Google

Google expands Pixel Weather, Google Wallet for kids, Digital Wellbeing nudges, and enhanced Magic Editor for Photos

Published

6 months ago

October 30, 2024

Google Pixel Weather Rolls Out to More Devices

In the October 2024 Feature Drop, Google expanded Pixel Weather to Pixel 6 and newer models, including the Pixel Tablet. This app enhances weather updates, offering real-time forecasts and city-specific backgrounds on your Pixel devices.

Pixel Weather is a background service that you can activate with an update from the Google Play Store. Once you install version 1.0.20240910.x, a “Weather” app icon will appear in your app grid. During setup, allow notifications and enable precise location for the most accurate updates. In the Pixel Weather settings (accessed via your profile avatar), select it as your main source for weather notifications, turning off “Weather forecasts” from the Google app for a streamlined experience.

For a seamless setup, consider restarting your device so existing widgets and “At a Glance” default to Pixel Weather. Additionally, sign in with your Google Account to sync saved locations across devices. The interface shows detailed weather elements, including hourly forecasts, precipitation, wind, UV index, and air quality. On foldable devices and tablets, the app features a two-column layout for easier access to each city’s customized display.

Pixel Weather includes a 6-hour precipitation forecast powered by Google nowcasting, available in the U.S., U.K., and many European countries (with a few exceptions like Italy and Luxembourg). You can also customize units, themes, and receive tomorrow’s forecast at night or city-specific rain alerts. For users in the U.K., Germany, France, and Italy, pollen count information is also available.

Google Wallet for Kids with Family Link Support in 2025

Starting in 2025, Google Wallet will support tap-to-pay for children’s Family Link-managed devices, marking a step towards safer, parent-monitored digital transactions. Using the Google Wallet app on Android, children will be able to make in-store payments, with each transaction requiring device PIN, password, or biometric authentication for security.

Parents must approve every credit or debit card linked to a child’s account. Through the Family Link app, parents can monitor transaction history, remove cards, and block access if needed. This feature builds on Google’s success with tap-to-pay for kids on Wear OS-powered smartwatches, emphasizing family security.

Initially, the feature will be available in the U.S. and select other countries, with a broader rollout planned in the future.

Digital Wellbeing’s New “Mindful Nudge” Feature for Healthier Screen Time

Google’s Digital Wellbeing app will soon introduce “Mindful Nudge” reminders to encourage more mindful app usage. Part of version 1.19.688167517.beta, this feature gently prompts users when they’ve spent extended time on an app, helping break excessive browsing patterns and promoting healthier screen time habits.

While similar to Apple’s Screen Time, this approach aims to be more flexible. When active, users can tap on the nudge for more details or disable it for specific apps. Though not yet widely available, “Mindful Nudge” is expected to roll out on Pixel devices and possibly other Android phones soon.

Google Photos’ Magic Editor Enhancements for Easier Edits

Google Photos is enhancing its AI-powered Magic Editor with an improved user interface. The “Reimagine” feature now allows users to adjust images in various ways, from altering backgrounds to resizing and moving objects. A new UI update for the Magic Editor, coming soon in Google Photos v7.6, simplifies using these features by providing intuitive tools like “Insert” and “Replace.” These options offer quick prompts for customization, such as changing a background with just a few clicks.

Magic Editor aims to make photo editing accessible to all users with easy-to-use AI-driven options, perfect for creating the ideal image without needing advanced photo editing skills.

Google’s recent updates across Pixel Weather, Google Wallet for kids, Digital Wellbeing, and Google Photos’ Magic Editor all highlight a commitment to enhancing user experience through personalization, family-friendly features, mindful tech usage, and simplified AI tools for creative expression.

Android

Google’s May 2025 Android updates: better performance and messaging

Published

10 hours ago

May 8, 2025

Tom Carter

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

Smart home and navigation upgrades for easier living

Published

10 hours ago

May 8, 2025

Tom Carter

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

Google updates Chrome, Search, and Play Store for better user experience

Published

19 hours ago

May 8, 2025

Tom Carter

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!