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jeudi 3 décembre 2020

Google is bringing its improved Voice Access app for voice controls to older Android phones

Google has announced an improved version of its Voice Access accessibility app, which allows you to control your Android phone’s functions with just your voice. Well. OK, technically, that’s not quite true. This is the improved version we saw launching as part of Android 11. The good news is that it has now been made available to all users running Android 6.0 and above. The updated version, rolling out in beta starting today, has had a visual facelift. Instead of confusing the view by printing numbers against items on the page, the updated version uses optional label overlays which can be summoned by saying “Show Labels” and “Hide Labels” as you need them.

Functionality improvements come from Google’s AI, which has contextual awareness, which now lets you say “search for XDA TV” in YouTube, or “get me home” in Google Maps, rather than having to use your voice to navigate to the search bar, say your search string, then say “enter”, which was a bit clunky. When you install the beta, you can set it to run whenever you start your phone, or alternatively say “Hey Google, Voice Access” on an ad-hoc basis.

As Google rightly points out, the use cases for Voice Access aren’t limited to people with physical disabilities, such as spinal cord injuries. It can also be a huge help if you’ve hurt your hand, or your phone is on the other side of the room, or you’re carrying the shopping, or you’re cooking, or wearing gloves…. the possibilities are almost endless.

Because the app is still in beta, you won’t automatically be upgraded to the new version. Instead, you’ll have to join the beta program at this link. After that, install the standard Play Store version (if you haven’t already) and wait for Google to update you over-the-air.

Voice Access (Free, Google Play) →

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Android Auto expands to 36 more countries in Europe and Asia

Thanks to the COVID-19 pandemic, commuter culture has completely changed. Instead of driving for an hour to get to work, people simply walk into the next room. Despite the roads being a little less crowded this year, that isn’t stopping Google from expanding support for Android Auto, which is now available in 36 new countries in Europe and Asia.

Here’s the full list of new countries getting Android Auto, according to Google:

Albania
Angola
Armenia
Belarus
Belgium
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Botswana
Bulgaria
Croatia
Cyprus
Czech Republic
Denmark
Estonia
Finland
Greece
Hungary
Iceland
Indonesia
Latvia
Lithuania
Luxembourg
Macedonia
Malta
Moldova
Netherlands
Norway
Poland
Portugal
Romania
Serbia
Slovakia
Slovenia
Sweden
Thailand
Turkey
Ukraine

While Android Auto is starting to arrive in some of these markets today, it could take a few months to fully roll out. Once the rollout is complete, Android Auto will be available in 70 countries across the globe.

Users with Android 10 and above simply need to plug their device into a compatible car to use Android Auto, as the service is preloaded on all devices with GMS. Devices with Android 9 and earlier need to download the Android Auto app from Google Play. Note that wireless Android Auto support requires Android 11 or a Google or Samsung phone running Android 10+.

If you’ve never used Android Auto, it’s a great tool to use while on the road, whether you’re commuting to work, going on a road trip, or trying to visit a new food spot. Once your Android phone is plugged into a compatible head unit, your apps will show up onscreen. You can use select apps optimized for Android Auto and approved by Google, such as Waze, Spotify, and Google Calendar.

You can also get help from Google Assistant, so you never have to take your eyes off the road. Android Auto is one of those experiences that, once you use it and it doesn’t break on you, you never want to hit the road without it. And it continues to improve every year, so it’s good to see that, despite the challenging year we’ve had, Android Auto is available in even more regions.

Android Auto - Google Maps, Media & Messaging (Free, Google Play) →

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Google Maps is adding a Go tab to help you quickly navigate to frequently visited places

Google Maps has been getting a fair amount of TLC lately, and today is no exception. The mapping app has already gained a pseudo-social layer this week, and now it’s gaining a “Go Tab” too. It solves the long-standing problem of having to manually look up the same route over and over again. Instead, the Go Tab contains details of your frequently-used journeys, so you can plot them again with one-click.

According to Google, the Go Tab is accessed by simply hitting the “Go” disc in the bottom right of the screen, as you would when entering a destination, but leaving the search string empty. Once you’re taken into the list of your previous queries, you’ll find that some have been highlighted for you. With a further click, you can drill down to your wider search history. Once you’ve found the journeys you want to keep handy, you can choose to pin them for future use, or even pin multiple queries for the same route, for example, if you sometimes walk to work, but sometimes use the bus, you can pin both methods of transport to a single destination, making it easy to look up either the route or the timetables and ETAs for mass transit.

The renewed investment in Google Maps has been inspired, at least in part, by the dumpster fire that is 2020. Earlier in the Fall, it added a feature that shows how busy mass transit is likely to be at the time of your journey, helping you to better plan for social distancing. The company has also been using Google Maps in its offline advertising, encouraging users to leave reviews of local businesses as a method of helping them recover from the spate of closures forced by the global pandemic.

The Go Tab is rolling out globally from today. If it’s not working for you, check for updates in the Play Store. If it’s still not working, hang tight, as we all know, these things sometimes take a few weeks to roll out to everyone.

Maps - Navigate & Explore (Free, Google Play) →

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Google’s Nearby Share will soon let you share your Android apps with your peers

With Nearby Share, you can seamlessly share links, photos, and more with other Android users. It’s a great alternative to Apple’s AirDrop, and it’s getting even better with a new update.

Google has announced that Nearby Share will soon be able to share apps from Google Play with other Android users — even without a WiFi or cellular connection.

“Simply open Google Play, go to the ‘Share Apps’ menu in the ‘My Apps & Games,’ select the apps you want to share, and let your friend accept the incoming apps,” Google said.

It’s a great way to share your favorite apps and games with friends and family. And the fact that you don’t need a WiFi or cellular connection makes the feature even sweeter. It’s quality-of-life features like Nearby Share that get us excited about technology.

Unfortunately, Google didn’t reveal any technical details about sharing apps between devices, so we’re not sure if there are any additional requirements outside of running Android 6.0 and above. For now, we assume it will work on all devices that support Nearby Share.

Before Nearby Share, Google never had an easy and unified way to share files. But now the feature is taking things to the next level. If you’re unfamiliar with Nearby Share, it’s really easy to use. Choose the content you want to share, tap share, find the “Nearby” icon, and choose the person you want to send content to. The person receiving the content simply needs to tap accept, and that’s that.

When Nearby Share was introduced, Google said it designed the feature with privacy in mind. For example, you can send and receive files anonymously. You can also choose which contacts (all, some, or none) are able to immediately see you when you turn on the feature.

Google said that Nearby Share with apps will be begin rolling out in the coming weeks.

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Xbox Series X and Series S Restocks: When, where, and how to buy Microsoft’s new gaming console

It’s time for a new gaming console generation, so you know what that means… time to hopelessly try to get a new console! Like most new generational launches, the Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S is difficult to find, and many are left waiting for seconds-long Xbox Series X and S restocks. It’s a frustrating situation for sure, and while we can’t offer you a surefire way to get an Xbox Series X or Series S, we can help by gathering everything you need to know in one place. Check out the below and happy hunting!

By the way, we also have a restock guide for the PlayStation 5!

When and where will the Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S be restocked?

While we believe the information below is accurate, it’s important to note that sometimes restocks don’t happen as planned. Restocks may go up late, websites may break, or retailers may just change their minds. This information is to help you plan for possible restocks.

Stock for the new Xbox series of systems seems to be doing a bit better than the PlayStation 5, but it’s still difficult to grab one. A Microsoft spokesperson even told CNET that stock will be limited until April 2021.

But, that doesn’t mean that stock is completely gone until then. Amazon and Best Buy have occasionally been dropping stock of the new consoles, but it’s often without warning. You can check their store pages occasionally, but it’s often best that you follow Twitter accounts or bots that provide minute-to-minute updates on the Xbox Series consoles.

Other retailers are light on details about the Xbox Series X|S, so it’s unclear if they’ll get any new stock before Christmas. We’ll let you know if we hear anything!

If you really need an Xbox Series X or S before Christmas, you can pick one up for an inflated price at StockX. Xbox prices seem to be less inflated than the PlayStation 5, at least! Also, StockX is a bit safer at the moment for buying a reseller console. eBay is unfortunately full of misleading listings and flat out scams. If you’re going this route, stick with StockX!

General advice for restocks

Trying to get your hands on something with limited stock is really, really stressful. Make sure to give yourself the best chance you can by following the advice below!

Make sure you have an account at the store, and all personal information is updated. Restocks of popular items like the Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S put huge strains on websites. On top of that, when it comes to items like these, retailers will only allow you to hold it in your cart for a few minutes. Don’t waste your chance trying to update your address or payment information!
Start refreshing the page early. Often, retailers won’t put stock up at EXACTLY the moment they say. It may be a few minutes early or late. Get to the store page of the item you want before the restock time. You might get lucky!
Use Ctrl+F5, not just F5. This gives you a hard refresh, that doesn’t pull store information from the cache. So, you won’t get outdated information and will be able to see the “Buy” button as soon as possible!
It’s usually better to be on the computer, rather than your phone. While that is not always the case, mobile websites aren’t always optimized for fast refreshing. Or optimized for mobile viewing at all, sometimes. However, sometimes you can have better luck on a mobile app than a browser site. It’s not very often, though, so it’s best to start trying with your computer browser, first.

Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S Sstore Links

Don’t waste time and effort searching for store links when going for an Xbox Series X restock. We’ve gathered all the potential US retailers and the store pages you need below!

Xbox Series X links, online-only:

Xbox Series X links, in-store only:

Gamestop

Xbox Series X links, membership required:

Xbox Series S links, online-only:

Xbox Series S links, in-store only:

Gamestop

Xbox Series S links, membership required:

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Vietnamese VinSmart plans to bring its flagship phones to the US

After bagging a major manufacturing contract from an undisclosed US carrier earlier this year, Vietnamese smartphone manufacturer VinSmart has now revealed plans to debut its own Vsmart brand of flagship devices in the country. During a recent discussion session, Ms. Nguyen Thi Hong, General Director of VinSmart’s Mobile Division, announced that the company will focus on the US market in 2021 and launch phones in collaboration with major telecom service providers and through its own distribution channels.

In case you’ve never heard of VinSmart before, the company is a subsidiary of Vietnam’s biggest private conglomerate Vingroup, and it’s the third-largest smartphone manufacturer in Vietnam. The company offers some noteworthy devices, like the Vsmart Aris Pro, which is one of only two devices in the market today that feature an under-display camera.

Other than the innovative camera technology, the Vsmart Aris Pro features Qualcomm’s mid-range Snapdragon 730 chipset, coupled with 8GB of RAM and 128GB of onboard storage. The device packs a 6.39-inch FHD+ AMOLED display, a quad-camera setup on the back with a 64MP primary sensor, and a 20MP selfie shooter hidden under the display. It includes a 4,000mAh battery that supports 18W fast charging, and it runs VinSmart’s custom Android skin VOS 3.0 based on Android 10. The Vsmart Bee Lite is another noteworthy device from the company, which offers an Android Go experience at a sticker price of around $26 in Vietnam. This makes it one of the most affordable Android Go devices in the market today.

If all goes according to plan, you might soon be able to purchase these devices and other upcoming VinSmart flagships in the US. Along with these devices, VinSmart also plans to develop and launch a new range of affordable 5G devices in the US in collaboration with Qualcomm. The company has announced that it will also bring this new 5G lineup to Vietnam as soon as telecom service providers launch 5G services in the country.

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Google officially announces Connected Photos mode for Street View contributors

Google has officially announced a Connected Photos Mode add-on for Google Street View, allowing users to add photos of their travels without the need for a panoramic camera. We first reported on the feature last month, when it was spotted in testing under the name “Driving Mode”, but this morning, Google’s Keyword Blog took the covers off its official launch.

The service is made possible using Google’s AR-Core functionality, which is able to stitch together multiple photos on the fly, and match up overlapping photos, even if they were taken by different users at different times. The result is that users can contribute to the 360-degree panoramas of the Street View service, without the need of a mapping car, or even a 360-degree camera. Instead, AR-Core stitches everyone’s photos together and uses them to plug holes in its own data.

In the blog, Google explains that “Now that anyone can create their own connected Street View photos, we can bring better maps to more people around the world, capturing places that aren’t on Google Maps or that have seen rapid change. All you need is a smartphone—no fancy equipment required. ”

Public contributions to Google Street View are, in and of themselves, nothing new. The big change here is that, for the first time, there’s no special camera required, and Google will accept that would have previously been considered “incomplete”. Where Google has already mapped an area, that will appear as the primary source. If your view switches to a contributed view, this will be delineated by a blue dotted line.

To begin with, the service is available to users of AR-Core compatible devices in Toronto, Canada; New York, NY; Austin, TX; Nigeria; Indonesia and Costa Rica, with more regions being added ‘soon’. To access it, simply check you have the latest update for the Google Street View app, pop your phone in a dashboard-mounted phone holder, and map the world!

Google Street View (Free, Google Play) →

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