Google’s likely Pixel phone event is happening October 4th
Hot on the heels of rumors and whispers aplenty, Google is sending out invites to an October 4th event that’s expected to reveal, in full, new flagship Android phones, likely tagged with its Pixel branding. We’re sure the company has more than a new phone or two. Unfortunately those aforementioned rumors also suggest they may not be as handily priced as their Nexus forefathers. We’ll be there to tell you all the important stuff. That said, the teaser video (below) doesn’t show us much of anything. Maybe it’s a new vertical search box? Be still, my beating heart.
Google’s next phones may be much more expensive
For years, Google’s reference Android smartphones have been relative bargains. Even the $649 Nexus 6 was a steal considering its then cutting-edge screen. You might have to get used to shelling out much more going forward, though. A reportedly trustworthy Android Police source claims that Google’s HTC-made 2016 phones (currently known as the Pixel and Pixel XL) will start at $649. That’s the typical manufacturer price for a mainstream device like the iPhone 7 or Galaxy S7, and well above the $499 it took to buy the Nexus 6P when it was new. The Pixel XL would almost certainly cost more, too.
Supposedly, Google is counting on financing options to soften the blow. And while Verizon will purportedly be the only US carrier selling the Pixels in stores, you’d still get to buy them online from Google.
It’s not clear what’s prompting the price hike, provided it’s real. High-end specs by themselves don’t dictate prices at Google. However, CEO Sundar Pichai previously hinted that future Google phones would be more “opinionated,” carrying distinctive software features that help them stand out. In that light, the Pixel line may represent a change in focus. Instead of focusing on developers and early adopters, as with the Nexus line, Google could directly compete with high-end Android manufacturers that already offer unique takes on Android. That’s something of a gamble — does the Google name command that much of a premium? You might not have long to wait for the truth, however, when rumors have the Pixel range launching on October 4th.
Source: Android Police
Samsung shows how to identify safe Galaxy Note 7 models
Samsung has already hinted that there will be easy ways to determine whether or not the Galaxy Note 7 you have in your hand has a safe battery, but it’s not leaving anything to chance. The company has posted a guide that shows you exactly what to look for if you’re worried that someone gave you a dud. That green battery icon Samsung mentioned before? It’ll be everywhere, whether it’s in the status bar, the always-on display mode or the power-off screen. You can also look for a square symbol on the box label. These visual cues will likely be unnecessary before long, but it’s good to have them in case someone tries to sell you one of the fire-prone models.
Via: Gizmodo
Source: Samsung Newsroom
Google Photos intros smart themed movies and faster sharing
Google Photos already makes movies using your photos, but they don’t really have that personal touch. Where’s that Facebook-style ability to automatically create videos around major life events? Relax, it’s here: Google is trotting out a Photos update that introduces smart themed movies. The service now digs through your whole photo collection and creates clips based around concepts, such as your children growing up. In that case, it’ll find high-quality photos of your young ones (no blurry shots, thankfully) and stitch them together to show their progress over the years. Only a few concepts will pop up this week, such as a summer retrospective and a concept for formal events, but there are more “coming soon.”
On top of that, it’s now much quicker to share photos and videos with friends. There’s a new in-app share sheet on Android and iOS that focuses on people, rather than third-party apps. You just choose the photos, choose the recipients and fire away. Google Photos users will get a notification, while email and SMS users will get a web link. Frankly, that’s how it should be — you probably care more about who gets that album than where you’re sending it from.
Via: The Verge
Source: Google Official Blog
Google Trips is a pocket-sized vacation guide
If you’ve ever visited a foreign country and realized that you’re not quite sure what to do after hitting all the major tourist attractions, the new Google Trips app might be the digital tour guide you’re looking for. The new app for iOS and Android helps build itineraries around the places you already want to see to help travelers get the most out of their vacation.
In addition to building a game plan for your time away, the app gathers all the information about your vacation — including flights and hotels from your Gmail account — and automatically places them into the trip. That itinerary is then downloadable and available offline in case you’re unable to track down WiFi or don’t an international data plan.
Google says its new app has information available for the top 200 cities around the world. So there’s a good chance if you’re headed out on vacation, Google Trips will have some ideas on what you can do when you get there.
Chrome beta for Android plays web videos in the background
Ever wanted to listen to the audio from a web video on your Android phone, but couldn’t because the sound would stop the moment you switched apps? You won’t be hampered from now on. Google has released a beta of Chrome 54 for Android that plays web videos in the background, letting you carry on with other tasks while you finish that lecture or video podcast. You’ll get a notification with basic play/pause controls in case you need to take a break. There’s no firm indication of when the finished Chrome 54 will be ready for everyone, but you can grab the beta from Google Play if you’re feeling experimental.
Source: Chromium Blog, Google Play
Google for Work will supposedly be renamed to Google Cloud
If you’re used to seeing Google for Work branding on your employer’s web apps like Docs and Inbox, changes are coming. For now, it sounds superficial, according to a report from The Information. The publication’s sources say that the search juggernaut is changing the name to Google Cloud, and that the change will also cover Chromebooks and Android devices in addition to web services. “The name change is Google’s way of saying, ‘We have the best cloud platform, period,’” according to an anonymous source. The publication goes on to say that this should all be made official at a Google Cloud event later this month on the 29th.
Source: The Information
Microsoft renames its Health app after the Band wearable
Sure, Microsoft may not be releasing a new version of its Band activity tracker this year. But that hasn’t stopped the company from rebranding its generically named Health app on Android, as noticed by Paul Thurrott. “We’ve got a new name! The Microsoft Health app is now the Microsoft Band app, everything else is the same,” the patch notes say.
Apparently, bug fixes are a part of the update too, but if recent Google Play reviews are anything to go by, the application still needs a ton more where those came from. Over on iOS, the app still carries the Health name. Now to see if a new moniker sparks fresh interest from its developers. Spoiler: it probably won’t.
Via: Paul Thurrott
Source: Google Play
Qualcomm could make dual cameras standard on phones
Qualcomm’s new offering called “Clear Sight” could put dual cameras in more Android phones. It’s a single module that’s already equipped with two rear cameras and low light imaging algorithms, after all, and phonemakers can simply slap it onto their devices instead of developing their own. It’s more similar to Huawei P9’s Leica-endorsed dual cams than to the iPhone 7’s in that Clear Sight is comprised of a black-and-white and a color image sensor. See, black-and-white sensors can take better images in low-lighting than color sensors can. So, the tech combines the B&W photo taken by one of the cameras with the colors captured by the other to get the best of both worlds.
Since it’s only compatible with phones powered by a premium Snapdragon 820 or 821 processor, expect any Clear Sight device to be on the higher end of the pricing scheme. But who knows — it could make dual cameras so common until they become a staple even in more affordable Android devices.
Via: The Verge
Source: Qualcomm
Foursquare’s revamped city guide app puts search at its center
Foursquare’s namesake app is all about finding things to do around town, but it hasn’t really put the strongest focus on the finding part — it’s usually focused on suggestions. Well, the company is fixing that today. The new Foursquare 10 for Android and iOS has a redesigned home screen that puts search at its heart. On top of a more prominent search box, you’ll also get big quick access buttons that help you find common activities, such as dinner or nightclubs. And if you’re on iOS 10, you’ll get rich notifications that include photos and quick actions.
If you spend more of your time in Swarm, you’re also in luck. If you’ve spent ages accumulating in-game coins, you can now spend them to unlock the service’s real-world deals. UNIQLO will give you a $5 gift card, for instance, while Miami’s Dragonfly Izakaya & Fish Market will give you $10 off. San Francisco’s Balboa Cafe will even hand you some free ice cream. And now that those coins are useful for more than stickers, you have more ways to earn them — the app will occasionally ask you trivia questions about your travels (say, the last time you hung out somewhere) in return for some virtual currency. In short: you now have a good fiscal incentive to use Swarm every day, not just when you’re out on the town.
Via: TechCrunch
Source: Foursquare, App Store, Google Play
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