Google’s Project Ara developer conference is live, watch it here
Google’s modular smartphones have come a long way since that kooky Phonebloks concept video went viral last year, and now the company’s digging deeper than it ever has before at its first Ara Developer Conference. Couldn’t jump on a flight to Mountain View? Never fear — Google is streaming it, and you can watch the whole thing right here. Here’s the rub, though: as the name implies, the event is meant to get would-be module developers familiar with the process of designing and making physical bits that pop into a phone that seems yanked from the pages of a pulp sci-fi novel. That means it’ll be a perhaps a little heavier on the technical detail than one might like, but we’ll be keeping out eyes and ears open for all the spiffy details you should know about.
Filed under: Mobile
Source: Project Ara
Google lets users send backed up photos via web-based Gmail client
Google on Tuesday introduced a new feature for the desktop web-based Gmail experience that allows for better sharing of photos. Log into the browser version of Gmail and you might encounter a new “Insert Photo” button at the bottom of your composition window. This feature lets users send photos that have been taken from Android devices and automatically backed up to the Google+ cloud. Listed in reverse chronology, these pictures can be resized and/or cropped before sending; sharing images or albums is possible.
Make sure you’re backing up your photos to Google+ if you’d like to take advantage of the new feature. Heck, make sure you’re doing it just to have a copy of the photo somewhere else.
The post Google lets users send backed up photos via web-based Gmail client appeared first on AndroidGuys.
Google Glass KitKat update coming this week
The biggest news about the update is that KitKat is coming to Google Glass, bringing with it under the hood changes and massive improvements to battery life. Also now that Glass runs Andriod KitKat, developers can write Glassware apps using the Android SDK.
Other changes the update also includes:
- Photo bundles — Your pictures will be sorted as bundles, making them easier to navigate through.
- Photo replies in Hangouts – You’ll be able to send images through Hangouts, as well as receive them.
- Sending feedback – Sending feedback will be easier and will have a dedicated card in the settings.
- Voice command sorting – Voice commands are now sorted by recency and frequency.
- Video calls will be removed – Google is removing video calls from Glass for the forseeable future.
Added as a teaser at the end, Google say there’s a ton more features being rolled out as part of this update so advise to watch the Glass Journal in the Explorers Community to see the rest.
[Google+]
The post Google Glass KitKat update coming this week appeared first on AndroidGuys.
Don’t forget: The one-day Google Glass public sale starts soon!
Your taxes are (hopefully) done, you’ve had your first cup of coffee… now what? Google wants to jump-start your Tuesday by offering even non-Explorers its Glass wearable for $1,500. As many of you said yesterday, that’s kinda steep, but today marks the first day the product is open to the public — until supplies run out, that is. Google Glass will go on sale at this link starting at 6AM PDT/9AM EST, and we recommend showing up on time.
Google makes it easier to email your smartphone snaps from the web
If you like to send lots of photos from Gmail, Google’s latest feature addition might save you some much-needed time. The search giant says it will today begin rolling out a new button for Gmail on the web that enables you to embed albums and smartphone shots with a couple of button clicks. Images stored in Google Photos albums or shots uploaded using the auto-backup feature in the Google+ app can be imported by clicking the new “Insert Photo” icon, which also allows you to make a few tweaks before they’re fired off to a lucky recipient. You’ll obviously get more use out of the feature if you’re already enjoying Google’s cheap photo storage, but we understand if you’re not too comfortable with Mountain View having access to your family snaps.
Filed under: Internet, Software, Mobile, Google
Source: Official Gmail Blog
Google’s new terms of service tell you that it’s scanning email for ads
Google tells Reuters that the move is based on feedback from the “last few months” and should provide “even greater clarity” to customers. Both are true, although we’d note that few people read the terms of service for… well, anything. The new language may ultimately be more helpful in educating current account holders than giving concerned newcomers a heads-up.
Via: Reuters
Source: Google
Daily Roundup: Windows Phone 8.1 review, Google buys a drone company, 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.
Windows Phone 8.1 review: Microsoft’s mobile OS finally feels whole
Microsoft’s mobile OS just got a whole lot better. Complete with keyboard swipe gestures, a notification center and Cortana, the virtual assistant, version 8.1 brings Windows Phone into adulthood. What’s more, you can download the update today.
T-Mobile is killing overages on all plans starting this June
T-Mobile’s continuing its uncarrier revolution by ending all overage fees across the board — even if you’re on a grandfathered plan. Users with heavy data usage will still be throttled, though.
The ‘world’s smallest’ laptop adapter debuts on Kickstarter for $79
See that? That’s the world’s smallest laptop adapter, and it’s available on Kickstarter for just $79. Called the Dart, this charger is four times smaller than its contemporaries and includes a 2.1A USB port.
Google beats Facebook to acquisition of drone maker
Earlier today, Google agreed to buy Titan Aerospace, a solar-powered drone manufacturer that had previously been in talks with Facebook. According to the Wall Street Journal, the company plans to use the high-flying aircraft in collaboration with its Project Loon.
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Filed under: Misc
Google Glass Kit Kat update arrives ahead of tomorrow’s big sale, but removes video calling
Still need a push to drop $1,500 on Google’s Glass headset when they go on sale to all US residents tomorrow? After skipping a couple of months, the team behind it is pushing a big software update later this week that lets it run the freshest version of Android and adds a bunch of new features. Other than switching to Android Kit Kat — which will bring new features to apps and let developers use the latest SDK — Glass is now organizing photos in bundles (think Instagram photo grids, look after the break for a peek) for easier scrolling, allows for photo replies in Google Hangouts, makes it easier to send feedback and even sorts voice commands to put your most-used ones at the top.
Unfortunately, there’s also one feature that has been removed in this update — video calling. According to the Glass team that’s based on wearer feedback and since less than 10 percent of people were using it, the feature is gone until they (or someone else working on Glassware) can make it better. It’s not all bad news though, because a longer, complete list of new features is promised for the Explorers community — hit the how to buy page at 9AM ET tomorrow to join the club.
Filed under: Wearables, Google
Source: Google Glass (G+)
Leaked icons indicate Android may enjoy a redesign soon
The Google I/O developer conference is just over two months away, but it’s never too early to start opining about what the software giant is planning to show. Try not to be overwhelmed with excitement, kids: according to documents leaked by Android Police (seemingly confirmed by Google’s own Partners page) new icons are coming. The new style is apparently referred to as Moonshine, and this flatter look is likely just a portion of an upcoming redesign. We’re still awaiting details on what else may change, but for now, all we can do is look forward to new icons for Play Music, Books, Movies, and Games; as well as Google+, Calendar, People, Chrome, YouTube, Maps, Gmail, Hangouts, Camera, and the Play Store. Each of the icons appears to be more in line with what Google uses on the web. So is this just a foreshadowing that all of Android’s design guidelines will see a similar overhaul? Hang tight — we’ve got another couple months before we find out. In the meantime, feast upon a few more icons (the new ones are on the right).
Filed under: Cellphones, Wireless, Mobile, Google
Via: 9to5Google
Source: Android Police
The first HTC One will get Sense 6 in US and Canada by the end of May
Sorry, HTC, we’re still not going to call it the “Sixth Sense.” That’s the phone maker’s name for Sense 6, the latest version of its Android user interface. For the uninitiated, this is the update that comes preloaded on the new HTC One (M8) but is still in the works for older devices as well. Jason Mackenzie, the President of HTC America, announced today that we can expect Sense 6 to show up on the original One by the end of May.
Announcing a release timeframe is a pretty daring declaration for Mackenzie. Basically it means that HTC now has a self-imposed deadline of May 31st to get the new update pushed through carrier certification (for multiple networks in the US and Canada) and over the air, and it’s often nearly impossible to predict how difficult that process will be. Given the usual delays, it’s a pretty fair bet that Sense 6 will get out to unlocked versions of the original One in other parts of the world well before then, since the update doesn’t need to go through the intense network testing already required in North America.
We’ve reached out to HTC to see when the global units will get Sense 6, and we’ll keep you posted as soon as we hear back. The update is also planned for the One mini and One max, but we still haven’t heard any news on when to expect them to get it.
Filed under: Cellphones, Wireless, Mobile, HTC, Google
Via: Android and Me
Source: Twitter
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