There is news about different Google apps and services emerged over the past few days that are worth mentioning, namely support for cloud backup for Authenticator, a new logo for Lens and streaming in FHD 1080p for Meet. Here are all the details:
GOOGLE AUTHENTICATOR: CLOUD BACKUP
Google itself announced this on its official cybersecurity blog on Monday. The app update is already in distribution for a few hours on both Android and iOS. This allows you to save each verification OTP (One-Time-Password) in complete security on the cloud, making them more easily accessible.
Google explains that the cloud backup of the OTPs was One of the most requested features ever for the app, which is now 13 years old this year. Unfortunately, multi-device synchronization is not yet possible: it can only be done on one device at a time. However, in case of loss or uninstallation or failure, just install it on some other smartphone or compatible product to get back all the previously generated codes.
NEW LOGO FOR GOOGLE LENS
It seems that Google struggles to decide on a consistent direction for Lens: since 2017 when it was launched (at the time it was called Goggles), the logo has changed more or less every two years. In the latest beta of Search for Android (version 14.17.16), which contains Lens, an icon very similar to the current one was noticed which represents a camera with the classic four colors of Google, with the difference that the perimeter is divided into several segments, the colors are distributed differently and in the lower right corner the green section is represented by a simple dot. The icon also looks squarer and the corners more rounded, but those are extremely slight differences. It is easy to hypothesize that in the coming weeks we will see it spread to other relevant apps and services, including Photos.
1080P STREAMING FOR MEETS
For exceptional video conferencing quality, Meet offers allo support stream in FHD 1080p; however, it is only intended for Google One business subscribers in the most prestigious tier, the 2TB and up tier. Of course you need to have compatible hardware – on smartphones it’s not a problem, since by now any selfie cam easily exceeds 8 MP even in the cheapest ranges, but on desktops it’s not so obvious. If the option is available for the account concerned, the system will notify the user, with a small popup at the top right which also contains the quick link to activate it.
The following account categories are excluded “by default”:
- Google Workspace Essentials, Business Starter, Education Fundamentals, Frontline, Nonprofits accounts;
- G Suite Basic and Business accounts;
- Personal Google Accounts.
