Category: Android

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Google introduces Android search and browser app choices for users in Europe

Last year, the EU had hit Google with a €4.3 billion antitrust fine. One of the reasons was that Google makes Android phone manufacturers install the Google Search app and Chrome as a condition for allowing them to offer access to the Play Store and other Google services. According to the EU, this helped Google’s monopoly over web search. Google did split Android, Chrome, and Search to comply with regulations, but now Google will also start presenting prompts to Android users in Europe with an option to download other search apps and browsers.

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The Play Store’s Material Theme redesign is coming soon, and here’s how it looks

Google has been redesigning its apps one by one to match its new Material Theme. A few months back, Gmail and G Suite received a Material makeover. Now’s the time for the app that really needs it: the Play Store. The redesign isn’t out yet, but 9to5Google was able to forcefully enable it.

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Google releases Android Q Beta 2 with bubbles, Scoped Storage, and more

The first beta of Android Q was released less than a month ago, and today, Google just released Beta 2. This also comes before Google I/O which is likely when the next beta will be announced. The beta is still only available on Pixel phones, Android Studio’s emulator, and as a generic system image (GSI).

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Google Duplex is rolling out to non-Pixel phones in the US

Google announced Duplex back at I/O 2018. It enables the Google Assistant to call businesses and make reservations or appointments for you. In March, it started widely rolling out to only the Pixel phones and turned out to be pretty reliable too. Now, according to a report from XDA-Developers, Google Duplex is rolling out for iPhones (with the Google Assistant app) and most Android phones in the US.

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Harry Potter fans: Try out this new game in the Google Assistant

Who doesn’t like Harry Potter? Recently, Warner Bros. released a new Google Assistant action called “Wizarding World.” To try it out, all you have to do is simply ask your Google Assistant to “Talk to Wizarding World,” and this can be done on any Google Assistant-enabled device—your Android phone, Google Home, etc. If you’re an iOS user, you can install the Google Assistant app from the App Store.

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Why custom ROM users are quick to dump OxygenOS

Back in November of last year, we discussed how Android 9 Pie on the OnePlus 6 differed from that on the Pixel 2 XL, which can be regarded as nearly stock AOSP. While there might be little to no difference at first glance, a closer look reveals that such a claim couldn’t be more wrong. Not only does OxygenOS offer more features that enrich the functionality of the phone, but it does also have some noticeable design alterations. This lightly-skinned version of Android Pie might appeal to the overwhelming majority of users. However, quite a lot of the tech-enthusiasts feel like being left in the dark following this mindset transition, myself considered. So what is it that makes the die-hard custom ROM enthusiasts dump OxygenOS in a heartbeat and flash a custom ROM on their phones? Well, without further ado, let’s dive in and find out.

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