Here is Application updates of the week. December 9-15

The new selection of app updates of the week: a large Chrome update for mobile operating systems, the ability to initiate and receive calls from a smartphone on a computer with Windows 10, as well as a new navigation in the Google Maps application.

Google Chrome 79 for iOS and Android

A browser update from Google brought developers support for the WebXR API for creating virtual reality web games. This specification will soon also be supported by Firefox Reality, the Oculus browser, Microsoft Edge and Magic Leap Helio.

Also, PWA application icons will now automatically adapt to the system settings of the form of other icons, and images will occupy the entire form, and not fill the space with white.

One of the main features introduced in Chrome 79 is Password Checkup. The service allows you to check the strength of the password, the presence of the same stored passwords from different services, as well as the fact of information leakage, using a secure hashing method. Passwords that are already saved in Chrome are checked. You can find Password Checkup in the application settings in the “Passwords” section.

The new release has the ability to change the order of saved bookmarks, as well as marking an insecure connection with sites that work with the outdated security protocol TLS 1.0 or 1.1.

Download: Google Play / APKMirror / App Store

Your Phone Companion 1.19112.100.0 for Android

The “Calls” function announced on Samsung Unpacked 2019 in the “Your Phone” application on Windows 10 allows owners of Android smartphones to make and receive phone calls directly from a PC.

When calling from a computer, its microphone and speaker are used. Also, the “Your Phone” application for the computer can display the history of recent calls.

Thank you #WindowsInsiders for your feedback over the last couple of months. Today, we're pleased to announce the general availability of the #YourPhone app Calls feature, which allows you to receive and make phone calls on your PC: https://t.co/m47kLcXgbS pic.twitter.com/4GuIOXjR71

— Windows Insider (@windowsinsider) December 11, 2019

Microsoft recalls that the function is still in the process of testing, so when making calls, connection may be lost. Spreading the innovation on all devices may take some time.

To make calls you need:

• Smartphone with Android 7.0 and higher
• PC with Bluetooth, Windows 10 1903 and later

Download: Google Play / APKMirror

Withings Health Mate 4.6 for Android

The companion app for Withings smart devices is now able to export owner’s sleep data to Google Fit, as well as automatically publish workouts on the social network for Strava athletes.

Screenshots: Android Police

Another application received a native dark theme with adapted elements and automatic switching depending on the settings of the smartphone, as well as expanded support for the Android 10 resolution system.

Download: Google Play

Google Maps for Android

Some users of Maps on Android have discovered a completely new interface of the service’s mobile application. Navigation has been revised in the direction of abandoning the side menu and expanding the capabilities of the lower bar.

The Hamburger Menu disappeared completely, and the Places and Publish were added to the existing buttons in the lower bar. The last paragraph will make it easier to add photos and reviews to establishments.

Screenshots: 9to5Google

The menu sections with the chronology of movements, offline maps, application settings are now in the account change window: to open it, click on the avatar in the corner of the search bar.

As is usually the case with Google applications, the exact version of the program in which the new interface appears is unknown. Testing is conducted on a very limited list of devices, and when the innovation becomes available to everyone, it is unclear.

Download: Google Play / APKMirror