Nexus 7 with Android 4.3 receives Bluetooth certification

by Robert Nazarian on May 28th 2013, 9:56am
tagged asus, Google, Nexus 7

Well look what the cat dragged in. A Nexus 7 with Android 4.3 onboard just showed up at the Bluetooth Special Interest Group (SIG) website. This means it was just certified. Actually it was certified on May 27th, but what is unusual is the model number. It shows as ME307T, which is the same model number as the original Nexus 7. We all know that a new and improved Nexus 7 is on the way, but I would think that it would have a different model number. As to the version of Android, you will notice the Software Version Number is JWR11, which is assumed to be Android 4.3.

I am not a Bluetooth certification expert, but I highly doubt ASUS would need to re-certify the original Nexus 7 for just Android 4.3, so there has to be newer hardware. Since this information is actually available on the Bluetooth SIG website, we know it can’t be fake. Whatever it is, it’s just one more piece of evidence that we are going to see a new Nexus 7 very soon.

source: Bluetooth SIG

Thanks Kevin!!

Google to help fund and develop new wireless networks in emerging markets

by Jared Peters on May 27th 2013, 12:57pm
tagged Google, wireless networks

Lately, we’ve seen Google make more of a push at getting new customers connected to the internet instead of pushing any one particular product on them. It’s a sensible business strategy for a company that sells ad space on the internet, as the more people that have access to reliable internet, the more potential customers Google can serve ads to.

On the heels of beefing up their Google Fiber rollout, Google is deeply committed to building up new wireless networks in developing markets that don’t have access to a wired internet connection otherwise. Sources close to Google say that the search giant is planning to team up with local telecoms and equipment providers to get the ball rolling, but they weren’t clear on if any deals were already in place. Building up these networks is said to be able to connect almost a billion new people to the internet.

It’s a smart business move for Google, but it’s also going to help a ton of new people gain access to new technology and information, which is always great to see.

source: Wall Street Journal

White Nexus 4 pictures released again, possible June 10th release alongside Android 4.3?

by Harrison Kaminsky on May 26th 2013, 12:52pm
tagged Android 4.3, Google, June 10, LG, Nexus 4, white

After a bunch of web leaks and an appearance at this year’s Google I/O, the white Nexus 4 has shown up once again in all its glory. This time the pictures seem to be press images rather than leaked photos of the device. The white Nexus 4 has been rumored for a June 10th release with options for 8GB or 16GB of internal storage. Unfortunately this means that at least for now, there won’t be a 32GB+ option.

Since we don’t know if the release of Android 4.3 will be paired with the release of the white Nexus 4, we’ll assume that the device will ship with at least Android 4.2 and will obviously be immediately upgradable to the next release of Android. Check back for more information about the phone as it is released. More photos after the break. » Read the rest

Google no longer able to accept payments for app developers in Argentina

by Aditya Thawardas on May 25th 2013, 3:49pm
tagged argentina, Google, Play Store

Google_Play_Store_Update_4.0.25 Android developers in Argentina have received a letter from Google informing them that Google will no longer be able to accept payments on behalf of the developers beginning June 27. This applies to both paid apps and in-app purchases, and is likely due to new restrictions by the Argentina government on currency exchanges. Not only will payments come to a halt, but beginning July 27, Google will remove paid apps and in-app items developed by Argentines.

Developers in Argentina will still be able to offer free apps, and Android users in Argentina will still be able to purchase apps in the Play Store, however. Google suggests in their letter that a solution for Argentines is to move their accounts to another country without such restrictions. Google hopes to restore payments in the future, but “no specific plans are in place at the moment.”

Source: The Verge

New screenshots of Android 4.3 surface; shows slightly different camera software UI

by Macky Evangelista on May 24th 2013, 2:16pm
tagged Android 4.3, Google, LG, Nexus 4, thailand mobile expo 2013

Thanks to XDA user chaleen, new screenshots of a Nexus 4 in Thailand’s Mobile Expo 2013 running Android 4.3 have surfaced. So far nothing too interesting in the screenshots as it just shows the build and kernel info, but one of them was fairly interesting as it shows a slightly re-designed UI for Google’s stock camera UI. You can check out that screenshot right below.

» Read the rest

Chrome Beta for Android updated, adds better translation and full screen options

by Jeff Causey on May 24th 2013, 12:51pm
tagged Android, Chrome Beta, fullscreen, Google, google translate

Along with updates on the Google Chrome Beta channel for desktop systems that were made available yesterday, Google also announced the availability of an update to the Chrome Beta for Android app. The new update for Chrome 28 takes it up to version 28.0.1500.21. Headlining the improvements is better integration of the Google Translate service which will automatically detect whether a web page is in a different language from what your Android device is set to and will make the translate bar easily available similar to the desktop version of Chrome. Scrolling on a page will now cause the toolbar to disappear, providing a fullscreen browsing experience. Google also added in a new graph to show estimated bandwidth savings due to the experimental data compression feature and improved, mobile-friendly error pages. If you want to grab the Chrome Beta for Android app, just hit one of the download links below.

Google Play Download Link

AUO set to provide display panels for next-generation Nexus 7 tablet

by Roy Alugbue on May 24th 2013, 9:55am
tagged asus, AUO, Google, LTPS display, Nexus 7

We know that Google’s second-generation Nexus 7 tablet is on the way, but not much about the device is known— especially since we didn’t see much of a tease at Google I/O this year. Fortunately, it appears that we’re finally getting some long-awaited information about the venerable device as news has surfaced that it’ll not only arrive this summer with high expectations, but it will come with a brand-new display unit. According to the hit-or-miss Digitimes, Google and ASUS are turning to AU Optronics (AUO) to develop a 7-inch, low-temperature poly-silicon (LTPS) panel at a 1,900 x 1,200 resolution. Also reaffirming what we’ve previously heard, shipments are expected to begin as early as Q2 and the tablet is expected to see the 8 million unit mark, which should more than certainly help Google keep eating away at that tablet market share.

source: Digitimes

Google adding richer notifications to Chrome on ChromeOS, Windows

by Jeff Causey on May 23rd 2013, 9:42pm
tagged Beta, Chrome, Google, notifications

With the popularity of Android on smartphones and tablets, Google has a big platform to help push their other products and services. One of those is the Chrome browser for Android. As users surf the net with Chrome, they are able to enjoy the benefits of having their sessions sync with installations of Chrome, say on their desktop and laptop computers. To help capitalize on this and make the use of Chrome and Google services even more attractive, Google announced today the introduction of richer notifications for the Beta channel version of the Chrome browser.

The user interface for notifications and the underlying framework have both been reworked and expanded to be available for developers of Chrome apps and extensions to capitalize on. From an interface perspective, the new notifications adopt a Google Now card-like look. Mimicking capabilities of the notifications available on Jelly Bean Android devices, the new notifications can include the ability to interact directly within the pop-up.

The notification center will display several notifications at once if a user is away from their computer for a while. Along with the usability improvements, notifications can now include formatted text and assets like images. Google provides a panel for users to select which notifications which display.

Google has new versions available for both Windows and ChromeOS. They indicate an OSX version for Macs is on the way. If you want to try out the Chrome Beta, hit the source link for more information.

source: Google Chrome Blog

Google quietly working on the inclusion of haptic feedback technology into Android devices… for more effective advertisements

by Roy Alugbue on May 23rd 2013, 2:01pm
tagged advertisments, Google, haptic feedback

At the end of the day, Google is first and foremost, a company driven by advertisements, not necessarily awesome Android sales. Considering Google has one heck of a track record when it comes to how advertisements are subtly ~~stuffed down our throats~~ viewed by the masses, it should come as no surprise that Google is out to revolutionize how we consume ads thanks to its work behind the scenes of implementing haptic feedback technology. The USPTO went ahead and published a patent application “Providing information through tactile feedback”, which at its absolute core deals with haptic feedback on touchscreen devices (smartphones and tablets).

Google recognizes this technology is still very much in its infancy, so it’s utilizing its all-star team of researchers and developers to dig deeper and recognize the true potential of haptic feedback, by quietly working on a “Tactile Interface Engine“, which allows Google to ensure its ads are more effective thanks to the implementation of feedback. The concept alone is fascinating, but it’s how the technology works that will be a real eye-opener for the masses. Essentially Google would hypothetically separate an advertisement displayed on a webpage with a border by having a distinct tactile feel, which is completely noticeable as the finger approaches the advertisement. In the case of multiple ads, the ad with the “most relevance” would give the most feedback as your finger hovers around it, while the other ads would give less feedback— though each ad could be moved around to a different place on the screen if needed.

It’s too early to tell what sort of impact this implementation will have for the Android brand, but it probably wouldn’t be a surprise if it were to end up being revolutionary. Of course it would be nice to see some improved haptic feedback for our displays (and specifically our keyboards), but any cool innovation from Google would be a welcome one nonetheless. We’ll be sure to keep an eye out for you all on whether or not this intriguing development can eventually become a reality.

source: UnwiredView

Google passes IBM to become second most valuable brand, still behind Apple

by Harrison Kaminsky on May 22nd 2013, 11:52am
tagged apple, Brands, BrandZ, Google, ibm

According to the 2013 BrandZ list of top global brands, Google ranks second, valued at $113.669 billion. Although the company is still short of Apple’s value of $185.536 billion, they still passed by IBM, who currently rank third at $112.536 billion.

One notable name is Samsung, which is currently ranked at number 30, having jumped up a whole 25 places. This can clearly be pointed to their increased advertising on their Galaxy line and exploding sales figures.

Google’s second-place ranking shows steady growth for the company, but their spot behind Apple says that they’re still the company to beat. Google looks to continue closing in on Apple in the current year.

Source: Marketing Week

« First ‹...2 345 6...10 20...›Last »