Google [X] executive to take reins at Evernote
Evernote announced today that Chris O’Neill has been appointed CEO effective July 27, 2015. Co-founder Phil Libin will be moving into the role of Executive Chairman. O’Neill will be moving to Evernote after serving close to 10 years with Google, most recently as the head of global business operations for Google [X]. Before taking on that role, O’Neill headed up Google Canada.
In a statement announcing the change in leadership for the productivity software company, Libin noted,
“Chris brings to Evernote the experience needed to scale the company so that we can create the maximum positive impact on the world. He’s highly regarded as a leader who can grow enormously successful teams while preserving their culture and values. I am both thrilled and honored that he is joining Evernote and look forward to all that we’re about to accomplish.”
Evernote already boasts 150 million users, but hopes to continue to sustain growth and increase revenue by enhancing their productivity tools.
source: Evernote
Come comment on this article: Google [X] executive to take reins at Evernote
Google shutting down Google+ Photos starting August 1st
In deference to their new standalone Google Photos platform that was launched in May, Google has announced that they will start the process of shutting down Google+ Photos on August 1st. This is a rather quick move for Google which seems to keep older platforms lingering for a while. However, the Google+ team says this move is meant to “ensure everyone has the best photos experience” that Google can deliver.
The shutdown will occur in stages with the first platform to get the axe being Google+ Photos on Android. That will be followed by the web interface and iOS. The Google+ team promises all photos and videos currently available through Google+ will continue to be available in the new Google Photos app.
Are you looking forward to using the Google Photos app exclusively for all your images and videos stored through Google+?
source: Google+ (Google+)
Come comment on this article: Google shutting down Google+ Photos starting August 1st
Asus ZenWatch now available for just $129 on Google Play Store
If you are planning to buy an Android smartwatch, consider yourself lucky as the price of the Asus ZenWatch has been dropped to $129 on Google’s Play Store. Not only the ZenWatch is $70 cheaper than before, its shipping is completely free of cost.
The slash in the price has come in the wake of Asus’s announcement of the ZenWatch 2, the successor to it flagship smartwatch. Although we cannot confirm whether the price drop is for a limited period or permanent, there is no mention of a last date on the offer page.
The ZenWatch features 1.63-inch AMOLED display, Snapdragon 400 SoC, 512 MB RAM, 360mAh battery, IP55 water-resistant certification and Bluetooth 4.1. If that is not enough to impress you, the smartwatch also happens to run the latest Android 5.1.1. If you want to know more about the offer or buy the watch, follow the link provided below.
Source: Google Play Store
Come comment on this article: Asus ZenWatch now available for just $129 on Google Play Store
YouTube’s upcoming paid video streaming service already has licensing deals with 90% of viewership
Google is hard at work trying to roll all kinds of content into its YouTube streaming service. We already have Music Key, and a service dedicated to video game streaming is still in the pipeline. There are still rumors of an upcoming paid video streaming service to compete with Netflix and Amazon, though, and some new details have emerged about progress on that service today.
Google has reportedly secured deals with over 90% of viewership on YouTube, and interestingly enough, that doesn’t include a single major television network. YouTube says that everything is going according to plan, though, so they’re either planning on the networks jumping in at the last minute or they’re going to float the entire service with original programming.
According to some producers close to the inner workings of this service, original content could end up being a major component of YouTube over the next year. We might end up seeing several exclusive original series on YouTube next year that will only be available to paid subscribers, driving subscription fees for the company. Whether or not those shows will be any good remains to be seen, but budgets for series reportedly goes all the way up to $5 million, so hopefully YouTube can craft something worth watching out of that.
Aside from the actual content, subscribers will also probably get some useful YouTube features like offline playback and background playback on a phone or tablet, which would be a first for a major video streaming service. Overall, it sounds like Music Key, but for video.
YouTube expects the service to start rolling out by the end of this year, so we have just a few months before all the details get clarified.
source: Bloomberg
Come comment on this article: YouTube’s upcoming paid video streaming service already has licensing deals with 90% of viewership
Asus launches the Chromebook Flip C100, featuring a 1.8GHz processor and 4GB of RAM
Asus has launched a new hybrid machine, the Chromebook Flip C100. It features a 10-inch IPS display, and can comfortably be flipped around to transform it into a tablet. The device runs Chrome OS, however, it can run Android applications as well.
The Chromebook Flip C100 comes in at at just under 2lbs and is 0.6-inches thick. It features a Rockchip 3288-C quad-core 1.8GHz CPU, 2GB or 4GB of RAM configurations, 16GB of internal storage, 2 USB 2.0 ports, a micro HDMI port, and a integrated SD card reader.
Users will also find the device lasting up to 9 hours on battery. Additionally, you’ll get 100GB of Google Drive storage for two years upon the date you redeem the offer.
It costs $249 or $399, depending on your RAM configuration, and is available through Asus’ own online store, Newegg, or Amazon.
Come comment on this article: Asus launches the Chromebook Flip C100, featuring a 1.8GHz processor and 4GB of RAM
ASUS Chromebook Flip 2-in-1 convertible laptop now available for $249
Finding an inexpensive, capable Chromebook isn’t too difficult nowadays, but what if you’re looking for something with a bit more functionality than a normal laptop? ASUS‘ Chromebook Flip C100, which was first announced in March, is a convertible laptop/tablet hybrid that is now available for purchase starting at just $249.
The Flip sports a 10.1-inch IPS LCD display with a 1280 x 800 resolution, a quad-core processor clocked at 1.8GHz, 2 or 4GB of RAM, an aluminum chassis, and a battery that’s supposed to last up to nine hours on a single charge. It also weighs under 2 pounds, measures just .6-inches thin and comes with 16GB of on-board storage and a built-in HD webcam. The big story with this Chromebook is its ability to be used as a notebook computer or a tablet just by flipping the keyboard around. If you’d like to use it as a tablet, flipping the keyboard around to the back will automatically pull up the on-screen navigation buttons.
With its 10.1-inch screen, the Chromebook Flip’s size may not be ideal for everyone. But if you’re looking for a 2-in-1 hybrid device and would like to give Chrome OS a try, this may be the device for you. Depending on which configuration you choose, you can purchase the Chromebook Flip from Amazon, ASUS or Newegg for $249 or $299.
Android Authority this week – July 19, 2015
Hello Android fans, this week brought us the release of the Galaxy A8 and the cool new Axon phone, and a bevy of hot rumors about the real stars of this summers: Galaxy Note 5, OnePlus 2, and the new Moto X. The Galaxy Note 5 and the S6 Edge Plus are now rumored to launch on August 12, and a series of renders gives us a good idea of what to expect. ZTE introduced the Axon in the United States, and we were actually impressed by the solid specs and cheap price. Motorola scheduled an event for July 28, where we expect to see the new Moto G and Moto X. More details about the Huawei Nexus leaked, we got a look at the Turing phone, and HTC introduced several new devices in the United States. Finally, Cortana for Android leaked ahead of launch.
Inside AA HQ
We had two product launches this week in New York (Axon and HTC Desire), that Darcy and Lanh attended, but all in all, our virtual HQ was pretty quiet this week. That’s not because we’re all in vacation… it’s just that we’re working on some long term projects, that are not quite ready to be announced.
Luckily, things are a bit livelier on the general Android front, thanks in large part to Samsung’s apparent decision to move up the launch of the Galaxy Note 5. Check our Galaxy Note 5 rumor roundup, and while you’re at it, have a look at the OnePlus 2 rumor roundup as well. And stay tuned for more rumors as we get them!
It’s been long since we’ve given away an Android tablet, but that changes today – head over to the Sunday Giveaway for a chance to win a Google Nexus 9!
The stuff you shouldn’t miss
- Review: Is the One M9+ HTC’s real flagship? Find out in the review
- Review: Bailey reviews LG’s mid-ranger Escape 2
- Opinion: Just how important are microSD and removable batteries for you?
- Guide: Your privacy is increasingly at risk. Here are a few simple steps to protect it
- Feature: Huawei and Google are teaming up, But why?
- Review: It may not be the big step we were hoping for, but the Xperia Z3+ is a compelling device
- Feature: Chinese phone brands are taking over the market. Here’s a primer on some of the biggest
Top news of the week
Galaxy A8 is official
Galaxy Note 5 and Edge Plus rumors
- Galaxy Note 5, S6 Edge Plus coming August 12, launch August 14/21 – Report
- (Update: 4GB of RAM) Report reveals Galaxy S6 Edge Plus, Note 5 specs
- Here’s a look at a Galaxy S6 Edge Plus dummy unit
- (Update: T-Mobile, US Cellular too) Galaxy Note 5, S6 Edge+ pass through FCC, Verizon and AT&T variants in-tow
Check out the ZTE Axon
- ZTE Axon officially announced: what you need to know
- Hands-on with the ZTE Axon
- ZTE Axon vs the competition
- ZTE Axon vs Samsung Galaxy S6 quick look
- ZTE Axon vs LG G4 quick look
Next Moto X and Moto G
- Leaked image shows off what’s supposedly the new Moto X, Moto G and DROID devices
- Motorola’s Moto G 2015 will be customizable through Moto Maker, according to new leak
- Moto G (2015) leaks in real-life images
- Motorola holding events in London and NYC on July 28
- Motorola Moto X (2015) shows off its backside in new leaked image
Turing Phone: security in and out
OnePlus 2 rumors
- OnePlus Two camera details revealed by MKBHD
- This is the OnePlus 2’s improved invite system
- OnePlus 2 to be dual-SIM, perhaps with microSD slot as well
Huawei Nexus
New HTC Desires
- HTC Desire 626 quick look and hands on
- HTC announces super affordable Desire 626, Desire 626s, Desire 526 and Desire 520
Cortana for Android
- Cortana for Android leaks out ahead of official launch – download the APK here
- Cortana for Android Beta hands on (and vs Google Now)
Sound off
We always want to hear your feedback. Whether it’s criticism or praise, feel free to tell us what you think about Android Authority’s content, design, and community. Comment here or get in touch with us on our social channels:
Happy Sunday!
Play Music updated with fix for disappearing cached tracks issue
Since the latest update, Google Play Music no longer deletes cached music from devices, an issue that has been affecting some users for the past couple of weeks.
Users reported that tracks downloaded for offline use and stored on the microSD card disappeared without notice whenever the device rebooted or the card was removed. Given that offline music storage is one of the most common usages for microSD cards, the issue has left quite a few users miffed, to say the least.
Fortunately, Google has given the issue the priority treatment it required, and the version now available in the Play Store is free of this bug. According to the changelog, version 6.0.1950S also fixes an issue that prevented some songs and albums from showing up in the My Library section. Judging from the comments on this Reddit thread, the update also fixed a problem with the way album art was displayed in the notification dropdown.
It appears that the update is causing the app to re-download any music you have marked for offline playback, presumably to account for the possibility that some songs were removed by the bug in the previous version.
Have you noticed this issue? What other bugs in Play Music would you love to see fixed?
Slugterra: Dark Waters game launches on the Google Play Store
Have you ever watched Slugterra? This Canadian animated series has managed to get very popular since its 2012 launch. It’s been airing for a few years now and a new season is coming, but few of us knew the franchise’s next step was going to be mobile gaming.
Developer Apps Ministry put together a pretty fun game based on the show. Slugterra: Dark Waters is an action-packed shooting game with 13 levels, 10 unique enemies and many, many slugs.
For those who need a reminder or may not be familiar with the series, Slugterra follows a story line based on an underground world deep under our feet. This subterranean location has people, villages, amazing technology and slugs.
What are slugs? These creatures are cute little pets, but they are much more than they seem. They are also living ammo, as you can shoot them out of your blaster and use their unique abilities to protect the underground world.
#gallery-1
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#gallery-1 .gallery-item
float: left;
margin-top: 10px;
text-align: center;
width: 33%;
#gallery-1 img
border: 2px solid #cfcfcf;
#gallery-1 .gallery-caption
margin-left: 0;
/* see gallery_shortcode() in wp-includes/media.php */
Pretty interesting, right? The game is looking to be just as fun as the cartoon, too. You would take control of the main character, Eli Shane, in order to protect the 99 caverns from Dr. Blakk. This evil character wants to gain control of the subterranean lands by giving slugs “dark water” a substance that turns them into evil weapons.
Want in on the action? You can download Slugterra: Dark Waters straight from the Google Play Store today. The game is free to play, but does offer in-app purchases to speed up your progress and upgrade your slugs. Have a blast and hit the comments to tell us how you are enjoying the new game!
Slugterra: Dark Waters game launches on the Google Play Store
Have you ever watched Slugterra? This Canadian animated series has managed to get very popular since its 2012 launch. It’s been airing for a few years now and a new season is coming, but few of us knew the franchise’s next step was going to be mobile gaming.
Developer Apps Ministry put together a pretty fun game based on the show. Slugterra: Dark Waters is an action-packed shooting game with 13 levels, 10 unique enemies and many, many slugs.
For those who need a reminder or may not be familiar with the series, Slugterra follows a story line based on an underground world deep under our feet. This subterranean location has people, villages, amazing technology and slugs.
What are slugs? These creatures are cute little pets, but they are much more than they seem. They are also living ammo, as you can shoot them out of your blaster and use their unique abilities to protect the underground world.
#gallery-1
margin: auto;
#gallery-1 .gallery-item
float: left;
margin-top: 10px;
text-align: center;
width: 33%;
#gallery-1 img
border: 2px solid #cfcfcf;
#gallery-1 .gallery-caption
margin-left: 0;
/* see gallery_shortcode() in wp-includes/media.php */
Pretty interesting, right? The game is looking to be just as fun as the cartoon, too. You would take control of the main character, Eli Shane, in order to protect the 99 caverns from Dr. Blakk. This evil character wants to gain control of the subterranean lands by giving slugs “dark water” a substance that turns them into evil weapons.
Want in on the action? You can download Slugterra: Dark Waters straight from the Google Play Store today. The game is free to play, but does offer in-app purchases to speed up your progress and upgrade your slugs. Have a blast and hit the comments to tell us how you are enjoying the new game!
AIVAnet 