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Google expands Pixel Weather, Google Wallet for kids, Digital Wellbeing nudges, and enhanced Magic Editor for Photos

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Google Pixel Weather Rolls Out to More Devices

In the October 2024 Feature Drop, Google expanded Pixel Weather to Pixel 6 and newer models, including the Pixel Tablet. This app enhances weather updates, offering real-time forecasts and city-specific backgrounds on your Pixel devices.

Pixel Weather is a background service that you can activate with an update from the Google Play Store. Once you install version 1.0.20240910.x, a “Weather” app icon will appear in your app grid. During setup, allow notifications and enable precise location for the most accurate updates. In the Pixel Weather settings (accessed via your profile avatar), select it as your main source for weather notifications, turning off “Weather forecasts” from the Google app for a streamlined experience.

For a seamless setup, consider restarting your device so existing widgets and “At a Glance” default to Pixel Weather. Additionally, sign in with your Google Account to sync saved locations across devices. The interface shows detailed weather elements, including hourly forecasts, precipitation, wind, UV index, and air quality. On foldable devices and tablets, the app features a two-column layout for easier access to each city’s customized display.

Pixel Weather includes a 6-hour precipitation forecast powered by Google nowcasting, available in the U.S., U.K., and many European countries (with a few exceptions like Italy and Luxembourg). You can also customize units, themes, and receive tomorrow’s forecast at night or city-specific rain alerts. For users in the U.K., Germany, France, and Italy, pollen count information is also available.

Google Wallet for Kids with Family Link Support in 2025

Starting in 2025, Google Wallet will support tap-to-pay for children’s Family Link-managed devices, marking a step towards safer, parent-monitored digital transactions. Using the Google Wallet app on Android, children will be able to make in-store payments, with each transaction requiring device PIN, password, or biometric authentication for security.

Parents must approve every credit or debit card linked to a child’s account. Through the Family Link app, parents can monitor transaction history, remove cards, and block access if needed. This feature builds on Google’s success with tap-to-pay for kids on Wear OS-powered smartwatches, emphasizing family security.

Initially, the feature will be available in the U.S. and select other countries, with a broader rollout planned in the future.

Digital Wellbeing’s New “Mindful Nudge” Feature for Healthier Screen Time

Google’s Digital Wellbeing app will soon introduce “Mindful Nudge” reminders to encourage more mindful app usage. Part of version 1.19.688167517.beta, this feature gently prompts users when they’ve spent extended time on an app, helping break excessive browsing patterns and promoting healthier screen time habits.

While similar to Apple’s Screen Time, this approach aims to be more flexible. When active, users can tap on the nudge for more details or disable it for specific apps. Though not yet widely available, “Mindful Nudge” is expected to roll out on Pixel devices and possibly other Android phones soon.

Google Photos’ Magic Editor Enhancements for Easier Edits

Google Photos is enhancing its AI-powered Magic Editor with an improved user interface. The “Reimagine” feature now allows users to adjust images in various ways, from altering backgrounds to resizing and moving objects. A new UI update for the Magic Editor, coming soon in Google Photos v7.6, simplifies using these features by providing intuitive tools like “Insert” and “Replace.” These options offer quick prompts for customization, such as changing a background with just a few clicks.

Magic Editor aims to make photo editing accessible to all users with easy-to-use AI-driven options, perfect for creating the ideal image without needing advanced photo editing skills.

Google’s recent updates across Pixel Weather, Google Wallet for kids, Digital Wellbeing, and Google Photos’ Magic Editor all highlight a commitment to enhancing user experience through personalization, family-friendly features, mindful tech usage, and simplified AI tools for creative expression.

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Google Home Gemini extension expands and new Android gesture in development

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Google is rolling out new updates for its smart home ecosystem and Android users. The Gemini’s Google Home Extension is now widely available, providing enhanced control over smart home devices using conversational commands. Meanwhile, Google is also developing a new gesture for Android that addresses the removal of a popular assistant invocation method, making it easier for users to access their digital assistants.

Google Home Gemini Extension: Enhanced Smart Home Control

In late September, Google introduced a new extension for its Gemini platform that integrates Google Home controls. This week, the Google Home Extension has expanded its availability, particularly for Android users. Here’s what you need to know about this new feature:

  1. Accessing the Extension:
    • To use the Google Home Extension, navigate to Gemini > Extensions on your Android device. Look for the “Google Home” option marked with a green “Public Preview” label. Note that this extension is currently not available on iOS or the web version of Gemini.
  2. Smart Home Device Control:
    • With this extension, users can control various smart home devices like lights, switches, thermostats, fans, window shades, and media systems. Instead of using standard Google Assistant commands, this extension offers more natural, conversational interactions.
    • For example, saying, “The sun is too bright in the living room” will close window blinds, while “Help me clean up the kitchen” activates a robotic vacuum.
  3. Interactive Google Home Card:
    • The results from Gemini will now include an interactive Google Home card, displaying device tiles. Users can manually toggle and adjust settings directly from this card.
  4. Safety Restrictions:
    • For security reasons, the extension cannot control certain devices like cameras, locks, gates, or garage doors. Instead, the app will provide a link to open the Google Home app directly for controlling these devices.

Commands Supported by Google Home Gemini Extension

The following commands showcase the capabilities of the Google Home Extension, making it easier to manage your smart home setup:

  • Lights and Power Control:
    • “Turn on/off [light name].”
    • “Set [light name] to 50%.”
    • “Dim/Brighten the [room name] lights.”
  • Thermostat Control:
    • “Set the temperature to [value].”
    • “Turn on cooling mode.”
    • “Increase/decrease the temperature by 2 degrees.”
  • Fans, A/C Units, and Heaters:
    • “Turn on/off [device name].”
    • “Increase fan speed.”
  • Window Coverings:
    • “Open/close [curtains, blinds, shutters].”
  • Media Devices:
    • “Turn on/off [TV or speaker name].”
    • “Increase volume on [device name].”
  • Other Devices:
    • “Start/Stop [vacuum, washing machine, coffee maker].”

New Android Gesture: Addressing the Loss of Home Button Shortcut

With recent updates, Google introduced Circle to Search, a feature that allows users to quickly search content by long-pressing a gesture button or the home button. However, this change removed a widely used method to invoke the default assistant by long-pressing the home button.

To resolve this, Google is developing a new gesture specifically designed for devices using the traditional three-button navigation system.

  1. Gesture Invocation Options:
    • Android provides several ways to access the default assistant, such as using voice commands like “Hey Google” or “Hi Bixby,” pressing the power button, or swiping up from the bottom corner on gesture navigation devices.
  2. Issue with Circle to Search:
    • When Circle to Search was introduced, it took over the long-press action of the home button. Disabling Circle to Search does not restore this function, making it impossible to use the home button for assistant access in the three-button navigation mode.
  3. New Gesture in Development:
    • In the Android 15 QPR1 Beta 3, Google is testing a new corner swipe gesture for three-button navigation. This gesture allows users to swipe diagonally from the left or right bottom corner to invoke the assistant, similar to the existing gesture navigation system.
    • Although this feature is not yet available in the public beta, it has been tested internally and is expected to roll out soon.
  4. Possible Rollout and Adoption:
    • This new gesture might be included in the second quarterly platform release of Android 15, with a potential toggle option similar to other navigation gestures.
    • Some manufacturers like OnePlus are already ahead, implementing their own version of this corner swipe gesture in OxygenOS 15, indicating a trend towards faster adoption across Android devices.

Conclusion

With the wider rollout of Google Home Gemini Extension and the development of a new gesture to simplify assistant access, Google is actively enhancing user experience. The extension offers improved smart home control, making interactions with devices more intuitive and conversational. At the same time, the new Android gesture aims to resolve user frustration caused by the removal of the home button shortcut, providing a seamless experience across different navigation modes.

Overall, these updates showcase Google’s commitment to refining its ecosystem, making it more user-friendly and integrated with modern smart home setups. Keep an eye out for these features as they continue to expand and roll out across Android devices.

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Pixel 9 Pro Fold Repair Costs: A detailed breakdown

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Pixel 9 Pro Fold

Google’s latest foldable, the Pixel 9 Pro Fold, comes with a hefty price tag for repairs, especially its inner screen. The replacement of this ultra-thin LTPO OLED display, which includes the frame and hinge, costs between $899.99 and $1,199.99. This is due to its advanced design, featuring a resolution of 2076 x 2152 pixels. The outer screen is more affordable at $189.99.

For other repairs, iFixit offers parts like the rear camera assembly ($249.99), the front cameras ($79.99-$89.99), and a USB-C charging port for $59.99. Battery replacements are priced at $66.99 each for both the base and flip batteries.

The repair process for the inner display is complex, requiring 199 detailed steps and around 3-4 hours to complete. This reflects the intricate design and build of Google’s latest foldable, catering to users who may encounter issues with this sophisticated device.

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Google’s Gemini AI expands file management and smart home widget capabilities

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Google is enhancing its Gemini AI with new features, making it more capable for users who want a versatile virtual assistant. Gemini, which initially offered basic document assistance and image generation, is now gearing up for deeper integration with user files and smart home devices.

Gemini Live for Document Interaction

Google is currently testing a feature called Gemini Live, aimed at making file management more interactive. With this update, users can upload various file types, such as text documents or spreadsheets, and conversationally engage with Gemini. Instead of just reading or summarizing the files, the AI can modify them based on user commands. For example, you could ask Gemini to extract key data points from a spreadsheet or summarize a lengthy document, making it much more efficient for professionals managing multiple files.

This enhanced feature, identified in recent updates of the Google app, hints at a more dynamic interface where users might soon be able to directly talk to Gemini about their files. Although not fully active yet, the development suggests a future where file-based tasks become much simpler, allowing users to ask for changes or information directly in real-time conversations with the AI​.

Google Home’s Smart Widget

In parallel, Google is enhancing its smart home experience through the Google Home app. A new widget, internally named Home Summary, is under development to offer a streamlined overview of all smart devices connected to the Google ecosystem. This widget aims to use AI capabilities, possibly powered by Gemini, to present a summarized view of device statuses, such as temperature adjustments from Nest Thermostats or activity detected by Nest Cameras.

This move is part of Google’s effort to simplify smart home management, addressing user feedback on the current complexity when controlling multiple devices. The widget aims to provide a concise, AI-generated summary right on the home screen, giving users a quick glance at their smart home’s status without diving into the app. Although still in the testing phase, this feature reflects Google’s push to integrate AI deeply into daily digital experiences, making smart home management more intuitive and responsive​.

What’s Next for Users?

Both features, Gemini Live and the Home Summary widget, are designed to be rolled out initially as part of Google’s testing programs. Users who subscribe to Gemini Advanced or participate in Google’s Public Preview may get early access. These updates are a significant part of Google’s strategy to expand its AI ecosystem, enhancing the utility of its apps and making everyday tasks easier for users.

Expect to see these features rolling out more broadly as Google continues to refine its offerings, likely with a focus on deeper integrations across its various apps and smart devices.

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