In Android 11 we have seen a centralized hub for media control that is inside notification dropdown and now recently we have seen a smarter use of that place with the addition of playlist recommendations that you can tap on a whim you can get listening without opening the app. It now looks like YouTube Music is working for expanding on these outside-the-top controls.
The new music suggestions panel of YouTube Music now shows some extra options. The first one is shuffle button and you might require to squint a bit to see it right now because of an apparent visual bug. There is another playlist shortcut but instead of being recommendation, it lets you to access to your offline mixtape easily. You can access the options from your notification shade or even your lock screen without requiring to open full YouTube Music app saving you some taps. Both these options sit in the same place as the recommendation shelf currently does. If you have not seen the recommendation shelf on your phone yet then the chances are you will see it with these two options as well whenever it will come out to your device.
Articles
YouTube Music is looking to add recommendations to your phone’s lock screen
YouTube Music may have not been received well after the poor transition of Google Play Music but it is now shaping up to be competitive entry to music streaming market that you can get most out of. The service is adding new features, more music, revised designs and now YouTube Music has been spotted working on automated recommendations more front-and-center than before with some more music suggestions appearing in the media player area in the notification shade and also on the lock screen.
Music recommendations are starting to surface for the people on Android 12. They only show up when connecting with audio devices with Bluetooth or USB-C port, suggesting some playlists for you to dive into. The card makes it pretty much clear that the content is coming from YouTube Music with a YT Music label and the logo of the app appearing in the left and three suggestions visible on the right-hand side. YouTube Music has also started rolling out its personalized “Recommended radios” more widely. The playlist started rolling out in February for some and just now it has made its way in more phones.
Snapchat’s new paid subscription could allow you test exclusive features before anyone else
After Twitter and Telegram, Snapchat is also introducing the subscription. The company is working on introducing the paid premium service which may give access to pre-release features and various other premium options. It might be known as Snapchat Plus and may cost about $5 per month.
Snapchat is currently in the initial stages of testing of its subscription. The company is planning to use it to share some exclusive and pre-release features with our subscribers and learn more about how to serve our community efficiently. According to an app sleuth Alessandro Paluzzi there are more features in the app code that are under testing at the moment. According to him, Snapchat Plus subscribers will receive publicly visible badge on their profile page like Telegram Premium offers. The new features include the option to pin a friend as your number 1 BFF, how many friends have rewatched your story and to get access to exclusive Snapchat icons for your phone’s home screen. There will also be option for your best friend’s whereabouts from last 24 hours.
The auto-echo removal feature of Google Meet is getting better
While there are many workers who have been forced back into the office buildings but there are still some people are are working from home. Google Meet might not be essential tool as it was more than two years ago but the development of the features designed to make the meetings more enjoyable is not slowing down. For some Workspace customers, auto-echo removal is going to be a lot better.
Now Google Meet is going to be equipped with de-reverberation and it has been designed to automatically remove the noise picked up by your microphone from sound bouncing around your environment. If you are not present in the room that is filled with pads of acoustic foam than you sound will echo around the space. With the latest update, Google Meet will do its best to remove the frustrating sounds. It is a simple update but it could prove very handy. If you are recording a podcast remotely and you have a guest calling in to join the show, Google Meet’s de-reverb effect could bring their audio quality up to par with other participants.
Telegram is going to launch a Premium Version with Extra Features
Telegram is planning to launch premium tier with some extra features which are similar to Discord Nitro or Slack Pro. This tier will be called Telegram Premium and it is confirmed to launch at the end of this month. All the features which are free at the moment will remain free for everyone. Telegram has announced that free tier will be equipped with new features as well but it has not revealed what we are getting.
Telegram executive has not shared the details on Telegram premium but has said that it will let anyone to acquire additional features, resources and speed. He has also said that it will allow the users to support Telegram and be the first one to get the new features. Free users will benefit from Telegram premium indirectly like viewing extra-large documents sent by Premium users, saving the media and stickers or using their premium reactions for themselves.
Canceled Smartwatch of Facebook appears on Internet
Facebook has cancelled many of its upcoming projects and one of them is the discontinued smartwatch. It is still not clear that why this particular smartwatch was canceled but now some new details have emerged that has hinted what would have been the reason.
The smartwatch under discussion was codenamed Meta Milan and it was in the development stages for two years. This watch was expected to launch in 2023 but Meta announced that they are cancelling its development earlier this year. Now an alleged prototype of the Meta smartwatch has surfaced on the internet that shows its design and some of the specifications.
The prototype watch ahs got a removable dial that can sit on charging dock separately. It has got two buttons on the case as well as two cameras on the watch which are very rare in smartwatches. It has got a 5MP camera on the front and a 12MP sensor on the back. You can remove the dial in order to take pictures. The discontinued smartwatch was rumored to bring several features which include built-in support for WhatsApp, Instagram Stories, GPS, Spotify One, cellular and Wi-Fi connection and many more.
Google Contacts cards are now getting new colors
Google has spent most of the last year redesigning its lineup of Android apps ahead of the debut of Material You. Android 13 may not support all the new design language but that does not mean that the company is allowing its apps languish with last year’s look. Google Contacts was one of the first apps to get Material You-style design.
With the latest update to Google Contacts, this new user interface change applies directly to every person stored with your account. The new look removes old school lines separating the categories of information, now dividing everything up with various different cards matching your Material You theme. It just a small change but it is noticeable once you stumble on it. Most of the category names which include Labels and About, have carried over from previous designs. Phone numbers as well as email addresses now appear in a category of their own: Contact info. it has not change anything about how the apps will work though it looks a bit more unified with the rest of the layout. Contacts have been positioned in center below icons or profile pictures.