Microsoft made Android Windows-friendly — but the work is far from done

I’m a big fan of Microsoft’s services and support on Android, but there are still too many Microsoft ecosystem apps and services that are either half-baked or simply not available. Here’s what I’d like to see Redmond do next.

For Windows 10 Mobile users, it has been a painful couple of years. After months of virtual silence, Microsoft unceremoniously announced it was leaving its phone users high and dry, as Windows 10 Mobile entered maintenance mode. No more features are planned for Microsoft’s zombie phone platform, save for security patches to support the company’s dwindling mobile business portfolio.

Thankfully, for those invested in the Microsoft ecosystem, its support of Android is fairly good. The clean and speedy Microsoft Launcher app make it easy to access all of your services at a glance. Cortana can replace Google’s own assistant, and you can set up and sync Microsoft Edge as your browser, too. OneDrive, Office, OneNote, and Office Lens are available in force, and even Xbox has an app.

However, for users switching across from Windows 10 Mobile, there are still a few services and apps that I’ve missed. Here are just a few.

Photos

Although OneDrive has a dedicated Photos section and can handle your camera backups and other folders, a dedicated app that mirror’s the features and content on the Windows 10 Photos app would be a welcome addition, replacing the default gallery on Android or Google’s own Photos app.

The OneDrive app for Android, when set up properly, will match the contents of your Windows 10 Photos app as long as you’re syncing in a chronological timeline. However, the editing features, including some of the more powerful ones that feature inking and video clip editing are missing on Android. It would be nice if we could get a dedicated app that would allow us to edit or continue editing projects across both PCs and phones, syncing via our Microsoft accounts.

Movies & TV

This is a fairly big, continuing oversight that might be linked to licensing issues. However, if Microsoft is still serious about its digital movies and TV business, an Android (and iOS) version is an absolute must-have.

On Windows 10, Mobile, and Xbox One, you can view your movies and TV purchases at any time, and on Windows, you can download the media for offline playback, which is great for long commutes and other situations where you might not have a larger device in hand. Why this isn’t on Android already is a mystery, but as Microsoft cuts the head off its mobile efforts, the fact we can no longer access our digital content on the go is supremely annoying.

Xbox

While there already is an Xbox app on Android, it’s painfully slow, with needlessly long transition animations. Messages on your own account and any Clubs you’re part of load at a snail’s pace, and the app generally feels unresponsive and, well, strange compared to similar tools. This could be a byproduct of how bloated and overly complex it is, attempting to incorporate tons of features, but then if it is, the experience overall is degraded as a result.

Microsoft might benefit from splitting up the Xbox app between its different use cases. For example, a dedicated app that handles Xbox clips, editing, and downloading, with a separate speedy app that handles messages and Clubs. As it stands, Discord’s speed and usability will continue to steal communication share from Xbox Live for external use. This needn’t be the case.

SMS sync/calling for PC

Cortana for Android is supposed to notify you of incoming texts and missed calls on a synchronized Windows 10 PC, but in my experience, she only works about 30% of the time for this feature.

At CES 2018, Dell revealed an exclusive tool for its upcoming PCs, that would allow a full-blown companion experience for users of its computers on Android. Full app mirroring, calling, SMS, and more, directly from a UWP app to your phone. Naturally, for those of us not using Dell PCs, at the very least, reliable SMS and calling between a Windows 10 PC and Android should be a baseline feature at this point. Cortana has simply proven to be unreliable, in my experience.

What else?

There’s a range of other features I miss from Windows 10 Mobile as a Windows Phone refugee. Most of them were offered by UWP apps like MyTube, offering background YouTube audio, for example. I also miss live tiles. While interactive, Android widgets are ugly, non-standardized, and rarely fit the look and theme of your phone. Also, while this doesn’t necessarily affect me as a Blackberry KEYone QWERTY keyboard user, I’ve heard complaints that Microsoft’s SwiftKey Android keyboard is but a shadow of Wordflow on Windows 10 Mobile.

If you already made the switch, what apps and services from Windows 10 Mobile do you find yourself missing? Let us know below.

How to use Bluetooth headphones with Google Daydream

Audio is an integral part of enjoying Google Daydream, make sure you get the best experience possible.

Being able to clearly hear what is going on around you when you are enjoying yourself in VR is key to really fall into the experience. So it’s pretty common to want to invest in an awesome pair of Bluetooth headphones so that you don’t have to worry about wires getting in your way while you are playing. Unfortunately, Bluetooth headphones don’t tend to work particularly well in VR. It isn’t impossible, and we’ve got the details for you on how to get the best audio experience.

Hear everything

Hanging out in VR is all about immersion, and clearly hearing what is going on around you is a huge part of that. You need to be able to tell when something is sneaking up next to you or hear the gunfire that you need to avoid while playing a game. Unfortunately, this is where the problem with Bluetooth headphones becomes pronounced. That’s because almost across the board Bluetooth headphones have problems with properly syncing up in VR.

This means that you might get mauled from your blindside, because you didn’t hear a warning growl in time or that watching shows on Netflix or HBO becomes difficult since the audio and video are out of sync. That’s why we actually suggest that you don’t use Bluetooth headphones. For now, at least, they just don’t offer the superior audio experience that you deserve while enjoying VR.

You won’t be searching in the dark for a good pair of headphones though. Just take a look at our guide to The Best Headphones for Google Daydream.

What to look for

Not everybody has multiple pairs of headphones or the money to throw at a new pair after picking up Google Daydream. If you hate wired headphones or only have wireless headphones, you can still use them. Just remember that the quality of sound is not necessarily going to be on par with a pair of wired headphones. There are also a few things to look for in wireless headphones, in order to get a better experience.

Make sure that your headphones support at least Bluetooth 4.0 and aptX. This will ensure that you get the best possible connection to your phone from your wireless headphones, as well as giving you better quality sound. Additionally, make sure to aim for the lowest possible latency. Having a lower latency rate will mean that lag is eliminated as much as possible. However, even with all three of these things, you may still have issues when playing on Google Daydream. That’s why we’ve got a handy list of the Bluetooth headphones you may want to consider.

• FIIL Diva Pro
• Bose Quiet Comfort 35
• LG Tone HBS-910
• Pixel Buds

Conclusion

While wireless headphones aren’t the ideal accessory for Daydream, they can definitely still get the job done. We’ve picked out your best options, but finding the right pair is really a personal decision that nobody else can make for you. Do you use wireless headphones with Google Daydream? Have you found the perfect pair? Be sure to drop us a line in the comments below!

Updated January 2018: We’ve updated this post with the most up-to-date suggestions for Bluetooth headphones to use with Daydream!

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Get two 6-feet USB-C to USB-A Anker Powerline+ cables for just $9

Keep some spare cables around the house. Can’t hurt!

This 2-pack of Anker USB-C to USB-A 2.0 6-feet cables is down to $9.49 on Amazon. It normally sells around $12 and has never dropped this low through a direct price drop before.

It’s definitely worth pointing out that these are USB 2.0 cables, not the more modern 3.0. While that might mean some slower transfer speeds for whatever you use these for, they’re still high quality nylon-braided cords that will last you a long time.

Features include:

• Lasts 6X Longer: Double-braided nylon exterior, toughened aramid fiber core and laser-welded connectors equip PowerLine+ with superior toughness from end-to-end.
• Fast Sync & Charge: Charges phones and tablets with USB-C ports at high speed. (Does not support high-speed charging for Google Pixel or Motorola Nexus.)
• Supreme Compatibility: Tested in-house with countless USB-C devices; proven to provide a fully compatible, secure and reliable fit.

These cables come with a lifetime warranty.

If you absolutely need USB 3.0, you can get two 6-foot USB-C to USB-A 3.0 cables for $22.38 when you redeem the on-page discount and add two cables to your cart. These are $28 without the promotion.

See on Amazon

Amazon Fire TV gets new features for live TV programming

Live TV for your Fire TV.

Amazon’s Fire TV is in the news once again, and this time it’s (thankfully) not about Google removing more content from the streaming platform. Instead, Amazon is finally bringing live television programming to it.

If you’re subscribed to Amazon Channels (more on this in a bit), you’ll see a new row on your home screen that’s titled “On Now.” This is where you’ll see a list of any shows that are on the air at that given moment, and clicking on a program will let you start watching it instantly.

Clicking the Options button on your Fire TV remote will bring up a more traditional guide to view what’s airing now and what’ll be on later in the day, and you can browse upcoming content up to two weeks into the future. Channels are presented vertically, and you can favorite your top ones so that they appear above everything else.

And, of course, you can control all of this with Alexa. Just say, “Alexa, tune to HBO” or “Alexa, go to the Channel Guide,” and you can go through all your content without having to mash away at buttons on your remote.

As mentioned above, this live programming is powered by Amazon Channels. Amazon Channels is reserved for Prime subscribers, and it allows you to sign up for and watch services such as HBO, Starz, CBS All Access, Showtime, and others right within your Amazon account. It’s an odd take on live Internet-based TV streaming, but with these new features rolling out to the Fire TV, it’s possible Amazon will start building it up into a more viable competitor to the likes of YouTube TV, Sling TV, etc.

Firefox now available on Fire TV with support for YouTube

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Voice Control, Call Activate! [#acpodcast]

This week, Daniel Bader, Andrew Martonik, and Alex Dobie take a look at some fresh Samsung Galaxy S9 and LG G7 rumors before diving into Android Central’s Best of CES 2018 Awards.

They also take a look at other news from the show, including Google Assistant penetration into the automotive market, Lenovo’s Smart Display, an NVIDIA 4K HDR TV, fingerprint sensor technology, Razer’s “Project Linda”, and more!

Show Notes and Links:

• Samsung Galaxy S9 will be announced in February at MWC

• Samsung Galaxy S9: Rumors, Specs, Release Date, and More!

• LG will stop releasing new phones every year

• LG G7 (2018 flagship) rumor round-up: Everything you need to know

• Android Central’s Best of CES 2018 Awards!

• Google Assistant is now everywhere, including screens and cars

• Lenovo’s Smart Display is the Google Assistant answer to the Echo Show

• NVIDIA launching new 65-inch 4K HDR gaming displays with Android TV

• Razer’s Project Linda turns your phone into a laptop

• Android Auto is even more useful with Google Assistant and wireless

• Vivo’s in-display fingerprint sensor is the future of smartphone biometrics

• Sony Xperia XA2 and XA2 Ultra hands-on: No more quirks, just good phones

• AT&T steps away from deal to sell Huawei phones

Sponsors:

• Thrifter.com: All the best deals from Amazon, Best Buy, and more, fussily curated and constantly updated.

• GameStash: Hundreds of awesome games on your Android phone. Try it free for 14 days!

Podcast MP3 URL: http://traffic.libsyn.com/androidcentral/androidcentral367.mp3

Sony adds ‘Monster Hunter’ and white PS4 Pro options this month

Sony has released two new versions of the PS4 Pro that will be available exclusively at GameStop this month. The consoles are the Limited Edition Monster Hunter PS4 Pro Bundle for $450, available starting January 26th (when the game launches), and the Glacier White PS4 Pro for $400, sometime around the end of the month. If you’re in Canada, look for the Glacier White edition at EB Games for $500 CAD.

The bundle features a Monster Hunter: World PS4 Pro console, a red matching DualShock 4 wireless controller, and the Blu-ray disc of the game plus digital content. The Glacier White PS4 Pro includes just the console and matching controller. The white console was previously available as part of the Destiny 2 bundle. Sony has made it clear that both of these consoles will have very limited availability, so if you’re interested in snagging one, it’s best to move fast.

Source: Sony

Google’s cloud is spreading through new undersea cables

Today, Google announced that it will be adding three undersea cables, as well as five new Cloud Platform regions, to its infrastructure in 2018. The Netherlands and Montreal regions will open in Q1 2018, while Los Angeles, Hong King and Finland will follow. The three cables will connect Chile to Los Angeles, the US to Denmark and Ireland and Hong Kong to Guam, and are called, respectively, Curie, Havfrue and HK-G.

According to Google, its Cloud service delivers up to 25 percent of total Internet traffic. These investments are designed to help improve connectivity around the world, and will help Google expand its reach and the availability of its cloud services. Google has direct investment in a total of 11 cables, including these upcoming projects. The five new Cloud Platform regions will be added to the 13 existing regions.

Google isn’t the only company making this kind of investment in infrastructure. Microsoft and Facebook worked together to build a massive oversea data cable connecting Virginia Beach in the US to Bilbao, Spain. That cable, called Marea, was completed in late 2017.

Source: Google

The next weird 3DS game includes a tiny fishing reel

Japan’s fondness for games with highly specialized controllers frequently produces wonderfully weird results. If you need proof, you just need to look at Bandai Namco’s upcoming Baku Tsuri Bar Hunter for the 3DS. The manga-linked augmented reality fishing game revolves around an elaborate add-on case that scans barcodes to add sealife, and a tiny reel (plus the 3DS’ own motion controls) to catch creatures. In essence, it’s the lovechild of Bass Fishing and Barcode Battler. It absolutely sounds like it shouldn’t work, but it looks like a blast in the promo video… at least, for gamers willing to scan their shopping.

The game is slated to reach Japan on March 17th. Does it stand a chance of reaching other countries? Good grief, no. The combination of a manga theme and an ornate controller virtually guarantees that it won’t (officially) leave its homeland, at least not without some dramatic changes. Even so, you have to give kudos to the developers for making a game that stands out — especially on an older platform.

Via: Kotaku

Source: Boys Toy Web, Baku Tsuri Bar Hunter (YouTube)

Levandowski faces fresh accusations of stealing trade secrets

The Waymo v. Uber trial is set to finally get started next month, but Anthony Levandowski, the man who has been accused of taking 14,000 files from Google’s self-driving outfit when he left the company for his own startup Otto, has been hit with a lawsuit that may affect Waymo’s. Wired reports that Levandowski’s former nanny, Erika Wong, has filed a suit against him claiming Levandowski failed to pay her wages, violated labor and health codes and inflicted emotional distress. But the complaint also includes details of Levandowski’s business practices, which suggest that he might have been paying off employees of other autonomous vehicle companies and that he considered fleeing to Canada when Waymo first filed its lawsuit.

In the filing, Wong says that the day Waymo filed its suit against Uber, Levandowski was noticeably agitated while he spoke to his lawyer over the phone — sweating and pacing as he cursed into the phone. When Waymo filed for an injunction against Uber, former Uber CEO Travis Kalanick visited Levandowski’s house, according to Wong, with legal documents for Levandowski to sign as well as a bucket full of circuit boards and lenses. She claimed that Levandowski had also discussed driving to Canada in order to avoid prosecution.

Wong also alleges that Levandowski often referred to payments made to a Pat Green, supposedly an employee at Tesla who was providing Levandowski with updates on Tesla’s trucking technology. And Wong suggests that Levandowski was involved in the formation of a number of startups including Argo AI and JingChi Corporation, though both told Wired that wasn’t the case.

In a statement, Levandowski’s spokesperson said, “On January 5, a frivolous lawsuit was filed against Anthony Levandowski in US District Court. The allegations in the lawsuit are a work of fiction. Levandowski is confident that the lawsuit will be dismissed by the courts.”

Wong is reportedly seeking over $6 million in damages.

Via: Wired

Facebook vows to simplify Messenger in 2018

Today, Facebook released an outline of its priorities when it comes to Messenger, and one thing is clear: The organization wants to simplify the service. Over the past few years, the company built many new features that it packed into Messenger, and now the app is cluttered. “Expect to see us invest in massively simplifying and streamlining Messenger this year,” Messenger lead David Marcus explains. He says the end goal for Facebook is “to make Messenger the easiest and most delightful way for people to spend time together in happy and harder times.”

Facebook is also prioritizing visual messaging, from further investment in real-time video to improving GIF, sticker and image options within Messenger. Additionally, the social network is trying to improve group chats as a whole, whether you’re trying to add someone to an existing chat or conduct a live video chat with multiple people. The company is also putting more emphasis on companies that use Messenger to reach their users, whether by using it for customer service or marketing.

Considering Facebook’s massive user base, it isn’t surprising that Messenger is widely used. The company cites 1.3 billion monthly active users of Messenger, as well as a noted rise of visual communication through GIFs and emoji. It’s nice to see that the company is focusing on simplifying the service and looking at data to figure out why and how its users are utilizing Messenger and then trying to streamline that as much as possible.

Source: Facebook