Google Contacts revamps contact creation and gears up for Apple’s stolen device protection-like feature
Top 3 Key Points:
- Google Contacts redesign simplifies creating new contacts with centered fields and shortcuts.
- Android 15 may introduce “mandatory biometrics,” restricting fallback PIN/password access outside trusted locations.
- Google aims to improve security, borrowing features from Apple’s Stolen Device Protection.
Google Contacts has introduced a major update to its contact creation process. This change simplifies how you add new contacts, while Google also prepares to enhance security in Android 15 with a feature similar to Apple’s Stolen Device Protection.
Google Contacts Redesign
The updated Google Contacts app (version 4.39) revamps the way users create new contacts. As usual, the profile photo appears at the top, followed by first and last name fields. However, the dropdown for adding a prefix, middle name, or suffix has been removed, making the interface cleaner.
The “Company” field remains the same but now lacks the small icons that previously accompanied the fields. One noticeable change is that fields such as email and significant dates are hidden behind a button, focusing more on phone numbers, which come with a pre-filled country code.
This redesign also introduces shortcuts to add an address or assign a label, while the “Notes” section is still available at the bottom. You can add additional details like middle names, nicknames, job titles, and more via the “Add fields” button.
Android’s Improved Security Measures
In parallel, Google is working on a security feature similar to Apple’s Stolen Device Protection. Android 15 QPR1 is expected to include an update called “Identity Check,” which enhances device security by focusing on biometric authentication.
Currently, Android apps use a biometric prompt (like fingerprint or face recognition), but users can still bypass this using a PIN or password. Google aims to change that by making biometric authentication mandatory when the phone is outside “trusted locations.” This means when your phone leaves a familiar area, like your home, Android will block PIN/password fallbacks, ensuring stronger security.
This new feature, discovered in the Android 15 Beta, mimics Apple’s method of securing sensitive data when an iPhone leaves a trusted environment. It also ties into Google’s Trusted Places, where the phone stays unlocked in certain locations. Once rolled out, the feature will likely require Android 15 or higher to operate.
Final Thoughts
Google’s latest updates in Contacts and Android security show a clear focus on user experience and safety. While the Contacts redesign makes adding details easier, Android’s upcoming security features signal a step forward in protecting personal data, especially in case of theft. Both updates promise a more seamless and secure user experience.
Key Points:
- Google Calendar is coming to the New Tab Page in Chrome for Workspace users.
- Circle to Search is expanding to more Android devices, including Xiaomi 14T.
- Chrome is getting other new features for enterprise users.
Google Calendar on Chrome’s New Tab Page:
Google Workspace users will soon see their Google Calendar on the New Tab Page in Chrome. This will make it easier to see upcoming meetings and join them quickly. You’ll also see your daily schedule below the calendar.
Circle to Search Expanding to More Devices:
Circle to Search, a feature that lets you search by drawing circles around objects in your photos, is expanding to more Android devices. This feature was previously limited to Samsung Galaxy and Google Pixel devices, but now it’s coming to Tecno and Xiaomi devices.
Other Chrome Updates:
Chrome is also getting other new features for enterprise users, such as a new sign-in flow that provides more transparency and a feature that lets admins set site shortcuts.
These updates are all designed to make it easier for businesses to use Chrome and Google Workspace.
YouTube is making content creation easier and more fun with new AI features.
- AI-powered video backgrounds: Create stunning visuals for your Shorts videos with Google’s Veo AI model.
- AI-powered video ideas: Get inspiration for your next video with YouTube Studio’s AI-powered brainstorming tool.
- AI-powered comments: Quickly respond to your viewers with AI-suggested replies.
YouTube is adding more AI features to help creators make better videos. One of the biggest announcements is the integration of Veo, a powerful AI model, into YouTube Shorts. This means you can create high-quality backgrounds and even short video clips using just a few words.
Imagine being able to describe a scene, like “a bustling city street at sunset,” and having Veo instantly generate a visually stunning background for your Short. Or, perhaps you need a quick clip to transition between two scenes; Veo can create a short video that perfectly fits your needs.
Another exciting feature is the new AI-powered brainstorming tool in YouTube Studio. This tool can suggest video ideas based on your channel’s history and what’s popular on YouTube. It’s like having a creative assistant that always has fresh ideas.
For example, if you’ve been creating cooking videos, the tool might suggest ideas like “Vegan cooking hacks” or “Quick and easy weeknight meals.” Or, if you’re a gaming channel, it could suggest ideas like “Top 5 new games to try” or “Let’s play a classic game.”
YouTube is also working on AI-powered comments. This feature will suggest replies to comments, making it easier for creators to engage with their audience.
For example, if a viewer leaves a comment saying “Great video!” the AI might suggest a reply like “Thanks for watching!” Or, if a viewer asks a question, the AI could suggest a helpful answer based on the video’s content.
These new AI features are making YouTube an even more powerful platform for creators. By automating tasks like background creation and idea generation, creators can spend more time focusing on what they do best: creating great content.
Key points:
- Android 15 QPR1 Beta introduces a new navigation bar key for quick keyboard switching.
- This allows for faster switching between multiple keyboard apps and languages.
- The feature is currently being tested and is expected to become standard on Google Pixel devices in December.
Android users will soon experience a significant improvement in keyboard switching. A new feature being tested in Android 15 QPR1 Beta introduces a dedicated key on the navigation bar that allows for rapid switching between different keyboard apps and languages.
Imagine having the ability to seamlessly switch between multiple keyboards without navigating through settings or menus. This new key, visually represented as a globe, provides a direct and intuitive way to change keyboards on the fly. Whether you need to switch between different languages or prefer different keyboard apps for specific tasks, this feature offers a convenient solution.
For example, if you have multiple languages enabled and use both Gboard and SwiftKey, you can quickly toggle between them by pressing the new key. This eliminates the need for extra steps and ensures a smooth typing experience.
While this feature is currently in beta testing, it’s expected to become a standard part of Android 15 QPR1, which is scheduled to be released on Google Pixel devices in December. This means that many Android users will soon be able to enjoy the benefits of faster and more efficient keyboard switching.
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