The tech story that made the biggest impact on me yesterday was Sam Byfords Living a Google-free life with a Huawei phone. In the run up to the launch of Huaweis new flagship P40 line, he got himself a Mate 30 Pro and used it to see what Android is like sans Google. This is, of course, something untold millions of people in China do every day, but outside China Huawei falls in a weird zone where it doesnt have its local China services nor Google services.
The result, as Sam writes, is weird. But what struck me the most is how essential Google Mobile Services (GMS) are to the functioning of every modern Android phone outside of China. You might already expect that not having Gmail, Chrome, and the Play Store would be annoying but the fact that so many non-Google apps dont work was a bit of a shock.
GMS and Google Play Services have slowly grown to become essential parts of how an Android phone works. Theyre how the web engine gets updated, theyre increasingly how the operating system itself gets updated (via Project Mainline), and they protect against malware even for apps you dont load from the official Google Play Store.
They also offer lots of services to developers, and thats the part thats easy to forget. Googles services offer push notifications, location, casting, ad support, and much more. Huawei has been building out its own services and store to deal with life away from Google, but the situation right now is that the Mate 30 Pro doesnt even ship with a viable maps app. Android may be open source, but an Android phone doesnt really operate without Google at least outside of China.
None of this is especially shocking or even nefarious, its just something that isnt in your face every day. Other operating systems like Windows and iOS are equally tied up with the company that makes them, which is a point so obvious that pointing it out in the first place seems silly. But with Android, its worth remembering.
Well have lots of coverage of Huaweis new P40 series today, so look forward to that. For what its worth, Huawei has said it would come back to the US if it could, but that seems unlikely in the near future. Also, thanks to everybody who emailed me today with their thoughts on the iPad Ill try to reply personally to everybody but itll take a bit.
Google Podcasts rolls out new design, launches on iOS. Looks like a huge upgrade, and availability on iOS makes it more appealing to people who need to be on multiple platforms. But the cross-platform king of podcast apps remains Pocket Casts, in my opinion. Its also the rare app that is excellent on every platform I use it on, from CarPlay to the web to Android to smart displays. Plus, its not owned and operated by a giant tech company! (Though to be fair NPR aint small.)
Royole claims the FlexPai 2 fixes the problems of its rough first foldable. I love that Royole is just going for it with another foldable phone and promising this one wont be a cringey mess like the first. I do wonder why the display is branded Cicada Wing, though. Apparently theyre good at repelling water and self-cleaning? The wings I mean, not this screen.
Samsungs new Galaxy Tab A offers LTE connectivity. Im not sure Id recommend this over an iPad to anybody, but its inexpensive and gives you an LTE option if you want that.
Samsungs S10 and Note 10 are getting updated with the S20s best camera features.
Dell now lets you control iPhones from its PCs. Its legit amazing that Dell does this and the Mac does not. Im sure people will turn their nose up at it, but using the Your Phone app on Windows 10 has me convinced that its a good idea. There are still going to be bugs and such, but I hope theres continued investment in this kind of software from multiple companies.
Qualcomms latest chips could make noise cancellation standard on new wireless earbuds.
SpaceX is making its own hand sanitizer and building face shields to donate to fight coronavirus.
Apple says customers must wait to pick up repairs locked inside its retail stores. Heres an idea that sounds easy and is easy to recommend because Im not Apple: why not offer loaner devices to these people? I am guessing Apple could afford to! Like I said, probably harder and more expensive than I would guess, but it would suck to be stuck in a lurch without a computer. Maybe I just feel this particularly pointedly because the N key on my MacBook Pro is about to die.
I, like seemingly everybody else I follow, am playing a bunch of Animal Crossing. If you are too, we have a lovely set of stories that are both useful and entertaining. If you want a full-on guide, Polygons is quite comprehensive. Im also playing Shadow of the Tomb Raider and its kind of an overloaded, overwhelming collect-the-map game.
If youre looking for something to play, my advice is to check out our best games of 2020. Our team is keeping this page updated throughout the year. Bookmark it!
How to watch movies with friends online. Aliya Chaudhry goes over all the major options. There are a bunch, and some of them work with multiple video services.
Fox will broadcast NASCARs substitute sim racing season on television. Sean OKane is going to get me into NASCAR, isnt he? I have gone to one NASCAR race and I deeply loved it, but there are only so many things I can afford to keep track of. But this looks joyful and fun.
One reason it was possible for the motorsports world to quickly flip this switch to sim racing is that theres been a thriving community competing on these platforms for years. Sim racing has grown so prevalent that many pro drivers are already deeply familiar with the likes of iRacing. Most have sim racing rigs a seat, steering wheel, pedals, and giant, often wraparound monitors set up in their homes, or at the very least, at their teams headquarters.
CBS All Access is offering a free one-month trial, just in time to binge Star Trek: Picard.
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Outside China, Android isnt Android without Google - The Verge
- The Google One VPN service is heading to the Google graveyard - The Verge - April 16th, 2024 [April 16th, 2024]
- Google One is losing a lot of its appeal, but Photos has me locked in - Android Authority - April 16th, 2024 [April 16th, 2024]
- Google intensifies fight against YouTube adblockers - Ghacks - April 16th, 2024 [April 16th, 2024]
- Google One VPN Is Bound for the Google Graveyard Later This Year - CNET - April 16th, 2024 [April 16th, 2024]
- Google's next foldable could be the Pixel 9 Pro Fold and finally get flagship specs - TechRadar - April 16th, 2024 [April 16th, 2024]
- Meta and Google announce new in-house AI chips, creating a trillion-dollar question for Nvidia - Fortune - April 16th, 2024 [April 16th, 2024]
- Grow with Google launches a new generative AI course for educators in collaboration with MIT RAISE - The Keyword | Google Product and Technology News - April 16th, 2024 [April 16th, 2024]
- Google is shutting down Google One VPN because 'people simply weren't using it' - ZDNet - April 16th, 2024 [April 16th, 2024]
- Google's Pixel 8A leaks in all colors including a bold green - The Verge - April 16th, 2024 [April 16th, 2024]
- Milan Design Week 2024: Google and Chromasonic Transform Light Into Sound for Making Sense of Color Exhibition ... - Cool Hunting - April 16th, 2024 [April 16th, 2024]
- Something strange might happen to the Google Pixel Fold 2 - Digital Trends - April 16th, 2024 [April 16th, 2024]
- Google begins removing California news from search in response to Journalism Preservation Act - Sacramento Bee - April 16th, 2024 [April 16th, 2024]
- I tested the Google Pixel's Long Exposure photo mode and it's another reason to leave my pro mirrorless camera at ... - TechRadar - April 16th, 2024 [April 16th, 2024]
- iOS 18Apple Issues New Blow To Google With Bold AI Privacy Decision - Forbes - April 16th, 2024 [April 16th, 2024]
- Google Wallet 'verify it's you' request appears minutes after unlock - 9to5Google - April 16th, 2024 [April 16th, 2024]
- Google Will Open Its Magic Editor AI Photo Tools to Everyone for Free, With a Catch - CNET - April 16th, 2024 [April 16th, 2024]
- The Google Pixel 8a leaks twice, hinting at its design, and four color options - TechRadar - April 16th, 2024 [April 16th, 2024]
- Google Vids is Google's fourth big productivity app for Workspace - Ars Technica - April 16th, 2024 [April 16th, 2024]
- Google working to prevent accidental Circle to Search activations - 9to5Google - April 16th, 2024 [April 16th, 2024]
- Google Unleashes 'New Era Of Productivity' With AI Agents: Partners - CRN - April 16th, 2024 [April 16th, 2024]
- Did you even use the Google One VPN? [Poll] - 9to5Google - April 16th, 2024 [April 16th, 2024]
- Faced with possibly paying for news, Google removes links to California news sites for some users - ABC News - April 16th, 2024 [April 16th, 2024]
- Google Chrome removes side panel button in favor of pinning - 9to5Google - April 16th, 2024 [April 16th, 2024]
- Google and Chromasonic make sense of colour at Milan Design Week - Wallpaper* - April 16th, 2024 [April 16th, 2024]
- Google and MIT launch a free generative AI course for teachers - ZDNet - April 16th, 2024 [April 16th, 2024]
- The Google Pixel 7a is on sale for a new low of $349 - Engadget - April 16th, 2024 [April 16th, 2024]
- Here's how the Google Pixel 9's new modem will power satellite connectivity - Android Police - April 16th, 2024 [April 16th, 2024]
- Here's 16 pages of what Epic wants after winning its Google app store lawsuit - The Verge - April 16th, 2024 [April 16th, 2024]
- When Parkinson's anxiety, Google Maps, and texting collide - Parkinson's News Today - April 16th, 2024 [April 16th, 2024]
- Google Meet slides in time-saving UI update for its toolbar on desktop - Android Central - April 16th, 2024 [April 16th, 2024]
- Google AI podcast: 6 conversations with global leaders - The Keyword | Google Product and Technology News - April 12th, 2024 [April 12th, 2024]
- Nvidia, Google Expand Partnership With Nvidia Blackwell Coming to Google Cloud in 2025 - Investopedia - April 12th, 2024 [April 12th, 2024]
- Google partners with Bayer on new AI product for radiologists - CNBC - April 12th, 2024 [April 12th, 2024]
- Exclusive: Google Workers Revolt Over $1.2 Billion Israel Contract - TIME - April 12th, 2024 [April 12th, 2024]
- Google's new Arm-based CPU will challenge Microsoft and Amazon in the AI race - The Verge - April 12th, 2024 [April 12th, 2024]
- Google releases first Android 15 beta with improved performance and edge-to-edge display by default - SiliconANGLE News - April 12th, 2024 [April 12th, 2024]
- Google's Gemini 1.5 Pro can now hear - The Verge - April 12th, 2024 [April 12th, 2024]
- WPP and Google Cloud forge groundbreaking new collaboration to lead generative AI-driven marketing into its next ... - WPP - April 12th, 2024 [April 12th, 2024]
- These Google Photo Editing Tools Will Be Free Soon - Lifehacker - April 12th, 2024 [April 12th, 2024]
- I shot the eclipse with an iPhone 15 Pro Max, Google Pixel 8 Pro and a Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra here's which one ... - TechRadar - April 12th, 2024 [April 12th, 2024]
- Responses To Google Search About Amarillo - 101.9 The Bull - April 12th, 2024 [April 12th, 2024]
- Google announces Axion, its first custom Arm-based data center processor - TechCrunch - April 12th, 2024 [April 12th, 2024]
- Google and world's largest ad group announce landmark AI collaboration - Search Engine Land - April 12th, 2024 [April 12th, 2024]
- Google releases 'prompting guide' with tips for Gemini in Workspace - 9to5Google - April 12th, 2024 [April 12th, 2024]
- Google Photos is making its AI photo editing tools available for all users - Mashable - April 12th, 2024 [April 12th, 2024]
- Orange Expands Partnership With Google Cloud to Use AI and GenAI Across Workstreams and Geographies With New ... - PR Newswire - April 12th, 2024 [April 12th, 2024]
- Google finally launches its Find My Device network. Here are the Android models that support it - ZDNet - April 12th, 2024 [April 12th, 2024]
- Google Store now accepts trade-ins for the Pixel Tablet - 9to5Google - April 12th, 2024 [April 12th, 2024]
- Google's Find My Device network has finally launched and the Pixel 8 gets special tracking powers - TechRadar - April 12th, 2024 [April 12th, 2024]
- Alphabet Stock Rises Amid Introduction of AI Products - PYMNTS.com - April 12th, 2024 [April 12th, 2024]
- Discover the Czech National Library's treasures with Google Arts & Culture - The Keyword | Google Product and Technology News - April 12th, 2024 [April 12th, 2024]
- Google's Gemini Pro 1.5 can now hear as well as see what it means for you - Tom's Guide - April 12th, 2024 [April 12th, 2024]
- Next Vision, or Vision Next? What we really thought about Google and Intel's AI events - The Register - April 12th, 2024 [April 12th, 2024]
- Google Wallet on Wear OS isn't as convenient as it could be - Android Police - April 12th, 2024 [April 12th, 2024]
- Google AI's Updates Show Its Ambitions To Go Beyond Automating Tasks As It Aims To Revolutionize Business ... - Yahoo Finance - April 12th, 2024 [April 12th, 2024]
- Google Workspace gets a game-changing security feature - Android Police - April 12th, 2024 [April 12th, 2024]
- Google Flights says these are the top summer travel destinations of 2024 - Fox Business - April 12th, 2024 [April 12th, 2024]
- Google Built Its Own Server CPU in Blow to Intel and AMD - The Motley Fool - April 12th, 2024 [April 12th, 2024]
- Google Photos on Android seems primed to pick up a 'recover storage' option - Android Central - April 12th, 2024 [April 12th, 2024]
- Former Google Deepmind Researchers Assemble Luminaries Across Music And Tech To Launch Udio, A New AI ... - PR Newswire - April 12th, 2024 [April 12th, 2024]
- Google parent Alphabet says AI helped it beat profit expectations - theSun - January 30th, 2024 [January 30th, 2024]
- Microsoft beats estimates, but Google gets slammed on ad revenue worries - FXStreet - January 30th, 2024 [January 30th, 2024]
- Google TV's homescreen video ads now include fast food too - 9to5Google - January 30th, 2024 [January 30th, 2024]
- Google partners on passkey upgrades, dropping Pixel exclusivity in the future - 9to5Google - January 30th, 2024 [January 30th, 2024]
- Google TV Has New Annoying Ads - How-To Geek - January 30th, 2024 [January 30th, 2024]
- Atropos Health partners with Google Cloud to rapidly generate insights from healthcare data using AI - VentureBeat - January 30th, 2024 [January 30th, 2024]
- Spring a leak? Google will find it through a new partnership aimed at saving water in New Mexico - El Paso Inc. - January 30th, 2024 [January 30th, 2024]
- Hugging Face and Google Cloud Announce Collaboration for Open AI Initiative - InfoQ.com - January 30th, 2024 [January 30th, 2024]
- Stock Market Today: Stocks mixed with Microsoft, Google earnings and Fed in focus - TheStreet - January 30th, 2024 [January 30th, 2024]
- Google's Parent Company Squeezes Its Moonshot Projects, 'Other Bets' - The Information - January 30th, 2024 [January 30th, 2024]
- Google parent Alphabet reports 52% surge in profit on strong business - The National - January 30th, 2024 [January 30th, 2024]
- Some advertisers are unable to access Google Ads - Search Engine Land - January 30th, 2024 [January 30th, 2024]
- How to get started with Side Panel on Google Chrome - Windows Central - January 30th, 2024 [January 30th, 2024]
- Google Cloud and Hugging Face Announce Strategic Partnership to Accelerate Generative AI and ML Development - PR Newswire - January 30th, 2024 [January 30th, 2024]
- How To Update Google Chrome To Its Latest Version - SlashGear - January 30th, 2024 [January 30th, 2024]
- Google wants to make it easier to disable Chrome's annoying notifications - Android Police - January 30th, 2024 [January 30th, 2024]
- Google app update reveals Google doesn't know what to call Assistant with Bard - Android Central - January 30th, 2024 [January 30th, 2024]
- Spring a leak? Google will find it through a new partnership aimed at saving water in New Mexico - The Caledonian-Record - January 30th, 2024 [January 30th, 2024]
- Google And Hugging Face Partner To Advance Generative AI With Open Models - Forbes - January 30th, 2024 [January 30th, 2024]
- Tech earnings preview: Microsoft, Apple, Google, Meta, and Amazon - Fast Company - January 30th, 2024 [January 30th, 2024]