Category: Google

The last 24 hours have seen a flurry of updates from Google on their Android apps.  Google Photos, Google Play Music, Google Chrome and Google+ have all been updated in the last 24 hours and the latest to be added to that list is Google Translate.  For those who are not familiar with the app, Google Translate allows you to convert spoken or written text from one language to another.  It supports over 90 languages and is the closest thing to the Star Trek Universal Translator available today.  Simply speak to your phone in your native tongue and it is translated to your audience’s tongue and scarily accurate.  Or if you see a sign in one language but need it in your native language, point your camera at it and it will magically appear in your native language on your phone’s screen.

Now Google has smoothed out 40 of those conversations in this update to Google Translate while also improving the accessibility features of the app.  The update is version 4.0.0.RC08.99220384 for those keeping score at home and it is available for free now in the Google Play Store.

Google Translate for Android – Free – Download Now

All indications are it has been a busy week for the Google team.  Earlier today I told you about the update to Google Photos and Google Play Music that brought some improvements and fixes.  Now in the Google Play Store there are updates for Google Chrome and Google+ for Android available.  Both of these absolutely fall into the bug fix and performance improvement category so don’t look for any new functionality or features.  But, as always, you should update to the latest versions of Google Chrome and Google+ to keep up-to-date.

The Google Chrome build is version 44.0.2403.128 while the Google+ build is version 6.0.0.99065591 for those keeping score at home and like playing version number bingo.  The updates are for both Android phone and tablet devices.

Google Chrome for Android – Free – Download Now

Google+ for Android – Free – Download Now

Google has released another update to the Google Photos app for Android, bringing with it several new features aimed at giving you more editing functionality on your Android phone or tablet.  I’m personally a big fan of Google Photos and since the major update to it announced at I/O in June, it has become my first source for storing and editing photos.  If you haven’t given it a try I would suggest you do so.  I don’t think you will be disappointed.  This latest update, build 1.2.1.99143001 for those keeping score at home, allows you to edit your albums and photo descriptions all from your mobile device instead of having to go to the web to do it.

Google Photos for Android – Free – Download Now

Google continues to quietly improve Google Now and the latest change is one that users of 3rd party messaging services will appreciate.  Google has now added voice support for 3rd party messaging applications like WhatsApp and Viber, meaning you can send a message with these services without actually ever touching your Android phone or tablet. You have been able to do this with Hangouts for a while with Google Now but adding support for 3rd party solutions really shows how mature this feature has become in Android.

Google Maps for Android has been updated with several new features for users.  Probably the biggest update is the ability to view your timeline within the app to see where you have been on particular days.  It’s a great way to see where a daily journey has taken you, especially if you have had some flights in the mix. This latest update is version 9.12.0 for those keeping score at home and it is available now for both Android phones and tablets.

Google Maps for Android – Free – Download Now

Google Docs continues to evolve into a powerful word processing app and the latest update gives users even more ability when it comes to Microsoft Word docs.  You have been able to track changes in Word docs being viewed and edited by Google Docs and now you have the ability to reply to comments in those docs, not just read them.  This latest update is build 1.4.272.12.35 (gotta love Google’s version numbering system!) and it is for both Android phone and tablet devices.

Google Docs – Free – Download Now