TalkAndroid Daily Dose for October 24, 2014

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!!

Guides

How to beam files and photos from one phone to another with the new Android Beam in Android Lollipop

Accessories

Montblanc introduces premium accessories for the Note 4

Apps

Get in the fall spirit with Google Calendar’s new seasonal wallpapers

Google Inbox users can now invite three friends to use the service

Amazon launches App Store in main Android app

Carriers

MetroPCS offering entry-level Alcatel Onetouch Pop 7 tablet

Chrome

Inbox by Gmail shows up in Chrome Web Store

Google

Google reassigns Sundar Pichai to oversee all of its products

Hardware

LG debuts NUCLUN processor in the G3 Screen, a Korean exclusive with a 5.9-inch screen

Home Automation

Nest thermostats add compatability with third-party home automation products

Phones

LG debuts NUCLUN processor in the G3 Screen, a Korean exclusive with a 5.9-inch screen

New OPPO teaser hints at second device

Samsung confirms the Galaxy A7 will ship with a Full HD display and 64-bit processor

Samsung Galaxy Mega 2 now available in India

Galaxy Note 4 destined to be Samsung’s best-selling smartphone yet

Montblanc introduces premium accessories for the Note 4

Samsung Galaxy S 5 to get Android 5.0 Lollipop in December

Tablets

MetroPCS offering entry-level Alcatel Onetouch Pop 7 tablet

Sony reportedly launching 12-inch tablet in 2015

Updates

Samsung Galaxy S 5 to get Android 5.0 Lollipop in December

Miscellaneous

Deezer acquires Stitcher to broaden streaming content

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Sundar Pichai gets a promotion, finds himself the new head of Google’s core products

There’s no question Google has their hands in just about everything these days. That’s nothing new. Because of a vast and ever growing product portfolio, Google has typically seen itself run by a large group of execs, with CEO Larry Paige overseeing things, of course. But it looks like that could soon change.

After the departure of high profile execs like Andy Rubin and Vic Gundotra, Larry Paige is now reportedly handing the reins of their entire product line to none other than Sundar Pichai. This is yet another promotion for Pichai who joined up with Google back in 2004, only to quickly rise in the ranks and move from Chrome lead, to head of Google’s Android division.

Although it’s a major milestone for both Pichai and Google, Sundar’s title wont change — at least not at first — despite having execs from products like Maps, Search, social, and more now reporting to him instead of Page. There is one exception, however, with YouTube CEO Susan Wojcicki keeping the video unit separate from Pichai’s management for the most part.

Google is continually evolving and the newest change in management is a clear sign that they’re looking to keep the innovation flowing. We wish Pichai the best of luck in his new (still hush-hush) role.

[Re/code]

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Google reassigns Sundar Pichai to oversee all of its products

Sundar Pichai is no longer the face of Android, Chrome, and Google Apps. He is now the face of every Google product there is. The company has reorganized its staff and CEO Larry Page gave Pichai expanded leadership over just about everything offered by Google. According to a staff memo released internally on Friday, executives will begin reporting to Pichai rather than Page.

The reassignment of Pichai to oversee all of Google’s products is to push innovation. Having someone new at the helm of everything can inject new life into the company. Pichai is not just some random pick, though. He has been a part of the merging of Android and Chrome, bringing together mobile and web experiences.

One product that Page will not hand over to Pichai is YouTube. The video streaming service will continue to run on its own and CEO Susan Wojcicki, a longtime Google employee, will report back to Google when necessary.

Even though Page is handing over some power, he is not going anywhere. The co-founder of Google will according to Re/code, “continue to directly manage business and operations, including access and energy (a new unit run by Craig Barratt), Nest, Calico, Google X, corporate development, legal, finance and business (including ad sales).” Page will also continue to monitor the grand scheme of things for Google.

For now, Sundar Pichai’s role on paper will not change; however, that is expected considering the new wave of responsibility he is taking.

Source: Re/code

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Nest Buys Home Automation Firm Revolv, Company To Discontinue Its Products

Nest has apparently just acquired home automation firm Revolv for an undisclosed figure.

If you've not heard of Revolv, the company was an all-in-one smarthome "hub" solution that wanted to operate as communication nexus for all the stuff in your house. Sprinklers, lights, door locks, stereos, TVs, you name it. If you want an example, you can watch this incredibly awkward video.

Revolv actually supported compatibility with nest through its $300 cylinder hub thingamajig and control app.

Nest Buys Home Automation Firm Revolv, Company To Discontinue Its Products was written by the awesome team at Android Police.

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Re/code: Sundar Pichai Is Now "Czar" Of Product At Google, Will Control All The Things

According to Re/code, an organizational reorganization will see Sundar Pichai, head of Chrome and Android, appointed as "czar" of all Google's major products. This includes ads, Search, research, Google+, Maps, commerce, and infrastructure. These duties previously fell on CEO Larry Page. Page will retain his leadership positions, though, at Nest, Calico, Google X, corporate development, finance, and business. Page will also most likely retain final say in most decisions he chooses to be involved in, being CEO and all.

Re/code: Sundar Pichai Is Now "Czar" Of Product At Google, Will Control All The Things was written by the awesome team at Android Police.

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Samsung Galaxy S 5 to get Android 5.0 Lollipop in December

When Android 5.0 Lollipop launches soon, Nexus devices will be the first to receive the latest version of Android. From there on out, it is up to hardware manufacturers to work on updating devices. Owners of flagship devices should expect to see a software update before anyone else. HTC is committed to pushing Android 5.0 to within 90 days of its launch, but Samsung has not given a timetable.

A new report claims that the Galaxy S 5 will get the software update in December. This would be for the global version of the device; therefore, United States owners of the Galaxy S 5 should expect it early in 2015. If you are eager to know what Samsung has in store for TouchWiz with Android 5.0, take a look at this leak.

Source: SamMobile

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Amazon launches App Store in main Android app

Before now, the only way to download apps from the Amazon Appstore was to download the apk for the Appstore online, and then download apps. Last month, however, Amazon launched the functionality to download apps through the official Amazon app. All you have to do is head to “Shop by Department,” and you’ll find a new category called “Apps & Games.”

Source: TeleCrunch

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LG G Watch R Review: All Things Considered, The Best Android Wear Has To Offer Right Now

The G Watch R is LG's first circular-display smartwatch, following up on the original G Watch that launched alongside Android Wear earlier this year. While the original G Watch looked like a proof-of-concept brick out of an engineer's garage at some angles, the G Watch R very clearly got the full design and style treatment from LG - it looks nothing like its kind-of-predecessor.

A 1.3" circular P-OLED (plastic organic LED) 320x320 screen gives it the densest display of any Android Wear device yet announced, and its ability to stay always-on without drastically cutting into battery life provides it a clear edge on competitors that are struggling with longevity issues.

LG G Watch R Review: All Things Considered, The Best Android Wear Has To Offer Right Now was written by the awesome team at Android Police.

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Google Inbox users can now invite three friends to use the service

If you’re lucky enough to be one of the very few using Google’s new Inbox application, you’ll be glad to hear that you now have the facility to invite three of your friends/family to join you in the beta testing action.

Using the newly-implemented invite system is extremely simple. All you have to do is navigate to the Inbox mobile or web app, hit the compose button and locate the ‘golden ticket’ icon. Tap it, and an ‘Invite to Inbox’ email will be created. All that’s left to do then is choose a recipient, and you’re good to go.

If you’ve received an invite to the service, we’d love to know your thoughts — so be sure to drop us a comment in the section below.

Source: Twitter

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Castle Master 2 – Indie app of the day

What is Castle Master 2?

Castle Master 2 is an MMO hack’n’slash title where you can do battle with other clans or go on various quests. The game’s main catch is that you can have online battles with up to 600 people (300 vs 300). It’s free to play in the Google Play Store and has in app purchases.

Here’s how you play the game. You create a character, join a clan, and then you do pretty much what you want. There are quests and dungeons to conquer which you can do solo or with your clan mates which allows you to level up and gain more powerful items and equipment. You can also battle other clans in gigantic battles to see who can win. There is a trophy system to see which clans are the best.

The game play is your classic hack’n’slash. You run around and slash at things until they die. You have special abilities and the like to help you but generally you’ll be button mashing the attack button. The graphics are pretty decent even if they are a little cutesy. Everything seems to be straightforward in terms of mechanics and game play.

300 vs 300 is reason enough to try this one.

PROS

• You can play with people or solo if you prefer.


• 300 vs 300 online battles are pretty awesome.


• Above average graphics paired with simple mechanics make this game pleasant for just about anyone.


• There are also some Sim elements like town management which adds to the depth of the game.

CONS

• The game has some occasional server issues.


• It's kind of hard being new at the game. You have to try pretty hard to progress for the first little bit.

7.5

Overall, this is a fun little game. It’s free to play and there are in app purchases but it won’t cost you anything to download it to see if you like it. The promise of gigantic clan battles is more than enough to give this a shot. There are a few pitfalls here and there, but nothing major.

Check out the last indie app of the day: Potential Beta

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Inbox by Gmail ‘app’ now available in the Chrome Web Store

Earlier this week we watched as Google unveiled Inbox by Gmail, their radical new take on electronic mail. Although initially limited only to a small group of people, last night Google pushed out their first batch of invites which, for the most part, seemed pretty large. We know many of our readers are avid Chrome users and for those who have the the browser installed on their computers, we just wanted to let you know that an Inbox Chrome app is now available in the Web Store.

We’re not even gonna sugar coat it — the “app,” is anything but. While an icon does appear in your Chrome app drawer, it’s little more than a shortcut taking you to inbox.google.com. We know. Pretty lame. Like many of you, we had hoped Google would have released something more akin to the Google Keep Chrome app which can operate outside the browser (and even has its own icon in your dock). I guess this is as good as it gets for now, but we’ll keep our eyes peeled for any further Inbox updates.

[Inbox by Gmail on Chrome Web Store]

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