With App Actions and Slices, Google introduces more ways for users to interact with the apps on their phones

With Instant Apps, Google offers a feature for Android users that allows them to load a small part of an app right from the search results and get a native app experience. With Slices, Google is launching a new feature today that may look somewhat similar at first glance, but which solves a very different […]

Slack hits 8 million daily active users with 3 million paid users

As Slack looks to woo larger and larger companies with the prospect of a simpler workplace collaboration tool, the company said it has now hit 8 million daily active users. The company said it also has 3 million paid users. A darling in Silicon Valley, Slack was initially able to capitalize on pent-up demand for […]

Google Assistant is coming to Google Maps

Google wants to bundle its voice assistant into every device and app. And it’s true that it makes sense to integrate Google Assistant in Google Maps. It’ll be available on iOS and Android this summer. At Google I/O, director of Google Assistant Lilian Rincon showed a demo of Google Maps with Google Assistant. Let’s say […]

Google aims to improve ‘Digital Wellbeing’ by reminding users to disconnect on occasion

Google announced at today’s I/O keynote it was launching new features to improve the digital wellbeing of its users by helping them to understand their online habits and learn when it’s time to switch off. Learn how we’re supporting #DigitalWellbeing so everyone can enjoy technology that improves life and doesn’t distract from it → https://t.co/IsaUmj4vl9 #io18 pic.twitter.com/v8APGLWHCU — Google (@Google) May 8, 2018 Digital Wellbeing is an initiative meant to temper the negative effects tech — Google’s tech, specifically — can have on our daily lives. According to the Digital Wellbeing site, which launched today: We’re creating tools and features that…

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You won’t have to say ‘Hey Google’ every time you talk to the Assistant anymore

One of the most annoying things about the Google Assistant is having to repeat ‘Hey Google’ every single time you talk to it. Whether following up on an earlier command or trying to ask multiple questions, it gets tiring very fast. That’ll soon be a thing of the past. At Google I/O, the company announced two new features to simplify you chats with the assistant: continued conversation and multiple actions. They’re pretty much what they sound like, and are right in line with the new features  Amazon added to Alexa. With Continued Conversation, you can follow up on previous requests…

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The Google Assistant will soon be able to call restaurants and make a reservation for you

Google just showed a crazy (and terrifying) new feature for the Google Assistant at its I/O developer conference. The Assistant will soon be able make calls for you to make a reservation — maybe for a salon appointment or to reserve a table at a restaurant that doesn’t take online bookings. For now, this was […]

Android and YouTube will help you manage screen time

Those rumors of Google launching tools to manage your screen time? They're true. The internet giant has used its I/O conference to unveil a string of digital wellbeing initiatives that will help you get away from tech. To start, Android is getting a...

Google Assistant will soon be able to make calls to book your appointment

During Google I/O today, the company announced that Assistant will soon be able to make appointments and reservations for you even when they can't be booked online. It's powered by a new technology called Google Duplex and it will be rolling out as a...

Google's smart displays will start shipping in July

We got a sneak peek at Google's upcoming slate of smart displays earlier this year at CES, and now it seems we know when they'll finally come to market. At Google's I/O developer conference, the company announced that the first round of smart display...

Gmail's 'Smart Compose' autocompletes your emails as you type

Google recently rolled out a huge makeover for Gmail, with a completely new visual look and other features, but it's not done yet. At I/O, Sundar Pichai revealed a new, very useful-looking feature called "Smart Compose." An extension of the current S...

Google Photos will offer AI-powered suggestions to fix your images

AI has long been Google Photo's killer feature, making it easy to find and share your images, rate them on aesthetic appeal, and create interesting things like video. Now, Google is bringing a new feature, Suggested Actions, to Photos. The feature wi...

Google is making it easier to have a conversation with your Assistant

The Google Assistant has been the star of the past few I/O developer conferences, so we're not surprised to see new features being announced today. One of the biggest is "continued conversation" -- essentially, you won't need to say "Hey Google" ever...

John Legend is one of six new Google Assistant voices

At the annual I/O developers conference on Tuesday, Google CEO Sundar Pichai announced that users now have six additional options for their Assistant's voice, one of which is that of famed singer/songwriter John Legend. They'll be available for both...

Ring's Neighbors app is a modern take on neighborhood watches

Smart doorbell company Ring, recently acquired by Amazon, wants to drive a new style of neighborhood watch. Neighbors is a standalone app that takes the quasi-social networking aspect of the Ring app and breaks it out into a standalone application fo...

Equifax confirms data breach included driver's licenses and passports

Equifax has been dribbling out updates to the scope of its 2017 data breach for months, but how much information was compromised, exactly? You now have a better idea. The credit reporting firm has submitted a statement to the SEC explaining how much...

Uber will halt Walmart grocery deliveries next month

In 2016, Walmart announced that it would be teaming up with Uber and Lyft for grocery deliveries. Though the trial with Lyft never broke out of its initial Denver test market, Walmart's partnership with Uber expanded from Phoenix to Tampa, Dallas and...

Instagram users can buy movie tickets without leaving the app

Today, Fandango announced that people can purchase movie tickets through Instagram, thanks to a "Buy Tickets" button on Fandango's Instagram profile. Additionally, a "Shop" button will allow users to look at movie merchandise and posters directly fro...

Amazon, Google and Microsoft to attend White House AI summit

The Trump administration hasn't exactly been receptive to AI -- Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin once said it was "not even on [his] radar screen." However, it's warming up. The White House is holding a summit on May 10th where representatives from...

We're live at Google's 2018 I/O keynote!

We've slathered on our sunscreen, our cameras have fresh SD cards and our fingers are itchy — the conditions are right for a Google I/O liveblog. Google has spent the last week dropping news and announcements left and right, but with three full...

Watch Google's I/O 2018 keynote right here at 1PM ET

Google's I/O developer conference gets underway at 1PM ET today, with CEO Sundar Pichai delivering the keynote. Google is expected to reveal more about the future of Android, including a possible release date (and typically candy-flavored name) for A...

Panera launches nationwide food delivery service

Panera today is jumping fully on the on-demand food delivery bandwagon. The restaurant chain this morning announced the nationwide launch of its delivery service, which will reach 897 cities and 43 states across the U.S. The service continues to be powered by the delivery startup Bringg, the delivery logistics platform that raised an additional $12 […]

28 helpful Slack communities you should join as a UX designer

Tons of companies are using Slack to organize and facilitate how their employees communicate on a daily basis. Slack has now more than 5 million daily active users and more than 60,000 teams around the world. But whether the company you work for use Slack or not, you can still use the tool to connect and stay in touch with other professionals like you. The design and tech communities have been creating a series of groups to chat about references, events, books, links, case studies and best practices in our field. The best part: anyone can join and participate in the discussions.…

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