Google adds data-only support to Project Fi, Apple tablets included
When Google launched the service, Project Fi supported just one phone. Project Fi started with the Nexus 6 alone before replacing that support with the Nexus 6P and Nexus 5X. A whopping two devices, no matter how current they are, isn’t exactly a winning strategy. Google needs to allow more devices to join its service that is backed by T-Mobile and Sprint networks. Today, the company announced that data-only devices will be admitted to the service without any monthly device fee.
Project Fi customers can use a data-only device for $10 for 1GB per month. Staying true to the service’s premise, Google is charging for exactly what is used. Don’t need all of that data? google will credit you for what’s left at the end of each month.
These are the compatible devices named by Google:
- Nexus 7
- Nexus 9
- Samsung Galaxy Tab S
- Apple iPad Mini 4
- Apple iPad Air 2
No, you’re eyes are not tricking you. Google is accepting two of Apple’s tablets for operation with Project Fi in addition to two of its own Nexus tablets and last year’s Galaxy Tab S. Head over to the Account page of Project Fi’s website and you can order data-only SIM cards for free. Pop it in your tablet and you can travel the country with Google’s service paying you for any unused data.
Android Police was able to confirm with Google that data-only SIM cards will operate solely on T-Mobile’s network.
Source: Google Product Forums
Via: Android Police
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Android Wear gets nine new designer watch faces
Android Wear has been out for a little while now, and over the past year we have seen some very nice watches start using it. Even real watch manufactures are getting in on the action such as TAG Heuer and fashion brand Fossil.
However, one of the main reasons that make a smartwatch more interesting compared to a regular watch is you can change the watch face at any time. To celebrate that feature, Google has contacted nine fashion brands, each who has made their own Android Wear watch face.
- Ted Baker: Reveal your sophisticated side with ten gorgeous designs.
- Melissa Joy Manning: Rock a different birthstone for every month of the year.
- Vivienne Tam: Watch Opera Girl twirl, take a selfie, and more.
- Nicole Miller: Stay on track and in style with Nicole Miller’s pop art.
- Y-3: Sport the styles of Yohji Yamamoto, inspired by the beauty of human movement.
- Mango: Add instant chic to any outfit with this ready-to-wear watch face.
- Zoe Jordan: Free your time of clutter with the clean lines of modern design.
- Harajuku Kawaii!: Express your playful side with this adorable and vibrant watch face.
- ASICS: Motivate yourself to stay active with the help of your fitness buddy.
Currently, these can be downloaded today on Android, and iOS owners will receive them in the Android Wear mobile app later this week.
Source: Android Official Blog
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Google launches Lightsaber Escape, an browser game that turns your phone into a lightsaber
Google’s latest Chrome experiment involves your computer, your smartphone, and a lightsaber, and it’s as cool as it sounds.
The browser-based game links your desktop (or laptop) with your smartphone, and allows you to play the game by using your phone as the hilt of a lightsaber. It’s an extremely unique way to play a game, especially one that’s based in a web browser.
You can see everything in action below, or follow the link to get your personalized address to start playing.
source: Chrome
Click here to view the embedded video.
Come comment on this article: Google launches Lightsaber Escape, an browser game that turns your phone into a lightsaber
Google launches Lightsaber Escape, an browser game that turns your phone into a lightsaber
Google’s latest Chrome experiment involves your computer, your smartphone, and a lightsaber, and it’s as cool as it sounds.
The browser-based game links your desktop (or laptop) with your smartphone, and allows you to play the game by using your phone as the hilt of a lightsaber. It’s an extremely unique way to play a game, especially one that’s based in a web browser.
You can see everything in action below, or follow the link to get your personalized address to start playing.
source: Chrome
Click here to view the embedded video.
Come comment on this article: Google launches Lightsaber Escape, an browser game that turns your phone into a lightsaber
Google launches Lightsaber Escape, an browser game that turns your phone into a lightsaber
Google’s latest Chrome experiment involves your computer, your smartphone, and a lightsaber, and it’s as cool as it sounds.
The browser-based game links your desktop (or laptop) with your smartphone, and allows you to play the game by using your phone as the hilt of a lightsaber. It’s an extremely unique way to play a game, especially one that’s based in a web browser.
You can see everything in action below, or follow the link to get your personalized address to start playing.
source: Chrome
Click here to view the embedded video.
Come comment on this article: Google launches Lightsaber Escape, an browser game that turns your phone into a lightsaber
Templates head to Google Docs, Sheets, and Slides apps
Google brought templates to the web versions of Docs, Sheets, and Slides a few months ago. Now the company is ready to bring them to the mobile apps of each. Business letters, proposals, and meeting notes are among the templates in Docs. To-do lists, calendars, invoices, and expense reports are available from Google in Sheets. And you can use Slides to make pitches, reports, and studies. These templates and more are heading to each of their respective apps for Android.
Get a head start, on-the-go, w/Docs, Sheets, & Slides templates, now on Android, iPhone/iPad https://t.co/vKbnxXCK7K pic.twitter.com/1fHIWSbKqy — Google Docs (@googledocs) December 15, 2015
http://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js
Play Store Download Link (Google Docs)
Play Store Download Link (Google Sheets)
Play Store Download Link (Google Slides)
Source: Google Docs (Twitter)
Come comment on this article: Templates head to Google Docs, Sheets, and Slides apps
Google’s Now on Tap adds flight status, shipping and tracking info, and better news
Google is bringing more new features to Now on Tap, adding in some extra information related to your flight status, stuff you bought online, and some better related news.
First up is the flight information, which will allow you to check a flight status from within a text message without having to launch a separate search. Then you can hop right back into the text message without losing your spot.
The second feature should be extremely helpful for anyone doing their holiday shopping on the internet; you’ll be able to use Now on Tap in a confirmation email to see when your packages will be delivered to make sure they’re here before Christmas.
News articles are getting some treatment, too, and now you can use Now on Tap to find related articles on whatever it is you’re reading about. Should be helpful if you’re reading about a certain celebrity or topic that you need to dig more into.
You should see these features hit your device over the next few days.
source: Inside Search
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PlayStation Vue’s Chromecast support is here….. for iOS devices
Sony might be a longtime manufacturer of Android devices, but the company is focusing on another mobile operating system when it comes to using its video streaming service. Along with Amazon’s Fire TV and Fire TV Stick, Sony announced in November that PlayStation Vue would be accessible on a Chromecast. Support for those two Amazon devices started right away while a wait was put in place for the service’s availability on Google’s little media player. The wait is finally over, but the structure of PlayStation Vue’s Chromecast support is a bit.. limited.
People with Android devices are still unable to use PlayStation Vue on a Chromecast. Happen to own a device with iOS on it? You’re good to go.
Sony is limiting PlayStation Vue’s use on Chromecast to only allow people with iOS devices to stream anything. If you’re scratching your head, I’m nearly as confused as you are. Sony is a company with struggling mobile division that can’t seem to get a single thing right. And so they decide to not even allow their own devices to use PlayStation Vue with a Chromecast. Aside from releasing an absurd amount of devices annually, Sony now has the problem of supporting the competition before it supports its own customers.
For a service that costs $49-$64 per month, Sony is welcoming a very small amount of people to try PlayStation Vue with limited support.
Source: PlayStation (Twitter)
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Google Play Books gets a handy Night Light feature in latest update
Google Play Books is one of the best apps available on Android for reading books, but sometimes the app can be annoying to use late at night. This is why Google today introduced an update to Play Books that brings along with it a new Night Light feature, which will make reading your favorite stories at night much easier on the eyes.
When the Night Light feature is turned on, the app will gradually filter blue light from your screen and replace it with a warm, amber light as the sun sets. The feature will automatically adapt to the amount of natural sunlight outside based on the time of day, which will allow you to read the text on your screen in just the right brightness and temperature.
Related: Google Play Books updated with better comics support, free issues up for grabs
Turning on the feature is easy, too. Just update your Google Play Books app to the latest version, open a book, and enable Night Light by tapping on the pop up. After it’s been turned on, Night Light will stay on and continue to adjust for the perfect setting.
Night Light is rolling out to Android and iOS readers starting today. Be sure to head to the Play Store link below to grab the latest version!
Netflix update uses less data and makes everything look better
Everyone’s favorite video streaming app, Netflix, is soon to get a lot better. Not only will it look much better, it will also use less data. It has done this by re-encoding its entire library to compress files in a more intelligent way.
One of the ways it has done this is by looking at what device you are watching Netflix from, combined with your connection speed, and determines the best possible stream to send you.
Before, if you used a slow connection, Netflix would simply send you a low-res video feed. However, now it will send you a higher quality feed with a lower bitrate. This results in a higher resolution looking image, but maintains a lower file size.
To see this, the first image is a 1080p cropped image of Netflix’s BoJack Horseman, and the second image is of the new lower bitrate version. The new version looks much crisper than before, and got rid of any extra artifacts.
For cartoons, this means they will always look better, but for faster moving media, it will still show you lower resolution video to maintain a higher bitrate needed for the fast-movement. However, this will vary depending on the video you are watching. Shows like Orange is the New Black will be shown at a higher resolution and lower bitrate, however, no significant quality improvement will be seen. This will still result in the same high quality image, but save bandwidth due to the lower bitrate.
Netflix says the new encoding can save up to 20% less bandwidth than currently. This is pretty huge considering Netflix uses some of the most data out of any app or service. I’m definitely excited to see better looking images and save data, what about you?
Source: Netflix
Come comment on this article: Netflix update uses less data and makes everything look better
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