Google brings Conditional Formatting improvements to Sheets
Google has updated the web version of Sheets with improvements made to the conditional formatting settings. Users can now use custom colors and shades to display lower or greater value more efficiently. The update also brings features like strike through and the ability to import or export color scale conditional formatting.
Here is a list containing all the changes as mentioned by Google:
- Ability to add gradient conditional formatting rules (e.g. green -> orange, where the lowest numbers are shaded green and the highest are shaded orange, with gradient shades in between)
- More style choices like bolding, striking through, and italicizing text based on conditional formatting rules
- A new look for the conditional formatting editing pane
- Import/export of color scale conditional formatting
Source: Google Apps Updates
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LG giving away a free VR headset with the purchase of an LG G3 (U.S. only)
LG has just announced that customers who purchase an LG G3 from select U.S. retailers will receive a free virtual reality headset with their purchase. The headset, which was announced last February, is essentially a plastic version of Google Cardboard built specifically for the G3. Though it’s built by LG, the headset utilizes the same VR content library as Cardboard which can be found in the Google Play Store. Just like Cardboard, VR for G3 features a neodymium ring magnet on the side that works with the magnetic gyroscope sensor in the G3 which allows the user to switch applications and scroll through menus without the need for a touchscreen display. There’s also no assembly required, so G3 owners will just need to pop in the phone and start downloading content.
In addition, the headset will come with a QR code in the box that will unlock a free download of a VR game.
This might sound like a nice deal, but remember, we’re only about a month away from the LG G4 announcement. If you can wait to buy a new smartphone, it might be a good idea to do so. Plus, if you end up snagging a G4 when it becomes available, you can purchase your very own Google Cardboard kit from Amazon for around $5.
ASUS Chromebit lets you convert any HDMI compatible monitor into a Chrome OS running desktop
ASUS and Google have just unveiled the Chromebit which is essentially an HDMI dongle that looks like the Chromecast, but has a lot more functionality under the hood. Plugging this device into an HDMI capable monitor will let you experience Chrome OS just like on a Chromebook. Google also announced four new Chromebooks earlier today, including the ASUS Chromebook Flip.
Make no mistake, the Chromebit is a proper computer in the size of a pen (or even smaller). This will take on Intel’s recently launched HDMI dongle which runs Windows 8.1 out of the box and retails for $150.
This device on the other hand merely costs $99, letting you try out Google’s new Chrome OS on the cheap. The device has 16GB of internal storage underneath along with 2GB of RAM, a Rockchip RK3288 processor and a full sized USB 2.0 port. This can let you connect wired peripherals like a mouse or keyboard. Since there’s only one port here, it’s wise to use a USB hub like device which will allow you to connect multiple accessories on one slot.
It’s a pretty nifty device and will be aggressively marketed by Google and ASUS over the coming weeks. Google has made it very clear that the Chromecast will continue to sell despite the launch of the Chromebit as they cater to a different sets of users.
Source: Google
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Google April Fools’ Day jokes for 2015 [Updated with Google Panda, Keyless Keyboard, and more]
Is it that time of the year already? It appears that Google is starting the April Fools’ Day jokes a little early so we already have a couple below. We will update this post as more jokes are released.
To check out last year’s antics, click here.
Play Pac-Man in Maps
This might be the coolest thing Google has ever done. You can now play Pac-Man in Google Maps.
You can’t play anywhere, so you will have to find a location that you can (tips below). From your desktop, search for a location that you think has Pac-Man, and if it does, you will see a Pac-Man pin. Click on it and you’re in. If not, you can click on the larger icon at the bottom left and you will get an “I’m Feeling Lucky” link that might take you to a location that works.
‘Audio Books’ App Updated With CarPlay Support and Refreshed Interface [iOS Blog]
The iOS app for Audiobooks.com today received an update to overhaul the browsing experience, dedicated audio player, and even allow full integration with CarPlay “and select in-car infotainment systems”, to allow its users to listen to audiobooks while driving.
The company didn’t release much information on the update outside of the release notes, so there isn’t any word yet on how easy and fluid the experience is when pairing with CarPlay. It does, however, appear to be the first dedicated audiobook app to announce compatibility with Apple’s CarPlay system.
Elsewhere in the update, Audiobooks.com introduced a more “minimalist look and feel” to the app, tweaked the controls and experience of the audio player, and re-shuffled the settings page to make more critical information easier to navigate through. Considering the Audio Books app jumped from version 4.6 to 5.0.3, however, there were even more changes brought to the app alongside these.
What’s New in Version 5.0.3
-Fully updated user interface with a new minimalist look and feel
-Improved book browsing and general user experience for international users
-Full integration with CarPlay and select in-car infotainment systems
-Audio player updated to incorporate full functionality and controls without sub-menus
-Re-organized settings page displays critical account information more prominently
-Improved navigation throughout the app for a more intuitive user experience
The app touts itself as having over 60,000 audiobooks, with over 2,500 available to download for free. Following an initial free trial, the service works like any other paid monthly experience, with $14.95 a month buying users one free audiobook every 30 days. The company promises cross-platform continuation of audiobooks, meaning users can start a book on their phone, continue it on the ride home, and finish on their computer at night.
Those interested can download the free Audio Books by Audiobooks app [Direct Link] and get their first audiobook for free.
Google’s Inbox app gets custom Snooze times for morning, afternoon, and evening
Google is bringing a handy new trick to Inbox that’ll be useful for anyone that doesn’t have a conventional sleep schedule.
While it’s easy to assume that “morning” means whatever time McDonald’s is still serving breakfast for most people, there are plenty of us of that might not be up and around when the sun is rising, whether that’s because of work, school, or any number of things. Google understands that, so they’ve implemented a way to adjust when your morning, afternoon, and evening snooze reminders should go off.
You’ll be able to manually change the times for those three options, but Inbox will also give you the option to set a custom snooze time as the default for any of those times. If you snooze an email until 9 AM, Inbox will ask if you’d like to set that time as your default morning, for example.
This is a pretty cool trick that will definitely help out people with weird sleep schedules, myself included. Who decided mornings should start before 10 AM, anyway?
source: Gmail
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T-Mobile uses ‘real-time customer experience’ for its new coverage map
T-Mobile has launched a revamped version of its coverage map that is based on what it calls “real-time customer experience” to offer a more accurate look at its footprint in the US. T-Mobile says the map on its website is based on “200 million actual customer usage data points every day” rather than just best estimates of its coverage.
BlackBerry Leap pre-sales start today in the US, UK, and Germany
BlackBerry is now accepting pre-sales of the BlackBerry Leap on ShopBlackBerry in select countries. Beginning today, users in the US, UK, and Germany can now place pre-orders for the device, joining those in France who have been able to order since March 26. Featuring a 5-inch 720P display priced at only $275, the BlackBerry Leap is steal for anyone looking to get an all-touch BlackBerry 10 device in their hands.
BlackBerry has put together an all new teaser to get you even more excited.
Quantities are limited for this initial sale, and BlackBerry will be releasing pricing and availability in additional countries in the coming weeks. Want to be among the first to own the BlackBerry Leap? Be sure to order soon.
If you are looking for more info about the BlackBerry Leap, check out the official announcement, specs, gallery and our hands-on with the device from Mobile World Congress and stay tuned for our full review.
Source: BlackBerry
Facebook Messenger brings in other apps for GIFs, videos, and more
Facebook Messenger has received an update that lets people easily install and third-party apps to send GIFs, stickers, videos, and more through Messenger.
Facebook announced the Messenger Platform last week at their F8 developer conference. The idea behind the platform is to let developers hook their apps into Messenger. These capabilities are now available to all users with this update. Check out the list below for the full set of changes:
- Send and receive GIFs, videos, photos and more
- Watch GIFs play automatically
- Instantly reply with the same app
- Easily install the apps your friends are using to send stuff to you
- Discover new apps to install right from Messenger
To add a new app to Messenger, tap the three dot icon in the composer. You can install apps like GIPHY, Facebook’s own Stickered app, and ESPN. Facebook Messenger 24.0 is available for download in the App Store now.
- Free – Download Now
Google brings your photos and files together by adding Google+ Photos to Google Drive
Google is making it even easier to keep your photos and files in the same place by adding Google+ Photos into Google Drive.
Google is now making organizing your photos and files even easier by showing your Google+ Photos in Google Drive. Over the course of the next few weeks users will be able to view images from Google+ Photos in their Drive account. Images will still be stored in Google+ Photos, but organization of the files can now take place in Google Drive.
With being able to organize your files in Google Drive, you will be able to now add images to your folders without having to upload them again.
For example, you can now add pictures of wedding venues and cakes to the same Drive folder as your guest list and budget.
New pictures will show up in Drive immediately, but it will take several weeks for your entire library to show up.
Source: Google
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