Google Now comes to the desktop in Chrome and Chrome OS betas
Rumblings of Google Now on the desktop first started surfacing back in December of 2012, but it wasn’t until a couple of weeks ago that it actually broke cover. If you were a user of the Canary build of the Chrome browser, you could enable the card alerts by ticking an option buried deep within the recesses of chrome://flags. This week though, Google will bring the desktop version of its virtual assistant to the betas of Chrome on Windows and OS X, as well as Chrome OS. You won’t need to dig through any advanced options; you’ll just need to sign in with the same account you use on your handset — so long as you have Now enabled on your phone. Unfortunately, it sounds like Linux users are left out in the cold for now. Presumably that has something to do with how Now ties into existing notification systems on those other platforms (we’ve asked Google to clarify). With Now hitting the beta channel, enabled by default, it’s only a matter of time before Mountain View brings the feature to the masses. But if you’re anything like us, you’re already using the beta build and are maniacally hitting the update button hoping to be among the first customers it rolls out to.
Filed under: Internet, Software, Google
Source: Google Chrome Blog
Google finally opens Chromecast SDK, invites developers to get hackin’
The Chromecast is already a pretty easy sell: It’s $35 and brings most of the biggest names in streaming media to your TV with minimal hassle. So, now that Google has opened the SDK to developers, it’s pretty much a no-brainer. While there are no specific apps to announce at the moment, it’s safe to assume the Play store will be flooded with updates soon enough. The SDK will allow coders to add a cast button to their app or site, be it on Android, iOS or in Chrome. The obvious use is for video apps, but there are plenty of other potential options here as well. If a developer decides to create a “custom receiver application” (rather than use the pre-built one provided by Google), they can put any standard web technologies on the big screen. So expect at least a few games and productivity apps to make the jump to Chromecast as well. Imagine firing up a presentation from Google Drive, displaying it on your 4K TV and controlling it with your phone. Or maybe Sony will build a version of Jeopardy where the board and clues are shown on the TV and your handset acts as the buzzer. Obviously, we’re just speculating right now, but if we see those ideas come to fruition, we’ll be expecting a nice royalty check. If you’re more technically inclined, check out the video overview of the Chromecast SDK after the break.
Filed under: Home Entertainment, Software, Google
Source: Google Blog, Chromium Blog
Facebook, Google and Yahoo now say when the US government requests user content
Last week, the US government finally relented on letting technology companies publish more detail about national security requests; today, some bigger firms are taking advantage of the looser rules. Facebook, Google, LinkedIn and Yahoo have updated their transparency reports to reveal the range of FISA requests that covered user content like posts and photos, not just user names and other basic information. As is often the case with national security affairs, there are strict limits involved. The reports still have to cover broad ranges that aren’t very helpful, and reports must be delayed by six months — we won’t get request numbers for the last half of 2013 until the middle of this year. None of the companies are completely happy with the government’s move, and they’ve promised to keep pushing for greater accountability. It’s not a perfect solution, then, but it will shed at least a little more light on the US’ online surveillance activities.
Filed under: Internet, Google, Facebook
Source: Facebook, Google Official Blog, Yahoo, LinkedIn
Too soon for a Lenovo Nexus 6 concept? Not so says Jermaine Smit
One of the most intriguing, if sensationalist, theories to come out of the Lenovo deal to acquire Motorola Mobility from Google is that the Chinese-based manufacturer will be producing the next and last Nexus device, a rumour which originated with Eldar Murtazin. Murtazin has gotten quite a few things right over the years, so his words likely won’t be taken lightly, but considering how past rumours about Nexus devices have been very wrong before (even catching out the great evleaks) we can’t help me take this news with more than just a grain of salt. Nevertheless, that hasn’t stopped one designer from coming up with his take on a Lenovo Nexus 6 concept.
This concept design comes to us courtesy of Jermaine Smit, who’s given us a very minimalistic, though very elegant, concept of a potential Lenovo Nexus 6. It’s interesting to ponder, even though we have no idea what Lenovo has in mind for the U.S., both design-wise and strategically, or if Google would even work with Lenovo considering they didn’t even really work with Motorola when Google owned them.
This definitely won’t be the last Lenovo Nexus 6, or even just Nexus 6, concept that we’ll see before a tangible device is released by Google, but it’s always nice to dream. What do you think about Smit’s design? Do you believe Lenovo will be making the next Nexus device? Let us know in the comments.
Source: Concept Phones via PocketNow
Microsoft eyeing Sundar Pichai as next CEO
A new rumor states that Sundar Pichai could be in the running to be the next Microsoft CEO.
It seems as though Microsoft hasn’t really been hunting for a new CEO as actively as they should be. But according to SiliconANGLE, they have their eyes on someone who would really do well in the company.
Sundar Pichai is Google’s senior vice president of Chrome, Apps, and Android. So when it comes to desktop and mobile software, he really shines. Not only that, but he has had his hands in development of Google Drive, Gmail, and Maps.
“Microsoft could really move the ball down the field with Sundar Pichai in creating a new open operating system model for cloud, mobile, and social” according to Dave Vellante, chief analyst at Wikibon. “The market has been looking for a CEO who can balance the role of leading the enterprise transformation while keeping that consumer momentum with xBox and reboot mobile. Pichai is the total package of technology leadership and business acumen.”
In the past few years, he’s done amazing things for Google, and most notably, Android. It would be very surprising if he decided to leave, however this isn’t the first time we’ve head rumors of him taking off. When Pichai was offered an exec position at Twitter, Google supposedly paid him $50 million to stay.
We know that wherever Pachai decides to stay, he will do amazing things. No one knows if his decision will be about the quality of work or about the money involved. Google has some amazing times ahead of them, so hopefully Pachai realizes that and decides to stick around.
Source: SiliconANGLE (Via: Android Authority)
Image: Android Headlines
The post Microsoft eyeing Sundar Pichai as next CEO appeared first on AndroidGuys.
Alleged Red Nexus 5 leaked by @evleaks, hitting Play Store on February 4th
Google’s flagship is without a doubt one of the hottest handsets in Android websites and forums. Though, over the years Google made it clear to us that the Nexus line is really limited when it comes to colors. Until the Nexus 4, the handset was solely available in two color flavors, black and white. Nothing too exciting.
Over the last few days though, numerous sources reportedly suggest that Google has a new Nexus 5 version currently in the works. It was just five days ago that we reported about a red Nexus 5 spotted in retail packaging. Ferrari red, to be precise.
Our source this time is the famous and pretty much always accurate mobile whistle-blower @evleaks. This time though he shared the image via Google+, albeit Twitter.
According to the image, this new version of the Nexus 5 will ostensibly feature a red backplate, red bezels, and the interior of the front facing camera, guess what, it will be dressed in red as well. Based on a recent leaked Sprint internal document, the device will be hitting the Play Store this Tuesday.
From my perspective, a red Nexus 5 is certainly on its way. Though, I’d suggest you holding a grain of salt about the launch date rumor.
What do you people think? Will the red Nexus 5 be launched as soon as this Tuesday? Let us know what you think in the comments below.
Source: +@evleaks
Red Nexus 5 leaked again, now a little more official than before
If you’ve been keeping tabs on mobile news lately, you’d know that there are more than enough rumors regarding the Nexus 5 in a bright red color.
Courtesy of popular leaker, evleaks, the Nexus 5 in red shows up in a pretty believable press render. Though it isn’t official yet, evleaks is very seldomly wrong – especially given the recent leaks from other sources.
Also, an alleged Sprint memo surfaced yesterday, revealing the possible release date of the red variant – Feburary 4th. With more and more rumors beginning to spread about this device, we’d say that just might become a reality.
Source: @evleaks (Twitter)
The post Red Nexus 5 leaked again, now a little more official than before appeared first on AndroidGuys.
Red Nexus 5 reportedly due February 4
Rumors of a red version of the Nexus 5 have been gaining steam these last few days and, thanks to a leaked document, it seems to be close at hand. An alleged Sprint memo surfacing yesterday indicates that we could see the red variant within days. Currently available in black or white, this new color should debut in the Google Play Store on February 4, says the doc. We should assume that pricing remains the same but we’ll wait for something official from Google or Sprint.
The post Red Nexus 5 reportedly due February 4 appeared first on AndroidGuys.
[RUMOUR] Motorola still has a 6-inch phablet and smartwatch in the Pipeline
The recent deal between Lenovo and Google shocked much of the tech industry; with Lenovo acquiring Motorola Mobility, what will happen to all that impressive momentum they had built up after the launch of the surprising Moto G and releasing Android 4.4 to Moto X and Moto G in record time? Well, as it turns out, that momentum might still be able to carry on for a while longer as it’s being reported that Motorola still has a 6-inch phablet and smartwatch in the pipeline.
The rumoured phablet will likely take its design cues from the Moto X and Moto G, and would presumably utilize more performance-focused hardware as is generally more likely in a larger device. Most interesting in this rumour, though, is the mention of a smartwatch; if the Moto X’s almost-stock Android veneer and heavy Google Now utilization is anything to go by, we might have something that closely resembles the Nexus smartwatch we’ve all been hankering for.
Even so, anything could happen now that Motorola is under Lenovo, but should Lenovo allow these products to stay in the pipeline, it will probably be Motorola’s last, big hurrah. What do you make of this rumour: do you think these Motorola devices will ever come out? Would you get one? Let us know in the comments.
Source: Weibo via Phone Arena
Chromecast, Google Play, Nexus 5 and Google Wallet had a very good 2013
The numbers are out, confirming that, yet again Google’s rolling in the dough. And on its Q4 investors call, Google informed us that, while ads still butter its bread, other sources of income are growing in importance — non-advertising revenue essentially doubled in 2013, with $1.65 billion coming in the last three months, not counting Motorola, of course. That increase is due partly to a strong holiday season this year, powered by sales of Nexus devices (particularly the 5) and Chromecasts, and the Play Store continuing to move more apps and games.
Nikesh Arora, Google’s senior VP and chief business officer, said that consumers’ general shift toward mobile platforms has helped drive the Play Store’s economics upward, and that in turn is driving many more folks to opt into Google Wallet. When asked how many Wallet users and credit cards Google’s got, Arora played coy. “It’s a number that we’re happy with,” but if you “take a look at the number of Android users out there,” you can get a sense of the scale of the opportunity. Needless to say, it seems that Arora is feeling bullish about the prospects of both Wallet and the Play Store in 2014.
Oh, and before you go thinking that Nest will aid in the Nexus hardware lineup’s upward trajectory, don’t. Google CFO Patrick Pichette said that the goal of the acquisition is to help Nest scale up its market reach worldwide and that Mountain View will bring its vast resources to bear to make it happen. So, don’t expect to see any Nest-ified slates or phones anytime soon.
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