Sundar Pichai talks new internet initiatives for India
Google’s Sundar Pichai has been in India this week to host the “Google for India” press event. The tech giant has just announced that it will be starting up a number of new initiatives in the country, including public WiFi initiatives, country specific service optimizations and additional development taking place in the country itself.
To start with, Google announced new plans to increase its engineering presence in India with a major expansion at its Hyderabad campus. The company says that the expansion will be working to bring all Indians online. Google is also launching a program to train two million new Android developers over the next three years and will be working closely with 30 Universities across the country to offer courses.
As part of its efforts to tailor services specifically to Indian consumers, Google is also planning to further improve support for 2G connections. Google already introduced its “lighter” search results for mobile this year and the Android Chome browser was also recently updated with an improved Data Saver mode. Google Maps and Youtube also now have offline modes, which is certainly useful in patchy or slow network areas.
See also: Google Maps offline navigation and search now in India
Also, Google’s big announcement was that the Mumbai Central will be the first station to come online as part of its program with Indian Railways and Railtel to offer free WiFi inside railway stations. The plan is to have 100 additional stations up and running by the end of 2016, which should better connect the 10 million commuters who pass through these stations every day. Google is also planning to expand its rural internet bike initiative with Tata Trusts, with hopes to reach 300,000 villages nationwide within three years.
India has been a key market for Google in the past and is becoming increasingly important as more and more consumers jump online. Google seems to be making every effort to foster a positive early relationship with India’s ever growing online audience.
iPhone 6s Tops Google’s 2015 ‘Year in Search’ List in Consumer Tech
Google today released its annual “Year in Search” results, highlighting popular and trending searches in 2015. Apple-related search terms continued to rank highly in the consumer tech category, with iPhone 6s taking the top spot and Samsung Galaxy S6, Apple Watch, iPad Pro and LG G4 rounding off the top five globally.
Samsung’s Galaxy Note 5 and Galaxy J5, HTC’s One M9, Huawei’s Nexus 6P and Microsoft’s Surface Pro 4 were also among the top ten Google searches in the consumer tech category this year. No technology-related terms made it into Google’s top ten searches overall in 2015.
In Google’s 2014 Year in Search, a number of Apple-related search terms similarly ranked highly among the most trending searches in the Consumer Electronics category, with “iPhone 6” taking #1, “Apple Watch” taking #8, and “iPad Air” taking #10. Flappy Bird also ranked #6 in Google’s top 10 overall trending searches in 2014.
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Google Play Books has been updated with “Night Light” feature that reduces blue light
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We’ve all heard various health experts tell us that reading on smart devices immediately bed is bad for sleeping habits, but for many of us, it’s the only time that we get to kick back and enjoy a good book. In fact, Google says that peak reading times for its users is between the hours of 8pm and 10pm, a period that most health experts would be recommending you switch off your devices. Lucky then that Google Play Books has been updated with a “Night Light” feature that reduces the amount of blue light coming from your device’s display as the day goes on, making for more comfortable and safer reading later in the day, even in low-light.
http://playboard.me/widgets/pb-app-box/1/pb_load_app_box.jsTo use this new feature, you’ll need the latest version of Play Books which is rolling out from today on all Android devices with it installed – you’ll probably need to keep an eye out for it over the next few days. To activate it, all you need to do is start reading and then select the Night Light option from the menu.
What do you think about this new Night Light feature in Google Play Books? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
Source: Android Official Blog via Android Police
The post Google Play Books has been updated with “Night Light” feature that reduces blue light appeared first on AndroidSPIN.
Project Fi now available on tablets and other data-only devices
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A new Project Fi support page has gone up on Google’s website, and it allows Fi users to add a tablet or other data-only device for no additional monthly fee. This follows suit with Google’s “pay for only what you use” structure. It appears like Google is not charging for SIM cards either.
Google’s current list of acceptable hardware is as follows:
- Nexus 7 – K009 (US LTE)
- Nexus 9 – 0P82300 (US LTE)
- iPad Air 2 – Model A1567
- iPad mini 4 – Model A1550
- Galaxy Tab S – Model SM-T807V
You can add up to nine data-only devices to an existing Project Fi plan. If you do not have an existing plan, you can sign up for one here. Google’s support page also mentions that some T-Mobile compatible GSM-unlocked phones may work with the service as well, and that users can order a SIM and test it for themselves.
Project Fi is a Google MVNO that uses the T-Mobile and Sprint networks in the U.S. It costs $20/month for unlimited calls and texts and $10/month for each GB of data thereafter. Google refunds you for unused data, so for example, if you you use 2.5GB of data one month, your total bill would be $45 for that month. On this data-only plan however, you are only able to access the T-Mobile network.
Source: Google Support
The post Project Fi now available on tablets and other data-only devices appeared first on AndroidSPIN.
Google Play Books new blue light filter reduces eye strain
Google’s usage research indicates that most of us do a majority of our reading between 8 and 10 pm — you know right before bed. But doing so in a dimly-lit bedroom can wreak havoc on your eyes, not to mention your circadian rhythm. That’s why Google’s newest update to its Play Books app includes a new feature called Night Light.
It gradually replaces the amount of bright blue light emanating from your screen with warmer, yellow tones that don’t reset your internal clock. What’s more, the app matches the screen’s color and brightness to the time of day to further reduce visual strain. The feature is available on Play Books’ most recent versions for both iOS and Android. To activate it, simply tap the Night Light option and the app will take care of the rest.
Source: Android Blog
Now that Play Music’s family plan is out, have you switched?
Like millions others, I’ve been a happy Spotify Premium member for some time now, and have been very satisfied with the music abilities it provides. High quality sound, downloading music for offline playback, and no ads made this service an easy choice for me. It was only until Google made the announcement that they were launch a family plan for Google Play Music that I had doubts of being a Spotify premium member for much longer. Of course, this isn’t because I’m in any way dissatisifed with Spotify, it’s just how enticing Google’s new offer is.
The timing made all the difference too. Half of my family used Beats Music thanks to a deal offered by AT&T a while back, but when Apple announced they’d be shutting down Beats Music to integrate its resources into Apple Music, they needed a better family alternative. When I mentioned to them that a six device family subscription to Play Music comes with YouTube Red, a package that gets rid of ads and allows audio playback when your device is off, it was obvious what they did next.
While offering a family plan for $14.99 is very similar to other music services, Google’s inclusion of YouTube Red is a great deal for us, and if marketed right, will attract a lot of new subscribers. Getting rid of the two things that YouTube users hate on mobile devices (ads and no sleep mode playback) is truly the cherry on top for their family plan.
So my question is, are there any of you in a similar situation? Spotify clearly understands the situation and competition this holiday season, as they are offering three months of premium service for an extremely low price of 99 cents. Another great deal being offered by them until the end of December is a $9.99 family plan for the first three months. Which music service appeals to you most this holiday season? Will it be Google’s new intriguing family package, Spotify’s crazy low prices, the new Apple Music service, or maybe the ad-free Pandora One? Let us know what you’re listening to in the comments!
The post Now that Play Music’s family plan is out, have you switched? appeared first on AndroidGuys.
Google adds data-only support to Project Fi, Apple tablets included
When Google launched the service, Project Fi supported just one phone. Project Fi started with the Nexus 6 alone before replacing that support with the Nexus 6P and Nexus 5X. A whopping two devices, no matter how current they are, isn’t exactly a winning strategy. Google needs to allow more devices to join its service that is backed by T-Mobile and Sprint networks. Today, the company announced that data-only devices will be admitted to the service without any monthly device fee.
Project Fi customers can use a data-only device for $10 for 1GB per month. Staying true to the service’s premise, Google is charging for exactly what is used. Don’t need all of that data? google will credit you for what’s left at the end of each month.
These are the compatible devices named by Google:
- Nexus 7
- Nexus 9
- Samsung Galaxy Tab S
- Apple iPad Mini 4
- Apple iPad Air 2
No, you’re eyes are not tricking you. Google is accepting two of Apple’s tablets for operation with Project Fi in addition to two of its own Nexus tablets and last year’s Galaxy Tab S. Head over to the Account page of Project Fi’s website and you can order data-only SIM cards for free. Pop it in your tablet and you can travel the country with Google’s service paying you for any unused data.
Android Police was able to confirm with Google that data-only SIM cards will operate solely on T-Mobile’s network.
Source: Google Product Forums
Via: Android Police
Come comment on this article: Google adds data-only support to Project Fi, Apple tablets included
Android Wear gets nine new designer watch faces
Android Wear has been out for a little while now, and over the past year we have seen some very nice watches start using it. Even real watch manufactures are getting in on the action such as TAG Heuer and fashion brand Fossil.
However, one of the main reasons that make a smartwatch more interesting compared to a regular watch is you can change the watch face at any time. To celebrate that feature, Google has contacted nine fashion brands, each who has made their own Android Wear watch face.
- Ted Baker: Reveal your sophisticated side with ten gorgeous designs.
- Melissa Joy Manning: Rock a different birthstone for every month of the year.
- Vivienne Tam: Watch Opera Girl twirl, take a selfie, and more.
- Nicole Miller: Stay on track and in style with Nicole Miller’s pop art.
- Y-3: Sport the styles of Yohji Yamamoto, inspired by the beauty of human movement.
- Mango: Add instant chic to any outfit with this ready-to-wear watch face.
- Zoe Jordan: Free your time of clutter with the clean lines of modern design.
- Harajuku Kawaii!: Express your playful side with this adorable and vibrant watch face.
- ASICS: Motivate yourself to stay active with the help of your fitness buddy.
Currently, these can be downloaded today on Android, and iOS owners will receive them in the Android Wear mobile app later this week.
Source: Android Official Blog
Come comment on this article: Android Wear gets nine new designer watch faces
Google launches Lightsaber Escape, an browser game that turns your phone into a lightsaber
Google’s latest Chrome experiment involves your computer, your smartphone, and a lightsaber, and it’s as cool as it sounds.
The browser-based game links your desktop (or laptop) with your smartphone, and allows you to play the game by using your phone as the hilt of a lightsaber. It’s an extremely unique way to play a game, especially one that’s based in a web browser.
You can see everything in action below, or follow the link to get your personalized address to start playing.
source: Chrome
Click here to view the embedded video.
Come comment on this article: Google launches Lightsaber Escape, an browser game that turns your phone into a lightsaber
Google launches Lightsaber Escape, an browser game that turns your phone into a lightsaber
Google’s latest Chrome experiment involves your computer, your smartphone, and a lightsaber, and it’s as cool as it sounds.
The browser-based game links your desktop (or laptop) with your smartphone, and allows you to play the game by using your phone as the hilt of a lightsaber. It’s an extremely unique way to play a game, especially one that’s based in a web browser.
You can see everything in action below, or follow the link to get your personalized address to start playing.
source: Chrome
Click here to view the embedded video.
Come comment on this article: Google launches Lightsaber Escape, an browser game that turns your phone into a lightsaber
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