Grab the new Google Search v4.3 [APK download]
The latest update to Google Search isn’t a major one, but is most likely preparing for their open sourced Google Now cards update which allows developers to put their own content into Google Now from their apps. Other changes we did notice included tweaks for media playback cards, a new UI layout for “relationship with contacts” which allows you bind contacts with family nicknames, such as labeling someone as your mother or father, and telling Google to “Call Dad”.
Below is the link for download, which will simply update your current app. The over-the-air update will probably roll out in the next few days, so this is a quick way to get the update now.
File Name: com.google.android.googlequicksearchbox-4.3.10.88581490.arm-300403395-minAPI16.apk
Version: 4.3.10.88581490.arm (300403395)
The post Grab the new Google Search v4.3 [APK download] appeared first on AndroidGuys.
Google’s street art collection doubles in size
If you’re the sort who’s more excited by graffiti and murals than paintings hanging in a museum, today’s your lucky day. The Google Art Project has doubled the size of its street art collection to a total of more than 10,000 images, including spruced-up abandoned buildings in Buenos Aires and formal projects from Sweden’s Artscape festival. And there’s new ways to check out these pieces, to boot — in addition to the existing mobile and web views, Google has quietly released a Street Art Watch Faces bundle that shuffles through projects on your Android Wear smartwatch. Hit the source links if you’re curious about street culture around the world.
[Image credit: RUN/Dulwich Outdoor Gallery, Google Art Project]
Via: The Verge
Source: Google Official Blog, Google Play
What would make people switch from iPhone to Galaxy S6? A lower price, apparently
There’s a lot that Android enthusiasts don’t like about the new Samsung Galaxy S6 – its lack of microSD slot immediately springs to mind as well as its lack of removeable battery. The list is exhaustive, as it usually is, but in the bigger picture where Samsung is doing battle with Apple for top dog […]
The post What would make people switch from iPhone to Galaxy S6? A lower price, apparently appeared first on AndroidSPIN.
Google Play adds age-based ratings to games, buckles down on reviewing apps
On its Android Developers Blog, Google has chronicled two changes coming to the Play Store.
The first of these changes is a global content rating system for apps and games. Starting today, developers will need to complete a content rating questionnaire of each of their apps and games in order for them to receive ratings. The official ratings will come from the International Age Rating Coalition (IARC), the Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB), Pan-European Game Information (PEGI), Australian Classification Board, Unterhaltungssoftware Selbstkontrolle (USK), and Classificação Indicativa (ClassInd).
Developers will need to sign into the Developer Console and complete the new questionnaire for their apps. Apps without a completed questionnaire risk being unrated and may be blocked in certain territories for some users. In May, all apps, whether new or existing, will need to meet this requirement.
Lastly, there is a new app review process. Starting some months ago, Google reviewed apps before they were published to Google Play. It has now added a team of experts who will be responsible for reviewing violations. Developers can view the status of their apps at any times and clearly will be able to understand why any are rejected or suspended,. They can resubmit those with minor policy violations.
The post Google Play adds age-based ratings to games, buckles down on reviewing apps appeared first on AndroidGuys.
Deal: Get $50 in Google Play credit with purchase of a Nexus 6, Nexus 9 or Android Wear device
If you’re in the market for a new smartphone, tablet or wearable, the newly-announced Google Store may have a deal for you. From now until March 31st, if you purchase a Nexus 6, Nexus 9 or any Android Wear device, you’ll receive $50 in credit to be used on anything in the Google Play Store. Once you purchase your new device, you’ll get a confirmation email from Google with your promotion code, which can then be added to your Play Store balance.
There are a few rules and regulations to go over before you make your purchase, though. Just to clarify, the $50 credit can be used in the Google Play Store, not the new Google Store where you buy devices. Your $50 credit can go towards anything, whether that be new apps, games, movies, shows, music or magazines. Your Google Play credit must be added to your account by April 20th and used by September 1st.
In addition to this sweet deal, Sony’s SmartWatch 3 can also be yours for a discounted price. Right now, the SmartWatch 3 is being offered at a $50 discount ($199.99), and includes the $50 in Google Play credit. That’s not a bad deal at all!
If you’d like to take advantage of any of these deals, head to the link below to start shopping. Is anybody picking anything up?
Google ditched the steering wheel because people are ‘unreliable’
If you’ve ever wondered why Google decided to build its own car, well, you have at least part of your answer now. During a talk at SXSW, Astro Teller, the head of Google X, told the crowd that they decided to remove the steering wheel and brakes entirely because humans are “not a reliable backup” for the self-driving system.
What does he mean exactly? Well, he believes that Google has already “mastered” highway driving. The company had put in hundreds of thousands of hours, autonomously cruising California freeways. The project had even reached the dog-fooding phase, in which Googlers test out the project in the real world. So employees that didn’t work in the semi-secretive Google X division were essentially invited to beta test the vehicle and commute to work in a robot car — under the condition that they pay very close attention and be the world’s best bug reporters.
Humans are “not a reliable backup” for the self-driving system.
Unfortunately, Teller and his team quickly learned that people are too quick to trust that the car will simply take care of everything. The car had to be driven to and from the freeway before the self-driving could be engaged and in between, passengers needed to closely monitor how the vehicle behaved. Instead, they would immediately check out and engage in what we can only assume is questionable behavior. Teller pointed out that people engage in plenty of stupid activities when actually driving, like texting. So imagine what they would do when able to put their trust fully in the car itself. Teller didn’t get specific; he only said it “wasn’t pretty.”
So now the challenge is to master city driving and completely remove people from the equation.
He also answered a few other burning questions about Google’s self-driving prototype. Specifically why, if the goal is to have no steering, no brakes and no way for a person to take control of the vehicle are there mirrors and a windshield wiper. Well, it turns out that’s just the law. Regulations require mirrors and a windshield wiper, even if they don’t benefit the actual driver. Go figure.
Filed under: Transportation, Google
Reminder: Google I/O 2015 registration is now open; closes on March 19
Here’s a quick reminder to let you all know that registration has opened for Google I/O 2015. Beginning today (12PM EST) and running through 5PM (PDT) on March 19, you can sign up for a chance to attend the annual developer’s conference.
As was the case last year, this is a no-hassle, no-hurry way to get yourself signed up for the lottery. Tickets are $900 for the two day event; students can register for $300.
Should you not make the cut to attend in person, Google does a wonderful job of broadcasting the keynote and showcasing sessions over the few days. It’s not the same as being there in person, rubbing elbows and all, but it still allows for excellent know-how and insight into the future of Google endeavors.
Google has not yet outlined the schedule of events for the conference however we’re expecting plenty of coverage on Android, Android Wear, Android TV, Android Pay, Chrome OS, and a little bit of everything else. We’re also anxious to see whether Google is ready to pull the trigger on its “Project NOVA” MVNO plans.
If you’re ready to sign up for a chance to attend Google I/O 2015, head to the website between now and March 19 5:00PM PDT.
The post Reminder: Google I/O 2015 registration is now open; closes on March 19 appeared first on AndroidGuys.
Samsung Galaxy S6 does not support all features of the Android 5.0 Camera2 API
It was revealed yesterday that the Android 5.0 update on the Sony Xperia Z3 did not introduce the camera features from stock Android. Known as the Camera2 API, these features introduce the likes of RAW image capture and some other crucial features. It has now been revealed that even the Samsung Galaxy S6 , Galaxy S6 Edge and the HTC One M9 are missing these Camera2 API features.
The Galaxy S6 and the Galaxy S6 Edge reportedly don’t have the .dng or RAW image capture support. The two devices are also said to be lacking shutter speed control, which might come as bad news for prospective buyers of the two flagships.
SpectraStudy has compiled a list of features missing with the two devices:
- no manual white balance via RGB gains
- no custom color space conversion matrix
- no shutter speed control
- no manual exposure parameters (only rough exposure steps control)
- non-fixed metering, etc.
This also applies to other flagship devices like the HTC One M9 which was unveiled at the MWC. Interestingly, Google offers the full list of features from the Camera2 API on its Nexus devices like the Nexus 5 and the Nexus 6.
What do you make of these exclusions by major companies like Samsung? Sound off below.
Source: SpectraStudy
Via: Phone Arena
Come comment on this article: Samsung Galaxy S6 does not support all features of the Android 5.0 Camera2 API
Google Now Manually Reviews Play Store Submissions, Approval Times Still Faster Than App Store
Google on Tuesday announced two changes to the Play Store that it hopes will result in an improved experience for both developers and users. The first is a new review process where apps submitted for approval are manually reviewed by a team of employees at Google before the software is published on the Play Store. Google claims it began manually reviewing apps several months ago, with no noticeable change in approval times during the rollout.
The move to human reviewers marks a significant change for the Play Store, as the ability for developers to have apps go through a quick and automatic review process was a major differentiating factor over Apple’s tedious review process for the App Store on iPhone and iPad. Nevertheless, Google says it will continue to help developers get their apps published on the Play Store within hours of submission, rather than days or weeks.
Apple has been rather controlling and inconsistent at times in regards to enforcing its App Store review guidelines over the years. Last month, for example, the iPhone maker began rejecting apps with violent screenshots for infringing upon a long-standing review guideline. Developers also face long waits with Apple, as the average approval times for apps is roughly six days for the App Store and seven days for the Mac App Store.
The second improvement is the introduction of an age-based rating system for apps and games on the Play Store, based on official rating authorities such as the Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB) in the United States, Pan-European Game Information (PEGI) in Europe and Classification Board in Australia. Territories with no specific rating authority will display age-based, generic ratings for apps.
“Today we’re introducing a new age-based rating system for apps and games on Google Play. We know that people in different countries have different ideas about what content is appropriate for kids, teens and adults, so today’s announcement will help developers better label their apps for the right audience. Consistent with industry best practices, this change will give developers an easy way to communicate familiar and locally relevant content ratings to their users and help improve app discovery and engagement by letting people choose content that is right for them.”
Google encourages developers to visit the Developer Console and fill out a content rating questionnaire to ensure that their apps remain available on the Play Store. Apps without a completed questionnaire will be listed as unrated and, starting in May, all apps and updates submitted to the Play Store will require a completed questionnaire before being published on the Play Store.
Google starts reviewing apps before they reach the Play Store
Although Google has tightened app policies on the Play Store over the years, the company thinks it can do more to protect users. One way to do that is to crack down on the amount of malware and bad apps on its marketplace, so it’s begun reviewing apps before they become available to download. The new policy, which is similar to Apple’s approach on the App Store, has been in effect for a couple of months and uses a mix of algorithms and human intervention to weed out rogue apps.
But that’s not all it’s doing. Google has also launched a new rating system for Android apps that will spell out which apps and games are appropriate for certain age groups. It’s teamed up with a number of independent bodies including the ESRB, PEGI, USK, ClassInd and the Australian Classification Board, the same groups that classify video games like GTA V before they go on sale.
The idea is to help developers better target users and educate parents about the apps and games they are being asked to download. The ratings will cover the usual topics: sexual content, violent content, drugs, alcohol and gambling. According to Google, if users aren’t in one of the supported countries, it will deliver an “age-based, generic rating” that has been awarded after developers have completed a content rating questionnaire. If developers don’t comply, downloads could be blocked in certain regions.
It’s a far cry from the early days of Android, when developers could submit whatever they like. The Play Store is now a $7 billion-plus business, so Google needs to better protect users as hardware gets more powerful and apps normally reserved for desktops and consoles come to mobile devices.
Filed under: Cellphones, Gaming, Internet, Software, Mobile, Google
Source: Android Developers Blog
AIVAnet 