to a comment that was posted to the Fuchsia code change, Google is prepping an update for the Nest Hub Max that will change its system from the Linux-based Cast OS to Fuchsia OS.

Spotted by 9to5Google, Fuchsia is in its final stage of internal testing for the smart home device. Considering the change wasn’t very noticeable on the Nest Hub, it’s unlikely to be all that big of a deal on this larger variant.

Fuschia is Google’s own operating system that is made for its smart home devices. However, not a lot is known about it yet and it could amount to more in the future.

Source: 9to5Google