Google+ Updates, Aims at Photo Editing and Creations Mostly [Download]
Today is shaping up to be a pretty nice day indeed, at least on the Google front. We caught Google pushing the Google Now Launcher to the Play Store earlier this morning. Now we are seeing a nice little update rolling out in its traditional stages for Google+. The Play Store doesn’t elude to a heck of a lot, at least not until all the updated text decided to populate. Luckily Vic Gundotra was kind enough to share Todd Kennedy’s post on G+ to let us all know what was coming. In the latest update, which will move you to v4.3, you can expect to find some great things in the way of photo editing, filters, better browsing and some more.
Non-destructive photo editing across devices
Starting today you can start your edits on one device, and continue (or start over) on another. This means you can backup full-resolution photos from your desktop, edit them in seconds on your phone, then add some finishing touches from your tablet. (And you can revert to your originals at any time!) The technical term for this experience is non-destructive editing in the cloud, and we think you’ll really enjoy it.Brand new filters and creative tools
Now when you edit your photos, you’ll have a powerful set of tools (like crop and rotate), 1-touch filters, and Snapseed-inspired enhancements (like Drama, Retrolux, and HDR Scape). Mix and match to make your photos look their absolute best.A single view of all your photos
The new ‘All’ view displays your entire photo library — whether it’s on your current device, or backed up in the cloud. If your library is really large (> 10s of thousands of photos), the app won’t show all your photos initially. But stay tuned, because we’re supporting larger and larger libraries over the next few weeks.An easy way to browse your photos by date
In addition to search, there’s now another way to find your photos fast. Just swipe through your photos in the ‘All’ view, and look for the scroll bar on the right. Dragging the scroll bar up or down will quickly move you forwards or backwards in time.
Seems Google is really taking an amazing approach at helping aspiring photographers, and those that just plain suck, and giving them easy to use tools right in their social channel. Pretty cool really. You can hit the Play Store and see if you have the update yet, or you can swing by our sister site that has the apk all ready for your download enjoyment.
Google+ v4.3.0 APK Download
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!
IBM wants to put the power of Watson in your smartphone
Watson, IBM’s Jeopardy-conquering super computer, has set its sites on mobile apps. Not long ago, the recently created Watson Business Group announced that would offer APIs to developers to create cloud-based apps built around cognitive computing. Now IBM is launching a competition to lure mobile app creators to its new platform. Over the next three months the company will be taking submissions that leverage Watson’s unique capabilities like deep data analysis and natural language processing to put impossibly powerful tools to the palm of your hand. IBM is hoping for apps that “change the way consumers and businesses interact with data on their mobile devices.” It’s an ambitious goal, but considering the way Watson spanked Ken Jennings, it seems something that is well within its reach. The machine has already changed the way we view computers and artificial intelligence, not only by winning Jeopardy, but by making cancer treatment decisions and attending college. Now it wants to make your smartphone smarter than you could ever hope to be.
Filed under: Software
Google finally releases Now Launcher to the Play store, for Nexus and Play Edition devices
Most of us assumed it was only a matter of time before Google released the Now launcher that debuted on the Nexus 5 to the Play store. Now that day has come… provided you’re the owner of a Nexus or Play Edition handset that runs KitKat. The new homescreen is the one you’ve already come to know and love on the newest Nexus phone, complete with the ability to say “Ok Google” from any home screen to automatically launch Now’s voice command functions. Breaking the launcher out from the core Android code also means it’ll be easier for Google to update and add features to it going forward, without having to release an entirely new version of the OS. Now the next step will be getting the launcher on more phones, even if it still requires you to have KitKat. Though, as the internet giant successfully breaks its own apps and services away from the Android core, the Nexus program becomes less and less important.
Filed under: Cellphones, Software, Mobile, Google
Via: Droid Life
Titanfall collector’s edition is titan-sized, sadly doesn’t include jump jets (video)
For half the price of an Xbox One, you can have your very own titan mech! Well, a 18-inch “Atlas Titan statue,” care of the folks behind Titanfall. And yes, that means it doesn’t move. And no, there aren’t any jump jets in the massive “Collector’s Edition” box which holds the aforementioned statue, your copy of Titanfall, a big fancy art book and a poster. Dammit!
Again, to be clear, that’s $250. Take a look at a video from Respawn Entertainment tearing apart the “very limited” edition of Titanfall just below; it’s available on March 11th in North America, March 13th in Europe.
Filed under: Gaming, Software, HD, Microsoft
Via: VG24/7
Android 4.4.2 for the AT&T Galaxy S4 is incoming, should start rolling out Today
Despite the world’s attention firmly fixed on the Samsung Galaxy S5 this week at MWC 2014, it is its little brother, the Galaxy S4, that’s getting all the love lately. Update love, that is, as Android 4.4.2 gradually rolls out to all the remaining carrier based devices. Next on the list is Android 4.4.2 for the AT&T Galaxy S4 which AT&T says will start rolling out today.
The updated is expected to come in at somewhere between 412MB – 842MB and will be available over Wi-Fi only. As you might expect from the Android 4.4.2 update, it brings a whole load of highly anticipated features to the Galaxy S4as well as finally bringing over Galaxy Gear compatibility. Clearly the time to start madly mashing your “Check for updates” button is now, so do let us know if you get the update today.
This AT&T update leaves only T-Mobile and Verizon as the major carriers yet to update their Galaxy S4 handsets, and for those waiting, hopefully they won’t take much longer, though don’t take my word for it…
Source: AT&T via Phones Review
Square’s Pickup app streamlines ordering take-out in San Francisco
If you thought ordering a new shirt from Uniqlo and grabbing it from the store 20 minutes later was rad, Square has something similar cooked up for your favorite restaurants. The outfit is demoing a new Android and iOS application called Pickup at a handful of San Francisco eateries, according to Priceonomics. With the app, Square is streamlining the food ordering process to a few taps on your smartphone: you choose an item from the menu, pay for it and then, well, pick it up. Given Square’s popularity with small businesses (especially with competition from GoPago, GrubHub and OrderAhead), hopefully it isn’t long before the outfit releases Pickup outside of NorCal.
Filed under: Cellphones, Software, Mobile
Source: Priceonomics, Square Pickup
LINE messenger isn’t selling to anyone, instead it’s going to let you sell your own stickers
Rumors of yet another messaging app being sold pinned Naver’s LINE app to Japanese phone carrier, SoftBank. The app maker denied the claim yesterday, and today (instead) announced that it’s adding several new features, including LINE Creator Market, set to launch (at least in Japan) this April. Creator will allow artistic types to sell their own sticker creations on a dedicated market — and split the earnings 50:50. LINE’s messaging app has avoided ads, instead offering corporate accounts and paid-for sticker sets. The host site isn’t live just yet, but we’ll keep you updated when we hear more.
[Image credit: Satoru Masuda, TechCrunch JP]
Filed under: Cellphones, Software, Mobile
LINE takes on Skype and Hangouts with new, cheap, Call service
It’s all about stickers, really. LINE means stickers, but as the company keeps telling us, its apps do so much more than that — and even more starting next month. The Japanese messaging service is launching a new data-based call service that attempts to undercut the voice-call pricing on typical land-lines and mobile carriers. With a pay-as-you-go and 30-day plan both outlined at the company’s showcase event, it’s scheduled to launch this March in Japan, US, Mexico, Spain, Thailand and the Philippines. For its native country, the 30-day plan (priced at one minute for 6.5 yen, roughly 6.4 cents), will offer up to a maximum of 60 minutes maximum, encompassing both mobile and landline calls. A separate call credit plan will cost 14 yen per minute to mobile phones (including overseas) and three yen to landlines.
The company is aiming to expand who LINE users can contact within its app service. An interesting feature is that on smartphones, it will appear as if it’s simply a normal phone call — we saw a demonstration of how incoming calls would appear on an iPhone and (as you’ll see after the break), it looks identical. To drum up support, Naver plans to offer the service to 1,300,000 businesses and stores across Japan, as well as 100,000 free 100-yen LINE Call samples to existing users too.
Filed under: Cellphones, Internet, Software, Mobile
Spotify revamp for Windows Phone will bring radio and a brand new look
Spotify’s Windows Phone app has typically lagged its Android and iOS counterparts, but it’s about to catch up in a big, big way. The streaming music provider has revealed a makeover of the app that will roll in the discovery, playlist browsing and radio features that we’ve seen elsewhere. It will also have a fresh interface that’s in sync with Spotify’s more recent apps while remaining true to the style of Microsoft’s smartphone OS. Premium subscribers will be the first to get the Windows Phone update when it arrives this spring, but Spotify has promised that its free mobile listening option will be coming to the platform later on.
Filed under: Cellphones, Internet, Software, Mobile
Source: Spotify
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