Show Notes

* Android News

* Introducing Android Q Beta

* Additional privacy protections

* More control over location

* Sharing Shortcuts

* Randomized MAC Addresses

* WPA3/Enhanced Open

* Wifi Performance Mode

* Dynamic Depth image format

* AV1 codec

* Native MIDI API

* TLS 1.3 support

* Media Output Switcher

* How to Access the New Native Screen Recorder

* Performance Gains

* Native Desktop Support

* Android Q will block even more undocumented APIs

* Android Q will block background clipboard access

* Android Q can automatically activate battery saver based on usage

* Apps designed for an older version of Android will allow you to review permissions during first launch

* Chat Heads Being Tested for Notifications

* App News

* Be My Eyes connects people who are blind and low vision to volunteers in the sighted community

* Minor Pocket Casts update fixes issues with previous major update

* Ikea Smart Blinds delayed to later in 2019

* In Other News

* Verizon moves up mothballing 3G and CDMA by end of 2019.

* Inbox will shut down April 2

Show Notes

* Android News

* Continued Conversation comes to Smart Display

* Book a table with the Google Assistant across the country with more devices

* Android Beta community moves from Google+ to Reddit

* App News

* Ubiquiti offers its own wifi analyzer app.

* Smart Compose for Gmail is now available on all devices

* Pocket Casts update is now live.

* Pushbullet offers update after a long stable period. After a visual redesign, now introduces bundled notifications and direct notification replies.

* Google Drive redesign arrives for Android

* Google Chrome adds send tabs to other devices.

* Google Fit for Wear gets low power GPS mode, starting with Ticwatch Pro.

* In Other News

* Google brings confidential mode to G Suite enterprise users in beta.

* Alpha fx_cast extension brings Chromecast support to Firefox

* Chrome’s offline dinosaur is now an actual toy you can buy

* Google kills Allo. Inbox, goo.gl, and Google+ soon.

* Firefox introduces Firefox Send, offering free private file transfers

Another week

Show Notes

* Android News

* Google delays RCS API support from Android Q

* Shaping the future of mobile with Android

* There might be 100 milliion phones launched with Google Assistant buttons this year

* Android One gets a new logo.

* The latest Android devices now let you log into apps without a password

* Android Slices begin appearing on Pixel devices

* Google is working on securely storing Digital Driver’s Licenses in Android

* App News

* Google shuts down Google Fit on the web, and will focus on Wear OS and Android.

* Google Pay tests Gmail integration to import loyalty cards, tickets, etc.

* Titanium Backup suspended from Google Play…reason currently unknown.

* Access the Assistant in Messages

* Google Home to add support for changing colors in the app, as well as Smart Clock support

* Duo support is now available on the web at duo.google.com

* Some Google apps with over 10 million installs consume massive data in the background and kill battery.

* Facebook now lets you block background location tracking on Android

* Google Clock Musical Alarms now support Youtube Music and Pandora

* Google Chrome adds bfcache(back/forward cache) to increase speed.

* Nova Launcher 6.0 adds a ton of customization options.

* Google Sheets hits 500 million installs.

* In Other News

* Google Fi to offer 5G via Sprint with compatible handsets. No handsets available yet.

* Verizon wants to lock new phones to fight phone sale fraud. Needs ok from FCC. Predict FCC gives it.

* PocketCasts comes to Amazo...

Android News

* Wear OS makes up less than 12% of smartwatch sales in the US* For some people, their phone is the only computer they’ll need.

App News

* Google Voice adding Anonymous Caller ID option in settings* Google plans to let preloaded apps update via Google Play even if you don’t log in.* Google looking to make it harder to detect incognito mode.* YouTube Music finally comes to Android Auto

Home Automation News

* How to Name Your Smarthome devices for better voice control* Levitons new smart Load Center brings app control to your circuit breakers.* Zanzito is no longer in Play Store due Google’s SMS policy change. Developer has not had time to update* Ariela(Ad or Pro Version) may be an actively developed alternative with built in Home Assistant interface, consistents of device tracker, push notifications, etc.

In Other News

* FCC Chairman warns of regulatory intervention as he criticizes carriers’ anti-robocall plans* Samsung quits making new blu-ray players

Android News

* How did you decide on your current phone?* Google wants a VP of Wearables and might finally take smartwatches seriously.* Google bringing file encryption to low-power Android phones* Migrating to modern Android management solutions* Android Q may deliver RCS support to third-party apps* How to use copy and paste on Android* Google decides to refocus Android Things as a platform for smart speakers and displays

App News

* Pushbullet gets update with dark mode, material design, etc* Losing Cast support could be the final nail in BeyondPod’s coffin

In Other News

* Google’s web notifications widget will be discontinued on March 7, 2019* Raspberry Pi opens a store in Cambridge UK* Google releases Chrome OS 72 with optimizations for touchscreen devices* Screen printed poster connects to wifi and can tell you the weather* Google Fi SIM cards now available at Best Buy.* Amazon is buying popular mesh Wi-Fi company Eero

Android News

* Chrome OS Tethering now supports 15 more Chromebooks and 30 more smartphones* Latest update moves About Phone Front and Center* Introducing Trust Web Activity for Android

App News

* Google spotted testing bundles, reminders, and other Inbox features in Gmail for Android* Two new accessibility apps: Bringing Captions to Life with Live Transcribe and Clarifying Sound with Sound Amplifier* Firefox will mute autoplaying videos by default starting next month* TimberX is a Material Theme music player app that supports Wear OS, Android Auto, Google Assistant, etc.

Home Automation News

* Introducing Home Assistant CLI* Smart Speaker owners are brand loyal.

In Other News

* Google+ is officially deleting consumer data April 2nd* Google releases Password Checkup Chrome Extension* Ultraviolet service is closing at the end of July.* We now spend more than a quarter of our lives online shows report* Digital exchange loses $137 million as founder takes passwords to the grave* Hulu will soon show users ads when videos are paused* A new net neutrality bill is heading to Congress

Android News

* Google plans to fight Oracle’s Copyright Lawsuit against Android in the Supreme Court* Android Q might permit app downgrades.* Q may prevent background apps from reading the clipboard.

App News

* Even with 80% of the smartphone market, Android apps are still worse than their iOS counterparts.* Poweramp gets Android Auto integration and improved Assistant integration* Google Cloud Print passes 1 billion installs.* Google Duo might get a web client.

In Other News

* Connectivity Issues have stopped sales of the Echo Wall Clock* Future Chrome Update may kill some ad blocking extensions* Google I/O 2019 will be held on May 7-9* Bluetooth will become even more accurate at finding your lost gadgets* Group finds way to flash Tuya devices OTA.

Android News

* Google offers more details on 64-bit app requirement * Google not sure if current fingerprint scanners secure enough for mobile payments* Android Q’s new permissions controls offers new and improved controls* Android Q adds additional controls for carriers to lock down phones* Opinion: It’s Time to Kill Off the Android Tablet

App News

* ES File Explorer has a vulnerability that exposes files to anyone on the same network. * Files by Android hits 100 million installs on the Play Store* ActionDash brings Digital Wellbeing features to any phone

In Other News

* Visible is adding Android support* Senator Rubio wants to ban states from protecting consumer privacy * TicWatch E2/S2 are now available.* Classic Hangouts gets a slow death start date

Android News

* Top 6 Things we want to see in Android Q* Google Public DNS now works with Android Pie. * Ticwatch E2 and S2 are official.

App News

* Reminder, SMS/Call Log Policy Changes* Youtube Music may get the ability to play local tracks and may become the default audio player on Android* Google Podcasts now has Android Audio Support* Google is working to add dark mode to Chrome for Android.

In Other News

* Judge rules forcing mass fingerprint unlocking is an abuse of power* Google Fi adds support for RCS(if you switch away from Hangouts) and faster coverage abroad.* FCC Chairman refuses to brief Congressional oversight on revelations that cellphone carriers are disclosing real time location data due shutdown.* Privacy Accessory project stops Google Home from always listening and allows custom hotwords* ChromeBook owners will be able choose their linux distro.

Home Automation News

* Chromecast Audio discontinued* Leviton bringing Amazon Echo to light switch. * Google just made it cheap for companies to build Assistant into their products.* Lenovo introduces 4 inch Smart Clock* Ikea moves into smart blinds.* Ring introduces a peephole cam for apartment dwellers.

Android News

* Three things to look forward to in smartwartches in 2019* Google reaffirms 2 years of updates for Android One phones.* It is 2019, is there anything that Guru and Jere want this year from their phones and watches?

App News

* Duo tests group calling feature as well as low light mode.* A study of 34 most popular Android apps show 20 of them sending data to Facebook without consent. * Guru rambles about LastPass and Autofill.

In Other News

* AdGuard publicly launches DNS service. Can be used on Android Pie or earlier versions with an app.* Wyze promises Outdoor camera, RTSP, and Google Assistant support in 2019* Home Automation dreams for 2019.