Google has created a partnership to attempt to create standards for the way that Android devices receive updates after their release. Currently one of the Android platform’s biggest issues is the way that updates are fragmented across manufacturers, devices and versions. Verizon, HTC, Samsung, Sony Ericson, Sprint, T-Mobile, Motorola, LG, Vodaphone and AT&T are all part of the initial partnership. Google says that ‘others are welcome to join’. All Android devices will receive updates for 18 months after the first launch ‘if hardware allows’....

Apatentapplication registered by Google could see it integrate a range of specialist ‘vertical’ searches into its interface, with specific modes for jobs, recipes and restaurants, for example. While Google currently offers specific search features for things like news and (in some countries) recipes, under the Unified Search Interface patent, these would be brought together into the main search results page, with the user able to switch between specific, filtered searches via a drop-down menu....

Google is allowing Google Pay users in the US to send money to their relatives and friends in India and Singapore. The firm has partnered with Western Union and Wise to facilitate the money transfers. This is the first time Google is allowing cross-border payment on its platform. While both users in the US and India have access to Google Pay, the app works in different ways. In India, the app is primarily based on the Unified Payments Interface (UPI) platform, withcard paymentsbeing introduced recently....

At Google I/O this week, the company revealed a bunch of new features that are about to come to Google Photos. Google noted that despite Photos’ popularity, most of the 4 trillion pictures stored to it have never even been viewed. The new features try to make the most of the photos that you wouldn’t normally look back, including the addition of a private image folder and newfangled ways of showing off your menial or redundant pictures....

Google Photos’ unlimited storage plan for your “high-quality” photos ended on June 1, 2021.The company made the announcementthe previous November, without specifying reasons like whether it was running out of server space, or just wanted to sell you a Google One subscription for extra storage. You might be angry that Googlekille off another super handy feature. But there are no free lunches. So what are your options? We’ll address all your questions such as exporting your data and choosing an alternative service in this article....