Google Trusted Contacts Officially Pulled From App Stores, Support to Stop After December 1

Google has officially pulled the plug on its Trusted Contacts app. First introduced in 2016, the app offered users a way to share their device activity status and location with selected contacts. It has now disappeared from both Google Play store and the Apple’s App Store. The tech giant will also stop support for the app starting December 1 this year. The move follows a series of measures that Google has taken recently to optimise its products and services. Trusted Contacts follows in the footsteps of Google’s two other location sharing apps — Google Latitude and Google+ Location Sharing —

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Pixel 4A 5G review: If you want affordable 5G, you’ll want this phone

Back in August, Google unveiled the Pixel 4A, an affordable $349 (£349, AU$599) phone with an excellent camera. Fast-forward to today and the company has launched its main flagship, the Pixel 5, and a 5G version of the Pixel 4A, aptly called the Pixel 4A 5G. This phone not only connects to the next-gen mobile network; it also has a second, ultrawide camera, a bigger display and battery and a slightly more powerful processor. Naturally, the extra hardware goodies mean the phone costs more, at $499 (£499, AU$799).

The price bump is worth it, especially if 5G is

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Pixel 5 review: Google’s newest phone hasn’t pulled ahead of its rivals

Google’s jumping on the 5G train with the $499 Pixel 4A 5G (£499, AU$799) and $699 Pixel 5 (£599 and AU$999). The phones run the latest Android 11 OS, have a second ultra-wide camera and bigger batteries than any previous Pixel phone. But as the marquee device, the Pixel 5 is equipped with a few more features.

These goodies include a 90Hz display, 2GB more RAM, a bigger battery and a water-resistant, aluminum body. It also has wireless charging and reverse wireless charging. (For more on the differences, check out CNET’s video, Pixel 5 and Pixel 4A 5G spec comparison

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Google Said to Sweeten Fitbit Concessions, Heading for EU Approval

Alphabet unit Google has tweaked its concessions aimed at allaying EU antitrust concerns about its $2.1 billion (roughly Rs. 15,400 crores) purchase of Fitbit, people familiar with the matter said, putting it on course to secure EU approval for the deal.

The world’s most popular Internet search engine last month offered to restrict the use of Fitbit data for Google ads, facilitate rival makers of wearables seeking to connect to the Android platform and allow third parties’ continued access to Fitbit users’ data with their consent.

Google revised the package after the European Commission received feedback from rivals and consumers,

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Professor creates cybersecurity camp to inspire girls to choose STEM careers

Teaching via Zoom has had some unexpected benefits, college professor says, though robotics class is still a challenge. Her real passion is inspiring young women and girls to go into computer science.

TechRepublic’s Karen Roby spoke with Dr. Pauline Mosley, assistant chair of Information Technology at the Seidenberg School of Computer Science and Information Systems at Pace University, about getting girls interested in STEM careers and the challenges associated with teaching robotics via Zoom. The following is an edited transcript of their conversation.

SEE: Social engineering: A cheat sheet for business professionals (free PDF) (TechRepublic)

Pauline Mosley: Transitioning from

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How to choose a Google Workspace plan

New customers may choose any plan, but legacy G Suite customers will want to pay attention to pricing and features.

Illustration: Andy Wolber/TechRepublic

Google Workspace represents a rebranding of the set of applications formerly known as G Suite. The announcement signals Google’s desired direction: A unified workspace. Workspace pricing however, sends a more significant signal than the renaming of Google’s current app offerings (Figure A). Here’s a look at the new Workspace plans and pricing–along with a few key features customers might consider when selecting a plan.

SEE: Google Sheets: Tips and tricks (TechRepublic download) 

New plans and

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