Google announced the Project Ara in 2013, a first modular smartphone that would let users to swap the components easily to upgrade the phone. Earlier in April this year, the company revealed the Modular development kit that would let developers create different modules that will eventually turn up on your own custom Ara phone.
Continue reading “Google starts taking orders for Project Ara developer boards”
Google has updated Google Maps for iPhone and iPad with several features. The version 3.2 now has improved search results as they now come with descriptions. Google Maps for Android and iOS got updated with support to save maps for offline viewing, Uber integration and more back in May. Earlier this year these apps got faster route notification.
Continue reading “Google Maps for iOS updated with improved search, Gmail invitations and more”
Google has updated keyboard app with several features. For starters the app gets support for five new languages including Indian English, Basque, Galician, Swiss Italian, and Latin American Spanish. Google Keyboard was released back in June last year, but it is not available globally for all devices yet.
Continue reading “Google Keyboard updated with spoken emoji, additional languages and more”
Google has updated its Camera app with an ability to take a photo using Android Wear devices. The version 2.3 will use the smartwatches as a remote shutter for your smartphone’s camera.
Continue reading “Google Camera update brings remote control for Android Wear”
Google has officially launched Android mirroring on the Chromecast. Originally announced at the I/O the feature will let Chromecast owners with Android devices to “cast” mobile apps, photos, videos, and anything else from their device’s screen over to their TV sets.
Continue reading “Google brings Android smartphone and tablet mirroring to Chromecast”
Yesterday, there were reports that paid apps are not working properly on Android Wear devices. Now, it looks like Google has taken the issue in their hands and released a workaround. Under this workaround paid app makers are required to manually package files differently.
Continue reading “Google rolls out workaround for the paid app Android Wear bug”
Google Now is getting an occasional reminder option that will alert you about your tasks and to do list. Users will be asked by Google to set reminders for tasks. They can choose from options including “today,” “tomorrow” and “occasionally.”
Continue reading “Google Now gets occasional reminders for your tasks”
Google added SMS integration to Hangout last year in October. The feature that was launched to encourage use of Hangouts allowed users to get their Hangouts instant-messages sent them over SMS in case they don’t have an internet connection.
Continue reading “Google reportedly pulling plug on SMS for Hangouts in emerging markets”
Google has been updating Drive with various features since last week. First it allowed the ability to edit Microsoft Office files and offline supports for Docs, Sheets and Slides. Also, the Drive app for Android got an update with revamped UI and more. Today, Google has made Docs and Sheet app compatible with recently announced Android L. The move comes from Google just two days after discontinuing QuickOffice from Play Store.
Continue reading “Google adds Android L support and new features to Docs and Sheet”
With an aim to expand its music offering, Google has acquired music streaming service Songza. The official news comes weeks after there were reports that Google is going to buy Songza. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.
Continue reading “Google acquires music streaming service Songza”
Google is finally pulling the plug on Orkut, its first effort in social network. The ten year old social network will shut down its operations on September 30 and existing users will be able to export their information using Google Takeout until September 2016. However, new users will not be able to create accounts.
Continue reading “Google bids adieu to Orkut, will shut it down on Sept 30”
Google’s Android platform has been the favorite of the OEMs for a long time due to its flexible nature. OEM’s have been able to change and modify the user interface of their Android smartphones without Google’s intervention. However, the OEMs and third-party developers will not have this liberty when it comes to the latest Android expansion by Google.
Continue reading “Google to have sole control on UIs of Android Wear, Android TV and Android Auto”
Google has announced that it will take down QuickOffice from Play Store as it has integrated its productivity apps in Google Drive. The company recently added docs, sheets and slides to the Drive thereby putting QuickOffice to less use.
Continue reading “Google to discontinue QuickOffice from Play Store”
Google announced Android One at the recent Google I/O developers conference. The new program targeted at the emerging markets like India, Brazil and others will let OEMs create low cost handsets. Now, according to a report by Digitimes, Google is collaborating with chip maker MediaTek for this initiative which aims to reach the next 5 billion users.
Continue reading “Google reportedly teams up with MediaTek for Android One devices”
One of the many significant announcements at the recent Google I/O developers conference was Android One. The program was formally unveiled with one central goal in mind, reaching the next 5 billion people in the world. These are the ones without a smartphone, mostly in emerging markets like India, China and so on. Google will be partnering with companies in the supply chain to provide a turnkey solution for many OEMs that are currently driving the budget smartphone segment in emerging markets. Android One involves a combination of affordable reference hardware, handpicked by Google, and stock Android software, with updates directly from Mountain View. The first three OEMs to sign up for this program are from India, which has familiar, but rather important, implications for the budget smartphone market.
Continue reading “Here’s why Android One is great for the budget smartphone market”
