Google announces Android Wear, a Nexus-like platform for wearables
Google’s getting into smartwatches in a rather large way. As previously reported, the search giant is extending its Android platform to more wearables than just Glass. In a blog post that went out today, Google announced Android Wear, which is essentially a way for the company to extend its mobile OS to a new category of devices while offering a lower cost for developers and users — think Nexus for smartwatches. Of course, smartwatches are just the beginning, Google acknowledged that there’s plenty more to come, but it was ” starting with the most familiar wearable.”
One of the most eye-catching features we’ve seen so far is the same always-listening experience that we’ve enjoyed on the Moto X. Anytime you need to do something with your watch, just say “OK Google” and everything from pulling up nearby gas stations, to restaurant reservations are just a quick voice command away.
Developing…
[Image credit: Getty Images]
But there’s more to Wear than just putting voice search on your wrist. As the rumors have suggested, it pulls in contextual updates as well, just like Now — putting the power of its preemptive search a quick glance away. Obviously it also pulls in notifications from messaging apps like Hangouts or your social networks. But the real power lies in the ability for developers to extend their applications to your Android-powered smartwatch. For example, Google is already promising that “favorite fitness apps” will offer real time speed and distance tracking. (Get on that RunKeeper!)
We’re still waiting to get details on specific watches, but features like these (and many more) have to be incredibly power efficient to ensure your new fancy piece of digital jewelry actually lasts longer than a day. Expect to start seeing devices working on the new platform sometime next quarter (as luck would have it, Google I/O will be held at the very end of that quarter). And, fingers crossed, maybe Google will announce that Now is opening up to third parties as part of its wearable push.
Filed under: Wearables, Wireless, Mobile, Google
Source: Google
LG G Watch to launch next quarter with Android Wear
Over the last two years, LG has established a storied history of collaboration with Google. The two companies have worked together on three devices (two Nexus smartphones and a Google Play edition tablet) and today we’re hearing about the fourth — a smartwatch. LG’s latest piece of handywork, known as the G Watch, features Google’s new wearables platform called Android Wear. LG’s keeping quiet on the specs and other details of the new device, but the above image at least gives us a sneak peek of what we can expect. Just by looking at the Now-like flight information on the watchface, we can tell that Google Now features prominently on the platform. And just like on the Moto X, users will be able to initiate voice commands by simply speaking “OK Google.”
LG wants the G Watch to act as a “low barrier to entry” for developers, while offering a Google experience to users at the same time; this likely means that when the watch arrives sometime next quarter (exact date and pricing remains unknown), we can expect it to sell at a rather competitive price point. “The opportunity to work with Google on LG G Watch was the perfect chance for LG to really pull out all stops in both design and engineering,” said Dr. Jong-seok Park, CEO of LG’s Mobile Communications division. “We’re confident that a well-designed device has the potential to take the smart wearable market by storm.”
Filed under: Cellphones, Wearables, Wireless, Mobile, Google, LG
Mirror Beta Now Allows You to Use Chromecast to Mirror What’s on Your Nexus 5
Chromecast is one of those little devices that many of us wonder how we survived without. To be able to control your TV and watch movies from your phone or tablet, is just a nerd haven for excitement. The only thing that can make it better is if you can just display everything that is on your device through your Chromemcast. Sadly we can only achieve that with certain apps that have Chromecast support, but developer Koush is now making that mirroring possible.
Koush unleashed an update for Mirror Beta today, for anyone with a Nexus 5 to mirror their homescreen onto their TVs. I must stress Nexus 5, because that is the only device capable to do this awesome task. Koush claims, “This is because Nexus 5 is the only phone on the market that has a hardware vp8 encoder.” You do have to be rooted as well, which is something I have yet to do on my Nexus 5. Laziness I suppose, but I am going to play the “I’m too busy” card.
So head over to the link provided below to give it a try if you rock a Nexus 5 in your pocket. Let us know if works for you. Also check out his brief demo video.
The Nexus 6 is rumoured to be a “lightweight” version of the upcoming LG G3
Already this year, we’ve heard multiple rumours that the LG G3 is already planned for a release in mid-2014, some placing it for release in May and some assuming it will come in June. Traditionally, LG‘s flagship devices, at least starting with the LG Optimus G, have served as the basis for the Nexus line of smartphones: the LG Optimus G became the Nexus 4, the LG G2 became the Nexus 5, and logic would say that a LG G3 would give credence to a possible Nexus 6 device. Today, Gizmodo.de has fanned the flames of this rumour by saying that the manufacturer of the Nexus 6 will be LG and that it will be more “lightweight”.
Seeing as the Nexus smartphones are generally made from slightly cheaper, lighter materials, it’s not surprising to hear the suggestion that any new Nexus device would also be more “lightweight”. As for specifications, assuming the Nexus 6 would possess the same internal hardware as the LG G3, it’s expected that these devices will have a 2K resolution display, some kind of a 64-bit processor and a 16MP camera. With Google I/O happening in late June as well, these rumoured time-frames do open up the very real possibility that a new Nexus device will show up at Google’s inaugural event.
What do you think about these rumours about a Nexus 6, or even a LG G3? Let us know your opinion in the comments.
Source: Gizmodo.de via Phone Arena
Paranoid Android 4.1 beta released with reworked PIE controls for KitKat
There are plenty of options when looking to run a custom ROM on your Android device and one of the most popular, besides CyanogenMod, is Paranoid Android.
Official PA ROMs only support Nexus devices, so if you don’t see your device in the downloads, it’s not supported by the main development team, but there may be a port and you just need to search the forums.
Up until recently, the latest PA ROMs based on Android 4.4 KitKat were primarily a stock experience, but today an update was released, PA 4.1 beta, bringing one of the ROM’s killer “flagship” features, PIE controls, its stock navigation replacement.
According to PA, PIE is “a simple, straight-forward replacement of the navigation bar that optimizes the screen space available to the user.”
PIE is basically a fully-customizable replacement for the on-screen navigation buttons and stays hidden off-screen, only seen with a predefined gesture that can come from any of the four sides of the device.
Via Google+, the PA development team said that it faced some problems with the immersive mode introduced in KitKat, and has now released a redesigned version to match the KitKat design philosophy. Instead of porting the feature to its KitKat ROMs, PA completely redesigned the feature for the new version of Android.
PIE controls are now fully-integrated into the core UX with the introduction of “on-the-spot preferences,” so PA users no longer need to sort through endless settings.
Additionally, it gives users status information at a glance when your status bar is hidden in immersive mode, plus the stock Google Now swipe up gesture is now integrated.
If you’ve never tried out Paranoid Android before, be sure to check out 4.1 beta on your rooted, unlocked device, which is now available for the Nexus 7 2013 (Wi-Fi and 4G), Nexus 7 2012 (Wi-Fi and 3G), Nexus 5, Nexus 4, Nexus 10 and the Galaxy Nexus (GSM, Sprint and Verizon). Be sure to grab the latest Gapps as well.
Downloads via +ParanoidAndroidCorner
The post Paranoid Android 4.1 beta released with reworked PIE controls for KitKat appeared first on AndroidGuys.
Have a Nexus or GPE device? Download the Google Now Launcher OFFICIALLY from Google Play
When the Nexus 5 was announced the launcher looked a bit different from what people are used to seeing on a stock Android device.We’re used to seeing the same launcher on basically every Nexus device, so it was a bit of a shocker when Google unveiled the new look.It was running the Google Now Launcher with a few more features than the original “stock” look.
Well, Nexus and Google Play Edition device owners rejoice – the Google Now Launcher is finally official! You can grab it from the Google Play Store today, but only if you have a Nexus or GPE device running Android 4.4.
With the GNL, you can swipe left to access Google Now from your main homescreen. Long press on a blank space to access wallpapers, widgets, and settings. And the app drawer is now only used for apps.
No word yet as to whether or not they will release it to non Nexus/GPE devices, but I couldn’t see that happening.
The post Have a Nexus or GPE device? Download the Google Now Launcher OFFICIALLY from Google Play appeared first on AndroidGuys.
Official 2013 Nexus 7 Wired and Wireless Docks Launched by ASUS
We all sit on pins and needles, not really, for the next Nexus tablet to come to fruition. Rumors have talked about an 8-inch variety, an announcement at Google I/O, HTC being the winner of the design for the next one and plenty more. Heck, I was just reading over at IBTimes that the Nexus 8 will be at I/O with Android 4.5. June is a long ways away. For those living in the real world right now, ASUS has finally brought forth two docks for your coveted 2013 Nexus 7. Both should help you bide the time until we see what Google is up to.
The first is a charging stand
- Slide-in Design for horizontal or vertical viewing.
- HDMI out to view content on your TV or PC monitor
- Comes in Black
- Dimensions: 218 x 106 x 77 mm
- Weight: 142g
Next up is the wireless charging PW100
- Pyrimid design
- Qi Standard
- LED status light
- Comes in black
- Dimensions: 75 x 65 x 84 mm
- Weight: 115g
The wired dock will set you back a modest $50. Which isn’t bad considering it offers the HDMI out and two view options. The wireless PW100 goes up a bit for the wireless aspect to $90. Both via Amazon.
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Head over to ASUS for a closer look at the wired dock and the wireless PW100.
Via Liliputing
Google Now Launcher Available in the Play Store for Nexus and GPE Devices
Google has launched the Google Now Launcher app to the Play Store this morning. If memory serves me right, this was formerly known as the Google Experience Launcher. The GNL gives you all the goods that is Google Now integrated as a launcher app. The feature list is pretty nice too.
Key features:
• Google Now on your home screen – it’s easier than ever to get just the right information at just the right time.
• Just say “Ok Google” – when you’re on your home screen, just say “Ok Google” to trigger voice input. Then say your search query. Or tell your phone what to do, like send a text message, get directions, or play a song (available in the US, UK, and Canada).
• Faster search – tap the search box and you can enter your query immediately.
• Easy access to your favorite Google products and services, like Gmail, YouTube, and Maps.
• Larger viewing area – the status and navigation bars are now translucent, so your wallpaper pops from every pixel, and is even visible when you expand your apps drawer (when supported by device).
• Intuitive wallpaper picker – select any image that’s stored on your device, or in the cloud. Position and preview your wallpaper before you set it.
Before you go getting all giddy about it, you will only be able to pick up the app if you have Android 4.4+ running on a Nexus or Google Play Edition device. At least that is what Google is saying in the description. I am sure it will get toggled by a developer some where that lets it install on other devices. Feel free to check into it, just hit the button below to go to the Play Store and see.
Via Zammi Kahan G+
We just heard from one of our loyal readers on G+ who confirmed he was able to install it on his non-Samsung Galaxy S3 device.
Interestingly it let me install it on my S3, I am running a 4.4 ROM on it (Beanstalk) though. Thanks for the link, playing with it now
We assumed that might be the case for a ROM that is based off stock. Thanks Dave!
Google and LG are reportedly working together on an Android smartwatch
Rumors of a Google-powered smartwatch just got a little more tangible — both CNET and the Wall Street Journal claim that the search firm is teaming up with LG to make the Android-based wristwear. We still don’t know much about the hardware’s capabilities, but CNET believes that Google would follow the Nexus model and create a reference device that would launch at Google I/O in June. The WSJ notes that other manufacturers could also join the fray. None of the companies involved have commented on the rumor so far, so you won’t want to start budgeting for the gadget just yet. However, a Google-badged, LG-made smartwatch would make sense when the two companies have enjoyed success making phones like the Nexus 5, and LG is already designing wearables like the Lifeband Touch.
Filed under: Cellphones, Wearables, Mobile, Google, LG
Source: Wall Street Journal, CNET
Check Out the ‘Evolution of Nexus Devices’ Inforgraphic
The Nexus line. What can we say about it? It is truly the core of the Android Community. Pure stock Android on a sleek, sexy designed phone, that top OEMs have a shot at creating. With rumors that the Nexus line ending in 2015, let’s look back at the 5 Nexus phones that have graced their presence to us.
The infographic below is a very detailed description of each Nexus phone, and then it ends with comparing each one of them when it comes to size and design. It is pretty great to se the evolution of the Nexus phone, and just like any Android enthusiast; you got to wonder what the next one will look like. Enjoy the infographic.
Source: Android Me
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