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Play Movies have been available on Google Play for years now, but this is the case only in certain parts of the globe. People living elsewhere have to wait patiently for their countries to get added to the list. Ireland is the latest one to gain support, so its residents can now fire up the Play Store to download movies. TV shows, however, are not available.
The Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1 2014 Edition isn't the most affordable tablet, but thanks to this latest deal, you can shave a couple hundred dollars off the price of one. Samsung's slate is currently available on eBay for $339.99, which is the lowest price we've seen it hit yet. Granted, this is a refurbished unit, but it should still look fine and run even better. Considering Amazon wants over $500 to part with a new one, a tablet that may have been lightly used in a past life is well worth considering.
The Adobe Reader app has received another update that brings in a couple of new features for Android users who turn to it for their PDF-handling needs. The little piece of software can already handle reading files just fine, but for people who would rather hold a physical copy of a text in their hands, the latest version should better help with that. KitKat printing support is now bundled in, so users can print to any printers that they have saved to their devices.
Earlier today Google flipped a switch enabling the screen casting feature it unveiled at Google I/O. If you have one of the supported devices, you don't have to do a thing to try it out. Just fire up Quick Settings and hit the screen cast icon. But if this isn't discoverable enough, Google has also updated the Chromecast app to bring more attention to the feature.
The Xperia Z2 Tablet is just about ready to hit the US, and as expected, it's coming as a Verizon exclusive. The carrier will part with the tablet for $599.99, though for a limited time, it's willing to let go of one for $499.99 with a new two-year contract (how nice of them, right?). Pre-orders are going up tomorrow, with the tablet becoming available for purchase in stores and online July 17th. Those who pre-order will get a Sony Digital Noise Cancelling Headset MDRNC31EM at no extra cost.
Most app updates roll out to the majority of users either all at once or within a matter of days, but like a tropical storm, the Weather Channel has decided to take its time with its big 5.0 Android release. The update is currently available to just 10% of users, and it won't be out for everyone until mid July.
Here's something that might just blow your mind. If you perform a voice search and Google misunderstands you, or you happen to garble your words, there's a quick way to take care of that. Just follow up with a second search that begins with "No, I said..." Google will then replace the incorrect word with what you said the second time.
The Pushbullet folks crank new functionality into their nifty push notification app so often that it would almost be more newsworthy if they stopped, but until that day comes, here's another cool feature that we're happy to see in the works. The ability to copy and paste across Android and Windows machines recently made an appearance in the beta version of the app, and a screenshot found its way to Google+.
Sony is boasting its new Xperia C3 as the best smartphone for taking selfies thanks to its wide-angle 5MP front-facing "PROselfie" camera, soft LED flash, and a set of quirky apps. Hey, scoff all you want, but this is a big deal. Selfie is a real word now, and if I have to write about the subject seriously, the least you can do is read this with a straight face.
Isis Mobile Wallet may have developed somewhat of a bad rep around these parts because it was the carrier-approved NFC payment alternative to Google Wallet, but no matter how many negative insults a few tech geeks have lobbed at it over the past few years, nothing has shaken the company quite like what the acronym ISIS is more commonly associated with these days - the militant group known as the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria. The force has swept across parts of both Middle Eastern countries, expanding its reach with the use of violence against civilians and government forces alike.
Not all that many Samsung Gear Lives have made it into the hands of users, but already we're seeing reports of the smartwatch's charging mechanism breaking and preventing users from continuing to power the device without resorting to wildly impractical measures. Some disgruntled Google I/O goers have taken to Google+ to share pictures of their damaged hardware.
We cover many Gmail updates around these parts, but the most important aspect of any email client remains the ability to read it. Today Google has announced support for an additional thirteen languages, bumping the total number up from 58 to 71. The change should benefit speakers from many corners of the globe, as the list shows languages from Africa, Asia, Europe, and North America.
Sometimes auto-correct is more annoying than it is useful (hyperbottomcheeks978 is a username, dear keyboard, and no I don't want to save it to my dictionary just to prevent you from nagging me about it for the remainder of this conversation). Fortunately for users of the Xposed framework, there is a new module out that will allow you to toggle auto-correct on and off just by double tapping on any text box. And it comes to us from the developer of XGELS.
Baby Time may not sound like something young bachelors everywhere need to install on their Android Wear devices, but it is. By default, these new watches wake up with the right gesture and are then eager for your touch (or anything else's). This app functions as a basic lockscreen that disables most input until it is turned off.
A particularly aggravating issue happens to be plaguing a number of Gmail users on Android as of late. Affected people report a complete loss of the ability to sync their accounts, both manually and automatically. The cause is still unknown, but users report experiencing it following the 4.8 update. Yet clearing updates and returning back to a previous version doesn't fix the problem, suggesting some other source is to blame.
I've heard you - cloud storage can suck it. It requires a speedy internet connection, blows through data, puts your files on some company's servers, and frankly isn't always all that reliable. You want to stick your files on a flash drive just like the good ol' days. So here's the deal. Newegg is currently selling a 64GB OTG USB stick for the discounted price of $33.99 (a $5 savings). And if you ask nicely, Patriot Memory will send you a $14 rebate Visa card, bringing that figure down to $19.99.
A young Android device doesn't become a man until Tasker has come along to usher it into adulthood and some developer has used it achieve greatness. In the case of watches with Android Wear, this doesn't even require much work, for all the ingredients are already in place. This YouTube video shows a wearer using his Samsung Gear Live to control his home using Tasker and a selection of AutoApps.
People who have received a OnePlus One through one means or another are now receiving an over-the-air software update that addresses a charging issue affecting the device. Sometimes the phone would think it's plugged into USB when it's actually plugged into AC power and, as a result, charge only half as fast, if not slower. The handset would display Charging (USB) instead of Charging (AC). This information is available in the Status screen under settings, which is visible at the top of the third screenshot below.
Arranging transportation can be time consuming, so the Lyft folks crammed the ability to locate and schedule a ride into a simple app. Still, while using a smartphone is easy, even that can take up too much time (work with me here). Now the company has added Android Wear support that lets you request a ride by speaking into your wrist. Stop everything, guys. I think this is as easy as things are going to get.
We've known since late May that the LG G3 was on its way to Sprint, it's just been a matter of finding out when and for how much. Well, the deets are in. The G3 will be available for pre-order starting July 11th, with the actual purchase date being the 18th. Sprint customers can get the phone for 24 monthly payments of $25, which totals up to an even $600.