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We strive to make Google Play the safest and most trusted experience possible. Today, we’re announcing a new set of policy updates and an account transfer feature to boost user privacy and protect your business from fraud. By providing better features for users and easy-to-integrate tools for you, we’re making it simpler to build safer apps so you can focus on creating great experiences.

We’re also expanding our features to help you manage new contact and location policy changes, so you have a smoother, more predictable app review experience. By October, Play policy insights in Android Studio can help you proactively identify if your app should use these new features and guide you on the exact steps to take. Additionally, new pre-review checks in the Play Console will be available starting October 27 to flag potential contacts or location permissions policy issues so you can fix them before you submit your app for review.

Here is what is new and how you can prepare.

Contact Picker: A privacy-friendly way to access contacts

Android is introducing the Android Contact Picker as the new standard for accessing contact information (e.g., for invites, sharing, or one-time lookups). This picker lets users share only the specific contacts they want to, helping build trust and protect privacy. Alongside this tool, we are updating our policy to require that all applicable apps use the picker, or other privacy-focused alternatives like Sharesheet, as the primary way to access users’ contacts. READ_CONTACTS will be reserved for apps that can’t function without it.

What you’ll need to do

• If your app asks for access to contacts for features like sharing or inviting, you should update your code to use the picker and remove the READ_CONTACTS permission entirely (if targeting Android 17 and above).
• If your app requires full, ongoing access to a user’s contact list to function, you must justify this need by submitting a Play Developer Declaration in the Play Console. This form will be available before October.

Location button: More privacy-friendly way to access location

Android is introducing a new, streamlined location button to make requesting precise data easier for one-time actions, like finding a store or tagging a photo. This feature replaces complex permission dialogs with a single tap, helping users make clearer choices about how much information they share and for how long. We’re updating our policy to require apps to use this button for one-time precise location access unless they require persistent, always-on location access. This creates a faster, more predictable experience for your users and reduces the friction of traditional permission requests.

What you’ll need to do

• Review your app's location usage to ensure you are requesting the minimum amount of location data needed for your app to work.
• If your app targets Android 17 and above and uses precise location for discrete, temporary actions, implement the location button by adding the onlyForLocationButton flag in your manifest.
• If your app requires persistent precise location to function, you will need to submit a Play Developer Declaration in Play Console to show why the new button or coarse location isn’t sufficient for your app’s core features. This form will be available before October.

Account Transfer: Protecting your business

You asked for a secure way to transfer app ownership during business changes, and we listened. We’re launching an official account transfer feature directly in Play Console that’s designed to help you easily transfer ownership during sales and mergers while also protecting your business from fraud. Starting May 27, account ownership changes must use this official feature. That means that unofficial transfers (like sharing login credentials or buying and selling accounts on third-party marketplaces) which leave your business vulnerable are not permitted.

What you’ll need to do

• Initiate any future account owner changes through the "Users and permissions" page in Play Console.
• Every transfer will include a mandatory 7-day security cool-down period. This gives your team time to spot and cancel any unauthorized attempts to take over your account. See Transferring ownership of a Play Console developer account for more guidance.

What’s next

We want to give you plenty of time to review these changes and update your apps. For more information, deadlines, and the full list of Google Play policy updates we’re announcing today, please visit the Policy Announcements page.

Thank you for your partnership in keeping Play safe for everyone.

Gemini 3.1 Flash TTS

Google released Gemini 3.1 Flash TTS today, a new text-to-speech model that can be directed using prompts.

It's presented via the standard Gemini API using gemini-3.1-flash-tts-preview as the model ID, but can only output audio files.

The prompting guide is surprising, to say the least. Here's their example prompt to generate just a few short sentences of audio:

# AUDIO PROFILE: Jaz R.
## "The Morning Hype"

## THE SCENE: The London Studio
It is 10:00 PM in a glass-walled studio overlooking the moonlit London skyline, but inside, it is blindingly bright. The red "ON AIR" tally light is blazing. Jaz is standing up, not sitting, bouncing on the balls of their heels to the rhythm of a thumping backing track. Their hands fly across the faders on a massive mixing desk. It is a chaotic, caffeine-fueled cockpit designed to wake up an entire nation.

### DIRECTOR'S NOTES
Style:
* The "Vocal Smile": You must hear the grin in the audio. The soft palate is always raised to keep the tone bright, sunny, and explicitly inviting.
* Dynamics: High projection without shouting. Punchy consonants and elongated vowels on excitement words (e.g., "Beauuutiful morning").

Pace: Speaks at an energetic pace, keeping up with the fast music.  Speaks with A "bouncing" cadence. High-speed delivery with fluid transitions — no dead air, no gaps.

Accent: Jaz is from Brixton, London

### SAMPLE CONTEXT
Jaz is the industry standard for Top 40 radio, high-octane event promos, or any script that requires a charismatic Estuary accent and 11/10 infectious energy.

#### TRANSCRIPT
[excitedly] Yes, massive vibes in the studio! You are locked in and it is absolutely popping off in London right now. If you're stuck on the tube, or just sat there pretending to work... stop it. Seriously, I see you.
[shouting] Turn this up! We've got the project roadmap landing in three, two... let's go!

Here's what I got using that example prompt:

Then I modified it to say "Jaz is from Newcastle" and "... requires a charismatic Newcastle accent" and got this result:

I had Gemini 3.1 Pro vibe code this UI for trying it out:

Tags: google, text-to-speech, tools, ai, prompt-engineering, generative-ai, llms, gemini, llm-release, vibe-coding

OpenAI updates the Agents SDK with native sandbox execution and a model-native harness, helping developers build secure, long-running agents across files and tools.

College life is full in every sense of the word. Full schedules, full inboxes, full expectations. The pressure to keep up, stay productive and always be “on” is real. Windows is making it even easier to get ready for everything college brings – from job searches and exam prep to game nights and downtime with friends. Starting today, eligible U.S. students can get great deals on select Windows 11 PCs, plus the Microsoft College Offer with more than $500 in added value for free^[1]. With the purchase of a new PC, unlock a full year of work and play:

• 1 year of Microsoft 365 Premium^[2] Power your coursework, group projects and everything in between with Word, Excel and PowerPoint, plus Copilot built in^[3].
• 1 year of Xbox Game Pass Ultimate^[2] Unlock a library of hundreds of games, including new games like Forza Horizon 6 and Fable^[4]. Play on PC, Xbox console and on more devices with unlimited cloud gaming – plus, subscribers get benefits and rewards^[5].
• A free design-your-own Xbox Wireless Controller to personalize your gaming setup – match your team, school or your favorite game with custom colors^[6].

To get the Microsoft College Offer, shop a wide range of Windows 11 PCs to meet your unique needs, with a variety of designs, display sizes and memory options at exceptional value. You can find great deals on qualifying PCs, including these limited-time, retailer-specific savings available starting today:

	Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3x $499 from $749 at Best Buy[7] Great for students juggling classes, side projects and downtime, this device is built to support everyday college life. Ideal for streaming shows on the weekend, staying on top of online classes or getting assignments done.
	HP OmniBook X Flip $849 from $949 at Best Buy[7] Designed for students who want performance and a premium experience. This PC can handle demanding creative workloads and multitasking for school, plus a flexible flip design that adapts to your needs outside the lecture hall.
	HP Victus $950 from $1399 at HP[7] Built for play and performance, this PC keeps up with your coursework and your free time. Jump into games after class without switching devices. It’s a solid pick if gaming is part of how you relax and connect on campus.

Check out qualifying devices from Acer, ASUS, Dell, HP, Lenovo and Microsoft Surface on offer at retailers including Amazon, Best Buy, Dell.com, HP.com, Microsoft.com and Walmart.

Study smarter with powerful productivity tools

Student life isn’t just busy – it’s fragmented. Notes here. Deadlines there. Messages everywhere. That’s where Windows 11 comes in: supporting students throughout their busy days to help them get organized and stay connected across every facet, including schoolwork and personal projects. Talking to students, the vast majority are already using AI to manage it all: 86% report using AI for their studies^[8] and according to another study nearly half of students surveyed view it as a tool to improve their understanding and build confidence^[9]. AI doesn’t replace your thinking – it supports it. Microsoft 365 Premium acts as your personal coach and study partner. With Copilot built directly into the apps students already use, it’s easier to research with ease, plan with precision, create with confidence and protect what’s important. Students using Microsoft 365 Premium unlock higher usage limits, expanded access to advanced Copilot features and AI agents that can take on more complex tasks as their workload grows^[3].

• In Word, Copilot can turn scattered notes into a clear structure, or suggest ways to improve clarity, tone and flow as you revise without overwriting your voice, so you stay in control from rough draft to final submission.
• In Excel, Copilot can help you better track a budget, deep dive on survey results and understand the “why” behind the numbers.
• In PowerPoint, Copilot can quickly build your first draft presentation, suggest slide structure and help refine wording so your points land clearly.
• In Outlook, Copilot can summarize long email threads, suggest quick replies and draft messages. Instead of reacting to every message, you get help catching up on your emails and responding thoughtfully – saving you time and stress.

If you need to go deeper, Researcher pulls trusted sources with citations for papers and projects, and Analyst (coming soon) turns your data into clear insights you can explain. Let’s look at how Copilot simplifies everyday tasks – whether you need help polishing your resume for an internship opportunity, or an extra hand keeping your budget in check: https://youtu.be/9mNCkTm-ywc

Polish your resume in Word with Copilot

https://youtu.be/hYftp6KvZNE

Track your budget in Excel with Copilot

On top of the Microsoft 365 and Xbox subscriptions available on offer with eligible Windows PCs, students can also take advantage of Copilot in Edge^[10], which helps you learn by breaking things down in real-time within the context of your coursework: It can summarize what you’re reading, explain concepts in simple terms or help you explore a topic without bouncing between tabs. Copilot can also create quizzes, flashcards and podcasts from your material so you can prep for exams, identify gaps in your knowledge and build your confidence: https://youtu.be/4j3chZtjQvc

Study smarter with Copilot in Edge

See how else Copilot has your back with classes, projects and campus life.

Game on with the best PC games on Windows

Our commitment to making Windows the best place to game starts with having the most PC games across storefronts and platforms^[11]. With Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, you get access to hundreds of high-quality games on Xbox console, PC, and supported devices, including new titles like Forza Horizon 6^[4]. Plus, play on any screen with unlimited cloud gaming and get in-game benefits in League of Legends, Rainbow Six Siege, and more^[4]. You also get Fortnite Crew, EA Play, and Ubisoft+ Classics included. Play and earn in the Store with Rewards^[12]. Find your community with Xbox and play where you want. Plus, with Xbox Design Lab, you can customize colors for your new Xbox Wireless Controller’s body, back, bumpers and thumbsticks so it matches your individual style^[5]. Whether you’re gaming between classes, competing with friends or unwinding after a long study session, a customized controller makes every play feel more personal. Your game. Your look. Your controller. When classes wrap up, students have even more ways to play with Xbox and Windows beyond what comes with the offer. Xbox mode brings the best of the Xbox experience to your PC. Rolling out to Windows 11 devices this month in the U.S. and other select markets, Xbox mode is a console-inspired, controller-optimized, dedicated gaming experience. You can seamlessly switch between Xbox mode and the Windows desktop, combining immersive gameplay with the flexibility of a PC on the same device. https://youtu.be/mKepo62-Lls

Xbox mode on Windows 11

Level up your laptop with a new Windows 11 PC

College is demanding. Technology shouldn’t make it harder. With the ultimate college bundle, it’s easy to find a Windows 11 PC that supports your learning, creativity and downtime, all with more than $500 in added subscription value included. Windows is built to keep up with busy student life, delivering performance and reliability you can count on so your PC stays fast and responsive throughout the semester. You’ll also have peace of mind with security built in, including features like Microsoft Defender antivirus and secure sign‑in that help protect your files, photos and personal info from day one, so you can focus on learning. When you choose a Copilot+ PC, you get even more – with long battery life^[13] and advanced on-device AI built to help you hit deadlines, multitask confidently and stay ahead all semester long. Available to eligible U.S. college students who purchase a qualifying PC at Microsoft.com, retailers – including Amazon, Best Buy and Walmart – and directly from original device manufacturers, including Acer, ASUS, Dell, HP, Lenovo and Surface. Offer valid from April 15, 2026, to 11:59 p.m. Pacific Time on June 30, 2026, while supplies of eligible PCs last. Visit the offer page for full details, eligibility requirements and additional terms. [1] Offer ends June 30, 2026. Eligibility requirements apply, and students will need to verify their academic status using their college .edu email address. Redemption requires a Microsoft account and following the provided steps after purchase of a qualifying PC. [2] For new subscribers only. Valid payment method required; subscriptions auto‑renew. See terms and conditions for details. [3] AI features only available to subscription owner and cannot be shared; usage limits apply. Learn more. Minimum age limits may apply to use of AI features. Details. [4] Forza Horizon 6 coming May 19, 2026. Fable coming late 2026. [5] Game library and benefits vary over time, by device, and Xbox Game Pass plan. xbox.com/gamepass. Select devices (xbox.com/cloud-devices). Rewards require Microsoft account and vary by Rewards Level. Terms apply. xbox.com/rewards. [6] Upgrades available; additional fees apply. [7] Discounted pricing available for limited time, while supplies last. Available on select configurations only. See retailer for details. [8] Digital Education Council, Global AI Student Survey 2024. Digital Education Council Global AI Student Survey 2024 [9] Consumer Trend Index, August 2025. (Microsoft-conducted survey of more than 1,200 U.S. students) [10] Feature and app availability and functionality may vary by region, device type, and browser version. [11] Based on Steam’s catalog of PC games. Source: The Preferences Powering PC Gaming report by Ampere Analysis, commissioned by Microsoft, September 2025. [12] Microsoft account required. Rewards vary by Rewards Level. Terms apply: xbox.com/rewards. Gameplay rewards for 18+. Microsoft.com/msa [13] Battery life varies significantly by device and with settings, usage and other factors.

What if you could remove the struggle of context switching across several apps, bringing them together into one place?

Meet Brittany Ellich, Staff Software Engineer, and the productivity tool she built to streamline her work. We sat down with Brittany to learn about this project–what she built, how she did it, and how AI supported the development process from ideation to implementation. Brittany created a visual home that fits how she learns and thinks, all inspired by the GitHub Copilot CLI.

Visual learner? Watch the video above!

Q & A

What is your role at GitHub?

I’m a staff software engineer on the billing team at GitHub. My day-to-day work mostly consists of working on metered billing, so things like keeping records of Actions minutes, storage amounts, and copilot usage. I passionately dogfood everything that comes out of the Copilot org. I’m also an open source contributor to ATProto projects and built Open Social for applications built on the AT Protocol.

What did you build?

I built a personal organization command center to solve a simple problem: digital fragmentation. My goal was to take everything scattered across a dozen different apps and unify them into one calm, central space.

How long did v1 take to make?

I use a plan-then-implement workflow when building systems, leveraging AI for planning and Copilot for implementation. For v1, this approach let me move from idea to a working tool in a single day alongside my other regular work.

While planning, I have Copilot interview me with questions about how something should work until we have a plan that I think is adequate. That way, there’s less guesswork about what I want done and implementation goes more smoothly. Copilot will implement the work based on the plan that we put together.

What’s your favorite tool stack to build with?

I like working in agent mode in VS Code for synchronous development, typically with up to 2 non-competing agent workflows going at a time, and Copilot Cloud Agent for asynchronous development. I typically try to keep a few asynchronous tasks flowing with Copilot Cloud Agent, like bug fixes or tech debt changes that have been well-scoped, while I’m focusing on the work that needs more oversight in VS Code.

Follow-up loaded question: Do you care what tech stack your apps use now?

Not really. I’ve always wanted to build an Electron app and this is technically my first one, but I can’t say I learned a ton about Electron during this process since it was almost completely built by Agent Mode. That said, I went in and simplified the repo significantly to make it publicly accessible which required a lot more hands-on work (agents seem to like adding code but are much less enthusiastic about removing code) and felt pretty comfortable reading through the repo and making changes despite not having a ton of familiarity with Electron apps.

Check out the project repo >

What’s your one-line takeaway for other builders?

Go build something! Building solutions from scratch has never been easier, and it’s helpful for learning how to work with new AI tools.

How do you keep up with news and changes in the industry?

I stay on top of industry news through articles, podcasts, and social media. I read articles that are shared internally on GitHub’s Slack, and I read the GitHub blog. We have a ton of great engineers who are great at curating useful resources and sharing them with the team. There are a few podcasts that I like for keeping up with things, like How I AI and Last Week in AI. On social media, I’m active on Bluesky and have had a ton of great conversations with other engineers there.

Try Brittany’s approach

Brittany’s project is a good reminder that the most useful projects often start as small fixes for everyday problems.

While you can use your own stack for this, if you’d like to try something similar, here are the tools Brittany used:

• Electron: Cross-platform desktop application framework
• React: JavaScript UI library for components and state management
• Vite: Build tool with hot module replacement
• Tailwind: CSS utility framework
• WorkIQ MCP: MCP server and CLI for accessing Microsoft 365 data

All of these are open source, and GitHub Copilot can help you get started with them quickly!

If you’d like her exact solution, you can clone Brittany’s repository to get up and running right away. You’ll need the following on your machine:

• Node.js (v18 or higher)
• GitHub Copilot CLI (for WorkIQ setup)
• A Microsoft 365 account (for calendar sync)
• An ElevenLabs account (for voice assistant setup)

There are more detailed instructions in her repository README file!

The post Build a personal organization command center with GitHub Copilot CLI appeared first on The GitHub Blog.