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Tech News
A tech commentary piece identifies seven popular apps that reportedly remain poorly optimized for Android foldable phones, showing layout issues or lack of foldable-specific design despite the devices being on the market for years. The piece suggests Google should publicly pressure these developers to update their apps for foldable screens.
Google is reportedly working on changes to Gemini's sidebar interface and experimenting with a new overlay animation for the assistant. Separately, the Google app's You tab may add a Shortcuts section allowing users to view or delete their search history.
Code strings in Google app version 17.73.15 reveal an upcoming offline mode for Gemini Live that requires users to first set it up while connected to the internet. Once active, the offline mode will run with 'limited features,' and users will be prompted to reconnect for full functionality.
YouTube said over the weekend that it had fixed the 'Server Error 400' bug affecting Android users, but has since reversed that claim. Google confirmed in an updated support thread that some Android users are still hitting the error when opening the app or loading videos, and gave no new timeline for a fix.
Android Authority's teardown of Google app version 17.72.13.sa.arm64 uncovered an in-development 'You' tab intended to replace the existing Activity tab in the bottom navigation bar. The new tab would display the user's profile picture, email address, and an account-switcher drop-down, alongside existing history sections like Saved items, Collections, and search history. The teardown also points to a possible pinning feature for AI conversations.
Code found in the latest Google app build suggests Google is developing a feature letting parents set daily usage limits for Gemini on supervised accounts. Strings found in version 17.72.13.sa.arm64 reference a notification telling kids their parent set a time limit, and a lockout screen showing when access resumes. Currently, Family Link only allows parents to fully allow or block Gemini access, with no option for partial restrictions.
Android Authority found hidden strings in the Google app (v17.71.17) referencing an 'Offline mode' for Gemini Live, with subtitle text reading 'Use Gemini Live without an internet connection.' The feature appears tied to the account switcher menu based on its naming, but it is not yet live for users.
Google has begun pushing an updated Gemini overlay design to all Android devices via a Google app update, following its earlier debut on Pixel 11 phones. The refresh applies Google's Neural Expressive design language, adding sparkle effects and small dots around the Ask Gemini text box, plus shaded, more three-dimensional edges on the box, particularly visible in dark mode.
Android Authority writer Megan Ellis describes using Google's Results About You feature, which scans search results for a user's phone number, email, home address, and in some regions ID or Social Security numbers. When it finds a match, Google sends a notification and lets the user request removal of the listing, which Google says it will delete for all users if the request meets its criteria. The tool is accessed through the Google app's profile menu or a dedicated website.
Google has integrated Gemini with Find Hub so users can verbally log where they've stored important belongings, such as saying a passport is kept in a vault. The assistant confirms the entry and links back to Find Hub, where users can attach photos, addresses, and notes, or add items manually through the app's Remembered tab.
Android Authority found new elements activated in version 17.62.9 of the Google app, including a selector to toggle the Gemini overlay between standard Chat mode and a Spark-related Task mode. The update also surfaces a bell icon for quick access to recent conversations and a still-inactive Proactive Assistance icon, alongside a browser-switching option for Gemini Spark tasks.
Google has begun phasing out Google Assistant on mobile devices, replacing it with Gemini. Users report that the 'Switch to Google Assistant' option has disappeared from the Gemini app's account menu, following a company email last month announcing the rollout would begin September 4.