Google Fit for Android is ready to compile all of your fitness stats
Filed under: Software, Mobile, Google
Via: The Next Web
Source: Google Play, Android Official Blog
YouTube may launch music service with ad-supported and paid versions
YouTube’s music service has become the topic of many rumors lately, with some sources claiming the service is very close to launching. We still haven’t heard anything concrete, but YouTube’s Susan Wojcicki discussed what’s happening with the service with Re/code to shed some light on what we’ve been hearing.
According to Wojcicki, the service is still in the early stages, which means it might not be available as quickly as we’d thought. YouTube is still exploring how to best create a music service to compete with other subscription models like Spotify or Pandora. One of the options she mentioned was an ad-free service, similar to Google’s own All-Access.
However, YouTube wants to give users options, and since YouTube pulls in almost all of its revenue from ads, it wants to keep an ad-supported service open, too. Google’s All-Access does not have a free, ad-supported option.
Unfortunately, she didn’t clarify anything past that, so the idea of a YouTube music service is still very murky. We know it’s coming, but we don’t know when and how. Hopefully we won’t have to play the waiting game much longer.
Hit the link below for the rest of the interview.
source: re/code
Come comment on this article: YouTube may launch music service with ad-supported and paid versions
Google details the ways Android Lollipop protects your phone’s data
Android 5.0 Lollipop isn’t just about a shiny new interface or whiz-bang features; there are some new ways to safeguard your phone’s data, too. To underscore that point, Google has detailed Lollipop’s toughened-up security features. Some of them you may know if you’ve followed development closely. Smart Lock lets you unlock your device using a paired Bluetooth- or NFC-equipped gadget, such as an Android Wear watch. Tougher SELinux enforcement, meanwhile, should reduce the chances that a rogue app compromises the entire system. And as much as the FBI may hate it, full device encryption is both on by default (for new devices) and tied to hardware security — both law enforcement and thieves should have a much harder time spying on your locally stored content. It’s probably going to be a while before these new defenses reach your phone, and you’ll still want to be cautious when sharing things online. Nonetheless, it sounds like you won’t have to worry quite so much about data breaches in the near future.
Filed under: Cellphones, Tablets, Mobile, Google
Source: Official Android Blog
YouTube’s music streaming service almost ready for launch, according to CEO
YouTube CEO Susan Wojcicki spoke about YouTube’s upcoming music streaming service and stated that the service will offer offline playback and other functionality with competitors.
Whilst no additional granular details were offered about the service, Wojcicki is optimistic that the service will be launching in the near future.
YouTube is also reportedly looking at ways of offering paid subscriptions to remove advertising from videos.
Will you be purchasing a subscription to YouTube if one was offered?
The post YouTube’s music streaming service almost ready for launch, according to CEO appeared first on AndroidGuys.
Google talks screen size of Nexus 6, thinks people want giant phones
When Google announced the Nexus 6, there were two details that raised eyebrows. The biggest shock was definitely the pricing, since most of us have gotten used to the incredibly cheap phones and tablets in Google’s Nexus lineup. However, the size of the phone has also become a hot topic for debate.
The Nexus 6 sports a 5.9-inch screen, which is considerably bigger than the 5-inch screen offered on the Nexus 5 from last year and still slightly bigger than even the largest phablets on the markets today. It’s clear that Google wanted an absolute top-of-the-line device with the Nexus 6, but there are still questions about whether or not customers will want something that big. Google thinks they do.
When asked about the size of the screen, Google’s VP of Engineering for Android David Burke said that if most people tried out a phablet device, they would eventually like it and wouldn’t be able to go back to a smaller screen device. It’s a bold claim, but it has a lot of merit. There are fewer and fewer smaller devices, and consumers seem to gravitate towards phones with massive screens.
If you just refuse to get a phone with a giant screen, Burke pointed out that there are still options. Google is still selling the extremely capable Nexus 5 alongside the Nexus 6, and there will always be options from other manufacturers. If you need a cutting edge flagship phone, though, it looks like Google and everyone else is pushing for tablet-replacement devices.
source: Cnet
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Root Nexus 5 Running Android 5.0 Lollipop With SuperSU
The Nexus 5 running the latest Android 5.0 Lollipop software can now be rooted using a SuperSU package, formed from the Android 5.0 SDK with a build number of LPX13D.
This is great news for Nexus 5 owners concerned with keeping their root access when the Android 5.0 Lollipop update lands on their devices from the official OTA in November.
Using ChainFire’s SuperSU with the CF-Root tool gives you root access on the Nexus 5, and to do so yourself follow the steps below.
Root the Nexus 5 On Android 5.0 Lollipop
- Download the SuperSU root file here.
- Download the adapted hammerhead boot image here.
– extract the contents. - Note: You must have Android SDK already pre-installed before starting.
- Use the extracted file from the boot image folder and copy it over to the same folder that the SDK is sitting.
- Connect the nexus 5 to the computer with the USB wire.
- Have the SDK folder open and right click the mouse and hold the ‘Shift” key on the keyboard.
– now you have the command line open and ready for us to type some commands. - Type the first command: “adb reboot bootloader”.
– you are running in bootloader mode. - Type the second command: “fastboot flash boot boot.img”.
- This command takes some time as it is flashing the file. Do not touch any keys until it finishes.
- Select the recovery option from bootloader mode.
- Choose the “install” option from the main menu.
- Locate the root file from earlier and upload the file to the Nexus.
– confirm the process and do not touch any keys until it finishes flashing once more. - Go back to the main screen of recovery and select “reboot System Now”.
- The initial boot process can take minutes longer for the first time.
Enjoy your rooted Nexus 5 with Android 5.0 Lollipop.
The post Root Nexus 5 Running Android 5.0 Lollipop With SuperSU appeared first on AndroidGuys.
Free international calls on Google Hangouts through 2014
Google has put a lot of time and effort into building out their Hangouts app.
Some say it’s getting too bloated (or, maybe that’s just me), while others are still hopeful of a single unified communications application to rule them all.
Whatever your perspective is on Hangouts, Google definitely wants you to use it. Through the end of 2014, Google is offering free international calls to 25 different countries.
Sort of.
In actuality,
For the rest of 2014, the first minute of most calls to 25 countries are free, and you’ll be charged for each minute after. Calls where the first minute are free will say, “First minute free” on the call screen. If you don’t see this message, you’ll be charged for the first minute.
There are a few steps you will need to follow in order to get the free time.
- Add calling credit to your Google account.
- Make one call at a time. If you try to make more than one call at the same time through Hangouts, only one of them will get the first minute free.
- Call one of the 25 countries where the first minute is free, subject to usage and abuse limits.*
But wait, there’s more,
Before you make your first phone call
To turn on phone calling in the Hangouts app on Android devices, make sure you do the following:
- Download the Hangouts dialer on Android devices. The Hangouts dialer turns on calling in the Hangouts app.
- If you don’t have the latest version of the Hangouts app on Android devices, download the Hangouts app on Android devices.
…and that’s assuming you already have a Google Voice number setup. If not, your list of steps just got longer.
It seems like a lot to go through for a a single minute of calling. But, if you really want to hear someone’s voice this holiday season, or want them to hear your’s, then this might just be the offer for you.
Check out Google’s guide to making calls with Hangouts, and to see the list of 25 countries eligible for a free minute of calling.
Source [Google]
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YouTube CEO confirms music subscription service is coming soon
There have been plenty of rumors about YouTube starting up a music subscription service, including a confirmation from the Google-owned group in June that it was coming later in the summer (which has obviously come and gone). Tonight we heard another confirmation, this time straight from the mouth of CEO Susan Wojcicki. In an interview at Code/Mobile, the executive said that her team was indeed “working on it” and that this is a near-term goal. While she didn’t get into specifics on the program, which may or may not be called Music Key (according to rumors, that is), she stated that one of the obstacles is figuring out “how to give people options” — likely a way of saying that YouTube is still working out the pricing tiers and what features would be available for each individual plan. And given that the service will supposedly include concert footage and other videos, it may be a bit more complex than what competitors like Spotify offer. It’s not clear when exactly we’ll see this service ready for the public, but this is at least a solid indication that it didn’t just completely vanish, never to be enjoyed by our eyes and ears.
[Image credit: Getty Images]
Filed under: Home Entertainment, Software, Google
Via: CNet
Wear apps on the Moto 360 not displayed correctly when language is set to German after 4.4W.2 update
The 4.4W.2 update started rolling last week, and it appears a pretty big bug was found on the Moto 360 by Albrecht Noll, developer of Android Wear Faces Creator. If the language is set to German, apps are displayed as if the Moto 360 is square, not round. We aren’t sure if any other languages are affected, but we do know that everything is working okay with English.
You can clearly see the issue from the image above and below. The left is when German is selected, and the right is when English is selected. The issue is not only affecting apps, but even the stock launcher as you can see in the image below.
Let’s hope Google gets a fix out soon.
sources: +Albrecht Noll / andwear.de
Come comment on this article: Wear apps on the Moto 360 not displayed correctly when language is set to German after 4.4W.2 update
Nexus Player rumored to arrive in Europe next year
According to a report published online earlier today, Google’s recently-announced Nexus Player won’t be making its way to Europe until the first quarter of 2015, even though the device will be launching in the United States next Monday, November 3.
The rationale behind the decision to delay the European launch until next year is not that Google can’t produce enough units to serve other markets, but is, in fact, because it wants to ensure that there is plenty of content available for International customers.
Industry insiders claim that Google is working in partnership with local services in the UK, such as Netflix, Now TV, Spotify and BBC iPlayer to develop exclusive, “optimized” applications for the device, in addition signing deals with all of the necessary service providers.
Recent rumors suggest that the Nexus Player will retail for approximately €99 ($125) in Europe and will definitely touchdown in Germany, France, Italy, Sweden, the Netherlands, and the UK before the end of March 2015. It will be available through the Play Store and from several independent retailers.
Source: Techtastic
Come comment on this article: Nexus Player rumored to arrive in Europe next year
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