Google One subscribers who are using the Premium Plan or above get access to the company’s own VPN service free of cost. So far, the service has been limited to Android and iOS devices, but now Google is rolling it out to desktop users.

The company has confirmed that it is bringing Google One VPN support to Mac and Windows devices. It is made available in 22 countries across the globe, allowing users to mask IP addresses and block trackers.

Users of the desktop version will need at least macOS Big Sur or Windows 10. While the Mac app works for both x86 and ARM users, the Windows app doesn’t support 32-bit or ARM-based systems.

It’s noteworthy that unlike many premium VPN services available in the market, Google One’s VPN doesn’t allow users to change their location to access or unlock other regions’ media content on streaming platforms. Similar to Apple‘s iCloud Plus VPN, the Google One VPN automatically assigns an IP address in the region from where the user is getting connected.

Google also has independent bodies audit its VPN service. The company also shares the source code for its app libraries to ensure transparency. The search engine giant has revealed that the audit for the desktop apps will be made public in the “coming weeks.”

The company had originally started offering VPN service for free to Google One subscribers with a 2TB plan in the United States in 2020, but since then, Google has expanded the offering to 22 markets, including Mexico, Canada, the UK, France, Germany, Spain, and Italy, and others.

RELATED:

• Google Pixel 8 and 8 Pro are codenamed Shiba and Husky; powered by Tensor G3 SoC
• Google’s upcoming Tensor G3 processor to reportedly be made by Samsung
• India issues new order that asks VPN firms to collect & supply it with user data
• Google May Add Support for New File Format in Android 14
• Google Pixel 6 receives Pixel 7’s extended weather for At a Glance Widget

The post Google One VPN service now available for Mac and Windows users appeared first on Gizmochina.

Google has taken everyone by surprise as it announced a storage cap for Google Photos. Accordingly, from June 1, 2021, Google Photos will also come under the ambit of the free 15GB storage the company already offers.

Google, in a blog post(via The Verge) says that all the photos and videos you upload from June 1 of next year will count towards that 15GB. That is, the free 15GB cloud storage will be shared by Photos, Gmail, and Drive. So far, Google Photos offers unlimited backup of Photos in ‘High Quality’ format. However, the company says the App has 4 trillion photos stored so far. And apparently, about 28 billion new photos, videos are being uploaded every week.

Hence, to keep up with the demand for storage, and make the App sustainable, it is bringing this change. That said, the already uploaded ones, and the contents uploaded before June 1, 2021, are exempt from this change. This means you can upload n number of photos, and videos before the cut-off date as they are free till then.

Although this is a big change, Google says users don’t need to worry about it right now. It assures that it will send alerts via App, email as we approach the 15GB mark. Additionally, it will also introduce features like “Personalized estimates” and a ‘Tool’ inside the Google Photos app from June 2021. This will reportedly help users manage their storage better by deleting dark/blurry images to save space.

Besides, the change also doesn’t affect ‘Original quality’ photos as Google already counts it under 15GB free storage. Further, Google’s Pixel users(Google Pixel to Google Pixel 5) are immune to this change. This means, if you own a Pixel device, you can continue to enjoy the free ‘High quality’ backup even after the cut-off date.

Google also talks about the in-active policy in this change. Accordingly, it may delete contents of either Drive, Gmail, Photos if users aren’t active for 24 months. A similar action extends to users who cross the storage limit and don’t take any action for 2 years. That said, if the 15GB free storage isn’t enough, you can always try Google One. Currently, it costs $99.99(USA)/₹6,500(India) a year or $9.99/₹650 a month, and includes VPN service for Android as well(2TB Plan).

UP NEXT: Google faces antitrust investigation in India over its payment service

The post Google will terminate unlimited ‘high quality’ backup on Google Photos from June next year appeared first on Gizmochina.

Google is the place where we search all of our queries. And now, it could just make us anonymous and protected as well. It has announced a new VPN service for Android by Google One is coming to the US, and other countries soon.

In a blog post(via The Verge) Google says it is introducing a new VPN service for Android users who have the 2TB and higher Google One plans. It costs $99.99(USA)/₹6,500(India) a year or $9.99/₹650 a month. This service will reportedly encrypt and protect the entire online traffic irrespective of browser or app being used. However, it is built into the Google One App(Android-only as of now). And as said above, users need a Google One Membership.

VPN by Google One

For the unaware, Google One is a  subscription service that gives more cloud storage. With every Gmail, users get 15GB of free color storage. But if you want to upgrade it, you need to subscribe to Google One. However, if you are in the US and already on a 2TB plan, you will get the VPN support through an update soon in the coming weeks on the Google One App. But if you are somewhere else, you might have to wait longer.

Additionally, Google is also rolling out Pro sessions by Google One with VPN support for 2TB plan users. This is basically a support service that schedules conversations. And connects you to a Google Expert to know more about the VPN service.

How to enable it? -That said, to enable the update, after getting it, open the Google One app and navigate to VPN on the Home section. On the next page, enable the VPN. Also, if you share your 2TB plan with family members(Max:5) they can enable the service at no extra charge.

Availability

The new VPN by Google One service is limited to Android as of now. But it will expand to iOS, macOS, and Windows, and other countries in the coming months. As said earlier, it will roll out to the USA in the coming weeks. And Pro sessions will also roll out to the USA, United Kingdom, and Canada in a few weeks.

UP NEXT: Google Pixel 5 sits at 15th place in DXOMARK Camera with 120 points

The post Google launches VPN service for Android; coming to the US, and other countries soon appeared first on Gizmochina.