What is Android Things and when will the first devices arrive?
Google makes operating systems, and Android Things is the latest example.
Google’s Android OS powers smartphones and tablets. Google’s Android Wear powers wearables like smartwatches. Google’s ChromeOS powers laptops and desktops. Google’s Android TV powers set-top boxes and televisions. And now Android Things is meant to power smart devices and Internet of Things (IoT) gadgets. But Android Things isn’t new, technically.
Here’s everything you need to know about Google’s latest OS.
What is Android Things?
On 13 December 2016, Google launched a version of Android called Android Things. It can run on products like connected speakers, smart thermostats, security cameras, routers, and so on. The idea is that, with Android Things, it’ll be easier for companies to start shipping IoT hardware, because they’ll be able to use and work with the Android developer tools they’ve used in the past.
At its core, Android Things is a stripped-down version of Android aimed at more capable smart hardware, rather than simple ones like light bulbs.
But what about Brillo?
The thing is, Android Things, the operating system, isn’t exactly new. It’s a new name. Last year, Google announced Brillo, an Android-based OS for smart devices and IoT gadgets, but it hasn’t done much with the OS since then. Android Things is a rebranding of Brillo. It’s also an update that allows development to be accomplished with “the same developer tools as standard Android”, whereas Brillo didn’t offer that.
Brillo didn’t catch on because experienced developers likely found it difficult to jump in and start work on a new product. Now, because they have access to the same familiar tools, the hope is they can quickly get up to speed.
Is there a developer preview?
Yes, Google has released the SDK preview of Android Things. You can learn more about that (and key Android Things concepts) from here.
Anything else you should know?
Don’t think of Android Things as Android or Android Wear, which you plainly see running on a phone or watch, respectively. Android Things is an OS that works in the background but isn’t visible. It allows smart devices to handle their own tasks rather than let servers do the processing. Because it is capable of more complex tasks, it’s ideal for complex smart devices like printers and locks, rather than basic power outlets.
Also, Android Things devices will be able to integrate with Android and iOS devices through Weave, a communications system that Google launched alongside Brillo. That protocol will also allow Android Things devices to have access to Google Assistant, which you can read about from here.
When will Android Things arrive?
Google has already launched a developer preview, though it hasn’t named any partners yet. So we don’t yet know which devices will be the first Android Things devices to appear on the market — let alone when they will appear.
You can now use Photoshop with the MacBook Pro Touch Bar
Starting today, you can change your brush size in Adobe Photoshop with a swipe of your finger – as long as you own Apple’s latest MacBook Pro.
When Apple demoed its MacBook Pro on stage in October, it really emphasised how the new Touch Bar works with Adobe Photoshop. But the thing is, Apple launched its laptop last month, and there was no word from Adobe about when it would support Touch Bar. Now, however, the company has announced an update for Photoshop that enables Touch Bar support. You can learn more about how to get the update from here.
- Apple MacBook Pro Touch Bar: What apps are supported?
“In designing the interaction with the Touch Bar, we imagined three distinct categories of functions that would be useful to our customers: Layer Properties, Brushes, and (true to Photoshop’s ethos) your customisable Favorites,” explained Adobe. “Touch Bar is useful for accessing controls in a new way, especially controls that were sometimes clumsy with a keyboard and mouse.”
Once you’ve updated, you’ll see that the Layer Properties now allows for quick access to features like Smart Objects, masking, and clipping, while Brushes allows you to easily adjust brush color, size, hardness, and opacity using draggable sliders. And the Favorites section can be adjusted to offer a variety of quick actions. The full list of functions is available on Adobe’s support page.
The Touch Bar Photoshop update is now out for all Creative Cloud subscribers.
Calling all #MacBookPro users! #Photoshop now supports Touch Bar. Update today to see your new workflow options: https://t.co/N86jvk2Akx pic.twitter.com/O4GDmgyrce
— Adobe Photoshop (@Photoshop) December 13, 2016
Google Drive creates a shortcut for iOS to Android migrations
If you’re switching from iOS to Android, Google Drive might be able to help you out: its latest feature gives it the powers to back up your calendar events, contacts, photos and videos. It probably doesn’t sound that useful if you regularly use GCal for your schedule or Google Photos to store your images. But if you don’t, then Drive ensures you don’t have to manually transfer your data — all you have to do is start the backup process within the settings page.
Since the whole thing could take few a hours, and you’ll have to keep Drive active and on screen the whole time, Google advises you to plug your phone in and connect to WiFi. Now, you might not ever put this to use if you got a Pixel and the Quick Switch Adapter that comes with it, but it sure sounds useful for other Android devices. Just don’t forget to switch off iMessage before you leave.
Give the gift of @Android. Drive now makes transferring photos, videos, contacts & calendar events easier than ever. https://t.co/xZpaA3Zmgq pic.twitter.com/TRdH4AYEKd
— Google Drive (@googledrive) December 13, 2016
Via: The Verge
Source: Android
Imgur adds chat so you never have to leave the meme factory
A long-awaited feature has finally made it into the mobile versions of content discovery site/meme emporium Imgur. In a blog post today, the Imgur team announced that chat, messaging and notifications are now available on the gif-heavy social network, while the messaging features of its desktop site are getting an overhaul as well.
Chat works pretty much as you’d expect from any number of social networks: you can send GIFs, post links, emoji and plain old text to other imgur users from their profile, a comment link, the share icon or the chat tab in the Imgur app. Although Imgur’s community manager Sarah Schaff told TechCrunch that the site’s 150 million users form a close-knit and generally positive community, they’ve also gone ahead and built in the ability to block users as a standard social media safety feature. On the flip side, you can now follow other Imgur users by tapping the “+” sign on their profile, which will give you a notification anytime that user hits the Most Viral section of the site.
Unlike Twitter or Instagram, you can’t see who other users follow and there are no Follower/Following counts anywhere. You can, however, use the latest version of the iOS or Android app to update account info and tweak your public bio.
Via: TechCrunch
Source: Imgur Blog
Google Drive Update Makes It Easier to Transfer iPhone Content to Android
Google Drive was updated today to make it easier for users to transfer their content from iOS devices to Android devices, Google announced. The company also published a new web page on the Android website detailing how it works.
Once a user downloads Google Drive from the App Store, they can navigate toward the backup wizard by going to Menu > Settings > Backup in the app. From there, users can choose to sync select contacts, calendar events and photos or everything. Google recommends that users backup when their iPhone is connected to power and is on Wi-Fi, as backing up can take several hours. Additionally, the Google Drive app must stay open and the screen must stay on.
When users sign into their Google account on their new Android device their content will automatically sync.
Google has tried to make it easier for iPhone users to switch to Android in recent months, packing in a “Quick Switch Adapter” with the Pixel, which quickly transfers data directly from an iPhone to a Pixel phone. While the Quick Switch Adapter only works with the Pixel phone, the Google Drive method will also work with non-Pixel Android phones.
iPhone users who want to switch to Android must turn off iMessage before they officially switch devices.
Google Drive is available in the App Store for free. [Direct Link]
Tags: Android, Google Drive
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South Korea Considering Investigation of iPhone 6s Battery Shutdown Issue
South Korea’s Korean Agency for Technology and Standards (KATS) said it is considering an investigation into whether some iPhone 6s devices experiencing unexpected battery shutdowns is a safety issue, according to The Korea Herald.
“The agency is well aware of recent iPhone issues and is taking a close look at it,” an unnamed KATS official told The Herald. While KATS hasn’t officially launched an investigation, it wants to make sure the problem isn’t like the Galaxy Note 7 battery issue, which caused devices to randomly catch fire and start smoking. The agency is currently in talks with Apple Korea about the issue.
In November, Apple launched a repair program for iPhone 6s devices experiencing the unexpected shutdowns, saying that “a very small number of iPhone 6s devices” that were manufactured between September and October 2015 were affected. Apple said the problem was “not a safety issue.”
On its Chinese website, Apple said the shutdowns were caused by a manufacturing error where some batteries were overexposed to “controlled ambient air,” causing them to degrade faster than normal. In addition to its repair program, Apple now lets you check your iPhone 6s serial number to see if you’re eligible for a new battery.
Related Roundup: iPhone 6s
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Google just made it even easier to switch from iPhone to Android
Make the switch from iPhone to Android more easily than ever.
Google has made it even easier to switch from an iPhone to an Android phone using Google Drive.
The company updated its Switch portal to reflect the Drive update, which can be downloaded onto the iPhone and used to back up all pertinent content, including contacts, calendar events, and photos & videos, to their respective places.
While Drive itself doesn’t store all of the data, it uses Google’s cross-platform prowess to upload contacts, calendar events, images and videos to Google Contacts, Calendar and Photos, respectively. Previously, users had to manually perform the backups through those apps; now, Drive does it for you.
Then, once the backup is complete, signing into a new Android phone with the same account will restore the data to its rightful place. The service even backs up iCloud entries.
This also applies to the Google Pixel, though that phone comes with its own adapter to transfer content directly from an iPhone to Google’s new flagship.
Google Pixel + Pixel XL
- Google Pixel and Pixel XL review
- Google Pixel XL review: A U.S. perspective
- Google Pixel FAQ: Should you upgrade?
- Pixel + Pixel XL specs
- Understanding Android 7.1 Nougat
- Join the discussion in the forums!
Google Store
Verizon
Snapchat Groups: Here’s how to use the new group chat feature
Nine months after Snapchat overhauled its chat experience, it has launched a new chat feature: Groups.
Groups is basically a way for you to chat in groups. Snapchat said it announced the feature just in time for the holidays because it’s a “great time to hang out with friends and spend time with family”. With Groups, you can communicate with up to 16 friends at once in Snapchat.
Here’s everything you need to know about the new feature.
What is Snapchat?
Snapchat is a photo- and video-messaging app. It is unique in that all photos and videos only last a brief amount of time before they disappear forever, making the app ephemeral in nature, though you can take a screenshot of all the snaps you receive to save them in picture form. You can also save your own snaps before sending them to friends or you story. You can learn more about Snapchat from Pocket-lint’s in-depth guide.
What is Snapchat Groups?
Group are a lot like one-on-one chats, but they can include up to 16 group members. Also, chats sent to a group are deleted by default after 24 hours. Snaps sent to a group can be opened and replayed just once by each recipient, but then it’ll be deleted after 24 hours as well.
How does Snapchat Groups work?
Starting a group chat
Groups can be created while sending a snap, or when you’re making a new chat.
Simply open the Chat screen and tap on the New Chat icon. Then, pick a few friends, and tap Chat. You can only add people to a group if you’re both friends on Snapchat. To send snaps directly to a group after taking a snap, tap the send button, and choose a group in the Send To screen. Everyone in the group will be able to see that you sent the snap, as well as who’s read it.
Determine if you’re in a group chat
To determine if a chat is actually a group chat, look for the sparkle/friend emoji next to the group name in your Chat screen.
Adjust group chat settings
To access group chat settings, tap the menu icon in the upper left hand corner.
From there, you can see who’s in the group, rename the group, mute notifications, add someone, or even leave the group. If you choose to leave, the snaps and chats you sent will be cleared, even if someone saved them in chat.
See who’s in your group chat
When group members open the group chat, their name will light up inside a bubble above your keyboard to let you know they’re present. You can tap on a friend’s name bubble to start a quick chat or even add them if you haven’t already.
See who’s read a chat or snap
Tap or press and hold on any chat to see who’s read it, saved it, etc. When someone opens a snap, their name will appear below it in chat. Chats and snaps will be deleted after 24 hours unless saved. Also, snaps sent to a group can be opened and replayed once by each recipient.
Quick chat with a friend
Tap any name at the bottom of a group chat to start a one-on-one chat with that person. You can always return to the group in one swipe.
Obama signs bill to fund ‘Moonshot’ research to cure cancer
Several months after President Obama laid out his plans to cure cancer in his last State of the Union address, he is signing legislation to do just that. Known as the 21st Century Cures Act, the bill will invest $1.8 billion in a Cancer Moonshot Task Force led by Vice President Joe Biden that aims to achieve a decade’s worth of research in just five years. In so doing, the team hopes to ramp up science and technological progress to the point where a cure for cancer can be found.
“We are bringing to reality the possibility of new breakthroughs to some of the biggest health challenges of our time,” said Obama in a ceremony today. “We’re tackling cancer, brain disease, substance abuse disorders and more, and none of this would have been possible without bipartisan cooperation from both houses of Congress.”
The overall bill plans $6.3 billion to not just tackle cancer research but also brain research, substance abuse prevention and to streamline drug and medical device approval.
Google begins releasing its secret FBI subpoenas
Back in October, Google stated that the FBI lifted a gag order, allowing them to officially disclose they’d been served one National Security Letter (NSL), a type of secret subpoena, by the FBI. This was news because every company is restricted from revealing more than a very broad range of NSLs it has received. But a 2015 Congressional act requires the government to periodically check whether each request’s non-disclosure agreement is still necessary. After several of these limits were lifted, today Google confirmed and released several NSL requests to shed light on what kind of user information the FBI requests in the name of national security.
The first batch includes eight formal requests, each paired with an FBI letter notifying Google when the agency had lifted their non-disclosure requirements. In all, these NSLs ask for subscriber information “limited to name, address and length of service” on 23 accounts — the names of which Google opted to redact for privacy reasons. Some of the requests limited their inquiry to a certain period of time while others asked for info from the account’s inception until the present day.
The earliest was sent to Google on March 1st, 2010, while the latest was September 21st, 2015. Crucially, each NSL urged Google not to change or suspend access to these accounts lest it tip off the users that their info was being shared with the FBI.
The USA Freedom Act, which Congress passed in 2015 to amend the Patriot Act, gives Google a little leeway in reporting that these requests have been made, allowing the search giant to list a loose range of NSL inquiries. It also requires the Department of Justice to regularly review which NSL’s non-disclosure limits are no longer necessary, which allowed Google to release the requests today. Curiously, the search giant could have
Unfortunately, there’s no way to know how many NSLs Google can’t (or possibly won’t; disclosure is optional) also release. According to the range they’re allowed to publish, they received “0-499” requests from January to June 2016; counting up the previous years, the search giant has received anywhere from zero to 1,000 requests for every six-month period since 2009. Even if the DOJ doesn’t lift non-disclosure restrictions on substantially more NSLs, at least we have a window in to the content and frequency of user information Google is handing over to the FBI.
Source: Google
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