Mulling a new wardrobe? Google Now alerts you when it’s available nearby
Sometimes you have to run out for a meeting seconds before you’re able to commit to a well-researched online purchase. Fret not though, Google Now is here to help. The card-based system will display the items that you’re longing for when they’re available from a retailer you’re passing by. All you need to do is update Search for Android and the software will remind you of the products and pricing info, allowing for a quick stop on the way home. That’s after you find your car, natch.
Source: Google (Google+)
Google Play Music comes to Canada at last
Canadians are used to getting short shrift on internet media services compared to their American neighbors — just ask them how little Netflix content they get. They’re receiving better treatment today, though, as Google Play Music has finally arrived in the true North strong and free. You can now can set up web-based access, store music in an online locker, shop for tunes and sign up for an All Access subscription at $10 CAD per month ($8 if you register by June 30th). With that said, the Android app isn’t yet acknowledging the new services; you also won’t find the iOS app just yet. It’s early goings, then, but it’s clear that Canucks now have a major alternative to the handful of big-name music services that operate in their country, including iTunes and Rdio.
[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]
Filed under: Cellphones, Internet, Mobile, Google
Source: CBC News, Google Canada Blog
Google takes its same-day delivery service to New York and LA
Just over a year after it started offering same-day deliveries to San Franciscans, Google’s Shopping Express has finally made its way out of California. The service, which offers expedited shipping from major stores like Target, Staples and Walgreens but also local businesses, has expanded to parts of New York and Los Angeles. Residents living in Manhattan can now call upon Google to deliver groceries, gadgets and office supplies in super-fast time. Shoppers in Culver City, Inglewood, Marina Del Rey, Santa Monica, Venice, West Los Angeles and Westwood are now also eligible, extending the search giant’s California footprint in the process. To kickstart its expansion, Google is throwing in six months of unlimited free deliveries and says it’ll add other parts of Los Angeles in the coming months, undoubtedly giving Amazon and other brick-and-mortar stores something to think about.
Via: The Verge
Source: Google Commerce Blog
If you want to make an Android phone with Google, here’s some of the rules
Before large (and even larger) sums of money were asked of Samsung and Apple, the legal brawl between the pair kept dragging a third party, Google, into the discussion. A big part of this was the Mobile Application Distribution Agreement (MADA) between the internet company and Samsung which laid out how the latter would support the former in patent claims. Now the spotlights on this agreement, with a recent class action suit claiming that parts violate antitrust laws. Recode‘s uploaded the agreements between Samsung, HTC and Google, which touch on some of the rules of making an Android smartphone.
According the paperwork, If manufacturers want to use a single Google app on their forthcoming Android phone, then you have to install all of them. Even Google Play Newstand. Other (obvious) points outline that Google must be the default search engine (we’re shocked), and that the search box (and some apps like Google Play, then Android Market), be “at least immediately adjacent to the Default Home Screen”. And if you’re a smartphone maker willing to forgo Google Maps, Gmail and the rest, well, there’s always that open source version.
Filed under: Cellphones, Mobile, Samsung, HTC, Google
Via: Recode
Source: Samsung’s MADA, HTC’s MADA
Google Drive to lose document editing, prompt downloads of Docs and Sheets apps
Looks like the new Docs and Sheets apps were harbingers of changes for Google Drive. The good folks at Android Police parsed Drive’s new, currently unreleased version and discovered that it no longer has document or sheet editing capabilities. Should you try to make changes, the app prompts you to download the appropriate app to do so. Choose not to download and attempt to open a file, and you’ll be greeted by a view-only mode. While users may be a bit miffed at being force-fed a pair of new apps, it may prove beneficial. Separating the doc editing and cloud storage components will (presumably) let Google streamline the experience for each and give you option to download only the apps you need.
Source: Android Police
Google Now gains offline sync for those times without internet
Google Now has just had a major update to the way it works by gaining an offline sync feature allowing the service to be accessed at those times when you’ve got no internet.
Now live in the Google Play Store, the Google Search App will continue to function when accessing Google Now even without an internet connection.
Next time you’re on the subway and want to check on your day’s appointments with Google Now, you won’t have to worry about lack of cell service. Starting today (make sure you update your #GoogleSearch App for Android http://goo.gl/idgt3y) your Google Now cards stay loaded, even when you lose service in the subway… or your favorite underground bar!
So hit update and enjoy Google Now wherever you are.
The post Google Now gains offline sync for those times without internet appeared first on AndroidGuys.
[Download] Google Drive gets updated to version 1.3.144.17, adds Docs and Sheets Integration
Earlier this week, you may have heard that Google launched two standalone apps specifically for Google Docs and Google Sheets. At the time, we were wondering whether this would cause any changes in Google Drive and today our questions have been answered. Today, Google Drive gets updated to version 1.3.144.17, and most crucially, requires that you download the Docs and Sheets apps to make changes to relevant documents.
This is probably a logical move to create separate apps from Google Drive to handle documents as Google Drive is increasingly being touted as Google‘s answer to cloud storage. In addition to this change, Google has also rearranged the slide-out menu to make it a bit more streamlined and accessible. For the full list of changes:
- Rearranged slide-out navigation panel with settings link (no longer in overflow menu)
- Prompts to install Docs and Sheets for editing capability
- Automatically uses Docs and Sheets apps in Drive
- New file button now in overflow menu
- New refresh item in overflow menu
The update is rolling out now, however if you haven’t got the update yet and need to have the latest and greatest, we have the APK file available for download below:
Google Drive version 1.3.144.17 APK download
Let us know what you think about these standalone apps and what you think about Google Drive now in the comments.
Source: Android Police
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Engadget Daily: Google’s modular smartphone, Kevin Spacey stars in COD, and more!
You might say the day is never really done in consumer technology news. Your workday, however, hopefully draws to a close at some point. This is the Daily Roundup on Engadget, a quick peek back at the top headlines for the past 24 hours — all handpicked by the editors here at the site. Click on through the break, and enjoy.
Here’s how Google’s modular phone will get its 3D-printed parts
Project Aura faces plenty of obstacles. But one of the biggest will be finding a way to manufacture millions of specialized smartphone modules while keeping costs down. Thankfully, the experts at 3D Systems have a plan.
Popular login services have a security hole, but Facebook and Microsoft can’t fix it
Wang Jing, a researcher from Singapore, claims to have discovered a potentially serious security hole involving OAuth and OpenID login services. Jing alerted Facebook and others, but it appears impossible for any of these companies to singlehandledly squash the bug.
Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare is this year’s entry, starring Kevin Spacey
The first trailer for Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare is out. And interestingly enough, the House of Cards actor Kevin Spacey appears to be cast as a (surprise, surprise) powerful, politically driven antihero.
LG’s G3 breaks cover with narrow bezels, redesigned back button
What do we know about LG’s upcoming G3 smartphone? Well, according to a tipster and leaked photos from GSM Arena, it appears the handset will be made of plastic, have 2 or 3GB of RAM and a 3,000mAh battery. As long as it comes with that Quad HD display we’ll be happy.
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Filed under: Misc
Google Now’s info cards will stick around when your phone goes offline
One of Google Now’s biggest quirks has been its inability to cope with going offline — go through a subway tunnel and you risk losing those important directions or your parking place. You won’t be left hanging after today, though, as Google has brought offline support to Now on Android phones. So long as you’re using the latest version of the Search app, all your information cards should hang around whenever you’re cut off from the rest of the world. It’s a small change, but it could make a big difference if it keeps you informed while you’re off the grid.
Filed under: Cellphones, Internet, Mobile, Google
Source: Google+
Play nearly any video on your Chromecast using this browser add-on
Filed under: Home Entertainment, Internet, Software, HD, Google
Via: Lifehacker
Source: Chrome Web Store, Videostream
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