Tech News
← Home  ·  All topics

Google

1788 GoKawiil briefs on this topic

Google Health app update 5.07 upgrades workout logging, maps, and Health Connect stability

Google has released version 5.07 of its Google Health app, adding more flexibility for manually entering workout data, faster and smoother in-app maps, and better tracking of running distance on trails and inclines. The update also refines the weight-tracking graph to highlight major or long-term changes, and fixes a Health Connect bug that caused some Android users' connections to Google Health to drop unexpectedly.

ZDNET writer shares four-step method to organize 22,000 Google Photos images

A ZDNET contributor describes tackling a Google Photos library of more than 22,000 photos and videos accumulated since 2016 by breaking the task into manageable daily habits rather than one huge sorting session. The approach relies on features like Google Photos' and Apple Photos' 'On This Day' memory notifications to review small batches of images regularly instead of trying to sort the whole archive at once.

Trump Orders Renaming of Lake Ontario to 'Lake America'; MapQuest Refuses to Comply

President Trump has signed an executive order directing that Lake Ontario be renamed Lake America, echoing his earlier move to rename the Gulf of Mexico. Major map providers like Apple, Google and Bing may eventually adopt the new name based on federal geographic databases, but MapQuest has publicly declared it will not change its listing, mockingly suggesting users invent their own names for the lake instead.

Meta pushes second firmware update this summer to secure smart glasses' capture LED

Meta released another firmware update aimed at preventing users from disabling or covering the LED light that signals when its smart glasses are recording. The update, announced by wearables chief Alex Himel, is meant to more reliably alert bystanders that photos or video are being captured, and Meta says similar updates will keep coming.

Blink Doorbell Owner Builds Five-Service Cloud Chain to Ring Google Home Speakers

A Blink video doorbell owner found that ringing the doorbell only alerted phones and played a sound outside the door, making it useless for a spouse who doesn't carry her phone. To route the alert to existing Google Home mini speakers without paying for subscriptions or exposing a home server to the internet, he built a chain linking the Blink doorbell to an Alexa routine, a Samsung SmartThings virtual light bulb, webhooks, and a small server on a VPS.

Google upgrades Flow video tool with Gemini Omni 1.1 Flash model

Google has updated its Flow AI video studio with a new model, Gemini Omni 1.1 Flash, that adds finer editing controls such as first- and last-frame interpolation and longer scene extensions of up to 40 seconds. The update also lets creators produce cheaper, faster 360p drafts before rendering final output in 1080p or 4K, with video references to help keep characters and visuals consistent.

Entrepreneur op-ed outlines 5-step method to train AI assistants like new hires

An Entrepreneur contributor argues that most business owners misuse AI tools like ChatGPT, Gemini and Claude by treating them as static software rather than trainable assistants. The piece proposes a five-step iterative coaching process—starting with a clear job brief, assigning real tasks, giving specific feedback, auditing changes, and repeating the cycle—to turn generic chatbots into reliable business tools.

AI Deepfakes of Politicians Raise Alarms Ahead of 2026 Midterms

Generative AI tools from companies like OpenAI, Google and Meta have made it far easier to produce convincing fake audio, video and images of public figures, fueling a rise in political deepfakes. Doppel's Bobby Ford describes the trend as driven by three factors: greater volume, faster velocity and more vectors such as video, audio and email being exploited by bad actors. The piece cites the 2024 New Hampshire robocall incident, where an AI-generated fake of Joe Biden's voice urged voters to stay home, as an early warning sign for what could happen in the 2026 midterms.

Google Calendar App Can't Add Subscriptions via Link, Web Version Can

A user found that Google's Calendar app on Android has no way to subscribe to an events calendar from a URL, despite running the latest OS and app version. The workaround required switching to desktop mode in a mobile browser at calendar.google.com, where adding the same calendar link worked instantly and synced back to the app.

Google offers free year of AI Pro subscription to students and device buyers

Google is letting eligible college students claim a full year of its $19.99-per-month AI Pro plan at no cost, provided they verify enrollment through SheerID. Buyers of certain hardware, including Chromebook Plus, standard Chromebooks, and the Pixel 11, also qualify for several months of free access, and some plans can be shared with others.

Google sets Android memory rules for apps, deadline set for February 2027

Google has issued new guidelines requiring Android app developers to reduce memory consumption, giving them until February 2027 to comply. The move responds to a global memory shortage that has pushed phone makers to cut RAM in entry-level devices, often dropping from 6-8GB to just 4GB. Apps exceeding Google's memory thresholds for dynamic RAM use, bitmap handling, and DEX code will be throttled or force-closed by the OS.

Google Brings AirDrop-Style Sharing to Android, No Apple Involvement Needed

Google has added support for Apple's AirDrop protocol to newer Android phones, including Pixel and Galaxy models, letting users send photos, links, and files directly to iPhones without third-party apps. Setup involves enabling sharing settings on both devices—such as Quick Share on Samsung or AirDrop visibility on iOS—after which either device can initiate a transfer that the other must accept.