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ChromeOS 130: Recorder app rolls out to all Chromebooks and Android 15 introduces weather to home controls screensaver

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Android 15 Easter Egg

ChromeOS and Android are both getting exciting updates that make user experience better and more functional. ChromeOS is introducing a new Recorder app, while Android 15 is enhancing its Home Controls screensaver with a weather feature. Let’s explore these updates in detail.

ChromeOS 130: The New Recorder App

ChromeOS 130, which is scheduled to launch later this month, will include a new Recorder app designed to improve audio recording and transcription features across all Chromebooks. Previously, some of these advanced features were limited to Chromebook Plus devices, but with the latest update, even standard Chromebooks will benefit from the new Recorder capabilities.

Key Features of the Recorder App:

  1. Offline and Real-Time Speech-to-Text: One of the main highlights of this update is the offline, real-time transcription feature. After downloading a 100MB model, users can transcribe audio without needing an internet connection, a great advantage for those who work on the go or in areas with limited connectivity.
  2. Dual-Column Layout: The app has a user-friendly interface, featuring a dual-column design inspired by the Pixel Recorder app. The layout is fully resizable and incorporates Google’s Material You design language, making it visually consistent with other Google apps.
  3. Device Audio Recording: Chromebook users will now be able to record audio directly from their devices, offering flexibility for content creators, educators, and everyday users.
  4. Searchable Transcripts and Export Options: Users can easily search through transcripts to find specific parts of their recordings. The playback speed can also be adjusted, making the app convenient for note-taking or reviewing important points. Additionally, audio and transcripts can be exported to other applications for further use.

Exclusive AI Features for Chromebook Plus:

For those using Chromebook Plus devices, the Recorder app comes with extra AI-powered features. The app will offer AI-generated summaries of the recordings, providing concise three-point summaries of long audio files. Users will also get title suggestions based on the content of the recording. However, this feature requires a larger 2GB model download.

Beyond the Recorder app, the ChromeOS 130 update for Chromebook Plus devices will introduce new tools for enhancing video calls, such as studio-style microphones and appearance effects that adjust lighting and brightness. Additionally, a new “Help me read” feature will be added to assist users in reading and understanding content more easily.

Android 15 Home Controls Screensaver Adds Weather Information

Meanwhile, Android 15 is making its Home Controls screensaver more functional by adding weather details. This update was introduced with Android 15 Beta 3 and is now rolling out to users as part of a server-side change, following a “Dreams” update for Pixel devices.

Home Controls Overview:

The Home Controls feature, accessible from the Quick Settings (QS) Tile or the lock screen, allows users to manage various smart home devices directly from their screensaver. It organizes smart devices into categories like Cameras, Climate, Lighting, and Wi-Fi, with quick access to favorite devices.

New Weather Information Display:

In addition to displaying the time in the upper-right corner of the screen, Android 15 now shows the current temperature and weather conditions. This feature is especially useful for users of the Pixel Tablet when it’s in Hub Mode with the Charging Speaker Dock. While primarily designed for tablets, this feature is also available on phones, although there are slight design differences. For instance, the weather icon on the Pixel Tablet appears flatter, while on the Pixel 9 Pro, it has a more detailed look.

This enhancement brings more convenience to Android 15 users, as they can now quickly check the weather without needing to unlock their devices or open an app.

Conclusion

Both ChromeOS and Android 15 are gearing up for updates that promise to enhance user productivity and convenience. The new Recorder app in ChromeOS 130 brings powerful transcription and recording features to all Chromebooks, with additional AI tools for Chromebook Plus users. On the Android front, the Home Controls screensaver now includes weather information, making it more useful for managing smart home devices and staying updated on current conditions.

These updates reflect Google’s ongoing commitment to improving user experience across their platforms, offering more practical and user-friendly tools for everyday use. Whether you’re a Chromebook user or an Android enthusiast, these changes are sure to enhance your daily workflow.

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Android

New Android Updates: Easier call controls and earthquake alerts on your wrist

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Google

Google is making Android and Wear OS even better with some helpful new features.

Easier call controls with Android 16

Android 16 is testing a new “call chip” that makes it easier to manage phone calls. When you’re on a call, a small button will appear at the top of your screen. This “call chip” lets you quickly get back to your call if you switch to another app. You can tap it to return to the call screen, mute yourself, or hang up, all without searching for the call app. This update should make handling calls much simpler, especially if you often multitask on your phone.

Earthquake alerts coming to wear os smartwatches

Google is also bringing earthquake alerts to Wear OS smartwatches. If there’s an earthquake nearby, your watch will vibrate and show a warning on the screen. This helps you get alerts even if your phone isn’t in your hand. The feature uses the same technology as Android’s earthquake alert system, which gathers data from phones to detect quakes quickly. Now, with alerts on your wrist, you can get to safety even faster.

What does this mean for users

These updates show that Google wants to make daily life safer and easier. With better call controls and quick earthquake warnings, Android and Wear OS devices are becoming even more helpful for everyone.

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Android

Android 16 QPR1 beta 2 brings see-through notifications and a new Pixel Launcher search

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Android 16 Image

Google has released the Android 16 QPR1 Beta 2 update, and it comes with some interesting changes for Pixel phones. The update adds transparent notifications, making alerts look lighter and less blocky on your screen. Now, when you get a message or alert, the background of the notification is see-through, so you can still see a bit of your wallpaper or whatever is behind it. This small change makes your phone look cleaner and more modern.

Another big change is in the Pixel Launcher’s search feature. When you swipe up to search for apps or information, you’ll notice a new look. The search bar is now rounded and sits at the top of the screen, making it easier to spot. Suggestions for apps and actions are now shown in a simpler list, and the whole search area feels more organized. This redesign helps you find what you need faster and keeps things looking neat.

Both of these updates show that Google is working to make Android easier and nicer to use. The see-through notifications and improved search are small tweaks, but they make a big difference in how your phone feels day-to-day. If you have a Pixel phone and like trying new features, this beta update is worth checking out.

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Android

New updates for Pixel Watch and Android 16 make things easier

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Android 16 Image

Google has released some new updates for both the Pixel Watch and Android 16, making devices easier and more fun to use.

Pixel Watch gets June 2025 update

The Pixel Watch is getting its June 2025 update, which brings bug fixes and better security. This update helps keep your watch running smoothly and safely. If you have a Pixel Watch, you should see the update soon.

Android 16 introduces better sound settings

Android 16 Beta 2 now has a new sound menu. This menu puts all the sound and vibration settings in one place, so you can easily change things like ringtones, alarms, and notification sounds. It’s now much simpler to control how your phone sounds.

First look at Android 16 desktop mode

Android 16 is also working on a desktop mode. This feature lets you use your phone more like a computer when you connect it to a bigger screen. You can move apps around, open more than one window, and work more efficiently.

live effects for wallpapers

Another new feature in Android 16 is the “Live Effects” section in the wallpaper picker. Now, you can add cool effects to your wallpapers, making your home screen look more lively and personal.

New wi-fi icons

Android 16 is also updating the Wi-Fi icons. The new icons are easier to understand, so you can quickly see how strong your connection is.

These updates show that Google is working hard to make devices simpler and more enjoyable for everyone to use.

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