Google I/O 2014: Android has 1 billion 30-day active users

Google’s senior Vice President for Android and Chrome, Sundar Pichai announced at the ongoing I/O developer that there are more than 1 billion 30-day active users.  This is up from 538 million active monthly users during the same period last year.

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Android One unveiled: Reference hardware and stock Android for cheap Smartphones

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Google’s Android and Chrome chief took to the stage to unveil “Android One”, a new program for developing markets, using which OEMs can produce really simple low cost Android smartphones. Sundar Pichai detailed this effort to convert the masses of feature phone users to smartphones in developing markets, at the Google I/O developer event today. The program will include a set of hardware reference platforms, with stock Android being the default experience that will reach the consumers. This is certainly a bold move by Google to tackle OEM skinning and is actually taking over from the process that is currently been going on in the Mediatek space.

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Google to unveil next Android version at the I/O conference today

Rumors, leaks and specifications about what will Google announce at its upcoming I/O conference have been floating the internet for a long time now. It is expected that Google will make many announcements ranging from smartwatch to a new version of Android at this conference tomorrow.

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Google Glass gets 12 new apps including Shazam, Runtastic, Zombies and more

Along with doubling the RAM on the Glass, Google has also added a number of popular apps. The Glassware family is a total of 12 apps that are a mixture of music, fitness and media apps.

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Google Glass updated with 2GB RAM and other software updates

Google has ramped up its hardware offering on Google Glass. The company has doubled the RAM in Glass and now the devices will ship with 2GB RAM which was earlier only 1GB.

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Google Voice now understands Indian dialects and accents

Most of the Indian mobile users have a tough time asking for something to their personal mobile voice assistant due to their Indian accent. Thanks to Google, they will not have the problem henceforth as the company has added support for Indian dialects and accents to Google Voice.

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Google Play Games reportedly getting quest alerts and snapshots

Google is adding improvements in to Google Play Games with several features, according to Android Police. For starters, Play Games is getting Quest notifications that will alert the player whenever new quests are available, send notifications letting them know a quest has started and also when the quest was completed. Helping developers expand on the use of quests within games is a great move by Google.

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Google Search for Android now offers links to music apps

Google already lets you search for artists and albums, now it will allow users to play the music directly from search results. The latest update for Android makers it quicker and easier to search for and play music.

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Nest acquires home surveilance company Dropcam for $555 million

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Google’s gradual move into the connected home space seems to be picking up steam. Nest, a Google company that specializes in internet connected smoke detectors and smart thermostats, just announced that it is acquiring Dropcam in a deal estimated to be worth $555 million in cash. Continue reading “Nest acquires home surveilance company Dropcam for $555 million”

Android, Windows Phone to get “kill switch” option

Google is planning to add a kill switch option to the next version of Android according to reports. The feature lets users safeguard their smartphones owing to thefts.  It enables users with stolen devices to report their device as missing and disable it from being used without specific credentials in an incident of theft. Microsoft is also joining Google to add the kill switch option to Windows Phone. Both the companies have signed an agreement with the New York Attorney General for the same.

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Waze navigation app for Android and iOS updated with revamped UI and more

Google’s Waze social navigation app for Android and iOS has received several updates. The latest 3.8 version of the app now get UI makeover with a redesigned main menu.

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Google Drive for Android updated with redesigned UI

Google released its stock email app on Play Store earlier today and now it has added some tweaks to the Drive app on Android. The cloud storage app from Google gets fresh look with a new animation which was earlier light blue. A new document creation shortcut has been added  in the floating bar at the bottom of the screen.

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Google likely to announce Auto Link OS for car at I/O conference

Rumors and speculations have started to fly off with less than a week left for Google’s I/O conference. Today, a report from Auto News suggests that Google will unveil an in-car operating system at the conference.

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