As we’ve long speculated, Google is launching a new design to their apps and services. With Today’s announcement at Google I/O for the upcoming Android L release, we’re seeing a lot of what is to come for Google’s services.
Google has launched a Material Design website. The site is designed to introduce and guide developers through updating or creating new apps and websites with Google’s new design methods. To that end, the site is a treasure trove of examples of what to expect for Google’s services moving forward.
Included in the available images are Contacts, Gmail, Gallery/Photos, Hangouts, Keep, Keyboard, Settings, YouTube and more.
Just like we speculated in our Quantum Paper post, the new designs follow the current Google+ app design. A solid flat color graces the top of the screen, the hamburger menu makes its way clearly onto the screen, instead of hovering on the edge, and a few new icons hit the page. In addition to what we are seeing here, there is a huge introduction to a lot of animation and transition effects.
The animations and transitions are an overall design to the entire Android OS, so we’ll get back to the Google apps in particular.
Most services have their own unique color, which we expect will travel across all platforms. For example, Google Drive may maintain the example color blue through the Android app, web interface, iOS and more.
Have a stroll through the gallery below.
As you can see, Google has nailed down a consistent look that flows through their suite of apps and services. Not only that, but the design is injected into the new Android L release itself. We look forward to checking out the developer release when it pushes out on day two of Google I/O.
What do you think, I hope you will agree that the unified design is a good thing, but do you like the style of choice?
With hectic schedules, it can be hard to keep track of everything in your news feed. That’s why we created the TalkAndroid Daily Dose. This is where we recap the day’s hottest stories so you can get yourself up to speed in quick fashion. Happy reading!!
Google I/O
Watch Google’s I/O 2014 keynote right here
Google announces Android One project for low-cost smartphones
1 billion active users on Android, tablet presence impresses
Google Play Services holds important role in security for Android devices
Android Wear gets detailed, full SDK available today
Samsung, LG provide specifications on their Android Wear smartwatches
Early Look Video: Hands on with the Gear Live, Samsung’s first Android Wear smartwatch
VIDEO: Quick hands on with the LG G Watch
Hands on with the Moto 360 at Google I/O 2014
Google’s Android Auto ready to hit the road
VIDEO: First look at Android Auto (Android in the car) at Google I/O 2014
Android TV gets announced, hardware launches this fall
VIDEO: Hands on with Android TV at Google I/O
Chromecast to receive major update
Chromebooks to include new security unlock features, new Google Now cards, and run Android apps
Google acknowledges enterprise needs, launches Android for Work
Google talks developer tools during keynote session
VIDEO: First look at Project Tango developer tablet at Google I/O 2014
Android TV
Razer will launch a “micro-console” this fall powered by Android TV
Gameloft announces 9 titles have been optimized specifically for Android TV
Android Auto
Audi announces intention to deploy Android Auto
Apps
Google launches Google Slides in the Play Store
Mobile check-in and keyless entry for Android introduced to Hotel Tonight
Google releases Android TV Remote Control, Google Cast Receiver apps already
Google Search gets system-wide hotword detection and audio history in latest update
Google Play Services 5.0 includes Android Wear support, new Play Games features, and more
Runtastic will integrate with Android Wear, Google Glass, and Google Fit
Netflix pushes major UI update to its Android app, changes logo, fixes bugs and more
Gaming
Gameloft announces 9 titles have been optimized specifically for Android TV
New video shows how Google plans to bring Android to every screen in your life
Build your own cardboard virtual reality headset courtesy of Google
Phones
Could we see the Moto X+1 at Google I/O today?
Galaxy Note 4 slated for September 25 launch, announcement coming at IFA 2014
Smartwatches
‘Gear Live’ expected to be Samsung’s Android Wear device, information on device leaks
Moto 360 face design competition winner announced
Runtastic will integrate with Android Wear, Google Glass, and Google Fit
Come comment on this article: TalkAndroid Daily Dose for June 25, 2014
Earlier today during the keynote session, Google announced the LG G Watch would be available to order starting today. Subsequent to that, LG released some specifications for the G Watch, like the fact that is has a 1.65-inch LCD screen runnig at 280 x 280 resolution, comes with a 400mAh battery, and is powered by a Snapdragon 400 processor.
Specs are one thing though and what we really want to know is what it is like to have our hands on the device. Below you can check out our initial hands on time with the G Watch at Google I/O 2014. After you check out the video, be sure to keep checking TalkAndroid for more news for Google I/O 2014.
Click here to view the embedded video.
Come comment on this article: VIDEO: Quick hands on with the LG G Watch
A few new features have been announced by Hotel Tonight, and added to their app. These features allow for mobile check-in and keyless entry for users of Android devices. Hotel Tonight is a popular travel app that is used for last minute travel.
Express check-in allows users to essentially bypass checking in to their hotel like they normally would, and check-in through two taps on the app. Users are notified when their room is ready, and can then pick up their keys and go to their room. Keyless entry is done through a mobile devices NFC capabilities, and all users have to do is hold their device up to the lock for a few seconds. Hit the break for the Play Store download link as well as a gallery!
Come comment on this article: Mobile check-in and keyless entry for Android introduced to Hotel Tonight
After receiving 3000 submissions, the winner of the Moto 360 design competition has finally been announced. 10 finalists were chosen from the submissions, taking aesthetics, originality and feasibility into consideration, and people were given the chance to vote on their favorite through Google+.
The winner, David Pascual, was determined through his design getting the most +1′s, and he has won one of the first Moto 360′s.
Source: Motorola
Come comment on this article: Moto 360 face design competition winner announced
Runtastic has officially announced that they’ll be fully supporting all of Google’s upcoming wearable tech, including Android Wear, Google Glass, and the upcoming Google Fit service. Since the wearable market focuses very heavily on fitness tracking, it’s good to see one of the top fitness tracking services commit to the platform so early.
For Android Wear, you’ll be able to download Runtastic apps to do the traditional step counting, heart rate monitoring, etc. There will also be full integration of Android Wear’s voice features. On the backend of things, Runtastic will be one of the first developers to use Google Fit’s APIs to store user data.
While Glass wasn’t a heavy focus at I/O this year, Runtastic is using this opportunity to announce that their Fitness App collection will be available for Glass. This collection allows users to select and track different types of exercise plans, and Glass can connect to Runtastic’s external heart rate monitor via Bluetooth.
If you’re into fitness tracking, you should be very excited for some of the things that Google (and other companies) have announced today. For the rest of the action, check out our I/O 2014 coverage.
source: Runtastic
Come comment on this article: Runtastic will integrate with Android Wear, Google Glass, and Google Fit
At the end of the I/O keynote today, Google gave away a pair of Android Wear smartwatches and a cardboard box. Yes, really, a cardboard box. While it is basically just a simple cardboard box, it also doubles a DIY virtual reality headset.
Google has listed a set of instructions for turning any cardboard box into a VR headset, and all you’ll need is a smart device and a few extra pieces of hardware to take full advantage of it. Once you’ve put the headset together, you can test out several demos of VR applications through the official Cardboard app, which is already available on the Play Store. The app does several things, including YouTube, Google Earth, and viewing your PhotoSpheres.
The cardboard box project is one of the most clever ideas Google has had, and they’ve even released documentation for developers to build their own virtual reality applications. So if you’re interested in testing our virtual reality or possibly even developing something for it, why not try to make your own VR headset this weekend?
Be sure to keep up with the rest of our Google I/O 2014 coverage.
source: Google
Come comment on this article: Build your own cardboard virtual reality headset courtesy of Google
In response to developers looking for better ways to access Gmail from within their apps, Google announced a new Gmail API intended to serve as a replacement for the IMAP protocol. According to Google, while IMAP is great for standard email clients wanting to connect to an email server, the function is was designed for, it is no longer adequate for new features Gmail makes available or the way services have evolved.
One of the most basic differences for Gmail compared to when IMAP support was first added is the addition of Labels, which Gmail uses instead of folders. The new Gmail API is designed to work with those labels in providing full RESTful access using OAuth 2.0 authorization and the ability to support CRUD operations.
Another change is in the fact that this is a standard Google API that enables simple HTTPS calls to query or call Gmail. This means developers can use a variety of standard web languages and frameworks to access. As a standard Google API, it also means normal Google search queries can be used to only pull a subset of messages instead of accessing all messages as IMAP required. The new API also adds more granularity to functions accessed, like only giving an app “compose” access so it can send a message and not read access to a user’s messages.
For users, the big change that may be noticed is speed, especially in web based applications. You can also expect to see new applications making use of this new access to Gmail and the increased flexibility it will provide.
Click here to view the embedded video.
Come comment on this article: Google releases new Gmail API
You cannot even get your hands on an Android TV device until this fall, but you can download the Android TV Remote Control app. It is completely useless for now considering absolutely no one can take advantage of it. It features a simplistic design and color scheme. We know that much. Google also released the Google Cast Receiver app into the Play Store today. This turns an Android TV device into a Chromecast-like device by allowing users to Cast content.
Hit the break for the gallery and download links for both the Android TV Remote Control and Google Cast Receiver.
Play Store Download Link (Android TV Remote Control)
Play Store Download Link (Google Cast Receiver)
Click here for our Google I/O 2014 coverage.
Come comment on this article: Google releases Android TV Remote Control, Google Cast Receiver apps already
Google I/O is only two days this year, but Google definitely crammed plenty of news into the first day. Today's keynote contained all the latest and greatest from Android on your phone, wrist, dashboard, and TV. Seriously, it was Android everywhere. Let's take a quick look at the high points of the day.
There are a ton of Android devices being actively used. In the past, Google has used the metric of device activations in its keynote, but this year is different.
[I/O 2014] Google I/O Day 1 Roundup: Android Wear, Android L, Android TV, And More was written by the awesome team at Android Police.
