Google’s ambitious London HQ delayed until at least 2017
For Google, when it comes to building a new home, it doesn’t matter how long it takes as long as it’s been done right. After the search giant halted plans to break ground on its new 950,000 square foot Kings Cross HQ at the last minute, it now looks like Google employees won’t be able to enjoy perks like running tracks, connected cycling ramps and swimming pools until at least 2017. That’s according to the company which had been contracted to build the new HQ but which has now been left in the cold while everything goes back to square one. Part of the reason for Google’s change of heart may be a desire to match the look of its new 1.1 million square foot Googleplex in California. Despite the company’s massive global footprint, the new London and Mountain View developments are set to become the first built-by-Google buildings that it’ll be able to call home.
Filed under: Google
Source: City AM
Google Play Newsstand version 3.2.1 makes it out all on its Lonesome
This Update Wednesday has been somewhat of a disappointment with no sizable updates to any of Google’s apps, but thankfully, Google Play Newsstand version 3.2.1 is rolling out today to make sure it’s not a complete loss. While it’s only an incremental update, Google claims they have included a whole host of changes; as per the Play Store page, these changes are:
- See headlines on your Home screen with the Newsstand widget
- Scan more headlines quickly with mini cards (Menu > Mini cards)
- Organize magazine issues (where available) by publication date
- Translate news sources instantly
- Support for RTL languages
- Bug fixes
The update should be rolling out gradually, as always, but if you’re hankering for the updated APK, we’ve got it available to download below:
Google Play Newsstand version 3.2.1 APK download
We haven’t noticed much else different about the new version of Newsstand except that “Remove” in the 3 dot menu has been updated to read “Remove Topic”; if you spot any other changes, please let us know in the comments.
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Google Glass tempts travelers with new apps from Foursquare, OpenTable and TripIt
Now available to one and all (but still in beta, only for US residents and priced at $1,500), Google Glass is adding another selling point: travel accessory. That’s thanks to new Glassware from Foursquare (we hope a Swarm patch is included), OpenTable and TripIt, adding to other services that support the device like Google’s own Maps and Field Trip. TechCrunch also points out that the augmented reality app Word Lens launched a Glass app last fall that lets it superimpose translations over whatever you’re looking at — handy if you don’t know the language. The TripIt app keeps your flight info in view, the Foursquare app can do checkins by voice and OpenTable of course brings easily set up reservations. Will this push you into ordering a headset? Maybe not, but if you need one more way to look slightly out of place while on the road, we think we have an answer.
[Image credit: Michel Porro/WireImage]
Filed under: Wearables, Mobile, Google
Source: Google Glass (G+)
Next stop, Korea: Chromecast is now in Korea thanks to high YouTube traffic on mobile Devices
Since its U.S. release, the Google Chromecast has been launched in multiple other locations in the world including Canada and many countries in Europe. Asia has yet to have its first taste of the media streaming device, and for those in Korea, today is their lucky day. Yes, Google is launching the Chromecast in Korea today, and while it might not seem like an intuitive choice, Google mentions in their post on the Asia Pacific Blog that Korea’s YouTube consumption is 80% through mobile devices, compared to 40% for the rest of the world. With YouTube consumption that high, it makes sense to launch the Chromecast there who’s best use is arguably as a YouTube streamer.
Google’s rollout of the Chromecast has stagnated somewhat after it promised that the device would be coming to many more countries in the near future. Now that it has finally entered the Asian market though, hopefully this is opens the door for a much quicker rollout in the region. In Korea, the Chromecast will cost 49,900 won which equates to about $48.50 USD; unusually, this is quite a significant premium over the $35 USD retail price in the U.S. but this was also the case in all the other launches outside of America.
Have you got your hands on a Chromecast yet? If not, where are you hoping it is launched next?
Source: Google via TechCrunch
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Google Glass can be bought by anyone in US for $1500
It looks like Google’s recent one day only sale of Glass was a massive success for the company as they have now announced that Glass has moved into an open beta and can be brought by anyone on the US for $1500 without an invite.
The announcement that the Glass Explorer Edition is now up for sale was made in a post on Google+ with the decision to do so being made by the response they had to the one day sale a few weeks back. Google also states in the post “We’re still in the Explorer Program while we continue to improve our hardware and software”.
So while this is no commercial launch, Google are obviously wanting to get more people on board to accelerate development and improve the product ready for a wider consumer release later this year.
Glass will only be on sale in the US and while stock of the device lasts.
The post Google Glass can be bought by anyone in US for $1500 appeared first on AndroidGuys.
Motorola’s smartphones can now alert your close contacts in an emergency
You’ll usually want to call emergency services if you’re in truly dire straits, but the odds are that your friends and family also want to know if you need help. How do you reach them quickly? If you pick up the Moto E or Moto G LTE, you’ll have Motorola Alert at your disposal. The new app lets you trigger an emergency mode that sends regular alerts and location updates to important contacts. You can also tell people to meet up (at a shelter, for instance), and you can define your home or workplace to let people know that you’re in a familiar area. Alert won’t work on the Moto X or original Moto G until an update arrives in the near future, but you can still get a peek at it on Google Play if you’re curious.
Filed under: Cellphones, Mobile, Google, Lenovo
Via: Phone Arena, Mobile Syrup
Source: Google Play
Nexus 8 and Nexus 6 spotted in latest Chromium Code
Last week, we were alerted to the fact that a certain codename “Flounder” might refer to an upcoming Nexus device, possibly the Nexus 8. In yet another twist, fresh Chromium code has revealed not only should the Nexus 8 be included in rumour talks, but the Nexus 6 should be too as references to the Nexus 8 and Nexus 6 were spotted in a recent code review.
Based on previous rumours, the Nexus 8 will be the device to succeed the Nexus 7 tablets, sporting what is likely to be an 8-inch display. Previous rumours have pegged either ASUS or HTC to manufacture the tablet, but we’ve yet to see any concrete evidence to support either rumour.
Similarly, the Nexus 6 is expected to be this year’s successor to the Nexus 5, which is traditionally manufactured by LG and based upon LG’s latest flagship. Whether this means it will be based on the LG G3 remains to be seen, but since it appears that LG appears to be adopting a biannual flagship release like Sony, a potential Nexus 6 may eventually be based on the LG G4 which will be released later this year.
If these code references turn out to be true references to the Nexus 8 and Nexus 6, it would certainly dispel some of the rumours surrounding the alleged end to the Nexus line of device and the start of the ‘Silver’ line, at least for now. With Google I/O approaching, I think we’re all now hoping Google has something to say about all these Nexus device rumours.
What do you think about a Nexus 8 and Nexus 6 popping up in the near future? Are you waiting for either of these devices? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
Source: Chromium via 9to5Google
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Google starts selling Glass to anyone (in the US) with $1,500 to burn
There’s no longer a need to attend a golf tournament or carefully log on for a one-day sale, as Google has just announced it’s opening sales of the Glass headset to all (in the US). As long as they’re in stock and you have $1,500, you too can join the beta Explorer program and be part of a nearby #glassnightout. Now that Glass is more widely available, Google is saying thank you to its first Explorers with a video (embedded after the break) asking some of them what being among the first to wear the device was like. A major consumer push (and hopefully lower price) is yet to come as the team keeps working on the hardware and software, but if you’re not bothered by some rough edges / weird looks, it’s just a click of the buy button away.
[Image credit: Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images]
Filed under: Wearables, Google
Source: Google Glass (G+) (1), (2)
Google adds nearly all UK public transport routes to Maps for easier journey planning
Planning a journey across London using public transport has been possible in Google Maps from mid-2011. Since then, though, the search specialist has made only slight improvements to this feature, as well as extending its scope to cover other parts of south-east England. Google’s finally making an effort to incorporate public transport info from further afield into Maps, announcing it’s now got practically every route across Great Britain covered (Northern Ireland is still “in the works”). From today, Maps will look at train, bus, tram, ferry, underground and even airborne routes to help you get from one side of the country to the other, whether you be planning a trip from your computer, or within the iOS or Android apps. Support for a wider array of services and regions has been a long time coming, but at least you can now visualise where you want to go and how to get there, all without switching tabs.
Filed under: Transportation, Internet, Software, Google
Google Search for iOS gets smarter with conversational voice search
Google’s just updated its search app on iOS, and in doing so it’s made the voice search feature much more useful. With Google Search version 4.0, using voice becomes conversational — you can ask follow-up questions in addition to simple queries like, “What’s the weather?” Once you know it will be sunny with a high of 95 tomorrow, you can ask Google “How about this weekend?” and get more info. As Google’s voice assistant competes with Apple’s Siri and Microsoft’s Cortana, more sophisticated, context-specific features like this are definitely important.
Better voice search is only part of the equation, though; the app update also brings more advanced Google Now integration, which means you’ll see articles from your favorite news sources, among other things. You’ll also get information related to your upcoming trip itineraries, such as a list of the best beaches in San Diego based on a recently emailed boarding pass. Oh, and the app update offers one special Easter egg for cricket fans: you’ll now see cards for the sport in Google Now. Download the latest version of Google Search via the source link below.
Via: 9to5Mac
Source: Google Search (iTunes)
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