Google working on new interface for Play Store in web browser

Thanks to a sharp-eyed user on Reddit, we have some screenshots showing what appears to be an updated user interface for the Google Play Store when users visit it using a web browser on the desktop. Since the new interface only appears to be available for a small subset of users, it seems likely Google may be conducting some A/B testing before rolling this update out. The new interface takes some cues from the card design concept that is part of Google’s Material Design and brings it over to the desktop.

Currently visitors to the Play Store are presented with small cards for items when they are at the top two levels of the store. However, when clicking through on an item, like an app, the format changes to a more traditional web page layout with all of the information being presented against a background that essentially fills the whole window.

The new format when used for an app takes the information and puts it into a card that hovers, per Material Design, above the background layer. As presently designed, all of the information about an item is included in that single card – images, reviews, what’s new and description info, and basic info. The layout of the information in the top section has also been tweaked some.

In a move that may be welcomed by developers, the new card format means Google can deploy a second column in the form of additional cards. Google has used this on the right-hand side of the page to list similar apps followed by a section on other apps from the same developer. Currently those additional apps are only discovered if a user scrolls down to the very bottom of the page. This increased visibility should help developers grow their customer base.

There is no word on when this new user interface will actually start rolling out to general users or whether it will remain in this format. However, it seems likely Google will want to implement something like this as a way to continue to present a consistent user interface across platforms and devices.

source: imgur
via: Reddit

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New Google Maps update polishes several features, adds car rental info

Google is getting ready to start rolling out a new update to Google Maps, bumping it up to version 9.10, that brings some minor changes to several existing features and adds information on car rental bookings. An early look at the APK reveals updates to the photo gallery view, the Your Places screen, and some tweaks to the Settings available.

In their last update to Maps, Google added the ability for users to upload multiple photos for a location. Expanding on that concept, Google has now updated the viewer so multiple photos are shown at once using a flowing gallery view. Users can still tap into an image to view it standalone, but they will find some new options on the screen for adding photos and reporting inappropriate photos. These replace the overflow menu.

The Your Places screen has been updated to incorporate some Google+ design cues like use of your background image in the header area. On top of this users will find buttons for their reviews and their photos and these buttons replace the blue bar linking to reviews that used to be in place.

For Settings, Google has fixed the “Shake to send feedback” bug by setting the default to be disabled. This should help prevent instances where users were inadvertently triggering the feedback process while doing something like jogging and interrupting something else they were trying to do with their device. Google has also added a new menu option to the Settings screen so that users can turn on the scale and set it so that it is always present instead of disappearing a couple seconds after a zoom action is taken.

Finally, the new search feature that Google added last month for events, flights and hotels has been extended to include rental car reservations. Maps will now show users where they are supposed to pick up and drop off vehicles, times, confirmation number, type of car and other info.

If you do not want to wait for the update to roll around to your device as part of Google’s phased deployment, you can grab the APK file using the link below and sideload it on your device. The APK is signed by Google and will update your existing Maps app.

Google Maps APK Download

source: Android Police

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Android Auto will be featured in 2016 Cadillac models

For Android Auto to achieve any type of success, Google will need automobile manufacturers to feature the platform in their cars. Obvious enough, right? Over the last few months, automobile manufacturers have been proclaiming their commitment connected car platforms. General Motors announced today that Android Auto, in addition to Apple’s CarPlay, will be featured in 2016 Cadillac models.

Hit the break for more.

Android Auto will follow Apple CarPlay’s debut; therefore, buyers of compatible Cadillac vehicles will need to return to dealers for a software update to activate Android Auto. Both connected car platforms will work with Cadillac’s Cue, an in-house platform with an 8-inch display. David Leone, Cadillac’s Executive Chief Engineer, touted the luxury brand for leading the way with wireless charging and 4G LTE in cars and now having leading platforms in its vehicles.

General Motors plans to start the 2016 model year this summer.

Cadillac Enhances Phone Integration for 2016 Models with Apple CarPlay, CUE Upgrades

APPLE CARPLAY AVAILABLE AT LAUNCH; ANDROID AUTO COMING LATER IN MODEL YEAR

NEW YORK – Cadillac’s 2016 model year products will feature enhanced connectivity and control, including the addition of Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, the predominant new systems for in-car phone integration. These additions are part of a broader enhancement of CUE, Cadillac’s user experience, with new features and a faster, streamlined operation.

Apple CarPlay will debut in 2016 Cadillac models featuring CUE’s 8-in multi-touch screen except the SRX Crossover, a model that will move to an all-new generation in early 2016. Android Auto is expected to be phased into 2016 production at a later date. The 2016 model year will begin this summer.

“Cadillac’s product transformation includes continuing upgrades to connectivity and in-car technology,” says David Leone, Executive Chief Engineer. “In 2015 Cadillac became the first luxury brand to feature broad use of wireless charging and 4G LTE Wi-Fi connectivity, and now in 2016 we’re moving quickly to enhance phone integration and overall system performance.”

Phone Integration

Cadillac CUE provides owners a smart and simple way to access both Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. A “Projection” icon will appear on the CUE screen, to enable simpler, easier access to key smartphone functions, including navigation, contacts, hands-free text messaging and select applications supported by Apple or Google.

Apple CarPlay takes the iPhone features you’d want to access while driving and puts them on the vehicle’s display in a smart, simple manner. This allows drivers to make calls, send and receive messages and listen to music right from the touchscreen or by voice via Siri. Apple CarPlay supported apps include Phone, Messages, Maps, Music and compatible third party apps. A full list of those apps can be found at Apple.com/ios/carplay.

Android Auto is built around Google Maps, Google Now and the ability to talk to Google, as well as a growing audio and messaging app ecosystem that includes WhatsApp, Skype, Google Play Music, Spotify, and podcast players. A full list of supported apps is available at g.co/androidauto.

Many features can be controlled via voice commands through a steering wheel button, helping drivers spend more time with eyes on the road and hands on the wheel. In addition, Cadillac added wireless charging and OnStar 4G LTE Wi-Fi service in the 2015 model year.

Both phone integration systems require the phone to be connected via USB. Apple CarPlay requires iOS 7.1 or higher or an iPhone 5 or later or higher, Android Auto requires Android Lollipop operating system.

CUE Enhancements

A more powerful processor will be added to CUE for all 2016 models, enabling faster system start-up, voice recognition, navigation searches, and media playing.

For the navigation system, the control structure has been simplified for easier destination entry and quicker destination searches. Map screens have been redesigned for easier use, including one-touch control of commonly used features like “muting” voiced navigation instructions and route cancellation.

For the Escalade, CTS and XTS product lines, the Cadillac CUE screen will add Surround Vision, a 360-degree view of the vehicle’s perimeter. Driving mode information will be expanded to the screen as well. 

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Google enforcing app design for Android Auto apps to minimize safety concerns

Google has typically taken a very lax stance on Android apps, as we’ve all seen in the Play Store. It’s a very different approach than what you’ll find in other app ecosystems, but for the most part, it’s worked pretty well for Google. Regardless of your stance on the issue, it’s been very clear that Google is taking Android Auto and Android TV apps a little more seriously and putting efficient design at the forefront without allowing the app stores to get flooded with stuff from any app developer.

With the first wave of Android Auto vehicles rolling out, there are about 35 apps available for the platform. Compared to the millions and millions on the Play Store, that’s an extremely small number. Google has a good reason behind that, though, since addictive apps that work on your car’s dashboard are, well, dangerous.

Instead of allowing any apps onto the store for Android Auto, Google is holding developers responsible to a  template for every single app that mitigates the amount of time spent looking at the screen and the number of taps and presses that are necessary to interact with the app. This keeps distractions to a minimum and keeps drivers focused on the road, which is an incredibly responsible move on Google’s part.

Google’s template includes common typefaces and button layouts and enforces specific color palettes that are easy to see in the sunlight and not too harsh on the eyes at night. If an app doesn’t meet the criteria, it’s sent back to the developer to make changes until it’s considered safe for Android Auto.

Google isn’t taking shortcuts with this process, either. There’s no software or algorithm that checks this stuff out, but instead an actual human being that reviews every app to make sure that it meets Google’s self-imposed safety standards.

For now, don’t expect too many Android Auto apps to flood the market. At least not until Google hammers out the details of its self-driving cars. Then we can all watch Netflix and play Candy Crush on those long road trips with no worries whatsoever.

source: Auto News

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Google might be working on a “monthly movie pass”

Recently, select users of the Google Opinion Rewards app were sent a very interesting questionnaire. The first question asked whether or not they had a “monthly movie pass” from Google. No, there is not a video streaming service from Google that exists today or has even been announced.

Any other details were not included with the questionnaire; therefore, Google’s approach can go in two ways: follow Netflix or place a limit on the amount of films rented. The latter seems more likely because the Netflix model requires new, specialized deals for unlimited streaming. Google already has thousands of films available through the Play Store, meaning that placing a limit on rentals could be easier. For example, imagine paying $10 per month for ten rentals. Some people are not in need of Netflix’s messy catalog and only have a few things to watch each month.

The company that released the questionnaire on Google Opinion Rewards was not named. Because of this, Google may or may not have been the company to ask the question. Take a grain of salt with this one, folks.

Source: Hugo Seijas (Google+)

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