Apps

Google updates G Suite to be more collaborative

Bringing everything together in one app the moment you start your work day

Published

on

Let’s face it: you’ll be working from home for the foreseeable future and managing your time is of the essence. However, you’ll always find yourself opening multiple apps at the same time whenever you start the day. Whether it’s checking emails, your team’s chatbox or your project files, it’s such a hassle to access these on different apps. You’ll eventually start asking yourself, “why can’t all of these be in one place?” Well, Google, through G Suite, has a fix.

Google is bringing updates to G Suite to address all of these. In particular, the new update focuses on a cross-service integration between Mail, Chat, and Meet.

That’s right: now you can check your emails, messages, and project files under one roof — the Gmail web service and app. Google brought in Google Meet to Gmail for both web and mobile devices not too long ago, and offered it for free.

Now, they’re also looking to add Google Chat into Gmail for both Android and iOS devices for seamless communication.

Apart from these, Google is also improving on its collaboration features within Google Chat. Team members will now be able to share files and tasks within their message boxes so everyone stays on the same page.

Also, they’ve added real-time collaboration with your fellow teammates by opening any G-Doc or G-Sheet without leaving Gmail. At least this time around, you don’t have to leave comments on your sheets that you literally use as a chat box.

With the new update, you can also join video calls straight from the Gmail app itself, instead of opening separate apps for it. Plus, you can stay focused on your work through several features such as pinning important chat rooms, and setting a “Do Not Disturb” or “Out of office” status.

Companies curious to try the update can sign up here.

There’s no direct timetable yet on the implementation of these changes. However, Google promised that there will be more updates coming to improve your work flow with the G Suite!

SEE ALSO:
Laptops for your basic work and learn from home needs
8 apps to use when working from home
How to build and manage your WFH or online class setup

 

Apps

New X users must pay a dollar per year to post and reply

Rolling out globally now

Published

on

New users on X might soon face a tough time on the platform. The social media website will likely start charging new accounts a small fee for the right to post on the platform.

Now, the fee isn’t a new one. Almost six months ago, the company tested the paid system in New Zealand and the Philippines. New users in those countries had to pay a dollar per year for the ability to post and reply to content.

As spotted by X Daily News on the same platform, the company might be ready to take the experiment to a larger market. New text strings have shown that the policy is rolling out worldwide.

The policy is designed to combat a wave of bots appearing on the platform. By preventing new accounts from creating posts, X hopes to stave off the standard behavior of bots these days. You might have noticed them as OnlyFans creators in unrelated posts, peddling NSFW content on their bio.

Though the global rollout was only just spotted, owner Elon Musk has seemingly confirmed the change. Replying to X Daily News, Musk says that it is “the only way to curb the relentless onslaught of bots.” He says that the current breed of bots can easily bypass simple checks these days.

SEE ALSO: X will no longer let you hide your blue checkmark

Continue Reading

Apps

Disney+ might get always-on channels similar to cable TV

Featuring content from Marvel, Star Wars, and classic Disney

Published

on

Disney+ | Disney Plus

The burden of choice on streaming platforms is real. If you’re like us, you’ve spent hours just mindlessly scrolling through titles on Netflix or Disney+ without watching anything. Netflix, at least, has a Play Something button to fight off that irresistible urge. Now, Disney+ is reportedly trying something different: always-on channels.

If you already cut cable from your lives, you’re likely missing traditional channels or networks that have pre-determined programming. It was a flawed system that eventually ended up with mediocre content and a downpour of ads. However, cable did allow us to keep watching without deciding what comes next.

Now, according to The Information, Disney+ is working on adding those channels to its streaming service. Naturally, these channels will include content from the platform’s library such as Marvel, Star Wars, and its list of classic animated films.

Strangely, the reported feature might still have ads in between programs. Though the addition of ads does mean a better similarity with real television, users still have to be paying subscribers to access the channels. Even if you’re already paying for Disney+, you might still get hit with ads.

Disney has not confirmed the reports yet. The platform might launch a version of the feature outside of the scope included in this report. It’s also unknown when these always-on channels will launch.

SEE ALSO: Macross to be available on Disney+

Continue Reading

Apps

Google might offer satellite connectivity soon

Starting with the Pixel 9 series

Published

on

A few years ago, Apple unleashed one of the most interesting features for the iPhone today: Emergency SOS. Designed for those who like their fair bit of the outdoors, Emergency SOS allows users to contact emergency services without network coverage. Other manufacturers, however, are struggling to adopt the same feature. Now, Google might soon join Apple in providing satellite connectivity for its users.

Despite the convenience, satellite connectivity hasn’t taken off as much as the industry expected it to. For one, a network of satellites isn’t the easiest thing to maintain. Apple is still currently offering its services for free, a gamble that may or may not pay off. Now, the iPhone maker won’t be alone.

According to Android Authority, Google might start offering the same service to Pixel 9 users. Starting with this year’s upcoming flagship, the company is reportedly teaming up with T-Mobile to create satellite connectivity for its users. The telecommunications network is teaming up with SpaceX for the feature.

The same report describes how the feature might work. Once activated, the feature will ask users of their situation: is everyone breathing, are people trapped, are weapons involved, among others. The phone will then relay this information to emergency authorities for a rapid response.

Unfortunately, pricing remains a mystery. While Apple is still offering its satellite connectivity for free, other brands might put the burden of cost on the end user. Hopefully, they won’t, but a paid version is unfortunately expected at this point.

SEE ALSO: Should you be excited for Apple’s satellite connectivity?

Continue Reading

Trending