* Android News* Google rolling out Guest Mode for smart displays.* Nest Hub adding Sunrise Alarms, a new UI, etc.* Astro Slide 5G is a new phone with a full physical keyboard.* App News* Smartthings now integrated with Android Auto.* Maps unveils street level detail in NYC, London, San Francisco, and Tokyo.* Pocket Casts to go up for sale again.* Tasker adds call screening support.* Wine for Android hits version 6.0* In Other News* Ring now offers end to end encryption for video* NSA warns enterprises to beware of third party DNS resolvers* CBS All Access becomes Paramount Plus on March 4*

* Android News* Google reportedly working on an app hibernation feature for Android 12.* App News* Google Phone app may let you always record calls not from your contacts* In Other News* Weber buys smart oven company June.* Tile working on tracker with UWB. * The next Nest Hub may have Soli Radar for sleep tracking* You can now get a touchless video doorbell that uses a pressure mat.* Ubiquiti suffers security breach.* Whatsapp clarifies its new privacy policy won’t be as bad as people feared, but probably too late, Telegram and Signal see record signups.

* Android News* LiveBoot is now open source and works on Android 11* In 2021, Android apps on tablets and large screens need to get better* Google says it improved Auto-Rotate response on all Pixel Phones* App News* Nova Launcher 7 Hits Beta with a major update.* Gallery Go hits 50 million installs.* In Other News* Dawn Wells dead at 82.* Flash is finally dead. * Project CHIP releases draft specification just in time for 2021.* Roku celebrates 50+ million active accounts and 58.7 billion streaming hours in 2020.* C by GE gets a new name…Cync…adds more than just bulbs. * Verizon isn’t shutting down 3G just yet.* Amazon marks free podcasts as costing $8.95, but free with Audible.* WhatsApp gives users an ultimatum: Share data with Facebook or leave.

* Android News* Let’s Encrypt comes up with workaround for old Android devices.* A list of all the OK G Commands* Google Assistant ends the year with a song.* App News* The best Google Cloud Print alternatives* Convert between units using Smart Text selection.* Other News* Zoom may be working on a calendar and email service.* How to use a lux sensor to improve sunrise/sunset automations.

* Android News* Four Services Google replaced in 2020 and Five it Killed* Google prepping to release an official Tiles API for Wear OS* Driving 1000 miles with Android Auto as my co-pilot

* App News* Chrome for Android will soon use Google Assistant for voice input* In Other News* Google kills Android Things, its IoT system. * Cable companies can no longer rent you the router you already own* Spending Bill includes felony streaming proposal, Copyright Claims Officers, Trademark Modernization* Firefox continues to crack down on tracking with cache partioning

* Android News* Google buys Neverware, makers of the Cloudready upgrade.* Google and Qualcomm will provide support for four years of Android Upgrades.* Android 11 has the fastest adoption rate of any version yet.* App News* Gboard’s quick paste suggestions are a sneaky best feature of 2020.* Google Phone App passes 500 million installs on Play Store.* Firefox adds tab grid view * Home Assistant Conference* In Other News* Norman Abramson, wireless network pioneer, dead at 88.* Echo now supports Live Translation feature for devices.* Roku removes Spectrum TV app from its Channel Store over Dispute* Amazon introduces “Made for You” custom clothing service.* HBO Max finally comes to Roku, as of December 17th.* Amazon Fire line introduces new improved interface.

* Android News* Improving urban GPS accuracy.* App News* Google Photos update adds live wallpaper.* Google Maps now lets you create Street View photos with just a phone* Google Podcasts now allows you to add RSS feeds* Google Recorder supports external mics and bluetooth headsets.* Google Assistant can now access your calendars and Meet events from multiple accounts.* Google announces end-to-end encryption was coming to its Messages app.

* In Other News* Ikea Ends Print Publication of Its Catalog* Chuck Yeager, dead at 97.* Wyze announces $60/year home monitoring service coming in March. Includes hub, keypad, sensors…replaces older Sense products.

* Android News* Smart Display getting family notes.* Google announces new deadline for apps to request background location access.* CarDroid dongle raises over $170,000. * Google prepares to decouple emojis from system updates.* App News* New Google Pay App can pull your receipts from Gmail and Google Photos. automatically.* Hangouts Group Video Calls are dead, users pushed to Meet.* Google Chat to get Hangouts Group chat integration.* Google releases Assistant Interpreter Mode shortcut app.* In Other News* Google Pay reimagined.* Thank You Google, we needed another messaging app.* T-Mobile becomes first carrier to enable 988 for mental health services* Herb Solow, the executive in charge of the original Star Trek series, dead at 89.* Former Zappos CEO Tony Hsieh dies at 46.* David Prowse, the body of Darth Vader, dead at 85.* Ajit Pai announces departure from FCC.* Wyze announces a $20 smartwatch.* Arecibo radio telescope’s instrument platform has collapsed.

* App News* Google Home app brings back the ability to trigger Assistant Routines on other devices.* Google Fit revamped, more sleep data and activity sharing.* Google Maps adds covid layer, transit crowdedness, and food tracking.* Revamped Google Camera app rolling out to older Pixel phones* In Other News* Zoom to lift 40 minute limit for Thanksgiving* HBO Max is finally coming to Amazon Fire TV* New Settings for Smart Features in Gmail* Why Diet Coke is the perfect Thanksgiving beverage* Wyze announces smart sprinkler controller* Ting switches to more traditional plans. Flex plan is $10 for unlimited talk/text then $5 a GB. 5GB plan including talk/text for $25. $45 includes 22GB…

* Android News* Happy 13th Birthday Android!* Google needs to be more like Samsung or Huawei when it comes to adding features* Many websites will stop working with older versions of Android in 2021.* Google Photos to eliminate unlimited free storage, after June 1, 2021 photos will count toward storage.* App News* Device Lock Controller app allows for credit providers to curtail functionality if payments are missed.* In Other News* Alex Trebek passes.* Alexa Care Hub allows you to remote check on older relatives.