YouTube Music gets new features, including Google Assistant recommendations on Nest speakers

Google is integrating YouTube Music more into its ecosystem. Now, the streaming app gains new features for Google Assistant, Android TV, and Google Maps.

Google Assistant on newer Nest speakers can now recommend music. All you need to say is, "Hey Google, play recommended music from YouTube Music." It will then offer personalized music suggestions, like favourite artists and genres, based on your listening history. The same feature won't work on Google Home devices, though.

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Waze's brand refresh adds bright colours, cartoon-like icons to fit its users

Google-owned Waze wanted to refresh its look to celebrate its community of users. And with that, the company set about revamping its branding to make it "friendly, organic, and joyful." 

The logo looks similar to the old one, but a few tweaks are added to it. Like, the wheels look like they're coming from both sides of the character instead of on one side. The text looks like it fits more into the aesthetic of modern smartphones. Waze is also introducing Moods into its app. There are 30 different feelings you can express, and the company promises to add more. 

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Waze might soon get lane guidance support

You might not be driving around as much these days, but that doesn't mean your trusty navigation apps aren't working on adding new features. One such app is getting a long-requested feature: lane guidance support. Google's Waze is reportedly getting lane guidance, and it will be testing out the feature first in Israel. We aren't sure which markets will be getting first dibs.

Lane guidance is particularly useful when you're driving down unknown areas where you aren't sure when to switch lanes to make your exit. Lane guidance appears on top of your navigation screen, with markings consistent with what you'd see on road signs. The lane you're supposed to be on will be highlighted on your app. This feature will appear on the screen around 500 meters before you turn on city roads or a kilometre before you exit on highways. Lane guidance will not show up for roundabouts, though.

Source: BGR

Shawn Mendes tops Spotify's list of songs most listened to by Waze users in 2019

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Three Canadian artists make the list of Spotify's top 10 songs listened to by Waze users around the world in 2019. At number one, we have Pickering-born Shawn Mendes with Camila Cabello for the song "Señorita." Mendes is joined by Snow, who collaborated with Daddy Yankee for the number 2 song "Con Calma." Then there's Justin Beiber in the fourth spot with his collaboration with Ed Sheeran on the track "I Don't Care." You can check the full list under the cut.

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