Google's latest feature drop includes new widgets and Android Auto tricks

(Pocket-lint) - Google has announced a diagnostic driblet - oregon a clump of caller features - rolling retired to its assorted Android-based products and services.

In a blog post published 1 December, the institution revealed caller widgets for YouTube Music, Google Play Books, and Google Photos. It besides elaborate caller Android Auto features and updates for Google Assistant and Google Photos. Many of these upgrades are disposable now, oregon they're rolling out.

Starting with the caller widgets, Google said you tin expect the YouTube Music widget to connection playback controls and speedy entree to precocious played tunes. The Google Play Books widget volition service up shortcuts to what you're speechmaking oregon listening to, and the Google Photos widget, which is rolling retired adjacent week, volition beryllium capable to show pictures you've selected from your Photos library.

Speaking of Google Photos, its Memories diagnostic volition commencement showing curated photos and videos successful the modular grid view. 

Next up, Google said that Pixel 6, Pixel 6 Pro, and Galaxy S21 owners tin present usage their phones arsenic a car key with compatible BMW vehicles successful prime countries. Google said it volition beryllium disposable "on each BMW 2020 and 2022 exemplary twelvemonth vehicles", and it's moving to adhd much cars successful the future.

As for those caller Android Auto features, you tin present acceptable the car-friendly interface enactment to motorboat whenever your Android telephone connects to a vehicle. It's besides adding astute replies soon, truthful you tin respond to a substance connection with assistance from Google Assistant.

There volition besides beryllium a caller always-on play fastener close connected the location screen, and "coming soon", you’ll beryllium capable to usage your dependable to hunt for music.

Finally, Google's "Family Bell" alarm-like diagnostic that tin beryllium broadcast from astute speakers and displays present works connected mobile devices.

Google besides said its caller permissions-reset feature, which automatically turns disconnected permissions for apps you haven’t utilized successful a while, is expanding from devices moving Android 11 and supra to devices moving Android 6 and up "starting adjacent month" (or astir January 2021).

Writing by Maggie Tillman. Originally published connected 1 December 2021.