Category: Google

Microsoft stops tricking people into using Bing instead of Google, at least on Chrome

Searching “Google” in Microsoft Edge still shows a search bar many consider deceptive.

Bing search

Microsoft has been accused of attempting to deceive users who search for “Google” through the Bing search engine.

Microsoft has dialed back its apparent attempts to trick people into using Bing. The tech giant rolled out a change to its search engine recently that showed an interface similar to that of Google if you searched the term “Google.”Many, including Google, considered the move deceptive, since Bing presented what was essentially a clone of the Google interface and moved other results lower on the page.

“Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, but Microsoft spoofing the Google homepage is another tactic in its long history of tricks to confuse users & limit choice. New year; new low,” said Google’s Chrome lead Parisa Tabriz.

Now, it appears that Microsoft is shifting away from its controversial strategy. If you search for “Google” through Bing, you’re less likely to see the clone of Google’s interface.

Now, it appears that Microsoft is shifting away from its controversial strategy. If you search for “Google” through Bing, you’re less likely to see the clone of Google’s interface.

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In my testing, I was only able to see the Google-esque version of Bing when searching for “Google” within an InPrivate browser tab in Microsoft Edge. Any other combination of Microsoft Edge, Google Chrome, and being logged in or using a private tab showed the normal Bing interface.

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There’s a chance that Microsoft is just testing the interface and that results may vary from person to person. As far as I can tell, Microsoft has not commented on the clone of Google’s UI publicly.

Microsoft and Google have a rocky relationship that dates back decades, which is hardly surprising considering the size of the companies and how much their services overlap. Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella revealed that “Google makes more money on Windows than all of Microsoft” due to the dominance of Google’s search platform. The Microsoft CEO also argued thatGoogle doesn’t play fair with Bing,

Microsoft has tried several tactics to convert users to Bing over the years, including theBing Wallpaper app prompting people to switch their search engine. Microsoft has used similarly aggressive tactics topush its Edge browser, which has Bing set as the default search engine.

Dual SIM RCS support in Google Messages rolls out for more users and places

After extensive testing, Google is finally bringing its dual SIM support to more Android users in the U.S. and beyond

What you need to know

  • Users on Reddit have started reporting that Google is pushing its dual SIM RCS support in Messages via a new stable version.
  • Threads state that the feature is appearing on several Pixel 9 and Samsung Galaxy devices in the U.S., Canada, and Germany.
  • Reports from last fall showed that Google was likely extending its testing of the feature as very few users spotted it in beta.

It looks like Google’s next step in messaging for its U.S. users is seeing a proper rollout in January.

Highlighted by  9to5Google, userson Reddithave started a thread about the arrival of Dual SIM support for RCS texting in Google Messages. The O.P. (original poster) states they’ve received dual SIM over RCS support in Messages on theirPixel 9 Pro. Another user chimed in, stating they’ve also received support for it, which involves using both SIMs “simultaneously.”

That particular post added that their deviceis not enrolled in the betaand has appeared in version messages.android_20241120_00_RC07 of the Messages app.

Several more posts say the dual SIM support has rolled onto the Pixel 9 Pro XL and the Galaxy Z Fold 6. Moreover, users have mentioned the feature delivering support for SIM cards belonging to Verizon, AT&T, and USMobile.

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Elsewhere, a9to5Googlepost doubled down on user reports on Reddit regarding its stable app version release. The publication also highlighted other threads that claim the feature is even appearing for more users in the most recent Messages beta, v20250112_00_RC00. Additionally, users outside of the U.S.have reportedly noticed supportappearing on Android, which signals an even wider rollout than originally theorized.

A user with a Galaxy S23 FE in Canada posted a screenshot of the feature’s arrival on their device, as well as another in Germany.

Google has beenslowly moving towardits official push for dual SIM support for RCS texting since last fall. There was a more secluded beta earlier last year; however, some users started noticing it quite sparingly in November. The reports were sporadic as some saw it on stable while others only spotted it in its beta version.

Regardless, seeing as it’s more apparent in January, users should notice the dual SIM feature in the RCS Chats page of the Messages app settings. There, beneath “turn on RCS,” users will notice both SIM cards alongside two checkboxes. Users can decide which card to use at any given moment or have them both active at once.

It’s worth mentioning that there are some routine verification steps the cards must go through in the app before everything’s green.

Outside of RCS, Google recently detailed the addition of more AI software in Messages to help userscombat spam/tricky scam texts. If the app detects a potential sign of spam, it will either automatically drop it in the appropriate folder or alert you about it for better judgment.

What is Smartphone Bypass Charging? A Must-Have Feature For Long Gaming Sessions

Bypass charging ensures your smartphone runs cool and smooth during extended gaming, keeping battery health in check. Here’s when and why to use it.

What is Smartphone Bypass Charging? A Must-Have Feature For Long Gaming Sessions

In the world of smartphones, where power and performance go hand in hand, a new feature is making waves — bypass charging. While this might sound like a technical term, its purpose is quite straightforward. Essentially, bypass charging is a gamer-first feature, designed to help keep your smartphone cool, prolong battery health, and ensure your device performs at its peak, especially during intense gaming sessions.

What Is Bypass Charging?

Bypass charging, also known as direct power supply on some devices, ensures that your smartphone draws power directly from the charger rather than the battery while charging. This feature is gaining traction, especially in high-end and gaming-centric phones, where charging speeds are fast and continuous gameplay can lead to overheating.

The key benefit? It reduces the strain on your phone’s battery duringgaming marathonsor long charging sessions. In a typical charging scenario, power goes first to the battery and then gets distributed to the device’s components like the screen and processor. With bypass charging, power flows directly from the charger to the components, preventing unnecessary heat generation.

Why Is Bypass Charging Important?

If you’ve ever played a mobile game while charging, you may have noticed your phone heating up. This isn’t just uncomfortable—it can also cause your device to throttle performance. Thermal throttling occurs when your smartphone reduces its processing power to avoid overheating, often leading to laggy gameplay and slower performance.

With bypass charging, the need for your battery to handle charging and powering the device is eliminated. The result? Less heat, more stable performance, and a longer lifespan for your battery.

Who Should Use Bypass Charging?

Bypass charging is particularly useful for gamers and heavy smartphone users. If you’re someone who spends hours on end playing mobile games or using your phone for performance-intensive tasks, bypass charging will be a game-changer. Not only will it help keep your phone cool, but it also reduces the risk of damaging the battery in the long run.

However, it’s worth noting that bypass charging isn’t a universal solution for all phone users. It’s specifically for those who need to push their phones to the limit without worrying about battery heating or performance throttling.

When and How to Use Bypass Charging?

Different smartphone brands implement bypass charging in various ways. OnGoogle Pixeldevices, for example, bypass charging can be enabled only once the battery reaches 80% charge. Meanwhile, Samsung’s Galaxy S24 Ultra allows it to be activated during gaming, without any percentage restrictions.

To activate bypass charging on your device, make sure you’re using the recommended charger. This is crucial to ensure that your phone is getting enough power to operate at its best. When you enable bypass charging, the battery remains at a consistent level, and the phone uses the charger’s direct supply to power everything.

But keep in mind, bypass charging should be limited to high-performance tasks like gaming. If used excessively, it can lead to long-term power supply issues or wear on your charger.

The Long-Term Benefits

While bypass charging is most beneficial for gamers, it can also help your smartphone in the long run. By reducing the strain on the battery, this feature helps preserve its health, ensuring that your device remains efficient for years. The less your battery has to work under high temperatures, the longer it stays in good condition.

Bypass charging is a feature that’s making a significant impact on how smartphones manage power during intense activities. It’s an essential tool for gamers and users who demand the best from their phones. If you’re someone who wants to avoid overheating and maintain optimal performance, bypass charging might just be the solution you’ve been waiting for.

Google resolves issue causing Nest speakers, displays to fail answering basic requests

It’s still investigating what led to Nest products becoming suddenly unhelpful.

What you need to know

  • Google Home and Nest products experienced an issue that led speakers and displays to become unresponsive this week.
  • The problem specifically affected verbal commands, even those as simple as “What’s the weather?”.
  • Google says the issue should be resolved for most users now, and is investigating what caused the problem.

Google said today it resolved widespread issues withGoogle Homeand Nest products not responding to commands that plagued users for nearly a week. First reported byAndroid Authority, the problems left Home and Nest speakers and displays incapable of answering even the most basic questions, like the time or the weather. The company is still investigating what caused the problems, but confirmed most users shouldn’t experience the unresponsiveness now.

“The team is still investigating the root cause but have resolved the issue, so all users should be up and running now,” a Google spokesperson explained.

The problems, which specifically affected voice commands, can be traced back to at least Dec. 30 as evidenced bypostson Google’s support forum (via9to5Google). Although the Nest Hub displays in particular showed the correct weather and time, the voice assistant requests would hang up when asking for the same information. The displays showed a perpetual loading screen and couldn’t respond to basic requests.

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Certain requests, like smart home or media control, were still functional. However, anything that required a Home or Nest speaker or display to fetch a response would fail. Luckily, it appears that the issues are resolved. Android Authority reported that its issues were no longer affecting its units, and Android Central tested that itsGoogle Home HubandNest Hub Maxwere both able to respond to requests.

It’s unclear what caused the speakers and displays to become unable to respond to requests over the last week or so. The bug could be related to how Google Home and Nest products decide which one will respond to requests, assupport posts indicatepeople with multiple speakers or displays were adversely affected.

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Google support and Reddit posts chronicled the understandable frustration of users, but at least the issues appear to be resolved for now.

Gemini’s Deep Research feature is available across more languages and regions

Credit: Google

What you need to know

  • Gemini Advanced’s Deep Research feature was first announced for users early this month for English language.
  • The feature is now being expanded to more languages and regions.
  • Deep Research allows users to explore complex topics and convert them to an easy-to-read report within minutes.

Google has rolled out impressive upgrades for its Gemini, and as part of the upgrade, it also announced a new tool dubbed Deep Research for Gemini Advanced users, which is now expanding to more countries and in additional new languages.

Deep Research is a personal AI research assistant tool for Gemini AI users, and it is now available in over 45 languages and across 100 countries worldwide, the company announced for Gemini Advanced users just before the holidays. Users can try it by selecting “Gemini 1.5 Pro with Deep Research” from the Gemini Advanced drop-down menu.

Deep Research aims to save hours of time by “deeply analyzing relevant information from across the web,” making the AI assistant even more helpful than it already is.

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For instance, if you raise a question, Deep Research “creates a multi-step research plan for you to either revise or approve. Once you approve, it begins deeply analyzing relevant information from across the web on your behalf.”

The new feature will try to explore complex topics and convert them to a more comprehensive and easy-to-read report, which can further be exported to your Google Docs.

The organized report will also include links with original sources, relevant websites, or businesses if users want to dive in further for more details. Since it’s an AI assistant, users can further ask follow-up questions or ask it to refine, and it will generate reports within minutes.

The search giant began the Deep Research rollout early this month for Gemini Advanced users on Desktop and mobile web. While the initial rollout was for English-speaking users, the latest announcement adds languages and more countries as aforementioned. The Gemini mobile app users, however, can expect the feature rollout as early as next year, according to the announcement blog post.

How to enable Identity Check on a Pixel phone

This extra layer of security ensures no one can tamper with your sensitive data when you’re travelling.

Google’s Pixel line of smartphones is being regularly updated with new features, and theDecember 2024 Pixel feature dropexpanded the safety and security features of Pixel phones even further. Identity Check is a new beta feature that forces you to perform a biometric authentication whenever you make any sensitive action on a Pixel phone away from your home or workplace.

This can include actions like accessing saved passkeys or app passwords, changing the PIN, and so on. It’s a super-handy feature to have when traveling as it prevents unwanted people from compromising the security of your Pixel device, making thebest Android phoneseven better.

Since Identity Check is still in beta, it’s not available in the stable version ofAndroid 15. You’ll need toregisteryour Pixel device for the Android Beta for Pixel program, after which you’ll automatically get theAndroid 15 QPR2 Betaupdate on your phone.

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How to enable Identity Check on Pixel phones

1. Open theSettingsapp.

2. TapGoogleand then theAll Servicesbutton below your email ID.

3. Scroll a bit till you seeTheft protectionunder thePersonal & device safetysub-menu. (Alternatively, you can navigate toSecurity & privacy > Device unlockto access Theft protection.)

4. Just below the animated image, you should seeIdentity Check.

5. The setup screen gives you some basic information about how it works and even how you can disable it if you choose to later. TapNext.

6. You’ll see a checklist of some of the prerequisites that are needed in order to enable Identity Check. If you’ve not done some, like set a screen lock or biometrics, you’ll be prompted to complete those steps.

7. You’ll also need toadd a few trusted placesthat you frequent. Identity Check should not kick in if you try to change a password in one of the trusted places.

8. Once you see check marks for all the requirements, tapDone.

9. On the final Identity Check screen, enable theUse Identity checktoggle.

Note:If you don’t want to install Android beta on your daily driver Pixel device, you’ll have to wait till Identity Check is out of beta and included in the stable version of Android 15 via a future update.

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Pixels now have added security for your sensitive information when you travel

With features like Identity Check, Google is really doubling down on privacy and security for its Pixel devices. You can add any number of trusted places that you frequent to avoid unnecessary authentication steps before you can perform any sensitive actions. Google specifies that Identity Check will only work on devices that support Class 3 biometrics. If you don’t see that option under Theft Protection, then your device doesn’t support it.

Google has specified all the sensitive actions that would trigger Identity Check and require additional biometric authentication. They are as follows:

  • Access saved passwords and passkeys using Google Password Manager.
  • Autofill passwords in apps from Google Password Manager (except Chrome).
  • Change screen lock, PIN, pattern, and password.
  • Change Fingerprint or Face Unlock.
  • If you do a Factory reset.
  • Turn off Find My Device.
  • Turn off any theft protection features.
  • View trusted places.
  • Set up a new device with your current device.
  • Add or remove a Google Account.
  • Access Developer options.

This added layer of protection should give you peace of mind if someone tries to access some of your phone’s security settings when you’re traveling. It’s not just new features that are being added with Google’s update, though. TheDecember security patch for Pixelsincluded several fixes for audio stability and performance in some situations for Pixel 6 toPixel 9series devices. Other display and camera issues were also addressed with this update.

You’ve got more time – the great Google Maps Timeline switch gets a new deadline date

But the amount of time may vary, confusingly…

  • The great Google Maps Timeline switch deadline has been extended
  • It keeps Timeline data exclusively on your smartphone
  • Google gives you control over how long your data is saved for

Earlier this yearGoogle announcedthat itsGoogle MapsTimeline feature – which tracks where you go, over time – would be only available on phones in the future, with the web portal scheduled to be shut down near the end of 2024. Now it seems you’ve got a bit longer to switch over, if you want to keep your data.

As spotted by9to5Google,Android Police, and others, a significant number of users are getting emails and on-screen alerts mentioning a deadline of June 9, 2025. If you want to keep the Timeline data you’ve got stored in the cloud after that date, you need to move it to your Android or iOS phone before the deadline.

However, that revised date may not be the same for everyone: on my phone, I’m getting a message that sets a deadline of April 6, 2025. Previously,Google has saidthat users get “approximately six months” from their first notification about this to move over, so it may depend on if you’ve already been warned.

To be sure, load up Google Maps on your phone, tap your account picture (top right), then choose Your Timeline. If you do want to keep your data on your phone going forward, you’ll be taken step-by-step through the process. At the same time, you can select how long Timeline data is saved for.

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What’s going on?

Look out for an alert like this on your phone 

For years, Google has offered an optional Location History feature that tracks your comings and goings via your phone. The Timeline – available via the Google Maps apps and website – has been the user-facing part of Location History, letting you go back in time to see visited places and trips taken for any specific day, week, or month.

While some users are understandably reticent to let Google keep that much information, Timeline appears to be pretty popular: people use it to relive vacations and road trips, find that coffee shop they really liked that they visited two years ago, and to make sure their travel expenses are in order, for example.

The changes now underway mean Timeline data won’t be stored in the cloud or available on the web any more – it’ll just be on your phone. Googlehasn’t said too muchabout the reasons why, but presumably privacy and data security are the main ones. In addition, Location History (including settings for deleting older data) is fully folding into Timeline.

While encrypted backups will still enable users to move Timeline data between devices in the future (for new phone upgrades, for example), the shift will be inconvenient for those who liked to explore their travel history through Google Maps on the web, or who had several different devices contributing to it.

A ‘Year in Search’ highlights Google’s top trends across AI and shows in 2024

Take a look back at what piqued your interest the most in 2024.

(Image credit: Google)

What you need to know

  • Google highlighted its “Year in 2024” data for what users searched for the most in Search and AI.
  • Circle to Search and Lens were used to “identify items,” shop, and translate items and users were the most curious about Benson Boone’s song “Beautiful Things.”
  • The top trending search in 2024 was Copa America while the most searched for movie was Disney’s Inside Out 2.

As the year winds down, Google is taking a look back at what users searched for the most across multiple categories.

In aKeyword post, the company highlighted various top trending searches for various user interests, like AI. Google highlighted what users searched for the most in since the arrival of Circle to Search, as well as Google Lens. The post states users used both tools to translate, shop, and “identify items” in 2024.

Moreover, the company adds that users usually combined a search with “how to use” when searching for an item visually.

Google Maps was tossed in, as the post states users looked up information about the Las Vegas Sphere and Italy’s Arena di Verona this year.

Circle to Searchlaunched earlier this year alongside the Galaxy S24 series and the Pixel 8 before hitting other phones. Additionally,Google Lensgrabbed some nifty upgrades like the ability for users to record videos.

Speaking of AI and Search, in Google’s main “Year in Search” overview, the company highlighted what songs users hummed to its engine the most.

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(Image credit: Google)

  1. Copa America
  2. UEFA European Championship
  3. ICC Men’s T20 World Cup
  4. India vs England
  5. Liam Payne
  1. Inside Out 2
  2. Deadpool & Wolverine
  3. Saltburn
  4. Beetlejuice Beetlejuice
  5. Dune: Part Two
  1. Baby Reindeer
  2. Fallout
  3. House of the Dragon
  4. Heeramandi
  5. Shōgun

Google’s main “Year in Search” overview for 2024 continues with the top pieces of news for 2024. According to Google, its data shows that people searched for (in order) the U.S. Election, Excessive Heat, Olympics, Hurricane Milton, and 台風 気象 情報 台風 第 10 号 (Typhoon No. 10 around Japan) the most this year.

When it came to “People,” Google states the top trending searches were Donald Trump, Catherine the Princess of Wales, Kamala Harris, Imane Khelif, and Joe Biden.

In “Sports,” the New York Yankees took the top spot, followed by the Los Angeles Dodgers, Inter Miami CF, Bayer 04 Leverkusen, and the Boston Celtics. And, lastly, in “Gaming,” the top trending searches were for Connections, Palworld, Infinite Craft, Sprunki, and Helldivers 2.

In November, Google detailed itstop apps and gamesvia the Play Store for 2024. Partiful took the award for the “Best App of 2024” due to its reinvention of event planning. For mobile gaming, AFK Journey won “Best Game” while Max took the cake for “Best Multi-device App.”

Other worthy mentions include Hoyoverse’s Honkai: Star Rail for “Best Ongoing Game,” PBS Kids Video for “Best for Cars,” and Dragon Rider by Taran Matharu for “Favorite Fantasy” book in 2024.

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Without saying it, Google basically confirmed Android 16 and 17 won’t offer any fantastic new features

The Pixel 6 can’t do much more than it already does.

Google hasadded two more years of software supportto thePixel 6 series, thePixel 7 series, and theoriginal Pixel Fold. That’s fantastic news for anyone using these phones; since they use aGoogle-designed Tensor chip, it’s what should have been promised all along.

It says a bit more about Android’s immediate future, even if it doesn’t spell it out: don’t expect the next killer feature(s) to be part of Android.

You’re right if you’re thinking that Google hasn’t said anything about Android 17 yet and really hasn’t told us much about Android 16. but it doesn’t need to because we now know that whatever it is, the Pixel 6 will (hopefully) be able to run it.

The Pixel 6 wasn’t a bad phone, but let’s be honest — its Tensor chip isn’t a powerhouse, and having “only” 8GB of RAM means it’s missing many on-device AI features. It was built before Pixel phones needed chips that could process AI even faster and the memory to power the features that came along with it. We quickly saw that just one year later.

Here’s the thing — none of that, or any of Google’s AI magic, is part of Android. It’s all proprietary Google property that it releases to select devices as it sees fit. Android has been like this for a while, with Google holding back many of the features you think come with it and deciding which phones from which companies can have them. If you ever get your hands on a device that runs the free and open version of Android, you’ll easily see how it is lacking.

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I like to call this thePixel paywall. Google shows us a new feature, spends 30 minutes on a stage to tell us how great it is and why we should want it, then says you only get it if you buy a new Pixel phone.

This isn’t nothing new; every other tech company does the same thing. The difference is other tech companies don’t offer a “free” operating system that powers billions of smartphones.

We’re going to see this again withAndroid 16when Google debuts a new Pixel phone. All of the new features are going to be Google’s own and not freely available as part of Android, and a handful of them will only be available for thePixel 10. Don’t expect many (or any) of them for your Pixel 6. You won’t be disappointed that way.

There’s nothing wrong with this. I don’t like it, and I know other people who feel the same way, but nobody should expect a for-profit company to turn over its best software features or the secret algorithms that power them as free software, no matter how restrictive the licensing is. Google is doing what we should expect it to do.

Future versions of Android will have plenty of other changes under the hood, and those can be very important, especially in terms of stability, security, and privacy. Many of those “API changes” that don’t get much press do just that and are 100% necessary and important.

Things like camera tricks or fancy AI-powered home screen features are separate, the same way Samsung’s are for Samsung phones or Apple’s are for iPhones. Google realizes their value and knows it will entice a few people enough to buy a new Pixel phone even though their Pixel 6 is still supported and does everything it did when it was new and more.

It’s still great that Google realizes it has an obligation (yes, I said obligation) to support Tensor-powered devices as long as possible.Nvidia can tell them a thing or twoabout how having control over the brains of an Android device means you cansupport it for a decade. Or longer.

Google Wallet can now hold your US passport

（Source: Google）

Now you’ve got one less thing you have to fish for in your pocket or purse at the airport. Starting today, Google Wallet can carry a digital copy of your US passport and use them at Transportation Safety Administration (TSA) checkpoints.

If you want toadd your passportto Google’s virtual wallet, first you’ll need to download the Google Wallet app and log into your account or create one. Check the prompt “create an ID pass with your US passport” and follow the instructions. The app will ask you to take a video selfie to verify your identity and scan the security chip in your passport. It should only take a few minutes for Google to confirm your identity.

Your digital passport won’t work at every airport. Currently, there are 27 states (and Puerto Rico) with at least one airport that accepts digital forms of identification.The TSA websitecan show you which states and airports accept digital IDs.

Google has been testingthe use and storage of digital passports in Google Wallet for some time. Several states have started accepting digital IDs just in the last few months.New Mexicois the newest state to accept digital IDs including driver’s licenses and state IDs in Apple Wallet and Google Wallet.