Google Play Newsstand and Play Music reach new countries – Japan, Thailand and Malaysia
It seems Google chose an odd day to announce availability of Play Newsstand and Play Music in new markets. It might make sense, though, as everyone already had their eyes set on said company today. The more announcements the merrier, and we know today’s new supported markets will definitely be happy to see Newsstand and Play Music coming around.
Google Play Newsstand is heading over to Japan, Malaysia and Thailand. People in these markets will now be able to access magazines and newspapers, subscribe to them and more. Information is key, and moving to a digital world shouldn’t have to mean abandoning these publications.
On the other hand, we have the awesome Google Play Music jamming on Japane devices. This is definitely good news for those who really love their streaming services. Especially considering you could use Google Play Music for free and still get much from it. If you need an extra kick you can also sign up for All Access.
This is just a quick update from the latest Google Play news. Are any of you celebrating this announcement? Hit the comments and let us know what you think of these services. They are both available today, so you should be up and running by now.
Nexus 6P has that black glass window to allow wireless signals to pass through
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Google officially announced the Nexus 6P earlier today, however much of the attention surrounding the device – for the Android faithful, at least – has been the black bar that appears at the top of the device. As it turns out, Google hasn’t lost its mind and the black bar – or rather black glass window – plays a very important role in ensuring the Nexus 6P continues operating optimally. Given that the Nexus 6P is all-aluminium, this makes it hard to get signals out of the body reliably as the aluminium acts as a reflector – enter the black glass window. By allowing a small portion of the device to be a different material – namely Gorilla Glass 4 – the various antennas, NFC and laser autofocus module all have an area to operate out of.
This information was confirmed by a designer at Google speaking with Android Police, so it’s probably true – or at least, as true as Google’s going to tell us. At the very least, it makes sense, so hopefully that makes a few of you look on the Nexus 6P a little less harshly.
What do you think about the Nexus 6P? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
Source: Android Police
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Google announces a new Chromecast, now more colourful and includes “Fast Play”
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We first heard about the new Chromecast in a series of horribly blurry, leaked photos, but thankfully Google has announced the real deal today, and we have to say it actually looks pretty good. If you’re wondering what could possibly have changed between the old and new Chromecasts, you’ll be able to stream high definition media faster than before. There’s also been the addition of a feature called “Fast Play”, which essentially loads content before you’ve started playing it. Of course, there’s also the elephant in the room which is that the new Chromecast is available in three colours this time around – black, red and yellow – and its design is more of a round attachment rather than a dongle.
To complement the release of the new Chromecast, Google is updating the Chromecast app with some nifty new features, such as being able to see which of your apps have Chromecast compatibility. However, the best news among all of this is that the new Chromecast will remain at its original $35 USD price, making it once again one of the best value media streaming options around.
What do you think about the new Chromecast? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
Source: engadget
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Nexus 5X and Nexus 6P pre-orders in the UK on EE starts October 9
An earlier leak revealed that the Nexus 5X and Nexus 6P would only be available to pre-order through Google’s online store. For the most part, that seems to have been the case. However, UK-based carrier EE says it will offer the Nexus 5X and Nexus 6P for pre-order starting October 9.
Those interested in the Huawei-made Nexus 6P will be able to pre-order it for £36.99 or £39.99 per month on a 1GB or 2GB data plan, respectively. The LG-made Nexus 5X, on the other hand, will, as expected, cost less. However, there is a upfront fee of £19.99 on a £31.99 or £34.99 plan, which comes with 500MB and 1GB of data, respectively.
Both of these devices will be available to pre-order on October 9 in-store and online. Unfortunately, there’s no solid date when either device will see an official launch, and if there isn’t enough supply to fulfill the demand, consumers could be waiting some time. Let’s just hope this isn’t another Nexus 4 fiasco in the making.
EE TO OFFER GOOGLE NEXUS 6P AND 5X ON THE UK’S BIGGEST AND FASTEST NETWORK
29th September, 2015. London. EE, the UK’s most advanced digital communications company, today announced it will offer Google’s new flagship smartphones, the Google Nexus 6P and 5X, with Wi-Fi Calling* and world-leading 4G+ speeds on its superfast 4GEE network.
GOOGLE NEXUS 6P: Crafted from aeronautical-grade aluminium with diamond chamfers around the edges, the Nexus 6P sets a new standard for handset design. Powered by a 3,450 mAh battery, the handset has capacity to last all day. Combining a powerful octa-core Qualcomm® Snapdragon™ 810 processor with a 5.7 inch WQHD AMOLED display, the Nexus 6P is perfectly suited to playing the most graphically demanding games, watching HD movies, and listening to audio in crisp quality.
The Nexus 6P will be available for consumer and business customers to pre-order on EE’s superfast 4G network via the EE online shop, EE telesales and EE retail stores on 9th October. From launch, the 6P will be offered on a range of 4GEE price plans, and will be £29.99 on a £36.99 per month, 24 month plan, which comes with 1,000 minutes, unlimited texts and 1GB of mobile data or alternatively get market leading 4G+ speeds, as well as 2GB of mobile data per month on a £39.99 per month plan.
GOOGLE NEXUS 5X: The Nexus 5X is a feature-packed smartphone with a bright 5.2 inch display, and robust hexa-core Snapdragon™ 808 processor, offering a premium mobile experience in a compact and lightweight handset.
The Nexus 5X will be available for consumer and business customers to pre-order on EE’s superfast 4G network via the EE online shop, EE telesales and EE retail stores from 9th October. The 5X will be available for £19.99 on a £31.99 per month, 24 month plan, which includes 500 minutes and texts, and 500MB of mobile data, or alternatively get market leading 4G+ speeds, as well as 1GB of mobile data per month on a £34.99 per month plan.
Both the Nexus 6P and 5X handsets will be shipped with the latest Android 6.0 Marshmallow OS and boast impressive 12.3 megapixel rear cameras capable of 4k video recording. They have also been ergonomically designed to incorporate fast-reading, secure fingerprint scanners placed on the back the devices. A single touch of the fingerprint scanner will turn the phone on and unlock apps for easier access. Finally, customers purchasing the Nexus 6P or 5X on EE will also receive a free three-month trial of Google Play Music, Google’s music streaming subscription service with more than 30 million songs and specially curated playlists to suit a user’s mood.
Pippa Dunn, Chief Marketing Officer, EE, said: “The Nexus family of devices has established a very dedicated fan base, and we’re sure that the new Nexus 5X and 6P iterations will not disappoint with their great design and features. When partnered with the UK’s biggest and fastest network offering superfast market leading 4G+ speeds of up to 90Mbps, customers really will be able to make the very most of their Nexus experience.” EE’s superfast 4G service is currently available in over 600 major towns and cities across the UK, as well as approximately 6,000 smaller towns and villages, and was recently announced as the fastest and most reliable UK network by RootMetrics**. With EE, customers can also receive money back for their old handset by recycling it at an EE store or online at www.ee.co.uk/recycle. Alternatively, until 31st October, EE customers can hand their old device and take out a great value SIM Only plan starting from just £8 a month.
Pre-orders for the Google Nexus 6P and 5X on EE opens on 9th October.
Come comment on this article: Nexus 5X and Nexus 6P pre-orders in the UK on EE starts October 9
Band 12 disabled in new Nexus phones
Although more smartphone manufacturers are going down the path of selling directly to consumers rather than through carriers, a move welcomed by many consumers, there are some pitfalls to be on the lookout for. One of those concerns band 12 LTE and use of these phones with T-Mobile. Following similar issues for the Motorola Moto X Pure Edition, T-Mobile indicates they have managed to get Google to disable band 12 in the new Nexus 5X and Nexus 6P, at least until Google gets the devices certified for VoLTE.
Sources indicate the heart of the problem appears to be connected to areas where T-Mobile only has band 12 available. In those places, to place any kind of call including emergency calls, a device has to support VoLTE. Unfortunately, T-Mobile does not appear to be able to switch a device over to roaming in those situations.
Smaller manufacturers are unlikely to pursue certification due to the cost and time investment. Some think Google could do this, but despite their deep pockets, sales of Nexus devices is likely a very small contributor to their bottom line that does not justify the attempt.
source: Android Police
Come comment on this article: Band 12 disabled in new Nexus phones
Google’s updated Chromecast app is live in the Play Store
Google’s completely revamped Chromecast app is already live in the Play Store just hours after announcement. The app works with the newer iteration of Chromecast and the Chromecast Audio device that the company announced today, and it’s got a few extra features worth taking advantage of.
The biggest change you’ll see is the redesigned interface that goes hand in hand with Google’s newer vision of mobile operating systems. It’s clean and takes many of its cues from the Material Design guidelines that Google introduced with Android 5.0. There’s also a new section for browsing Chromecast-enabled apps which works significantly better than what was previously available, and cards with detailed information about devices, rooms, and content are everywhere.
The new app also has its own set of media control buttons, so you won’t need to jump into the Netflix or Play Music app to stop or skip episodes or songs. Pretty nifty. It also supports Facebook photos for Chromecast’s backdrop feature, so you’ll see your own photos instead of just the pre-supplied nature shots and the like.
Hit the link below to grab the update.
Come comment on this article: Google’s updated Chromecast app is live in the Play Store
Google adds new markets for Play Newsstand and Play Music
As the dust started to settle from today’s big announcements from Google, the Google Play division shared some new markets for the Play Newsstand and Play Music sections of the Play Store.
Joining existing markets, consumers in Japan, Malaysia and Thailand can now tap into Play Newsstand for the latest magazines and newspapers. Meanwhile, Play Music will now be available in Japan. This brings the number of markets with access to Play Newsstand up to 28 and 59 for Play Music.
source: Google Play (Twitter)
Come comment on this article: Google adds new markets for Play Newsstand and Play Music
Google Shopping ads will start popping up on YouTube
Until that rumored ads-free subscription option comes around (if it’s true, that is), you just have to accept that advertisements are a part of YouTube. The latest type you’ll come across in the coming months? Google Shopping ads. According to the Inside AdWords blog, the Shopping ads that will be shown are “selected based on a variety of contextual signals,” making them relevant to the video you’re watching. When YouTube finds a match, you’ll see a small “i” icon on the top right corner of the video — the same one that pops up for TrueView ads — and clicking it opens up a panel that links to related products you can buy. For instance, a video about DSLR will show cameras, lenses and kits for sale from Best Buy and other AdWords clients. Unlike in-stream ads that auto-play before every video, though, you can always just leave the “i” icon untouched if you have zero interest in buying straight from YouTube.
Source: AdWords
Nexus 5X vs Nexus 5 – quick look
Months of rumors preceded today’s unveiling of the Nexus 5X. The phone is all that we expected it to be and more, with a price point and specs that will make it one of the sweetest deals around. So was the Nexus 5 during its times of glory, though. How does the current Nexus 5X compare to its direct predecessor? We put them next to each other in a quick comparison while at Google’s event, so let’s jump into the details and see what’s better in the new Nexus 5-incher!
Design & build quality
Looking around the Nexus 5X we can see that it has some similarities to the previous LG Nexus 5, but these phones are definitely not to be confused. LG has evolved, Google has evolved and the industry has evolved. This evolution is something you can really see reflected when comparing these handsets.
Both devices feature that affordable, utilitarian design with a plastic body, but they definitely don’t feel cheap. They are also about the same weight, with the Nexus 5X weighing 136 grams and the Nexus 5 being 130 grams heavy. The newer Nexus is slightly thinner at 7.9 mm, too.
Now let’s jump into the differences, which there’s plenty of. The most obvious aesthetic changes will be the protruding camera and fingerprint scanner, which adorn the back of the Nexus 5X. Look at the bottom of the phone and you’ll see the new Nexus 5X will also sport a brand new USB Type C port, which is the next step in connectivity and supports more than just data transfers and charging but also is fully reversible. The addition of dual front-facing speakers will also offer a significant difference in the front’s look.
Think of the Nexus 5X and Nexus 5 as devices made with the same audience and purpose in mind, but coming from different ages.
Display
Though the Nexus 5X screen is larger, it doesn’t beat the smaller one by much. The newer Nexus handset sports a 5.2-inch 1080p LCD display. On the other hand, the previous Nexus 5 featured a 4.95-inch 1080p panel. Both have Gorilla Glass 3 protecting them. While the original Nexus 5 will actually offer slightly higher PPI due to the smaller display, the real world difference between the two should be pretty minor.
Hardware
Now, this is where you will find the true changes between the handsets being compared today. The Nexus 5X has a powerful Snapdragon 808 hexa-core processor clocked at 2.0 GHz, 2 GB of RAM and 16-32 GB of internal storage and a 2700 mAh battery with no wireless charging.
Meanwhile, the Nexus 5 has a more outdated Snapdragon 800 chipset running 4 cores at 2.3 GHz, 2 GB of RAM, 16-32 GB of internal storage and a 2300 mAh battery with wireless charging. Of course, the obvious caveat about the newer Nexus phone is the lack of wireless charging, which is a shame to see in a Nexus phone this day and age.
Also important is the Nexus 5X addition of USB-C (already mentioned above) and Nexus Imprint, which allows all security processes to be performed with the aid of that fingerprint reader.
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While the Nexus 5 is still capable of providing a decent Android experience, the Nexus 5X is obviously a major step forward, even if the decision to keep just 2GB of RAM may prove to be a turn off for some.
Camera
I still remember the Nexus 5 announcement. Google was going on and on about how darn fast the camera was, but that was probably about the only good thing the Nexus 5’s shooter had going for it. It turns out the 8 MP camera wasn’t very good at taking clear shots, and the 1.3 MP front-facing camera was only average.
Google aims to fix this issue with the Nexus 5X, or at least make the situation better. The new 12.3 MP camera comes with 1.55 micron pixels, which should allow for more light to enter the sensor. In addition, the f/2.0 aperture can help push shutter speeds higher and the laser-assisted auto-focus will definitely improve your focusing times.
The Nexus 5X does lack OIS, but the other technology should justify that. What it isn’t missing is 4K video shooting and a dual-flash set-up for those dark party shots. The front camera has also been upgraded to a 5 MP sensor with an f/2.2 aperture. It’s too early to say how much better the camera experience is, or how it compares to other 2015 devices, but at the very least we can expect a push forward compared to the aging camera of the original Nexus 5.
Software
For Android enthusiasts, Nexus devices are the kings of software. These phones get updates directly from Google, and usually before other smartphones out there. The thing here is that older Nexus devices start getting pushed aside as successors come into the game. Chances are high that the Nexus 5 will lose support soon, as it is pretty old and now has a direct replacement.
And even if the older Nexus 5 sticks around for longer, the Nexus 5X will always get preference. For now we can say both phones will run Android 6.0 Marshmallow, which means they can take advantage of new features like Android Pay, Google Now on Tap, the new permissions system, improved battery management, revamped sharing functionality, simplified volume controls and more.
That means the software experience with both will be quite similar, but it won’t be long before the Nexus 5 is left in the dark in terms of new OS updates, while the Nexus 5X is just getting started.
Price and conclusion
The Nexus 5X is priced at $379 for the 16 GB, compared to $349 for the Nexus 5 16 GB when it launched. Though the Nexus 5X is slightly pricier than the Nexus 5 was in its time, this can be justified by multiple things. The newer phone adopts new technology that wasn’t even around back when the Nexus 5 was launched. This obviously means manufacturing prices will rise. Not to mention, the Nexus 5X is definitely a better phone!
For those that enjoyed the Nexus 5 and were turned off by the larger display on the Nexus 6, the Nexus 5X is certainly a great option. Of course, those who want the absolute best experience might find that the Nexus 6P is more to their liking.
Nexus 6P hands-on and first look
After an endless amount of leaks and rumors, Google has finally taken the wraps off the two newest members of the Nexus family, the Nexus 5X and Nexus 6P. The former is manufactured by LG and is the lower-end of the two devices, while the latter is made by Huawei and sports top of the line specifications.
Right now we’re taking a look at the Nexus 6P, which is the successor to last year’s Nexus 6. With a more premium-feeling chassis and improved specifications, it’s hard to deny that the 6P is one attractive device. However, spec sheets and press releases don’t tell the whole story, which is why you’ll want to join us in going hands-on with the brand new Nexus 6P!
Don’t miss: Nexus 6P officially announced: everything you need to know
In the hand, the Nexus 6P feels really nice. It sports an all-metal chassis with a 5.7-inch screen and Gorilla Glass 4. This is the first Nexus to come with a metallic unibody, and surprisingly, Google and Huawei managed to make this device pretty light considering the size. It weighs 178 grams, which is just 6 grams lighter than Motorola’s Nexus 6 from 2014. It’s also a tad slimmer, too, measuring just 7.3 millimeters, compared to the Nexus 6’s 10.1 millimeter thickness.
On the back you’ll find a pretty large rear-facing 12.3MP camera with dual LED flash, embedded in the black window at the top of the device. Below that there’s a fingerprint scanner which Google is calling Nexus Imprint, which will allow you to easily wake and unlock your device in a single tap. This is the same fingerprint reader that’s found on the Nexus 5X, so you’ll likely get the same experience no matter which device you’re using. From what we can tell so far, the fingerprint reader is pretty fast and makes it really easy to access the device from a locked state. Similar to what we’ve seen from Huawei devices in the past, the fingerprint scanner can also be used to wake the phone out of sleep mode.
The right side of the device houses a textured power/standby key and volume rocker, and the bottom of the phone houses the new USB Type-C port. Even though you won’t be able to use your standard Micro USB cables for charging this device, we think most users will welcome this change, as USB Type-C cables are reversible.
Moving to the front, the Nexus 6P features a 5.7-inch Quad HD AMOLED display with a pixel density of 515, making this the first Quad HD display on any Huawei phone. It’s also covered in Gorilla Glass for extra protection. Google says they did their best to shrink down the 6P’s bezels to make the phone as small as possible. On stage, the company said the 6P is just about as big as most other smartphones with 5.5-inch displays and we’d say that’s pretty close to accurate.
Under the hood, the 6P is powered by an octa-core 64-bit Qualcomm Snapdragon 810 processor backed by 3GB of RAM and an Adreno 430 GPU, which should be plenty powerful enough for both power users and normal users alike. The device comes in 32, 64 and 128GB variants, with no room for expandable storage.
There’s also a big 3450mAh battery, which is a slight step up from the Nexus 6’s 3220mAh unit. Even though the 6P doesn’t feature wireless charging capabilities, it does come with quick charging technology. We know it’s not as convenient as setting your phone down on a charging pad, but at least if you have to be tethered to a charging cable, it won’t be for long.
The Nexus 6P comes with a 12.3MP rear-facing camera with an f/2.0 aperture and laser-assisted autofocus, while the front camera comes in at 8MP and features HDR+ capabilities. There’s no optical image stabilization (OIS) this time around, which is definitely an odd move. Nexus phones have struggled in the camera department for some time now, so we’re hoping the lack of OIS won’t ruin the device’s chances at producing some nice shots. We’ll of course test this camera out in full once we get our review unit, so stay tuned for more coverage on the camera front.
On the software side of things, the Nexus 6P and Nexus 5X both run Android 6.0 Marshmallow. Although it may not look entirely different Lollipop when it comes to aesthetics, there are tons of new performance improvements and software features, including Google Now on Tap, an all-new permissions system, better battery management, simplified volume controls and much, much more. Also making its debut in Marshmallow is the new Doze battery saving feature, which Google says can double your device’s standby time. Oh, and Marshmallow also supports landscape mode on the home screen!
See also: Google Now on Tap Demo at Google I/O 2015
The Nexus 6P is now available for pre-order from the Google Store starting at $499 for the 32GB version, $549 for the 64GB model and $649 for the 128GB model. The device is available in Aluminum, Graphite and Frost color options. If you happen to live in Japan, you can even get your hands on a Gold color option. When the Nexus 6 launched last year, the 32GB base model came to market for $649. It’s clear that Google is being much more aggressive with its pricing structure this time around, especially when it comes to the way these new Nexus phones will be sold. As of right now, you’ll only be able to order them online from the Google Store if you happen to live in the United States.
So, there you have it – a quick hands-on look at the brand new Nexus 6P! Based off what you’ve seen so far, what are your thoughts? Is the Nexus 6P going to be your next phone, or do your prefer the 5X? Be sure to let us know what you think in the comments. And if you’re looking for some more in-depth information, be sure to check out more Nexus event coverage linked below!
Read more:
- Nexus 6P officially announced: everything you need to know
- Nexus 5X officially announced: everything you need to know
- Nexus Protect is a new accidental protection program for the Nexus 5X and 6P
- The Nexus 5X and Nexus 6P will work with Google’s Project Fi network
- Nexus 5X and Nexus 6P now up for pre-order!
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