youtube - 3/5 - Android Police - Android News, Apps, Games, Phones, Tablets

Jun

YouTube Updates To 4.0.8E, Adds UI Changes, Remote Screen Control, And Video Preloads

Posted by Ron Amadeo in Apps/Games, News

Man, news is coming fast and furious, isn't it? Here's another one to add to the pile: a big YouTube update. The "What's New" section on the Play Store reads:

What's in this version:

Android 3.2+ devices: v.4.0
* New UI: Guide on the left side of the screen with instant access to channels
* Preload videos while on WiFi and charging for smooth playback on the go
* Turn your phone into a remote, to play YouTube videos on other devices
* Access your watch History across devices

Earlier Android devices: v.2.4
* Sign-in with Google account
* HD playback (on capable phones)
* Multiple bug fixes

First up, let's check out the new look:

YouTube has switched to the same left-side menu style as Google+.

Jun

Sony And Logitech Google TV Devices Receiving Updates Right Now To v.2.1.1 And Honeycomb 3.2 Respectively

Posted by Eric Ravenscraft in Google TV, Logitech, News, Sony

Last Updated: August 2nd, 2012

Google TV is one of those products that Google tends to forget about most of the year. Today, though, the platform is getting some love as Sony Google TV devices are getting a firmware update to version 2.1.1. Included in the update will be the ability play movies rented via Google Play (about time) as well as watching movies via youtube.com/movies.

Logitech's update, on the other hand, is less straightforward. The company has announced via its forums that the Revue will be getting updated to Honeycomb 3.2 beginning a couple of days ago and ending tomorrow, June 7th. Oddly, the company seems to have made no official announcement or change log anywhere else.

May

The Ultimate Google I/O 2012 Preview

Posted by Ron Amadeo in Jelly Bean 4.1, News, Rumors

Last Updated: June 27th, 2012

Google I/O is coming and it's time to get excited! It's like Christmas in June! It will be here in just a few ~~short~~ agonizing weeks - and we need to prepare. There is background information you need to know, rumors you should have in mind, and past announcements and acquisitions that need to be remembered. Google always leaves little news breadcrumbs for those that pay attention, and I pay attention. Fanatically.

This post will be part news recap, part rumor roundup, and part speculation. The last time I did this went pretty well, and now it's time for another look at what the little elves at Google HQ are working on.

May

[Video] ASUS Releases Official Promo For The PadFone Boasting 1.5GHz Dual-Core S4 Processor, SAMOLED Display, And A Stylus That's Also A Headset

Posted by Liam Spradlin in News, Padfone, Videos

Remember ASUS' PadFone from MWC? The Taiwanese manufacturer today released an official teaser for the device-within-a-device, boasting its display, processor, economical benefits, and impressive battery life.

For those who may have missed the specs sprinkled throughout the promo, here's what we know so far:

Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich
Snapdragon S4 dual-core processor at 1.5GHz
4.3" Super AMOLED qHD display (the tablet features a 10.1" display, no word on resolution)
8MP rear shooter (featuring a 5-element f/2.2 lens)
Stylus/Headset accessory
Over 14,000mAh battery power between the pad, phone, and dock

Overall, the PadFone is still looking like a pretty intriguing device.

Apr

Movie Rentals From Google Play And YouTube Now Available In Australia

Posted by Jaroslav Stekl in Android OS, Google, News

Despite Australia's historically diverse movie industry, up until recently, Aussies found Google's Play and YouTube services devoid of films available to them.

But no more! As of late yesterday, Australian Google users can access both the Movies page on Google Play and the YouTube counterpart. They'll have access to countless movies, both from US studios (e.g. The Walt Disney Company, Sony Pictures Home Entertainment, NBCUniversal, Village Roadshow Pictures and Lionsgate) and from Australian producers (e.g. Roadshow Films, Icon Film Distribution, Madman Entertainment, Hopscotch and Transmission Films). Viewing options include your desktop browser (of course) as well as Android phones and tablets, so long as the Google Play Movies app is installed.

Apr

[Videos] Android Bootcamp 2012 Offers Over 20 Hours Of Android Web Development Instruction – Free On YouTube

Posted by Liam Spradlin in Android OS, Development, News, Videos

Marakana, a company that's been "helping IT professionals get better at what they do" since 2001, has been busy (since January) releasing the latest series of videos in its Android Bootcamp franchise, this time updated for Ice Cream Sandwich development.

For those not familiar, Android Bootcamp is a series of videos aimed at those looking to learn Android development. Some may remember a similar project by TheNewBoston, though Marakana has broken its set of tutorials into much larger chunks, with the 2012 series currently totaling 29 videos (that's over 20 hours of free instruction).

The videos are extremely comprehensive, and cover everything from security to threading to Android UI design.

Mar

[Updated] YouTube Android App Updated To v2.4.4/3.5.5, But You May Never Know It Unless You Check Manually [Mild Rant]

Posted by Artem Russakovskii in Applications, News

Last Updated: March 15th, 2012

The first update since November to both tablet and phone variants of the official YouTube app arrived today, bringing the Android 3.2+ compatible version to v3.5.5 and the versions for other devices to 2.4.4. The changelog seems to indicate that both of these received multiple bug fixes as well as the ability to sign in with a Google account. In addition to that, the version for older devices (2.4.4) received HD playback:

Android 3.2+ devices: v.3.5

Sign-in with Google account

Multiple bug fixes

Earlier Android devices: v.2.4

Sign-in with Google account

HD playback (on capable phones)

Multiple bug fixes

This update is confusing and irritating for a few reasons.

Feb

Behold: The Most Hilarious Galaxy Note (Scratch That - Any Phone) User Review On The Internet

Posted by Artem Russakovskii in Galaxy Note (GT-N7000), Off-Topic, Samsung, Videos

I have to apologize. For what, you're asking? For not publishing this video 15 minutes sooner, mostly due to being incapacitated by convulsive laughter that resulted from watching it.

What we have here today is probably the most hysterical unofficial review of ~~the Galaxy Note~~ any phone, ever. Of course, I welcome you to beat it (just leave a link in the comments), but my memory does not have a record of a performance that could rival this one by ELPRESADOR.

I won't spoil it for you further. Just watch. It's pure gold.

In Eric's words: "I want to hear this guy do football commentary."

Via Reddit

Feb

YouTube For GoogleTV Poised To Receive A Slew Of Enhancements Via Update Later This Week

Posted by Liam Spradlin in Android OS, Applications, News

In a post to the official GoogleTV blog earlier today, Product Manager Jurek Foryciarz revealed that Youtube for GoogleTV is set to receive an update "in the next few days," bringing some "big improvements" to the app.

First off, Google touts smoother navigation, and a new feature called "discover," which allows users to find YouTube channels by categories, which range from comedy, to cooking, to news, and more.

Next up, you can expect the YouTube app to feature channel pages, meaning users can navigate an individual channel's playlists, videos, and subscribe to said channel quickly and easily.

On the topic of channel interaction, users will also be able to see related videos and videos from the same user, just by clicking the up or down arrows on their remote.

Feb

[Updated] The Secret Google X Lab May Be Revealed Today (Feb 6), As "Solve For x" Website And YouTube Channel Go Live [Video]

Posted by Artem Russakovskii in Google, News, Videos

The veil of secrecy surrounding Google's mysterious X lab may be getting pulled back later on today, as evident from new developments around the web in the last couple of days. The X lab, revealed by the New York Times a few months ago, could reportedly have engineers working on projects spanning from plates that post what you're eating on your social networks to driverless cars, robots, and things most of us have never even dreamt of.

Yes, project Majel, a "highly advanced artificial intelligence robot" that has the potential of turning Voice Actions into our own pocketable J.A.R.V.I.S. could very well be part of it too.