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Google Tests Out The Material Theme Redesign For Google Play Store

Lately, Google has been busy expanding its new version of Material Theme to all of their domains. Apps like Google Photos, Gmail and Google Drive have recently been through redesigns. The company is still testing out their new Material Theme to more apps.
As the list of redesigned apps continues to expand, the most recent addition being Google Play Store.

The latest Google Play Store update brings to the table version 12.5.53. Activating the Material Theme redesign makes significant changes, including the following:

  • A bottom bar with tabs for Home, Games, Movies, and Books
  • Rounded corners for the search bar
  • Lack of nested tabs and icons for categories
  • Rounded square icons in the homepage
  • Larger Buttons for Installing Apps
  • Circular download indicator around the app icon

Google Tests Out The Material Theme Redesign For Google Play Store

The website 9to5Google found some interesting strings within the app, which have been interpreted as support for installing Android system updates straight from the Play Store. Other rumors say the strings are actually meant to give users the option to install APEX packages.

Android Q currently has six APEX packages and, according to some sources, OEMs will be forced to use Google’s packages. The new Google Play Store user interface has been tweeted by Kieron Quinn, a software developer who was among the lucky ones that had the chance to test out the new version. Here are some screenshots of the new design:

According to Quinn, the version does crash sometimes, but it is quite stable for a prototype. Another issue is that the toolbar keeps disappearing. We are hoping to see the final version of the Google Play Store Material Theme redesign at Google’s I/O event next week.

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Google Test A New Android Update System In Android Q Beta

Android Q is still in development, and it looks like Google plans to add some interesting features. Google Pixel owners have access to the beta version of the upcoming OS, and some users discovered that Google might be testing a new way to deliver Android updates.

A few threads surfaced on popular platforms, with select users stating that they received some updates via the download manager feature of the Google Play app. Until now firmware updates could be accessed by using the Settings app and the change may raise some interesting questions.

The new feature may seem a bit odd since it’s different from the usual standard used by the industry. It is believed that the new update protocol would allow the tech corporation to release the updates directly, eliminating the annoying delays which are often caused by OEM and carriers. Faster updates sound good in theory, but there is more to them than the delivery time.

In Android Q Beta, Google tests a new method to deliver Android updates

Many Android users don’t know that updates arrive at a slower pace because manufacturers and carriers have to check how the update interacts with the device before it is released for everyone. Google tried to speed up the process in the past with Project Treble and the A/B Seamless update protocol, but some believe that the rate at which updates are released can be improved.

If the updates aren’t optimized for the device there a high risk of facing major bugs and problems and a bricked device isn’t exactly fun to use.

Select sources claim that some Pixel devices restarted immediately after these updates were installed. No prompts appeared during the process, which appears to be automatic. It is likely that power users will not appreciate this implementation since it takes away some of the freedom provided by the OS.

There is plenty of time to refine the feature before Android Q will become available and it may not make it to the final version. Only time will tell.

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Google Earth 9.2.43.7 Update Brings High-Res Visuals to NYC, London, Amsterdam and More

Google Earth is one of the most incredible apps made and there is no doubt about that. A fun fact about Google Earth that many people don’t know is that this app was initially being developed to be used by USA agencies such as the CIA in order to track down their targets. Luckily, Google realized that the potential for Google Earth is much bigger and it decided to go public.

The cool thing about Google Earth is that it lets people explore the world from the comfort of their own homes. To top it all off, Google Earth features special VR modes that can be used in order to feel like you are flying all over the world, just like a superhero. Nonetheless, the reason why this app is making headlines today is because it has just been updated.

Google Earth 9.2.43.7 Update

The latest update for Google Earth changes the app’s version number to 9.2.43.7 and it has been released earlier today. This is a high priority update for everyone who uses Google Earth on a daily basis because it introduces a really useful measuring tool that can be used in order to calculate distances and the size of specific areas from everywhere on the planet.

Updated Cities

Obviously, most people use Google Earth in order to explore famous cities and get a feel for what it would be like to visit them. Therefore, it shouldn’t come as a surprise that the developers who are in charge of Google Earth are constantly updating the world’s most famous cities with new 3D visuals.

The cities that are being enhanced in the new update are: New York City, London, Paris, and Amsterdam. In addition, the update also brings enhanced high-res visuals to multiple parts in 21 countries.

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Boost Your Digital Security With A New Authentication Method From Google

In recent years, many internet users have started to take more steps in an attempt to improve the security and privacy of their online accounts. Many companies, including Google, strive to improve the security level of their services, but there are always additional vulnerabilities which can be exploited by malicious third-party entities. A simple password isn’t always enough, and hacking methods have evolved to become better as time passes.

Most services which require an online account will offer the option to use two-factor authentication. Some users may see the feature as a waste of time since you will need to take additional steps before you can access your account, but they are an excellent way to enjoy extra security at no additional costs.

Google implements a new authentication method to boost users’ digital security

Google has recently announced that some Android users will have the option to use their device as a security token for two-factor authentication. A dedicated token can be quite expensive to acquire and set up, so the fact that such a feature will be available for free is great. The company already offers several 2FA methods, but some of them can be exploited by someone who knows how to manage potential issues.

Users who wish to use the new feature will have to own an Android smartphone which runs Android 7 or better. A PC or laptop which can run Chrome is also needed to complete the process. After starting Chrome on the PC users will have to connect their smartphone to the browser by using Bluetooth. The new authentication protocol is compatible with a large selection of Google services like Gmail, G Suite and other. It is likely that other sites and services may be added in the future after the authentication service will be certified.

Select users will observe similarities between the new service and the existing Google Prompt authentication option. Unlike Google Prompt the new protocol will require the presence device, a trait which has the potential to be very effective in the case of spoofing attempts.

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Android Smartphone Owners Can Use Their Device As A Security Token

People who own an Android smartphone will be happy to learn that they will now have the option to use the device in for a new two-factor authentication protocol. If the device runs Android 7 or better, you will have the option to sign-in to Google apps and services another device by using the device instead of a security dongle.

Google added Security Token

Before they attempt to use the new feature users will have to turn on Bluetooth and connect to a computer with the help of the Chrome browser. The browser will verify the login and authorize the smartphone. The new security protocol can be used to sign-in to Gmail, Google Cloud, G Suite and other Google services which are compatible with the FIDO authentication standard.

Some users may be familiar with another log in methods which involve the use of a smartphone. One of them is Google Prompt. Those who use this method will receive an automatic notification on their smartphone when an attempt to login to a Google service has been detected. The notification includes useful information like the location where the attempt was made and the device which was used in the process. Google Prompt is quite popular but it is still vulnerable to certain spoofing attempts since the person who attempts to log in doesn’t need your device to start to process.

In this day and age using two-factor authentication is almost a must if you wish to keep your accounts safe. Brute-force attacks aren’t as effective as they used to be in the past, but they can still work in some cases. And there are always users who avoid secure passwords as they believe that no one will be able to guess them in the first place.

How to activate two-factor authentication

You can activate the new two-factor authentication by following these steps:

  • You will need a device which runs Android 7 or better and a computer which runs Chrome.
  • Login to your Google Account on the device and activate Bluetooth.
  • Use Chrome to access myaccount.google.com/security and click on two-step verification.
  • Click on the add a security key option and select your device.
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