Chromecast Audio finally gains multi-room streaming, Hi-Res audio support
Alongside the second-generation Chromecast, Google introduced the Chromecast Audio – a handy device used to turn your normal speakers into connected audio devices. One of the most interesting features Google announced with Chromecast Audio was that users would have the ability to to link multiple Chromecast Audio devices together, making it easy to play the same song in every room at the same time. Unfortunately the device came to market without this feature, leaving early adopters wondering when the streaming device would get updated. We’re happy to report that your wait is finally over – Google has just announced an update to Chromecast Audio that brings multi-room streaming and a few other nice features to the device.
Setup for multi-room streaming is pretty easy. Just connect and setup a Chromecast Audio device on whichever speakers you’d like, then create a group using the latest version of the Chromecast app. You’ll be able to cast to the group the exact same way you’d cast to a single Chromecast device. Awesome, right?
See also: Chromecast 2015 and Chromecast Audio Review
That’s not all, Chromecast Audio is also gaining Hi-Res audio support, which will bring support for up to 96KHz/24-bit lossless audio playback.
Your Chromecast Audio devices should be updated in the background on Google’s end, but you’ll still need to download the latest version of the Chromecast app to get this functionality. The update is live now, so follow the Play Store link below to grab the latest version of the app.
Chromecast Audio adds Hi-Res audio and synchronous music
One of the best things about buying a product from Google is you know you’re going to get updates. Google’s most recent Chromecast addition, the Chromecast Audio just got support for Hi-Res audio playback and synchronous music.
The Chromecast Audio is an affordable device($35) designed to enable streaming to existing speakers from a phone, tablet or laptop. The device enables WiFi streaming for speakers with RCA, 3.5mm, or optical inputs. It is much easier than traditional Bluetooth pairing, because you can simply tap the Cast button from within music apps if both devices are on the same network.
Hi-Res audio support
Much of today’s streamed music is digitally compressed to minimize data usage. The resolution suffers when audio files are compressed, and there are many who find that unacceptable. HiFi audio is what differentiates Tidal from standard music streaming services, as it has up to 10 times more detail than traditional music streaming services. Today, Google is rolling out high-resolution audio support, which gives you even higher quality music playback using Chromecast Audio. With support of up to 96KHz/24bit lossless audio playback, you can enjoy higher-than-CD-quality audio on your existing high fidelity audio equipment.
The “S” word(streaming) is no longer unmentionable to audiophiles with Chromecast’s latest Hi-Res audio support.
Synchronous Music
At $35 the Chromecast Audio is a great way to stream music to multiple rooms. Before today, if you had more than one Chromecast Audio, you could not stream to more than one room at a time. Now wherever you have a Chromecast connected, Multi-room support allows for synchronous music across your entire household.
Google products are constantly evolving with new features and helps you get more value from your product. If you haven’t checked out the Chromecast Audio, I highly recommend it.
You can find the Chromecast Audio at the Google Play Store.
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Chromecast Audio gets support for multi-room playback
Google has finally started pushing out an update through the official Chromecast application which transports multi-room streaming for Chromecast Audio. In addition to the play tunes in all rooms facility, the upgrade also carries support for 96KHz/24bit lossless audio playback — so your music will sound clearer and crisper than ever.
Hit the break for the full changelog.
- Introducing Hi-Res audio support:Close your eyes and imagine the musician is playing in the room. Today we’re rolling out high-resolution audio support, which gives you even higher quality music playback using Chromecast Audio. With support of up to 96KHz/24bit lossless audio playback, you can enjoy higher-than-CD-quality audio on your existing high fidelity audio equipment.
- Blast the same song in every room: Now you can easily fill every room in your home—bedroom, kitchen, living room, or wherever you have a Chromecast Audio connected—with synchronous music. Multi-room lets you group Chromecast Audio devices together so you can listen to the same song on multiple speakers.
To install the update on your Android-powered smartphone simply open up the Play Store, toggle the hamburger menu by swiping in from the left-hand side of the screen, select ‘My Apps’ and click on Chromecast, then tap the update button. Alternatively, you can hit the link below to initiate the download on your handset from the Web.
Source: Google
Come comment on this article: Chromecast Audio gets support for multi-room playback
Google Pixel C team holds Q&A session on Reddit
Google added a new device to the Google Store this week, the Pixel C, an apparent mashup between an Android tablet device and a Chromebook. With a price tag of $499.99, many people are trying to figure out whether the device is something they want to invest in. Part of that decision-making process is trying to understand just what the device is supposed to be and where Google sees it in the future. To help address some of these issues, members of the team behind the Pixel C engaged in a question and answer session via Reddit.
The participants in the Q&A session included:
- Hiroshi Lockheimer, Senior Vice President Android and ChromeOS;
- Andrew Bowers, Director for Consumer Hardware;
- Glen Murphy, Director of UX for Android and Chrome;
- Kevin Tom, Product Manager for Pixel C;
- Puneet Kumar, Software Director for Pixel C; and
- Benson Leung, Software Engineer.
One topic that came up and was addressed was the naming chosen for the device. The team explained the “C” stands for “Convertible” while the “Pixel” part of the name was selected because Google designed the hardware themselves instead of working with a partner. Nexus is the name used for partner designed hardware as opposed to what Google comes up with in-house.
The team did reveal that some features that many have noted should be present in a device that is so focused on productivity are in the works. For instance, the “OK Google” hotword activation is in the works. Likewise, the team is working on support for DisplayPort over USB-C technology.
Although some manufacturers have figured out how to do split screen on their devices, such capability is not present in the Pixel C. The team said they wanted it to be part of the device at launch, but for now they will have to wait for Android N which is expected to support split screen as part of the operating system. The team also noted they are aware of the problem many users have with developers not designing apps to take advantage of the larger tablet screen.
Overall, it seems the team is aware that putting Android on a convertible tablet device has introduced some limitations for what seems to be the target audience of productivity workers. That awareness should lead to improvements down the road for those who are patient. The question will remain whether it is worth the investment now.
source: Reddit
Come comment on this article: Google Pixel C team holds Q&A session on Reddit
Google Photos updated with compatibility for shared albums
Google has now updated its official Photos application to bring support for shared albums. Once you’ve invited someone to browse your gallery, they will have the facility to not only upload their own images, but delete pictures you’ve uploaded to the collection, too. Those who have subscribed to a particular album will receive notifications whenever a new photograph is added, and will be afforded the ability to save it to their main library if they wish.
Check it out in action below:
Click here to view the embedded video.
Installing the upgrade couldn’t be easier. All you have to do is open up the Play Store on your Android-powered smartphone or tablet, then toggle the hamburger menu by swiping in from the left-hand side of the screen and select My Apps. Locate Photos and tap on it. Once its respective application profile has loaded, hit the update button. Alternatively, if you’d rather initiate the upgrade from your computer, you can simply hit the download button below.
Come comment on this article: Google Photos updated with compatibility for shared albums
PSA: You can now use Inbox for Desktop to compose emails to mailto: links
Here’s some good news for Inbox users. Starting today, you’ll be able to set the client as your default option for composing emails to addresses clicked on in Google Chrome. Getting set up is simple. Just head on over to inbox.google.com, click on the sharing symbol to the right of the URL and select allow from the dropdown list.
Are you going to be taking advantage of this feature? Be sure to let us know in the comments section.
Come comment on this article: PSA: You can now use Inbox for Desktop to compose emails to mailto: links
Samsung Pay stores your gift cards, lets you buy new ones
Samsung Pay was already handy for using the company’s line of Galaxy phones to take care of mobile payments via credit and debit cards. Making good on its promise ahead of the holidays, Samsung added the ability for you to use those gift cards you’re sure to receive in the weeks to come. Similar to the bank and credit card methods that Samsung Pay already employs, the app will allow you to load those gift cards to keep your pockets free of extra clutter on your next shopping trip.
The company says 50 retailers have opted in so far, with the likes of Babies”R”Us and Toys”R”Us, Bass Pro Shops, Domino’s, eBay, GameStop, Nike, Regal Entertainment Group and Staples all on board. You can also buy and share gift cards with your pals thanks to the app’s built-in store. If you forget to grab a present before heading to a birthday party, you can nab a gift card and send it to your friend’s Samsung handset. While Samsung’s biggest rival in mobile payments, Apple Pay, does allow coupons and rewards cards, Cupertino doesn’t yet support gift cards.
[Image credit: AP Photo/Seth Wenig]
Source: Samsung (Business Wire)
Adidas Futurecraft 3D shows the potential of 3D-printed shoes
3D printing is far from being a novel manufacturing technique, but it wasn’t until recently that we started seeing the benefits of it on a grander scale. Organs and prosthetics? Check. Clothing? Sure. 3D-printed footwear? Now we have those, too. Enter the Adidas Futurecraft 3D, a running shoe made partially with 3D-printed materials. Although the midsole is the only 3D-printed piece so far, the company’s prototype still gives us a glimpse at what shoes might look like in the near future.Slideshow-347054
The rest of the design consists of soft, white-colored Primeknit, a patented fabric Adidas also features in its flagship running sneaker, the Ultra Boost. However, the most interesting part about Futurecraft, which Adidas created in partnership with 3DSystems, isn’t how it was made. Instead, I would point to the possibilities it opens for a more personalized shoe.
With Futurecraft 3D, Adidas says it aims to make pairs based on each individual’s needs. That custom-made approach means the shoes would match your own footprint elements, including contour details and precise pressure points — which, in turn, could give you the ideal comfortable shoe. While companies such as Nike have also designed footwear with 3D-printed elements, it’s only implemented it in niche products like football cleats, whereas Futurecraft 3D is intended for every-day use.
Of course, it’s too early to tell if Adidas will turn its concept into a success, but at least it’s putting the idea out there for consumers. With that in mind, we managed to get our hands on an early prototype of Futurecraft 3D, and we wanted to give you a detailed look at it.
Google’s Chromecast Audio beams music to multiple rooms
If you’re been eyeing Google’s Chromecast Audio for your holiday shopping spree, Mountain View just added some new features to sweeten the deal. First, the $35 gadget now supports high-res audio with 6KHz/24 bit lossless playback. This means that if you have the proper audiophile-grade setup, you can expect to hear better than CD quality music coming through your speakers.
Next, and perhaps more importantly, you can use Chromecast Audio to create a multi-room system over WiFi similar to the likes of Sonos and others. As you might expect, you’ll need one of the dongles in each room you plan to beam music to, but once they’re in place, you can use the Chromecast app to group them. Once they’re all connected together, simply cast the audio to your speakers just like you would to a single unit. To take advantage of the new features, update to the latest version of the Chromecast app on iTunes or Google Play.
Source: Google Chrome Blog
Review: SwitchEasy’s CoverBuddy Protects Your iPad Pro and Holds an Apple Pencil (Plus Giveaway)
Apple offers protection for the iPad Pro in the form of a Smart Cover and a Silicone Case for the back of the device, but Apple’s products are priced rather high at $59 and $79 respectively, for a total price of $138 for complete iPad Pro coverage.
Luckily, third-party manufacturers have already started coming out with some clever cases and covers for the iPad Pro, and one of the first available rear shells comes from popular accessory maker SwitchEasy. The iPad Pro CoverBuddy is SwitchEasy’s first product for Apple’s tablet, and it’s designed to work alongside Apple’s own Smart Cover and Smart Keyboard.
SwitchEasy funded the iPad Pro CoverBuddy through Indiegogo, but now it’s ready to ship out to customers. While the Indiegogo campaign was still ongoing, SwitchEasy sent me a prototype CoverBuddy to check out, which I’ve been using for the last week.
Made of a thin but rigid polycarbonate, the CoverBuddy snaps onto the back of the iPad Pro. Since it’s only 1.5mm thick, it adds very little additional weight and bulk. The polycarbonate of the CoverBuddy is textured and it’s super grippy. The grip on the CoverBuddy is probably my favorite aspect of the case because it makes the unwieldy iPad Pro a lot easier to hold on to.
CoverBuddy’s polycarbonate material isn’t going to protect the iPad Pro from serious damage, but it feels sturdy enough to protect it from the scratches, dings, and minor drops that occur from day-to-day use and travel.
The CoverBuddy leaves all of the ports and the rear camera accessible with precise cutouts, and it has a Lightning port cutout that’s able to accommodate the Apple Pencil for charging purposes. On the back, there’s a removable plastic Apple Pencil holder, which is actually quite versatile.
AIVAnet 