Image used with permission by copyright holderGlobetrotting can be hard, but Google is here to make it easier — not when it comes to flight and hotel accommodations, but rather with an ever-expanding repository of the most incredible sights from around the world. Google has added some of the highlights from the majestic continent of Africa to its Google Street View knowledge base and starting today, you’ll be able to take virtual tours of “some of the most iconic landmarks and monuments in Ghana, Senegal, and Uganda.”
You can now explore a total of 81 countries without ever leaving your home by way of Google Street View, seven of which are located in Africa. There’s the UNESCO World Heritage-classified village of Nzulezo in Ghana, built over Lake Tadane, whose stilt-supported structures are integrated with the water-centric landscape of the area.
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You can also pay a virtual visit to the National Theatre of Ghana, which houses the National Dance Company, the National Symphony Orchestra, and the National Theatre Players. For a different kind of art, you can head over to Senegal’s African Renaissance monument, a bronze statue that rises 49 meters into the air. Or you can look at natural landmarks like the pink-watered Lake Retba.
Google partnered with the Uganda Wildlife Authority to virtually bring you to seven of that country’s most famous National Parks, home to various primate species and more than 600 species of birds.
“We are excited that what began with a few South African cities in 2009, has now expanded to many other cities in 7 countries across the continent,” Google concluded, “From Cape Town to Botswana, Kenya, Tanzania and now Ghana, Uganda and Senegal, we are glad that more people from around the world are turning to Street View to to get a glimpse of this beautiful continent. We wouldn’t be surprised if you’ll be tempted to pack your own cameras to explore in person as well!”
You can now download the first Android 12L Beta on your Google Pixel
Google announced on Wednesday the first beta release of Android 12L, the next feature drop for the recently released Android 12 operating system. Aimed primarily at tablets and larger-screened devices, Android 12L will focus on changing the Android experience from the much-critiqued blown-up-phone look to a discrete experience that takes the larger canvas of tablets into account.
What's new?
Today's beta release includes the refreshed interface for larger screens, including a column view for the notification shade and lock screen. A new multitasking dock is being introduced to allow faster access to split-screen and drag-and-drop, and Google's now done work to allow every Android 12 app to work with split-screen mode regardless of whether developers have built for it.
The big problem with big-screen Android
Unlike iOS, the Android experience on tablets and larger-screened devices has been abysmal. It's a little understandable when one considers that Google shifted its tablet focus from Android to Chrome OS a few years ago. While Chrome OS currently has a decent tablet experience, one that the current Android 12L seems to want to replicate when looking at the dock and split-screen multitasking, the app experience for both has remained lacking.
Google now lets you call people directly through the Gmail app
Google has had a long history of making and giving up on chat apps -- see the infamous Killed by Google Twitter account for more details on the many victims. Now, the company seems to be trying again by adding voice and video calls to Gmail, one of its most popular apps. After integrating Google Meet, Google now gives you the capability to place voice and video calls via the Gmail app, and it will let you switch between chat to a video or audio call when needed.
Google has announced that you can now join meetings and audio calls in Google Chat within the Gmail app on Android and iOS. As of now, the feature is available for one-on-one chats, so a person can only connect with a single person at a time. Google aims to make it easier for office workers to connect with colleagues in the hybrid work world.
Google launches a Pixel 6 Material You fashion collection you can’t actually wear
This year’s Pixel 6 series almost feels like a breath of fresh air with its brand new Android 12 Material You design. The decade-old mobile operating system now has a much-needed visual overhaul that allows a ton of individuality, customization, and character unlike any version before. To complement the same theme, Google has launched the Google Pixel 6: Material You Collection available to anyone in the U.K. for free starting November 23.
Before you get too excited, let's clarify. Google is not giving you free clothes. The Material You Collection is a 12-piece unisex set of limited-edition digital fashion apparel that will allow Pixel 6 users to "express their individuality better." To put it simply, it is a visual representation of physical clothes. Meaning that, yes, you can't actually wear any of these. Think of it as concept art or costume design rather than a product. Strange, but that's how marketing works, we suppose.
