Google Maps makes it possible to send directions from PC to Android
It happens to me all the time. I am sitting in my desk minding my business and suddenly I need to find directions to a location. I use Google Maps to find them on my computer and then decide to head out the door. I can’t do much with my Google Maps desktop search, so I have to search the location all over again, using my Android device.
We have been begging for a real solution to this for years! There are some half-baked ways to do alleviate the situation by using Search or the Google Maps search suggestions, but there have to be better ways to do this. Google has figured it out and you can now easily send location details to your Android device, straight from the browser.
This improvement is part of the latest Android update to Google Maps, which happens to be version 9.11.0. If you have the update, all you need to do is go to Google Maps on your browser and search for your destination as you normally would.
Once Google Maps locates your destination, the information window will include a “Send to device” option right below the address and hours. Click on it and a list of your devices will show up. Select your device of choice and you will get a notification with the option to navigate or get directions.
Easy as pie, guys! I love that Google has been trying very hard to merge its services and make all platforms work together to create a unified experience. I know I will be using this feature quite often. Will you? Go get the update and test this feature if you haven’t!
PIXELS Defense makes its debut on Google Play
July 24, 2015, is the day that we will all be treated to another Adam Sandler movie. The movie is called Pixels.
IMDB summarizes the plot:
When aliens misinterpret video feeds of classic arcade games as a declaration of war, they attack the Earth in the form of the video games.
To celebrate the release of the film later this month, BANDAI NAMCO Entertainment America Inc. has released a tower defense game based off the Pixels movie, called PIXELS Defense. Read the Google Play description.
Play alongside the heroic Arcaders from Pixels the movie in this all ages completely FREE companion app! For the first time, play with PAC-MAN, Centipede, Q*bert, Frogger and more of your favorite game characters in a game that takes an innovative twist on traditional tower defense mechanics.
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Move your Arcaders into any strategic position you want to
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Setup Arcaders to target enemies by, nearest, weakest, toughest, first enemy, or completely random
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Call upon the mighty Lady Lisa of Dojo Quest for help in times of need!
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Three difficulty levels per stage to put your defender skills to the ultimate test
Hopefully, this turns out to be a good game, but with a 3.3-star rating on Google Play, I have my doubts. What do you think? Let us know in the comments.
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Google teaming up with Huawei for the new Nexus
We’ve heard numerous times before that various manufactures are in on the new Nexus and one of the most likely has been Huawei. This time, a new report has surfaced that once again puts Huawei behind the hardware for the next Nexus smartphone.
This comes courtesy of ‘The Information‘, which has been reliable in the past when it comes to source leaks, who say that Google will be teaming up with Huawei in a partnership that will benefit both companies.
The next Nexus device is expected to be a 5.7-inch Quad HD device, powered by a Snapdragon 810 processor, and could be only one of two Nexus devices that possibly would be offered in different sizes.
The ‘benefit both companies’ piece revolves around bringing the Chinese manufacturer into the US market and this will inturn help Google bring their Google Play Store to China, a place where it hasn’t had much luck.
In addition to the Huawei-made Nexus 5.7-inch device, LG are also reportedly in talks with Google to bring a smaller 5-inch device, similar to the profile of the Nexus 5, both of which will be running Android M and will be launched in parallel of the new operating system.
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BlackBerry and Google announce BlackBerry Enterprise partnership
It looks like the rumors swirling around BlackBerry adopting Android for their devices have finally come to fruition. The last round of rumors stated that BlackBerry would ONLY adopt Android if there would be enough control over the amount of security in those devices. This was around the same time that an image was leaked of the BlackBerry Venice which is supposedly powered by Android.
Well a URL popped up this week via BlackBerry that essentially introduces the partnership of Android with BlackBerry’s Enterprise solutions, BES12.
Android Lollipop delivers key enterprise functionality and addresses any previous enterprise security concerns. BES12 supports Android Lollipop, allowing you to confidently deploy Android devices in your organization.
Now it’s not known whether we will actually see a BlackBerry running a modified version of Android Lollipop, but this is definitely a step in the right direction. So only time will tell how this integration will actually work. However, seeing these two companies jumping into the same ship together, is a very interesting sight to see.
Via the website found below, you can find descriptions of all the different ways that BES12 can integrate and work with Android Lollipop, while keeping the same amount of security that users have become accustomed to.
Let us know what you think about this new partnership between Google and BlackBerry, and whether this is a sign of things to come for seeing Android on BlackBerry devices.
Source: BlackBerry BES12
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Amigo Pancho puzzles – Game Review
T
wo years later and more than 50 million copies distributed over 2,000 websites and game portals, such as Kongregate, Agame, and Nickelodeon’s Addicting Games, Qaibo Games’ puzzling hit Amigo Pancho is now available for download in the Google Play Store.
Game Play
In Amigo Pancho you play as Pancho, an adventure seeker who flies above high places by grasping on to only two small balloons. A puzzle adventure game almost seems unrealistic, although that’s exactly what you get with Amigo Pancho. Pancho with his two blue balloons hangs on for dear life as he avoids swordsman, cacti, bees and a variety of other obstacles. In order to free Pancho and advance, you have to erase, rotate, blow, burst, move and think your way soaring to the mountain tops.
Amigo Pancho is rated “E” for everyone. What is great about the game is that it’s fun, addicting, colorful and challenging. Yet, it’s simplistic enough for young and old users alike.
| What We Liked | What We Didn’t Like |
|---|---|
| Fun for all ages | Need for Customizations ex: different balloon types, sizes,colors |
| Addictive gameplay | Lack of story line |
| Appealing colors & graphics | Redundancy of starting points of Pancho |
Summary
After playing Amigo Pancho for the past week and a half, I have become a huge fan of the sombrero wearing balloon hanger. Before this review, I had never heard of the game, but after doing some research there is a huge library of gameplay videos on Youtube and shows that this title is a fan favorite.
Amigo Pancho is puzzling, fun, and addictive. I enjoy that you are challenged to think and make careful decisions in a manner that you aren’t even aware that you’re thinking. Amigo Pancho is fun for all ages, appealing graphics and is a great game for casual gamers who game-play in bursts.
Screen Shots
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Rumour: BlackBerry is developing multiple Android handsets with Taiwanese ODMs
By working with Google to make Android more business-friendly and allegedly developing an Android handset with the codename Venice, it would seem that BlackBerry is ramping up its foray into the wonderful world of Android. Today we have news that the Canadian company is reportedly planning on releasing multiple handsets using the Android operating system.
This report comes from Taiwan news outlet, DigiTimes, who says that BlackBerry plan on releasing numerous Android smartphones in the second half of 2015. BlackBerry has apparently contacted various Taiwan-based ODM’s (Original Device Manufacturers) such as Foxconn, Compal Electronics and Wistron to act as production partners. The ODM’s will be responsible for R&D, marketing, and channel distribution costs. It sounds like a similar situation to Nokia’s N1 Android tablet that was produced by Foxconn, where Nokia licensed its brand name to the manufacturer.
While the handsets will run on the Android operating system, they will naturally feature BlackBerry specific applications, design and software functions such as BES12, BBM, and BlackBerry Blend.
If you are wondering why companies such as Foxconn would enter into such arrangement with BlackBerry, you should remember that BlackBerry is still highly regarded in some markets. The production of an Android-powered BlackBerry handset could boost the value of the Canadian company and ease its legacy users over to Android. You have to commend BlackBerry for recognizing that it needs to try something different it is to survive.
Source: DigiTimes
Via: AndroidAuthority
Come comment on this article: Rumour: BlackBerry is developing multiple Android handsets with Taiwanese ODMs
Report: BlackBerry working on multiple Android devices with Taiwanese ODMs
Just scant few weeks ago, the idea of BlackBerry doing anything substantial with Android was still confined to a partnership with Samsung or its BBM app. Things changed when an alleged leak emerged of the so-called “Venice“, an Android slider with – arguably – the same display as the Galaxy S6 Edge. Just hours ago news broke of a partnership with Google. It now seems that Waterloo’s plans might be more pronounced than many might have thought, at least provided a new report is accurate.
Digitimes is claiming that BlackBerry may release several models of Android smartphones in the second half of the year. Several Taiwanese ODM (Original Device Manufacturers) are cited as partners, including “Foxconn Electronics, Compal Electronics and Wistron serving as production partners, according to sources at Taiwan’s handset supply chain.”
A partnership with Google was just announced.
The same sources have indicated that, despite the switch to Android, these new devices will include “software functions of BlackBerry OS and application services such as BES12, BBM and BlackBerry Blend.” This will inevitably help those legacy users who are unfamiliar with Android ease their way in as it will serve to provide a type of value-added-service for the Android handsets in an attempt to set them apart from the venerable cornucopia of competition.
As far as costs are involved, the report states that BlackBerry will be handing over “R&D, marketing and channel distribution expenses” thus absolving it from taking on what would otherwise be a rather large financial burden for a company already in critical condition. The move itself is not unlike that which Nokia used when it released an Android tablet earlier this year: the Swedish company’s brand name was licensed, however all other duties were handled locally in Asia.
Just who might be making the BlackBerry Venice if this new report proves true?
Provided this information pans out, it would raise the issue of just how much sway BlackBerry would have in the design of the devices, and to an extent, the ability of consumers around the world to inherently trust the security of the products themselves. Could each ODM produce an original device made to their own specifications? Would this serve to help the BlackBerry brand, or could it do just the opposite and damage the very strong image that many attach to it? Just who will produce the BlackBerry Venice – assuming the leak is legitimate – and what of the seemingly Samsung supplied screen? Only time will tell.
Google and BlackBerry team up for a secure enterprise Android
BlackBerry and Google are having a total peanut butter and chocolate moment here. The two companies have just announced that they’re teaming up to create a more enterprise-ready version of the Android OS. The deal will see the heightened security features of BES12, BlackBerry’s enterprise device deployment service, integrated into Android’s 5.0 Lolipop build and Google Play for Work.
This is a big win for both sides. Google gets a boost to its security ecosystem (not to mention access to a huge new swath of enterprise customers) and BlackBerry gets an Android-based tourniquet to tie off its cash hemorrhage. But enterprise users are the biggest winners of all. They’ll essentially get the same level of security that made BlackBerry the smartphone of choice for world leaders with the massive app library and ubiquitous functionality of the Android OS. What’s more, this lends additional credibility to rumors that we may soon see an Android-driven BlackBerry device.
[Image Credit: Chris Radburn/PA WIRE]
Filed under: Handhelds, Wireless, Internet, Google, Blackberry
Via: Crackberry
Source: BlackBerry
Android M Developer Preview gets first update
Having promised monthly updates to Android M at the Google I/O 2015 conference earlier this year, the Developer Preview of the latest version of Android has received its first update.
Preview 2 includes the new platform code, some additional APIs for testing as well as a few developer reported fixes such as Camera Permission and TextInputLayout issues.
How to Get the Update
If you are already running the M developer preview launched at Google I/O (Build #MPZ44Q) on a supported Nexus device (e.g. Nexus 5, Nexus 6, Nexus 9, or Nexus Player), the update can be delivered to your device via an over-the-air update. It is expected that all devices currently on the developer preview will receive the update over the next few days.
There’s also a new version of the Android M Developer Preview posted here for any new fresh installs for devices.
Google indicates that Android M is still on schedule for a fall release and urges anyone on the Developer Preview to report critical issues as you continue to test and validate your apps on the M Developer Preview.
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Essential productivity apps for your Android
Much of today’s office work is done outside an office thanks to our smartphones. New apps are making it easier to create and edit documents on the move, delivering better experience and productivity to users. Today, there is a great number of productivity apps available, which millions are using to become more efficient, meet deadlines, and find more time to do the things they love.
What you find below is the list of apps that will let you get things done efficiently and will also help your productivity to get back on track.
Flynx – Read the web smartly
Price: Free
Flynx is a mobile browser , but not like others that we are probably used to. Flynx is a floating web browser just like Facebook’s Messenger, meaning that it loads links and articles while you are doing something productive in another application. Flynx helps you open articles and links from all your favorite apps like Facebook, Twitter, Whatsapp, Google+, etc. in a revolutionary new way. It also allows you to save articles offline to read them later. There is a quick read mode which gets rid of all the ads and provides you with only relevant content saving your time and data.
AfterShip Package Tracker
Price: Free
We all order different items online, from groceries to gadgets and keeping track of each and every package can be quite a hassle. Aftership is the app that organizes all of your package information in one place. It helps you to track each package and also provides notifications of each along the way as they make their stops. Aftership is different from all other package tracking applications available in a way that it automatically detect the tracking number if you have copied it into clipboard of your phone. If you track packages on regular basis then we definitely recommend this app.
Google Keep
Price: Free
Google Keep is an organisational tool that lets you quickly take notes, voice memos, and checklists. It also syncs with your Google drive and makes it easy for you to access it on any web connected device. You can even assign different colors to different notes. The interface is quite simple and follows material design language.
CamScanner
Price: Free | $1.80
CamScanner helps you scan, store, sync and collaborate on various content across smartphones, tablets and computers. It allows you to scan documents with your Android phone’s or tablet’s camera and convert them to PDF. It also gives you the functionality of uploading all of your documents to their cloud storage(200MB). You can also upgrade your cloud storage to 10GB. However, this extra storage comes with additional cost. CamScanner is one of the best productivity apps that is available in the market and we definitely recommend it.
Pushbullet
Price: Free
Pushbullet is a cross-platform application that lets you view and control your notifications on many different devices. It also allows you to send links, notes, lists and files from your android phone to your Windows PC and vice-versa. Pushbullet’s Android app pushes all the app notifications to its Windows PC client, allowing you to interact with notifications while working on your PC. With a recent update you can now even quick reply to all the messages that you are getting on your Android smartphone.
Evernote
Price: Free | IAP
Evernote is another note taking application and hands-down the best of all note taking apps that is present in the market. Evernote is the modern workspace that syncs between all of your devices. Evernote is fast and simple but its also powerful enough to handle all the different ways you might need to take your notes. Evernote also lets you record voice memos, upload photos and even set reminders. The application follows Google’s Material design and is very simple to use.
Qwik Beta
Price: Free
If you are looking for an app to replace Google Now, look no further than Qwik. Qwik is an application that replaces your Google Now and you can access it by swiping up from your virtual home button or by just long pressing the capacitive home button. The app will open up as an overlay above your current application, this means you will be able to productively perform tasks without having to leave your current application. The application provides you the unique features like direct calling, direct messaging, built-in google search and advance power menu. All of these features you can access by just swiping up the home button without leaving your current application.
Todoist: To-Do List, Task List
Price: Free | $30/year
Todoist is a cross-platform To-Do app, with group projects and tasks. You can add, complete, and re-schedule tasks from your phone, tablet, desktop, browser, email, smartwatch and more – even offline! You can even add integration to the application like Google Drive, IFTTT and Cloudmagic.The best part of Todoist is that it’s free and available across multiple platforms. At the reasonable price of $29 per year, you can upgrade the service to include calendar sync, extended sharing, and more.
join.me
Price: Free
With the join.me mobile viewer you can join an online meeting no matter where you are. Download the app, and in seconds you can view someone’s screen and collaborate in real time, on your time. This is probably the easiest screen sharing service that I have encountered. The person sharing their screens downloads and runs a single executable file to their PC or Mac, then gives the other person the meeting ID #, and voila, you can see what they see. The best part is that it’s all free.
Any.do: To-Do List | Task List
Price: Free
Any.Do is at heart just a task list, but it’s an incredibly stylish one that doubles as a note-taking solution and diary. You can schedule things for the future with reminders, or just let them rest in the present. To cross something off your list, just swipe across its entry and Any.Do greys it out. You can also share tasks and lists with your team and family. Any.do stays perfectly synced on your mobile, web app, Chrome, and even offline. The Application follows Google’s Material design and its easy to use.
Rewire
Price: Free | IAP
Rewire offers a clean and easy way to keep track of activities that you want to do everyday. It helps you create good habits or break bad ones. Rewire uses Seinfeld’s productivity secret which consists of creating a chain of days in which you have to complete your goal. The longer the chain gets, the less likely you are to break it. Your only goal will be to not break the chain. It is an effective way to keep yourself motivated and change how you spend your time.
Journal with Narrate
Price : Free | IAP
Now you may be wondering why a journal app has made its way to the productivity section. Well the answer is simple. Keeping a running log about what you have done in a day reminds you of how productive or not productive you were. If you were productive, you will feel better about how that day went, or if you weren’t as productive, keeping a journal about it will help you realize that you haven’t accomplished what you wanted in that day. Narrate offers a clean and intuitive way for people to keep them on track to accomplish what they want.
Google Drive
Price: Free | $1.99 – $299.99
With up to 15GB of free storage, and the ability to upload any file type makes Google Drive incredibly useful in backing up, editing, and sharing documents and images. The most common files types like PowerPoint documents, Excel documents, Word documents, PDFs, MP3s, and jpegs are mostly what I store in my Google Drive. Given that Google built Chrome as well, Google Drive integrates seamlessly to your desktop and makes locating documents even easier than using Windows Explorer. Gone are the days of needing to email yourself a file, or saving documents to flash drives thanks to apps like Google Drive. Another great feature is the ability to collaborate on a file with multiple people, with easy ways to view edits and comments. This is definitely a “must have” app for almost everyone.
Dropbox
Price : Free | IAP
Dropbox is a free cloud service that manages photos, documents, and videos and helps keep your smartphone’s memory free. Similar to Google Drive, Dropbox can store any file type and manage them via mobile devices, laptops, desktops, and is compatible with Windows and Mac OS. Dropbox is great for when you have a large file that you cannot email due to size. Upload your 200MB video to Dropbox and then share it with friends, family, and coworkers with shareable links. Dropbox also comes loaded with features like being able to view PDF documents without having to leave to app.
IF by IFTTT
Price: Free
IF is an automation app that works for you. Its job is to connect apps and services – think Facebook, Dropbox, Gmail, and many more – in a way that makes them react to specific triggers. You can create your own recipes according to your needs. The “this” part acts as a trigger while the “that” part acts as an action. You can create recipes like posting all of your Instagram Photos to Twitter. Overall, this is a neat little handy app that deserves a try!.
Slack
Price: Free
Slack is a great app for team communication. Here at AndroidGuys we use Slack to keep in touch and communicate new ideas with each other. We have writers that span the globe from Southern California to India making Slack an essential tool in keeping us productive and up-to-date. Features include real time messaging, group messaging, one-to-one conversations, integration with tools like Dropbox and Twitter, configurable notifications, and inline images and video so you don’t have to leave the app. Slack also has a web interface for using at your computer as well as a stand alone computer app.
Conclusion
Overall, if you are looking to get the most of out your smartphone then these apps are for you. Do you have another productivity app not listed here that you can’t live without? Let us know in the comment section down below.
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