Tech Trends 📰

Google Chrome Updates To Stop On August 5 For 300 Million Android Users

Google will stop updating the Chrome browser on Android 8 and 9 devices starting August 5, 2025 — affecting around 300 million users worldwide.. Chrome version 138 will be the last one supported on Android 8.0 and 9.0. To keep getting updates and security fixes, users must upgrade to Android 10 or newer.. Google shared instructions to help users check and update their Android version using the device’s Settings > System > Software Update menu.. Chrome will still work on older devices, but without updates, users will be vulnerable to security threats and future bugs.. Security experts strongly advise users to update their Android version or switch to a secure browser, as doing nothing increases the risk of attacks..

Chrome for Android now lets you move the address bar to the bottom, too | TechCrunch

Google Chrome for Android now allows users to move the address bar to the bottom of the screen for easier mobile use, following a similar design introduced by Apple in iOS 15.. The feature gives users the option to choose the address bar’s location rather than enforcing the change, offering more customization.. To move the address bar, users can either long-press on it and select the bottom placement or change the setting from the Chrome Settings menu.. The change is meant to improve usability by placing the bar closer to the user’s fingers while holding the phone.. Google’s approach avoids the backlash Apple received in 2021 by making the bottom address bar optional rather than default..

Google Launches New AI-Powered Scam Detection Features

Google is using its AI model, Gemini Nano, to detect and block scams on Chrome, Google Search, and Android.. The AI already helps protect users from tech support scams and will soon expand to cover more threats on Android. A new feature in Chrome for Android detects spam disguised as website notifications and lets users unsubscribe or view blocked content.. Scam detection is coming to Google Messages and Phone by Google, alerting users if a call or text seems suspicious.. Users can override AI warnings if they believe the alerts are errors, maintaining control over blocked content and communication..

Chrome’s Android app will now let you zoom in on text without affecting the webpage

Chrome for Android now lets users zoom in on just the text using a slider without affecting the page layout.. Chrome’s desktop version can now automatically recognize text in scanned PDFs, making it easier to highlight, copy, or use screen readers.. Google’s TalkBack screenreader on Android now supports follow-up questions about images, like identifying colors or objects.. A new feature called Expressive Captions uses AI to show real-time captions that reflect how something is said, including emotional expressions.. Expressive Captions also adds support for non-verbal sounds like whistling or throat clearing, rolling out in English on Android 15+ in select countries..