Google has started rolling out a trio of Theft protection features for Android 10+ devices via Play services. The features include Theft Detection Lock, which locks the device's screen automatically if someone abruptly takes it and runs away, and Offline Device Lock, which triggers if the device is stolen. To enable the features, users can search for 'Theft protection' in the Settings app or go to the Google services page.

Source: https://9to5mac.com/

Google Cloud offers a way to automate password rotation, a best practice for security. The process can be eased by using Secret Manager, a fully-managed product for securely storing secrets. Passwords should be protected using additional measures, regardless of the tool chosen.

Source: https://cloud.google.com/blog/

Google played their hand early by launching the Pixel 9 ahead of the iPhone 16 series. The move was likely a strategic decision to get ahead of Apple. Google has a significant mountain to climb to reach Apple's sales figures, given its late entry into the premium space and early misfires in the Nexus and Pixel lineup.

Source: https://9to5google.com/

AlphaFold, a technology, solved the problem of predicting protein structures in minutes, with remarkable accuracy, helping researchers understand protein functions and interactions. This breakthrough allows for redirecting time and resources into advancing research on medical and environmental challenges.

Source: https://deepmind.google/discover/blog/

YouTube Music has added an animated splash screen on Android, following a trend started by Google apps in 2021 with Android 12. The new animation features a fade transition into the circular logo, similar to the main YouTube app and YouTube TV. The update is available in version 7.16/7.17 of YouTube Music for Android.

Source: https://9to5mac.com/

Google's travel tools can help you save money on your next trip by finding and comparing prices for flights and accommodations. You can use Google Flights to browse deals around the world and find the best option for your travel plans. The more flexible your plans are, the more ways you can save.

Source: https://blog.google/

Google has rolled out early access to Ask Photos, an experimental experience that uses Gemini models to understand the context of a user's photo gallery and provide relevant details to help find specific memories. This feature is available to select U.S. users as part of Google Labs. Users can ask questions like 'Where did we camp last time we went to Yosemite?' or 'What did we eat at the hotel in Stanley?' to retrieve information about their photos.

Source: https://blog.google/

Google has redesigned the emoji and GIF picker menu for its Gboard Android keyboard app, which works better on tablets and big-screen devices like foldables. The update, available in the latest Gboard beta version (v14.6.02), allows for a more efficient way to pick emojis, GIFs, and stickers on larger screens.

Source: https://9to5mac.com/

YouTube Music is rolling out live lyrics on Android and iOS, upgrading the Lyrics tab in Now Playing with a new design and larger text. The feature allows users to scroll down and see the current line highlighted in white, with a blurred cover art background. Not all songs support live lyrics, with some displaying the old static version.

Source: https://9to5google.com/

Google is rolling out ChromeOS 128, which brings updates to Chromebooks. The new version pairs snap groups, allowing users to bring windows back together, resize them simultaneously, or move them as a group. Additionally, the ChromeOS Apps settings page will provide actionable reminders for camera and microphone access, and Auto Gain Control (AGC) is enabled by default to optimize microphone volume.

Source: https://9to5google.com/