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Wednesday, May 18, 2016

Android Wear 2.0, Biggest Update for the Platform Yet

According to Google, Android Wear 2.0 is the “most significant Android Wear update” since the platform launched about two years ago. That’s a bold statement, even for Google. Available later this year in the fall season for everyone, Android Wear 2.0 includes standalone apps that access the web without the help of a smartphone, UI changes to make interactions with a smartwatch better, handwriting input methods, a new Complications API for developers, as well as big changes for the Google Fit platform.

For UI changes, Google has redesigned its app launcher and notifications, making the launching of apps on Android Wear much more timely. The system UI also adopts a dark color palette and makes better use of round displays, which is a bonus for owners of the Huawei Watch, Moto 360, and Watch Urbane models. Google also baked in a new handwriting input method, which allows users to essentially draw whatever they want typed, instead of having to speak everything to the smartwatch.

The Complications API for Android Wear 2.0 allows any app to add data directly to a watch face that allows for the API. For example, if you use a 3rd-party watch face, and also have an Android Wear app that shows sports score, you can add a complication to your watch face that shows those sports scores. That’s just an example, though. A complication could be added for weather, stocks, or anything else.

For Google Fit, improvements for the platform make it easier for apps to collect and use fitness data, as well as detect ongoing activity. Developers will also find it easier for their apps to get consistent daily step counts on Android Wear. Thanks to the changes, apps will better detect when a user starts walking, running, or biking.

If you are the type who does not care for waiting until the fall, a developer preview of Android Wear 2.0 has been made available for two devices – the Huawei Watch and LG Watch Urbane 2nd Edition. Just like flashing an image to a Nexus phone, the process is very straightforward if your computer is already setup with adb good to go. You can download the necessary images right here.

Exciting, right?

Via: Android Developers

Google Play Beta Tests Will Soon be Easier Than Ever to Join

Joining a group to a beta version of an app on Android hasn’t exactly been the simplest of tasks. It typically involves finding out or knowing about a Google+ group or Google Group that hosts the beta, then clicking through a special link in that group to opt-in to testing, before moving onto Google Play to get the beta installed. See what I mean?

Thankfully, those days of jumping through hoops to get involved in a public beta will be in the past. During Google I/O, Google announced that beta tests will become easier to find and participate in because they will start showing up in Google Play search results, assuming they are open and not in production. Through the beta listing, you will be able to opt-in and also send developers private feedback.

This new beta setup has already appeared briefly in Google Play, so it may happen more broadly within the coming days or weeks. Either way, joining beta tests should be easier than ever.

Via: Google Developers

In July, Google Will Introduce Family Library for Sharing Paid Apps

At the bottom of today’s post from Google on the new features coming soon to Google Play, there is a brief reference to a change that will allow family members to share paid apps. Why Google didn’t think this major change was worthy of a bigger announcement is beyond me, so we’re going to take a minute to make sure you know about it.

On July 2, every app you buy will (by default unless the developer decides not to participate) become a part of your family group, which means everyone in that group can share use of that paid for app. In other words, your family will only have to buy certain apps one time for all to use.

That’s pretty cool, right?

Through a Google Support page talking about the upcoming change and in the new developer distribution agreement, we are starting to get an understanding of exactly how this will work.

According to Google, developers can opt-in to family sharing with the tick of a box, but do not have to. If they do, though, the change is permanent and can’t be taken back. They are also recommending that developers allow previous purchases of apps made prior to July 2 be included in family sharing. The new developer distribution agreement makes note of exclusions for sharing, which include in-app purchases and subscriptions. However, straight up app purchases can be shared at “reasonable limits designed to prevent abuse.”

Now, it’s up to developers to decide if they want to participate.

Via: Google Developers | Google Support | DDA

Bank of America Announces Android Pay Support for Withdrawing Cash at ATMs

During one of Google I/O’s many Android Pay sessions, Bank of America took the stage to announce that they are now supporting Google’s mobile payment service at their cardless ATMs. That means you can use Android Pay, assuming it is loaded up with your Bank of America card, to withdraw cash.

BofA says that they expect to expand the cardless technology to 5,000 ATMs by the end of the year, but not before they push out an initial 2,400 across the country. They also will equip the “majority” of ATMs in the San Francisco Bay and Silicon Valley areas with the technology.

But not only can you withdraw cash using Android Pay and your phone, you can check balances and make transfers as well. All of this is a first for any bank in the US.

The future is here.

Bank of America Cardless ATM Technology Featured at Google IO Conference

Bank Expands Cardless ATM Technology to 5,000 ATMs Nationwide in 2016

SAN FRANCISCO – At the Google IO conference in Mountain View today, Michelle Moore, Head of Digital Banking at Bank of America, was on stage with Pali Bhat, Senior Director of Android Pay to demonstrate that the Bank of America cardless ATM technology now supports Android Pay. The bank also announced plans to expand cardless technology to 5,000 ATMs by year-end starting this month with a roll out to 2,400 ATMs across the country, including the majority of ATMs in the San Francisco Bay and Silicon Valley areas.

Bank of America becomes the first bank to begin a broad roll out of the technology, which lets customers withdraw cash, make transfers and check balances using a digital wallet stored on their smartphones. Earlier this year, the bank rolled out the feature to select ATMs in Boston, Charlotte, New York City, San Francisco and Silicon Valley.

“Consumers are increasingly using their mobile devices to manage their daily lives, and we’re committed to delivering solutions that give them convenient and secure options when it comes to managing their money,” said Moore. “Now in addition to using digital wallets for purchases, customers can use them to get cash at the ATM.”

Cardless ATMs allow customers to access most features of Bank of America’s ATMs. Customers can identify cardless-enabled ATMs by the contactless symbol near the card reader. When ready to perform a transaction, the customer will select their Bank of America debit card in their digital wallet and hold their device over the ATM’s contactless card reader to activate the ATM. Then they follow the normal process to enter their PIN, select their account and initiate a withdrawal, transfer, or balance inquiry.

The cardless ATMs support mobile wallets that are enabled with near field communications and loaded with a Bank of America debit card.

Cardless ATMs are one more example of the ongoing shift to mobile. Twenty million Bank of America customers now actively use the bank’s mobile banking app. During the first quarter of 2016, the number of new Bank of America accounts opened through mobile increased by 50 percent year-over-year.

More information about cardless ATMs is available here.

IMAGE

HTC Confirms Android N Update for One A9, M9, and 10

No shock here, HTC confirmed on Twitter today that Android N will be made available to owners of the One A9, One M9, and HTC 10.

According to HTC, delivery date of the Android N update will depend on when Google actually delivers Android N to manufacturers, and of course, carriers go through their testing/certification phase. Because of those reasons, HTC is not able to provide a timeframe for updates, but realistically, owners should hope to see it within three months of release from Google.

While this news is great for owners of the aforementioned devices, HTC also confirmed via Twitter that Android N will not available for the One M7 or One M8. That should not be too shocking to anyone, but if it is, that means it’s time for you to buy a new smartphone.

Life is about to get a little sweeter. Android N will be coming to the HTC 10, HTC One A9 and the HTC One M9. http://pic.twitter.com/dj9fcZHNnH

— HTC USA (@HTCUSA) May 18, 2016

Daydream is Google’s Virtual Reality Platform for Android Devices

Previously expected to be called Android VR, Google announced Daydream at Google I/O this morning, its virtual reality platform for Android devices. To clarify, Google already had a feature inside of the Android OS called Daydream; It was basically a screen saver that was displayed when devices would sit idle. Now, the Daydream name represents Google’s stronger commitment into VR for mobile devices.

Daydream has a few branches that you will hear more about over the next few months. For Android smartphones, specifically ones running Android N, a VR Mode has been built into the OS. This mode optimizes the device’s performance, since VR can be quite the processing hog.

Additionally, it must be noted that Google has yet to announce any competitor hardware to Samsung’s Gear VR, but has released a reference design for a VR headset and handheld controller device. This reference material can be used by 3rd parties to create actual hardware for Daydream. Daydream also brings a recreated Google Play, specially made for virtual reality.

Like pretty much everything else Google announced today, we won’t have much hands-on with Daydream until later this year, sometime around the fall season.

Via: Google

Download: 4 New Wallpapers From Android N Preview 3

Want more goodies that we found inside the Android N Developer Preview 3? How about four new wallpapers? Yes, I know you want them because Google’s wallpapers are almost always pretty great.

The four included are the classic aerial shots of coasts and various water bodies. I’ve included previews of each below, but you’ll want to download the .zip file that includes the full resolution papers (2880×2560).

Enjoy!

Download Link | Alt Link

Download: Google Keyboard 5.1 Arrives in Android N DP3 With Themes!

Buried inside the the new Android N Developer Preview 3 is the new Google Keyboard 5.1, a slight bump in version number from the recent v5.0 that rolled out a few weeks back. We weren’t exactly expecting a bunch of new features this soon after the big 5.0 push, but one in particular should bring customizers some joy – themes and custom keyboards!

If you install and open the new Google Keyboard, you will now find a section called “Themes” where Google not only included a handful of new colorful layouts, but there is an option that allows you to create a custom keyboard back with your own image. You can see the new section in the images below.

For those curious, we were able to install v5.1 on a Galaxy S7 and HTC 10, and both seem to work, including the new themes section. Give it a shot!

Download Link (v5.1.07)

Google Introduces Messaging App Allo, New Video Chat App Duo

In an announcement no one saw coming today at Google I/O, Google went ahead and unveiled two new apps, one for messaging and another for video chatting. The apps are called Allo and Duo, respectively.

Unfortunately, Google was just previewing the apps today and hasn’t made them available, but they did talk plenty about them. This is what you need to know.

Allo

Allo is an app that Google is calling a “smart” messaging app that is tied to your phone number (sort of like WhatsApp). Because it’s tied to your phone number, hopefully it becomes easier for you to convince other people to use it, since it will also just be tied to their phone number. Or as Google puts it, this idea lets you easily get in touch with the people in your phonebook (and probably send them an invite to use Allo).

With Allo, you get a mostly standard messaging client, but it tries to learn from you over time to show suggestions that allow you to have conversations without typing. It learns if you are a “haha” or “lol” person, can suggest responses based off of photos being shared (yep, it does photos too), and brings the power of the new Google Assistant.

By using Google Assistant, Allo brings you Google inside of your app (Think the iOS-only Gboard but better!). That means you can chat with the new Assistant and get things done without leaving your chat app. You can book dinner reservations, edit photos, get sports scores, play games, use Search/Maps/YouTube/Translate, check your calendar, see flight information, photos from your last trip, and more. You can ask the assistant (by typing @google) if your flight is delayed or what the weather is like, find soccer highlights, etc., all within Allo.

You can even setup an incognito conversation to allow Allo to encrypt your chat.

Pretty sweet, right?

Duo

As for Duo, this is Google’s new one-on-one video chatting app that is supposedly really fast. Google says that this should work flawlessly across both slow and fast connections, which means you can video chat at all times if you want, from anywhere.

The app has a Knock Knock feature that shows you who is calling on video before you answer, displays video chats in 720p (HD), and sports end-to-end encryption.

Both apps are now live on Google Play for pre-registration. As I mentioned earlier, they won’t be available until “this summer.”

Play Links: Allo | Duo

Via: Google

Google Assistant is a More Personalized Google Search Experience

Google is essentially rebranding Google Now and the overall Google Search experience for individual users, announcing Google Assistant at this year’s Google I/O developer conference. Unlike the 1-way conversations we have with Google right now, Assistant is a 2-way conversation between you and Google. Contextually aware, Assistant builds on the progress Google has already made to make Search smarter.

As an example for Assistant, a user could search for SF Giants, then be met with all of the information they need regarding that baseball team. Once complete, suggestions will be shown for the SF Giants, such as roster, ticket sales, and more. From here, Assistant knows that you want information pertaining to the SF Giants, so it will recommend other detailed Giants information from the web, YouTube, and other sources. The same can be done for a movie that is in theaters, or other events taking place.

As previously announced, Assistant won’t only be for mobile devices. It is also being built into Google Home, meaning you will have your personalized Google Assistant wherever you are. According to Google, “The assistant is an ambient experience that will work seamlessly across devices and contexts. So you can summon Google’s help no matter where you are or what the context. It builds on all our years of investment in deeply understanding users’ questions.”

Since Google Assistant is merely an update to an already existing platform, don’t look for any new “Assistant” app to hit Google Play. Instead, look for it in Google Home, as well as Google’s new social apps like Allo and Duo. Those apps release this summer. You can also expect Assistant to hit the existing Google app sometime in the future.

Via: Google

Google is Letting You Help Name Android N

What’s Android N going to be called? You know the question has be burning through your brain since the first preview arrived a couple of months ago. Google has teased options. We have taken guesses. But we still don’t know, even after today’s I/O keynote.

Well, Google is going to let you do something about it. During today’s keynote, Google announced that they are letting the people help decide what Android N should be called because they are struggling (or just want to include you in the fun). Seriously, they even have a website already setup for you to start submitting options.

Go here and let Google know what you think Android N should be!

Google Home is Official, Powered by Google Assistant, Available Later This Year

During the keynote of Google I/O this morning, Google Home was made official. Set to be a real competitor to the Amazon Echo, Google Home is powered by Google Assistant, the new AI-based software that helps users complete tasks.

Much like Echo, a user will speak to Google Home, which will get it to relay information from the web, playback music thanks to a built-in speaker, tracks your packages, make and change dining reservations, and even go over calendar events you have linked to your Google account.

Additionally, Google Home can be linked to other smart features in your home, such as speakers, HDTVs, thermostats, and more.

Google has opened up a sign-up of sorts, which is really just an email list to be informed of when Home is available. You can sign-up here. At this time, Google has not provided an official release date or pricing.

What’s your take on Home? Will it dominate Amazon Echo?

Here’s What’s New in Android N as of Google I/O

Curious as to what’s all new in Android N as of today? As has been the case the past couple of years, Google tossed up a slide during the I/O keynote with new features in the shape of the newest version of Android to give us a good look.

Sure, a lot of this stuff we already knew about thanks to two developer previews before today’s release, but it’s still nice to see it all in one place.

See anything extra interesting?

Android N Preview 3 Gets Semi-Stable “Beta” Release, Available Now

The massive Google I/O 2016 keynote just wrapped and that means it’s time to start talking about what’s new. Since you are all obsessed with new versions of Android, we thought we should first start with the fact that Android N Developer Preview 3 is now available. Google is also saying that this version should be stable enough for you to use on a daily device. That’s huge news!

The update is rolling out as version NPD35K and is already popping up on devices who are a part of the Android Beta program. In fact, during the show, I was able to pull the update onto my Nexus 6. So if you are enrolled, be sure to check in Settings>About.

This new version includes Android VR, along with a sustained performance mode and a bunch of other behind-the-scenes items. The full release notes can be found here.

If you don’t want to go that route, you can grab the factory images here or the OTA .zip files here.

Fitbit Acquires Coin’s Wearable Payments Platform, Will be Used in Future Products

This morning, Fitbit announced its acquisition of the wearable payments platform from Coin, the payments startup that released a universal credit card replacement. According to Fitbit and Coin, the acquisition will include, “key personnel and intellectual property specific to Coin’s wearables payment platform.”

Undoubtedly, Fitbit will use this purchase to create wearable devices that feature Coin’s technology, allowing users to not only track their steps, but to make purchases at supported retailers. As reported by Engadget, Fitbit previously mentioned that there are no plans to release such a device in 2016, but the door has been left wide open for a release in 2017.

Detailed in the press releases, this deal excludes the Coin 2.0 credit card hardware. Mentioned by Coin, your Coin card will still work (until the internal battery dies in 2 years), but the company will no longer sell the device, although, they are holding onto inventory for warranty replacement purposes. Furthermore, Coin Rewards and the Coin Developer Program are being retired with this announcement.

Via: Engadget | Coin | Fitbit

Google Releases Google Play Developer Console App to Help With App Management

Google I/O hasn’t started yet, but you can bet that Google will talk about the release of a new app designed specifically for developers with apps on Google Play. It’s the Google Play Developer Console app! Yep, no more logging into the developer console via the web and attempting to manage your apps. With this app, you can do quite a bit of management of your apps from within an app. How fun.

While I’m no developer, the screenshots and included video for the new Developer Console app show options for checking performance statistics and financial data, and to see app status, publish changes, and even read and reply to user reviews.

If you have apps on Google Play, this is probably an app you should install.

Play Link

Samsung Pay Adds Reward and Membership Card Support in US

Samsung, because Google is about to have a hell of a day at I/O, dropped its own bit of news this morning related to Samsung Pay, its widely accepted mobile payment solution. Starting today, Samsung Pay now accepts users’ reward and membership cards, helping save money and accrue points all within a single payment app.

The support for rewards and membership cards lets you add everything from gym and drug store cards to those from your favorite retailers. Samsung says that you can even add insurance or personal identification cards, just for “safe keeping.”

To use rewards cards, once you have added them, you should be able to tap on one from within the app, then hover your phone (with the card up) over the store’s scanner. That’s it.

Samsung isn’t mentioning if this is limited to select retailers or gyms or drug stores, so you should be able to add almost anything. Give it a shot and let us know.

Via: Samsung

Google I/O 2016 Keynote Live Chat!

We are back at Google I/O once again, this time to cover the 2016 “developer festival” that Google is putting on in their own backyard at the Shoreline Amphitheater. This isn’t the typical I/O setup, so don’t expect this to be in any way like previous years – it should be much bigger, much louder, and potentially have more news than ever.

To kick things off, we have today’s opening keynote which starts promptly at 10AM Pacific (1PM Eastern). This is a 2-hour keynote that should feature everything from Android N updates to VR, Project Tango, and Chrome OS.

We will be on the grounds after that wraps with proper event coverage. But for now, you’ll find an embed of the keynote in both regular form and 360-form, should you want to dive into this whole deal virtually.

Join us soon!

Android Pay Arrives in the UK, Coming to Singapore and Australia “Soon”

This morning, only hours before Google I/O kicks off, the Android team announced that Android Pay is now available in the UK. That news might not sound surprising after the Android Twitter account jumped the gun a bit yesterday, but the news is 100% official.

Google says that currently supported banks include Bank of Scotland, First Direct, Halifax, HSBC, Lloyds Bank, M&S Bank, MBNA, and Nationwide Building Society. Of course, more will be added all of the time.

UK users should be able to pay at all sorts of locations, as long as they feature contact-less payment terminals. Also, be on the lookout for regular promotions from Google and some of their early partners, like Starbucks.

In related news, Google announced that Android Pay will arrive in Australia and Singapore “soon.” They didn’t share any other details, but if they are name-dropping those two specifically, I would imagine it won’t be long before users in those countries have access.

If you are in the UK, grab Android Pay at the link below!

Play Link

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Wednesday, May 18, 2016

Via: Android Developers

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