Google News rolling out support for bilingual news feed

Back in September, a handful of features headed to Google apps were discovered. Among those features was the ability to choose multiple languages in Google News. Today, the company officially announced the ability to view stories in two languages in your news feed.

You can now go into the Settings of Google News and select two languages in the “Languages & regions” section. Currently, you can select up to two languages/regions. This means you can keep up with news in English and Hindi, or read news from both countries in the same language. You’ll see all the stories in the same feed in their respective languages. Stories will appear more frequently in the language/region you have selected as Primary.

Google says the feature is available in Google News for Android and iOS across 141 countries and 41 languages. All of your previous personalization preferences carry over to the added languages. As mentioned above, go into the Settings and find the “Languages & regions” section. Tap the “Add language and region” button and search. This is a great feature for people who speak multiple languages and had to rely on separate apps to get news. Now you can do it all in one single place.

Google News: Top World & Local News Headlines (Free, Google Play) →

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Source: Google

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Microsoft Office app combines Word, Excel and PowerPoint into one app

Microsoft Office may not be as popular as it once was, but millions of people still use the suite of apps. Today, a new Office app is rolling out for Android (and iOS). Previously, Microsoft has maintained separate apps for Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. The new Office app combines all of these products into one.

All of your Word, Excel, and PowerPoint files can be found in one timeline. When you go into a document, the UI takes on the color of that product. You still get the feeling of using separate dedicated apps, but now it’s all done from one single download. All the tools and features you’d expect are there. The Microsoft Office app is much smaller than downloading the three apps separately.

The “Home” tab is where you’ll find all of your recent documents and the “Actions” tab has tools. Some of the tools include the ability to transfer files from your computer to a phone, convert images into text or tables, scan pictures into PDFs, and scan QR codes. Microsoft has also revamped the Office logo from the old boxy design to a new curvy square.

Android users can download the Microsoft Office app by signing up for the public preview here.

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Source: Microsoft

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[Update 2: Live on Play Store] The Android Auto app will no longer be supported in favor of Google Assistant’s new driving mode

Update 2 (11/4/19 @ 3:25 PM ET): The Android Auto for Phone Screens app is now live in the Play Store.

Update 1 (9/4/19 @ 3:55 PM ET): Google is releasing an “Android Auto for Phone Screens” app.

Google announced Android Auto in a time when automobile manufacturers were looking for new ways to bring in more tech-savvy customers. They have been competing with other car infotainment systems from Apple and car makers, but they are making a lot of progress in the area. Google expanded the Android Auto user base by introducing a mobile app that offered similar features for those who didn’t have a built-in infotainment system (or one that didn’t support Android Auto). However, we have just learned that Google will no longer be supporting this application and will market the Google Assistant’s new driving mode instead.

This is an interesting choice to make here because it seems as if Google is fragmenting the user base. Android Auto existed in two forms: built-in infotainment systems and the mobile app. So even if you didn’t have one (or didn’t like one) then you could use the other. As we have learned, Google is not discontinuing or rebranding the infotainment system version of Android Auto here.

Instead, they are simply phasing out support for the Android Auto mobile application and have put those features in Google Assistant’s new Driving Mode. This new feature for Google Assistant was announced at Google I/O 2019 this week along with the news that it’s coming to Waze as well. The company wants to use this new feature as a way to predict what you want to do when you start driving. To initiate the new feature, you simply have to activate Google Assistant and then say “let’s drive.”

Google Assistant will then take up the entire screen of the smartphone and offer some tidbits of information at the top (such as traffic conditions). You are then offered quick access to various functions including the navigation mode, placing a call, or playing some media. With Google Assistant being tied into so many other aspects of your personal information, it can suggest shortcuts to places it predicts you want to go, offer to resume a podcast you were listening to earlier, tell you about incoming/missed phone calls, and more.

 

Source: 9to5Google

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Update 1: “Android Auto for Phone Screens” App

In an odd move, Google appears to be backtracking a bit on killing the Android Auto app for phones. A Google support page talks about how Android Auto is built into Android 10, but in the coming weeks, they will be “publishing a separate app called ‘Android Auto for Phone Screens’ in the Play Store.” They say the app will allow users to continue using the phone screen version of Android Auto.

It’s possible that this is not an “app” and just a shortcut to Assistant’s Driving Mode. It could also be Google completely backtracking and releasing a new Auto app for phones, or re-releasing the old one. We should know more soon.

Source: Google | Via: Android Police

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Update 2: Live on Play Store

The strange “Android Auto for Phone Screens” App is now available in the Play Store. The “app” is literally just a shortcut to Android Auto. The Android Auto icon will soon be hidden by default when Google Assistant driving mode rolls out. Yes, this is all a bit strange and convoluted.

Android Auto for phone screens (Free, Google Play) →

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[Update 2: Fix Rolling Out] Google Pixel 4’s 90Hz display only works at high brightnesses

Update 2 (11/4/19 @ 3:04 PM ET): Google has rolled out a fix for this issue with the November update.

Update 1 (10/23/19 @ 3:20 PM ET): Google says they will have a software update for the Pixel 4 to enable 90Hz in more brightness conditions.

The Google Pixel 4 and the Pixel 4 XL were announced last week and the duo was savagely leaked, with Google contributing to those leaks through official revelations. We weren’t expecting bells and whistles since most of the features were already out in the open – many of which Google didn’t even talk about at the Pixel 4 keynote – but, the new, smoother 90Hz display on the new Pixel smartphones was among the key features that a lot of us were anticipating. While references in the phone’s source code gave away to the 90Hz display at least a month ahead of the official launch, there’s something interesting that was recently discovered.

Pixel 4 XDA Forums / Pixel 4 XL XDA Forums

Just like the OnePlus 7 Pro and the new OnePlus 7T series, the 90Hz refresh rate does not work in all scenarios and only works in certain use cases or supported apps. Apparently, Google is using an algorithm to reduce the refresh rate of the Pixel 4/4 XL’s display to 60Hz smartly in cases such as when you’re watching a video or reading static content in which case it automatically kicks back in when you scroll.

However, a peculiar behavior in this regard was discovered by Android developer Brian Sefcik and confirmed by our Editor-in-Chief, Mishaal Rahman. They determined the Pixel 4’s display automatically switches between 90Hz and 60Hz refresh rates based on the brightness of the display.

Sorry, looks like it should be:

If brightness <= 75%, display id = 2.
If brightness > 75%, display id = 1.

— Mishaal Rahman (@MishaalRahman) October 23, 2019

Using the Logcat tool via ADB, Mishaal confirmed that the Pixel 4’s display automatically turns down to 60Hz when the brightness is below 75%. It’s unclear why Google has tied the setting to brightness, and we hope to soon find out the exact reason why. Interestingly, the Pixel runs at 90Hz even if the brightness is low so long as there is strong ambient lighting.

Notably, neither OnePlus 7 Pro nor the ASUS ROG Phone II display this behavior. This behavior is most likely to be intentional and not a bug but we’re not sure if this is an attempt by Google to avoid complaints regarding the smooth display draining the small batteries on the Pixel 4/4 XL too quickly.

Force 90Hz Refresh Rate on Pixel 4

Meanwhile, if you have a Pixel 4/4 XL and want to always enjoy the 90Hz display, you can set the display to stay at 90Hz permanently by forcing the option from Developer Settings. This will continue to work irrespective of the brightness you’re using your phone at.

Dev option to force 90Hz at all times pic.twitter.com/0LuxaZgUjK

— Mishaal Rahman (@MishaalRahman) October 15, 2019

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Update: Software Update Coming

Google released a statement to The Verge about the 90Hz display situation on the Pixel 4. They reiterate that the display is designed to be at 90Hz when consuming content and navigating the UI, but to preserve battery they are able to lower it to 60Hz in certain situations.

In some conditions or situations, however, we set the refresh rate to 60Hz. Some of these situations include: when the user turns on battery saver, certain content such as video (as it’s largely shot at 24 or 30fps), and even various brightness or ambient conditions. We constantly assess whether these parameters lead to the best overall user experience. We have previously planned updates that we’ll roll out in the coming weeks that include enabling 90hz in more brightness conditions.

We’re not sure if this update will give more controls to customers or simply include better variables by default. Stay tuned for more information when this update rolls out. We’re also waiting on an update to bring open eyes settings to Face Unlock.

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Update 2: Tweaked in November Update

With the latest update that brings the November 2019 security patch level, Google has also adjusted the Smooth Display thresholds. First, we can confirm that Google disabled the ambient lighting threshold and lowered the screen brightness threshold. Previously, 90Hz would only be enabled if the ambient lighting was greater than 63 nits or the display brightness was higher than 77%. Now, 90Hz is enabled if the screen brightness is at least 42%, no matter the ambient lighting.

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November 2019 security patches roll out for the Pixel 2, 3, 4, and Essential Phone

As we kick off the first full week in November, Google is rolling out a new batch of Android security updates. This month is notable because it marks the end of monthly updates for the original Google Pixel and Pixel XL (RIP). We’ve still got patches for the Pixel 4, Pixel 4 XL, Pixel 3, Pixel 3 XL, Pixel 3a, Pixel 3a XL, Pixel 2, Pixel 2 XL, Pixel, Pixel XL, and Essential Phone.

This month, there is a pretty decent list of “Functional patches” for the entire Pixel 2 through Pixel 4. Two fixes, in particular, were included for only the Pixel 4 and Pixel 4 XL. Google previously talked about improvements to the 90Hz “Smooth Display,” and it appears some have been included this month. There’s also a bottom speaker improvement specifically for the Pixel 3.

Category	Improvements	Devices
Assistant	Improvements for Google Assistant Hotword	Pixel 2, Pixel 2 XL, Pixel 3, Pixel 3 XL
Audio	Improvements for bottom speaker audio quality	Pixel 3
Stability	Additional fixes for some devices stuck during boot	Pixel 3, Pixel 3 XL, Pixel 3a, Pixel 3a XL
Keyboards	Additional support for Xbox BT controller mapping	Pixel 2, Pixel 2 XL, Pixel 3, Pixel 3 XL, Pixel 3a, Pixel 3a XL, Pixel 4, Pixel 4 XL
Display/Graphics	Smooth Display improvements	Pixel 4, Pixel 4 XL
Camera	Camera quality improvements	Pixel 4, Pixel 4 XL

We're back with another system update for you. Check your Essential Phone for the latest release! pic.twitter.com/2hWCTjOqGG

— Essential (@essential) November 4, 2019

The OTA files and factory images for the Pixel devices can be found at the links below. Find the Android security files for your device and click “Link” to start the download. This will bring your device up to Android 10 in the process. To flash the update manually without losing all of your data, follow the steps outlined in this tutorial. The OTA Android security update for the Essential Phone has just started rolling out.

Device	Factory Image	OTA Files
Pixel 4 XL	Link	Link
Pixel 4	Link	Link
Pixel 3a XL	Link	Link
Pixel 3a	Link	Link
Pixel 3 XL	Link	Link
Pixel 3	Link	Link
Pixel 2 XL	Link	Link
Pixel 2	Link	Link

Android Security Bulletin | Pixel Update Bulletin

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[Update: Coming to the U.S.] The Google Play Points rewards program quietly goes live in Japan

Update (11/4/19 @ 1:05 PM ET): The Google Play Points rewards program is coming to the U.S. too.

It was less than two weeks ago when we published an APK teardown we did on version 11.6.15 of the Google Play Store. These APK teardowns can be quite nice as Google engineers are constantly adding in new features that the company is either experimenting with or waiting to launch in the future. In that teardown, we discovered that Google has been working on a rewards system called Google Play Points that would, naturally, reward you for each item you purchased in the Play Store. Not only was this feature really close to going public, but it is currently live for those who are living in Japan.

Rewards systems are everywhere. Most of us in the United States see these as features of our credit cards, but there are individual retailers who have their own rewards system as well. We even see these rewards systems in place for companies like Samsung, where customers get rewards if they use Samsung Pay to purchase items. The entire goal of a rewards program is to give customers an incentive to continuing making purchases so they can earn a discount or prize at some point in time.

In our APK teardown, we learned that Google is planning on implementing 5 different levels of benefits for this program. The more you buy from the Play Store, the higher your rank gets and the higher your rank gets the more Google Play Points you are rewarded with. Here’s a breakdown of the individual Level Benefits and how the benefits go up as your rank increases.

• Bronze level (up to 249 points):
  • 1 point earned for every ¥100 spent
• Silver level (250–999 points):
  • 1.25 points earned for every ¥100 spent
  • 1 ¥300 credit for in-app items
  • 1 ¥100 movie rental
• Gold level (1,000–3,999 points):
  • 1.5 points earned for every ¥100 spent
  • +1 ¥300 credit for in-app items
  • 2 ¥500 ebook credits
  • +2 ¥100 movie rentals
• Platinum level (4,000–14,999 points):
  • 1.75 points earned for every ¥100 spent.
  • +1 ¥300 credit for in-app items
  • +4 ¥500 ebook credits
  • +4 ¥100 movie rentals
• Diamond level (more than 15,000 points):
  • 2 points earned for every ¥100 spent
  • +2 ¥300 credits for in-app items
  • +6 ¥500 ebook credits
  • +5 ¥100 movie rentals

There are almost always limits to what you can spend rewards points on and how many you can earn in general, and the Google Play Points rewards program is no different. As the service is live in Japan right now, this is what the points can be used for in the country:

• Apps, Books, Movies, Music, Newsstand, subscriptions
• Google Play Gift Card Terms of Service
• Google Play Promotional Balance Terms of Service
• Maximum limit: 200000 ¥ (JPY)

Translated to the United States, the limits will be as follows:

• Apps, Books, Movies, Music, Newsstand, subscriptions
• Google Play Gift Card Terms of Service
• Google Play Promotional Balance Terms of Service
• Maximum limit: $2000 (USD)

Google has a big list of countries with each Google Play Points Rewards limits published in the Play Store Help document here for those who are interested.

Via: Android Police | Source: Google Play Help

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Update: Coming to the U.S.

Over a year after the program went live in Japan, Google Play Points is coming to the U.S. too. The program, which is free to join, allows you to earn points on everything you buy on Google Play. This includes apps, games, movies, books, subscriptions, and in-app purchases. You can also earn points by download featured free apps and games.

Google Play Points has four levels, from Bronze to Platinum. Your level depends on how many points you’ve collected, and higher levels have perks like weekly prizes.

Points can be redeemed in a number of ways. They can be used for special in-app items or Google Play Credit. You can learn more about joining the program here.

Source: Google

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[Update: Rolling Out] Google tests Scheduling and Taking a Break from Focus Mode in Digital Wellbeing

Update (11/4/19 @ 11:10 AM ET): As discovered last week, Digital Wellbeing is getting schedules for Focus Mode and it’s rolling out now.

Back at Google I/O earlier this year, Google unveiled new features for Digital Wellbeing, the company’s digital wellness tool that’s now required on all Android devices. The most notable of the two features is Focus Mode, a toggle that blocks access to selected apps to eliminate distractions. In its current implementation, Focus Mode is fairly basic as it can only be manually toggled from within Digital Wellbeing or from a Quick Settings tile. However, we’ve enabled two new enhancements to Focus Mode in the latest Digital Wellbeing beta that should make it more useful.

An APK teardown can often predict features that may arrive in a future update of an application, but it is possible that any of the features we mention here may not make it in a future release. This is because these features are currently unimplemented in the live build and may be pulled at any time by the developers in a future build.

Scheduling

As we spotted late last month, Google is working on a scheduling feature for Focus Mode. Once this feature goes live, you’ll be able to choose a start and end time as well as the days of the week during which you want Digital Wellbeing to automatically enable Focus Mode. About a minute before entering Focus Mode, Digital Wellbeing will post a notification asking if you’re “ready to focus.” You can either wait a minute to let Focus Mode automatically start, or you can tap on the “wait” action to postpone Focus Mode for 10 minutes. Once Focus Mode starts, the notification text updates to tell you when it’ll automatically turn off. The Focus Mode Quick Setting tile also shows scheduling information in the subtext.

Taking a break

If you noticed in the last screenshot above, there’s a new “Take a Break” action in the Focus Mode notification. This feature, as we previously covered, was first spotted by Jane Manchun Wong through her analysis of Digital Wellbeing. The “take a break” action lets you take a 5, 15, or 30 minute-long break from Focus Mode. There’s not much of a point in taking a break when manually toggling Focus Mode, but it may come in handy when you’ve set up a schedule that you generally want to stick with but simply can’t at the moment.

Neither feature is currently live in Digital Wellbeing on any of the other devices that I have. Since these features are fully implemented, it shouldn’t take long for them to rollout. We’ll let you know when that happens.

Thanks to PNF Software for providing us a license to use JEB Decompiler, a professional-grade reverse engineering tool for Android applications.

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Update: Rolling Out

As we discovered in the APK teardown last week, Digital Wellbeing is getting new schedules for Focus Mode. You can schedule Focus Mode to be enabled at certain times. And because sometimes you’ll need to get through Focus Mode for a brief moment, you can “Take a break” (temporarily disable Focus Mode) for 5, 15, or 30 minutes. This can be done from within Digital Wellbeing or the notification shade.

Google is positioning Focus Mode as a way to block distractions to focus on a task, but this mode can also be used as an app blocker. There are 3rd-party apps in the Play Store that allow you to block apps during specific times of the day. For example, maybe you want to block social media apps on the weekend so you don’t use your phone as much. Focus Mode’s schedules make that possible on the system level.

Join the beta for Digital Wellbeing to get these features, or download version 1.02752 from APK Mirror.

Digital Wellbeing (Free, Google Play) →

Via: Android Police

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