Nathan Drescher

Ottawa

📸 Tech journalist - Android Police / ZDNet / Digital Trends / iMore - 🇨🇦 made in Canada - recipient of 2022 OCNA journalism award

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Articles

Samsung Auto is packed with features you can’t use

1 week ago | androidpolice.com | Nathan Drescher

Samsung Auto is an in-car OS that is exclusive to China, using Baidu and ICCOA standards for wired and wireless connectivity. The interface resembles Android Auto, supports navigation, music, widgets, and Bixby as voice assistant. It comes with a few neat features, including "Quick navigation," instant message navigation, and address recognition. One UI 7 is rolling out, albeit slowly.
Google Keep's redesigned widgets are here

1 week ago | androidpolice.com | Nathan Drescher

Google Keep's updated widget now follows Material You guidelines, with a cleaner design and new shape options. The new widget utilizes homescreen space better, with larger flower-style options and more rounded buttons. The update only affects the quick-capture widget for Google Keep. Google Keep, potentially one of the most beloved of Google's suite of apps, has been getting some much-needed attention lately. Proof of this can be found with the new Google Keep widget rolling out today.
Hugo Barra is back in consumer tech with Sonos board seat

1 week ago | androidpolice.com | Nathan Drescher

Sonos brings Hugo Barra to its board as long-time director Mike Volpi steps down. Barra brings a wealth of experience from Google, Xiaomi, and Meta. This could signal a shift for the company as it pivots back to creating exceptional audio products. Sonos has had a rough year, with executive shakeups, failed video players, and a disastrous new app rollout. Sonos may be turning things around at the highest levels, however.
Proton Mail's Android app is getting rebuilt from the ground up

2 weeks ago | androidpolice.com | Nathan Drescher

Proton Mail is revamping its Android & iOS apps for faster performance, offline mode, & advanced search. The new Proton Mail app will include features like category view and better stability. The Proton ecosystem updates include a rebuilt Calendar app with a focus on search, tasks, offline access & team setup. Proton Mail is getting one of its biggest overhauls yet. The Swiss privacy-focused email will soon have a completely rebuilt Android app, set to arrive this summer.
Google Maps now helps cities fix signs and roads

2 weeks ago | androidpolice.com | Nathan Drescher

Google's Street View data can now help analyze infrastructure like roads and utility poles. New tools like Imagery Insights and Roads Management can help plan future traffic congestion. Businesses can utilize Google's infrastructure imagery and weather data for expansion planning and local trend understanding. Who hasn't wasted time by exploring random places on Google Maps with Street View?
Samsung’s latest SmartThings update lets you broadcast to connected speakers

2 weeks ago | androidpolice.com | Nathan Drescher

The latest Samsung SmartThings update allows broadcasting voice messages to connected smart speakers. New automation tools sync with Samsung Health for sci-fi-like routines. Support for Matter 1.4 and Calm Onboarding show us Samsung's vision for the future of the smart home. There's a new update for SmartThings and it brings some big changes. The standout feature? Users can now broadcast voice messages to speakers in their homes directly through the SmartThings app.
Google confirms a NotebookLM app is on the way

2 weeks ago | androidpolice.com | Nathan Drescher

Google is finally developing a native NotebookLM mobile app after being web-only since late 2023. A mobile app will enhance the tool's usability and aid in user discovery. Google hasn't disclosed platform support or release date for the new app, but users can install a PWA while they wait for the mobile app release. Google's AI-powered NotebookLM has only been available as a website, despite launching over a year ago. That's finally about to change.
One UI 7 makes Samsung’s weather app smarter

2 weeks ago | androidpolice.com | Nathan Drescher

The new weather app simplifies weather widgets and offers clearer descriptions for UV levels, humidity, and wind. The new update includes a "life forecast" feature for tailored outdoor activity weather insights. This update makes the weather app more usable and convenient for daily use, with simplified widgets and easy swiping between locations. One UI 7 continues to roll out around the world. One part of the update includes an oft-overlooked, yet essential, app refresh.
Samsung could give the Galaxy Watch 8 a slight battery bump

3 weeks ago | androidpolice.com | Nathan Drescher

Samsung's Galaxy Watch 8 has a slight battery upgrade from Watch 7, at 435mAh versus 425mAh. Safety Korea certifications hint at model numbers SM-L330, SM-L335 (44mm) and SM-L320, SM-L325 (40mm) for Watch 8. Watch 8 Classic is likely unified in size, potentially bringing back a physical rotating bezel. The next generation of Samsung smartwatches is on the way. We've started seeing the Galaxy Watch 8 appearing in regulatory databases, which gives us a good idea of some of its key details.
Amazon’s expensive Alexa+ is now available on certain devices

3 weeks ago | androidpolice.com | Nathan Drescher

Alexa+ is rolling out to some Amazon Echo Show devices in the United States. Many of the new features do not work well or are missing completely. Amazon says the new Alexa is smarter and more conversational, and can summarize emails and tell bedtime stories. Amazon's upgraded AI assistant is finally making its real-world debut, but it seems to be a bit of a dud.