Google VPN service spotted hidden within Android 5.1
Android 5.1 features a number of tweaks and changes to Lollipop, but a whole new Google service has also been spotted lurking within the operating system running on a Nexus 6. Although not functional right now, Google appears to be working on a VPN (virtual private network) service.
If you have Android 5.1 installed on your own Nexus 6, you should be able to spot a new system application called “Google Connectivity Services”, located in the list of apps installed on your handset. I won’t go through all the steps of discovery, you can check out the source link for that, but eventually getting it to run reveals that this is a Google VPN application, designed to protect users connected up to an open Wi-Fi network. You can go all the way through to a setup screen, however connections don’t seem to be working at this time.
This could all be linked to Google’s wireless carrier service, which is said to rely heavily on open Wi-Fi connections when cellular services from T-Mobile and Sprint are not available. Keeping your personal data secure when connected to an open-WiFi network is quite an important feature, which is where the Google VPN service likely comes into play.
On the other hand, there’s also the possibility that this is a left-over feature that may never launch. Interesting though.
Google Messenger updated with GIF support and new widget
Right now, users of the Google Messenger app are seeing a software update arrive on their devices. The update includes support for animated GIFS and a new widget for placement on the home screen and/or lock screen. Google also made the usual performance improvements to the app while squashing some bugs.
Hit the break for download links.
What’s New:
- Support for animated GIFs
- Widget
- Performance improvements and bug fixes
Come comment on this article: Google Messenger updated with GIF support and new widget
Android 5.1 update brings full quad-core optimisation for Nexus 6
Renowned Kernel developer Francisco Franco has shared on his Google+ page that after the Android 5.1 update the Nexus 6 is now running on all four cores engaged constantly.
The result? No more stutter or lagging on the Nexus 6 thanks to what Franco describes below:
1 – thread moves from cpu0 to cpu2
2 – driver is notified
3 – reads the current cpu0 frequency
4 – if cpu2 current frequency is less than cpu0’s read frequency it boosts cpu2 to that freq, or, if the origin freq is lower than the threshold (which is 1.7GHz by default AFAIK) it boosts to that threshold value.
5 – the boosted frequency on cpu2 stays there for at least 20ms
Have you noticed an improvement in the speed of your Nexus 6 after Android 5.1? Drop us a comment below.
The post Android 5.1 update brings full quad-core optimisation for Nexus 6 appeared first on AndroidGuys.
Google’s Fiber TV service not exactly off to a good start
Google launched the Fiber internet service in Kansas City, Kansas a couple of years ago. Google also launched an accompanying cable TV service along with broadband, giving users the option to ditch their cable provider and pick Google instead. A new report now claims that this service hasn’t exactly been off to a flying start with only 29,867 video subscriptions made so far.
About 20,000 of these subscriptions reportedly came from Kansas City, Missouri, the report said. In the area, Google has grabbed about 10% of the market. Kansas City, Kansas on the other hand has a slightly better marketshare of 13%, which again, is nothing to write home about.
On the whole Google Fiber TV is said to have about 0.026% of the entire U.S. TV marketshare, which tells us that Google is yet to make inroads in this area. This also means that cable TV providers in the regions don’t have anything to worry about at this point with Google barely scratching the top of the surface.
Source: Multichannel
Via: 9to5Google
Come comment on this article: Google’s Fiber TV service not exactly off to a good start
5 Android apps you shouldn’t miss this week! – Android Apps Weekly
Welcome back to another episode of Android Apps Weekly! Here are your headlines for this week:
- Cyanogen has announced that they will begin using Boxer as their default email app.
- PlayStation Mobile is shutting the doors for good. Goodbye PlayStation Mobile, you had a rather underwhelming run.
- Amazon is tossing a $25,000 contest. How do you enter? By downloading just one application from the Amazon Appstore.
- An application is under development from Google called Interactive Events. Unfortunately, it doesn’t do anything yet.
- Pocket Casts, one of the best podcast apps ever, received a huge Material Design overhaul.
For more headlines, updates, and news, don’t forget to check out this week’s newsletter by clicking here. We put out a new issue every Friday that we personally curate. If you’re interested in getting it straight to your email, click the subscribe button below!
Subscribe to our Android Apps Weekly newsletter!
Android System Webview
[Price: Free]
Android System Webview is an app powered by Chrome that allows other apps to display web content. If you’re running Lollipop, this has already been installed on your device but now it’s officially in the Play Store so it can be updated. There’s really not much to do on your part. It’s already there and now it’s in the Play Store.
Blood & Glory: Immortals
[Price: Free with in app purchases]
Blood & Glory: Immortals is an action RPG out of GLU Mobile where you play as one of three heroes that take on the armies of Zeus, Hades, and Ares. It features decent graphics, plenty of game play, and you can create your own guilds. It’s free to play so it costs nothing to check out.
Corgi for Feedly
[Price: Free]
Corgi for Feedly is a free lock screen replacement app that brings you news stories from your Feedly feed straight to your lock screen. It has a colorful, fun design and it works fairly well. It is a newer app which means it has newer app problems, but it’s totally free so it’s worth a shot.
Street Art watch face
[Price: Free]
Street Art watch face is a new Android Wear watch face and it’s the first that’s been released by Google. It features some colorful, fun visuals along with an analog, minimal, and digital option. There aren’t a lot of customization features but it’s a nice addition to the watch face collection. Especially if you like urban scenes.
Five Nights at Freddy’s 3
[Price: $2.99]
Five Nights at Freddy’s 1 and 2 were huge hits in 2014 and we imagine that the third iteration will be a big hit in 2015. The game play is a lot of the same kind of stuff with some new game play elements mixed in. There are even multiple endings that you can try to go for. It’s $2.99 with no in app purchases.
Wrap up
If we missed any great news, let us know in the comments!
More details revealed about YouTube’s 360-degree video integration
Back in January it was reported that YouTube is planning on supporting 360-degree videos, and now we have a little more info.
Users will be able to upload these special videos from compatible cameras, which include Bublcam, Giroptic’s 360cam, IC Real Tech’s Allie,Kodak’s SP360 and Ricoh’s Theta. You will be able to watch these 360-degree videos on the existing the YouTube app for Android while moving around the 360 view will be done by moving the phone or tablet. It’s also a lock that you will see this integrated with Google Cardboard and other VR headsets.
Users on the desktop will be able to simply drag their mouse to see different views.
We are still not certain as to when this feature will launch, but YouTube will be hosting a technology showcase through April in Los Angeles , which gives consumers a chance to try out different cameras and learn how to make great 360-degree videos.
source: CNet
Come comment on this article: More details revealed about YouTube’s 360-degree video integration
Google Flight Search gets Happiness Factor integration from agreement with Routehappy
Flight amenity data such as Wi-Fi, in-seat power, and seat type, comes to Google Flight Search results thanks to a new agreement with Routehappy.
Routehappy has two proprietary systems. Flightpad researches and verifies flight amenities by aircraft, cabin, schedule, and route while Flightmatch is a set of algorithms that scores Happiness Factors, duration, and ratings for billions of possible flight combinations.
“We know people are looking for more information about the flights they’re taking before they buy, so integrating Routehappy Happiness Factors is a great addition to Google Flights. Now even more people have access to comprehensive flight amenity data and useful flight search information,” said Gianni Marostica, Director Business Development, Travel, Google.
Full Press Release:
Routehappy Integrates Happiness Factors Into Google Flights Results
Routehappy and Google sign worldwide data licensing agreement for use of Routehappy Happiness Factors in Google Flights
NEW YORK, March 12, 2015 /PRNewswire/ — Routehappy, the product differentiation platform for air travel, today announced a worldwide agreement with Google to integrate flight amenity data from its Scores & Happiness Factors API into Google Flights results. This integration will allow Google Flights users in all geographies to see and compare amenities by flight, including seat type, in-seat power, and Wi-Fi.
“We know people are looking for more information about the flights they’re taking before they buy, so integrating Routehappy Happiness Factors is a great addition to Google Flights. Now even more people have access to comprehensive flight amenity data and useful flight search information,” said Gianni Marostica, Director Business Development, Travel, Google.
Routehappy’s Scores & Happiness Factor data is derived from two proprietary Routehappy systems, Flightpad and Flightmatch. Routehappy researches and verifies flight amenities by aircraft, cabin, schedule, and route on a constant basis from hundreds of disparate sources to create Flightpad, the most comprehensive, accurate comparable product attribute dataset for flights worldwide. Flightmatch is a set of powerful and intelligent algorithms that dynamically match and score Happiness Factors, duration, and ratings for billions of possible flight combinations.
“Air travel has never been more differentiated, with airlines investing billions of dollars in their products and fundamentally changing how they sell flights. Airlines and distributors need data, content, and tools to manage their product differentiation,” said Robert Albert, Routehappy CEO. “Google Flights is innovating flight search in powerful new ways, including offering lightning fast search and now more comprehensive amenity data for flyers. We’re thrilled to be partnering with Google in bringing useful information to flyers everywhere.”
For more information on Routehappy, including a demo flight search application, information on products, and recent company news, please visit http://www.routehappy.com.
ABOUT ROUTEHAPPY
Routehappy is the product differentiation platform for air travel, providing the industry with data, content, and tools to improve flight shopping. Routehappy’s Scores & Happiness Factors API rates flights worldwide and provides Aircraft, Seat, Layout, Entertainment, Wi-Fi, Power and Fresh Food data by flight. Routehappy Hub is a SaaS platform that enables airlines to organize, target, and deliver their product attributes wherever flights are sold, helping airlines better monetize their products. Routehappy recently announced data licensing partnerships with Expedia and Serko, and released a Global State of In-flight Wi-Fi. Routehappy is based in New York. For more information, visit http://www.routehappy.com.
Come comment on this article: Google Flight Search gets Happiness Factor integration from agreement with Routehappy
Google knows if your flight has WiFi
Google Flight Search can send you to a random spot on the globe, and now it’ll tell you if that fare offers WiFi too. Through a partnership with flight-rating service Routehappy, the search giant will populate your queries with amenity information like the aforementioned internet availability, in-seat power outlets, media streaming to your own device and seat type. Since trips on Virgin America’s kitted out planes aren’t exactly feasible for every trip, Google’s new tools should make it easier to see what flights offer a somewhat comparable experience before you board.
[Image credit: Jupiterimages.com]
Filed under: Transportation, Internet, Google
Via: AndroidCentral
Source: PR Newswire
Google Looking to Launch VPN Service for Android
There is talk spreading that Google may be considering creating a VPN service for Android users everywhere. This talk stems from a secret hidden beneath the new Android 5.1 update for the Nexus 6. If you currently own a Nexus 6 running Android 5.1, follow along and see if you can find what we’re talking about.
Included in the update for the Nexus, there is an app called Google Connectivity Services. Don’t check your app drawer; you won’t find it there. It can only be found in the list under Settings > Apps > All. It is possible to run it after tweaking it a bit. (If you are interested, follow the link below.) Once it is run, you are alerted that Google VPN is being run to keep your data transmitted securely. If you select, “Got It,” you will be taken to a Connection request window that requests your permission to set up a VPN. If you select, “OK,” the app will stop running, so it is far from finished.
While no one can be certain what exactly Google has in mind, there are plenty of things to consider. Will this service be freely available to all Android user, or will there be a charge to use it? Will there be unlimited bandwidth, or will we have caps to our VPN usage? Is Google only planning to use this feature in relation to the Mobile Network it is trying to run? Leave your comments below and start a discussion on what you think is happening.
Via: GSM Arena
Source: Pocketables
Come comment on this article: Google Looking to Launch VPN Service for Android
Google Chrome beta adds push notifications
Chrome’s push notification feature has graduated from the Canary channel and is now part of the latest Beta release. And you know what that means, right? It’s just one step away from being incorporated into the stable browser. Chrome Beta 42 (for all platforms) comes with two new APIs that allows websites to send you notifications even if the browser isn’t open. Each message comes with “Site Setting” beneath it, though (as you can see below the fold), providing a way to quickly switch off notifications from that particular service or website.
In addition, the latest Chrome beta for Android now shows banners that make it easier to add shortcuts to the home screen. Only well-made mobile websites that meet the company’s eligibility criteria can take advantage of the new feature, so you don’t end up with a bunch of shortcuts. Finally, the browser has a new setting that lets you pause plug-in content — handy, if you want to prevent old computers from slowing down or to save battery when you’re nowhere near an outlet.
AIVAnet 