Google Music Updates with UI Tweaks, Device Management, Offline Radio and More
A fairly substantial update is rolling out for Google Play Music today. The update will move it from version 5.3.1317M to version 5.4.1409N. That is a good sized jump in terms version numbers and it certainly does deliver a number of new enhancements.
The first thing you will probably notice is some tweaks to the UI. The left sidebar that pops out now offers Settings, Help and Send Feedback. It used to be up in the top right with a tap of the three vertical dots. As seen below, the update is on the right and the last 5.3 version is on the left.
Buried throughout the app are a number of of other great additions that I know many of you have been asking for. For instance, you can now manage and deauthorize devices through the app instead of having to login to your PC. That was a pretty big pain point for many who are switching phones often and have multiple Google Music supporting products all signed in. You can also see in the settings that you can also “Refresh” your music manually now too.
Offline Radio has also found its way into the mix too. Simply tap on the three little dots to open the small popup menu. From there you can tap on “Keep on device” and cache a station to your device for playback at a later time.
The duplicate Chromecast issue is also apparently resolved. Along with that, the Cast button has been moved from the top while listening, to the center between the thumbs.
A few other little additions, like a ‘Play Next’ button has been added to songs and albums, a ‘Playing From’ bar in the playlist now floats along with your scrolling and some crash fixing too.
As always you can wait around for the update to hit your device through the Play Store, or you can go to our Gappsearly page where we keep all the apks easily available and updated.
Via Androidpolice
More HTC M8 Photos Surface Showing Off the Thin Bezels
The HTC M8 images keep coming. Today we get this gem that actually a lot of people might enjoy. When we posted the image that showed up online yesterday, everyone hated the fact that there was that black bar at the bottom of the screen that housed the HTC logo. Well as you can see here, there is no black bar with the HTC logo. We also see that the phone is sporting some barely there bezels, which a lot of people were hoping for as well. Let us know your thoughts about this new image.
Source: Talk Android
Alleged HTC Desire 8 Render Circulates the Web
The HTC Desire 8 first made its presence known in the community not too long ago, and with HTC stating they were going to put forth some efforts in mid-ranged devices, the HTC Desire 8 sounded like it would be their first mid-ranged phone of this year. Well a new render of the supposed HTC Desire 8 has surfaced, but there are some flaws within it.
First off: no navigation buttons. Yeah those are missing from this render, even though they will most likely be on-screen buttons. Then we have the screenshot on the phone. You would assume that given this is a new phone, it would be running Sense 6. We got our first taste of Sense 6 showing off BlinkFeed when evleaks posted a screenshot. This screenshot is an older screenshot, so highly unlikely this is legit.
Specs came along with screenshot that include a 5.5-inch display, 13 MP rear camera, and a 5 MP front-facing camera. No word on processor, but those other specs sound more high-end than mid-range. The HTC Desire 8 might be one of those phones that doesn’t make it over here the states. This phone could very well stay over in Asia, but maybe HTC has a US variant in mind. Let us know your thoughts about this render.
Source: Mydrivers.com
Via: Android Police
Flickr co-founder’s Slack collaboration tool leaves beta, goes freemium for all
Back in August, Flickr creator Stewart Butterfield’s Tiny Speck started the digital signup sheet for Slack, its collaborative productivity software. Today, the project exits beta and goes freemium for businesses anxious to opt in. In case you’re in need of a refresher, the goal of Slack is to free the daily workflow from what Butterfield calls “email bankruptcy.” With this software, internal messages are all in one spot with access to files stored elsewhere and items like bug trackers baked in. In addition to the free Lite tier, there are also Standard and Plus options with increased functionality for $8 and $15 for each user per month, respectively. A more robust and customizable Enterprise subscription will range from $49 on up to $99 a month, but it isn’t set to arrive until 2015.
Let’s go back to that no-cost option for a minute, shall we? Here, users get access to a searchable archive of 10,000 messages, 5GB of storage, five of those external integrations and native apps for iOS, Android and Mac. New features have already been teased for later this year, with items like email integration, guest accounts and detailed analytics mentioned for the paid tiers.
Filed under: Software
Source: Slack
Google Play Music for Android now lets you take radio stations offline
If you thrive on Google Play Music’s radio stations but would love if they kept playing while you’re away from an internet connection, congratulations — Google has just granted your wish. An Android app update rolling out today lets you pin whole stations to your device, guaranteeing a fresh set of tunes when you’re on that WiFi-less flight. The upgrade also allows you to remotely manage the devices that can access your collection, and a “play next” command will queue up a song that you just have to hear. The new Play Music software doesn’t appear to be widely available just yet, but those who refuse to wait can download the installer from Android Police.
Filed under: Cellphones, Tablets, Internet, Mobile, Google
Via: Android Police
Source: Google Play
RIP: China’s Jade Rabbit rover dies on the moon
After facing a series of troubles since its arrival on the moon, China’s Jade Rabbit rover has been officially pronounced dead. China News Service broke the story earlier today, stating that the Chinese explorer, also known as Yutu, “could not be restored to full function.” Jade Rabbit reportedly suffered mechanical problems last month, on January 25th, and was consequently never able to work properly again — it was due to “the complicated lunar surface environment.” This is a huge blow to the future of China’s space program, one that aims to have an Earth-orbiting station and land a human on the moon within the next decade. Rest in peace, Yutu.
Filed under: Misc, Transportation, Alt
Source: ECNS
Yahoo adds ‘Listening Space’ to Aviate
Yahoo has added its first major new feature to the Aviate launcher since its acquisition in early January. Available immediately in the latest version of the app is a tool known as Listening Space. What does it do? Well, it’s smart stuff, really, and centers around listening to music.
Plug your headphones into your Android phone and Aviate instantly opens your Listening Space…Once a song starts playing, Aviate detects the song you’re listening to and surfaces bios and recent tweets from the artist, upcoming shows nearby, and the ability to listen to top tracks in Spotify.
Want to get involved with the private beta? Cool, all you have to do is download the app and use the code “MUSIC.” Aviate works on devices 2.3 and up but requires 4.0 in order to utilize Listening Space. Samsung Galaxy users are advised to update to Android 4.3+ for the best experience.
The post Yahoo adds ‘Listening Space’ to Aviate appeared first on AndroidGuys.
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