Google is rolling out a bunch of new updates for Android users related to privacy and usability. Here’s what you’ll be getting:
End-to-end encryption for RCS
RCS messages are getting end-to-end encryption support on Google’s Messages app. Apps like WhatsApp and Signal use this tech to keep your conversations private, so no one can see them.
Currently, this feature is available to those who have access to RCS messaging and only for one-to-one chats. Plus, you’ll need toenable the chat featurein your Messages app.
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Google Assistant voice command shortcuts
Google is also rolling out Assistant shortcuts to access different parts of the apps directly from voice search and also have them as a widget form in the Assistant window. So you can say things like “Hey Google, resume my run on Strava.” Shortcuts wereoriginally announced last year, but this is an extension of the feature.
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Earthquake alerts
Google originally announcedphone-based earthquake alerts last yearand rolled them out to users inNew Zealand and Greecein April. Now the company is set to make this feature available to more users across the world. Today, the company is rolling it out toKazakhstan, the Kyrgyz Republic, the Philippines, Tajikistan, Turkey, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan. Later this year, Google plans to make these earthquake alerts globally available.
Emoji kitchen
Google’s emoji kitchen lets you create stickers by mixing certain emoji. Till now, you had to search for them while using them in a chat. Now, Android will bring them up contextually when you’re typing a text.
Google is also bringing new features to Android Auto and Voice Access accessibility features. You can read about all the announcementshere.
Story byIvan Mehta
Ivan covers Big Tech, India, policy, AI, security, platforms, and apps for TNW. That’s one heck of a mixed bag. He likes to say “Bleh.“Ivan covers Big Tech, India, policy, AI, security, platforms, and apps for TNW. That’s one heck of a mixed bag. He likes to say “Bleh.”
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