Google

Google Messages enhances group search and Pixel Camera 9.5 offers more control and better astrophotography

Published

3 weeks ago

August 26, 2024

Tom Carter

Key Points:

Improved Group Search: Google Messages now allows searching group chats directly in the New Conversations screen.
Enhanced Pixel Camera: The Pixel Camera 9.5 update brings manual sensor selection and improved astrophotography.
Creative Features: New camera options include a flexible timer and night vision for panoramic shots.

Google has introduced a valuable enhancement to its Messages app for Android, making group chat searches easier on the New Conversation screen. Previously, the “To” field in the Start Chat > New Conversation section only showed individual contacts. Now, a new “Group chats” section allows users to search for conversations involving multiple participants.

This update includes the ability to search by group names or participants, displaying the last sent message as a preview with a chevron icon that takes you directly to the chat. This group search feature is currently being tested in the latest Google Messages beta (version 20240820_00_RC00) but isn’t available yet in the stable version.

Earlier in October 2023, Google removed the “Top contacts” section from this screen, and the conversation picker and share UI received updates a few weeks ago.

In addition to updates in Google Messages, Google has also introduced new features in its Pixel Camera with the latest version, 9.5, providing users with greater creative control. This update is particularly exciting for photography enthusiasts, offering new tools even for older Pixel models, not just the latest Pixel 9 series.

One of the standout features in Pixel Camera 9.5 is the ability to manually select the camera sensor on Pro models. Previously, the software would automatically choose the optimal sensor based on the zoom level. Now, users can manually select whether to use the ultra-wide angle, wide angle, or telephoto lens, offering more control for professional photographers.

The “Best Moment” function has also seen improvements. When HDR+ is activated, the camera now detects when your eyes are open and captures that precise moment, resulting in more natural and expressive portrait photos.

Astrophotography mode, another highlight of this update, can now be manually activated. Previously, this mode would only turn on under specific conditions, such as complete darkness and a static smartphone. Now, users can decide when they want to capture the starry sky, providing more flexibility for night sky photography.

Additional improvements in Pixel Camera 9.5 include a flexible timer that now offers a 5-second option alongside the existing 3 and 10-second timers, quick access to the Guided Frame feature, which provides tips and instructions for taking perfect shots, and a new Panorama mode with night vision, allowing users to capture stunning panoramic shots even in low light. The “Add Me” feature, available on the Pixel 9 series, seamlessly integrates users into their selfies.

With these latest updates, Google continues to enhance the Pixel Camera, offering users more control and creative options for their photography.

Source/Via

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Android

Android 15 delayed, Gemini Live now free for Android

Published

13 hours ago

September 18, 2024

Tom Carter

Key points:

Android 15 for Pixel devices was pushed back to October 15.
Gemini Live, Google’s AI assistant, is now available for free Android users.
Pixel 6 and later devices will get Android 15, but Pixel 6/6 Pro won’t get future updates.

Android 15 Delayed

Google’s latest Android update, Android 15, is taking a bit longer to reach Pixel phones. While it was released for developers in September, it won’t be available for Pixel users until October 15th. This delay is likely due to Google wanting to make sure the update is as bug-free as possible.

Gemini Live Goes Free

In other Google news, Gemini Live, the company’s AI assistant, is now free for Android users. This means you can use Gemini to help you with tasks like writing emails, summarizing articles, or even translating languages.

Pixel 6 and Later

The Pixel 6 and later devices will be the first to get Android 15. However, this will also be the last guaranteed update for the Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro. While they will continue to receive security updates, they won’t get any new features after Android 15.

Google

Google Calendar and Circle to Search expand to more devices

Published

24 hours ago

September 18, 2024

Tom Carter

Key Points:

Google Calendar is coming to the New Tab Page in Chrome for Workspace users.
Circle to Search is expanding to more Android devices, including Xiaomi 14T.
Chrome is getting other new features for enterprise users.

Google Calendar on Chrome’s New Tab Page:

Google Workspace users will soon see their Google Calendar on the New Tab Page in Chrome. This will make it easier to see upcoming meetings and join them quickly. You’ll also see your daily schedule below the calendar.

Circle to Search Expanding to More Devices:

Circle to Search, a feature that lets you search by drawing circles around objects in your photos, is expanding to more Android devices. This feature was previously limited to Samsung Galaxy and Google Pixel devices, but now it’s coming to Tecno and Xiaomi devices.

Other Chrome Updates:

Chrome is also getting other new features for enterprise users, such as a new sign-in flow that provides more transparency and a feature that lets admins set site shortcuts.

These updates are all designed to make it easier for businesses to use Chrome and Google Workspace.

Source/Via

Google

YouTube gets smarter: AI boosts Shorts and Studio

Published

1 day ago

September 18, 2024

Tom Carter

YouTube is making content creation easier and more fun with new AI features.

AI-powered video backgrounds: Create stunning visuals for your Shorts videos with Google’s Veo AI model.
AI-powered video ideas: Get inspiration for your next video with YouTube Studio’s AI-powered brainstorming tool.
AI-powered comments: Quickly respond to your viewers with AI-suggested replies.

YouTube is adding more AI features to help creators make better videos. One of the biggest announcements is the integration of Veo, a powerful AI model, into YouTube Shorts. This means you can create high-quality backgrounds and even short video clips using just a few words.

Imagine being able to describe a scene, like “a bustling city street at sunset,” and having Veo instantly generate a visually stunning background for your Short. Or, perhaps you need a quick clip to transition between two scenes; Veo can create a short video that perfectly fits your needs.

Another exciting feature is the new AI-powered brainstorming tool in YouTube Studio. This tool can suggest video ideas based on your channel’s history and what’s popular on YouTube. It’s like having a creative assistant that always has fresh ideas.

For example, if you’ve been creating cooking videos, the tool might suggest ideas like “Vegan cooking hacks” or “Quick and easy weeknight meals.” Or, if you’re a gaming channel, it could suggest ideas like “Top 5 new games to try” or “Let’s play a classic game.”

YouTube is also working on AI-powered comments. This feature will suggest replies to comments, making it easier for creators to engage with their audience.

For example, if a viewer leaves a comment saying “Great video!” the AI might suggest a reply like “Thanks for watching!” Or, if a viewer asks a question, the AI could suggest a helpful answer based on the video’s content.

These new AI features are making YouTube an even more powerful platform for creators. By automating tasks like background creation and idea generation, creators can spend more time focusing on what they do best: creating great content.