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Thursday, May 28, 2015

Thursday Poll: What Was Today’s Biggest Announcement at Google I/O?

A lot took place today, and now that the day is somewhat wrapping up, we want to know what you thought was the biggest announcement from the Google I/O keynote.

Google took the stage early this morning, then proceeded to announce a ton of new things – the Android M developer preview (available for the Nexus 5, Nexus 6, Nexus 9, and Nexus Player), updated Google Cardboard headset that fits larger phones, Android Pay, Project Brillo to manage the Internet of Things, a family-friendly version of Google Play for the kiddies, an all-new Google Photos app, plus a ton more.

Share your thoughts below on what you think the biggest announcement from Google I/O is so far.

Note: There is a poll embedded within this post, please visit the site to participate in this post's poll.

Thursday Poll: What Was Today’s Biggest Announcement at Google I/O? is a post from: Droid Life

Download: Here’s the Android M Default Wallpaper

For everyone here who needs the latest wallpaper from Google, which comes grouped in the Android M Developer Preview, here you go.

As you can see, it is in the same style as many of the wallpapers that came along with Lollipop. They are satellite photos that are placed inside of Google Maps, then cropped for Android devices.

In my opinion, I really enjoy these types of natural wallpapers. However, I have seen a few people who don’t care for them at all. If you like it, have at it.

And just so we are all clear, this is the only new wallpaper at this moment.

Download: Here’s the Android M Default Wallpaper is a post from: Droid Life

Android M Developer Preview Tour!

We have now been running the Android M developer preview on a Nexus 6 and Nexus 5 for the better part of the last couple of hours and are now ready to share some of our findings. While there aren’t a lot of big, forward-facing UI changes, there are all sorts of little tweaks everywhere, some that we like, others that we may need to sleep on before we make any bold claims about.

In the video tour below, we walk through 10 big changes that you are more than likely to run into. From the new volume controls and do not disturb settings to the vertical scrolling app drawer and the new settings themes, there is quite a bit to take in.

Ready?

Android M Developer Preview Tour! is a post from: Droid Life

Google’s Inbox Now Open to All, Update Adds “Undo Send” Button and More

Google’s Inbox is now open to everyone! That’s right, the task-oriented email application from the Gmail team is there for the taking without the need of an invite. And not only is it open to all, the Inbox crew tossed in a bunch of really great features, most importantly “Undo send.”

With “Undo Send,” you have a brief moment after sending an email where you can say, “Undo! Whoops, I didn’t mean to send that!” The video below demonstrates exactly how this works, but the reason for its existence is pretty obvious.

Today’s update introduces Trip bundles, which take all of your emails about a trip and bundle them together while making the most important info available the second you open Inbox. It also (finally) includes swipe-to-delete, custom signatures, shows reminders in Inbox that you set in Google Keep, and suggests adding a reminder when someone sends you a to-do item.

It’s a big one. Go get it.

Play Link

Via: Gmail Blog

Google’s Inbox Now Open to All, Update Adds “Undo Send” Button and More is a post from: Droid Life

Google Announces Native Fingerprint Support in Android M

During the Google I/O keynote this morning, alongside the introduction of Android Pay, Google detailed native fingerprint management inside of Android M, a new feature for the OS.

With this feature now native to Android, applications and services will be able to utilize a user’s fingerprint for added security, such as when a user makes a purchase on or through the device.

For example, if you are browsing Google Play and decide to make a purchase, instead of entering in your password, you can simply use your finger. In addition, when using Android Pay at a supported retailer, you can use your finger to complete the transaction, without the need to enter any passcode.

Of course, your hardware will need to feature a fingerprint scanner in the first place, and as of right now, not many flagship devices do. With this added feature, you can expect more OEMs to dive into offering fingerprint readers on their devices.

Excited to use your fingers more when purchasing goods?

Google Announces Native Fingerprint Support in Android M is a post from: Droid Life

This is the Android M Easter Egg ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

Haha, Google, so silly.

Yes, my friends, that really is your Android M Easter Egg – for the moment.

This is the Android M Easter Egg ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ is a post from: Droid Life

Android M Feature: Settings Now Have Dark, Light, and Automatic Themes

We have had the Android M developer previewed flashed on a Nexus 5 for all of five minutes, but we are already noticing fun little tweaks that Google has made since Lollipop. For one, the bright white settings menu on stock Android has been given a “dark” theme, for those not wanting to be blinded at night when doing some dirty work on their phones.

If you unlock the developer options, you should see an option for “Theme” listed. When tapped, you will see options for both “Light” and “Dark” themes, as well as an “Automatic” setting. As you can see in the screenshots above, the dark theme is indeed just a dark version of the light theme you have become accustomed to since Lollipop dropped.

As for the “Automatic” setting, I would imagine that with this enabled, your phone will try and detect your situation, to decide if you would rather have dark over light or light over dark. We tried to get it to switch by going into a dark room here in our hotel, but were unsuccessful. If we get it to switch automatically, we’ll be sure to update this post.

What do you think, though, themes in Android M? I’ll take it!

Android M Feature: Settings Now Have Dark, Light, and Automatic Themes is a post from: Droid Life

HBO Now Coming to Google Play Later This Summer

Announced today on stage at Google I/O, HBO Now is coming to Android later this summer. HBO Now is HBO’s standalone subscription plan that allows you to watch your favorite HBO content, without needing a subscription through your cable provider.

HBO Now costs $14.99 a month, which is quite the premium price, but with it, you can watch Game of Thrones episodes, Silicon Valley, plus all of the movies HBO has available.

In addition to streaming shows and movies onto your device, the app will be Cast ready, meaning you can Chromecast the shows or send them to your Android TV box for viewing on your HDTV.

Again, HBO Now is set for launch onto Google Play later this summer, with no exact date set.

HBO Now Coming to Google Play Later This Summer is a post from: Droid Life

USB Type-C Comes to Devices With Android M

Without a doubt, one of the biggest announcements out of today’s Google I/O keynote from a device charging standpoint was the introduction of USB Type-C support for phones and tablets with Android M.

USB Type-C, for those not familiar, is a new USB charging standard that both Google and Apple have adopted with their latest laptop products, but one we were all openly hoping would come to phones. USB Type-C is a new connector shape that is reversible in ports, so the days of figuring out which way to plug-in your charging cable will soon be a thing of the past. But beyond just plugging in your phone or tablet, Type-C intros some useful features when paired with Android M, which you can see below.

When plugged in, you could tell your phone to charge or charge another device that it is connected to using its own battery. It can also be used, like regular USB, to transfer files.

Google didn’t mention today how powerful they will allow USB Type-C to be with Android devices, but companies like Apple are using the ports to connect multiple displays and other peripherals to their laptops, eliminating things like HDMI or VGA ports.

In the end, I think we should really all just hope this turns into a standard for all future phones, tablets, and even laptops. The world would be a better place if every device we owned didn’t have its own proprietary cable. With this move by Google, we are certainly getting close to that utopia.

USB Type-C Comes to Devices With Android M is a post from: Droid Life

NVIDIA SHIELD Android TV Hands-on and Impressions

SHIELD from NVIDIA is now available for you to purchase, bringing an impressive Android gaming and Android TV experience straight to your living room. Featuring NVIDIA’s Tegra X1 processor and 3GB of RAM, this set-top box is capable of delivering AAA gaming titles for you to play, while also including Netflix Ultra HD (4K) playback capability.

On the surface, Android TV on SHIELD is the same easy-to-use OS that runs on the Nexus Player, but NVIDIA has boosted the operating system’s performance, including a load of ports and computing power inside of the box. On the backside, the SHIELD features two full-size USB 3.0 ports, HDMI 2.0 with HDCP 2.2 to display 4K content, 2.0 microUSB port allowing SHIELD to attach to PCs as a storage device, microSD slot for up to 2TB of additional storage, Gigabit Ethernet port, Infra-red port for Logitech Universal remote connectivity, and Bluetooth 2.1 for additional accessories.

Beyond just the hardware, NVIDIA has incorporated many software advantages to owning a SHIELD, with the largest being gaming. Included inside of SHIELD is GRID connectivity, NVIDIA’s cloud-based game streaming service that allows gamers to stream and play AAA titles directly from remote servers. As of right now, the service is still completely free to use, but it is reported that in the future, NVIDIA may look to charge a monthly price for access to GRID. Of course, SHIELD also features access to Google Play, plus a few new exciting titles announced today such as DOOM 3 BFG, The Talos Principle, and more.

SHIELD is priced at $199 for the 16GB model, coupled with a SHIELD Controller, plus a 4K-ready HDMI cable. For an extra $100, you can purchase the 500GB Pro model, which also comes with a SHIELD Controller, 4K HDMI cable, plus a copy of Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel. That game is a $60 value, plus the huge jump in onboard storage. If you need that much storage, plus love gaming, the Pro model would be a good choice.

For accessories, you can pick up a SHIELD Remote for $50, or a SHIELD Stand to prop your box up for $29. Additionally, NVIDIA has partnered with Google to make the SHIELD an even better buy. When purchased, buyers will receive a $30 Google Play gift card, plus a free 90-day subscription to Google Play Music.

Below, I take SHIELD for a spin in my own home, giving you a tour of the device and what it offers your living room. If you need more SHIELD action, our full review is on the way. For those who want access to those awesome new games for Android, follow the links below.

Note: Purchase links and Google Play links may lead to dead ends, but be patient. It takes time for things to populate the servers.

If you are already sold on the box, you can purchase one directly from NVIDIA here.

NVIDIA SHIELD Android TV Hands-on and Impressions is a post from: Droid Life

Google Maps Goes Completely Offline Later This Year

In an update that is set to release later this year, Google Maps will go completely offline for users on Android.

Announced during Google I/O, a Maps user with the updated app can select an area for which they want saved to their device for offline viewing. When offline, Maps still contains all of the same information that an online user sees, such as business locations, ratings for businesses, auto completion for addresses, and even navigation.

There is no exact launch timeframe yet, but as soon we know, we will update you.

Google Maps Goes Completely Offline Later This Year is a post from: Droid Life

Google Now on Tap Brings Smart Multi-Tasking to Android M

Part of Android M is a major enhancement to Google Now, Google’s smart-as-hell automated assistant service, called Now on Tap. With Google Now on Tap, the new piece to the Now puzzle, you can get Google Now help from almost anywhere with a simple long press of your phone’s home button, allowing you to multi-task from any screen without having to leave what you are currently doing.

So what kinds of things are we talking about? Get ready, because this stuff is insanely cool.

Say someone emails you, asking if you want to see Tomorrowland later this evening, but you want to instantly find out more information about the Clooney flick. With a long press of home, you would get a pop-up at the bottom of the screen that includes all sorts of info about the movie (ratings, related apps, link to trailer, etc.).

Google Now on Tap could also give you dinner information about a restaurant you were talking about in a messaging app or tell you the names of band members that are currently playing in your music app, all without ever leaving your current screen.

Pretty cool, right?

This new functionality will arrive later with Android M.

Via: Inside Search

Google Now on Tap Brings Smart Multi-Tasking to Android M is a post from: Droid Life

Google Details ‘Doze’ Power Management in Android M

To keep your device alive for a longer period of time, Google announced the Doze power management system for Android M today at Google I/O.

Exact details are still highly unknown, but according to Google, when users are running Android M, their device can last up to twice as long thanks to a higher focus on power management when the device is not in use. This example was provided through a test on the Nexus 9 tablet, not a smartphone.

To explain, Doze basically shuts down all background applications during the night, but can still turn on alarms and receive high priority notifications such as Hangouts messages.

Doze will come with Android M, which will be widely available in Q3 of this year.

We will post additional info on Doze as it is made available.

Google Details ‘Doze’ Power Management in Android M is a post from: Droid Life

Google Photos is Official and Available Today, Free Unlimited Storage for All

Google went ahead and made its new Photos app/service official today during the I/O keynote. With Photos, you get the Google+ Photos experience, but as a stand-alone service for all to use, with free, unlimited storage. That’s right, you no longer have to use Google+ to get all of the awesome sauce that is Google Photos.

With the new Photos apps, you get, as I just mentioned, free unlimited storage for your photos and videos up to 16MP resolution and 1080p. The new app auto-groups things like picture of dogs or faces or birthday parties or other life events. You can quickly multi-select photos with the drag of a finger, then share them to anyone (even if they don’t use Photos) through a simple instantly created link.

Remember Auto Awesome? It’s now called Assistant, and it can be used to auto-enhance photos, but Google will also offer up suggestions of stories and collages.

It all looks fantastic.

The new Google Photos service is available starting today on Android, iOS, and the web. You can find it right here (soon).

Via: Google

Google Photos is Official and Available Today, Free Unlimited Storage for All is a post from: Droid Life

Google Makes Android Pay Official, Coming to a Phone Near You

As rumors suggested, Google announced Android Pay this morning at Google I/O. With Android Pay, users can sync all of their debit cards, credit cards, and loyalty cards inside one service.

At a partnered merchant, users can use tap-to-pay to make purchases through NFC technology, or use the service to make purchases through applications. As of right now, Google has a large handful of partners, such as Best Buy, Whole Foods, and McDonalds, but the list will continue to grow.

For applications that will use Android Pay, the list is quite large. There is B&H, Dominos, grubHub, OpenTable, Newegg, and many more.

For additional information, read Google’s complete Android Pay blog post. We will continue to update this post with additional info.

Via: Android

Google Makes Android Pay Official, Coming to a Phone Near You is a post from: Droid Life

Android M Developer Preview Will be Available for Nexus 5, 6, 9, and Player

Google has announced a whole bunch of features of the Android M Developer Preview, which we have detailed here. But what about devices? Well, they also announced that it will be available on the Nexus 5, Nexus 6, Nexus 9, and Nexus Player. They didn’t say when, but I would imagine that it will be soon – maybe even this week.

As we learn more about availability, we’ll update this post.

Android M Developer Preview Will be Available for Nexus 5, 6, 9, and Player is a post from: Droid Life

Google Announces Revamped App Permissions for Android

Google has announced a large overhaul for app permissions in Google Play this morning at Google I/O. Moving forward, instead of approving a large list of permissions when downloading apps from Google Play, a user will simply grant apps specific permissions when the app requests for it.

For example, in WhatsApp, when the app needs to use your microphone, the app will ask for this permission, which the user can then grant or deny. To take advantage of all of an app’s features, users will need to grant access to more permissions.

In the future, as apps adopt this, users should no longer need to worry about shady permissions when downloading apps for the first time or application updates.

Exciting?

Google Announces Revamped App Permissions for Android is a post from: Droid Life

Google Announces Android M Developer Preview, Here is a List of Changes

Google just announced the Android M Developer Preview and thanks to this image that was put up at the I/O keynote, we can see almost all of the new features included.

Things like better text selection, custom Chrome tabs, USB Type-C support for phones, crazy improved power management, fingerprint support, Android Pay, revamped volume controls, and direct sharing with contacts are all now included.

Take a look at the image above and let us know what sounds amazing to you!

Google Announces Android M Developer Preview, Here is a List of Changes is a post from: Droid Life

Moto X “Pure Edition” Now Getting Android 5.1 Update

According to a whole flock of DL readers who own the Moto X (2nd gen) “Pure Edition,” an update to Android 5.1 is rolling out as software version 23.11.14 in the US. This is big news, as Motorola had previously only announced that the update was rolling out in Brazil, with US devices set to receive it later on.

If your Moto X was not yet running Lollipop, then know that you are in for a treat. This update does wonderful things with notifications, adds a Chop Twice motion for launching the flashlight, improved device protection, and more. You can see the full list of changes at this post.

In order to check for the update, head into Settings>About phone.

Cheers Brandon, Haley, Sean, Kaushal, and everyone else!

Moto X “Pure Edition” Now Getting Android 5.1 Update is a post from: Droid Life

Swiftkey Update Adds New Default Theme, Dashlane Support, More

Swiftkey is pushing a big update to its stable Android keyboard this morning, one that introduces a new default “Carbon” default theme, Dashlane support, and their Swiftkey Hub. If the Dashlane and Hub stuff all sounds familiar, that’s because those two features arrived in the beta back in late April.

So what is all this fun?

The new Carbon theme is a “combination of the Minimal and Material” themes that you have already likely used. Swiftkey thinks it captures the “sleekness and speed” of their keyboard.

With Dashlane support, users of the password app now have integration within Swiftkey, giving them the ability to quickly fill forms “securely” just when they need to. Of course, you need to be a Dashlane user in order to take advantage of this.

As for the Swiftkey Hub, it can be accessed through the new “hamburger” menu located at the top left of the keyboard. By swiping it out, you gain easy access to personalization options, the Swiftkey Store, and other settings.

The update should be live for all on Google Play today.

Play Link

Via: Swiftkey

Swiftkey Update Adds New Default Theme, Dashlane Support, More is a post from: Droid Life

AT&T LG G4 Pre-Sale Begins Tomorrow, General Availability Starts June 5

AT&T has released availability information for the LG G4, announcing that tomorrow, May 29, is the official pre-sale day. For those who want to head into a store and get hands-on, the G4 will be available on June 5 at all retail locations.

As for pricing, the G4 can be had on-contract for $199, or through AT&T’s Next Program starting at $0 down, followed by 30 payments of $21. And that’s for the plastic-backed version. The leather backed model will run you $22.34 a month, or $239.99 on a new two-year contract. Both models can be purchased off contract, with the price set at $629.99 for plastic, and $669.99 for leather.

Picking one up?

Via: AT&T

AT&T LG G4 Pre-Sale Begins Tomorrow, General Availability Starts June 5 is a post from: Droid Life

Google I/O 2015 Keynote Live Blog!

Google I/O 2015 is here!

The 2-day event held by Google in San Francisco is the ultimate Google gathering. While this is most definitely a developer-friendly conference, where developers of all types can learn to make better use of Google’s services and tools, it is also used as a showcase for Google to unveil new products, features for those products, and get all Google-y.

As you know from our quick preview post, we are expecting a heavy dose of new Android in the form of Android M, lots of wearable and Android Auto talk, Google in your home, and more.

To kick off the conference, Google is hosting a keynote this morning at 9:30AM Pacific (12:30PM Eastern). You can watch it live with us, right here! We have also included a live blog, so that you can chat with the crew and see reactions as Google announces the new new.

This should be fun!

Google I/O 2015 Keynote Live Blog! is a post from: Droid Life

Chrome Stable for Android Gets Quicker Checkouts, Touch to Search

Yesterday afternoon, Chrome stable for Android received an update to version 43.0.2357.78 that gave it a couple of features previously featured in the beta channel. Thanks to the update, users can now “quickly and securely” complete checkout forms with help from Google Wallet, plus they can perform Google searches of words or phrases just by touching them.

Touch to Search has been in the beta for so long that I had not even realized that it wasn’t in stable yet. If you haven’t experienced this yet, I think you are really going to enjoy it. All you have to do (once it’s turned on in settings>privacy), is tap on words or phrases on a page and Google will start searching for them in a tab towards the bottom of your screen.

Here is the full changelog:

Faster Checkout – Quickly and securely complete checkout forms with data from Google Wallet
Touch to Search – Learn more about words and phrases by touching them on your screen.
Bug fixes and speedy performance improvements.

Play Link

Via: Chrome Releases

Chrome Stable for Android Gets Quicker Checkouts, Touch to Search is a post from: Droid Life

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Thursday, May 28, 2015

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Cheers Brandon, Haley, Sean, Kaushal, and everyone else!

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