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Google arrives on Apple Watch in update for News & Weather app

Google has updated its News & Weather app today, bringing the software to version 1.7. The update includes various performance and stability improvements, and more significant to us, support for the Apple Watch.

This is essentially the first appearance on Apple's wearable for Google, who runs a competing wearable platform called Android Wear. The move, however, isn't surprising, given the company's sizable presence on iOS.

Google confirms snapping up Timeful, iPhone-only time management and scheduling app

The Internet giant Google today announced via the official Gmail blog that it is buying Timeful, an iPhone-exclusive productivity application designed to help you get things scheduled so you can get them done.

The nicely designed application, positioned as your calendar and to-do list with intelligent assistance to make the most of your time, is available on the App Store for the time being but its functionality will be eventually folded into Google Apps, including Gmail, Calendar and more.

Google ends YouTube support on older Apple TVs and pre-iOS 6 hardware due to API changes

Following up on its original plan to end support for older Apple TVs, iPhones, iPods and iPads due to API changes, YouTube is no longer accessible on second-generation Apple TVs and iOS devices manufactured in 2012 and earlier, as first reported 9to5Mac.

The app has simply disappeared from the Home screen on second-generation devices, with owners of these boxes reporting inability to access the Settings menu option to hide or show it along with other channels.

Google unveils ‘Project Fi,’ an MVNO with plans starting at $20 per month

After years of rumors and speculation, Google is officially getting into the wireless business. The tech giant on Wednesday announced "Project Fi," an MVNO (mobile virtual network operator) set to shake up the wireless industry with plans starting at $20 per month.

Google has teamed up with Sprint and T-Mobile for the project, and it will piggyback on their networks. The service is designed to allow devices to dynamically switch between the carriers' networks and nearby Wi-Fi networks, depending on which offers better service.

Chrome for iOS gains Today widget, 1Password and LastPass support, pull to reload and more

Google on Thursday issued an update to its Chrome browser for the iPhone and iPad. Available free of charge on the App Store, Chrome now lets you start using the app faster by providing a nifty little Today widget in the Notification Center with handy shortcuts to quickly access the voice search feature and tab creation functionality.

Moreover, the browser now plays nice with iOS 8's App Extensions, starting with support for 1Password and LastPass extensions so you can use your previously stored passwords on websites.

Google launches new features in Docs, Sheets and Slides mobile productivity apps

Google's suite of free of charge productivity services and applications, collectively marketed under the Google Docs brand, has been refreshed Thursday with new features.

As announced Thursday on the official Google Apps Updates blog, new versions of document editor Docs, presentation software Slides and spreadsheet application Sheets are now available in the App Store.

Among other changes, these applications now include such enhancements as object reordering on a slide, table editing in spreadsheets, tracking changes and accepting suggestions in Docs, faster loading and scrolling of PowerPoint documents and more.

European Union files anti-trust charges against Google

Making good on rumors that have been bouncing around for several months, the European Union officially filed anti-trust charges against Google on Wednesday. The Commission will formally investigate whether the tech firm has abused its dominance in search results, as well as within its Android operating system.

In the near term this doesn't mean much—there will be a lengthy investigation and likely a trial. But in the long term, if Google were to be found guilty, it could face a fine of up to $6 billion (10% of its annual revenue) and various business-altering restrictions. Many pundits are comparing it to Microsoft in the late 90's.

Google’s Snapseed photo editor goes 2.0 with major redesign, new filters and more

Google on Thursday pushed out an update for its mobile photo editor Snapseed, bringing the app to version 2.0. The new build is a significant one, as it brings about a number of changes including a brand new design, new features, additional filters and more.

Those fond of Snapseed's simple, gesture-based interface may not like the new design. Google's really moved things around here, so it's certainly going to take some getting used to. New features like spot repair and brush tool, however, are welcome additions.

YouTube is going ad-free… for a monthly fee

It looks like the rumors were true, YouTube is readying a new subscription service. In an email obtained by iDownloadBlog, Google tells video creators it wants to offer an ad-free version of YouTube for a monthly fee, which has yet to be determined. The service will offer features like offline playback, kickbacks for content creators, and could be ready to launch as early as this year.