Google Expedition, their latest Cardboard solution, heading to the classroom
Imagine being a student studying Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet and your teacher is able to transport you to Verona, Italy, the setting for the play. While there you are able to examine up close a location like a centuries-old building known as “Juliet’s House” which is home to the supposed inspiration for the Capulet family. Such a field trip would be cost prohibitive for most classes and a logistics nightmare, but virtual reality can get students close. Although it is not yet to the level of stepping onto a holodeck, Google is helping make this happen through a program to provide their virtual field trip system called Expeditions that uses Cardboard free to schools.
The virtual reality kits from Google are another step as the company tries to get a foot in the door of schools and their younger, captive audiences. Indirectly Google has had much success as their low cost Chromebook devices from various manufacturers are popular with school systems. In addition, there about 45 million students that use Google’s Apps for Education platform thanks to their school’s decision. The addition of Expeditions may be yet one more “touchpoint” for Google.
As currently configured, the Expeditions toolkits come with Cardboard viewers and an ASUS smartphone. Teachers can tap into a variety of existing tools like Street View as they guide their students. Google is also working with a 16-camera system built by GoPro to produce custom content for use in the classroom.
Thus far about 100 virtual trips have been developed by Google in collaboration with teachers. Locations include places like the Great Wall of China, Independence Hall and El Capitan in Yosemite National Park.
Google is currently providing the kits for free to schools. However, they could start charging at some point in the future.
source: The New York Times
via: Engadget
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Google to launch an Android-powered Pixel tablet, report claims
Google’s event tomorrow is shaping up to be action-packed. We’re expecting a duo of Nexus smartphones to launch (debuting Android Marshmallow), new Chromecast devices, and now we have word of a new tablet – the Pixel C.
The report comes via Android Police and they’re fairly confident on the details they’ve managed to dig up. But of course, take this leak with a grain of salt. Fortunately, we only have to wait a day’s time to find out the deal.
What’s interesting is that this new tablet will be marketed as a “Pixel” device, but will run Android as opposed to ChromeOS. Recall that the Pixel moniker as been historically used for Google’s premium Chromebook laptop. If you haven’t heard of it, it may be because the steep price makes it out of most people’s reach.
The Pixel C will reportedly have a 10.2″ display (with 308ppi). Being a “Pixel” device, it will carry over Google’s premium quality through-and-through. So we’re expecting an all-metal chassis and exceptional screen. It is also said that there will be two keyboard accessories, one aluminium and the other leather.
The Pixel C will also supposedly have power to back up the looks, boasting Nvidia’s latest X1 chipset (quad-core processor, Maxwell GPU, and 3GB of LPDDR4 RAM).
If you were a fan of that lightbar on the back of the Pixel Chromebook, you’ll be happy to hear that it will be carried over to the Pixel C. It would also be foolish for USB Type-C to not be on-board, so expect that as well.
It looks like all the surprises for Google’s big event tomorrow have been spoiled (I hope I’m wrong). If the price of the Pixel C isn’t too far out, would you consider buying one?
The post Google to launch an Android-powered Pixel tablet, report claims appeared first on AndroidGuys.
Leaked Nexus 5X doc reveals full list of specs and features
Google is slated to unveil a pair of new Nexus devices at tomorrow morning’s event in San Francisco. The LG-made Nexus 5X and the Huawei-made Nexus 6P will be the two newest additions to the Nexus line, the former of which will be Google’s lower end, more affordable handset. Through a wide series of leaks and rumors we already have a pretty good idea as to what will be announced tomorrow, at least in terms of Nexus smartphones. But if you wanted a few more last minute details before the big announcement, have no fear. Someone managed to leak a product document giving us a few more missing details on the Nexus 5X.
The Nexus 5X will come with 2GB of LPDDR3 RAM
According to the leak, the Nexus 5X will feature a 2.0GHz hexa-core 64-bit Snapdragon 808 processor, backed by 2GB of LPDDR3 RAM. Thanks to a recent Amazon listing, we already knew the device would come with Qualcomm’s 808, though we weren’t exactly sure if the device would come with 2 or 3GB of RAM. We’re sure 2GB will be powerful enough to help the device perform most everyday tasks without a hitch, though we know some users will be a bit unhappy with Google’s decision to not include 3GB.
Don’t miss: Nexus 5X (LG-H790) passes through the FCC
The 5X will also sport a 12.3MP rear-facing camera with an f/2.0 aperture, IR laser-assisted autofocus and a broad-spectrum CRI-90 dual flash. Google says the camera’s larger 1.55 μm pixels will be able to capture more light than the Nexus 5 and 6 cameras could, even in the dimmest conditions.
There are a few more specifications in the leak that we haven’t covered quite yet, which you can find attached below:
Along with the big list of specifications comes a product listing for the device, which looks like something you’d see on the Google Store. One of the images gives us a slightly better look at the 5X’s rear-mounted fingerprint scanner which will be able to unlock your phone and give you access to certain applications, such as Android Pay.
You can find the additional product listings at the source link below. Android Authority will be covering tomorrow’s Nexus event, so stay tuned for more details. For now, though, tell us – how do you feel about the device sporting 2GB of RAM? Is this a deal breaker, or are you okay with it?
A 2nd-gen Chromecast device and Chromecast Audio could show up at Google’s event tomorrow
It looks like the LG-made Nexus 5X and Huawei manufactured Nexus 6P won’t be the only devices showing up at Google’s event tomorrow. Android Police is reporting that the Chromecast will see its first refresh, according to trusted sources.
Codenamed “Earth,” the dongle will have the same design as the original device, only come packed with a few more features, such as 4K compatibility and improved performance. It’ll also come in three new colors–Black, Lemonade, and Coral. This refreshed Chromecast should retain the $35 price point.
Interestingly, Google is also rumored to show off a Chromecast Audio device. This dongle will have an 1/8″ headphone cable to add Cast for Audio Wi-Fi capabilities to speakers, televisions, car stereos, and obviously much more, according to a leak from 9to5Google.
There aren’t many details, but if this rumor holds any weight, we’re less than 24 hours away from seeing what the new Chromecast and Chromecast Audio is all about.
The Chromecast app for Android is also expected to go through a major revision, putting content discovery at the forefront. In this revision will be a new search function enabling users to explore Chromecast-compatible content from applications you have installed, such as YouTube and Netflix. There’s also a “What’s On” feature that’ll automatically pull content and present it to the user. You could look at it as the wild card of content discovery.
Suffice to say, tomorrow’s event is turning out to be much more than just a Nexus refresh.
source: Android Police
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Google and NASA extend their D-Wave quantum computing contracts
D-Wave, a Canadian quantum computing firm, announced on Monday that a consortium between Google, NASA and the USRA (Universities Space Research Association) has agreed to extend its existing contract with the company for another seven years. This new agreement will see the existing 500-qubit D-Wave Two hardware remain at NASA Ames research center as well as install new quantum computers as they are invented. The Google-led consortium employs these computing platforms to study how the emerging technology could help develop AI and machine learning systems. NASA specifically uses the computer to generate better mission-control supports.
[Image Credit: NASA]
Via: Fortune
Source: D-Wave
Google gives your Android apps more room to breathe
Google just introduced a low-key change that could make a big, big impact on the Android apps you use. The search giant has doubled the maximum initial download size for apps from 50MB to 100MB, giving developers more headroom before they have to rely on post-install downloads like the ones you often see for large games. That will not only spare you from rude surprises when you’re launching apps for the first time, but allow for more complex apps than were possible before.
And that’s no minor concern. As an example, the current Facebook app for Android comes in just under the wire at 43.4MB — it’d be hard to bolt on a big new feature without requiring a secondary download. This won’t be thrilling news if you’re already nervous about your data usage, but it’s otherwise a big step forward for the sophistication of Android software.
Source: Android Developers Blog
Google holding Android Pay contest, one lucky winner will see the premiere of ‘Spectre’
Android Pay just recently rolled out in the United States, and to celebrate, Google is running a contest where one lucky winner and three of his or her friends a VIP trip to Mexico City for the premiere of the upcoming James Bond film, Spectre.
Entering the contest is easy! All you have to do is use Android Pay between today, September 28, and October 15 to qualify. Each day that you use Android Pay will earn you one entry, and contestants will be able to earn 18 entries total during the promotional period.
Google will select the winner on October 19.
If you haven’t setup Android Pay yet, Talk Android’s very own Joseph Proffer put together a handy guide on setting up Android Pay for the first time.
Anyone hoping to win the VIP trip to Mexico City for the Spectre premiere?
source: Google
Come comment on this article: Google holding Android Pay contest, one lucky winner will see the premiere of ‘Spectre’
Google reportedly launching the Pixel C 10.2″ Tablet with Android 6.0 Marshmallow later this year
According to a new rumor, Google is planning on launching an Android-powered tablet variant of its Pixel Chromebooks. The new device will be called the Pixel C, currently codenamed Ryu, and will sport a 10.2″ display at 308ppi, and will be powered by the NVIDIA X1 quad-core processor and Maxwell GPU with 3GB of LPDDR4 RAM.
The tablet will also come with two attachable keyboard accessories to chose from, one made out of leather and one aluminum. The tablet will have the same aluminum frame that current Pixel Chromebooks have to keep that premium feel, and will keep the glowing lightbar on the back to show remaining battery life. Finally, the Pixel C will come with a USB Type-C charger, and Android 6.0 Marshmallow pre-installed.
Although this is just a rumor, it seems like a very smart move for Google to be developing a new Android-powered premium tablet with an attachable keyboard. This will definitely be a great competitor to other tablets, such as the recently released iPad Pro that focus on productivity. As discussed in a previous post, the iPad has a big price tag, while you can get the same productivity for less elsewhere. In fact, the Pencil and Smart Keyboard cost $99 and $169, and there isn’t a point of getting the iPad Pro if you’re not getting those heavily priced accessories (You might as well get the iPad Air 2 if you’re not planning on getting these accessories). Anyhow, the point is if you’re thinking of getting a tablet to increase productivity, the Pixel C is just an example of what you could get alternatively.
Nothing has been officially confirmed yet, and more details will come as the end of the year approaches.
Source: Android Police
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A microSD card slot, OIS, and wireless charging will be absent from the Nexus 5X and Nexus 6P
So it turns out that three features that consumers often expect in a flagship phone will not be included with the upcoming Nexus phones. Android Police, the publication that has been the source of just about every Nexus-related piece of information surfacing in recent weeks and months, has clarified that both the Nexus 5X and Nexus 6P will lack a microSD card slot, optical image stabilization (OIS), and wireless charging. It was originally reported that Google would implement these features in its latest round of Nexus hardware; however, that has ended up not being the case.
When it comes to storage, buyers of the Nexus 5X and Nexus 6P will have to work with internal storage and Google Drive to keep items stored on their phone. This may not be a problem for those who buy the Nexus 6P as that phone will come with up to 128GB of internal storage, but the starting 16GB within the Nexus 5X could be an issue for many (and it only goes up to 32GB). Google clearly wants to transition people to be more reliant on the cloud.
Honestly, this isn’t that big of a deal. Many companies (even Samsung) are letting go of microSD card slots.
In 2012, the Nexus 4 debuted as one of the first devices on the market to feature wireless charging. The Nexus 5 and Nexus 6 also followed up with the same technology, too. But now, three years after the release of the Nexus 4, neither of the two newest members of the Nexus family are going to have wireless charging. It could be that Google wants to really push the USB Type-C port (as it has with another device) or the Doze feature from Android 6.0 Marshmallow.
Unlike ditching expandable storage, Google not including wireless charging is quite surprising. Even if the bodies of both devices are indeed metal, Qualcomm has a new technology that nixes a potential conflict for wireless charging.
Finally, the optical image stabilization (OIS) that the Nexus 5 and Nexus 6 had in their respective rear cameras is also gone. This means that Google is leaving out a technology that disregards a bit of shakiness when the user is taking pictures. Cost is perhaps to blame for the decision to not have OIS in the phones. But Android Police has confirmed that the 1.55µm pixels in the image sensor makes it impossible to have OIS. Because of that, the Nexus 5X and Nexus 6P could each have more dense sensor.
Google is holding an event tomorrow, September 29, in San Francisco where a myriad of new hardware and software will be revealed to the public. The Nexus 5X and Nexus 6P are expected to be made available exclusively through Google right after the event’s end.
Source: Android Police (1) (2) (3)
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Moto 360 2nd gen experiencing production issues
Motorola’s newly announced second generation Moto 360 smartwatch is one of the hottest out there. Unfortunately, Motorola has send out a message regarding a slowing in production.
Pre-orders have nearly began and Motorola is experiencing “technical difficulties” causing a delay in production of its new 360 smartwatch. Buyers who have pre-ordered the device should have received an email explaining the cause for the delay. According to Motorola’s VP of E-Commerce, Bjorn Kilburn, the company is having issues with its order process and shipping system. Perhaps the company is having a hard time keeping up with all the customized units.
Hopefully Motorola makes some adjustments and gets back on track so people can get their hands on the latest smartwatch shortly.
Via: Droid-life
Come comment on this article: Moto 360 2nd gen experiencing production issues
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