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Jul

Download: Latest Google Play Store v3.7.13

Posted by Artem Russakovskii in Apps/Games, Google, News

Last Updated: January 6th, 2013

The latest version of the Play Store is no longer 3.7.11 - say hello to v3.7.13. I haven't found anything different from 3.7.11 just yet - it likely only contains bug fixes. There's no reason to lag behind, however, so if you're running a Play Store with a version lower than 3.7.13, jump right to the download mirrors below. Before you do that, let me point out a few things.

Upon playing with the Store further, I did discover a new feature compared to v3.5.19 that I didn't mention last time - inline app links in search suggestions. Take a look at searching in 3.5.19 (on the left) and 3.7.13 (on the right) - direct app links are now mixed in with suggested spellings.

Jul

Nokia Claims Google's Nexus 7 Infringes WiFi Patent, Miraculously Hasn't Sued Everyone Ever Just Yet

Posted by Eric Ravenscraft in ASUS, Google, News

In the tech world, it's almost impossible to launch a high-profile device without someone claiming you've infringed a patent somewhere. Today, it's Nokia's turn with the Nexus 7. The Finnish company has stated that it believes the Nexus 7 violates some of its standards-essential patents relating to WiFi. The announcement seems to be a more casual nod to Google and ASUS to simply fork over a bit of cash, akin to the Rob Schneider prompting Kevin for a tip in Home Alone 2*.

Said Nokia to the Inquirer:

"Nokia has more than 40 licensees, mainly for its standards essential patent portfolio, including most of the mobile device manufacturers.

Jul

The Google Nexus Q Has An Easter Egg Too

Posted by Artem Russakovskii in Google, News, Nexus Q (Steelhead)

Google tends to put Easter Eggs into all Android OS releases - remember the one Jelly Bean came with? Turns out the company stuffs these treats into more than just the operating system, as the Nexus Q's Android app has it too.

Beneath the tough outer shell of the Q lives a lonely Magic 8 Ball. To summon this ~~genie~~ bipolar fortuneteller, ~~rub~~ tap it in the right place a few times, and out it comes. The right place happens to be the image of the sphere (first screenshot below) - just tap away, and the Q will eventually exclaim "Have a dilemma?

Jun

The Nexus Q: Massive Misstep Or Misunderstood Science Experiment?

Posted by David Ruddock in Editorials, Nexus Q (Steelhead)

When Google unveiled the Nexus Q at I/O on Wednesday, there were cheers. But not until the designers and creators of the hardware came on stage to explain what it was for a good 5 minutes. Hell, they even put together a fantastic video showing the process of manufacturing the Q (in the good 'ol US of A!). Seriously, if you haven't watched it - watch it. The production values are outstanding.

And Google topped it all off by giving everybody at I/O a Q to... do stuff with. But what?

The Q is fairly limited in its capabilities at the moment.

Jun

[Editorial] Google TV Is Bad, And Google Should Feel Bad

Posted by Jaroslav Stekl in Editorials, Google TV

Last Updated: July 2nd, 2012

Last night, I finally sold my Logitech Revue.

Why? Google's absolute silence on Google TV (GTV) during I/O keynotes represented, as I saw it, the last straw for the platform (at least in its current state). Of course, Google TV hasn't really seen much action since last fall, but after former Google CEO Eric Schmidt promised big, magical things for this summer, it seemed Mountain View might still have some GTV tricks up its sleeves. As it turns out, those sleeves were empty, and the company now seems to view its attempt to save us from cable boxes as a dead horse.

Jun

Google Releases Full Factory OS Image For The Nexus 7 "nakasi" Tablet (Android 4.1, JRN84D)

Posted by Artem Russakovskii in ASUS, Development, Google, Jelly Bean 4.1, News, Nexus 7

Google just dropped the full OS image for the recently announced at Google I/O Nexus 7 tablet. The image allows you to restore the tablet back to full stock Android 4.1 (build JRN84D) in case something goes wrong. This way, developers can tweak its internals without fearing a brick and users can always go back to something stable if a flash goes awry.

There are no surprises here - the Nexus 7 is a true Nexus device after all. Great job publishing the image promptly, Google!

It's interesting to note that the page name switched from "Factory Images for Nexus Phones" to "Factory Images for Nexus Devices" which made me realize and allow to sink in yet again just what exactly happened in the last 3 days.

Jun

Google I/O Day 2 Keynote Is Live On YouTube - Need The Short Version? Day 1 & 2 Get The TL;DR Treatment, Too

Posted by Eric Ravenscraft in Google, News

Google's keynote address on day 2 of Google I/O was all Chrome, all day. Now that Chrome is the default browser for Android, combined with the company's continued push behind Chrome OS, you can expect to see the browser everywhere from now on. Including in the hour-and-twenty-minute video below featuring all the new (and old) features and developments in Chrome.

If you're short on time, or I/O is just overwhleming, Google's done you the favor of piecing together all the best parts of day 1 and 2's keynotes in a single, easy-to-digest four minute video. There are even a few snippets of some of the exhibitors at the keynote.

Jun

[Polls] Google I/O – What Do You Think Of Google's New Nexus Devices?

Posted by Liam Spradlin in Android OS, Google, Nexus Q (Steelhead), Polls

With the introduction of the Nexus Q and Nexus 7 devices at Google I/O yesterday, one (big) question remains – how will the market react to these products?

The Nexus Q, a social media streaming device is undoubtedly a cool gadget – it allows you and your friends to stream content in your living room by interacting with one centralized device – the Q makes putting your Play Store content on your TV or external speakers an absolute breeze.

The Nexus 7, meanwhile, represents the long-rumored 7-inch tablet produced by Google at an affordable price. With a 7" IPS display, quad-core Tegra 3 processor, and (of course) Android 4.1 Jelly Bean, it is no doubt an attractive device – but is Google taking the right approach to entering a direct competitor to the Kindle Fire into the tablet market?

Jun

Missed The Google I/O Day 1 Keynote? Catch It Again On YouTube

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

Google I/O 2012 kicked off yesterday with a bang, to be sure. Even after rounding up all of yesterday's news, there were still some things that can be better understood by listening to/watching the keynote speakers themselves (not to mention it was a pretty great show to watch). After all, yesterday saw a ton of news – from two new Nexus devices to the introduction of Android Jelly Bean, Google Glass, and updates to the Play Store and Google+.

As in years previous, the full keynote from day 1 is now available for your viewing pleasure through YouTube. Without further ado, Google I/O day 1 keynote:

Jun

[Editorial] Welcome To Google+: Your Social Network Is Finally Ready, So What Are You Waiting On?

Posted by Eric Ravenscraft in Editorials, Google

Google I/O isn't even finished yet, and everyone's favorite search company has already shaken things up quite a bit. One of the biggest things Google announced was Google Events. Google said that this new feature would allow users to coordinate events and share them with others. What Google didn't say was that with the addition of this feature, Google+ is ready. Cooked until golden brown and ready to be served. And, guys? It's time to dig in.

By Your Powers Combined

Social networks will continue to evolve as long as people do, but today marked a subtle, yet important transition for Google: the day that the biggest majority of its key features finally became unified in a meaningful, social way.