Google Messages adds new photo quality options and custom contact photos
Google Messages, the default messaging app for Android, is set to receive some exciting updates, including the ability to set custom profile pictures for contacts. Users will be able to switch between Google account display photos and images saved directly on their device. This update, discovered in recent code, hints at more personalized and user-friendly options for managing contact visuals.
Additionally, Google Messages is expanding support for dual-SIM RCS (Rich Communication Services), allowing users with multiple SIM cards to enjoy enhanced messaging features more easily. While customizing contact photos is a visual update, dual-SIM RCS support is a valuable feature for people who use more than one SIM on their devices.
Perhaps the most notable improvement is Google Messages’ new option for selecting image resolution before sending photos, inspired by WhatsApp’s similar feature. WhatsApp introduced this function earlier this year, enabling users to choose between Standard and HD photo quality. Google Messages aims to enhance this by offering both HD and HD+ options, giving users flexibility in balancing image quality with data usage.
- Standard (Optimized for Chat): A lower-quality version that conserves data and sends faster.
- HD+ (Original Quality): Sends the full-resolution image but may take longer to transmit and uses more data.
A small HD or HD+ icon will appear on the image’s bottom right, indicating the quality selected, visible to both sender and receiver. Though this feature hasn’t reached the Google Messages web client yet, a rollout across mobile and web versions is anticipated, similar to WhatsApp Web’s media quality feature.
These improvements reflect Google Messages’ efforts to enhance both customization and user control over data use and image quality, making it a more versatile option for Android users.
Google Home Gemini extension expands and new Android gesture in development
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:
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
Pixel 9 Pro Fold Repair Costs: A detailed breakdown
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.
Google’s Gemini AI expands file management and smart home widget capabilities
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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