Acer, a brand known for laptops and monitors, has surprised everyone with a new Google TV box called the Acer 4K UHD Google TV Box, or AiTV. This device stands out because it offers a wide range of ports, something many modern streaming devices lack. It includes HDMI, USB-A, USB-C, Ethernet, a microSD card slot, and even an S/PDIF optical audio port for high-quality sound.

The box uses a separate power input, so the USB-C port is free for other uses. It runs on an Amlogic S905X5 processor with a quad-core Cortex-A510 CPU, a Mali-G310 GPU, and a 4 TOPS TPU for smooth performance. It also supports Wi-Fi 6 and super-resolution upscaling for crisp visuals.

However, there’s some confusion about the RAM—some sources say it has 2GB, while others claim 3GB. For now, the box is only available for pre-order in South Africa for about $80, with no confirmed plans for a U.S. or European release yet. The remote is standard, featuring buttons for YouTube, Netflix, Prime Video, and a large “Live TV” button.

Meanwhile, Google is rolling out an update to Quick Share, Android’s file-sharing feature, making it easier to use. The update introduces a new landing page with separate “Send” and “Receive” tabs, simplifying the process of sharing files like photos or videos.

You can now choose who can discover your device—everyone, just contacts, or only your own devices—giving you more control over privacy. This update is part of Google’s August 2025 System Updates and is available on devices running Android 15, including phones, tablets, TVs, and cars with Google built-in.

Quick Share’s new design aims to make file transfers faster and more user-friendly across your Android devices.

This combination of Acer’s port-packed Google TV box and Google’s improved Quick Share shows how Android’s ecosystem is growing. While Acer’s device brings versatile connectivity to your TV, Quick Share’s update makes sharing content between devices smoother than ever. Together, they enhance the Android experience for entertainment and connectivity.

Google is rolling out exciting updates for its Maps and Phone apps, making them more user-friendly and practical. These changes aim to simplify how you handle photos in Google Maps and find call recordings in the Google Phone app, based on recent discoveries in app updates.

Google Maps: Choose How Motion Photos Are Saved

Google Maps is working on a new feature that lets you decide how Motion Photos are uploaded. For those unfamiliar, Motion Photos are short video clips captured alongside a still image on some Android devices, like Google Pixel phones.

Right now, when you upload a Motion Photo to Google Maps, it’s automatically saved as a still image, which can be frustrating if you want the video part included. According to a recent app teardown, Google Maps may soon give you a choice: upload the Motion Photo as a static picture or as a video clip.

This update, spotted in the latest Google Maps beta (version 11.144.x), includes a new settings option where you can pick your preference. The feature isn’t live for everyone yet, as Google is still testing it, but it promises to give users more control over their photo uploads. This is great news for anyone who loves sharing dynamic content on Maps, like short clips of a bustling café or a scenic park.

Google Phone App: Easier Access to Call Recordings

Meanwhile, the Google Phone app is also getting a helpful upgrade. If you use a Google Pixel 9 or later in the US, you can record phone calls thanks to the Call Notes feature. However, finding those recordings in your call log can be tricky.

Google is fixing this with a new filter that lets you sort your call history to show only calls with recordings. This update, found in the Google Phone app beta (version 151), adds a simple way to locate recorded calls without scrolling through your entire call history. It’s a small but practical change, especially for users who rely on recordings for work or personal notes.

Why These Updates Matter

Both features show Google’s focus on making its apps more intuitive. The Google Maps update gives you flexibility with Motion Photos, while the Phone app’s new filter saves time when searching for recordings. These changes, though still in testing, could roll out soon, making your Android experience smoother and more tailored to your needs.

Google’s Gboard keyboard is getting a fresh look and simpler settings to make typing easier for everyone. The suggestion bar, where words or clipboard items pop up, now uses pill-shaped boxes instead of rounded rectangles.

This change is rolling out to all users with Gboard version 15.8.4 and is especially noticeable on the Pixel 10 series, where it supports features like Magic Cue and Pixel Screenshots.

A bigger update is coming to Gboard’s settings menu. The “Preferences” section has been reorganized to make things easier to find. For example, there’s a new “Layout” section with a toggle for the suggestion strip, and options like double-space for periods or touch-and-hold for symbols are now grouped under “Shortcuts” and “Key tap.”

This makes it quicker to adjust common settings without digging through menus. Another tweak renames “Text correction” to “Corrections & suggestions,” splitting it into sections like Automatic corrections, Spelling & grammar, and Suggestions. A new toggle lets users decide if word suggestions appear in the suggestion strip.

These changes are currently in the beta version (15.8.5) but will soon reach all devices.Meanwhile, YouTube TV has good news for its subscribers: Fox channels, including popular ones like Fox News, Fox Sports, and local Fox stations, aren’t going anywhere.

There was worry among users after talks between Google and Fox Corp suggested some channels might be dropped. But YouTube TV confirmed that a new deal ensures all Fox-owned channels will stay available.

This is a relief for viewers who rely on YouTube TV for live sports, news, and entertainment from Fox networks. The announcement came through a post on X, putting an end to rumors and giving subscribers peace of mind.

Both updates show Google’s focus on improving user experience, whether it’s making typing smoother with Gboard or keeping favorite channels on YouTube TV. These changes, big and small, aim to keep users happy and engaged.