Android 5.0 Lollipop commences for Moto X
This month is shaping up to be one of the best months Android has ever had. With new Nexus devices hitting the shelves soon and a major update to Android, fans have plenty to choose from. Typically with new Nexus comes new Android and as usual new Android comes to Nexus first. This year Google allowed developers and manufacturers to use the new Android months before release. This allows phones and apps to update faster than ever.
With recent news Android 5.0 aka lollipop was set for release last week on Nexus devices all the way back to the Nexus 4. Apparently there was a slight hiccup to the release in the form of battery bugs that Google quickly saw and subsequently pulled the update. That has not stopped other device makers to release 5.0 for there devices ahead of Google.
Over the weekend Motorola had started a soak test for the Moto X. The soak test did not have a lot of information about it until recently Moto itself leaked a log on their help portal for the Moto X (2014). This is not too much a surprise considering Motorola’s strong ties with Google. The Moto X (2013) was also one of the first devices to receive KitKat 4.4. the information leak has been pulled rather quickly however various sources have captured an image of the change log. Over on the Xda side a user has already released a copy of the 5.0 update for Moto X pure edition.
This is an exciting year for Android marking whats is shaping up to be one of the fastest roll outs of new software outside of Nexus devices. Google has just about updated all there apps for material design and we are seeing other apps follow suit. AndroidGuys will keep you informed on any new information regarding Android 5.0 as soon as we receive it.
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Play Music Revisited: All Access enters the material world with Songza Concierge
It’s been just about a year and a half since Google released its music streaming service, All Access. In that time, Google acquired Songza, a lesser known curated music streaming service, back in July. Since then, it has been speculated that Google would eventually roll those features into its ever-popular music service.
Google recently brought Material Design to the Play Music app, but they also added Songza’s Concierge, bringing a whole new element to All Access. Given that Play Music has joined the material world, it’s time to give it a revisit. A month after All Access came out, I heralded it as an amazing streaming experience, hit the break to see if I still do so a year and a half later.
I have to admit, while I love Google Music I’ve been straying. Prior to Google’s addition of Songza support, Spotify was my go-to for the past few months in conjunction with Milk Music. However I have to say that since the update, Play Music has been the only app that I have used.
The main reason I used Spotify and Milk Music was they were simple for tapping a station and listening. It wasn’t finding a song and starting a radio station. It was a set and forget style that I really liked. To do so with Play Music involved remembering what song was close to the genre I wanted, finding it, then setting the station. Granted it that wasn’t always the case, but Google Music never had a set it and forget it option.
Enter Songza support. The best part is it gives you a set of options given your current time of the day. First thing in the morning, it’s waking up, During the day it’s keeping the work day light, energetic and fun. At night it may offer options for entertaining or offer a station for mellow relaxation. But even then it’s more specific than that.
Want to wake up to earthy rock? Google has that. Prefer upbeat country hits? No problem. If you’re like me, you’re a fan of random 90s stations. I even found a random 90s dance station that brought me back to middle school when dancing was nothing more than moving one’s feet back and forth in an almost robotic manner, but I digress.
While slightly more than a single tap for setting and forgetting, Songza support made it easier to do in Play Music. Of course it’s not without its faults.
One thing I’ve noticed with Milk Music, Spotify, Slacker and the other streaming services is that I can set them, forget them and go through the entire day and not hear the same song. That’s not the case in Play Music. After a certain amount of songs, the playlist starts over. It randomly reshuffles the same songs just a bit but essentially it’s the same songs you’ve heard. I have noticed that if you refresh the station it picks new songs. So while it may not be perfect, it certainly is a start.
Other than that I still have no complaints about Google Music. I’ve added many an album to my collection and while I know I’m renting them, I can still listen to them at any time. Sadly there was a snafu with my original $7.99 per month and I pay the normal $9.99. So after all this time, have I changed my perspective about Play Music?
No. I still think that Play Music is amazing, but unlike in the beginning it won’t be my end all be all, and I will still use a variety of other services. When All Access arrived, the streaming music scene wasn’t as congested as it is now. There is certainly a lot of music services out there wanting your money.
All Access is still a strong option and with the added benefit of Songza it’s made listening to music nostalgic, fun and enjoyable again, and that is where Google has the advantage.
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Leaked T-Mobile document suggests that Nexus 6 will only be available at 300 stores nationwide
The Google Nexus 6 has been one of the hardest devices to obtain this year. Although it hasn’t been officially released, pre-orders commenced on October 29th through the Google Play Store and have since sold out… not once, but twice. Not only did the Google Play Store run out of inventory, the Motorola online store sold out as well.
There has been a glimmer of hope for some Nexus die-hards through T-Mobile (myself included). An earlier leaked document suggested that the magenta carrier would launch the Nexus 6 on November 12th. This has since been confirmed through calls we made to T-Mobile.
Unfortunately, it seems that while they will indeed launch the Nexus 6 this Wednesday, not all stores will get the device. The document (which can be seen below) came courtesy of the XDA forums. It shows that over 1800 stores nationwide will get a demo unit of the Nexus 6, whereas only 300 stores will actually have stock to sell.
It is unknown if this document is legitimate, but we will definitely find out soon.
Nexus 6 store list (download link)
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Nexus 6 Inventory Expected to suffer in the Coming Months
Google has definitely had problems with inventory issues before (remember the Nexus 4?), and it seems this year won’t be any different. As the holiday season nears, Google and Motorola are still sold out of the new flagship, despite the $300 increase in price from last year’s model. As soon as Google receives new inventory on the Play Store, it immediately sells out.
Unfortunately, if you were thinking your Nexus 6 would come from your carrier, guess again. T-Mobile will get the device in stores November 12th, but Inventory will be limited. Demo devices will be aplenty though, so if you’re second-guessing the screen size, you can try it out. Other carriers will most likely not be receiving the device for a few weeks.
So, what’s the gameplan? Will you be waiting for you carrier to have Motorola’s Nexus 6 in stock, or are you going to try to catch Google on a good day? Is the Nexus 6 not for you? Leave a comment below and let us know what you plan to do.
Source: Android Police
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More Details on Project Ara
Project Ara is quickly becoming one of the most interesting Google tech projects of the year. As everyone is extremely excited, everything we learn is very important. Google has its latest working prototype and showed it to the world at Expand NY, and it’s pretty exciting.
The Technical Project Lead over the Modular Phone project, Paul Eremenko, showed up and introduced some new modules for the smartphone, like a Pulse Oximeter that can measure blood oxygen using light. Eremenko also showed how the modules can be undocked and removed without bricking up the device.
The prototype wasn’t beautiful by any means, but it still was functional and practical. Based on the ripples the device is making and the implications of mass adoption of this technology, Project Ara is definitely worth watching over the next two months before release.
I know I will be purchasing a Google modular phone when it is available for purchase. What about you? Leave a comment below and let us know!
Source: Engadget
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Google releases Lollipop guide in Google Play Books
This is a title that will probably be more helpful for smartphone owners who are starting off with their first Android device, but long-time Android users may want to check it out as well. Google has released a Quick Start Guide for Android 5.0 Lollipop via Google Play Books. Although the guide specifically targets Nexus and Google Play Edition devices that will be getting Lollipop, it may still be useful for other devices as well.
If you are interested in grabbing the Quick Start Guide and want to give it a look over, just use one of the download links below. The guide is free, but you have to have a Google Wallet account setup and configured for use with Google Play.
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Google opening Motorola’s Spotlight Story animated shorts for all Android devices
Among the many things that the original Moto X was praised for was the Spotlight Story animated shorts. They were fully interactive from from the boot animation onward, arriving at random points. First was Windy Day and then came Buggy Night. It was strictly limited to Motorola devices. However, it turns out that the Spotlight Story animated shorts will be heading to all Android devices in 2015. Why? Because the feature belongs to the Advanced Technologies and Products (ATAP) division that Google retained after selling Motorola.
The next animated short is Duet. Disney animator Glen Keane is developing the story that shows two people connect and fall in love, but starting from meeting each other at a young age. This animated short will arrive first for the Moto X and Moto X by the end of this year before heading off to all other devices. Then, also in 2015, a live action animated short part of the Spotlight Story series will be released.
Source: Medium
Via: TechnoBuffalo
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Google Fit support sprints to Nike+ Running app
As the days go by, Google Fit earns itself more support from health/fitness tracking applications. The latest app to connect itself to Google Fit is Nike+ Running. It now combines data obtained from wearables with Google’s new platform. It all comes together to create a complete user profile. In addition to getting Google Fit support, Nike+ Running now works with the Samsung Gear S smartwatch.
Hit the break for the changelog and download links.
What’s New
- Nike+ Running now works seamlessly with Google Fit. To connect your Nike+ account with Google Fit, upgrade to the latest version of the Nike+ Running app (v1.5), and follow the automatic connection prompts. Connecting to Google Fit is optional and may be turned on/off in your application Settings.
- Nike+ Running is now fully compatible with the Samsung Gear S.
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OnePlus One update now live with Wi-Fi fixes and more
OnePlus has today published details of an update it’s in the process of rolling out to all variants of its flagship smartphone, the One, currently situated in the United States. Unfortunately, the upgrade doesn’t bring much to the table with regards to new features, but it does include a handful of bug fixes, stability improvements, speed optimizations and an important security patch.
Hit the break for the full changelog.
- Fixed an issue with memory causing screen artifacts
- Fixed the “black bar” issue
- Fixed persist partition corruption
- Fixed Filesystem
- Fixed WiFi and modem crashes
- Fixed for random reboots and instability
- Fixed issue with AT&T VoLTE
As is customary, the update is being dished out in stages, but if you don’t feel like waiting for a notification confirming that it’s ready for your device, you can search for the upgrade manually. To do this simply head into “Settings,” then “About Device,” and select “Check for Updates.’
Source: OnePlus
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Google’s Barges Project Undone by Fire Concerns
Google’s mysterious barges project has apparently been shut down by the Coast Guard due to safety issues relating to fire. According to an inspector from the Coast Guard, the barge could prove dangerous in a fire. Google claimed the barges would be used to demo new technology, which coupled with 5,000 gallons of fuel could combine to make the new tech not the only hot thing on board.
Google originally had two barges under construction: one on the east coast, and one on the west. The east coast barge in Maine has been scrapped and sold, but the west coast barge has been relocated, supposedly to continue to make the designs fall more in line with Uncle Sam’s specifications.
The only way we know that the barges’ construction had been halted was from documents obtained under the Freedom of Information Act, but if you think you can use the documents to figure out just what Google has up its sleeve, guess again. Not even the Coast Guard can peep about the subject, since the tech giant forced them to sign NDA’s at the start of the project.
Source: Wall Street Journal
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