YouTube cards might finally get you to click video links
Lots of YouTube videos carry annotations with links to related clips or other websites, but how many of them do you actually visit? Probably few of them, if any. However, YouTube may have a way to pique your interest. It’s rolling out cards that both look much nicer — compared to text boxes, anyway — and are available at any time, not just at specific moments. They’ll work on mobile, too, so you won’t miss important contextual info just because you’re on your phone. YouTube isn’t ditching old-school annotations yet (it wants to fill out the cards’ feature set first), but it’s clear that their days are numbered.
Source: YouTube Creators
Google Now open-API will support cards from any app
Google’s smart notification app, Google Now, looks set to become an even broader platform. A new open-API will be made available to developers in the future, which will allow for any app’s data to be integrated with Google Now.
The new API will expand on the 40 or so third-party services already making use of Google Now integration. Of course, having multiple applications ping duplicate messages at you would be rather irritating. Fortunately, the system will monitor app usage patterns to help guide the data displayed, according to Aparna Chennapragada, Director of Product Management for Google Now.
In addition to new app support, Google Now development is also looking to improve upon personalized notifications over the next six-to-twelve months, by taking individual circumstances into account. For example, Now ideally should figure out how long users typically arrive at an airport ahead of their flight, before displaying relevant information.
Google has not yet confirmed when the open-API will be released to developers. Can you think of any existing apps that could benefit from more detailed card style notifications?
Google is working on an open API for Google Now that developers can bake in to their apps
So, Google Now is a pretty handy app, isn’t it? With its ability to turn our search and location data into useful facts, bringing us the latest scores from our favourite sports teams (or not), reminding us of appointments and even showing us gas stations on the route you are driving, it’s getting more difficult to imagine life before Google Now. With that, we have news that Google Now is set to become even more useful thanks to the planned release of an open API that any app developer will be able to bake into their apps. More details after the break.
During an interview at SXSW (South by Southwest) Aparna Chennapragada, the Director of Product Management for Google now, said that the app will soon be able to display any third party app data. This will be an expansion of the current pilot of 40 third party apps allowed to do so. She also explained how Google decides just what information should be shown on the Google Now cards:
“The company started out by simply guessing what would be useful, but then surveyed a panel of users by providing them with an app that asked them several times a day what information they would find helpful at that particular moment. Google surveyed thousands of users at a time, over several rounds of surveys. This identified trends that guided the product’s development.”
Over the next 6-12 months, the Google Now team’s focus is to tailor the app towards everyone’s personal preferences. An example of which is how long before a flight people like to arrive at the airport, while I like to get to the airport around 3 hours before a flight, my other half prefers to get there just in time. So while I might receive a card saying I have to leave for the airport now, the other half will receive a card telling her she still have 45 minutes to continue packing.
A feature that might be making an appearance in the future is a card to tell you how long the waiting time is at the theme park ride queue, this idea came about due to Chennapragada’s personal experience at Disneyland. It’s also a great example of how Google Now will assist us in our daily lives, helping us become more efficient with our time management.
One more thing to look forward to that the Google Now team is also working on some Easter Eggs. With April Fool’s Day coming up on the horizon, it’s probably safe to say that we can expect an Easter Egg or two to appear on our Google Now cards on the day.
Source: thenextweb
Come comment on this article: Google is working on an open API for Google Now that developers can bake in to their apps
Bloomberg: Microsoft not investing in Cyanogen after all, but a deal is still possible
Microsoft has decided not to invest in Cyanogen at this time, according to a new report from Bloomberg.
Back in January, the Wall Street Journal reported that Cyanogen was in the final stages of securing a new investment round worth around $70 million and that Microsoft would be one of the investors participating in the round.
If a new report from Bloomberg is accurate, Microsoft has passed on the opportunity to invest at this time, though Satya Nadella’s company may still be interested in a “commercial deal” that would put its software onto Cyanogen devices. Microsoft and Cyanogen reportedly held talks about such a deal, but it’s unclear how things will unfold now that the investment is no longer on the table. The companies declined to comment.
Even without Microsoft, Cyanogen managed to raise around $110 million, in a round that values it at $500 million, according to the report.
Cyanogen is effectively trying to fork Android, and that requires finding alternatives to Google’s apps and services, from email, to mapping, and productivity. The startup hopes to attract partners looking to establish a stronger presence on Android, free of Google’s constraints. So far Cyanogen has only teamed up with small players, like Nextbit, SwiftKey, and most recently Boxer. A deal putting Microsoft’s apps on Cyanogen devices would be a real coup for the startup founded by Steve Kondik and Kirt McMaster.
Cyanogen is trying to have its cake and eat it too. Its Android-based operating system is only interesting to manufacturers and users as long as it ships with Google apps, so, at least for now, Cyanogen has to play within the limits imposed by Google. At the same time, by pre-loading Cyanogen OS with non-Google apps and services, the company is laying the foundation of an OS that is free of Google, for better or worse. That’s a difficult undertaking but the potential payoff may be worth the effort.
Google Considering Ingress Convention this Year
The future of gaming, it seems, is not going to be in the next console or on the next big tablet—it will be in our physical world. At least, it will be partially in our world, existing in an augmented reality. That’s what Google had planned when it started Ingress, a sci-fi game played with real-world landmarks. The game has grown to be hugely popular in its two short years of existence, having already amassed over 10 million downloads. The regular meetups to play the game routinely draw thousands of people—sometimes up to 5,000!
Due to its huge popularity, and the nature of the game, Google’s Niantic Labs head, John Hanke, mentioned the possibility of a large-scale, convention-style meetup for players to attend. He gave no real concrete details, and kept quiet when pressed with questions, but the very fact that he brought it up is promising for all of the Ingress diehards in the world. If you’re hoping the convention will definitely happen, don’t worry: you’re not alone, so keep checking back on TalkAndroid for more information as it happens.
Source: The Verge
Come comment on this article: Google Considering Ingress Convention this Year
Google Now will soon show info from any app
Google Now only displays useful tidbits of knowledge from a handful of your apps right now, but the flood gates are about to fling wide open. Project director Aparna Chennapragada has revealed that Google plans to release a developer kit that lets any of your apps put their data into Now, not just those with special access. It’s not clear exactly when this will turn up, but Chennapragada suggests that there shouldn’t be collisions between competing software — your app usage habits will determine which cards appear. While that may be a tad optimistic (it’s easy to see two social networks vying for your attention), there’s a good chance that Google Now will become a one-stop shop for things you need to know.
Filed under: Cellphones, Internet, Mobile, Google
Source: The Next Web
Android Authority this week
It’s been a fun week in the world of Android. Google finally dropped Android 5.1 and we were happy to see it’s more than just bug fixes. New features may also be coming soon to Android Wear. We heard more interesting tidbits about Samsung’s hot new Galaxy S6 and S6 Edge, including talk about an Active version featuring a massive battery. More rumors about LG’s and HTC’s next hero devices emerged. Google reorganized its device store and released a cheaper and nicer Chromebook Pixel. Cyanogen revealed some details about its upcoming plans. And finally Google issued nice updates to several of its apps.
Inside AA HQ
We’re back with a new installment of Android Authority this week after a two week hiatus for MWC. The show itself has been a blast, but we all had even more fun on the sidelines, just catching up with each other, meeting new people, and getting to hang out with fellow bloggers and journalists from the Android community. Check out a short gallery from the show here: it’s just a taste of an experience that we try to share with you at every show.
Moving on, we’re looking forward to reviewing the undisputed stars of MWC – the HTC One M9, Galaxy S6, and Galaxy S6 Edge. All three devices are on their way and our reviews will be going up as soon as embargos let us. We’re really stoked to put these beasts through their paces, and we know you are stoked to learning everything about them, so stay tuned!
As always, keep an eye on our Sunday Giveaway page for a chance to win a hot new device!
The Friday Debate Podcast
The stuff you shouldn’t miss
Here are some interesting posts for your Sunday reading:
- Comparison: How does the new Galaxy S6 compare to Note 4? We take a look
- Comparison: We pitch the top two curved devices against each other: Galaxy S6 Edge vs G Flex 2
- Feature focus: Here’s what you can do with the interesting sloped screen of the S6 Edge
- Opinion: Apple Watch details are here: how does it stack up against Android Wear?
- Overview: Matt takes a look at the position and outlook of the biggest players in the mobile industry
- Review: Lanh takes the Mi Note for a spin. These are his conclusions
Top news of the week
And here are the top news in the Android world this week:
Android 5.1 is here
- Google officially unveils Android 5.1 Lollipop
- Here’s the full Android 5.1 changelog
- Android 5.1 brings back silent mode, sort of
- Android 5.1 Lollipop – Here’s what’s new
- (Update: Nexus 5, 6, 7, 10) Android 5.1 OTA update links begin to surface
- Android 5.1 said to be rolling out to Nexus 6 today
- Android 5.1 Lollipop SDK is now available with support for devices with dual-SIM cards
- Android Lollipop 5.1 factory images are now ready for download
Galaxy S6 bits and pieces
- Video: Samsung talks us through the Galaxy S6’s hardware
- Samsung is already ramping up Galaxy S6 production – report
- Samsung Galaxy S6 boasts the best display in the business
- Samsung reportedly has 20 million pre-orders for the Galaxy S6 and S6 Edge
- That curved glass on the S6 Edge? It takes time and money
Galaxy S6 Active
LG G4 and G Note shaping up
- “Early” press render hints at curvy LG G4
- More alleged LG G4 renders show front and sides… and an outdated logo
- Look out Samsung, LG may have a Note of its own
Android Wear is getting smarter
New Chromebook Pixel hits the Google Store
- Chromebook Pixel (2015) arrives, USB-C ports in tow — starting at $999
- Google goes all-in with USB Type-C
- Play Store shake up: devices section renamed to Google Store, Nexus 5 is gone
One E9 breaks cover
Google app updates
- Chrome v41 adds pull-to-refresh functionality, Beta v42 brings ‘site notifications’
- Street Art, Google’s first Android Wear watch face, is now live in the Play Store
- Google VPN service spotted hidden within Android 5.1
- YouTube now supports 360-degree video on desktop and mobile
- Latest Waze update helps estimate how long you’ll be stuck in traffic
- Google Messenger version 1.2 update adds GIF support
- New Google reference app helps developers build multi-screen apps
Cyanogen preview
- Lollipop-based Cyanogen 12 OTA for OnePlus One/Yureka now coming “in a few weeks”
- Cyanogen OS 12 will ship with Boxer as default email app
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!
Reuters: Microsoft readying Cortana for Android
As well as bundling their virtual assistant Cortana into Windows 10, the latest report is that it will also be offered as a standalone app for iOS and Android.
Eric Horvitz, managing director of Microsoft Research, said:
“This kind of technology, which can read and understand email, will play a central role in the next roll out of Cortana, which we are working on now for the fall time frame”.
He did however decline to comment on any plans to take Cortana outside of the Window environment, but Reuters claim that this is exactly Microsoft’s roadmap.
What Microsoft seem to be doing, and this can be seen with their Office products, is capitalise on their software and make it universal across platforms – much how Windows started; it didn’t matter what hardware you were running, Windows worked on top of it. With Windows Phone taking a solid third in the smartphone market and no sign of them competing for second place, Microsoft can change their strategy to make these numbers work in their favour.
So it makes perfect sense for Cortana to come to Android, but the question remains – will anyone use it?
The post Reuters: Microsoft readying Cortana for Android appeared first on AndroidGuys.
DIY Chrome App Builder launches on the Chrome Web Store
Google has launched a unique little tool on the Chrome Web Store that will allow you to quickly create apps for Chrome OS. That may sound a little simpler than it actually is, which is true; all the tool actually does is package up a web link into an easy set of files that can be uploaded as a Chrome app. You’ll still have to have some kind of web page or web app, and that takes more than a little know-how.
With that being said, the Chrome App Builder is very useful in certain circumstances. Since it creates a self-contained window with only four buttons (home, back, forward, and refresh), it’s ideal for an environment where you only need or want access to one specific site or app, and you don’t want there to be an easy way to navigate away from it. Think along the lines of the little computers you see in stores sometimes that only let you browse that company’s website.
The only drawback here is that for the app to go into that “kiosk” mode where you can’t navigate anywhere else, it’ll have to be installed on Chrome OS. The apps still work on Chrome browsers, Windows, OS X, and Linux, but you’ll lose that locked-in mode, for better or worse. It’s definitely not something everyone will rush out to download, but you can still get some use out of it if you know what you’re doing.
If you want to play around with it and build some Chrome apps for yourself, hit the link below.
source: OMG Chrome
Come comment on this article: DIY Chrome App Builder launches on the Chrome Web Store
“Add to home screen” banner will soon be coming to websites in Chrome for Android
Google’s Chrome Android app currently has a feature that lets you create pseudo-app shortcuts to your favorite web sites right on your home screen, but it’s tucked away in the overflow menu of the app. While it’s a useful feature, it’s not used as often as it could be because of that. Google plans on fixing that by adding an “add to home screen” banner to websites in the near future, promoting the feature to users and potentially increasing traffic to those sites.
Now, you’re probably thinking that another banner on your web pages is the last thing you want to see in Chrome. Fortunately, Google seems like they’ve planned this one out pretty well, and they’ve got a good system in place to prevent it from being too annoying. The banner will only appear if you visit a web site twice over the course of two days, and once you dismiss the banner, it won’t appear again unless you clear your browsing history. The sites will also only be able to display that banner if they offer app-like experiences, and HTTPS is a requirement.
The feature is going live in Chrome 42 Beta, so expect it to make its way to the stable version in the next few weeks.
source: Ars Technica
Come comment on this article: “Add to home screen” banner will soon be coming to websites in Chrome for Android
AIVAnet 