Google

Google enhances weather forecasting, Messaging, and Photo management with AI updates

Published

5 months ago

December 5, 2024

With several new AI-powered features and updates, Google is making significant strides in weather forecasting, messaging tools, and photo management. Here’s a quick overview of the latest advancements:

1. GenCast AI: A Leap in Weather Forecasting

Google’s GenCast is an advanced AI weather model that improves accuracy and reliability. Built on diffusion technology, similar to what powers AI for generating images and videos, GenCast adapts to Earth’s spherical geometry to predict complex weather scenarios.

How It Works: GenCast produces an ensemble forecast of 50+ predictions, offering a range of possible weather outcomes. This helps express uncertainty better, making predictions more balanced and accurate.
Performance: Compared to the ECMWF’s ENS system, GenCast provides better forecasts for regular weather and extreme events like cyclones up to 15 days in advance. It was found more accurate in 97.2% of tested scenarios from 2019 data.
Efficiency: GenCast takes only 8 minutes on a Google Cloud TPU v5 to generate a 15-day forecast, significantly faster than traditional supercomputer systems.
Open Access: Google has made GenCast’s code and weights available, allowing researchers and organizations to integrate these forecasts into their workflows.

2. Gemini Extensions for Messages, Phone, and WhatsApp

Google has begun rolling out Gemini AI-powered extensions for its messaging and calling apps, including Messages, Phone, and WhatsApp.

Messages Integration: Gemini can help compose, rewrite, and send messages using simple prompts. It supports conversational commands like drafting a haiku or sending a congratulatory message. However, it cannot read or summarize incoming messages.
Phone Calls: The Phone extension enables natural voice-driven call handling. Gemini can summarize reviews, call businesses, or assist in tasks like negotiating over the phone.
WhatsApp Support: For the first time, Gemini integrates with a third-party app, allowing users to make calls or send messages via WhatsApp using AI-driven commands.

These extensions are enabled by default but may require a restart of the Gemini/Google app to appear.

3. Google Photos: Undo Backup and Improved Features

Google Photos is introducing a new “Undo Device Backup” feature, giving users control over their backed-up media:

How It Works: This option removes photos and videos from Google Photos without deleting them from your device. It helps users who no longer want their device media backed up.
Steps to Undo Backup:
1. Open Google Photos > Profile > Settings > Backup.
2. Tap “Undo backup for this device.”
3. Confirm the action, and backup will be disabled automatically.
Partner Sharing Update: Google has stopped automatic sharing of third-party app photos with partners, reducing clutter and enhancing feed focus.

Additionally, Google is working on simplifying the process of setting wallpapers from Google Photos. A future update will add a “Set as wallpaper” option in the toolbar, streamlining the current multi-step process.

4. Transitioning to Google Messages from Verizon Message+

As Verizon Message+ sunsets, Google offers a guide for users switching to Google Messages:

Customizations: Change conversation colors, adjust notification sounds, and pinch-to-zoom for font size.
Features: Schedule messages, pin favorite conversations, and manually save media to your device.
RCS Support: Google Messages works over mobile data and Wi-Fi, ensuring seamless communication.

Google’s continuous AI innovations are enhancing user experience across various services. Whether it’s accurate weather forecasting, smarter messaging tools, or better photo management, these updates reflect the company’s commitment to integrating AI into everyday tools.

Google

YouTube Music adds new feature to keep song volume steady

Published

1 day ago

April 18, 2025

Tom Carter

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.

Android

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

Published

1 day ago

April 18, 2025

Tom Carter

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.

Android

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

Published

2 days ago

April 18, 2025

Tom Carter

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.