Google’s likely Nexus/Android event is happening September 29th
Google just sent over an invite for “some tasty new treats and much s’more” September 29th in San Francisco. It didn’t say what will be revealed but based on the timing, we’re thinking Android Marshmallow release, plus new hardware in the Nexus and Chromecast families? Recent leaks have pointed to Nexus phones from both LG and Huawei, while the Chromecast family may be expanding and getting rounder. Amazon and Apple debuted new devices for the TV this month, and we can’t see the folks at Google/Alphabet letting that go without a response. Whatever desserts Google is bringing, we’ll be there at 12PM ET / 9AM PT on September 29th to find out.
[Image credit: AFP/Getty Images]
Huawei Nexus 6P will be the name of the other Nexus smartphone
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We’ve been hearing the name Nexus 5X being thrown around for the LG Nexus smartphone that is allegedly going to be announced later this month, but only today has a name for its compatriot, the Huawei Nexus been dropped. According to the rumour, the Huawei Nexus will be called the “Huawei Nexus 6P“, joining the Nexus 5X in enjoying a random letter attached to the end of its name – whether this letter has any significance remains to be seen, but Google usually has a reason for everything.
If all goes to plan, the Nexus 6P and Nexus 5X will be announced at Google on September 29th where this is a growing list of potential announcements including the Nexus smartphones as well as a new Nexus Player and new Chromecast as well. Naturally, that will be capped off with a software announcement, the official release of Android Marshmallow, so it should be a hell of an event, if it happens.
What do you think about the name “Huawei Nexus 6P”? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
Source: Droid-life
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Google’s codebase is ludicrously huge for good reason
Google’s codebase — the programming instructions that run every one of its services from Gmail to Slides — span a whopping 2 billion lines of code that stretch across 1 billion files and require 86 terabytes of storage, according to Google engineering manager Rachel Potvin. She recently disclosed those figures at the @Scale engineering conference. She also noted that this massive collection of data is mirrored and continually updated in ten data centers peppered around the globe. “Not only is the size of the repository increasing,” Potvin explained during her lecture, “but the rate of change is also increasing. This is an exponential curve.”
There’s a solid reason behind keeping all that code in a single, monolithic base: it makes updating everything much easier. That’s because the codebase is available to 95 percent of Google’s engineers and changing any line of code in one service updates that same line of code in any other service that shares it. Some 15 million lines of code in 250,000 thousand of those files are modified weekly. “When you start a new project,” Potvin told WIRED, “you have a wealth of libraries already available to you. Almost everything has already been done.”
Via: BGR
Source: Wired
Android Pay officially hits the Play Store
Android Pay is one of the most anticipated features that Google is bringing to its Android operating system this year. And now it’s officially in the Play Store for users to download.
Users no longer need to download an apk because the new payment service is live in the Play Store. If you already have Google Wallet installed, there is no need to wait for an update, just search Android Pay in the search box and hit download. The Android Pay app will replace your old Wallet application on your device. However, if you use Google Wallet, a separate newly designed app is also available to download.
Android Pay will allow users to pay with their NFC enabled device to NFC enabled payment terminals located at over 1 Million merchants. The experience is made to be easy and fast. This is Google’s next approach to replace our wallet. In addition, users will soon be able to add loyalty cards and gift cards right inside the app. If you have an Android Pay capable device, you can download it at the link down below.
Come comment on this article: Android Pay officially hits the Play Store
Android Pay reaches Google Play, ready for all in the US
Sure, Android Pay started its slow rollout last week, but with Google’s staged distribution you probably didn’t have it yet. Now, the Android team has announced it’s officially available on Google Play, so if you live in the US, you should have it on your NFC-equipped phone with Android 4.4 or higher, replacing the old Google Wallet app. Just add a card and you’ll be ready to tap-to-pay (even if you were already set up with Wallet). Of course, even with the slow rollout, some people have had issues with compatibility, using the app on rooted phones or receiving errant messages about unsupported cards. Some of those may be fixed if you have the latest version of Google Play Services, so check that first, while others like fingerprint verification need Android Marshmallow.
Source: Android Pay (Google Play)
Google’s next phones will reportedly be the Nexus 5X and 6P
We’ve seen a few snapshots of the upcoming Nexus phones and now we may have an idea what they’ll be called. Droid Life reports that the pair of Google phones, one made by LG and the other by Huawei, will carry the labels of Nexus 5X and Nexus 6P (yes, six pee), respectively. The LG device is said to house a 5.2-inch display while the Huawei handset is rumored to carry a 5.7-inch inch screen, hence the 5 and 6 designations. We won’t have to wait too long to find out, though, as reports indicate that Google is hosting event on September 29th where the duo is expected to be revealed alongside a new Chromecast. And, of course, a look at the latest version of Android Marshmallow. Hopefully we’ll also find out what Huawei has tucked under that camera hump, too.
Via: The Verge
Source: Droid Life
New Chromecast app to help users discover content, other apps
Google appears to be poised to launch new hardware at the end of the month including their new Nexus smartphone options and according to rumors, their second generation Chromecast device. The original Chromecast is quite old in terms of technology, although it continues to be a popular dongle for users who want to stream content to their TVs. Sources now say Google is preparing to overhaul the Chromecast app with new features that will help users discover content along with managing their device.
One new section of the app appears to be named “What’s On” and will display movies, videos and other content available through other apps that users have installed on their mobile device. Another section of the app appears to be a rebranded version of the current “Discover apps” portion of the app. Currently, Discover apps just takes users to the Chromecast section of the Play Store for users to find apps. The new functionality looks like it may be curated based on other apps a user has installed and will appear in app.
Although some leaked images are blurry, the new app also appears to get an overhaul of the user interface. The current app does have a nice Material design to it, but due to its limited features, there is not much there. With new features being added, sources think the app may have more of a tabbed interface similar to the Play Store interface.
Sources have not indicated whether all of the new features will be available in the app for use with the first generation Chromecast devices or whether they will be limited to use with the second generation only.
source: 9to5Google
Come comment on this article: New Chromecast app to help users discover content, other apps
2nd gen Chromecast launch imminent, new design and features in tow
It’s been over 2 years since the original Chromecast debuted (yeah, time flies). And while the little streamer that could is still working fine for the lot of us, that doesn’t mean there aren’t improvements to be had. Allegedly, this is what Google has in store for us soon.
According to a leak spotted by 9to5Google, the 2nd gen Chromecast will be a pretty hefty update, both in design and capability.
While the images don’t have the best quality, we can tell the device will leave behind its dongle appearance for something circular. We also have choices in color now. Both of these factors spark my curiosity. Why is design such a focus for a device that just sits in the background? On my TV, it’s plugged in the back, out of view. Will the new Chromecast serve more of a purpose?
Updates are said to include faster WiFi, faster initiation of content, and new software capabilities (such as content feeds on the Chromecast home screen). The original Chromecast supported 802.11b/g/n, so it would make sense for the newer 802.11ac WiFi standard to be brought on board.
A new feature called “Fast Play” is said to make the Chromecast quicker to follow your commands. It seems that Google recognized the slowness when initiating the Cast connection. Fast Play should bring a quicker response and more seamless experience when selecting to Cast your device.
Another Chromecast extension is said to be “Chromecast Audio”. As can be guessed, this will be for folks who want to utilize their higher quality audio setups. The Chromecast will plug directly into the audio system via auxiliary cord. It is also said that this feature will have multi-room support and the ability to mirror Chrome or Android audio.
The original Chromecast could stream at 1080P. I would hope that the 2nd gen has updated computational power to keep up with the times and play 4K content. We don’t have word on this yet.
Google has an event on Sept. 29th, and it is expected that the new Chromecast will be announced alongside the new Nexus devices. Hopefully Google will continue its aggressive pricing. Are you ready for a new Chromecast or fine with what you have?
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Google will reportedly launch new phones as Nexus 5X and Nexus 6P
There have been plenty of leaks of the new Huawei and LG manufactured Nexus devices and now we seemingly have a solid name to put towards the leaks. According to a source, the new Nexus devices will be called the Nexus 5X and Nexus 6P.
We’ve heard the Nexus 5X before, and it was thought to just be an internal codename, but it would appear that it is actually the final name for the LG Nexus. As for the Huawei variant, which is to be the bigger of the two devices, it will be known as the Nexus 6P.
Pre-release leaks are always to be taken with a pinch of salt, but with an announcement date pegged to be at the end of the month (September 29), we probably won’t have much time to wait until we see the new Nexus devices for sure.
Check out everything we know about the Nexus 5 (2015) thus far and then catch up with everything we know about the Nexus 6 (2015), too.
Source: DroidLife
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Android One arrives in Spain and Portugal in the form of the Aquaris A4.5
If you’ve wondered what has happened with Google’s Android One initiative, wonder no more because Spain and Portugal are the next countries to join the program. Spanish handset maker, bq, is manufacturing the new Android One device on offer, which is called the Aquaris A4.5.
It runs Android 5.1.1 Lollipop out of the box like you would expect from an Android One handset, with firmware updates guaranteed for 24 months from when the device is launched.
Internally, the Aquaris A4.5 shares many of the same features that are consistent throughout the various Android One handsets.
Specifications
- Quantum Color+ 4.5-Inch IPS display with 540 x 960 resolution (244ppi)
- MediaTek MT6735M Quad-core (4 cores @ 1GHz)
- Mali T720P MP1 GPU
- 1GB RAM
- 16GB Internal storage (10.5GB usable)
- MicroSD support (up to 64GB)
- 8MP Rear camera with dual flash and autofocus
- 5MP Front camera with flash
- Dual micro-SIM
- 2G/3G/4G(LTE) connectivity
- Bluetooth 4.0/GPS/WiFi 802.11 b/g/n
- Notification LED/Double Tap/
- Battery: 2,470mAh
- Dimensions: 131.77 x 63.48 x 8.75mm
- Weight: 115 grams
The Aquaris A4.5 can be ordered directly from bq’s online store for €169.90 in Spain and €179.90 in Portugal, with each handset coming with a 3-month subscription to Google Play Music and a frankly staggering 5-year guarantee. What do you think of the Aquaris A4.5? Is it cheap enough to appeal to its target market?
Source: bq
Via: AndroidPolice
Come comment on this article: Android One arrives in Spain and Portugal in the form of the Aquaris A4.5
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