Good news LG G3 and G2 owners, you will get Android 5.0!!!
It was touch and go for awhile, but the newest reports seem to indicate that the newest LG flagship phones should receive Android 5.0. A rep for LG in the Netherlands and Belgium confirmed that the G2 and G3 should see Lollipop before the end of the year. There wasn’t anything more specific cited by the rep, but we’ll keep you updated as we hear more.
Source GSM Arena
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Google is giving non-profits its latest satellite maps
Non-profit groups don’t often have the luxury of using satellite maps to gauge their progress clearing landmines or saving trees. Getting fresh imagery is typically expensive, if it’s an option at all. Google’s recent acquisition Skybox wants to fix that with Skybox for Good, a new program that gives non-profits up-to-date satellite photos to help track their work. It’s just in beta testing at this point, but a handful of partners are already using the data to see how they’re boosting education, protecting the environment and repopulating previously mine-laden areas. The icing on the cake? You can see these maps yourself — Google and Skybox are publishing all the images on Google Maps under a sharing-friendly Creative Commons license, so you’ll know exactly how these noble causes are faring.
Via: TechCrunch
Source: Skybox, Google Maps Engine
Google Search updates messes with alarms, turning them off in some cases
This could prove to be a little troublesome for users of alarms within Android. The latest update to Google Search seemingly breaks the hands-free alarms and timers. Before, hitting the “Set alarm” and “Set timer” button was not necessary but now some are required to do so. If not, the device will not set anything and notify you when it should. The reason we say “some” is because there are users experiencing the issue while others are not. It is a spotty bug. The Google Search app is also having a problem setting these alarms and timers for dedicated clock apps.
So this is a public service announcement to go and check your alarms. Otherwise, you may not get up for work tomorrow morning. Not that you would want to do that, right?
Via: Android Central
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The truth comes out: the Nexus 9 wasn’t designed as an iPad killer
With Google announcing its new Android Nexus devices and Android Lollipop on October 15th and Apple announcing its new iPad lineup on October 16th, you could have been forgiven for thinking Google intended to pit the Nexus 9 against the iPads and wanted to one-up their release by announcing the new Nexus tablet a day earlier. As it turns out, the Nexus 9 wasn’t designed as an iPad killer as Alberto Villarreal, the Nexus 9’s head industrial designer, elucidates:
“We wanted to accelerate the premium market for Android tablets… it has a lot of attributes and definitely will bring the quality for other companies to do better.”
In a lot of ways, this makes sense for both the Nexus 6 and Nexus 9, and indeed, many of Google’s previous Nexus devices – Nexus devices have always pushed the boundaries of what is possible in Android devices, both on a software and hardware level, so that manufacturers have something to aim for and surpass, something which the Nexus 9, at the very least, does for Android tablets. Obviously, Google has more recently toyed with affordable options like the Nexus 4, Nexus 5 and Nexus 7 (and to a lesser extent the Nexus 10) and it has proven to be effective, if not lucrative, but perhaps Google has seen the need to lead the Android market again, something which is epitomized by the HTC-manufactured Nexus 9. And as for why Google chose HTC to help manufacture and design the Nexus 9?
“We saw the One and really liked how their designs were very simple, focused on usability and removed things that didn’t need to be there… they have nice craft and precision details and materials.” says Villarreal.
And that’s something we can’t argue with. The Nexus 9 is now available to pre-order on the Google Play Store starting at $399 USD.
Source: engadget
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Retailers blocking Apple Pay and Google Wallet as they build their own service
A slew of retailers are taking a stand against mobile payment services like Apple Pay and Google Wallet. They are blocking the mobile payment services from Apple and Google (and even SoftCard) because one of their own will be launching next year. Companies including Old Navy, Lowes, Dunkin’ Donuts, Sears, Best Buy, Stop & Shop, Walmart, Wendy’s, and a bunch of gas stations are behind the CurrentC mobile payment service scheduled for 2015.
The benefit of using CurrentC will be the lack of processing fees as the credit card companies are not at all involved. CurrentC is designed to work by taking funds from the user’s checking account. With the credit card companies taken out of the equation, retailers behind CurrentC will offer exclusive promotions as an incentive.
Via: The Verge
Come comment on this article: Retailers blocking Apple Pay and Google Wallet as they build their own service
Nexus 9 delivery delayed in the UK until December by Amazon
We recently reported that sources were speculating that the Nexus 6 wouldn’t be hitting the UK until at least December, and now it seems that the Nexus 9 is getting the same delay.
It seems that some users are reporting that Amazon UK are sending out emails stating their Nexus 9 orders have been delayed until at least December. The reason Amazon are giving is just as mysterious:
“I’ve checked that for you and see that we are unable to confirm the reason for the delay in release date.
However, it is based on the manufacturers decision, and the date mentioned by the manufacturer and supplied by the supplier.”
The Google Play Store still seems to be shipping on schedule, but I wouldn’t be surprised if the shipping timeframes for the Nexus 9 also slips here too. Many opted for Amazon to take advantage of the Prime next day delivery, but may be forced to cancel their Amazon order.
Did you order with Amazon UK? If so, will you be cancelling your order and taking your chances with the Google Play Store?
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Googler Alan Eustace breaks parachute jump record from 25 miles up
A senior vice president with Google, Alan Eustace, parachuted from about 25 miles above Earth to break the world altitude record for a parachute jump, breaking the speed of sound during his descent in the process. The jump by Eustace differed in many ways from the successful attempt of Felix Baumgartner from 128,100 feet in 2012, not the least of which may be the relative secrecy surrounding Eustace’s attempt.
Eustace was taken aloft via a helium filled balloon that ascended at speeds up to 1,600 feet per minute. Eustace dangled below the balloon, eventually cutting himself free through the use of a couple small explosive devices. While the ascent took a little over two hours, the fall back to Earth took just 15 minutes. During his fall, Eustace’s speed peaked at 822 miles per hour, creating a sonic boom that could be heard on the ground. Eustace says he did not feel or hear the sonic boom.
After verification, the final altitude submitted to the World Air Sports Federation as the official jump height was 135,890 feet.
The previous record was set as part of a big publicity spectacle by Baumgartner who was carried to altitude in a special capsule backed by millions of dollars in sponsorship money. Eustace chose instead to embark on the three year project and the jump itself in secrecy aided only by a small group that helped design his spacesuit, life-support systems, parachutes and the balloon. Eustace even decided to forego financial support from his employer out of fear that Google may want to turn it into a PR event.
According to Eustace, “it was amazing. It was beautiful. You could see the darkness of space you could see the layers of atmosphere, which I had never seen before.” He also said it was “a wild, wild ride.” Mark Kelly, a former astronaut who viewed Eustace’s ascent, said “there is an incredible amount of risk. To do it safely is a testament to the people involved.” Although Eustace is seen as a risk-taker by his co-workers, they also indicate that he is very passionate about details.
James Hayhurst with the United States Parachute Association says attempts like Eustace’s establish “a little lookout tower at the edge of space that the common man can share.” Would you like to visit the edge of space for a fall back to Earth?
source: NY Times
Come comment on this article: Googler Alan Eustace breaks parachute jump record from 25 miles up
Drug stores drop Apple Pay and Google Wallet to push their own payment tech
If you’re bent on using Apple Pay or Google Wallet for your shopping, you may have to be finicky about your choice of drug stores. Both CVS and Rite Aid have shut off their support for NFC-based payments just days after Apple Pay went live. Try to tap your phone and you’ll get an error, or nothing at all. The companies haven’t publicly discussed why they’re cutting off the handy feature, but this is ultimately an attempt to stifle competition. Both pharmacies are part of the Merchant Customer Exchange, a retailer group whose its own mobile wallet system (CurrentC) reaches these stores in 2015; as a memo obtained by SlashGear suggests, they’d rather deny all NFC payments than risk building support for rivals. Suffice it to say that this will be very inconvenient if you’re a frequent customer, and you’ll currently have to visit the likes of Duane Reade and Walgreens if you want to avoid paying with old-fashioned cash or plastic.
[Image credit: Justin Sullivan/Getty Images]
Filed under: Cellphones, Internet, Mobile, Apple, Google
Did the Nexus 6 already visit the FCC?
A new posting on reddit linked to an FCC filing that many people think is the new Nexus 6. Opinions are not unanimous though as there appear to be some discrepancies between the information in the FCC filing and information that Motorola and Google have published about the Nexus 6.
In favor of the device being the Nexus 6 are the dimensions shown in an antenna diagram that are very close to what has been advertised. The FCC filing lists the device as 83 x 159.4 mm in size while the Nexus 6 product page lists the Nexus 6 as 82.98 x 159.26 mm.
On the other hand, there are quite a few differences in wireless bands listed on the FCC report compared to the published bands that Google is advertising. Google lists LTE bands 3 and 29, while neither of these show in the FCC filing. However, LTE band 3 is not used in the U.S. and band 29 is a downlink only band that the FCC may not be concerned with. The FCC filing also fails to list GSM bands 900 and 1800 that Googles lists the device as having, nor do WCDMA bands 1 and 8. Finally, Google and Motorola indicate the Nexus 6 has Bluetooth 4.1 while the FCC listing indicates the device has Bluetooth 4.0.
Whatever the device is in the FCC reports, it has been approved and should be showing up soon. The Nexus 6 is scheduled to go on pre-order in the U.S. starting on October 29th, so the timing does seem to be consistent.
On a slightly related note, UK tech writer Paul O’Brien tweeted earlier this week that U.K. buyers interested in the Nexus 6 will have to wait until at least December to get the device.
Come comment on this article: Did the Nexus 6 already visit the FCC?
Google reassigns Sundar Pichai to oversee all of its products
Sundar Pichai is no longer the face of Android, Chrome, and Google Apps. He is now the face of every Google product there is. The company has reorganized its staff and CEO Larry Page gave Pichai expanded leadership over just about everything offered by Google. According to a staff memo released internally on Friday, executives will begin reporting to Pichai rather than Page.
The reassignment of Pichai to oversee all of Google’s products is to push innovation. Having someone new at the helm of everything can inject new life into the company. Pichai is not just some random pick, though. He has been a part of the merging of Android and Chrome, bringing together mobile and web experiences.
One product that Page will not hand over to Pichai is YouTube. The video streaming service will continue to run on its own and CEO Susan Wojcicki, a longtime Google employee, will report back to Google when necessary.
Even though Page is handing over some power, he is not going anywhere. The co-founder of Google will according to Re/code, “continue to directly manage business and operations, including access and energy (a new unit run by Craig Barratt), Nest, Calico, Google X, corporate development, legal, finance and business (including ad sales).” Page will also continue to monitor the grand scheme of things for Google.
For now, Sundar Pichai’s role on paper will not change; however, that is expected considering the new wave of responsibility he is taking.
Source: Re/code
Come comment on this article: Google reassigns Sundar Pichai to oversee all of its products
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