Introducing an accelerator program for digital news startups, and support for more Indian languages in Google News Showcase

Access to trustworthy information is vital for all components of a thriving democracy. Through the years, we have kept up consistent efforts to help with continued access to quality journalism, contributing to the sustainability of news organizations, supporting emerging news business models and enabling newsrooms to engage their readers in new ways through the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond.


Today we’re building on this commitment with a new Google News Initiative (GNI) Startups Lab program for aspiring news entrepreneurs from all across India.



Google News Initiative (GNI) Startups Lab India - applications open 



Applications open today for GNI Startups Lab -- a four-month program that seeks to help independent local or single-subject journalism organizations find a pathway to financial and operational sustainability through intensive coaching, skills training and other support.


Created in partnership with the global innovation lab Echos and DIGIPUB News India Foundation, the GNI Startups Lab India program will support high-quality reporting for local and underserved communities. We welcome applications from news startups publishing in all Indian languages.


The 16-week program is tailored to the needs of startup newsrooms in India and participants will benefit from Echos' experience in supporting media startups and from DIGIPUB's network and community with workshops and coaching.


"Digipub is excited to partner with Google News Initiative Startups Lab to make the digital media ecosystem robust and sustainable. Digital news media is the future of news in India and collaborations like these will ensure that new entrants receive the support they deserve,"  Dhanya Rajendran, Chairperson of Digipub News India Foundation commented. 


Applications are open until 18 October 2021 and 10 independent digital news publishers will be selected to participate in the first cohort in India. To learn more and apply, click here. 



Supporting more Indian languages with Google News Showcase



In May, we announced the expansion of Google News Showcase, our online experience and licensing program to support news organizations and readers, to India. Today, we are pleased to add support for four new languages  - Kannada, Marathi, Tamil and Telugu -  in addition to English and Hindi in dedicated News Showcase panels in Google News and on Discover, to help more readers get access to quality news in their own languages. With the addition of these new languages and new partners today, we now have onboarded more than 50 partners representing more than 70 publications. 



We continue to work with publishers of all kinds -- from digital natives to regional media in India to help them to engage with readers and deliver trusted information across our platforms. 


We are delighted to partner with the Indian news industry and support new digital formats and innovations to build a sustainable, independent and diverse news ecosystem.


Posted by Kate Beddoe, Director of News Partnerships, Google Asia Pacific 

Chrome Beta for Android Update

Hi everyone! We've just released Chrome Beta 94 (94.0.4606.40) for Android: it's now available on Google Play.

You can see a partial list of the changes in the Git log. For details on new features, check out the Chromium blog, and for details on web platform updates, check here.

If you find a new issue, please let us know by filing a bug.

Krishna Govind
Google Chrome

Restore a page via version history in new Google Sites

Quick launch summary 

In new Google Sites, you can now restore a specific page from version history. Previously, you could only restore an entire site. This additional functionality makes it easier to restore, edit, and re-publish specific pages that may have changed by mistake or been deleted. 



Getting started 


Rollout pace 


Availability 

  • Available to all Google Workspace customers, as well as G Suite Basic and Business customers and users with personal Google accounts 

Resources 

Forms settings are now easier to navigate

 

Quick launch summary 
Now you can easily customize your form or quiz settings with a more visible settings tab and an improved settings layout. 


You’ll see an improved settings menu in the settings tab.

You’ll see an improved settings menu in the settings tab.


Getting started 
  • Admins: There is no admin control for this feature. 
  • End users: There is no end user control for this feature.

Rollout pace 
Availability 
  • Available to all Google Workspace customers, as well as G Suite Basic and Business customers. Available to users with personal Google Accounts 
 Roadmap 

Beta Channel Update for Desktop

The Beta channel has been updated to 94.0.4606.41 for Windows, Mac and linux.


A full list of changes in this build is available in the log. Interested in switching release channels?  Find out how here. If you find a new issue, please let us know by filing a bug. The community help forum is also a great place to reach out for help or learn about common issues.




Srinivas Sista
Google Chrome

Android 12 Beta 5 update, official release is next!

Posted by Dave Burke, VP of Engineering

Android 12 logo

We’re just a few weeks away from the official release of Android 12! As we put the finishing touches on the new version of Android, today we’re bringing you a final Beta update to help you with testing and development. For developers, now is the time to make sure your apps are ready!

You can get Beta 5 today on your Pixel device, including on the Pixel 5a with 5G, by enrolling here for over-the-air updates. If you’re already enrolled, you’ll automatically get the update. You can also try Android 12 Beta 5 on select devices from several of our partners like Sharp. Visit the Android 12 developer site for details.

Watch for more information on the official Android 12 release coming soon!

What’s in Beta 5?

Today’s update includes a release candidate build of Android 12 for Pixel and other devices and the Android Emulator. We reached Platform Stability at Beta 4, so all app-facing surfaces are final, including SDK and NDK APIs, app-facing system behaviors, and restrictions on non-SDK interfaces. With these and the latest fixes and optimizations, Beta 5 gives you everything you need to complete your testing.

timeline

Get your apps ready!

With the official Android 12 release coming next, we’re asking all app and game developers to complete your final compatibility testing and publish your compatibility updates ahead of the final release. For SDK, library, tools, and game engine developers, it’s important to release your compatible updates as soon as possible -- your downstream app and game developers may be blocked until they receive your updates.

To test your app for compatibility, just install it on a device running Android 12 Beta 5 and work through the app flows looking for any functional or UI issues. Review the Android 12 behavior changes for all apps to focus on areas where your app could be affected. Here are some of the top changes to test:

  • Privacy dashboard — A new dashboard in Settings lets users see which apps are accessing which type of data and when. Users can adjust permissions if needed, and they can request details from your app on the reason for access. More here.
  • Microphone & camera indicators — Android 12 shows an indicator in the status bar when an app is using the camera or microphone. More here.
  • Microphone & camera toggles — New toggles in Quick Settings let users instantly disable microphone and camera access for all apps. More here.
  • Clipboard read notification — A toast alerts users when an app reads data from the clipboard unexpectedly. More here.
  • Stretch overscroll — A new “stretch” overscroll effect replaces the previous “glow” overscroll effect systemwide. More here.
  • App splash screens — Android 12 launches apps with a new splash screen animation. More here.
  • Keygen changes — Several deprecated BouncyCastle cryptographic algorithms are removed in favor of Conscrypt versions. If your app uses a 512-bit key with AES, you’ll need to use one of the standard sizes supported by Conscrypt.More here.

Remember to test the libraries and SDKs in your app for compatibility. If you find any SDK issues, try updating to the latest version of the SDK or reaching out to the developer for help.

Once you’ve published the compatible version of your current app, you can start the process to update your app's targetSdkVersion. Review the behavior changes for Android 12 apps and use the compatibility framework to help detect issues quickly.

Explore the new features and APIs

Android 12 has a ton of new features to help you build great experiences for users. Check out our Android 12 Beta 2 post for a recap and links to Android 12 talks at Google I/O. For complete details on all of the new features and APIs, visit the Android 12 developer site.

Also make sure to try Android Studio Arctic Fox with your Android 12 development and testing. We’ve added lint checks to help you catch where your code might be affected by Android 12 changes, such as for custom declarations of splash screens, coarse location permission for fine location usage, media formats, and high sensor sampling rate permission. You can give these a try by downloading and configuring the latest version of Android Studio.

Get started with Android 12!

Today’s Beta 5 release has everything you need to try the Android 12 features, test your apps, and give us feedback. Just enroll any supported Pixel device to get the update over-the-air. To get started developing, set up the Android 12 SDK.

You can also get Beta 5 on devices from several of our partners like Sharp. For even broader testing, you can try Beta 5 on Android GSI images, and if you don’t have a device, you can test on the Android Emulator. This update is also available for Android TV, so you can check out the latest TV features and test your apps on the all-new Google TV experience.

What’s next?

Stay tuned for the official Android 12 launch coming in the weeks ahead! Until then, feel free to continue sharing your feedback through our hotlists for platform issues, app compatibility issues, and third-party SDK issues.

A huge thank you to our developer community for helping shape the Android 12 release! You’ve given us thousands of bug reports and shared insights that have helped us adjust APIs, improve features, fix significant bugs, and in general make the platform better for users and developers.

We’re looking forward to seeing your apps on Android 12!

All the ways to print your memories with Google Photos

We use photos for so many things: to decorate our homes, reminisce with family and friends, and make personalized gifts. But today, most (if not all) of our photos — our memories — are digital. That’s why Google Photos has multiple ways to print your photos, so you can easily celebrate and save life’s meaningful moments. 


Now we’re rolling out larger photo print sizes, a new option to get your prints delivered right to your door and new canvas print sizes, so there are even more ways to print your favorite pictures. And because Google Photos helps you keep your photos organized and searchable, it’s easy to find what you want to print even if you’re looking for a shot from years ago. 


Turn your memories into photo prints

Google Photos makes it easy to turn your memories into photo prints right from the app. And today we’re starting to roll out the ability to have photo prints delivered right to you in the U.S. Starting at $0.18 per print (plus shipping), you can choose between our existing 4x6, 5x7 or 8x10 prints, or four additional sizes: 11x14, 12x18, 16x20 and 20x30 prints.
Animation showing available photo print sizes in the Google Photos app.

If you just can’t wait, you can also get your photos printed for same day pick up from your local CVS, Walgreens or Walmart in the U.S. or 7-Eleven in Japan. Simply select from 4x6, 5x7 or 8x10 prints in the U.S. or 3.5x5 prints in Japan, and pick them up from the location that is most convenient.


Decorate your home with canvas prints

Canvas prints are another option, too.  Over the next few weeks, we're adding six additional canvas print sizes to the Google Photos print store — 8x10, 16x16, 20x30, 24x36, 30x40 and 36x36. Available in the U.S. in sizes ranging from 8x8 to 36x36, you can choose the size that works best for your space.

Animation showing available canvas print sizes in the Google Photos app.

Photo books to love, gift and share

Photo books are a wonderful way to remember a special trip or tell someone how much they mean to you. They’re also really easy to make — start with a suggested photo book made for you, create one from an existing album or start with a simple search through your photos. Google Photos helps by highlighting relevant pictures and helping you pick the best ones. Easily add, remove or move pictures, add a title, choose a cover design and you’re done. Photo books start at just $9.99, and are available in both softcover and hardcover in the U.S. and Canada, as well as select European countries.
Image of people looking at a photo book from Google Photos.

Premium prints delivered monthly

With the premium print series, you’ll get 10 cardstock photo prints delivered to your door every month for $6.99 per month (including shipping and before tax). Google Photos suggests 10 recent photos to print, and you can edit your photo selection, choose a matte or glossy finish or add a border before your photos ship each month. You can even print dates on the back or turn your photos into postcards. The premium print series is available in the U.S.
Image of postcard from Google Photos premium print series.

With Google Photos, it’s easier than ever to get your memories off your phone and into your home so you can share them with the people who matter.

Stable Channel Update for ChromeOS

   The Stable channel is being updated to 93.0.4577.69 (Platform version: 14092.46.0) for most Chrome OS devices. Systems will be receiving updates over the next several days.

This build contains a number of features, bug fixes and security updates, please find release notes here.

If you find new issues, please let us know by visiting our forum or filing a bug. Interested in switching channels Find out how. You can submit feedback using ‘Report an issue...’ in the Chrome menu (3 vertical dots in the upper right corner of the browser). 

Geo Hsu

Google Chrome OS

Coming soon: new Google Meet Hardware devices

What’s changing

We just announced some new and exciting additions to the Google Meet hardware portfolio for the office or home office.


First, we’re announcing two new all-in-one video conferencing devices to complement our Series One Rooms Kits:
  • New Series One Desk 27 is a premium all-in-one touchscreen Google Meet collaboration device.
Series One Desk 27
Series One Desk 27

  • New Series One Board 65 is an all-in-one 65” 4K video conferencing device that can be paired with an optional stand for ultimate configuration flexibility—turning any room or space into a video collaboration hub in minutes. It also features the Jamboard app built in for easy collaboration with colleagues in the room or remotely.


Series One Board 65
Series One Board 65


We’re also proud to announce new third-party devices coming to the Google Meet hardware ecosystem. Google has certified the Logitech Rally Bar Mini and Rally Bar for Google Meet, which provide complete room solutions for small and mid-sized rooms. Both products will be available in October.

Additionally, Appcessori is launching a new mobile device speaker dock, Rayz Rally Pro, that will automatically launch Google Meet for video meetings and provide an enhanced audio experience from mobile devices. Rayz Rally Pro is also the first product in our “Designed for Google Meet” program, which identifies peripherals designed by partners specifically for and to work with Google Meet. Rayz Rally Pro supports both Android and iOS and is now available.


New third-party devices certified for Google Meet

Who’s impacted
Admins and end users

Why you’d use them
Hybrid working requires more immersive, interactive video-enabled devices to make meetings more inclusive for both in-office and remote workers.

The Series One Desk 27 is perfect for small, shared spaces or your desktop, either in the office or at home. Desk 27 is your personal video conferencing and team collaboration device.

The Series One Board 65 is a meeting solution that gives everyone an equal seat at the table. Now everyone can see, hear, collaborate and participate as if they were in the room. Ideal for team collaboration in small and medium rooms, Board 65 can be wall-mounted or configured with an optional stand for greater mobility.

Additional details

Series One devices:
Both Series One Desk 27 and Board 65 feature collaboration capabilities to help you capture ideas with the Jamboard app built right in.

Optimized for Google Meet, Desk 27 and Board 65 can also be used with any conferencing service through a single USB-C cable from your laptop. Use the conferencing app of your choice on your laptop and enjoy the high fidelity audio and high definition video of the Desk 27 and Board 65. Desk 27 will be available towards the end of the year, and Board 65 will be available at the end of Q1 2022.

New third-party devices certified for Google Meet:
The Logitech Rally Bar Mini and Rally Bar for Google Meet provide complete room solutions for small and mid-sized rooms. Certified Google Meet hardware ensures high-quality video and audio in meetings and are easy to deploy and manage. You can learn more about Google Meet-certified products in Logitech’s September 21 webinar. You can also view our full Google Meet device portfolio and purchase directly from approved resellers by visiting the Google Meet Hardware website.

Getting started

  • Admins: Contact Avocor for more information on pre-ordering the Series One devices. Contact Logitech for more information on their Google Meet-certified devices.

Availability

  • Available to Google Workspace, Business Starter, Business Standard, Business Plus, Enterprise Standard, Enterprise Plus, Education Fundamentals, Nonprofits, and Education Plus customers.
  • Not available to Google Workspace Essentials, Enterprise Essentials, and Frontline, as well as G Suite Basic and Business customers.

Resources