The first YouTube Red Originals are now available
YouTube Red, Google’s ad-free premium version of the video streaming site, has released its first four attempts at original programming, right on time. As you’d expect, the initial crop of videos feature some of the service’s biggest personalities, including PewDiePie and Lilly Singh. Also included are Rooster Teeth’s feature-length movie Lazer Team and AwesomenessTV’s Dance Camp.
All of this #content will be available to YouTube Red subscribers immediately. As for what’s next, YouTube already announced an additional six shows coming this year. Expect videos like Fight of the Living Dead, which’ll put popular YouTubers in “a frighteningly realistic zombie apocalypse,” and Bad Internet, a CollegeHumor show lampooning web culture.
If you’re already a subscriber, you can keep up with all the releases at the YouTube Red channel. The service costs $9.99 a month, which includes ad-free and offline YouTube video access, and a subscription to Google Music. It’s only available in the US right now, but those abroad in some applicable countries will be able to pay for access to the original videos. We’re seeing prices like £6.99 / €9.99 (about $10) for the Lazer Team movie and £1.89 / €2.49 (about $2.75) for an episode of Scare PewDiePie.
Source: YouTube blog
US regulators: Google’s self-driving car AI ‘can be a driver’
US regulators say Google’s self-driving car can be considered the driver under federal law — a big step towards approval for self-driving cars to take to the roads. Safety regulators apparently told Google of its decision last week. Google submitted a proposed design for a self-driving car back in November, which has “no need for a human driver” The response from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) was that will “interpret driver’ in the context of Google’s described motor vehicle design as referring to the [self-driving system] and not to any of the vehicle occupants.”
The regulator said: “We agree with Google its [self-driving car] will not have a ‘driver’ in the traditional sense that vehicles have had drivers during the last more than one hundred years.” Google, and many car companies are looking to free up safety rules that are slowing down testing and the eventual roll-out of autonomous vehicles. As Reuters notes, California has draft rules of a steering wheel and licensed driver in all self-driving cars.
It’s not all easy driving from here, however. There are still rules that require braking systems activated by foot control inside the vehicle, as well as “whether and how Google could certify that the [system[ meets a standard developed and designed to apply to a vehicle with a human driver.”
“We agree with Google its [self-driving car] will not have a ‘driver’ in the traditional sense that vehicles have had drivers during the last more than one hundred years.”
Google told the NHTSA that human controls could paradoxically be a danger, if passengers attempt to override the car’s own judgements and driving decisions. Rules about steering wheels and brake pedals would have to be formally rewritten before cars without them would be allowed on the roads, and changing the law will take months, if not years. Last month, the government agency said it may waive some vehicle safety rules to better enable self-driving cars on the roads, promising to write guidelines for these vehicles in the next six months.
Source: Reuters
10 reasons why Android is still better than iOS
Back in 2013 we wrote “10 reasons why Android is still better than iOS”. Three years later, almost all these points remain the same, and for those that we feel are no longer relevant, new reasons arose to take their place.
It has been a good year for Android, considering the latest reports mention it has an 84.7% market share (as of Q3 2015), but with a bunch of competitors waiting in the wings there’s no time to rest on laurels. So in 2016, what are the ten top reasons we feel that Android champions over iOS?
Let’s jump in and take a look.
Devices… devices everywhere!
There is something for everyone on the Android platform. The sheer variety of Android smartphones from manufacturers like Samsung, HTC, Sony, Motorola, LG, Huawei, ZTE, and others is staggering. You can get a compact phone, something with a huge touchscreen, a stylus, a rotating camera, an edge screen, or even a physical keyboard such as found on the Blackberry Priv. Niche demands like dual SIM are catered for, and the flagship devices are on the cutting edge when it comes to specs. There’s also features you just can’t get with Apple’s devices, like microSD and removable battery. Yes, some Android manufacturers have moved away from offering these extras, but the nice thing about options is there are manufacturers that still do.
The same story exists largely for the tablet market too, with all sorts of different devices from the Pixel C to the Nexus 9, Xiaomi’s tablets, Honor’s tablets, Samsung Note tablets, and the list goes on.
Attracting a huge range of manufacturers and giving them license to run amok in terms of imagination has resulted in the widest variety of devices on any platform, even blurring the line between smartphone and tablet. Compared to the limited iPhone and iPad lineup, Android represents choice on a grand scale.
See also: Best Android phones (January 2016)
Sure, Apple has a few sizes to offer, but size is really the only differentiator there. The iPhone 6S and iPhone 6S Plus, for example, have pretty much most of the same specs with the main difference being screen size and resolution. The same general argument applies to the iPads, even though there are more choices than with the smartphone counterparts.
Prices to fit your needs
This naturally follows on from the first point on our list. A wide variety of devices with different designs and specs means that Android has something for you at just about any budget. The exclusive nature of Apple’s products is in stark contrast to the inclusive nature of Android. Almost anyone can afford an Android phone. It might not be all-singing and dancing, but there are solid budget options that give people a true smartphone experience.
This is even more true in 2016 than it was when we first created this list in 2013. Not only do you have the Moto G line, but there’s the Honor 5X, a variety of BLU devices, OnePlus X and OnePlus 2, and even low-cost flagships like the Moto X Pure Edition and Nexus 5X. In contrast, the iPhone and iPad are prohibitively expensive for many, but a budget Android device doesn’t need to cost much more than an old feature phone. And if you can afford to spend somewhere in the $150 to $300 ballpark, you can find a handset that gives a near flagship-level experience with just a few concessions in order to keep pricing down.
See also: Best cheap Android phones (January 2016)
Affordability has been a key driver for Android dominance worldwide and it continues to be. If you want premium devices that match and surpass the iPhone or iPad then you can find them, but if you want a budget device, then Android is really your only choice.
Customization
One of the strong points of Android has always been the level of customization it allows. While Apple wants to keep control of default apps in order to maintain a homogenous software and hardware experience, Android lets you pick your own level of customization. This extends all the way from simple things like live wallpapers, to alternative keyboards, to custom ROM installs.
Detractors will always say only hardcore geeks care about this level of customization, but at the shallow end of the pool this isn’t true. Plenty of iOS users loved it when Apple started allowing third-party keyboards and basic widgets, and that on its own is proof that this flexibility is what people want.
Some manufacturers are even allowing complex hardware customization. Motorola has Moto Maker, LG has replaceable leather back plates, as does Xiaomi. Those are just a few examples of something Apple will never do for you. Consider yourself lucky to have champagne gold and rose gold available… that is pretty revolutionary for Apple.
Widgets?
Android’s widgets have long been a feather in its cap compared to the static rows of icons you find in iOS. Even Microsoft saw the advantage, developing the Live Tiles system for Windows Phone. Widgets are still a major advantage for Android over iOS. Simply put, you can see all of the information you want at a glance on your home screen without having to fire up an app.
And yes, we know Apple introduced widgets last September. Have you seen those things? They are very limited and live only on your notification area. Not the same! Android still wins here.
Multi-tasking
You can argue iOS does multi-tasking all you want. And it’s true, you can do multiple things at once by switching apps back and forth, but that doesn’t even come near to the level of multi-tasking some Android phones offer.
Take Samsung as an example, which introduced multi-window long ago, in which you can view multiple apps at once. Plenty of other manufacturers have also been doing this for years, even if we will admit this is one area where stock Android lags behind.
Meanwhile, Apple is playing catch-up by adopting similar features, a change that took place in 2015. Most of Apple’s multi-tasking features also remain limited to the tablet realm for the time being, however, and by the time they really bring it to the next level, it’s fairly likely that even Google’s “stock” vision for Android will offer some form of multi-window navigation.
Launchers
Grab an iPhone, sit next to another iOS user and compare your home screens. Oh wait, they look exactly the same! That’s not the story with Android.
If you want control over how your Android smartphone or tablet looks then you’ve probably tried out a custom launcher. You can choose from a wide variety of custom launcher apps in Google Play and tweak everything from your home screen layout, to your page transitions, to effects and even gestures. There’s no risk involved with launcher apps and you can really open up a world of possibilities.
A launcher also is good for those instances where you love a handset but maybe aren’t so keen on the manufacturer’s custom interface. A launcher goes a long ways in these kinds of situations. And if you are the kind who enjoys the freedom of Android but actually lusts after the looks afforded by iOS or Windows — there’s even launchers that help you achieve a similar look and feel.
See also: 15 best Android launcher apps of 2015
Custom ROMs
You can actually replace the software that came with your device with a custom ROM if you want to. This is essentially installing a new operating system and many Android users do it because their carrier or manufacturer is slow to upgrade to the latest version of the Android platform, but you may also do it for better performance or to gain access to some add-ons or tools. This is definitely the extreme end of Android customization and you need to exercise a little caution to ensure that you don’t run into trouble. That said, as long as you can follow a tutorial and your device is supported, the benefits can be enormous.
Hell, there’s even ways to install completely different operating systems on some Android devices, such as Ubuntu, Firefox OS, Sailfish, and the list goes on.
Google integration
Some years ago we discussed why Google and Android will prevail over Apple and iOS, and this specific topic is still one of the main reasons. Android devices integrate seamlessly with Google’s array of services. People are increasingly using their mobile devices to go online and Google is king of the web. Google Docs, Gmail, Google Drive, Google Maps, Google Music, Google+, Google Chrome…the list goes on, and Apple and iOS are not keeping up.
Sure, many Google services are now in iOS, but that deep level of integration simply isn’t there. And this is an important factor, because most of us use one or two… or three or 10 Google services. You want these to work seamlessly, and Android offers that.
Google Now
This stands out from the crowd of Google services and, while the excellent voice search has been rolled into the Google iOS app, there are elements of Google Now that you can only enjoy on Android. When we look to our technology to push things forward and offer real convenience boosts to daily life, the predictive and pre-emptive nature of Google Now as it seeks to fulfill your desires before you think to search, could be truly revolutionary.
Whether Google Now is better than Siri or not continues to be subjective, though. This is still a matter of preference, but here at Android Authority we believe Google Now is more straightforward and to the point, which is something we all look for when finding the right digital assistant. With Marshmallow, there’s also plenty of new functionality making its way over, such as Google Now on Tap.
More free apps and games!
It may be a double-edged sword, but you can’t escape the fact that there are more free apps and games on Android than there are on iOS. Sometimes ports of the same apps that carried a price tag on iOS are free on Android. There also seems to be a greater willingness to pursue the freemium or ad-supported model.
Sadly, this may be, at least partly, down to piracy concerns and, while more hits are being ported across, the ability to earn more from iOS development still means more high quality, premium apps and games release on iOS first. Android continues to dominate and we have seen a change here, but it remains one of Android’s biggest challenges.
See also: 15 best free Android apps
The industry moves fast, and so does Android
Bugs, lag, an ugly interface, a lack of apps – Android’s weaknesses have been systematically dealt with by a determined development team. The Android platform is unrecognizable compared with the first release and it continues to improve and evolve at a faster pace than the competition.
That big user base and the wide range of manufacturers producing Android devices can only drive further improvements to greater heights. While iOS stagnates, paralyzed by the “if it ain’t broke don’t fix it” school of thinking, Android continues to innovate and improve at a faster rate. Think about it. Android adopted NFC first, as well as fingerprint readers, and retina scanners, and mobile payments, and higher definition displays. The list goes on.
What’s important to you?
We’d love to hear why you think Android is better than iOS. Are your motives for choosing Android covered above or did something else attract you to the platform? Post a comment and let us know.
Unofficial Google Street View for Gear VR looks pretty sweet
So StreetView VR has just arrived for Samsung’s Gear VR headset, and it’s kind of really cool. Even though it wasn’t developed by Google, StreetView VR uses data from Google Street View to create the Gear’s first world-sized free-roaming VR/AR experience.
That VR/AR description is earned from the app’s fluid Wikipedia integration. Wherever you are, you can activate an in-app Wikipedia browser that gives you more information about things that are nearby, all without popping you out of the virtual reality experience. Roam as far as you want, from Iceland to Taipei, and you’ll always find new immersive content to explore.
There are some downsides. Since this pulls from Street View, you’re not getting true depth in these VR images. It’s really more like a massive collection of immersive 360-degree images than true stereoscopic virtual reality. Nevertheless, this lack of depth is more than made up for with the slew of other features. Search for locations using voice controls or a standard virtual keyboard, share a tour with some friends with the built-in voice chat, and toggle directional arrows for navigation in the settings menu.
See also: Google reportedly releasing a rival to Samsung’s Gear VR later this year
All in all, the app is a pretty cool service, and it’s definitely worth checking out if you’ve got a Samsung Gear VR lying around. Give it a spin, then let us know what you think in the comments below!
Apple’s Siri topples Google Now in latest popularity study
A new study has revealed that less than one third of Android phone owners make use of Google Now’s voice recognition software.
The findings, reported by consumer technology research firm Parks Associates, show that Apple’s Siri voice recognition tech is more popular amongst users than Android’s equivalent.
Titled ‘360 View: Mobility and the App Economy’, the study says more than half of iPhone owners use Siri. On top of that, it claims smartphone penetration has reached 86% of U.S. broadband households.
Apparently, just under half (48%) of smartphone owners between 18 and 24 currently use voice recognition tech. When it comes to Siri specifically, usage by iPhone owners is said to have risen from 40% to 52% between 2013 and 2015.
Harry Wang, Parks Associates’ Director of Health & Mobile Product Research, said:
“Users, particularly younger consumers and iOS users, [are] exploring more intelligent features and interfaces, including voice control. The growing consumer interest in voice control features is driving this technology into new Internet of Things (IoT) areas.”
This latest study may cause some concern for the folk over at Google, who will be hoping improvements can be made to Google Now to make the service more widely used.
Google Now is a top tool with a whole host of features for Android users to play around with, so the findings of this latest study are rather surprising.
What do you make of the study’s results? Let us know in the comments section below.
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Google backs away from banning dedicated Android ad blockers
Google’s tough stance on dedicated Android ad blockers might be softening a bit. The company has reversed its decision to yank Adblock Fast from the Play Store following an appeal from the app’s developer, Rocketship. Google hasn’t officially said what prompted the change of heart (we’ll let you know if it has a comment), but TechCrunch understands that Google had originally wanted to limit ad blocking to browsers where it’s an option — any stand-alone apps were against the rules for interfering with other software. Our understanding is that Google is now concerned solely with banning those apps that interfere without permission. Given that Rocketship was working with Samsung, that shouldn’t be a problem.
One thing’s for sure: the decision ends the murkiness over Google’s approach to ad blockers. Besides letting through web browsers with ad blocking built-in, Google was also lighter on competing dedicated apps like Crystal, which had an update rejected but otherwise stayed put on the Play Store. This isn’t carte blanche for every ad blocker, but you won’t have a shortage of choices.
Via: TechCrunch
Source: Rocketship
Google rebrands RideWith by Waze to Waze Rider
Earlier today, Google announced that it has renamed its popular ride-sharing service ‘RideWith by Waze’ to ‘Waze Rider’. It’s unclear why the search engine giant has opted for the rebranding, but we can only assume that it’s planning a worldwide expansion as currently the platform is only available to use in Israel where it has over 20,000 regular customers.
When using Waze Rider you only pay for the amount of gas used to get you from A-to-B. There are no hidden fees. To hail a ride, simply publish a request to the community by sharing your pickup and drop-off location, together with the time you need to leave, and the application will connect you with a driver.
I firmly believe that Waze Rider could be a huge hit in both the United Kingdom and United States. With a few little changes that ensure you’re getting in a car with a fully-licensed, registered driver, this is definitely a transport service I could see myself using in London as it’s pretty renowned for its overpriced black cabs.
This corporate image change is an indication that there is more to come from Waze Rider in the near future, and I for one am certainly looking forward to see what Google has come up with. If it does happen to make its way to your city, can you see yourself sharing a ride? Let me know your thoughts in the comments section below.
Come comment on this article: Google rebrands RideWith by Waze to Waze Rider
You can get the Nexus 9 for 40 percent off, but only today
Just in time for Valentine’s Day, HTC is offering the Nexus 9 at a deep discount. The US-only promotion, available until 11:59PM PT/2:59AM ET tonight, takes 40 percent off of Google’s flagship tablet. That includes the 16GB, 32GB and 32GB with LTE models, which are priced at $239, $287 and $359, respectively, until the deal ends. Now, if you decide to go for the cellular version, HTC will throw in a free Logitech Bluetooth keyboard for good measure. You’ll have to act fast, though, since supply for this Hot Deal is likely limited.
Source: HTC
Ad blocking extension for Samsung’s internet browser returns to Play Store
At the start of the month, Samsung opened up their built-in web browser to ad-blocking extensions. Adblock Fast jumped at the chance and quickly launched on the Play Store to help Samsung users block ads on the web, but it was yanked from Google’s storefront almost as quickly as it launched.
Now, barely a week later, Adblock Fast is back on the Play Store, hopefully for good this time. Google reversed their decision after the developer sent an appeal, and it’s currently been updated to version 1.1 with a few tweaks to get new users started.
No details have been released on exactly why Google pulled it the first time or why it was reinstated, so there’s still plenty of room for speculation.
source: Rocketship Apps
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[Deal] HTC takes 40% off the Nexus 9 and throws in a free keyboard
The Nexus 9, which was launched in late 2014, is still being sold as Google has positioned the Pixel C as a high-end tablet belonging to another line that is just getting started. So, for people wanting an premium-yet-affordable tablet with stock Android, the Nexus 9 remains the most logical choice (unless you’re a gamer).
When the tablet hit the market, pricing started at $399 for a base model with 16GB of internal storage. And the 32GB model raised the price up to $479. Need a LTE signal for use away from a WiFi connection? The LTE model that comes with 32GB of internal storage is priced at $599. Today, though, you can save big on any model of the Nexus 9. Through HTC’s weekly Hot Deals promotion, the Nexus 9 has a 40% discount and a free Logitech keyboard is being included if you get the LTE model.
Google and HTC’s Nexus 9 features an 8.9-inch LPS LCD display, NVIDIA Tegra K1 processor with 2GB of RAM, 8MP / 1.6MP cameras, and dual front-facing BoomSound stereo speakers. And, at its core, the tablet has Android 6.0 Marshmallow along with all of the latest security patches pushed monthly by Google.
Here’s the pricing breakdown:
- 16GB WiFi-only (Indigo Black, Lunar White): $239.40
- 32GB WiFi-only (Indigo Black, Lunar White): $287.40
- 32GB LTE (Indigo Black): $359.40 w/ free Logitech keyboard
It seems that, if you’re interested, get over to HTC’s website right away and order the tablet because units are already selling out. The 16GB WiFi-only models are completely out of stock; therefore, people are going to be rushing to the next storage size.
[HTC]
Come comment on this article: [Deal] HTC takes 40% off the Nexus 9 and throws in a free keyboard
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