Google’s spooky Halloween audio emoji and Google Search’s new recipe feature
Google is gearing up for exciting updates, bringing a fun twist to its Phone app and a practical new feature to Google Search. With Halloween around the corner and AI-driven improvements in search functionality, here’s what you can expect.
Spooky Sounds on Google’s Phone App
Earlier this year, Google introduced an interesting “Audio Emojis” feature in its Pixel 8a phone app. This feature acts as a soundboard, adding playful sound effects to phone calls. Over time, it expanded to other Pixel devices, and now, as Halloween approaches, Google is adding a spooky new sound to celebrate the season.
A Halloween-themed Audio Emoji has been spotted in a beta version of the Google Phone app (version 149.0.682953539-publicbeta-pixel2024). This eerie sound effect includes a sinister laugh, a shrieking cat, and the crash of thunder, all designed to give your phone calls a creepy twist. When activated, it temporarily replaces the “party sound” in the Audio Emoji menu, though it’s unclear if this change will be permanent once the sound officially rolls out.
While there’s no confirmed release date, the spooky sound will likely be available to users ahead of Halloween on October 31. This update adds a fun, seasonal touch to your phone calls, making it something worth trying out before the end of the month.
Google Search is Testing Recipe Integration in Feed
In addition to the fun updates to its phone app, Google is also working on something more practical in Google Search. The company has been experimenting with ways to present more useful information directly within the search results, without requiring users to click through to different websites. One of the latest features being tested is a new way to display full cooking recipes directly within the Google Search feed.
This test builds on Google’s broader effort to make search results more interactive and AI-driven. For tasks like finding a recipe, users can now get all the details they need directly from the feed, saving them time and reducing the need to visit external sites. It’s part of Google’s push to keep users engaged within their platform while offering more immediate value.
The AI-powered feature, once known as the AI Overview, was an earlier attempt to enrich the search experience but didn’t quite hit the mark. Now, Google appears to be focusing on practical applications like cooking recipes as the next step in refining how people use Search.
No Rollout Date Yet, But Changes Are Coming
The recipe feature is still in its testing phase, so it’s hard to say when (or if) it will roll out widely. Like many experimental features, it could see several changes before its official release, and there’s no confirmed launch date yet. But if Google’s tests are successful, this could be a useful addition for anyone looking to streamline their cooking or meal-planning processes.
What’s Next for Google?
As Google continues to innovate and integrate AI into its products, users can expect more useful, engaging features in their favorite apps. Whether it’s seasonal sound effects in your calls or full recipes at your fingertips, Google is finding new ways to make technology both fun and practical.
In conclusion, whether you’re excited for the spooky sounds on Halloween or looking forward to easier access to recipes, Google is working to enhance your experience in ways both big and small. Keep an eye out for these updates as they roll out.
Google’s May 2025 Android updates bring exciting changes to improve how your phone works and how you message. These updates focus on making devices faster, safer, and more user-friendly.
One big change is to Android’s memory system. By increasing the memory page size from 4KB to 16KB on newer devices, apps can load quicker and use less power. This helps phones, especially those with modern chips, run smoothly and save battery life. Older devices will stick with the smaller page size to avoid issues.
The Google System Updates for May also add new features. Google Wallet now supports more card types and makes transit passes easier to use in apps like Google Maps. The Play Store now shows video previews of apps, helping you decide what to download. There are also fixes to improve battery life, storage, and network performance, making your phone more reliable.
For Google Messages, a new “delete for everyone” feature lets you remove sent messages from group chats within 15 minutes. This works for both RCS and SMS, so you can fix mistakes easily. Other messaging upgrades include better scam detection and the ability to send high-quality photos and videos. These updates show Google’s effort to make Android devices faster, more secure, and better for communication. Keep your phone updated to enjoy these improvements!
Google Maps is making driving more fun with a new feature for Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. Now, you can pick different car icons to show your vehicle on the map. Choose from options like a sleek sedan, a rugged SUV, or a cool arrow.
This small change adds a personal touch to your navigation and is rolling out to all users soon. Meanwhile, Ecobee’s Smart Doorbell Camera is getting a big upgrade with Google Home support. You can now see who’s at your door right from the Google Home app, view live video, and even talk to visitors.
If you have a Nest Hub, the doorbell feed pops up automatically when someone rings. This feature, already available for Ecobee’s thermostat, makes your smart home setup smoother and is available now for all users. On the AI front, Google’s Gemini app is getting smarter with the Gemini 2.5 Pro preview.
This update improves coding skills, helping developers create better apps and websites. It also handles video and text tasks more effectively. The preview is out for everyone to try, with Google planning to share more at its I/O 2025 event. These updates from Google and Ecobee bring small but meaningful improvements, making your car rides, home security, and digital tasks easier and more enjoyable.
Google is rolling out exciting updates to make browsing, searching, and downloading apps smoother and safer for Android users. These changes focus on improving Chrome’s security, redesigning the Google Search bar, and enhancing the Google Play Store’s download process.
Chrome’s Improved Security
Google Chrome now offers stronger protection with “Enhanced Safe Browsing” powered by Gemini Nano, an AI model that works directly on your device. This feature checks websites in real-time to spot phishing attempts and other online threats, keeping your data safe without relying on cloud servers. It’s a step up from the standard protection, giving users more peace of mind while browsing.
Redesigned Google Search Bar
The Google Search bar on Android is getting a fresh look. It’s now simpler and easier to use, with a modern design that fits better with your phone’s home screen. The updated widget lets you access Search, Lens, or voice commands quickly. The new layout is clean and user-friendly, making searches faster and more intuitive.
Better Play Store Downloads
The Google Play Store is improving how it shows app download progress. A new notification design displays a progress bar right in your notification panel, so you can track downloads without opening the app. This small but helpful change makes managing app installs more convenient.
These updates show Google’s focus on creating a safer, simpler, and more efficient experience for Android users. They’re rolling out gradually, so keep an eye out for them on your device!
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