Drake’s ‘Views’ Album Becomes First to Reach Over 1 Billion Streams on Apple Music

Canadian rapper Drake’s hit album “Views” has become the first album on Apple Music to be streamed more than 1 billion times, according to an award Drake shared on Instagram this morning.

Drake received the news from Apple CEO Tim Cook, iTunes chief Eddy Cue, and his former manager Cortez Bryant, all of whom he posed with for a second photo that was also uploaded to his Instagram account.

Released on April 29, “Views” was an Apple Music exclusive for one week before it became available on other streaming music services like Spotify and it sold more than 1 million copies during its five-day exclusivity window. Apple and Drake have been working together since Apple Music launched in June of 2015, with Drake offering a Beats 1 radio show and Apple sponsoring his “Summer Sixteen” tour.

🍏🍎 Thank you to everyone. OVO Sound to the 🌎 @applemusic

A photo posted by champagnepapi (@champagnepapi) on Sep 26, 2016 at 12:29am PDT

Just this morning, Drake debuted a 23-minute short called “Please Forgive Me,” which is designed to be a visual companion to the “Views” album. The video, which is also an Apple Music exclusive, follows Drake and his girlfriend as they attempt to make off with a wealthy man’s fortune. The songs “One Dance,” “Controlla,” “9,” Views,” and more are used in the short.

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Andromeda: How Google can conquer the desktop, figure out tablets — and maybe change Android phones forever

The next stage of Android’s evolution is starting to come into focus. Google’s Andromeda, like the galaxy, is vast, complex and — for the moment — unknowable.

Slowly and quietly, Android has been growing into a desktop OS. (That’s in addition to being a phone OS, a tablet OS, a TV OS and a watch OS.) This year’s 7.0 Nougat release debuted with a feature we’ve still yet to see on any production device: freeform window mode. Freeform, one of three multi-window modes, basically lets your Android tablet handle apps the same way your Mac or PC does — in a moveable, resizeable window.

It looks mostly the same as Android apps running on a Chromebook. (And with good reason: There’s every chance Chrome OS’s Google Play support was central to the decision to include freeform in Nougat in the first place, allowing devs to make apps that play nicely in a window.)

Rumors of Android’s merging with Chrome OS have been swirling for years — until recently without much substance behind them.

This seemingly niche feature was an early hint at something that’s been rumored since the first days of Android on tablets: the fabled merging of both operating systems into one — or at least the advancement of one over the other.

One of the first authoritative reports claiming that this may actually be happening emerged last October from the Wall Street Journal. Google would fold Chrome OS into Android, and the new OS would go on to conquer larger devices like tablets, convertibles, laptops and perhaps even full desktops computers. An early version would be shown in 2016 and ship the following year. At the time, Google didn’t explicitly deny the report, but strongly restated its commitment to Chromebooks.

In the meantime, we’ve seen Android apps (through Google Play) arrive on Chromebooks — the result of a ton of engineering work, bringing the two closer together than ever before.

And now, in recent days, there’ve been tantalizing hints that something is indeed afoot. Android Police first reported the codename “Andromeda” on Saturday as a name for the new, allegedly “merged” OS. A tweet from Android, Chrome and Google Play SVP Hiroshi Lockheimer prompted the report, with the suggestion that events at the Pixel shindig on October 4 would be as significant as the original announcement of Android eight years ago. Since then a new report has clarified that it’s completely separate from the current effort to bring Google Play to Chromebooks.

We announced the 1st version of Android 8 years ago today. I have a feeling 8 years from now we’ll be talking about Oct 4, 2016.

— Hiroshi Lockheimer (@lockheimer) September 24, 2016

The “Andromeda” codename has since been tracked back to code and comments in AOSP (the Android Open Source Project). In one instance, Nougat code on the Nexus 9 defines minimum performance requirements for Andromeda. In another, code was written to detect either Android or Andromeda based on whether the freeform window mode feature was available. In another, a Googler talks about “flushing” (likely meaning flashing) the Nexus 9 with an Andromeda image to test performance thresholds.

We’ve also dug up references to Andromeda in the Chromium bug tracker dating back to February, in the form of a “go” URL — a link on Google’s internal network.

All of this points to Andromeda indeed being a real thing, and from the wording of the remarks in AOSP, in some ways separate from the Android we know right now. One AOSP commit talks about “performance thresholds for Andromeda and Android devices.” Another code comment says: “We distinguish results for Andromeda and Android devices. Andromeda devices require a higher performance score.”

Note: As an aside, the comments say the Nexus 9 just about meets the performance requirements for Andromeda. But don’t get too excited about a big update for the tablet just because Google’s developing Andromeda on it: There are no guaranteed Nexus 9 platform updates beyond October 2016.

At a technical level, it sure looks like Andromeda is Android.

At a technical level, it looks like Andromeda is Android. Just like Android Wear is Android and Android TV is Android. We know Andromeda on the Nexus 9 uses freeform window mode — no surprise — and likely adds a bunch of other stuff we haven’t seen yet to make it a much better tablet/convertible OS than Android 7.0 is right now. As such, it has higher performance requirements than plain old Android.

And that’s the central puzzle of all this: What’s the real distinction between Android and Andromeda? If Chrome OS features are being “merged” into Android to form Andromeda, which features are they, besides freeform mode which is technically available to anyone building a tablet on Nougat? (Not that anyone’s really doing that.) Nobody outside Google’s circle of trust knows for sure, but there are some strong possibilities.

Andromeda would likely add a traditional, functional desktop as we’ve seen in Chrome OS, along with wild ideas like a file manager and right-click support, and changes to the way apps are managed in memory. Major changes to the Android platform would also be needed to allow full desktop-class applications — think Adobe Premiere, Lightroom or even Android Studio itself — to flourish.

Image credit: Android Police

The potential launch hardware for Andromeda is just as interesting. Android Police and 9to5Google suggest a laptop informally known as “Pixel 3” (codenamed Bison) will land Q3 2017 with internals targeting MacBook Pro buyers. Specs are said to still be in flux, but AP reports that we’re looking at 32GB and 128GB storage configurations, an Intel M3 or Core M5 chip, 8 or 16GB of RAM, two USB-C ports and a headphone jack. Stylus support is also reported, along with a glass touchpad and haptic feedback. Other notables: 10-hour battery life and a $799 start price.

9to5 also reports a much earlier launch of Andromeda on, bizarrely, a Nexus-branded Huawei tablet. That suggests Andromeda could live alongside Android, at least in the short term.

To conquer the desktop, Google has to fix Android’s built-in update problem once and for all. And that could be huge for phones.

There’s one potentially exciting longterm change, though: To conquer the desktop (and, let’s be honest, realistically take on the iPad) Andromeda would need to decisively fix Android’s built-in update problem once and for all. Nobody’s going to buy a laptop that sits on an old OS version for up to a year at a time. Or one that’s only guaranteed updates for two years after launch. If Android (through Andromeda) is to play with the big boys in the desktop world, there is simply no way the current Android update model can continue.

Assuming Andromeda isn’t just for Google hardware, the most likely solution is to recreate the way Chromebooks are updated — working closely with the manufacturer, but basically with updates going out directly from Google. Perhaps not entirely synchronized across every device, but way more quickly and reliably than the current mess of Android version distributions. (Google has taken early steps towards this with seamless updates in Nougat.)

And that could have game-changing implications for Android on phones. (Because if this is going to be a true merger, a true single-OS-for-everything, Andromeda — whether it’s called Android or not — should to be on phones too.) Andromeda on phones, if it’s basically the same OS, would surely be updated in the same way — quickly, and directly by Google. (Delays due to carrier approval, unfortunately, would likely continue.)

To make this happen, and not lose every single Android phone maker in the process, Google also needs to come up with a way for companies like Samsung, LG and Huawei to customize phones without messing with the update process. That’s a huge technical and business challenge, but if anyone can do it, Google can. It’s certainly had plenty of time — if the original WSJ article is to be believed, by the time Andromeda is ready, it will have been four years in the making.

Having a desktop-capable OS living in a phone also presents the possibility of a Microsoft Continuum-like feature in future Android/Andromeda phones — an exciting prospect for a number of obvious reasons. (Microsoft had that feature working pretty well on hardware far less powerful than phones will be when Andromeda is ready.)

Or maybe not. Maybe phones are outside the scope of Andromeda. Or maybe Andromeda is only for Google hardware. Either would be a huge missed opportunity, however.

Whatever form Andromeda takes, Chromebooks aren’t going away anytime soon.

Andromeda could represent the future of Android as an OS for everything. For Google-powered laptops, it represents a possible path from Chrome OS — a capable web browser that can also run phone apps — to a first-class desktop OS to rival macOS and Windows. For Google-powered phones, it’s an opportunity to largely banish Android’s update woes and make the devices that are many people’s primary computers more powerful than ever.

The branding side of things is interesting too. Our money is on any “merged” OS continuing to carry the Android name, but it’s not impossible that there might be some branding distinction between older Android devices and post-Andromeda ones. (Who knows, “Andromeda” itself might turn out to be more than a codename.)

Either way, Chrome OS can’t disappear overnight. And neither can Android as we currently know it. There are millions of Chromebooks that still need supporting — and many engineers employed to do just that — and new Chrome-powered laptops coming later this year designed around running Android apps from Google Play. There would inevitably be a lengthy crossover period between Chrome OS and Andromeda. And even if our ideal vision of post-Andromeda Android on phones comes to pass, Nougat and older versions will continue to be used.

But who knows. If Hiroshi Lockheimer’s tweet — that October 4 will be as historic as the day Google first announced Android — is more than hype and showmanship, maybe we’ll see a whole lot more than two new Pixel phones.

In either case, it looks like 2017 is going to be a really interesting year.

Anker celebrates its birthday with 20% savings for all!

Anker is currently celebrating its fifth birthday with 20% off most of its accessories at Amazon. Whether you need a portable battery pack, some new cables or even a vacuum for your house, you can get it discounted right now. There are a few different models of each available, some higher capacity or longer than others, so be sure to see what you can add to your collection at this nice savings.

Here are some great accessories on sale:

• PowerCore Speed 2000 QC – $40 with coupon ANKER515
• PowerPort 5 USB-C – $26 with coupon ANKER585
• 5-pack Micro-USB cables – $13 with coupon ANKER535
• Air Vent car mount – $8 with coupon ANKER565
• PowerDrive 2+ – $16 with coupon ANKER585
• Anker RoboVac – $160 with coupon ANKER555

There are a bunch of other items on sale, so be sure to hit the link below to check them all out. Which will you pick up? Let us know in the comments!

See at Amazon

These are the Chromebooks that can run Android apps from Google Play

Google has published a list of Chromebooks that will be able to run Android apps when the feature arrives later this year in Chrome OS. Included are well-known Chromebooks like the Acer Chromebook 14, Google’s Chromebook Pixel, and some lesser known models, like PCMerge’s Chromebook PCM-116E and more. Chromeboxes and Chromebases are also included in the list, even though they don’t offer touch screens or trackpads.

The first Chromebooks that will support the feature are the Acer Chromebook R11 C738T, ASUS Chromebook Flip and Google’s Chromebook Pixel (2015). The Chromebook Flip is up and running now on the developer channel. The full list of Chromebooks, Chromeboxes and Chromebases that will be able to run Android apps when the feature becomes available later this year includes:

Acer

• Chromebook 11 C740
• Chromebook 11 CB3-111 / C730 / C730E / CB3-131
• Chromebook R13 CB5-312T
• Chromebook 14 CB3-431
• Chromebook 14 for Work
• Chromebook 15 CB5-571 / C910
• Chromebook 15 CB3-531 / CB3-532
• Chromebox CXI2
• Chromebase 24

Asus

• Chromebook C200
• Chromebook C201
• Chromebook C202SA
• Chromebook C300SA
• Chromebook C300
• Chromebox CN62
• Chromebit CS10

AOpen

• Chromebox Commercial
• Chromebase Commercial 22″

Bobicus

• Chromebook 11

CDI

• eduGear Chromebook M Series
• eduGear Chromebook K Series
• eduGear Chromebook R Series

CTL

• Chromebook J2 / J4
• N6 Education Chromebook
• J5 Convertible Chromebook

Dell

• Chromebook 11 3120
• Chromebook 13 7310

Edxis

• Chromebook
• Education Chromebook

Google

• Chromebook Pixel (2015)

Haier

• Chromebook 11
• Chromebook 11e
• Chromebook 11 G2

Hexa

• Chromebook Pi

HiSense

• Chromebook 11

Lava

• Xolo Chromebook

HP

• Chromebook 11 G3 / G4 / G4 EE
• Chromebook 14 G4
• Chromebook 13

Lenovo

• 100S Chromebook
• N20 / N20P Chromebook
• N21 Chromebook
• ThinkCentre Chromebox
• ThinkPad 11e Chromebook
• N22 Chromebook
• Thinkpad 13 Chromebook
• Thinkpad 11e Chromebook Gen 2 / Gen 3

Medion

• Akoya S2013
• Chromebook S2015

M&A

• Chromebook

NComputing

• Chromebook CX100

Nexian

• Chromebook 11.6″

PCMerge

• Chromebook PCM-116E

Poin2

• Chromebook 11

Samsung

• Chromebook 2 11″ – XE500C12
• Chromebook 3

Sector 5

• E1 Rugged Chromebook

Senkatel

• C1101 Chromebook

Toshiba

• Chromebook 2
• Chromebook 2 (2015)

True IDC

• Chromebook 11

Viglen

• Viglen Chromebook 11

We will continue to monitor the list and add any new Chromebooks that Google notes will support the feature.

Chromebooks

• The best Chromebooks
• Should you buy a Chromebook?
• Google Play is coming to Chromebooks
• Acer Chromebook 14 review
• Join our Chromebook forums

Chromecast Ultra pictured, reportedly streams 4K video for $69

New Google Cast device set to arrive at October 4 Pixel event.

Google’s rumored next-generation Chromecast has leaked out ahead of its expected October 4 launch. The new streaming puck, which will reportedly debut alongside the new Pixel phones and Google Home, and maybe a whole bunch of other crazy stuff, has been revealed for the first time by prolific leaker Evan Blass over at VentureBeat.

The new device looks a lot like the current Chromecast, except for a few extra visual flourishes — notably the big “G” logo we’re also expecting to see on Google’s new phones. It does appear a little smaller than Google’s current streaming gadget, but it’s hard to get an accurate sense of scale from a render like this. Regardless, it’ll be small enough to fit behind your TV, and it’ll stream 4K video wirelessly. Blass reports that the Ultra will sell for $69, nearly double the year-old $35 model. That suggests Google might keep the older Chromecast around even after the Ultra goes on sale, for folks wanting to stream at 1080p.

Blass reports that the latest Chromecast firmware preview also features the “G” logo prominently where there was “Chromecast” before. So it’ll be interesting to see how Google’s hardware shake-up affects its casting product.

For now, we’re left waiting at least another week to get our hands on affordable 4K streaming.

Here’s what Google’s 4K-capable ‘Chromecast Ultra’ looks like

A new leak has revealed the design of Google’s upcoming Chromecast Ultra.

VentureBeat has posted renders of a new Chromecast device. Google is rumoured to have developed a Chromecast capable of streaming in 4K resolution for the influx of 4K televisions on the market. Consumers can apparently expect Google to unveil its new new 4K-capable Chromecast, which is thought to be called Chromecast Ultra, on 4 October during the Made By Google event.

The leaked renders from Venture Beat show a new Chromecast device that looks very similar the second-generation model introduced in 2015. The major difference between the two is that the Chrome logo on the HDMI dongle has been replaced by a subtle “G”. Up until now, it was unclear if the Chromecast Ultra would get a redesign, as Google just drastically switched up the design last year with the release of Chromecast 2.

Google launched the first Chromecast in 2013. It’s an affordable HDMI dongle that lets you wirelessly “cast” content to a television. It basically makes most TVs smart. Then, in 2015, Google launched Chromecast 2. It’s faster, more responsive, and just as affordable. And it arrived with an updated Chromecast app that serves as a one-stop shop for finding compatible apps and specific content across those apps.

While the first Chromecast looks like a basic USB stick, Chromecast 2 has an all-new look, with the purpose of making it easier to squeeze between ports behind your TV. It’s a small, plastic, hockey-puck-shaped device with a glossy and colourful front and matte bottom.

Apart from support for 4K streams, little is known about the Chromecast Ultra’s specifications. Android Police reported it will be available for $69, and it will be sold alongside the second-generation Chromecast that streams in 1080p for $35.