Google Enhances Android with AI-Powered Scam Detection and New Features

Google Messages Gets Spam Detection, Live Location Sharing Comes to Android

Chrome will allow users to track prices of products on the web Google is introducing four new features on Android that are designed to protect users from scam messages, help them share their location securely, track prices while browsing the web, and stay entertained while their vehicle is parked. The company says that its new scam detection feature on Google Messages uses artificial intelligence (AI) to identify messages and shows users a real-time warning, and the detection is done privately, on the user's smartphone. These features are expected to roll out to Android handsets in the coming weeks. The company says that the new AI-powered Scam Detection feature on Google Messages will rely on AI to identify text patterns that are typically used by scammers to show real-time alerts on a user's smartphone. These alerts will include a message with the text "Likely Scam" and users will be presented with two buttons -- Not a scam and Report & block. According to Google, the new Scam Detection feature is designed to identify messages from scammers looking to steal money from unsuspecting users. The processing of received messages in order to identify a suspected scam message is done on-device to protect user privacy, according to the company. The Find My Device app was designed to help users keep track of their smartphones, tablets, and other accessories, but Google is now expanding its functionality to allow live location sharing with trusted contacts. This functionality is currently available on Apple's Find My app, which also shows the users' locations on a map. Google says that users can set a specific duration while sharing their live location with a contact -- options include an hour, a day, a custom duration, or indefinitely. The Find My Devices app will also show users the battery level of friends and family members who have opted to share their live location. Users who access shopping sites using Chrome for Android will soon see a new icon in the browser's address bar while browsing the web. While there are several price tracker extensions for Chrome on macOS, Windows, and Linux, Google's browser for Android doesn't support these add-ons. The search giant has now built the functionality into the mobile version of Chrome. According to the company, users will see a new icon on the Chrome address bar that reveals when the price of a particular product has dropped. The browser will show users a chart that shows the price history of the product over the past couple of months. Users can also tap on the Track button to receive a notification when the price of the product drops. When a vehicle with Android Auto is parked, users will be able to play games to pass the time. Google will allow users to download games like Farm Heroes Saga, Candy Crush Soda Saga, Angry Birds 2 and Beach Buggy Racing on their smartphone, which will make it available on Android Auto. The company's post suggests that these games will only be available when a vehicle is parked, in order to prevent users from getting distracted with these games in a running vehicle. All of the features listed above are expected to roll out to users in the coming weeks. If past releases are any indication, users should see a notification informing them of new features that are available on their smartphone.

The latest Android update includes live scam message detection

Google has just announced the four latest features of its Android 15 operating system. First up, Google Messages now uses AI to detect scam messages in real time. Scam Detection will notify you if it detects suspicious writing patterns from the messages you're receiving and will give you the option to report and/or block the conversation. For the privacy-minded, Scam Detection runs locally on your device, keeping your messages safe from prying eyes. Find My Device can now let you share your location live with your friends, and you can see each other on a map while trying to meet up. It's a handy feature for those who want to watch their loved ones, ensuring they end up where they should be. This feature was already part of Google Maps (and Apple's own Find My app) but is now rolled into Find My Device. New games are coming to Android Auto, including Candy Crush Soda Saga, Angry Birds 2, and Beach Buggy Racing. After downloading them to your phone, you can play them in your car while parked. The Chrome app for Android will also now track price comparisons for products and potentially send you alerts when an item is on sale.

Android rolls out new features for user safety and entertainment By Investing.com

Investing.com -- Android, the popular operating system developed by Google (NASDAQ:GOOGL), has launched four new features aimed at enhancing user connectivity, safety, and ease of use. The first of these features is an AI-powered Scam Detection tool integrated into Google Messages. This tool uses artificial intelligence to identify and flag text patterns typically associated with scams, alerting users to potential fraud risks in real-time. If a message is suspected to be a scam, the user will receive a warning and can then block and report the conversation. The Scam Detection feature operates on the user's device, ensuring the privacy of their conversations. The second feature allows users to share their live location with trusted contacts via the Find My Device app. This feature is intended to provide safety and peace of mind, allowing users to coordinate meetings or confirm the safety of a family member. The location data is securely stored and the user can control who has access to their location and for how long. Regular reminders are provided about who the user is currently sharing their location with. The third feature enhances the entertainment options available on Android Auto, with more gaming apps now accessible. Users can download games like Farm Heroes Saga, Candy Crush Soda Saga, Angry Birds 2, and Beach Buggy Racing to their mobile devices and play them on their car's screen while parked. Lastly, Android has integrated shopping insights and tools into Chrome to assist users in making online purchases. These tools allow users to check a product's price history, track price drops, and compare prices across the web. Users can look for a "Price is low" notification in their Chrome address bar to access these features. These new features are part of Android's ongoing efforts to improve user experience and safety.