After an uncharacteristic two-week delay, the latest Google app beta is now available. Oddly, there are two distinct beta versions of the Google app this evening: 9.21 and 9.23. Both reveal a new Assistant device ID named “nexus” for an upcoming feature or hardware category, as well as a “Labs” feature.

About APK Insight: In this ‘APK Insight’ post, we’ve decompiled the latest version of an application that Google uploaded to the Play Store. When we decompile these files (called APKs, in the case of Android apps), we’re able to see various lines of code within that hint at possible future features. Keep in mind that Google may or may not ever ship these features, and our interpretation of what they are may be imperfect. We’ll try to enable those that are closer to being finished, however, to show you how they’ll look in the case that they do ship. With that in mind, read on.

Version 9.21 vs 9.23

There appears to be two beta releases of the Google app this evening. Version 9.21 was installed on all my devices, but APK Mirror spotted version 9.23. The differences between the iterations are not too major, but it’s an odd occurrence nonetheless.

“Nexus” Assistant device category

The “assistant_device_id” is usually a good indicator for new categories of Assistant devices. Google app 9.23 reveals one named “NexusAmChips,” with other strings referring to it as “nexus_device_am_chips.”

For context, features and hardware related to Assistant on phones are labeled with “nexus.” The Pixel Stand was originally refered to as “nexus_device_dreamliner,” while the ability for users to help improve the “What’s on my screen” Assistant feature is named “nexus_device_donate_screenshot_summary.”

As such, “NexusAmChips” is likely a phone-related feature, with the “category” qualifier suggesting hardware. Our Kyle Bradshaw points out that “AmChips” could refer to “Amlogic Chips” used on the Google Home Hub and Android TV set-top boxes like the ADT-2 developer device.

The most likely candidate for NexusAmChips is then the Assistant Connect platform announced at CES 2019. Google has not shared many public details about this new platform for building Google Assistant accessories, but this codename suggests that Amlogic chips are used and there is some relation to Android, likely Android Things.

<string name=”assistant_device_id_nexus_am_chips_category”>assistantDeviceIdNexusAmChipsCategory</string>

<string name=”nexus_device_am_chips_title”/> <string name=”nexus_device_am_chips_toggle_text”/> <string name=”nexus_device_am_chips_toggle_title”/>

Labs

Version 9.21 reveals work on a “Labs” feature to let users “try new features Google is working on.” This includes the ability for users to send feedback for said “unstable” functionality.

<string name=”labs”>Labs</string> <string name=”labs_about”>About</string> <string name=”labs_any_other_thoughts”>Any other feedback?</string> <string name=”labs_feature_guide”>Feature guide</string> <string name=”labs_go_to_feature”>Try it now</string> <string name=”labs_how_to_use”>How to use</string> <string name=”labs_icon_content_description”>Labs icon</string> <string name=”labs_learn_more”>Learn more</string> <string name=”labs_notice_text”>”Be the first to try new features Google is working on.* Send feedback to let us know what you think. “<i>*Features may be unstable.</i></string> <string name=”labs_send_feedback_title”>Send feedback</string> <string name=”labs_submit”>Submit</string> <string name=”labs_title”>Labs</string>

One of the first features in testing is “Pinch To Zoom in Search Results” when on Image results. This feature is already live, but if new, possible feedback questions would include “Were there any visual errors?”

<string name=”pinch_question_title”>Were there any visual errors? If so, did they bother you?</string> <string name=”pinch_step_1″>Search for something (ex. puppies)</string> <string name=”pinch_step_2″>When the search loads pinch to zoom</string> <string name=”pinch_to_zoom_labs_summary”>When on the search results page, enable pinch to zoom.</string> <string name=”pinch_to_zoom_labs_title”>Pinch To Zoom in Search Results</string>

Bisto and Assistant for cars

“Bisto” is how Google refers to Assistant headphones, and in concept these audio devices are very similar to the JBL Link Drive and Anker Roav Bolt announced at CES. The gadgets plug into cigarette lighters for power and act as a bridge between your phone, which supplies the smarts, and your car’s Bluetooth speaker system.

Version 9.23 lists the ability to output Assistant responses via the Hands-Free Profile (HFP) Bluetooth profile used by phones to communicate with cars. Google might be leveraging its work on Assistant headphones for the new class of car devices.

<string name=”bisto_device_hfp_output_title”>Output responses via HFP</string>

Meanwhile, there are two strings that would let users determine whether Assistant plays a start or end sound after a response. It’s not clear whether this setting is related to headphones, or is another option for car accessories.

<string name=”bisto_end_sound_pref_title”>Play end sound</string> <string name=”bisto_start_sound_pref_title”>Play start sound</string>

Google app 9.23 also continues other work on supporting the Link Drive and Roav Bolt.

<string name=”confirm_ota_message_car”>”New features and fixes are available. Your car accessory won’t be available during the update, which may take a few minutes.”</string>

<string name=”herbie_skip_ota_dialog_message”>If you continue without a successful update, your %1$s may not work properly.</string> <string name=”herbie_skip_ota_dialog_title”>Device may not work Properly</string>

<string name=”kitt_settings_agent_section_header”>Connected via…</string> <string name=”kitt_settings_availability”>Availability</string>

Face Match/Avocado

Most strings revealing that Avocado is Assistant Face Match have been removed with this release.

<string name=”set_up_button_text”>Set up Avocado</string>

Tip calculator

Google Search has long featured a tip calculator, but Google app 9.23 hardcodes those strings in for some reason.

<string name=”tc_amount”>$%1$.2f</string> <string name=”tc_default_amount”>$0.00</string> <string name=”tc_dollar_sign”>$</string> <string name=”tc_include_all_name”>includes all charges</string> <string name=”tc_percentage_1″>15%</string> <string name=”tc_percentage_2″>18%</string> <string name=”tc_percentage_3″>20%</string> <string name=”tc_percentage_custom”>Custom</string> <string name=”tc_percentage_str”>%1$s%%</string> <string name=”tc_split_bill_name”>Split bill</string> <string name=”tc_subtotal_name”>Subtotal</string> <string name=”tc_tip_name”>Tip</string> <string name=”tc_tip_on_tax_name”>Tip on tax/other charges</string> <string name=”tc_tip_percentage_name”>Tip %</string> <string name=”tc_title”>Calculate Tip</string> <string name=”tc_total_name”>Total</string>

Explore

Assistant’s Explore directory of Actions now features a shortcut to access Upcoming in the bottom bar. It also adds an icon for itself to help make the navigation more unified. There also some tweaks to Explore, but this may be due to a buggy Webview than an actual interface tweak. For example, the search bar cannot be accessed, while the interface extends all the way to the edge of the screen.

Continued Conversation

With Continued Conversation, users do not have to repeat the Hey Google hotword and can start a new query for a few seconds after Assistant has finished replying. Version 9.23 shows renewed work on making it available in other languages, namely German. It is still being tested with employees.

These strings also reveal that Google is generalizing the text describing Continued Conversation. It is no longer directly refered to as “Google Home,” just “devices.” Google could be planning on finally making it available to third-party Assistant speakers, or Smart Displays.

Google app 9.10

<string name=”assistant_settings_summer_time_mode_availability_clarification_override”>”Continued Conversation is currently available for English (US). If you use Google Home devices not shown here, the person with the primary account on those devices may turn Continued Conversation on or off in their Assistant settings. We are also currently dogfooding the following locales: all English locales, German (DE).”

Google app 9.23

<string name=”assistant_settings_summer_time_mode_availability_clarification_override”>”Continued Conversation is currently available for English (US). If you use devices not shown here, the person with the primary account on those devices may turn Continued Conversation on or off in their Assistant settings. We are also currently dogfooding the following locales: all English locales, German (DE).”

How to update?

You can sign-up for the Google app’s beta program here or by heading to the Play Store listing on Android and scrolling to the bottom. The latest beta version of the Google app is immediately rolled out when it’s available.

We do not post APKs to download directly given the legal challenges associated with copyright and possibility of removal. Meanwhile, that model is perilous given Android App Bundles and Google Play’s Dynamic Delivery.

Thanks to JEB Decompiler, which some APK Insight teardowns benefit from.

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