The Google Nexus 10 is possibly the longest supported Nexus device in recent memory. The tablet has been one of the first Nexus tablets to receive the latest updates, despite the fact that it’s over two years old in the tablet industry now. And now, Google has reiterated that yet again by rolling out the Android 5.1.1 update to the device.
As of now, only the Google Nexus Player is running Android 5.1.1, although a T-Mobile Galaxy S6 Edge user was claiming to have received the Android 5.1.1 update yesterday.
The update on the Nexus 10 should bring the build number LMY47V and probably won’t carry a lot of other changes. It’s a measly 13.9MB in size, so it shouldn’t take long to install. Don’t expect any fancy changes on board here as it’s only a minor bug fixing update.
Owners of the Nexus 10, are you seeing this update on your tablets yet? Sound off below.
If you missed out on Spotify’s awesome deal a few months ago, the streaming service is now giving you a second chance to save some cash. For a limited time only, new users who live in the United States can get three months of Spotify Premium for just $ 0.99.
A Premium subscription will get you access to Spotify’s giant music database with no advertisements or interruptions, higher bitrate playback, and the ability to download music to your mobile device and listen offline. Spotify Premium accounts usually run $ 9.99 per month, so this may be worth your while if you’ve never signed up for the service in the past.
Unfortunately this deal doesn’t apply to folks living outside the U.S. or users who have previously signed up for the service. Of course, there’s always the possibility of creating a new account to sign up for the promotion, but that’s only if you feel like the effort is worth it.
If you’re interested in signing up, head to the source link below.
Owners of the Galaxy S6 and Galaxy S6 Edge are experiencing performance issues with their devices that can be blamed on the mismanagement of RAM. At times, apps are being forcefully closed. The 3GB of RAM is nearly filled to the brim due to the bug and Samsung has yet to issue a fix. The company, however, has commented informed one device owner that micro-updates for performance and stability issues are on the way.
The following is what Samsung Mobile UK said on Facebook:
Micro-updates are in the process of being rolled out to correct issues relating to device performance and stability Johan!, Keep checking for these on your device via Settings>About device>Software update>Update now
Are you experiencing this bug with your Galaxy S6 or Galaxy S6 Edge? Let us know in the comments.
After the Vivo X5Pro smartphone was said to be sporting an iris-sensor, a new rumor now talks of another device from the company, the XPlay5S sporting an under-glass fingerprint scanner. This essentially means that fingerprint scanning can be achieved right on the display panel, without requiring a home button or any physical key to swipe on.
At this point, CrucialTec is the only company that specializes in this technology, so it will be interesting to see what the Vivo XPlay5S has to offer. This could be the best innovation to come from the mobile industry for quite some time and will offer a more convenient way of handling user fingerprints.
The manufacturer is yet to confirm the use of this technology on the smartphone, so we’ll reserve judgement until we actually see the device in action. What do you think about this?
Source: Weibo – Translated Via: G For Games
Valerie is based in London, UK. and has prior experience working with major media conglomerates. She’s also a lover of all things tech. Well, basically anything with a display and a power button on it.
Did you get the chance to follow along our Android customization series for the last few weeks? We covered the Android SDK developer tool ADB. While designed for, well, developers, it is actually a solid tool for file transfers, installing apps from your PC, taking screen recording and even for hunting down rogue battery killer apps on your device.
This week we shift gears, we would like to look at device security, or rather, securing your entire Google account using Google Authenticator.
Before we begin
You will need an Android device and your PC to follow along today. Make sure you know your Google account password and are prepared for your Google Account to log out of all of your devices, be they Android phones, other smartphones, computers, TVs and more.
I should be more specific, the Android device you need today should be your own personal device, and it should be secured itself with a PIN, pattern or passphrase.
Finally, if you do not have it already, you will need a copy of Google Authenticator, which is free in the Google Play Store.
Google Authenticator
Google Authenticator is more than just a fleeting application, this tool turns your Android device into the master key to your entire Google experience. The premise is simple enough, Google Authenticator uses what we call two-factor authentication. In this implementation, you will sign into your PC, for example, with your standard Google email and password, but before you can continue to access your account, you will need to enter an additional access number, as provided by Google Authenticator on your Android device.
Once again, the moment you activate Google Authenticator, your Google Account will log out, or lock up, absolutely everywhere you have it signed in. Your home or work computers, all of your smartphones and tablets and more. Make sure you know your password, and can trust that your Android device with Authenticator installed is reliable and can always be connected to the internet to get you your access codes.
Part 1: Enable two-factor on your PC
Once you have Google Authenticator installed on your device, but before you fire up the app, sit at your PC and head over to your Google Account at https://myaccount.google.com/
Your Google Account Settings page is absolutely full of great security tools and measures that you should be familiar with, do at least take the Security Checkup at the top of the page, if you have not already.
Scroll down a little way, look for 2-step verification and click into it.
Click Start Setup.
Enter a valid mobile phone number. This does not exactly have to be your phone that you are setting up Authenticator on, it will be used as a backup to Authenticator if anything goes wrong. Tap Send code and take this opportunity to time your provider, to see how long it takes them to process an SMS message. If your patience is stretched too thin, go ahead and use the Voice Call feature.
In step 2, you will enter the provided code.
In step 3, you are asked if you wish to use this computer as a Trusted computer. We are not talking about by-passing the two-factor authentication here. This will establish this computer as a backup to your phone and to the above provided phone number, if you lose them, you can use this PC to access your account.
Finally, in step 4, you will need to verify that you wish to go through with this setup. Trust me, you can very easily turn it all back off later, if you don’t like how it all works.
Part 2: Log into your Android device with the new credentials
As mentioned, you will now need to log back into all of your phones, computers and more that use your Google Account. You can tap Reconnect my apps to get on that, but I think it is easier to just head to the phone first.
Do not close your Google Account on your computer yet, but pick up your Android phone to continue.
Your Android device will be going a little crazy on you now. Your Google Account is unable to connect, but don’t worry, just tap on the error notification and follow the instructions.
For this first device, you will enter your Google Account password, which will fail, and then you’ll be asked to use a web login, just hit next to continue.
Enter your password again, then you’ll be directed to the two-factor verification page, in which you are going to need to enter a 6 digit numeric code. Google is going to send an SMS, or phone you with the code.
Enter the verification code.
Check off the box that asks if you want to trust this device in the future. If you do not turn on Don’t ask for codes again on this computer, you will need to go through all this again and again.
Finally, tap Verify.
Good news, your Google Account is configured and your Android device is Verified. Only one last step remains, to configure Google Authenticator so that you can setup all of your other devices.
Part 3: Install and configure Google Authenticator on your Android device
Head back to your computer. Head back into the Two-factor Authentication section, if it bumped you out.
You will see that your current Primary method of receiving codes is your phone number, just below that is the option to enable the mobile app instead. Tap Switch to app.
I presume you are on Android, but as you can see, a few other mobile operating systems are also supported. Choose Android and hit Continue.
Open the Google Authenticator app on your Android device.
Tap Begin setup to, well, begin set up.
If so equipped, use your Android device to scan the QR code on your computer screen. There is a link right there to help you if you cannot scan codes.
Once the QR code is scanned, it will provide a verification code, enter that into your computer and hit Verify and Save.
In the words of the app on your device, You’re all set!
What’s next
Are you still with me? That was a bit crazy, but now comes the hard part – I am sure I mentioned that you will now need to have your Android device with you everywhere you go and try to log into your account. Let the process begin.
As you log into your devices, computers and more, take careful note of which ones you choose to trust implicitly by selecting the Do not ask for a code again on this computer option. Yes, you will still need to have your password to access the devices, so you are still covered there, you just won’t be asked for the second layer of security on those machines.
Using the Google Authenticator app is really easy, simply open it and use the provided access code. Check out the video below for what Google has to say on the subject. You can see that the code resets every 30 seconds or so, which is how the system keeps your gear secure. It is well beyond modern day consumer computing equipment to reasonably anticipate a successful brute force attack in this amount of time. I hope.
Google has a thorough set of resources available surrounding two-factor authentication, be sure to hit their support pages for more details on just what this whole security tool is and how to use it.
You can use the same Authenticator app on your device to work with several different Google Accounts at the same time, just go through the setup on your computer, then scan in the secondary QR code to proceed. That is not all, you can even use the Google Authenticator app on other accounts. For example, I use it for the two-factor authentication for our team communications portal over at Slack.
Finally, remember how I told you two factor authentication is simple to disable if you don’t like it? Just head into the settings on your PC, and hit the Turn off button on the far right hand side. Please do give it a chance before you give up on it. Convenience is always sacrificed for the sake of security, but we think it is worth the trouble in this case.
Next week
I hope you got through our Android customization post this week, setting up two-factor authentication for your Google Account is much easier than it looks on paper, and more than important enough to be worth the trouble. Now that your Google Account is doubly secured, let’s dive into it – we’ll take a look at managing your Google Location History next week.
Do you use the Google Authenticator app to provide two-factor authentication for your Google Account?
Did you get the chance to follow along our Android customization series for the last few weeks? We covered the Android SDK developer tool ADB. While designed for, well, developers, it is actually a solid tool for file transfers, installing apps from your PC, taking screen recording and even for hunting down rogue battery killer apps on your device.
This week we shift gears, we would like to look at device security, or rather, securing your entire Google account using Google Authenticator.
Before we begin
You will need an Android device and your PC to follow along today. Make sure you know your Google account password and are prepared for your Google Account to log out of all of your devices, be they Android phones, other smartphones, computers, TVs and more.
I should be more specific, the Android device you need today should be your own personal device, and it should be secured itself with a PIN, pattern or passphrase.
Finally, if you do not have it already, you will need a copy of Google Authenticator, which is free in the Google Play Store.
Google Authenticator
Google Authenticator is more than just a fleeting application, this tool turns your Android device into the master key to your entire Google experience. The premise is simple enough, Google Authenticator uses what we call two-factor authentication. In this implementation, you will sign into your PC, for example, with your standard Google email and password, but before you can continue to access your account, you will need to enter an additional access number, as provided by Google Authenticator on your Android device.
Once again, the moment you activate Google Authenticator, your Google Account will log out, or lock up, absolutely everywhere you have it signed in. Your home or work computers, all of your smartphones and tablets and more. Make sure you know your password, and can trust that your Android device with Authenticator installed is reliable and can always be connected to the internet to get you your access codes.
Part 1: Enable two-factor on your PC
Once you have Google Authenticator installed on your device, but before you fire up the app, sit at your PC and head over to your Google Account at https://myaccount.google.com/
Your Google Account Settings page is absolutely full of great security tools and measures that you should be familiar with, do at least take the Security Checkup at the top of the page, if you have not already.
Scroll down a little way, look for 2-step verification and click into it.
Click Start Setup.
Enter a valid mobile phone number. This does not exactly have to be your phone that you are setting up Authenticator on, it will be used as a backup to Authenticator if anything goes wrong. Tap Send code and take this opportunity to time your provider, to see how long it takes them to process an SMS message. If your patience is stretched too thin, go ahead and use the Voice Call feature.
In step 2, you will enter the provided code.
In step 3, you are asked if you wish to use this computer as a Trusted computer. We are not talking about by-passing the two-factor authentication here. This will establish this computer as a backup to your phone and to the above provided phone number, if you lose them, you can use this PC to access your account.
Finally, in step 4, you will need to verify that you wish to go through with this setup. Trust me, you can very easily turn it all back off later, if you don’t like how it all works.
Part 2: Log into your Android device with the new credentials
As mentioned, you will now need to log back into all of your phones, computers and more that use your Google Account. You can tap Reconnect my apps to get on that, but I think it is easier to just head to the phone first.
Do not close your Google Account on your computer yet, but pick up your Android phone to continue.
Your Android device will be going a little crazy on you now. Your Google Account is unable to connect, but don’t worry, just tap on the error notification and follow the instructions.
For this first device, you will enter your Google Account password, which will fail, and then you’ll be asked to use a web login, just hit next to continue.
Enter your password again, then you’ll be directed to the two-factor verification page, in which you are going to need to enter a 6 digit numeric code. Google is going to send an SMS, or phone you with the code.
Enter the verification code.
Check off the box that asks if you want to trust this device in the future. If you do not turn on Don’t ask for codes again on this computer, you will need to go through all this again and again.
Finally, tap Verify.
Good news, your Google Account is configured and your Android device is Verified. Only one last step remains, to configure Google Authenticator so that you can setup all of your other devices.
Part 3: Install and configure Google Authenticator on your Android device
Head back to your computer. Head back into the Two-factor Authentication section, if it bumped you out.
You will see that your current Primary method of receiving codes is your phone number, just below that is the option to enable the mobile app instead. Tap Switch to app.
I presume you are on Android, but as you can see, a few other mobile operating systems are also supported. Choose Android and hit Continue.
Open the Google Authenticator app on your Android device.
Tap Begin setup to, well, begin set up.
If so equipped, use your Android device to scan the QR code on your computer screen. There is a link right there to help you if you cannot scan codes.
Once the QR code is scanned, it will provide a verification code, enter that into your computer and hit Verify and Save.
In the words of the app on your device, You’re all set!
What’s next
Are you still with me? That was a bit crazy, but now comes the hard part – I am sure I mentioned that you will now need to have your Android device with you everywhere you go and try to log into your account. Let the process begin.
As you log into your devices, computers and more, take careful note of which ones you choose to trust implicitly by selecting the Do not ask for a code again on this computer option. Yes, you will still need to have your password to access the devices, so you are still covered there, you just won’t be asked for the second layer of security on those machines.
Using the Google Authenticator app is really easy, simply open it and use the provided access code. Check out the video below for what Google has to say on the subject. You can see that the code resets every 30 seconds or so, which is how the system keeps your gear secure. It is well beyond modern day consumer computing equipment to reasonably anticipate a successful brute force attack in this amount of time. I hope.
Google has a thorough set of resources available surrounding two-factor authentication, be sure to hit their support pages for more details on just what this whole security tool is and how to use it.
You can use the same Authenticator app on your device to work with several different Google Accounts at the same time, just go through the setup on your computer, then scan in the secondary QR code to proceed. That is not all, you can even use the Google Authenticator app on other accounts. For example, I use it for the two-factor authentication for our team communications portal over at Slack.
Finally, remember how I told you two factor authentication is simple to disable if you don’t like it? Just head into the settings on your PC, and hit the Turn off button on the far right hand side. Please do give it a chance before you give up on it. Convenience is always sacrificed for the sake of security, but we think it is worth the trouble in this case.
Next week
I hope you got through our Android customization post this week, setting up two-factor authentication for your Google Account is much easier than it looks on paper, and more than important enough to be worth the trouble. Now that your Google Account is doubly secured, let’s dive into it – we’ll take a look at managing your Google Location History next week.
Do you use the Google Authenticator app to provide two-factor authentication for your Google Account?
The LG G4 retained a lot of the great qualities of its flagship predecessors in terms of the design and software, but one area where it greatly leapfrogged forward was in the camera experience — at least on paper. During the LG G4 launch event earlier this week we had some time with the LG G4 and while we’ve already brought you our first look and impressions, in this feature focus we take a look at the LG G4’s camera and all the features it brings to the table.
The LG G4 camera boasts a robust feature set, with its f/1.8 aperture and OIS, along with the laser auto focus now being coupled with a color spectrum sensor, that will take a look at all the colors in your scene and analyze them for better white balancing. While the camera hardware is pretty impressive in its own right, probably one of the most exciting features is the new full-fledged manual mode that has many of the same settings you’d find on DSLRs and other professional camera equipment.
Of course, there is an auto mode present that makes it extremely quick and easy to take a shot, but it is the manual mode where you can really play around with the settings to get that perfect shot. Much like you would get on a regular camera, you have control over the white balance, manual focus, ISO, shutter speed, and exposure.
When changing the white balance settings, it isn’t just about choosing between preset options like cloudy, incandescent, or daylight. It actually comes with a meter with Kelvin readings, giving you a full gamut of white balance modes. As you will see in the video, all the changes you make happens in real time and can be seen in the viewfinder. Above the white balance meter is an auto option, to make things easier.
Manual focus is available as well, with another meter present to set the focus to exactly how you want, and with an f/1.8 aperture, you will be able to get some really nice depth of field shots. A general exposure slider is present as well. When it comes to the ISO meter, there are a lot of stops on it, and it goes up to a pretty impressive 2700.
When setting the shutter speed, options available range from 1/6000th of a second, all the way up to 30 seconds, with the latter being great for something like star gazing shots. With stops at regular intervals throughout, you can also set the shutter speed at 1 or 5 seconds to get light-trail shots also. There is also a histogram up on the left corner that shows you the different levels that you have of all the different colors in the actual shot itself. Finally, you also have the ability to take your shots in the RAW or JPEG format.
So there you have it for this quick look at the LG G4 camera! The camera has already proved to be quite impressive, courtesy of the robust manual mode it packs that rivals even some DSLR cameras, and we can’t wait to put it through its paces in an upcoming camera shootout and comprehensive review.
If you’re looking for a convenient way to stream movies, TV shows and games to your television, Amazon may have a great deal for you. From now until Sunday, May 3rd, you can pick up a brand new Nexus Player for just under $ 70 from Amazon and receive $ 20 of Google Play credit with your purchase. So not only do you receive a $ 20 discount on the Nexus Player, but you also get $ 20 to spend on whatever you’d like in the Play Store, whether that be movies, shows or games.
Read more: Best Media Streamers
Buying the Nexus Player from Amazon for this price will only get you the system and the remote, not the controller. So if you’d like to pick up a Gamepad for your new system, the Google Store is selling them for $ 39.99 (~$ 5 cheaper than what they cost on Amazon).
Considering that the Nexus Player has yet to see many discounts or promotions since its launch, this is one heck of a deal. If you’re interested, be sure to head to the deal link below before time runs out!
Once again, customers of T-Mobile are receiving free access to the premium features of MLB At Bat. The carrier will allow customers to download MLB At Bat starting May 1 and use premium features that include streaming of all games, in-game highlights, and live look-ins on key plays. All of this would normally cost $ 19 per season.
The initial download of the app must be done on T-Mobile’s network in order to authenticate and activate the premium features at no cost.
If you’re looking for a convenient way to stream movies, TV shows and games to your television, Amazon may have a great deal for you. From now until Sunday, May 3rd, you can pick up a brand new Nexus Player for just under $ 70 from Amazon and receive $ 20 of Google Play credit with your purchase. So not only do you receive a $ 20 discount on the Nexus Player, but you also get $ 20 to spend on whatever you’d like in the Play Store, whether that be movies, shows or games.
Read more: Best Media Streamers
Buying the Nexus Player from Amazon for this price will only get you the system and the remote, not the controller. So if you’d like to pick up a Gamepad for your new system, the Google Store is selling them for $ 39.99 (~$ 5 cheaper than what they cost on Amazon).
Considering that the Nexus Player has yet to see many discounts or promotions since its launch, this is one heck of a deal. If you’re interested, be sure to head to the deal link below before time runs out!
Supermodel Jourdan Dunn has an HTC One M9 design to call her own. The company debuted its HTC INK campaign earlier today and Dunn is its first global embassador. The HTC INK campaign focuses on expanding the “definitions of beauty” by offering limited edition One M9 designs.
To encapsulate the exact design that Dunn wanted, HTC had the supermodel collaborate with tattoo artist Cally-Jo Pothecary.
Here is what the main logo, seen above, portrays:
The open hand and eye symbolize the need for protection and strength while still being open and approachable in personality and style. The natural leaf elements and patterns around the outside of each visual reflect the growth in creativity that Jourdan is feeling at this time, and the sun and moon together represent balance and harmony in her character.
Availability of HTC INK-related devices has not yet been clarified.
The HTC One M9 now supports raw image files taken with its camera. The Raw Camera mode comes along with three other features that are also included with the latest HTC Camera app update. The app’s icon has been updated for the One (M8) and Desire EYE, too.
What’s New
– Raw Camera mode, only available on the HTC One M9 – Crop-Me-In mode, only available on the HTC One (M8 EYE) running Android 5.0 Lollipop and the HTC Desire EYE – Adjustable divider in Split Capture mode – Add and remove camera modes
Play Store Download Link
The same trio of devices are also seeing the HTC Gallery app be updated. Check out the changelog:
What’s New
– Powerful adjustment tools in the new Photo Editor – Stylish special effects: Shapes, Photo Shapes, Prismatic and Double Exposure – Eye-catching animated effects: Elements – Pinch to change views in the Timeline – Image Match now searches photos for similar faces in One Gallery
Play Store Download Link
Born and raised in New Jersey, Justin Herrick is a student at Fairleigh Dickinson University where he is a marketing major with a focus on digital marketing. He’s very talkative and enjoys discussing anything from technology and sports to video games and television. Justin is a huge Cincinnati Bengals and Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim fan. As for his current device rotation, he has the HTC One (M8) on Verizon. He chose it because of its stunning hardware and Sense’s visual presentation. Justin carries a Nexus 9 while wearing an LG G Watch on his wrist. For 2015, he is awaiting to see what kind of changes Samsung makes with the Galaxy S 6 or whatever its next flagship will go by.
Popular Japanese video game publisher BANDAI NAMCO has just released a new title to the Play Store that brings together two unlikely video game franchises. TEKKEN, the well-known fighting game, and Galaga, the fixed-shooter arcade game from the 70’s, have joined forces in the new free-to-play Android game.
TEKKEN is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year, so BANDAI NAMCO wanted to give its fans something unexpected to celebrate the big milestone. You get to play in the world of Galaga as multiple different TEKKEN characters, thwarting off enemies as best you can by swiping left and right to clear the map. You can play as familiar characters like Lili, Claudio and Heihachi, and even play against enemies such as Bob, Ganryu, Jack, Xiaoyu, Panda and Alisa.
Galaga: TEKKEN Edition is free to download and features no in-app purchases whatsoever. If you’re interested in this odd mashup, head to the Play Store link below.
Source : androidauthority
Tags = Android, characters, favorite, Fight, Galaga, shooter, TEKKEN, world
Popular Japanese video game publisher BANDAI NAMCO has just released a new title to the Play Store that brings together two unlikely video game franchises. TEKKEN, the well-known fighting game, and Galaga, the fixed-shooter arcade game from the 70’s, have joined forces in the new free-to-play Android game.
TEKKEN is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year, so BANDAI NAMCO wanted to give its fans something unexpected to celebrate the big milestone. You get to play in the world of Galaga as multiple different TEKKEN characters, thwarting off enemies as best you can by swiping left and right to clear the map. You can play as familiar characters like Lili, Claudio and Heihachi, and even play against enemies such as Bob, Ganryu, Jack, Xiaoyu, Panda and Alisa.
Galaga: TEKKEN Edition is free to download and features no in-app purchases whatsoever. If you’re interested in this odd mashup, head to the Play Store link below.
Source : androidauthority
Tags = Android, characters, favorite, Fight, Galaga, shooter, TEKKEN, world
We still have more than a week until Mother’s Day, but it looks like Motorola is already beginning to offer some nice discounts that will make your mom’s special day much less expensive. From now until Tuesday, May 12th, you’ll be able to pick up a customized Moto 360 for $ 179.99 ($ 70 off) through Motorola’s website. While the Android Wear smartwatch has been available for that price in the Google Store for a few days now, purchasing it through Motorola will allow you to get a customized watch, not just the standard black or gray versions.
Want to get your mom something a little more functional? From now until Tuesday, May 5th, you can pick up an off-contract Moto X (2nd Gen.) and a pair of Tracks Air by Sol Republic x Bluetooth headphones for $ 399.99. Normally this bundle would cost you nearly $ 700, but Motorola has slashed the price down significantly for this promotion.
If you’re on the fence about any of the products listed above, be sure to check out our Moto 360 and Moto X (2nd Gen.) reviews! Head to the deal link below to start shopping.
“OK Google” has changed the world as we know it, or at least the Android world as we know it. Either way, true fanboys believers know that Google’s voice recognition software is the most robust in the industry and the most capable of understanding regular, colloquial speech.
As voice search continues to evolve, its ability to integrate with apps has also improved. Today, Google announced a further step towards that integration. Third-party developers can now employ custom actions that integrate with voice search without the need to open the app first. Google has roped in a specific set of partners to develop this newfound synergy. And it’s all about synergy, folks. Who these partners are hasn’t been disclosed, but the gif below highlights both NPR and TripAdvisor, so let’s not assume that Google woke up today feeling magnanimous and in the mood to offer free ad space to both parties just for funsies.
Now if you’re like me, you might read this and say, “But, um, doesn’t ‘OK Google’ sort of work in this way already?” Indeed, “OK Google, listen to NPR” doesn’t seem all that revolutionary. Nor does, “OK Google, show attractions near me on TripAdvisor.” Frankly, I’ve been able to do both of those functions before today’s announcement. Just to double check, I performed a number of functions before writing this article and ensured my voice search app hasn’t updated today. I’m happy to be corrected if my hubris has gotten the best of me.
For example, if I tell Google to listen to Great Lake Swimmers, by default it opens the Google Music app and finds the band. But If I say, “OK Google, listen to Great Lake Swimmers on Spotify,” it still takes me into Spotify’s app. Either way, it does what I ask and does it pretty well.
What we’ve gleaned from this announcement is that rather than rely upon Google’s own excellent voice recognition software to push us into the appropriate place, app developers now have the opportunity to designate organic commands of note and drive things from there. Think of it like the apps are now able to pull us into their ecosystem instead of Google needing to push us in. Plus, there appears to be the promise that while within an app, we can call out to Google, which is a step up from needing to find the little voice button.
Also – unrelated – what’s up with the gif? That’s clearly a Nexus 6, but what’s the device it’s sitting on? Any takers?
Source: Android Developers
Geoff has been an Android enthusiast for many years, starting with the original Droid, which he purchased solely because he did not yet believe in the efficiency of virtual keyboards. His current phone is a Nexus 5, but admits the camera is wanting. He works for an international development firm, handling humanitarian projects overseas. Aside from his writings at Talk Android, he also edits the BLOCK magazine of the Missouri Star Quilt Co., owns and runs a podcast network, and occasionally writes and/or performs music. He’s an avid Angels and FC Barcelona fan and pretends he knows how to cook, but his wife will say differently. He is from Southern California and resides in Washington, DC.
Google today announced the ability to use custom voice actions with third party applications, allowing you to get things done much easier when using the Google search app. For now, custom voice actions are only compatible with a select number of partners, but the search giant plans to bring this functionality to more applications in the future.
With custom voice actions, you’ll be able to say things like “Ok Google, listen to NPR”, to start playing a new story through the NPR app on your device. Another example given is the ability to say “Ok Google, show attractions near me on TripAdvisor”, to bring up TripAdvisor results without having to launch the app the traditional way.
Custom voice actions are now live in Google search for Android, though you’ll have to wait for more developers to start implementing the code into their apps. While Google has yet to release a full list of applications that support this feature, it’s looking like early partners include NPR, TripAdvisor, TuneIn, Wink, Shazam, and a few others. Google also just posted a big list of “88 things you didn’t know you could ask Google“, which includes some of the new parters who are already using the custom voice actions feature.
The unofficial Star Wars holiday “May the Fourth” is almost here, and you can bet that means plenty Star Wars-related sales, app promos, and more in the near future. As far as Android is concerned, so far we are happy to report that Lego Star Wars: the Complete Saga has now landed on Google Play. Additionally, Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic has received a price cut!
Starting with KotOR, the Bioware classic first arrived to Android at a price of $ 10, a little pricey considering the game was over a decade old. For those of you that have held off because of the price tag, you might be a bit more interested now that the price has dropped down to just $ 3!
Get it now on Google Play!
Moving on to the Lego Star Wars, the game is now available in the Play store for $ 7. While that’s more expensive than the typical $ 1 to $ 2 games that run wild on the Play store, it’s still a pretty fair price for all the content you get. As most of you are probably aware, the Lego Star Wars series takes you through the events of all six movies but with some Lego-inspired twists and changes along the way.
Arriving first in 2007, the series is a must have for Lego and Star Wars fans alike, featuring 36 story mode levels, over 120 characters, and support for both touchscreen and “classic” controls.
The Android Authority Deals Store is constantly offering great ways to save on many different items and services, such as VPN subscriptions, battery packs, coding bundles, and much more. In case you missed any of the most recent promotions, we’ve rounded up the best deals the AA Store had to offer throughout this past month.
The majority of these items have been featured on our site in the past, but they are genuinely solid deals and offer real savings when compared to many other online retailers. Without any further ado, let’s take a look!
Having access to a VPN service is extremely important in today’s age. If you’ve ever used public Wifi, gotten your bandwidth throttled, needed to work remotely, or simply just don’t trust your ISP provider, then a VPN service might be for you. VPN Unlimited allows you to keep your data hidden and encrypted while you’re connected to a public Wifi network. You also don’t need to worry about traffic bandwidth, because your data usage will never slow down due to high traffic volumes. And with VPN Unlimited 3.0, you’ll get a list of fully downloadable global servers, the ability to switch servers quickly, and receive hands-on statistics for both mobile and desktop devices. Also in VPN Unlimited 3.0, servers have been added to Romania, Canada, Hong Kong, Singapore, Ukraine, Japan and Texas.
Want to get your hands on a lifetime subscription to the service? Right now, the AA Deals Store is offering it for just $ 39 (70% off). Head to the link below for more information!
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The Wireless Bluetooth Cloud Buds are simple, lightweight and odds are, you’ll barely even notice you’re wearing them. They feature a 30-foot Bluetooth range, so if you’re exercising at a gym, you don’t even need to have your mobile device right next to you. The headphones also have a noise-canceling outer shell and a built-in microphone and remote. And if your current earbuds are constantly falling out, these also come with optional ear hooks to secure your ears, as well as multiple sizes of gelled ear buds.
They’re currently available in the AA Deals Store for just $ 29.99. Head to the link below for some more info.
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Looking for an easy and cheap way to start coding for your favorite mobile operating system? We’d suggest you check out the Supreme Android Coding and Design Bundle, which is currently available for 89% off in the AA Deals Store. For just $ 39.99, you’ll learn how to develop apps for Lollipop and learn to code efficiently. There’s even a course that will teach you the basics of Java programming, so you can get a solid foundation to begin your Android development career.
Head to the link below for more information on this awesome bundle.
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Odds are if you’re reading this post, you’re already a fan of all things Android. So if you’d like to expand your love for everyone’s favorite OS and the Bugdroid mascot, we may have a good way for you to do so. Right now in the AA Deals Store, you can pick up the Android Bot Collectible Bundle for just $ 19.99. The Android Bot Collectible Bundle consists of three randomly chosen Android mascots, measuring three inches tall. Your options include standard Green, Business Man, Taxi Bot, Yeti, Pinkey, Bear Tag or Ruby Red. And to sweeten the deal, we’re throwing in a 6-inch Ganndroid plush toy along with the three plastic collectibles.
To take advantage of this sweet deal, follow the link below.
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Looking for a battery pack that you can use outdoors? You might want to try the ZeroLemon SolarJuice 20000mAh Battery Pack. It has two outputs, enabling you to charge multiple devices at once. The outputs come in 2.1 and 1A variants, which is perfect for charging a tablet and a smartphone. It has four LED indicators to provide battery capacity information as well as an super bright LED flashlight. You’ll even receive a carrying hook and a pouch with your order to help carry it around more easily. Since you’ll be using this outside most of the time, it needs to be small otherwise it can be an inconvenience. Thankfully the pack only measures 155mm x 83mm x 25.6mm and weighs only 492g, so you don’t need to worry about carrying around a giant pack everywhere you go.
The AA Deals Store is offering this pack for $ 49.99, which is 50% off the normal retail price. If you’re interested, follow the link below for more information.
Finally, if you do not have it already, you will need a copy of Google Authenticator, which is free in the Google Play Store.
