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Google simplifies access to play collections with new app shortcut

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Google

Google has made it easier to access Google Play Collections without cluttering your home screen with a widget. Now, you can use a simple app shortcut to get to your favorite collections. Before, you could only open the Watch, Game, Read, Listen, Food, Shop, and Social feeds by adding a widget to your home screen. These widgets could be as small as a bar showing four shortcuts or as large as taking over your entire screen to display a unified feed.

Now, by long-pressing the Google Play Store icon, you’ll see a new option labeled “Collections” right above “My apps”. Tapping this will open your collections instantly. You can also drag this shortcut to your home screen for quick access or use your device’s search function, like on the Pixel Launcher, to find “Collections” easily.

This feature is starting to appear with Google Play Store version 44.8.15 but remember, it’s controlled by server-side settings, so it might not be available to everyone just yet. Additionally, with the upcoming version 44.9 of the Play Store, this feature will be available for Android 10 to 12 users in the US.

Google first introduced Collections last July, with a broader rollout in the US happening that September. This new shortcut makes accessing these curated collections much simpler and more convenient for users.

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Google

Gmail and Google Photos get new design and useful updates

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Gmail

Google is giving Gmail and Google Photos some fresh updates to make things easier and more user-friendly.

First, Gmail on the web is now getting a new layout option. You can choose between “Cozy,” “Comfortable,” or “Compact” views based on how much space you want between your emails. Google is also adding a setting to control whether your inbox and labels stay on screen or only show up when needed. These changes make it easier to personalize how Gmail looks and feels.

Meanwhile, Gmail for iPhone is getting a visual upgrade. The app now uses Google’s updated design style called “Material 3.” You’ll notice a cleaner look with a rounded search bar at the top, smoother icons, and better spacing. Although the bottom bar and buttons look mostly the same, the overall design feels more modern and easier on the eyes.

Lastly, Google Photos is bringing back a helpful feature. The classic search shortcut that appears in the bottom bar is returning, making it quicker to find your photos. Before this, the shortcut had been removed when Google added the new “Memories” tab. Now, both features work together, letting you browse memories and search with ease.

These updates aim to make Google’s apps feel more useful, clean, and easier to use on both desktop and mobile.

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Android

Android 16 boosts USB data safety and fixes delayed notifications on Pixel phones

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Android 16

Google’s upcoming Android 16 update is bringing better security and some helpful improvements, especially for Pixel phone users. One of the main features in Android 16 is a new way to protect your phone’s data when it’s connected to a computer through USB. Right now, when you plug your phone into a PC or laptop, it can access all your data as long as you approve it.

With Android 16, Google is adding an extra security layer that only allows limited access unless you enter your PIN, password, or use your fingerprint. This will help protect your files if someone tries to access your phone without permission.

At the same time, Google is also working on a fix for a frustrating issue that some Pixel users have been facing for months — delayed notifications. After the April 2024 update, many users noticed that app alerts were not showing up on time, especially from messaging apps. Google has confirmed the problem and says a fix will be included in a future update, though it’s not in the current April patch yet.

Together, these changes show that Google is focusing on both stronger privacy and a smoother experience for Android and Pixel users. Android 16 is expected to roll out later this year, starting with developer previews.

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Google improves Translate, Assistant, TV, and Chrome with new updates

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Google is bringing several updates across its apps to make them more useful and easier to use. Google Translate is working on a new feature called “Practice.” It helps users improve their language skills by offering short exercises, like matching words or filling in blanks. Right now, it looks like it will focus on Spanish, but other languages may come later. This tool could be great for people who want to go beyond just translating words and learn the language.

Google Assistant’s Driving Mode in Google Maps is starting to shut down. Many users are noticing that the card-style dashboard is disappearing, and the Assistant voice command shortcut no longer works. Google hasn’t officially said why, but it seems they’re moving away from this feature, possibly to focus on other tools or experiences in Maps.

Google TV’s Freeplay app is now back with a fresh look. It gives users free access to over 100 live TV channels. The redesign makes it easier to browse channels and see what’s playing. The new layout also highlights what’s currently on, making it faster to start watching without having to dig through menus.

Lastly, Google Chrome is testing a new built-in PDF viewer. This upgraded tool makes reading and editing PDFs easier right inside the browser. It includes better zoom controls, a cleaner layout, and a page list view that lets users jump to specific pages more quickly. These updates show Google’s push to improve how we learn, drive, watch TV, and browse the web.

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