Tag: Google

Google has begun the process of rolling out several accessibility updates to Google Sheets, Google Slides and Google Drawings.  The updates are all for the web-based versions of these G Suite solutions and are cloud-side changes that will be rolling out to all accounts over the course of the next couple of weeks.

First, Braille support has been added to Google Sheets.  Joining support that is already in Docs and Slides, within Sheets you will be able to use a Braille display to read and edit cell content as well as navigate between cells on a sheet.  Initially support for this will only be available on Chrome OS with the ChromeBox screen reader.  Google indicated in the release notes that they are working on support for other platforms and readers.

As Google Assistant has grown in capabilities, both natively as well as integration from developer and manufactures, sorting out what Assistant can do has become increasingly challenging.  I have several friends who have Google Home and when they ask me if Assistant can do this or that, my default answer to this point has been, “I don’t know.  Just ask it and let’s see if it can do it.”  Now that is going to change.

Google has turned on a new Google Assistant actions page which, in one location, shows you all of the actions that Assistant can perform.  You will see the over 1 million actions that can be done natively or through 3rd party integrations.

For the first time in many years, Google will be at CES in Las Vegas this coming week.  It is the first time the company has had any real presence at the massive electronics show since 2015 but it has been a lot longer than that since they have had a booth.  Not only will they have a booth, a massive one in the Central Plaza, but it looks like they are going to be heavily focusing on Google Assistant during the show.

The company made a blog post yesterday, highlighting the growth of Google Assistant and Google home over the course of 2017.  Assistant is now available on 400 million devices and in a doze different countries.  But the takeaway from the post was the last paragraph.

No matter where you are, the Google Assistant is here to help you make the most of 2018. And next week, we have even more things in store for the Assistant at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas. If you’re at CES, stop by the Google Assistant Playground (Central Plaza-21) to check out some of our new integrations, devices, and the newest ways you can use your Assistant

It would appear that next week, we are going to see some announcements about Assistant and, potentially, some new hardware.

Google has made a change to their transaction fee schedule for Android Developers that, eventually, works in their favor.  Effective January 1, 2018, developers who have a subscriber who has been using their app for 12 months will get their transaction fee cut from 30% to 15%.  This only impacts subscriptions and not one-off in-app purchases.

Google has outlined the rules of engagement on this for developers and there is a bit of wiggle room on it.  Basically to quality for the cut, the subscriber has to fall in one of these areas over a 12 months period.

• Subscribers within a grace period
• Subscribers with introductory pricing
• Subscribers who upgrade or downgrade to a different plan
• Subscribers who re-sign up within two months of canceling

The move is aimed to give developers more money and mirrors, to an extent, what Apple did in 2017.

The Android Oreo update for the Android One version of the Moto X4 is now rolling out.  This is the version of the mid-level phone that launched on Project Fi earlier this year.  Google, at the time of the launch, stated that they would have the Oreo update out on the phone by the end of the year.  With 8 days to spare, they fulfilled that promise.

The Oreo update comes with firmware build OPW27.1 and it comes with everything that comes in Android 8. The new build also brings the December Android Security Update to the device.  The update is just over 1GB in size so it will need to be downloaded via WiFi and you’ll need to have 80% battery to install it or be plugged into AC.

As for the non-Android One variant of the X4 getting the Android Oreo update, it doesn’t appear to be happening yet.

With the holiday season in full swing, Google has rolled out a new holidays promotion in the Google Play Store.  The aptly named Google 12 Days of Play brings discounts to games, movies and television shows, books and discounts on subscriptions.  It is a pretty impressive offer and there is likely something for everyone in the promotion.

Let’s talk about apps.  In the Google 12 Days of Play, there are 20 games that are discounted up to 80% on offer.  You can find the full list here but some of the games include:

• Minecraft: Story Mode Season 2  for .99 Cents (normally $4.99)
• Bloons TD 5 for .99 Cents (normally $2.99)
• Final Fantasy Tactics: WotL for $4.99 (normally $11.99)
• The Game of Life for .99 Cents (normally $2.99)
• The Room Three for .99 Cents (normally $3.99)
• Need for Speed Most Wanted for .99 Cents (normally $4.99)