Google has gone ahead and polished its in-car smartphone mirroring system, Android Auto. On Tuesday, the company announced a handful of updates coming to the popular infotainment replacement that should make the system easier to use and provide a little more entertainment for passengers.

On the interface side of things, Google implemented new shortcuts to keep the features you want most ready and quickly available. For example, shortcuts can quickly take you to your contacts list, pull up the Google Assistant or even tinker with your home's temperature if you have a compatible thermostat in the house. For cars with "wider screens," Android Auto will now include a split-screen view, too. When enabled, drivers can see a real-time view of Google Maps and media controls to further consolidate functions on the screen. Don't want people plucking away at your screen while motoring along? Google has a solution for that, too, as it rolls out a privacy screen option to control when the system appears on your car's display.

The updates bundle some nifty in-car games as well. Not games to pull your eyes off the road, but basic games running with Google Assistant as a moderator of sorts. Voice-activated games such as Jeopardy will run via Android Auto now, so you can burn some time on a road trip with good ol' fashioned trivia. It all starts with the assistant's wake-up phrase, "Hey, Google." From there ask the system to play a game.

On top of it all, custom wallpapers become a thing with the spring update, so you can choose from a variety of "car-inspired" backgrounds, rather than stick with the usual look, should you desire.

Google said the update will work with any phone running Android 6.0 or newer. And although spring doesn't start just yet, users should begin to receive the update in the coming days.

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Storage has seldom been a problem with Google. Google gives all users 15GB for the data that can be automatically backed up at no additional cost. Now, Google intends to add more security by introducing its Virtual Private Network (VPN) for users. Once the limit of 15GB is reached, users can opt-in for a paid membership. Users subscribed to plans with 2TB and higher can enable the VPN at no cost.

Google also made One App storage manager and backup tools available to all users at no extra cost in July.

Google is bringing out its VPN for Google One subscribers using the 2TB storage plan and higher. It is currently rolling out in the US for Android users and Google said it will be made available on iOS, Windows and Mac as well and in other countries in the coming months.

According to Google, the VPN will be the extra layer of online protection for your Android phone and peace of mind that your data is safe. Eligible Google One users can enable the VPN from their phones with just a tap. Google highlighted the problem with public WiFis and unsecured networks putting the privacy of users at risk.

"We already build advanced security into all our products, and the VPN extends that security to encrypt all of your phone’s online traffic, no matter what app or browser you’re using. The VPN is built into the Google One app, so with just one tap, you can rest assured knowing your connection is safe from hackers," Google noted.

In India, three membership plans for monthly backup storage come at Rs 130, Rs 210 and Rs 650. They provide 100GB, 200GB, and 2TB storage options respectively. These plans can also be bought at an annual payment of Rs 1300, Rs 2100, and Rs 6500 respectively.

Paid memberships also bring in added benefits of sharing the membership plan with up to five additional family members, live customer care from Google, and Google Play credits. They can also enable the VPN on their own devices at no extra cost.

Source: indiatoday

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Due to COVID-19, many companies had to modify to Home Offices. And continue with their regular operations but all online. Thus, encouraging the use of apps with functions of videotelephony and online chat services such as Google Meet.

Lately, more and better functions are being added to the apps with the help of collaborations that Google does with programmers who design extensions in its browser. 

So, here are a few extensions that will help you step up your productivity through a video call.

Google Meet Call Timer

This extension allows you to know the duration of your Google Meet Call. As a timer is added to your Google Meet Calls. 

Google Meet Grid View

Each participant in the meeting is given an equal size of video without keynoting a speaker in this new extension. One can enable Grid View in google meet by clicking the button in the top right bar right next to the chat and participant list.

Google Meet Push To Talk

This extension simply serves as a plugin that allows you to mute and unmute the sound by just pressing a key(space bar) rather than fumbling around the mute icon. 

Nod–Reactions for Google Meet

When running larger meetings on Google Meet, it can be difficult to evaluate feedback in real-time as you speak. Nod allows team members to send real-time reactions to presenters and speakers during meetings on Google Meet such as raising a hand, clapping.

Source: google news

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