Google could make its own iPhone rivals. Photo: Google

Google’s flagship Nexus 6P delivered significant design improvements last year, putting its hardware on par with the best devices from rival manufacturers. But Google wants the Nexus lineup to be even more like the iPhone.

To make that happen, the company will reduce its reliance on third-party manufacturing partners like Huawei and LG and assume greater control over Nexus hardware, according to one report.

WhatsApp and Gmail had a big day today. Photo: Jay Wennington/Unsplash

If you think everyone and their sister has a Gmail account or uses WhatsApp these days, you wouldn’t be too far off.

Both tech giants, one a messaging app, the other an email service, have hit some serious milestones today.

Google is at the top of the world. Photo: Google

Google’s parent company Alphabet is now the most valuable company in the world, passing Apple in market capitalization today in after hours trading.

This is the first time since February of 2010 that Google has passed Apple in value. The Cupertino-based iPhone maker has held the top spot since 2013 when it passed Exxon Mobile, but thanks to a strong earnings report today, Alphabet has rocketed to the top.

YouTube’s new ‘watch later’ option. Screenshot: Android Police/Paul Kolanjian

Google’s latest YouTube update for Android finally gives users the ability to quickly add videos to their “watch later” list with just one tap. The option ensures you don’t forget the latest videos from your favorite channels when you don’t have time to watch them right away.

Google pays out cold cash to security researchers who hack its systems, then report the problems. Photo: tookapic/Pixabay CC

Google paid out more than $2 million in bounties to security researchers last year in an effort to keep its applications and services safe from hackers.

The payments came via the company’s Vulnerability Reward Program, which gives researchers a financial incentive to locate security holes in Google’s software, then report them to the company rather than exploit them.