The Google Chrome browser for Mac and PC now understands your “Ok Google” voice commands thanks to an official “Voice Search Hotword extension” that’s available to download now from the Chrome Web Store. You can use it to make handsfree web searches, quick conversions, and even to set reminders.

If you recently picked up a new Nexus 5, and you live outside of the United States, you may have noticed that saying “Ok Google” to activate its voice-controlled assistant doesn’t work — no matter how loud you shout it. That’s because it isn’t designed to work internationally yet, but there is a really simple way to enable it.

Motorola’s Touchless Control app, which allows you to control your smartphone using only your voice, is now available to download from Google Play. You can use it to set alarms, get directions, find answers to questions, “or do just about anything” — without having to touch your phone at all.

There is one caveat, however. The app’s only available on the Moto X, the Droid Ultra, the Droid Mini, and the Droid Maxx.

Google Hangouts received a minor update on the Play Store earlier this week, which is only now just rolling out to its users. This upgrade to version 1.1 brings some new emoji’s, bug fixes and the inclusion of some “butter” to Hangouts, in an effort to make it run faster and increase the fluidity of the app.

I have a confession to make: I own a BlackBerry Z10, and I love it. I think its BlackBerry 10 operating system is terrific — it’ll be even better when it gets more apps — and I haven’t been this excited about a new platform since I got my first iPhone. Seriously.

I certainly don’t want to see BlackBerry sinking anytime soon, then.

But I can’t help but wonder whether BlackBerry might have just shot itself in the foot by announcing BlackBerry Messenger for Android and iOS.