Connect with us

Android

Google Updates: Easier police reporting on Android Auto, RCS Ad Spam controls in Messages, and Google Photos’ “Moments” redesign

Published

on

Google

Google is rolling out several updates across its platforms to enhance user experiences. From a significant usability improvement in Android Auto to better spam control in Google Messages and a redesign in Google Photos, these changes aim to simplify and optimize their services. Let’s dive into the details.

Easier Police Reporting on Google Maps for Android Auto and Apple CarPlay

Google Maps has introduced a small yet impactful update to improve incident reporting on Android Auto. Previously, users had to navigate through multiple menus to report police activity, a common use case for many drivers. With the latest update:

  • Streamlined Reporting Menu: The option to report police activity is now prominently placed at the top of the menu, just below critical options like crashes and traffic slowdowns.
  • Simpler Terminology: The reporting option has been renamed from “Speed Traps” to a more generalized “Police,” making it easier for users to identify.
  • Broad Rollout: This update is server-side, meaning there’s no need to update the Android Auto app. It’s also expected to apply to Google Maps on Apple CarPlay.

This change addresses long-standing feedback, making it more convenient for users to report incidents while on the road.

Google Messages Tackles RCS Ad Spam with a New “STOP” Button

RCS (Rich Communication Services) in Google Messages has been a game-changer for Android messaging. However, in some regions, verified businesses misuse RCS to send unsolicited ads, frustrating users. Google is testing a solution to address this:

  • STOP Button for Business Messages:
    • A new feature in the beta version of Google Messages (v20241125_04) introduces a prominent “STOP” button.
    • Clicking this button automatically sends the “STOP” keyword to unsubscribe from unwanted RCS Business Messages (RBM).
  • How It Works:
    • Once you unsubscribe, businesses should stop sending messages. If you wish to re-subscribe, you can send the keyword “START” at any time.
    • This solution ties to your phone number, ensuring spam control even when switching devices or resetting your phone.
  • Why It Matters:
    • Previously, users had to rely on blocking and reporting spam, which was cumbersome and device-dependent.
    • The STOP feature is more reliable and user-friendly.

While this feature is still in beta and may not be available to all users, you can manually type “STOP” in business chats to achieve the same result. For those overwhelmed by spam, disabling RCS altogether remains an option.

Google Photos: From “Memories” to “Moments”

Google Photos is undergoing a redesign that repositions its “Memories” feature while maintaining its functionality:

  • Name and Location Update:
    • The “Memories” tab at the bottom bar is now called “Moments.”
    • It has been moved to the “Collections” tab alongside other categories like Albums, People & Pets, and Places.
  • Clean Navigation:
    • With this change, the bottom navigation bar now has three tabs: Photos, Collections, and Search (or Gemini-powered “Ask”).
    • This mirrors similar navigation simplifications in Google Maps earlier this year.
  • Consistency Across Platforms:
    • The update has started rolling out to iOS users with Google Photos version 7.9, and Android users can expect it soon.

The Moments view retains its scrapbook-like organization, allowing users to see their best photos, search for specific memories, and share them easily. The carousel at the top of the main photos grid will continue to use the “Memories” branding.

What These Updates Mean for Users

These updates reflect Google’s focus on user feedback and continuous improvement:

  1. Better Driving Experience: Simplified police reporting in Google Maps improves safety and convenience for drivers.
  2. Enhanced Messaging Control: The STOP button in Google Messages offers a much-needed solution to RCS ad spam, saving users time and hassle.
  3. Streamlined Photo Organization: The Moments redesign in Google Photos makes navigation cleaner and integrates memories more seamlessly.

As these features roll out, users can look forward to a smoother, more intuitive experience across Google’s ecosystem. Stay tuned for more updates as they become available!

Continue Reading
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Android

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

Published

on

Google

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!

Continue Reading

Android

New updates for YouTube, Gemini, and Google Home apps

Published

on

Google

Google is rolling out exciting changes to its YouTube, Gemini, and Google Home apps, making them more user-friendly and packed with cool features. These updates, announced in May 2025, aim to improve how you watch videos, edit images, and control your smart home.

The YouTube app for TVs is getting a fresh look. You’ll see better video previews, easier ways to subscribe to channels, and a smoother interface for browsing playlists and comments. Autoplay will also work smarter, keeping you hooked on your favorite content without extra clicks. These changes will hit your screens by summer 2025, perfect for binge-watching on Google TV or Android TV.

Meanwhile, the Gemini app now lets you edit images like a pro. Want to change a photo’s background or add fun elements? Just type what you want, and Gemini’s AI makes it happen while keeping the original picture intact. It even adds a small “ai” watermark to show it’s edited. This feature is available in the U.S. and works on both uploaded and AI-made images, with more countries getting access soon.

The Google Home app (version 3.32) is also stepping up. It now supports more smart devices, like cameras and doorbells, and offers quicker controls for lights and thermostats. A new “Activity” tab lets you see what’s happening with your devices in one place, making your smart home easier to manage.

These updates show Google’s focus on making its apps simpler and more powerful, whether you’re streaming, creating, or managing your home. Keep an eye out for these changes to enhance your daily tech experience

Continue Reading

Android

Google Pixel phone and watch update for May 2025 brings fixes and a fresh app look

Published

on

Android Feature Drop

Google is rolling out its May 2025 software update for Pixel devices, making things smoother for phones, tablets, and the Pixel Watch app. This update is all about fixing bugs and adding a small but nice change for Pixel Watch users. It’s available for devices running Android 15, like the Pixel 6, 7, 8, 9 series, and Pixel Tablet. The rollout started on May 7, 2025, and will reach devices over the next week, depending on your carrier.

For Pixel phones and tablets, the update tackles three key issues: better microphone recording, improved Bluetooth pairing, and general performance tweaks. It also includes 28 security fixes, with one possibly being targeted by hackers, so updating soon is a good idea. If you have a Pixel 6 or 8, note that this update locks the bootloader, meaning you can’t go back to older software versions.

On the Pixel Watch side, there’s no major device update this month, but the Pixel Watch app on Android now has a light theme option. This gives the app a brighter, cleaner look, making it easier to use in different lighting.

Google might share more about Wear OS at I/O 2025, but for now, the app’s new style is a welcome touch. To get the update, check your device settings. Pixel users can expect a notification soon, but you can also manually check for it. Stay updated for a better, safer experience.

Continue Reading

Trending

Copyright © 2024 I AM Judge