As the digital landscape continues to evolve, Google remains at the forefront of innovation, consistently refining its offerings to meet the ever-changing needs of users worldwide. Recent reports suggest significant enhancements on the horizon for both mobile and PC platforms.
In the realm of mobile security, Google Chrome for Android is poised to introduce a pivotal update, reportedly incorporating support for third-party password managers, promising a more secure browsing experience for users.
Simultaneously, Google’s foray into PC gaming is set to reach new heights with an expansion of native PC game support within Google Play Games.
These developments underscore Google’s commitment to empowering users with enhanced security measures on mobile devices while also catering to the growing demand for immersive gaming experiences across diverse platforms.
Google Chrome for Android Reportedly Adds Support for Third-Party Password Managers
Google Chrome for Android is reportedly adding support for third-party password managers.
The Chrome browser currently only supports password autofill from Google Password Manager, its native service.
Now Android users who prefer and use other password managers cannot use the app’s saved data to log into their accounts on the browser.
It appears that Google is now addressing this pain point by allowing users to choose whichever third-party service they want.
As the desktop app of Google Chrome recently upgrade the standard version of the Safe Browsing feature with a real-time protection protocol.
The feature is already available on Chrome Stable, Beta, and Canary builds, and users with these builds can access them immediately.
But, they will first have to activate an experimental flag.
As per a report, it can be enable at chrome://flags/#enable-autofill-virtual-view-structure.
When activate, the setting will appear.
After that, you can go to Chrome Settings –> Autofill options and select Use other providers.
When the setting is change, Google will no longer show its password suggestions in login text fields.
This setting should automatically prompt Chrome to trigger the default password manager the user has set for their Android smartphone.
To change the default password manager, you can go to Android settings and click on Passwords & accounts –> Passwords, passkeys, and data services and select the password manager of their choice.
Note : While the feature is working, the report found a bug where entering a new password did not prompt an option to save it, despite the flag being activated.
This can be a concern for users wanting to switch their password manager immediately.
It appears Google is still fine-tuning the feature before its public release.
Google Play Games for PC to Expand Support for Native PC Games This Year
Google Play Games was release for Windows in 2022, bringing a diverse lineup of select Android games to PC.
Google’s gaming service, first announce in 2021, was launch in Beta in India last year, as well, offering optimise Android games for PC.
Google recently announce that it will expand support for native PC games on the platform, offering more bespoke PC titles on Google Play Games, in addition to Android games.
At its 2024 Google for Games Developer Summit held last week, Google announce that it will bring more PC games from top developers to Google Play Games app on Windows.
Expand support for native PC titles will be coming in 2024, Google said.
Google Play Games on PC features over 3,000 titles in over 140 countries, with the service bringing 35% more playtime for developers, as per Google’s internal data.
As it’s unclear if Google intends to bring triple-A PC games from developers to its storefront, the announcement certainly opens doors for new PC titles on the platform.
As of now, Steam and Epic Games Store remain the two most popular PC games storefronts.
It’s unlikely that Google is looking to disrupt the space and compete with Valve and Epic, two firms involve in the games industry across different aspects of developing, publishing, and selling games.
The Android parent has also ask developers to fill up a Google form to express their interest in making their native PC games available on the service.
Google Play Games for PC beta launch in India in 2023, offering native PC games support on Windows.
Users logging in with their Google account also get seamless syncing between devices.
The platform is accessible in both English and Hindi in India.
