AllYouCanTech

Google Home App Upgrade Broadens ‘Ask Home’ Feature Accessibility, Features Significant Bug Repairs and Performance Enhancements on iOS and Android

Following a significant redesign of Google Home, this minor update is informed by user feedback.

What you need to know:
– Google is deploying an update for the Google Home app on Android after its significant redesign earlier this month.
– The update increases the reach of Ask Home, a feature that facilitates conversational inquiries and daily summaries.
– It includes bug fixes and enhancements inspired by user feedback on the ambitious version 4.0 revamp.

Google is introducing version 4.1 of the Google Home app on iOS and Android, extending the “Ask Home” feature to more users along with additional enhancements.

This is a follow-up to the major version 4.0 launch of the Google Home app, which was released earlier this month. That revamp introduced a fresh user interface designed with Material 3 Expressive design and Google AI capabilities. A few weeks later, the latest update to the Google Home app comprises bug fixes and feature updates inspired by user feedback.

“We’re attentive and actively making enhancements based on your feedback,” Google stated in the release notes for version 4.1.

Remarkably, the recent version of the Google Home app broadens the access to Ask Home for more users, provided they have a Google Home Premium subscription. Ask Home empowers users to receive answers to quick inquiries about their home via a natural language chatbot. It can furnish daily summaries, tackle intricate multi-step questions, and function as a search bar for in-app toggles.

The Google Home redesign divided the app into three distinct sections: Home, Activity, and Automations. Nevertheless, some users have reported scrolling issues in the Home tab on iOS after the redesign. In the version 4.1 update, Google states that the Home tab experience is now “more fluid and responsive.”

The company also rectified a bug that impacted the color status for items in the Lights category within the Android app. The previous version did not change color when a light was turned off, but it now appears grey as expected.

Finally, the Google Home app now has a fix for inaccuracies in Ask Home summaries. The release notes clarify that summaries were occasionally labeled “today’s Home Brief” when they actually pertained to the previous day.

What do I need to use Ask Home in the new Google Home app?

Google is rolling out Ask Home to a larger group of users with the launch of version 4.1 of the Home app, but you will require a Google Home Premium subscription. There’s a standard plan for $10 per month or $100 annually, and an advanced tier for $20 per month or $200 per year. This serves as the successor to Nest Aware, the prior subscription service for Google Home and Nest devices.

Nevertheless, you might already have access to Google Home Premium at no cost. Google AI Pro users receive the standard version as part of their package, while Google AI Ultra users get the advanced version included. A year of Google AI Pro is complimentary with the purchase of an eligible Pixel phone.

Check the Google Play Store to ensure your Google Home app is current.

What is the “Ask Home” feature?

Ask Home is a natural language chatbot feature enabling users to pose conversational inquiries about their smart home. It can offer daily summaries, manage complex multi-step queries, provide answers to quick questions about your home, and serve as a search bar for locating in-app toggles.

What to Anticipate from the OnePlus 15 Camera Following 100 Shots

I can’t envision encapsulating the spirit of Fall more vividly than these images do. Last week, an unremarkable cardboard box arrived at my doorstep containing a signature red box inside. It signified the early arrival of the OnePlus 15, a few months ahead of my initial expectations, but OnePlus is moving forward with an elegant new flagship phone design and an array of new camera innovations.

This is the first flagship OnePlus device in several years to let go of the Hasselblad branding in favor of the company’s new in-house DetailMax Engine. If I had to voice any one grievance regarding the OnePlus 13’s camera since my review earlier this year, it’s that the Hasselblad processing can occasionally be overly aggressive with contrast, often muting vibrant colors more than I prefer.

Up to now, the new DetailMax Engine appears to address both of these concerns, providing a more lifelike image that reflects what my eyes observed, rather than what the camera software presumed might look better. The weather has been quite dismal in my region this weekend, but I managed to trek to the mountains at the end of last week during a clear, serene morning and capture Fall in a manner that felt genuine.

I ensured to maintain the watermark on each photo so you can gauge the zoom level and other vital photo statistics, which is particularly crucial if you wish to assess what the phone can genuinely achieve.

OnePlus’s CEO, Pete Lau, previously stated that the new DetailMax Engine can “capture and interpret vastly more data, delivering images with unmatched depth and realism,” guaranteeing that photos never undergo “over-beautification or distortion.” Based on my experiences with the phone so far, this seems to absolutely reflect my impressions.

At present, I’m only able to present a few snapshots from my experiences with the device but intend to feature a complete review of its camera capabilities in the weeks ahead. OnePlus is speculated to unveil the phone at a reduced price and earlier than anticipated. Rumors suggest a global launch might occur as soon as November 13, two full months prior to the anniversary of the OnePlus 13’s global launch.

Meta Ray-Ban Display Exhibitions Surface in Unexpected Places

Meta’s Ray-Ban Display smart eyewear has been attracting attention since its debut, but acquiring them necessitates an in-store demonstration. At first, demos were offered at selected venues such as Best Buy, LensCrafters, Ray-Ban Stores, and Verizon outlets. Nonetheless, the availability was limited, with numerous locations fully booked weeks ahead. Now, Verizon has commenced offering demos at specific stores throughout the U.S., presenting another chance for prospective customers to try the eyewear in person.

Verizon initiated Meta Ray-Ban Display demos on November 5, and those interested can arrange a demo via Meta’s website. This expansion is vital since the glasses cannot be bought without finishing a demo, which also guarantees the correct fit for the sEMG wristband. The eyewear is priced at $799 and can be found in Black at Verizon stores, irrespective of Verizon customer status.

Presently, Verizon is conducting demos at six locations: Canton, OH; Cypress Mill, TX; Laguna Niguel, CA; Murfreesboro, TN; Nanuet, NY; and Queen Creek, AZ. This initiative by Verizon is anticipated to ease some of the initial scheduling difficulties and enhance accessibility to the Meta Ray-Ban Display for interested purchasers.

Pixel 10’s Voice Translate Debuts in an Unexpected Market

Users of the Pixel 10 in the Netherlands receive immediate call translation, while Germany remains in limbo.

Samsung’s Trifold Phone Approaches Launch, Availability Restricted

Samsung is evaluating the future of the Trifold, leaving consumers in the U.S. in anticipation.

Samsung is preparing to make a significant advancement with its hardware. After dominating the foldable market with the Galaxy Z Fold and Z Flip, the corporation intends to unveil its first tri-fold smartphone later this week. However, a recent rumor indicates that the launch will be restricted, and it is unlikely that the U.S. will receive it immediately.

The South Korean technology leader is poised to reveal the Galaxy Z TriFold at the APEC CEO Summit in South Korea, taking place from October 28 to 31. This announcement signifies the company’s entrance into an entirely new category of devices, featuring a dual-hinge mechanism that enables the phone to fold in two.

The Galaxy Z TriFold boasts a dual-hinge in-folding structure, where both ends fold inward towards the primary display. When closed, the device resembles a standard smartphone with a 6.5-inch cover display, but once unfolded in stages, it can grow to 8 inches and, when fully opened, extend to an enormous 10-inch screen.

Initial reports indicate that Samsung has been enhancing hinge durability and refining display software to guarantee smooth transitions between folding modes. Inside, the TriFold is rumored to operate on last year’s Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset instead of Qualcomm’s newest processor.

The pricing is expected to place this phone firmly in the ultra-premium market, with estimates around 4 million won, or approximately $2,780. To mitigate risk, Samsung is said to be restricting the initial production run to about 50,000 units, which is logical given that this is still a trial product.

Western markets may be bypassed.

The most surprising twist? The Galaxy Z TriFold might not even launch in the United States, contrary to earlier reports. Instead, it will be introduced in select regions, such as South Korea, China, Singapore, Taiwan, and the UAE, according to trusted leaker Evan Blass on X.

The tri-fold idea is as ambitious as it is experimental, and Samsung appears to be positioning it as a premium showcase rather than a mass-market device. As the company ventures into this novel space, observers will be keen to see how the TriFold functions in practical use, especially its hinge durability, battery performance, and the compatibility of Android with the varying screen sizes.

The Galaxy Z TriFold could pave the way for the upcoming generation of portable devices that blur the distinctions between smartphones, tablets, and even compact laptops.

Google’s Newest Redesign Has Finally Launched on Chrome for Android

Chrome’s Material 3 Expressive Transformation Arrives on Android

Google has successfully finalized its aesthetic revamp of Chrome, with the browser’s Android application undergoing the Material 3 Expressive redesign. This enhancement brings Chrome in line with the updated visuals found in other Google applications like Messages and Contacts.

Beginning with version 141, Chrome on Android has started to roll out a visual update, draping the familiar browser in a more vibrant, streamlined appearance. The deployment, which commenced in late August, has mostly been completed for the majority of users.

Notable modifications include the three-dot menu now emphasizing essential actions such as forward, bookmark, download, site info, and refresh within circular icons. The Tab Grid view features a rounded square for opening new tabs, more distinct containers for tabs, Incognito, and Groups, along with a dynamic color theme that adjusts to your wallpaper or selected palette.

Despite the refreshed appearance, Chrome has not changed button sizes or fundamentally altered list-views or settings pages. The update is primarily cosmetic, aligning with Google’s extensive design language across applications rather than reinventing everything from scratch.

Additional features comprise a segmented progress indicator with rounded edges during page loads and a rounded square background for the star icon while visiting a bookmarked site.

If you haven’t experienced the new interface yet, it could be due to the server-side rollout. Even if your Chrome version is 141 or above, you might still be awaiting the visual transition. To potentially expedite the update, consider force-stopping the app via Android Settings → Apps → Chrome → Force Stop, and then reopening it.

“Ray-Ban Meta (Gen 2) Eyewear: A Standard for Smart Glasses Aficionados”

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Assessing Garmin Integration with Oakley Meta Vanguard Glasses: Advantages and Disadvantages for Specific Garmin Watch Users

The amalgamation of Meta and Garmin technologies delivers a distinctive experience for athletes and fitness enthusiasts by merging real-time statistics, Autocapture, Status LEDs, Activity Summaries, and shareable metrics on photos and videos. The Oakley Meta Vanguard smart eyewear, in partnership with Garmin timepieces, equips users with live statistics, automatic video recording, and evaluations of workout effectiveness. These glasses are crafted to elevate workouts by showcasing real-time information such as heart rate and running power, which can be accessed through vocal prompts to Meta AI. This functionality is especially advantageous for athletes who must maintain forward focus or utilize their watch displays for alternative tasks.

The Autocapture function captures video snippets based on performance benchmarks, generating a montage video with Garmin statistics overlaid, perfect for sharing on social platforms or preserving personal memories. However, users might discover that the random clips clutter their storage and may feel uneasy with the glasses recording in public settings. The Status LED offers a straightforward visual indicator to signify whether the user is inside their target workout zones, providing a distraction-free method to track performance.

Activity Summaries deliver insights into workout patterns and recommend recovery or training modifications, even though they may not identify all types of workouts. The integration is particularly advantageous for novice athletes or those who do not subscribe to premium fitness tracking services.

In summary, the Oakley Meta Vanguard glasses attract Garmin users who appreciate data-driven workouts and content creation, albeit they may not be ideal for everyone due to privacy issues, pricing, and the requirement to share data with Meta. The glasses present an encouraging glimpse into the future of fitness technology, with potential for further improvements and wider compatibility with other fitness devices.

Google Cloud and Gemini Improve Fox’s MLB World Series Broadcast

Fox Foresight, an AI-driven platform powered by Google’s Vertex AI, is transforming MLB World Series broadcasts by delivering real-time insights and elevating the viewing experience. Fox Sports announcers are utilizing Gemini, a feature of the platform, to quickly respond to in-game inquiries, tapping into an extensive database of numerous MLB seasons. This AI-based method enables commentators to provide timely and context-rich analysis, including highlighting top performers and pivotal moments in the game.

The platform’s features go beyond commentary, as MLB employs AI agents from Google Cloud to oversee and resolve connectivity challenges during broadcasts. This guarantees smooth streaming and consistent coverage for fans. The incorporation of AI into sports broadcasting illustrates the increasing importance of technology in enhancing live events and entertainment.

Fox Foresight’s capability to handle complex queries, such as pinpointing standout players in particular game contexts, highlights its potential to revolutionize sports analytics. As AI progressively advances, its uses in sports broadcasting are poised to grow, delivering deeper insights and a more captivating experience for audiences around the globe.

Google Provides Pixel Suggestions and Techniques for Halloween Season

Discover how to utilize your Google Pixel smartphone and smartwatch for some eerie fun.