Google makes big clean energy purchase to power data centers
Powering Google’s online empire takes a lot of energy, and the company wants to use all clean sources to run its data centers by 2025. The company announced the next step towards that milestone today with word that it purchased 842 megawatts of renewable energy on three continents. The purchase includes solar and wind power in locales that range from North Carolina to Chile and Sweden, doubling what it had bought so far. Google says today’s announcement is the largest purchase of clean energy by a non-utility company ever.
Source: Google
Movies and TV may be next for YouTube Red
Today we received word on a new report that Google is attempting to obtain streaming rights from Hollywood Studios and a number of other production companies.
Word is that YouTube Red may add the functionality of watching movies and streaming live TV. Google is on a hunt to find startup TV series’ to be exclusive for Red subscribers. Google also wants to add shows that can live-stream their content on Red at the same time they would on TV. With this, Google’s aim is to attract some subscribers from popular services like Netflix and Hulu. With movies, TV, ad-free music, and background playing all in a single app for $9.99 month, it may be too hard to ignore. In addition, paid subscribers of Red will also get Google Play All Access for free since it’s a Google service, making a two for the price of one value. Let’s see if they can get the job done!
Source: WSJ
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Wayfindr gets Google grant to solve navigation for the blind
Wayfindr, the vision-impaired navigation solution originally conceived by multidisciplinary design studio Ustwo, is a step closer to becoming reality. After a pair of small-scale trials, the audio-based system is headed to London’s busy Euston station, which averages around 3.4 million visits per month. The pilot scheme uses Bluetooth beacons paired with regular smartphones to guide visually-impaired travellers around Euston’s complex web of interconnecting tunnels. But as exciting as the trial is for those involved, it’s a tiny fraction of what Wayfindr wants to achieve.
YouTube plans to add movies and TV shows to subscription service
When YouTube took the wraps off its Red subscription service, the video website confirmed that it’s developing a number of original shows. Now, a new report by the The Wall Street Journal says you can also expect to see movies and TV series among Red’s offerings. The Alphabet Inc. property has reportedly begun meeting with Hollywood studios and production companies in an effort to secure streaming rights. YouTube’s execs, including former MTV programming chief Susanne Daniels and former Netflix content executive Kelly Merryman, haven’t been snapping just up any old show you can watch everywhere else, though. They’ve apparently been looking for content that can be seen exclusively on Red, or those that can be streamed on Red at the same time they’re shown on TV or in the theatres.
Source: The Wall Street Journal
Andy Rubin rumoured to be planning a move back into Android smartphones
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If there’s one man to thank for the success of Android, even if it’s his contemporaries that have really helped it stretch its legs, it’s Andy Rubin. The so-called “father of Android” hasn’t worked at Google since 2014, leaving to start a hardware startup incubator called Playground Global, but rumour has it that Rubin has started searching for employees to help start a new smartphone company. And to make the circle fully complete, it’s pretty obvious that whatever smartphone they make will be running Android.
The funding is likely to come from Playground Global which allegedly has around $300 million banked – more than enough to see what’s what in the smartphone industry. Presumably the idea would be to become a low-margin manufacturer along the lines of OnePlus, which would be a sight to see indeed. Regardless, we’re interested to see whether these rumours are true, and if so, where Rubin takes his new Android hardware crew.
What do you think about Andy Rubin working with Android smartphones again? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
Source: The Information via Phandroid
The post Andy Rubin rumoured to be planning a move back into Android smartphones appeared first on AndroidSPIN.
Signal Desktop beta now available as a Chrome app
Roughly a month ago we told you Open Whisper Systems’ secure messaging app Signal is available on Android. However, Open Whisper Systems are also bringing a beta version of their app to the Chrome Store.
Signal will still feature end-to-end encryption in Chrome. However, the Android version and desktop version can be linked to share a single login. This means all your messages are displayed consistently on all your devices. This feature is currently only for Android, but will soon come to iOS too.
Source: Open Whisper Systems
Come comment on this article: Signal Desktop beta now available as a Chrome app
In January, Google Play Music will finish absorbing Songza
Songza was a pretty unique little streaming service while it lasted. Although it never really garnered the subscriber-base that it needed to survive independently, it did develop a passionate group of followers who loved Songza’s ad-supported free streaming and extensive listing of hand-crafted playlists. More importantly, what caught the eye of Google was Songza’s “Concierge” feature, which anticipated the kind of music you may want to listen to depending on the time of day, location, and mood.
By the end of January, Songza will be shutting down permanently, but there is good news for Songza fans: all of the streaming service’s features have been fully integrated into Google Play Music.
See also: Podcasts are finally coming to Google Play Music
Surprise biology lesson! Okay, so you may remember being taught that the mitochondrion is the powerhouse of the cell, right? It’s a tiny organelle that produces most of the energy that eukaryotic cells need to survive. Well, did you know that scientists believe that billions of years ago, mitochondria were their own separate bacteria? After being absorbed by the host cell, the plucky little organism set up shop and just kept doing its thing to the benefit of both the cell and itself. 2 billion years later, mitochondria are a crucial part of cellular anatomy.
What we’re seeing with Google Play Music and Songza is a pretty close parallel. Songza wasn’t ever robust enough to survive on its own, and Google Play Music lacked a certain umph to make it truly competitive with Spotify. Now, with Songza’s full suite of features serving as its powerhouse, maybe Google Play Music will start getting the subscribers they need.
See also: Google buys Songza to improve curation on Play Music and YouTube
Starting today, Songza users will be receiving a notification alerting them that the end is nigh. However, they will also be presented with a quick-and-easy walkover process that will convert their Songza account over to Google Play Music more or less completely. All of your playlists, all of your radio stations, every song you thumbs-upped or thumbs-downed; all of it will make the transition safely. Google Play Music is telling Spotify users that they’ll be able to continue using the features that they love without ever missing a beat.
This transition comes on the tail of Google Play Music finally polishing off a free-to-listen model that mimics Songza’s service. Google hopes that more and more users will eventually upgrade to Google Play Music All Access, the $9.99/mo premium version of the service that includes YouTube Red as part of the package.
Are you a Songza user? How do you feel about this? Let us know in the comments!
Andy Rubin eyes return to Android
Andy Rubin, one of Android’s co-founders, might be returning to the very industry that he helped shape years ago. Amir Efrati of The Information is reporting that Rubin is itching to return to the mobile industry after being absent for nearly three years and has already started to recruit employees for a new hardware manufacturer.
Once Google acquired Android Inc. in 2005 and turned it into its own mobile platform, Rubin became Senior Vice President for the rest of the company’s mobile efforts. He left Android in March 2013 but didn’t completely abandon Google. Rubin worked on robotics for Google to see if the automation of manufacturing and distribution could be furthered. At the time, Google was said to be interested in challenging Amazon as an online retailer.
Rubin’s new company could be funded by Playground Global, a tech incubator founded by himself. Playground Global has raised in the ballpark of $300 million — much of it coming from Google, Foxconn, HP, Tencent, and Seagate — since launching in 2015, but the money was directed at artificial intelligence and home automation. Assuming he didn’t spend it all and investors come rushing to his next idea, we’re probably looking at Andy Rubin’s return to the mobile industry take place in early 2017 or beyond. This industry isn’t easily penetrable and Rubin knows just how much power companies like Samsung and Apple have. And with no company proving to be competitive with Samsung on the Android side of things, Rubin might have sight on an opening. It will take a lot of time and money before Rubin feels he has something to enter the market and generate profit.
Join us!! https://t.co/D3uZloTQyO
— Andy Rubin (@Arubin) April 28, 2015
http://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js
Playground Global’s site lists multiple jobs relating to hardware engineering, mechanical engineering, industrial design, and software. But the job descriptions note that employees will be helping other companies in their endeavors. A new mobile device manufacturer could very well be what Playground Global is seeking to be involved in. And it won’t be difficult to bring multiple parties together if one person is behind it all.
It’s currently unclear if Rubin wants to run the new company or just bankroll it.
Source: The Information
Come comment on this article: Andy Rubin eyes return to Android
Google Play Music is finally available in Canada
Unfortunately for some, Songza will be shutting down. However, the good news is it will be merging with Google Play Music. The even better news, especially for me, Google Play Music is coming to Canada!
Google Play Music now has a free, ad-supported streaming service available in Canada. Each station has music already picked out for you, all you have to do is click play and enjoy. You can also browse by genre, mood, decade or activity. As well as search for artists, albums, or songs to create your own station. Also, Songza users can join Google Play Music for free.
Google Play Music will also now support Podcasts. Listeners will be able to find Podcasts just like they can with normal songs thanks to Google’s curation technology that searches for things like your mood or interest. However, Podcasters will get first dibs at getting access to the service so they can upload all their shows before listeners start searching for them in the coming months.
Google Play Music is ad supported, but you can also subscribe for ad-free listening. The subscription also gives you access to offline music, ability to create your own playlists, and listen to any of the 30 million songs in Google’s library as much as you’d like. Also, almost as a bonus, you will get access to ad-free and offline YouTube music video content. Wether you decide to subscribe or stick to the free version, you will be able to store and play up to 50,000 songs from your own collection for free.
Click here to view the embedded video.
Source: Google Canada
Come comment on this article: Google Play Music is finally available in Canada
Zenwatch 2: A full featured Android Wear watch that won’t break the bank
Wearable technology has taken a little longer than expected to get off the ground in terms of adoption rate. Even Apple’s Watch has been a let down for investors and many have given up on the wearable technology as a major area for financial growth. Until now, Android Wear devices have been rather expensive, lacking in design, or leaving much to desire in terms of features.
ASUS has made it much easier to adopt wearable technology with the Zenwatch 2 as its starting price is an affordable $129.00. And just because it is over half of the price of competitors, like the Moto 360 2nd generation and the Huawei Watch, it doesn’t lack in design and runs the same full featured software in Android Wear.
Design
The ASUS Zenwatch 2 comes in two sizes, the larger size measures in at 49.6mm and the smaller is 42mm. Rather than being circular, the watch is a rectangular shape with a metal case, matte plastic rear cover, with a thoughtfully placed and designed button on the right side of the watch. My particular model, the W1501Q(49.6mm) came with a textured dark blue leather wrist band, graphite colored case with a slightly rose colored gold button.
Being a rectangle with a 1.63″ AMOLED display, the Zenwatch 2 does have decent sized bezels to the screen. I actually do not think the bezels look bad – if there were no bezels the watch would be too small for me. If the display was maximized to the edges, it might be too bright for me and would be a distraction. The resolution is 320 x 320, or 278ppi which is barely low enough resolution to see pixels if you look for them.
Sporting an AMOLED display, the colors are rich and the contrast ratio is perfect as blacks blend in with the bezels of the display.
A nice feature that ASUS factored into the Asus Zenwatch 2 is using a standard 22mm quick-release band which means you can swap your wrist band with ones commonly found on other watches. If you want to make it sporty, you can add a rubber wrist band, or if you want to make it more industrial looking, throw on a dark metal link band.
The charging cable is a proprietary magnetic four pin connector which you must have in order to charge the watch. It also comes with an IP67 rating which means the Zenwatch 2 is dust-proof and can withstand 30 minutes of water exposure up to 3ft deep. And that does not cover salt water.
Software
The ASUS Zenwatch 2 uses the same software that the LG Urbane, Moto 360 2nd generation, Huawei Watch, and the Tag Heuer Connected watch use – Android Wear. Android Wear is Google’s software that seamlessly integrates with most Android smartphones.
Android Wear does require you to download the Android Wear app, which will allow for these functions:
-Check important info like who’s calling, SMS and messages, and alerts from your favorite apps. You can even speak or draw a quick response right from your watch.
-Get built-in fitness monitoring and coaching from your favorite running and fitness apps: Endomondo, Google Fit, Runkeeper, Strava, and more. -Track your steps, distance, and calories while you walk, run, or ride your bike. And even measure your heart rate.
– Save time with smart help from Google. Get reminders from Google Now about your next appointment, current traffic conditions, flight status, restaurant reservation, and more. Speak “Ok Google” to ask any question you want.
-Pursue your passions with Google Maps, Foursquare, Google Play Music, Shazam, WhatsApp, and thousands more of your favorite Android apps.
The beauty of the Asus Zenwatch 2 is being priced starting at $129, it runs the same software as the $300 Huawei Watch and the $1500 Tag Heuer Connected watch. So extra money doesn’t get extra software features in this case.
And like all other Android Wear Watches, Asus does provide watch faces designed just for the Zenwatch 2. And just recently, my watch was updated with Christmas themed watch faces, which actually is a cute and thoughtful addition. Christmas themed watch faces aren’t necessarily my style, but that doesn’t mean I can’t appreciate them. Of course, you are free to download and install new watch faces from the Google Play Store as well.
Usage
I’ve been fortunate to have access to a selection of Android Wear devices – The original Moto 360, Huawei Watch, LG Urbane 2nd Edition, Lg G Watch R, Lg G Watch, and now the Asus Zenwatch 2. Having access to a variety of watches gives me a better ability to compare hardware since the software is the same across the watches. Watches for me, as much as I hate to admit this, need to look “good”. They are almost always visible and I really don’t want to wear something that looks “dorky”. That’s a very personal and subjective matter and everyone’s tolerance for “dorky” is different.
With that being said, I actually find the reasonably priced Zenwatch 2 to look very nice and classy. Sure you can tell it is a smartwatch when wearing it, but with the dark blue real leather watchband, the metal case and glossy display look very nice. And what really sets it off is that slightly rose colored button off to the side. Even though Asus didn’t break the bank with the hardware, you can tell they made aesthetics a top priority. There’s even a part of me that finds the Zenwatch 2 to be more “dressy” than the Huawei Watch(metal band) and definitely more dressy than the Moto 360.
Cartier luxury watch.
Lots of people have been balking at the idea of a rectangular smartwatch, but there are many watch makers who make similar shaped watches. If you’ve heard of Cartier, they have been making jewelry and watches since 1847 and was originally founded in France. Cartier watches regularly run into the four to five digit price range, and rectangles have been a signature shape of its watches. Most watch enthusiasts can spot a Cartier from quite a distance based on shape alone. So a watch doesn’t have to be round to look good. In fact, I would take a box shaped watch any day over the flat tire look of the Moto 360. I have NEVER seen a real watch with some of its face missing. Why people find the flat tire look acceptable is beyond me.
The “flat tire” is where Moto houses its sensors.
If a watch looks good to me, the next most important factor is comfort. The Zenwatch 2 is every bit as comfortable as almost any watch I’ve worn of its size. The genuine leather band feels silky smooth, and the watch itself is the perfect size for my wrist. It might be a tad large for people with smaller wrists.
It also has a good sized display which is perfect for my aging eyes. I would rank the Zenwatch 2 near the top of Android Wear watches in terms of comfort. It also doesn’t “feel” cheap like the LG G Watch R or the LG G Watch.
Performance wise the Zenwatch 2 is as snappy as the others. It is powered by a Snapdragon 400, has 512MB of RAM, 4GB of internal memory and has a 400mAh battery. Covering the display is Corning’s Gorilla Glass 3, which should withstand minor bumps and scratches. The face definitely isn’t as durable as the Huawei Watch’s Sapphire display, but if you take care of your Zenwatch 2, the display should hold up fine. If it is worn on your wrist, you really shouldn’t have to worry about dropping it and cracking the screen.
Battery Life
Even though the Asus Zenwatch 2 comes with a decent sized 400mAh battery, which is 25% more than the Huawei Watch, I couldn’t seem to get more than one full day of use out of it. There are many others who have told me that they think the battery on their Zenwatch 2 is fantastic, regularly getting two full days of use, but even with settings on the “Always-on screen” to off, I just didn’t have good battery life.
My Huawei Watch and LG Urbane 2nd Edition both get much better battery life, but one full days use is still acceptable. I just wish I could leave my display set to always on. That’s a personal preference though.
Summary
I was pleasantly surprised with the Asus Zenwatch 2. Before the Asus Zenwatch 2, I had been let down by almost Android Wear devices. In concept and looks they weren’t bad, but most of them looked cheap, felt cheap and were clearly first generation products. It’s why I think wearables were considered a bust in the first year with the vast majority of users. Also, many Android Wear watches were quite expensive, and with phones already in the $500-800 range, dropping another $300 was out of the question for most.
With the Zenwatch 2 starting at $129.00, it makes investing in wearables much easier. $129 is still a decent amount of money, but it isn’t $300 like the first generation Moto 360, or the current starting price of the Huawei Watch. At a more affordable price, it also makes swallowing the limited features of a smartwatch a bit easier to swallow.
Smartwatches still don’t make phone calls, they aren’t able to fully function without a connected smartphone, and they are terrible for doing anything more than basic functions. But they still have a place – they tell time, track activity, send texts and basic emails, search using Google Now, and are a great way to check notifications. People are finally starting to see the value in smartwatches with high quality examples like the Zenwatch 2. In just one year, Asus has proven that Android Wear has a place on your wrist.
Specs
- Processor –Qualcomm Snapdragon 400 1.2GHz
- Operating System- Android Wear
- Memory – 512 MB RAM
- Storage – 4GB eMMC Flash
- Display – AMOLED 1.63″
320×320,
278ppi Touch Display - Sensor- 6-Axis (A+G) with Sensor-hub
- Audio – Built-in microphone
- Battery – 400mAh
- Features- Cover Lens: 2.5D curved Corning® Gorilla® Glass 3
Water Resistance: IP67
Communication: Bluetooth 4.1+WiFi - Dimensions – 1.95 x 1.6 x 0.37 inch (LxWxH) ~ 10.9 mm
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