Google Docs finally gets the file support we've been waiting for

androidpolice.com Oct 6, 2026

Google Docs finally gets the file support we’ve been waiting for

Curated by Shubham · TechCapsules · Oct 6, 2026

AI-summarised brief · reviewed before publication

Google has added native support for Markdown files to Google Docs, a feature long requested by users on Reddit and other forums. The update, announced on the Google Workspace Updates site, allows .md and .markdown files to be opened, edited, and saved directly within Docs without conversion tools. The change is expected to streamline collaboration for developers and writers who rely on Markdown for lightweight formatting. Google Docs remains less dominant than Microsoft Word in enterprise settings, but the new capability broadens its appeal to a wider user base.

💡 Why It Matters

· By integrating Markdown, Google Docs now meets a critical need for developers and technical writers, reducing the friction of switching between editors and enhancing collaborative workflows.

Read full article on androidpolice.com

Googlebook gets Luminar photo editing app with ‘Continue On’ support

Googlebook has launched its first major app, Luminar, a photo‑editing tool that now supports the new OS. The rebuilt app meets Googlebook’s Tier 1 quality standards, adding keyboard shortcuts, resizable windows, drag‑and‑drop, and “Continue On” functionality that lets users start edits on mobile and finish on a Googlebook. Luminar is available through the Play Store, with a 12‑month free trial followed by a one‑time purchase for premium features. The release marks a significant expansion of Googlebook’s app ecosystem.

💡 By enabling seamless cross‑device editing, Luminar demonstrates Googlebook’s commitment to a robust, desktop‑grade experience, potentially reshaping how users approach mobile photography workflows.

sundayguardianlive.com · Oct 4

The dangers of ‘Max’: Why you should be concerned about such apps

Russian authorities have launched MAX, a state‑backed “super‑app” created by Kremlin‑linked VK and pre‑installed on all new devices sold in the country. Marketed as a domestic counterpart to China’s WeChat, MAX bundles messaging, banking, government services, shopping, payments and digital identity into a single platform. Independent cybersecurity analyses allege the app contains hidden code that can capture screenshots, access device data and monitor users’ financial transactions and communications, providing unprecedented surveillance capabilities. The Russian government, which has tightened control over media and internet access since the 2022 invasion of Ukraine, denies the accusations, claiming the app complies with law and is secure. Critics warn that the convenience of MAX may come at the cost of widespread privacy erosion for Russian citizens.

💡 MAX could transform everyday digital interactions into a state‑run data collection network, giving the Kremlin real‑time insight into the personal and financial lives of millions.

windowslatest.com · Oct 4

Windows 11’s WinUI lacks a 26-year-old scroll shortcut even Electron has, and…

Microsoft’s longtime Windows engineer Raymond Chen recently discovered that a hidden scrollbar shortcut—holding Shift while clicking the scrollbar to jump directly to a location—has been supported in Windows since the Windows 2000 era. The shortcut, also available through a “Scroll Here” context‑menu option, is still functional in legacy Win32, WPF and Chromium‑based Electron apps, but is absent from WinUI, the XAML framework used for modern Windows 11 applications. Chen noted the inconsistency after testing several apps and found a GitHub bug report flagging the issue for Notepad. WinUI’s custom scroll controls lack both the context menu and Shift‑click behavior, and the backlog item remains unassigned despite recent promises at Build 2026 to address fundamental UI bugs. Developers hope the fix arrives soon officially.

💡 Without the Shift‑click shortcut, WinUI apps force users to waste time scrolling page by page, undermining the efficiency gains promised by Windows 11’s modern UI.

9to5mac.com · Oct 3

Indie App Spotlight: ‘HEVCut’ helps you trim your photo library without deleting…

HEVCut, an indie iOS app, offers a privacy‑preserving solution for iPhone storage constraints by compressing photos and videos on device, reducing file sizes by 50‑80% without significant quality loss. The free version provides basic cleanup tools, while the Pro tier unlocks higher‑resolution compression and advanced video trimming for $24.99 annually or $39.99 lifetime. A $0.49 one‑week trial allows users to test the full feature set before committing. The app addresses the steep jump between Apple’s iCloud storage tiers.

💡 By enabling substantial local and cloud savings, HEVCut lets users avoid costly iCloud upgrades, reshaping how consumers manage media on Apple devices.

techcrunch.com · Oct 3

Laytr’s new app lets you save anything you find online, not just…

After Mozilla’s Pocket shut down, Laytr emerged as a privacy‑centric read‑it‑later app that lets users save any web content—articles, videos, PDFs, screenshots, bookmarks, or tabs—to a private archive on their device. The app auto‑categorizes items into “cases,” offers reminder dates, and syncs across Apple devices via iCloud without requiring an account. Developed by Mostafa Talaat’s Waitery Inc., Laytr imports Pocket exports, limits free users to 30 items, and offers paid tiers for unlimited storage.

💡 Laytr’s server‑less design gives users full control over personal data, addressing growing concerns over cloud‑based tracking. Its cross‑device sync and reminder features enhance productivity without compromising privacy.

9to5google.com · Oct 3

Gemini app gains new ‘Map’ tool, replacing ‘/’ with ‘@’

Google has added a “Map” tool to its Gemini app on Android and iOS, replacing the forward slash with “@” for invoking skills. The Map tool appears at the end of the carousel beside Photos, Camera, Avatar, Files, Drive, and Notebooks, launching a live map that lets users pan, zoom, and search for locations. After selecting a spot, users can add “Map Area” to the prompt box. The feature is widely rolled out, while the slash-to-@ change is still in beta.

💡 The Map tool expands Gemini’s contextual capabilities, enabling location‑aware queries without leaving the chat. The slash‑to‑@ shift streamlines skill access, simplifying how users trigger new functionalities.