100 Million Strong

Google's Podcast app has reached 100 million installs, showing Android owners like podcasts, too.

April 15, 2021 It's April 15, 2021. On this day in 1892, the General Electric company (GE) was founded. Happy Birthday, GE!      ⏰ Today's Big Stories... in 30 Seconds Today We Watched, Read, and Listened to (so you don't have to): 302 articles, 8 podcasts, 13 press releases, 389 tweets, and 10 YouTube videos 1. Google Podcasts Hits 100 Million Installs Three years after its debut, the Google Podcasts app has hit the impressive milestone of 100 million installs. The growing popularity of podcasts is said to be a huge factor in the platform's growth, but its app design and features have played a part, too. Here's to another 100 million, Google. 2. Amazon Unveils Second-Gen Echo Buds Amazon has revealed their next-gen Echo Buds, touting a smaller design and better audio quality and battery life. The buds are set to release on May 13 for $99 (regular model) or $119.99 (w/ wireless charging case), but after a promo period ends on May 12, they'll be $119.99 and $139.99, respectively. 3. Sony Releases Massive PS5 System Update  The PS5's latest system update is here, and it's packed with a ton of quality of life changes. Some of the more notable additions include being able to move PS5 games to external storage, disabling in-game chat, and adjusting screen zoom. The update won't improve our chances of buying a PS5, though. 🦑 Go Deeper Using a smartphone while walking is easy. Doing it safely is not. Sascha Brodsky has the deep dive on why the two don't mix, and what's being done to help people who continue to do it.     🎱 By the Numbers That's a lot of storage space Data: Google Play Store Google Podcasts crossing the 100 million install threshold is impressive, but it's not the only app doing well on Android. Disney+ is right alongside it with its own 100 million downloads, with Tubi not too far behind at 50 million. Not pictured: Google's own Play Games app, which has over 1 billion installs. Wow.     🔥 Today's Hot Deal The all-new Echo Buds (2nd Gen) are available for pre-order on Amazon at the lower introductory price of $99 and $119. Order yours before May 12 and save some money! Don't Miss This Deal 🤓 Nerd Out "Where does origami fit in all this?" —Kyree Leary, Associate News Editor If you thought folding a paper was simple, think again. Apparently, if you fold a large enough paper 100 times, you can make it as thick as the observable universe. And we thought paper cuts were scary. (Share on Twitter) 💎 You Know You Want It  Toys in disguise Image: Hasbro If you need to know how cool toys have gotten, look no further than Hasbro's $700 Optimus Prime Auto-Converting Robot. The company partnered with Robosen Robotics to bring the autobot to life, which can be controlled or programmed to walk, transform, drive, and more. Seriously, we want this one. 🎮Up-Down-A-B-Start Play your way Video games have a number of difficulty options so people can play at their own pace, but some judge those who play on 'Easy.' Polygon spoke to a variety of Twitch streamers to understand why they play on easy difficulties, and why they get harassed for it.     🗞 Extra! Extra! We've got you covered with the best in daily tech news! See the latest on our site or follow us on Google News. Did someone forward this to you? Sign up here. Have something you'd like us to write about? We're always open for suggestions, too. You are receiving this newsletter because you subscribed to the Tech Today newsletter. If you wish to unsubscribe, please click here .   Our editors independently research, test, and recommend the best products; you can learn more about our review process here. We may receive commissions on purchases made from our chosen links. A Dotdash Brand 28 Liberty Street, 7th Floor, New York, NY 10005 2020 Dotdash • All rights reserved. Privacy Policy.   [View in Browser]