Home
News
You are here

Update to Google News allows app to work regardless of signal strength or phone employed

By Alan Friedman

Published: Sep 10, 2018, 1:54 PM

Update to Google News allows app to work regardless of signal strength or phone employed

Unveiled in May, the Google News app is designed to tell you what is happening in your world. Get briefed on the top world, national and local stories that are of interest to you. The app will also take a story and break it down, giving you perspective from all sides. And the content always is sourced from credible news organizations allowing you to trust that the news you just read on the app is indeed "real news."

Available in 127 countries and in 65 languages, Google News is receiving an update that will allow the app to work better on phones and tablets using a "lighter network connection" including Android (Go Edition) phones. The four new features coming with the update include:

Whenever possible, videos embedded inside stories will be run in YouTube Go.
Stories will be more text-oriented saving users from having to consume data.
Stories will be compressed, available to be opened at a tap. Additionally, videos and GIFs will not auto play.
Content can be saved for reading later, while on a Wi-Fi connection.

These four features will be enabled automatically. There is no need to toggle a switch or change any settings.

The update will be pushed out globally over the next few weeks. Even if you are in an area with "iffy" network connectivity, you are entitled to know what is going on in the world. If you haven't installed the app, you can do so by clicking on the appropriate link: (Android|iOS).

"But building a news experience for everyone isn’t just about the languages offered, publishers highlighted, or topics shown. We also want to make sure Google News works regardless of the phone or cellular service you have. If you go underground on a train and you lose service or you’re somewhere without a strong signal, Google News should still just work."-Google

source: Google

$20 /mo

$25

$5 off (20%)

Offer Ends 6.1.2026 at 11.59pm ET. New members get $5/mo off the $25/mg Visible plan, $35/mo Visible+ plan, or $45/mo Visible+ Pro plan for the first 12 months. Promo code FRESHSTART required at checkout.

Buy at Visible

View Full Bio

Alan, an ardent smartphone enthusiast and a veteran writer at PhoneArena since 2009, has witnessed and chronicled the transformative years of mobile technology. Owning iconic phones from the original iPhone to the iPhone 15 Pro Max, he has seen smartphones evolve into a global phenomenon. Beyond smartphones, Alan has covered the emergence of tablets, smartwatches, and smart speakers.

Read the latest from Alan Friedman