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Google Assistant gets smarter with Gemini AI and Google Wallet expands on Wear OS

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Google

Google is rolling out significant updates to its ecosystem, enhancing user experience through advanced AI-powered responses in Google Assistant and expanded features in Google Wallet for Wear OS devices. Here’s what’s new and how it changes the way you interact with your devices.

Gemini-Powered Google Assistant: A Smarter, More Conversational Experience

Google Assistant, now backed by Gemini large language models (LLMs), is delivering improved, more natural interactions on smart speakers and displays like the Nest series. This marks a shift towards a more human-like conversational assistant, offering richer, context-aware responses.

What’s Changing?

  1. New Voice for Complex Queries:
    Some Nest users are experiencing a fresh Assistant voice that feels warmer and better-paced, reserved for conversational tasks. For simpler questions, like asking about the weather, the standard voice remains.
  2. Enhanced Interaction:
    The Gemini-powered Assistant excels in follow-up questions, allowing a back-and-forth conversation. For example, when asked, “What’s up?”, users report receiving detailed, thoughtful replies compared to the simpler responses seen before.
  3. Natural Language Understanding:
    This upgrade enables the Assistant to handle pauses, adjust to multiple or rephrased questions, and adapt better to user intent.

Features in Development:

Google Home app hints at upcoming updates that users can expect soon:

  • Richer Responses: Summarized yet clear explanations for complex topics.
  • Improved Voices: More lifelike tones for easier communication.
  • Enhanced Flexibility: Ability to adjust responses dynamically to your changing queries.

Google Wallet for Wear OS: Corporate Badges, Campus IDs, and More

Google Wallet on Wear OS is evolving into a versatile tool beyond payment cards. Soon, it will support “access cards,” including work badges, campus IDs, and hotel keys, making it an essential companion for wearable device users.

Key Features Coming to Wear OS Wallet:

  1. Access Cards Integration:
    Users can store corporate badges, student IDs, and hotel keys on their Wear OS devices, making entry to workplaces, campuses, and hotels hands-free and seamless.
  2. Expanded Support for Passes:
    Following the introduction of loyalty cards and QR code-based passes last year, Google Wallet now groups and archives passes, allowing for easy organization and retrieval.
  3. International Reach:
    Google Wallet’s web interface, launched earlier this year, now serves over 90 countries. This platform lets users manage saved payment methods, view transaction histories, and access digital passes from one centralized hub.

Rollout Timeline:

The new features will debut with version 24.47 of Google Play Services. While not widely available yet, users can expect a gradual rollout over the coming weeks.

Why This Matters

These updates reflect Google’s focus on making everyday tasks more intuitive through AI and enhanced device connectivity. The smarter Assistant powered by Gemini LLMs ensures smoother conversations, while the expanded Wallet features on Wear OS bring convenience to both personal and professional settings.

Stay tuned for further updates as Google continues refining its ecosystem, blending cutting-edge AI with practical everyday tools.

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Google

YouTube Music adds new feature to keep song volume steady

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YouTube Music

YouTube Music is rolling out a new feature called “Stable volume” to make your listening experience better. This option helps keep the sound level the same across all songs, so you won’t have to turn the volume up or down when switching tracks.

Sometimes, songs are louder or softer depending on how they were made. This new feature fixes that by adjusting each track so that all music plays at a similar volume. It’s especially useful when you’re using headphones or listening in the car.

You can find this option in the YouTube Music app by going to Settings > Playback & restrictions, where you’ll see a switch for “Stable volume.” It works for both free and Premium users, and it’s now appearing on Android devices (version 7.07 or later). iOS support may come soon, but it’s not available yet.

This is a welcome update, as many streaming apps like Spotify and Apple Music already have similar volume balancing tools. It helps make playlists and albums sound smoother and more enjoyable without constant volume changes.

So far, the feature is being released in stages, so you might not see it right away, but it should show up soon for everyone.

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Android

Android 16 beta adds battery health info, Pixel Fold gets better at detecting opens and closes

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Android 16

Google has released the Android 16 Beta 1 update for Pixel phones, and it brings some helpful new features. One of the key additions is battery health information, which is now available in the settings. Pixel users can now see the battery’s manufacturing date, charge cycles, and overall health score. This can help people understand how well their battery is holding up over time. While this feature is currently hidden under developer options, it might be fully added in a future update.

At the same time, Google is also working to improve the Pixel Fold. With Android 16 Beta 1, there’s a new system that better detects when the phone is opened or closed. This new method uses the hinge angle to more accurately understand the device’s position. Unlike older systems that could be affected by software bugs or slow response times, this new one seems to be more reliable and faster.

These changes are important for people who use foldable phones like the Pixel Fold, as better hinge detection can lead to smoother app transitions and fewer bugs. And for all Pixel users, having detailed battery info can help with managing phone performance and deciding when it’s time for a battery replacement.

Overall, Android 16 Beta 1 focuses on giving users more control and smoother experiences, especially for those with foldables.

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Android

Android 16 could bring colorful always-on display to Pixel phones

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Android 16

Google is working on Android 16, and it looks like the update could bring more color to the always-on display (AOD) feature on Pixel phones. Right now, the AOD mostly shows white text on a black screen. But a new setting found in the Android 16 Developer Preview hints at the ability to add colors to this display.

The new feature is called “AOD Preview,” and it includes a switch labeled “Color AOD.” While this setting doesn’t work yet, it suggests that Google might be planning to show colorful content even when the screen is in low-power mode.

This change could make AOD look more lively, maybe by adding color to the clock, notifications, or wallpaper. So far, it’s not clear exactly what will change or how customizable it will be, but the feature seems to be in early testing.

Samsung already has more colorful AOD options on its Galaxy devices, so this update could help Pixel phones catch up. Google often introduces new features first on Pixel devices before making them available to other Android phones.

Android 16 is still being developed, and many features are not ready yet. But if Color AOD becomes part of the final release, Pixel users could get a more vibrant and useful always-on display in the near future.

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