Android TV will display video apps as traditional channels
For Android TV, 2015 could turn out to be a breakout year — at least that’s what Google hopes. But how does the search giant plan to reach those heights? One way is by expanding its home entertainment platform’s support for live TV programming, with a new feature called Android Channels. What this lets users to do is view video-streaming apps on the same program guide as traditional channels, including those from ABC, CBS, Fox, NBC and other broadcast networks.
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Don’t miss out on all the latest news and updates from Google I/O 2015. Follow along at our events page.
Filed under: Home Entertainment, Software, HD, Google
Via: Variety
Google I/O 2015: the numbers you need to know
Didn’t fancy sitting through the whole liveblog from this year’s Google I/O keynote? We understand. Sometimes you just want to catch they key plays via the post-game show. And that’s kinda why Engadget exists, after all. As always with Google’s big developer event, there was a lot of ground covered in a relatively short space of time. Fear not, below are the things we think you most need to know.
Filed under: Cellphones, Misc, Wearables, Internet, Mobile, Google
Google Photos officially unveiled at Google I/O 2015
We’re live at Google I/O 2015 where the new Google Photos app has just been announced. Google has basically taken the Photos experience out of Google+ and moved it to a decoupled app, where we’re given basically all of the same abilities that we’re already used to, with a few handy features and improvements thrown in to the experience.
For starters, Google Photos is being marketed as a backup service with completely “unlimited storage”. Previously, Google+ Photos ate into your Google Drive storage space, and now that’s changed this time around. Photos will have a 16MP cap, and videos can only be uploaded if they’re 1080p or lower. Even though “unlimited” has its drawbacks in this scenario, it should be a welcome change for most users.
Google Photos can recognize and categorize your photos for you, automatically. It will not only be able to identify individual faces, but it can also group together everyday objects like food, landscapes, buildings and basically any other category you can think of. Your photos are separated into three main categories – People, Places and Things. From there, more specific categories are put in place, like individual people, locations and more. The jury is still out as to how well this app will actually be able to categorize photos on its own, though the demo was very promising.
There’s a new feature in Google Photos called “Assistant”, which is very similar to Autoawesome on Google+. It still automatically creates stories for you, but it also allows users to create their own albums, collages (mixes), movies, custom stories and animations. That means you won’t have to wait for Autoawesome to work its magic on its own – you can take matters into your own hands. This new Assistant feature seems easy enough to use, while also giving users plenty of control over their photos.
Of course, Google has made it easy to share photos and videos directly from the app, but now users have the option to share media privately, as well. Simply select the photo or video you want to send, open up the sharing menu, and select the “Get link” option. This will copy the link to your clipboard, and you can do with it what you want.
Users can access photos on the web by heading to photos.google.com, which features a completely revamped user interface, and provides an easy way to manage and edit photos on the desktop. The app will be live in the Play Store beginning today.
You can learn more about Google Photos by heading to the official announcement post. The app itself is expected to arrive later today for Android, iOS, and the web. We’ll be sure to update you as soon as it hits Google Play.
Google Maps delivers destination info, voice directions while offline
Sometimes you still need navigation and destination info when you’re offline. Google is delivering just that with offline Maps. Even when you’re not connected (or in airplane mode), the app will still provide information on places in your searches. This means that you can browse hours, reviews and other important details for places like museums and restaurants. What’s more, voice-guided turn-by-turn navigation is included as well for maps that you’ve saved for offline use. Unfortunately, there’s no word on when the new tools will arrive other than a vague “later this year.”
Don’t miss out on all the latest news and updates from Google I/O 2015. Follow along at our events page.
Google’s Cloud Messaging now sends notifications to iOS devices
Google’s Cloud Messaging is no longer just for sending alerts to Android devices or your web browser. The internet giant has announced that the service now pushes notifications to iOS devices as well — your favorite app can deliver updates to all your gadgets using a single system. The Cloud Messaging update also introduces topics, so an app can ask you about getting only the notifications you care about. A news app can send you notifications about tech and world news, for instance, while skipping entertainment. These features will take a while to filter down to the software you use, but they promise to both keep your hardware in harmony and cut back on some noise.
Don’t miss out on all the latest news and updates from Google I/O 2015. Follow along at our events page.
Filed under: Cellphones, Internet, Mobile, Google
Source: Google
Google Play rolls out kid-friendly discovery experience
Finding kid-friendly content in the clutter of inappropriate digital entertainment is one of the hardest tasks for parents. Google Play will now include a discovery tool that makes it easier for families to find apps, movies, shows and books that are best suited for kids. One-third of the android users in the US are parents with kids aged 12 and under. If you’re one of those parents, looking for an app that keeps your toddler occupied or a tween-fiction book to encourage a reading habit, you will be able to tap the Family button on the homepage to browse content by age and interests. You can also personalize the search based on characters — so Elsa, SpongeBob and Peppa Pig all get their own character badges.
Google started keeping a tighter check on the apps coming through the Play Store with a rating system earlier this year. The new feature builds further on that system. The company says it wants to empower parents to make informed decisions and this family-focused discovery tool, which rolls out in the next few weeks, will make that happen.
Don’t miss out on all the latest news and updates from Google I/O 2015. Follow along at our events page.
Filed under: Google
Google intros new Jump VR platform and improved Cardboard
Google brought virtual reality to the masses cheaply with Cardboard, a DIY headset announced at last year’s I/O conference. Now, the search giant’s building upon its 1 million VR viewers with an improved cardboard headset that fits smartphone screens up to 6 inches. It also incorporates a new top-mounted button that replaces the finicky magnetic ring so that Cardboard works with any phone. And, in what’s probably the most consumer-friendly move Google’s made with the new and improved Cardboard, it takes just three steps to assemble. Clay Bavor, VP of Product, told I/O attendees that they’d be receiving these new DIY VR kits immediately after the keynote. And for interested VR developers, it’s important to note the Cardboard SDK now works with iOS in addition to Android.
Google also announced Jump, its new VR platform for creating and sharing content. It’s the company’s way of giving professional-grade VR content creation tools to the masses so that anyone can capture and share 3D video. To do this, Google’s partnered with GoPro to build Jump’s first 3D camera rig. As Bavor explained on stage, the software works by seamlessly stitching video frames together for a border-free, depth-corrected immersive VR experience. Jump also happen to be the perfect software companion for Expeditions, Google’s just announced initiative to bring these VR experiences to educators so that “teachers [can] take their classes on field trips to anywhere.” Google didn’t reveal much about how Expeditions will work or how it’ll roll out to schools, but it’s clear from today’s announcement that Google’s taking VR very seriously.
Filed under: Cameras, Home Entertainment, Wearables, Internet, HD, Google
GoPro unveils a 360-degree camera array for VR videos
Now that Google has announced Jump, a new VR technology platform that lets you create and share 3D content, you’re probably wondering how you can do exactly that. Well, Google has partnered with GoPro to come up with a solution: a 360-degree camera array built out of 16 GoPros. The circular rig boasts camera syncing, multi-camera control and a super-long battery life so it can stand out there to capture as much crazy 3D footage as you can conjure up. From there, you can just hand over the video to Google’s Jump software and it’ll process it for you. And, if you like, you can share it with the world so that anyone with a VR headset — Cardboard or not — will be able to see it. We’re hearing from Google that the 360-degree camera will be seeded out to a few select Youtubers at least initially, but it’ll eventually be up for purchase to any and all wannabe VR content creators. Meanwhile, you should check out the video below to see an interactive (use your keyboard or mouse to look all around you) 3D video shot with the GoPro 360-degree camera array.
Filed under: Google
Google Cardboard now works on iOS
At the I/O developers conference this morning, Google announced that its low-cost VR headset, dubbed Cardboard, is now available for (official) use with the Apple operating system. The system has only been available for the Android OS since its debut at last year’s I/O conference. Its associated app, however, has been downloaded more than a million times since then.
This year’s headset iteration also sports some additional design improvements. The unit, for example, now accommodates phones up to six inches in diameter. Its assembly has also been streamlined from 12 steps to just three. The unit’s magnetic “switch” has also been revamped to work with all phones (and is now actually made of cardboard as well). You can download Cardboard for iOS from iTunes right now.
Don’t miss out on all the latest news and updates from Google I/O 2015. Follow along at our events page.
Android app makers can experiment with Play Store listings
Those rumors of Google letting Android app developers experiment with what you see in the Play Store? Yes, they’re true. Creators can now conduct tests to see what pricing works best, or whether one icon color is more alluring than others — you’ll only view one of each while the test is ongoing. Also, app makers are getting Developer Pages (shown above) that showcase all of their apps, so you’ll have a one-stop shop for everything from your preferred brand. If all goes well, you’ll find more Android apps with prices you’re willing to pay, and you won’t have to scrounge quite so much to get every app you need.
Don’t miss out on all the latest news and updates from Google I/O 2015. Follow along at our events page.
Filed under: Cellphones, Tablets, Mobile, Google
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