AllYouCanTech

Essential information

• In-app music playback controls have been eliminated from Google Maps for certain Android users.
• The ability to manage streaming platforms such as YouTube Music and Spotify is not visible in the current version of the application.
• It remains uncertain whether this is a glitch or a deliberate change, as the feature is still present in the iOS version.

It is well known that Google Maps is among the top navigation applications available on both Android and iOS devices, facilitating users in accessing their preferred music streaming services like YouTube Music and Spotify conveniently while on the move. The useful controls enabled users to pause, play, skip tracks, or return to previous songs. Having these music playback controls during navigation has been a beneficial feature of Maps, which has unexpectedly disappeared with the new update.

9to5Google has now discovered that the helpful controls, typically located in the Navigation settings of the Maps app, appear to have been removed, together with the option to “Show media playback controls.”

Moreover, the setting to choose the music streaming service is absent from the latest update of the Google Maps app. This issue seems to affect both the current v25.28 version and the beta 25.29 version. I was unable to find the feature, as I also checked on

Essential information

• Google is launching a new Planner Gem that syncs with your Google applications (such as Gmail, Calendar, and Drive) to boost productivity.
• Gemini has made its debut on Wear OS, bringing its full range of functionalities directly to your wrist.
• This update also includes a feature known as “Power calling,” where Gemini can make calls to local services like pet groomers or dry cleaners to verify pricing and availability.
• Google Search is receiving an AI enhancement — by circling a word, image, or phrase, Gemini will provide more than just search results with AI Mode.

Google is unveiling a new initiative with its AI updates, termed “Gemini drops,” which is akin to its monthly feature releases but will specifically center on Google’s AI functionalities.

In this July drop, Google is rolling out tools aimed at enhancing users’ productivity, letting Gemini take over mundane tasks to save time. Additionally, there are improvements to Google Search and Circle for enhanced searching, and Gemini is at last available on Wear OS. While most features are largely free, some are reserved for AI Pro and AI Ultra users.

To break it down, Gemini is designed to simplify user productivity. Google has introduced a new customizable “Gem” within Gemini that effortlessly integrates with Google’s offerings like Gmail, Calendar, Drive, etc., highlighting priorities by providing a complete overview of your week, summarizing your day, among other capabilities. This feature can be located in the Gems tab under “Premade by Google.”

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Key information

• The official Google store has begun teasing the Pixel 10 series, revealing the design of the series in a promotional video.
• This series will maintain a design akin to the Pixel 9, featuring a prominent camera bump, flat edges, and rounded corners.
• Google reiterates that the event to launch the phones will take place on August 20, alongside other anticipated products such as “watches, buds, and more.”
• Speculations suggest that the base Pixel 10 might feature a triple camera setup instead of a dual one, hinting at the possibility of a telephoto lens.

Google is kicking off the week with an official teaser for its forthcoming Pixel series after affirming its next event.

This afternoon (July 21), the Google Store refreshed its header to promote the forthcoming Pixel 10 series in August. The company once again confirms that its Made by Google event to unveil the next Pixel lineup will be held on August 20. The highlight of this teaser is Google’s official preview of the Pixel 10’s design.

quite a prominent camera bump, flat edges, and rounded corners.

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