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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.

Android

Google Phone app enhances scam call reporting and new Chromecast update rolled out

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The Google Phone app is steadily becoming more user-friendly, especially when dealing with spam and scam calls. In a recent update, Google has introduced and is refining features to empower users to report fraudulent calls more effectively. Meanwhile, a fresh update for the Chromecast with Google TV has begun rolling out, keeping the device optimized as Google preps for larger changes.

Google Phone App: Smarter Tools for Scam Reporting

The Google Phone app has long been a reliable tool for blocking unwanted calls, but it’s taking scam call reporting to the next level. Users can already block or report spam calls directly from the call log by long-pressing an entry and selecting “Block or report.” From there, you can classify the call as either spam or scam and choose whether to block the number. However, this process currently sends minimal context to Google.

An upcoming update is set to introduce a detailed feedback mechanism. Version 155.0.697690833-publicbeta of the app hints at a future feature where users can provide additional insights about scam calls. This update may include:

Enhanced Reporting Options

When reporting a call as a scam, users might see a multi-select menu with questions like:

  • What did the scammer ask for?
    • Personal information (e.g., full name)
    • Passwords
    • Electronic payments
    • App downloads
    • “Not applicable” or “Something else” (with a text entry option)
  • What did the scammer pretend to be?
    • Government agencies (e.g., FBI, IRS, Social Security Administration)
    • Friends or acquaintances
    • Law enforcement (e.g., police)
    • “Not applicable” or “Something else” (allowing for further details)

This information will be reviewed by Google and could potentially be used to warn other users about known scam numbers or their tactics.

Lookup Button Gets Better Placement

The update also tweaks the Lookup button, which helps identify unknown numbers. While this button has existed in the app, it is now visible within the Google Contacts app when accessed through the Phone app. A banner labeled “Contact info from Phone” further clarifies the context.

Although these features are still in development and not yet available for public use, they highlight Google’s ongoing efforts to combat spam and scam calls.

Chromecast with Google TV: Latest Update Rolling Out

Google is also rolling out a new update for the Chromecast with Google TV, continuing its commitment to improving performance and security.

Update Details

  • Version: STTL.240812.006.N1 (upgraded from STTL.240812.006)
  • Size: 59.48 MB (smaller than October’s 83.01 MB patch)
  • Patch Level: September 2024 (still based on Android 12)
  • Changes: General bug fixes and performance improvements.

This marks the eighth update for Chromecast with Google TV in 2023, following monthly patches since February. While these incremental updates focus on stability, they pave the way for a bigger milestone: Android 14.

What’s Next for Chromecast?

The Android 14 update is expected to bring a significant feature called “Home runtime”, enabling Chromecast devices to function as hubs for Matter smart home devices. Google has until the end of the year to roll out this transformative upgrade, and this recent patch could be preparing the device for the transition.

How to Update Your Chromecast

To ensure you have the latest version:

  1. Navigate to Settings on your Chromecast with Google TV.
  2. Go to System > About > System update.
  3. Follow the prompts to install the update.

Conclusion

Google’s latest improvements for the Phone app and Chromecast with Google TV showcase its focus on user experience and security. With smarter scam call reporting on the horizon and updates ensuring devices stay optimized, Google continues to lead in enhancing everyday tech. Stay tuned as these features and updates roll out to users worldwide!

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Android 16 enhances notification privacy and introduces integrated screen dimming

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Android 16

Android 16 is already making waves with its first developer preview (DP1), introducing two notable features that improve privacy and usability: automatic hiding of sensitive notifications on the lock screen and seamless integration of screen dimming functionality into the brightness bar. These updates aim to enhance user experience while prioritizing data security and convenience.

Protecting Sensitive Notifications on the Lock Screen

Lock screen notifications offer quick access to updates, but they can expose sensitive information to prying eyes, especially if your device is lost or stolen. Android 16 tackles this issue by automatically hiding the contents of sensitive notifications, particularly those containing one-time passwords (OTPs) and two-factor authentication (2FA) codes.

In Android 16 DP1, notifications deemed “sensitive” by the Android System Intelligence service are automatically redacted on the lock screen, regardless of your notification settings. While users can still control how notifications are displayed—choosing to hide titles, summaries, or all notification content—this feature ensures that sensitive information is protected by default.

This builds on privacy enhancements introduced in Android 15, where untrusted apps were blocked from accessing sensitive notifications, even with notification-reading permissions. Android 16 takes it a step further by ensuring these notifications are redacted on the lock screen itself, safeguarding your data from potential breaches.

Evolving Lock Screen Notification Settings

The updated lock screen notification settings in Android 16 provide flexible options:

  • Sensitive Notifications Setting: Allows you to hide titles and summaries for all notifications, while still displaying app icons.
  • Lock Screen Notification Control: Lets you choose to show all, hide specific categories like conversations, or hide all notifications entirely.

However, many users stick to default settings, which display full notification content. Android 16 ensures that even in this default mode, sensitive OTP notifications remain hidden, preventing accidental exposure.

Even Dimmer: A Smarter Screen Dimming Solution

Alongside privacy enhancements, Android 16 DP1 introduces “Even Dimmer,” a more integrated version of the existing Extra Dim mode. This feature simplifies the process of reducing screen brightness for comfortable viewing in low-light conditions.

Previously, the Extra Dim feature had to be activated manually via Settings > Accessibility or through a Quick Settings tile. While effective, it required extra steps and could easily be forgotten. With Even Dimmer, the functionality is embedded directly into the brightness bar. Sliding the bar to its lowest point now triggers an additional dimming layer, making it intuitive and accessible.

Why Even Dimmer is a Game-Changer

  • Seamless Integration: Even Dimmer removes the need for separate toggles, blending directly into everyday brightness adjustments.
  • Quick Deactivation: Simply increasing the brightness disables the feature, reducing the chance of accidentally leaving it on.
  • Eliminates Redundancy: The Extra Dim feature will be removed once Even Dimmer is fully rolled out, simplifying the interface further.

Availability and Device-Specific Rollout

Curiously, Even Dimmer is not universally available across all Pixel devices running Android 16 DP1. For now, it seems limited to the base Pixel 9, where the feature is enabled through a device-specific framework overlay. Other Pixel models, including the Pixel 6, 8, and 8a, lack this feature in the current preview.

Google may expand availability in future updates or adjust the rollout based on testing and feedback. However, this selective activation suggests it might be fine-tuning the feature for broader compatibility.

What to Expect from Android 16

While Android 16 is still in its early stages, the inclusion of these features reflects Google’s focus on balancing usability with security. The automatic hiding of sensitive notifications and the streamlined dimming functionality highlight the platform’s evolution toward a smarter, more user-centric design.

As Google refines these features in upcoming developer previews, Android users can look forward to a safer and more convenient experience in the final release. Whether it’s protecting your private data or making your screen easier on the eyes, Android 16 sets a new standard for mobile operating systems.

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Google enhances Android data transfer and app login features: What to Expect in 2025

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Android 16

Google is making it easier to set up Android devices with new features aimed at improving data transfers and app logins. These advancements, introduced with the Pixel 9 and expanding across more Android devices in 2025, aim to simplify the user experience when switching devices or setting up a new phone.

Post-Setup Data Transfer: Explore First, Transfer Later

With the Pixel 9 running Android 14, Google introduced a flexible data transfer option. Users can now copy data from another device even after completing the initial setup. This feature, accessible through the “Back up or copy data” page in system settings, encourages users to explore their new device before transferring data.

Starting in 2025, this post-setup transfer capability will be available on more Android phones. This feature allows users to complete basic setup quickly and transfer data later when it’s convenient. Data transfers can be initiated via system settings or through the updated Android Switch app, which is available on both Android and iOS platforms.

Faster and Smarter Android Switch Experience

Google has been improving the Android Switch process for the past two years, focusing on speed and convenience. Key highlights include:

  • 40% Faster Transfers: Transferring data from iOS to Android using a cable is now significantly quicker compared to 2023.
  • Comprehensive Data Support: The transfer process ensures that critical data like chats, calendars, contacts, Wi-Fi configurations, screen lock settings, and Google accounts are seamlessly moved to the new device.
  • RCS Compatibility: Rich Communication Services (RCS) improve messaging capabilities during the transition. Users can enjoy high-resolution media sharing, emoji reactions, and group chat management regardless of whether friends use Android or iOS.

However, full RCS data transfers are currently exclusive to Pixel 9 and are not yet available for other Android devices.

Credential Manager: Stay Logged In Effortlessly

Google is also addressing the hassle of logging back into apps after setting up a new device. The Credential Manager API, a tool responsible for managing sign-ins and passkeys, now includes a feature called Restore Credentials.

How Restore Credentials Works:

  1. Backup Creation: When users log into an app, a restore key is created and stored securely. This key is encrypted and saved either locally or in cloud backups, depending on the user’s preferences.
  2. Seamless Transfer: During device setup, restore keys are transferred along with app data—either via local device-to-device transfer or through cloud backup.
  3. Automatic Login: Once the app is launched on the new device, it retrieves the restore key to sign the user back in automatically.

This process eliminates the need for manual logins and even allows users to receive notifications and access app content without opening the app first.

Developer Integration:

  • No additional developer work is needed for transferring restore keys, as the Android backup and restore mechanism handles this automatically.
  • Developers can further enhance the experience by implementing a “backup agent,” enabling silent logins so users remain signed in without launching the app.

Availability and Future Outlook

The Restore Credentials API is currently in developer preview and supports Android 9 and later versions. With these features expanding across Android devices in 2025, Google is set to make device setup and data transfer smoother than ever.

By focusing on user-friendly innovations like post-setup data copying and automatic app logins, Google is redefining how Android users transition to new devices while ensuring data security and convenience.

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