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Nearby Share and Quick Share Merging into one cross-Android Solution

Apple has AirDrop and AirPlay to share files between devices or stream content to connected displays, but being an open ecosystem, what does Android have in common? Well, not much to be proud of (at least until 2023), but now they have something valuable in their quiver.

Google has unleashed a series of cutting-edge features at the CES 2024, with the spotlight on the revolutionary Quick Share system. Crafted in collaboration with Samsung, this innovation is poised to supersede Google’s 2020-introduced Nearby Share.

What’s intriguing is Google’s adoption of Samsung’s terminology for this service, now dubbed Quick Share. Billed as the epitome of technological convergence, Google asserts it has seamlessly integrated experiences with Samsung, fashioning the ultimate default, built-in option for peer-to-peer content sharing across all Android and Chrome OS devices.

Google is also partnering with leading PC manufacturers, including LG, to extend the Quick Share functionality to Windows PCs as a preinstalled app in the near future. The simplicity of the new system is striking, just tap the Quick Share icon, and a list of available nearby devices materialises. Users can control who discovers their device and sends files, choosing from options like everyone, only contacts, or exclusively their own devices. The anticipated rollout of Quick Share to existing Nearby Share-enabled devices is slated for February.

Shifting gears, the Fast Pair feature is set to expand its reach to Chromecast with Google TV in the coming month, with plans to encompass additional Google TV devices later in the year. Connecting compatible headphones or speakers to your Google TV becomes a seamless experience with a single tap after putting your accessory in pairing mode. Google tantalisingly hints at user-friendly audio output controls for swift transitions back to default TV audio.

Google foresees LG’s 2024 TV lineup, along with devices in LG Hospitality and LG Healthcare, featuring Chromecast built-in, opening avenues for seamless casting from your phone to the LG TV in your hotel or hospital room. The tech giant reveals an impressive user base of over 220 million monthly active Google TV and Android TV devices.

An upcoming casting feature, slated for later this year, will empower users to seamlessly shift what’s playing on Spotify and YouTube Music from their Pixel phone to a docked Pixel Tablet when in proximity. This functionality promises a smooth transition from on-the-go listening to an immersive tablet experience at home.

Looking ahead, LG TVs and select Google TV and Android TV devices are poised to evolve into hubs for Google Home, simplifying the process of adding Matter protocol-supported devices to home networks and enabling local control through the Google Home app.

Text Rewind – Google’s Messages App Testing Editing Feature for Sent Messages!

To elevate its Messages app to new heights, Google has rolled out a series of substantial updates that promise to position the platform as a formidable contender in the messaging arena. Recent enhancements include the integration of Ultra HDR support in RCS chats, introducing a visual feast with features like photomoji and animated stickers.

However, the tech giant’s innovation doesn’t stop there. Reports suggest that Google is actively developing a message editing feature, akin to the functionality found in WhatsApp. Unearthed by The SPAndroid, the beta version of the Google Messages app, released in the final week of November, subtly reveals this upcoming capability.

Diving into the details, four intriguing flags—bugle.enable_edit_ui, bugle.load_edit_history, bugle.process_outgoing_edits, and bugle.process_incoming_edits—hint at the imminent arrival of a text editing feature. The diligent folks at The SPAndroid, through an APK teardown, unveil Google’s creation of a new table in the messages database. This table, seemingly dedicated to storing edited messages, intricately captures crucial information such as message ID, the latest message ID, original RCS message ID, edited and received timestamps, offering users a comprehensive editing experience.

Although the message editing feature remains concealed from the public eye and unconfirmed by Google, it is anticipated to become a handy tool for rectifying typos or tweaking messages post-transmission. With Google consistently bolstering the Messages app, from Ultra HDR support to potential editing prowess, users can expect an evolving and dynamic messaging experience that continues to push boundaries. As the journey unfolds, these updates are poised to transform how we communicate, one innovation at a time.

Google’s Next-Gen AI Gemini Takes on Code, Conversations, and Your Pixel 8 Pro

Google has unveiled Gemini, a groundbreaking AI model designed to transcend traditional boundaries by seamlessly interpreting text, images, audio, video, and code simultaneously. Aptly named, Gemini boasts three distinct sizes—Ultra, Pro, and Nano, each tailored for specific tasks, from highly complex endeavours to on-device efficiency.

Gemini Ultra emerges as the pinnacle, unravelling the intricacies of Python, Java, C++, and Go code, excelling in benchmarks such as HumanEval and Natural2Code. Its prowess extends beyond coding, demonstrating exceptional aptitude in explaining intricate subjects like math and physics.

The Pro variant, harnessed by Google’s Bard AI, promises heightened reasoning, planning, and understanding, potentially challenging the likes of ChatGPT. According to Google, Gemini Pro outshone GPT-3.5 in six out of eight benchmarks, solidifying Bard’s position as the preferred free chatbot.

Surprisingly, the Pixel 8 Pro takes centre stage as the first smartphone engineered for Gemini Nano, unleashing its potential through features like Summarize in Recorder and Smart Reply in Gboard. While Bard with Gemini Pro is available for English text prompts in numerous territories, the enhanced Gemini Ultra experience is slated for a release early next year.

Google’s experimentation with Gemini extends to Search, promising accelerated experiences. In the pipeline are plans to integrate Gemini into various Google products and services, from Ads and Chrome to Duet AI. The company’s visionary approach envisions Gemini as a transformative force, shaping the future of AI across diverse applications and platforms.

Google Camera Rebranded to Pixel Camera on Play Store

Google’s beloved camera app, once known as “Google Camera,” has undergone a glamorous makeover, emerging on the Play Store with a brand new identity – “Pixel Camera.” The tech titan, Google, has also given the app description a facelift. It now says, “Never miss a moment with the fully redesigned Pixel Camera, and take fantastic photos and videos using features like Portrait, Night Sight, Time Lapse, and Cinematic Blur.”

The latest version of the Pixel Camera app, dressed to the nines in v9.0, is making its debut on the Pixel Fold, Pixel Tablet, and the ever-so-desirable Pixel 7 Pro. For those lucky Pixel 8 and 8 Pro owners, there’s an even more glamorous update in the form of v9.1.

The spotlight is on the stars of the show – Pixel devices. To join the Pixel Camera party, your device must be strutting its stuff on Android 14 or above. As for the Wear OS version, it has its special entrance ticket; it’s compatible with Wear OS 3 and above, as long as it’s dancing closely with a Pixel smartphone.

But hold on to your photography dreams because Google isn’t done showering us with surprises just yet. The Android 14 share sheet for Google Photos is also making a grand entrance. Click on that share icon, and you’ll be treated to a “Sharing image” sheet that elegantly slides into view. And what’s that in the top-right corner? A “Modify” button allows you to select multiple images to share.

That’s not all. Your selected image gets its pencil icon in the corner, granting you access to the Markup tool. Below it, a delightful carousel showcases multiple Google Photos actions, offering you choices like Create Link, Send in Photos, and Add to Album. And for the cherry on top, scroll down to discover Direct Share targets, including all your frequently used apps. If you keep going up, the entire options grid unfolds before you.

25 Years of Google

Have you seen today’s Google Doodle? The trailblazing brainchild of two visionaries, Sergey Brin and Larry Page, is celebrating its monumental 25th anniversary today. Besides being the most popular search engine, Google is known to all as the creative genius behind Android, the omnipotent Search, the mesmerising Pixel phones, and the indispensable Workspace services.

Google was born in a cluttered Stanford University dorm room in 1998 as a small research project that aimed to organise a vast amount of information on the Internet. Little did Page and Brin know that their endeavour would soon reshape the digital landscape. Fast forward to today, we can’t survive a day without searching for something on Google.

Google’s 25-year journey is a testament to human ingenuity and the power of technology to transform our lives. From a humble search engine to a global tech giant, Google has introduced countless products and services that have reshaped how we live, work, and play in the digital age. Let’s have a brief look at them.

Google Search

Google is the most loved and preferred search engine. It’s not just a tool; it’s a window to the world. It has revolutionised how we access information, granting us the ability to learn, discover, and explore with unprecedented ease. The algorithm’s evolution has been a relentless pursuit of relevance, delivering precise results amidst the ever-expanding sea of data.

Gmail

In 2004, to make our lives easier, Google gifted us with Gmail. It was an email service that wasn’t just a mode of communication; it was an ecosystem. With generous storage space, intuitive features, and a brilliant spam filter, Gmail became the undisputed leader in email services. Today, for numerous people, Gmail is a gateway to productivity and organisation.

Google Maps

Losing your way became a thing of the past when Google Maps made its debut in 2005. It turned every smartphone into a GPS device, guiding us through labyrinthine city streets, less-explored shortcuts, and uncharted territories. Whether you’re exploring the Grand Canyon or finding your way home, Google Maps is your trusty cartographer.

YouTube

Google’s acquisition of YouTube in 2006 transformed how we consume video content. From viral cat videos to in-depth tutorials, YouTube has become an integral part of our entertainment and education. With features like getting your channel monetised, YouTube has become a resourceful platform for content creators.

Android – The Mobile Revolution

In 2007, Google ventured into the mobile realm with Android and the rest of history. Today, it powers billions of smartphones worldwide. Its open-source nature has fostered innovation, creating a diverse ecosystem of devices and applications. Android changed the whole landscape of the tech world by revolutionising how we connect, work, and play on the go.

Google Chrome

With the introduction of Google Chrome in 2008, browsing the web became a whole lot faster and more efficient. Chrome’s minimalist design and lightning-fast performance have made it the browser of choice for millions. It is one of the safest and most secure browsers available on the market today.

Google Drive

In 2012, Google Drive made our digital lives simpler by offering storage and collaboration tools in the cloud. It wasn’t just a place to store files; it was a platform for teams to work together seamlessly, transforming the way we manage and share information.

Google Photos

Launched in 2015, Google Photos became our digital photo album. Its ability to store, organise, and search through an unlimited number of photos made it a cherished tool for preserving memories. With innovative features and edits, Google Photos always makes sure to bring back a smile on your face.

Google Assistant

With the arrival of Google Assistant in 2016, the future of AI-powered personal assistants became a reality. It’s not just about answering questions; it’s about anticipating your needs, controlling your smart home, and making your life easier, one voice command at a time.

Google Earth

Google Earth, launched in 2005, brought the entire world to our screens. It’s a tool for exploration, education, and understanding the planet we call home. Google Earth takes satellite pics, snaps from the sky, and data wizardry and slaps it onto a 3D Earth. You can play detective and check out cities and landscapes from every possible angle.

What lies ahead in the next 25 years of Google’s journey? Only time will tell, but one thing is certain: Google will continue to lead the way in innovation, shaping the future of technology and our digital world. Cheers to the next chapter in the Google Odyssey!

Google Pay launched UPI Lite to make small payments without a PIN

Google Pay, India’s second-largest Unified Payment Interface (UPI) platform, has officially introduced support for UPI Lite payments. This new feature enables users to make small payments without needing a PIN, providing a faster and more convenient payment experience. Compared to traditional UPI payments, UPI Lite technology offers a higher success rate, even during peak hours.

Within the Google Pay app, existing users can now create a UPI Lite wallet, which allows them to load up to ₹2,000. Additionally, users can make transactions of up to ₹200 without requiring a PIN. However, there is a daily limit of loading ₹2,000 twice, resulting in a maximum spending limit of ₹4,000 per day for UPI Lite on Google Pay.

UPI Lite payment was initially introduced by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) and the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) in September 2022. Currently, UPI Lite is compatible with over 15 primary public sector and private banks. Paytm, PhonePe, and BHIM were the first UPI payment apps to introduce UPI Lite payments.

To activate UPI Lite on Google Pay, follow these steps:

Open the Google Pay app and go to the profile page.
Click on “Setup Payment Methods” and select UPI Lite.
Proceed by clicking “Continue” and add money (up to ₹2,000).
When paying using UPI Lite, select UPI Lite as the account.
Click “Pay PIN Free” to complete the transaction, swiftly transferring the amount to the recipient’s bank account.

The Google Pixel Fold is Already Breaking!

It has been just over a week since Google’s first-ever foldable device hit the market. However, even before the device could reach the hands of mainstream customers, the Google Pixel Folds are breaking up! Several reports and complaints on the Internet have mentioned that the Pixel Fold’s display is breaking with some users even sharing photos of the broken display.

One Pixel Fold user started noticing a bright pink line over the display just mere hours after they started using it. Additionally, another Pixel Fold owner posted photos of dents on the inner screen of the device. This is a matter of grave concern as more and more users have been coming forward and sharing that their Pixel fold devices are breaking up!

Pixel Fold in the pickle

While dents and display issues are surely not to be taken lightly, Ron Amadeo from Ars Technica shared that his Pixel Fold device died after using it for just four days. In his case, the device died after some debris got caught between its screen protector and the bezel. When the phone was shut close, the debris punctured the display resulting in the device dying entirely. Users around the world have also witnessed a popping sound with the Pixel Fold’s hinge when opening the phone.

So… why is this happening?

While there is no objective answer for why the Google Pixel Fold devices are specifically dying, there is a general answer. Foldable displays are incredibly fragile compared to standard smartphones. The folding devices use Ultra Thin Glass (UTG) which allows the screen to fold. On top of it is a plastic screen protector to ensure the glass is protected.

However, if any tiny little bit of debris gets under the protector or the glass then it can easily damage the screen. Whenever the user shuts the device close, it presses dust and debris against it which leads to the folding displays breaking up. In response to user complaints, Google spokesperson Alex Moriconi advised them to reach out to support to investigate.

‘Godfather of AI’ Geoffrey Hinton quits Google to warn humanity about the technology

Artificial Intelligence has quickly become a double-edged sword around the world. While on the one hand, the advancement in the field of AI has allowed humanity to unlock a technological prowess that was impossible before. On the other hand, the threats because of AI technology seem to be coming to the mainstream with each passing day. AI’s threat to humanity has previously been depicted plenty in pop culture with various films and books painting a dire picture around it. However, a prominent personality in the field of AI has never come forward and warned humanity against its potential threat, until now.

Godfather of AI leaves Google

Geoffrey Hinton, known as the ‘Godfather of AI’ has been one of the most respected voices in his field. Hinton received his Ph.D. in artificial intelligence 45 years ago and remained a prominent figure in the world of AI working part-time at Google for the past decade. However, he has quit the tech giant and told The New York Times that he’ll be now warning the world about the potential threat of AI. Geoffrey shared that the harm from AI is coming sooner than he previously expected.

Hinton shared with the Times that he thought that the AI takeover was at least 30 to 50 years or even longer away but does not think that anymore. He added that he has some regrets when it comes to his life’s work stating that the immediate threat of AI is the technology taking jobs, and creating fake photos, videos and texts that appear real to the average person.

He added furthermore that the intelligence humanity is creating now is far different from biological intelligence. It was back in March when Hinton was asked whether AI has the potential of wiping out humanity to which he responded by saying it is not ‘inconceivable’. Whether you agree with Hinton’s opinions or not, it cannot be denied that we are living in uncertain times when it comes to AI technology. The future is uncertain and prominent people like Hinton quitting their position sounds a dangerous alarm, however, one can only hope for the best.

10 Green-tech companies to watch out for the betterment of the environment

The world is currently facing a spectrum of environmental challenges, including climate change, pollution, and resource depletion. In response to these issues, many companies are now focusing on sustainability as a core part of their business strategy. Among these companies are several big tech firms leveraging their technological expertise and resources to create a more sustainable world. Here are the top 10 big tech companies that are leading the way in sustainability.

Google

Google has prioritised sustainability in its operations and has implemented various initiatives to reduce its environmental impact. In 2020, Google announced that it had eliminated its entire carbon legacy, meaning it has offset all of its emissions since its founding in 1998. The company has also committed to carbon-free by 2030 and pledged to use only carbon-free energy by 2030. The company has also invested in renewable energy, intending to reach 100% by 2030. The company has implemented various sustainable practices, including reducing waste and promoting circular economy principles.

Microsoft

Sustainability is a core value at Microsoft, and the company has made significant efforts to reduce its environmental impact and promote sustainable practices. In 2020, Microsoft announced its commitment to be carbon negative by 2030, meaning the company will remove more carbon from the atmosphere than it emits. Microsoft is also working to be water positive, meaning it will replenish more water than it consumes and has committed to zero waste goals. Additionally, Microsoft is investing in renewable energy and has pledged to use 100% renewable energy by 2025.

Dell

Dell has implemented various initiatives to reduce environmental impact by setting goals like achieving 100% renewable energy for their global electricity use by 2040 and using 100 million pounds of recycled content in their products by 2030. Dell also focuses on reducing greenhouse gas emissions in their operations and supply chain, promoting responsible recycling practices, and designing their products with sustainability in mind. They have also partnered with NGOs and other organisations to advance sustainability in their industry and promote social responsibility.

Amazon

Sustainability is a key priority for Amazon, and the company has made significant progress in reducing its environmental impact. Amazon has set ambitious goals to reach net zero carbon emissions by 2040 and to power its operations with 100% renewable energy by 2025. The company is also working to reduce waste and improve the sustainability of its products and packaging. Amazon has launched several initiatives such as the Climate Pledge Fund, which invests in sustainable technologies and services, and the Sustainable Energy Program, which provides funding for renewable energy projects.

Apple

Apple is committed to sustainability across its operations, from its products to its supply chain and beyond. The company has set ambitious goals, such as achieving net-zero carbon emissions across its entire value chain by 2040 and using only recycled or renewable materials in its products. Apple also works closely with its suppliers to improve its environmental practices and reduce its carbon footprint. Additionally, Apple has implemented various energy-efficient measures, such as powering its data centres with 100% renewable energy.

Tesla

Tesla has made sustainability a core part of its mission and business practices. The company’s primary objective is to accelerate the world’s transition to sustainable energy by creating products that minimize the negative impact on the environment. Tesla’s electric vehicles are designed to be energy-efficient and emit zero emissions, reducing the carbon footprint of transportation. Moreover, Tesla’s solar products enable homeowners and businesses to generate electricity from renewable energy sources. Tesla also uses sustainable materials in their products, such as recycled materials in their battery cells and vegan leather in their car interiors.

IBM

IBM has a longstanding commitment to sustainability and has integrated it into its business strategy. The company has set goals to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, conserve water resources, and minimize waste. IBM has also incorporated sustainability into their products and services, offering solutions that enable clients to reduce their environmental impact. IBM has also invested in renewable energy, with over 40% of its electricity coming from renewable sources. The company’s sustainability efforts have earned recognition from organisations such as the Dow Jones Sustainability Index and the Carbon Disclosure Project.

HP

HP is committed to sustainability and has implemented various initiatives to reduce its environmental impact. One such initiative is the HP Sustainable Impact program, which aims to create a circular and low-carbon economy by designing products with recyclable materials, reducing waste and carbon emissions, and promoting responsible manufacturing practices. HP has also set ambitious goals, such as achieving 100% renewable electricity in their global operations by 2035 and reducing greenhouse gas emissions from their global operations and supply chain by 60% by 2025.

Cisco

Cisco is a company that recognises the importance of sustainability and has made significant efforts to reduce its environmental impact. They have set ambitious goals by 2025, including reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 60% from their global operations and supply chain, achieving 100% renewable energy for their global electricity usage, and implementing circular economy principles in their product designs. The company also prioritise social responsibility, focusing on ethical business practices and working to bridge the digital divide through initiatives such as its Networking Academy program, which provides free IT training to underserved communities worldwide.

Intel

Intel recognises the importance of sustainability and has taken significant steps to reduce its environmental impact. They have set ambitious goals by 2030, including achieving net positive water use, reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 60%, and achieving zero waste to landfill across their global manufacturing operations. Intel has also implemented sustainable product design practices, such as reducing the size of its packaging and using more energy-efficient technologies in its products.