Sunday, December 2, 2012

Google Android News Android Forums

Google Android News Android Forums

Google Acquires BufferBox, Aims To Make Those Online Purchases A Little Easier

Posted: 01 Dec 2012 07:22 AM PST

 

Google has just made a major acquisition by snatching up BufferBox off the open market. In case you’re not familiar with how BufferBox works, it’s a shipping service that doubles up as temporary storage space— like lockers— where customers can store all of their online purchases. What’s really neat about the service is the fact that BufferBox customers can utilize the storage space at different kiosks at different locations which can be a good thing too— Google plans on expanding the service to reach a broader net of customers too. Looks more and more like a true Google e-commerce reality is truly taking shape folks.

While this is exciting news, BufferBox is currently limited to our neighbors to the north at this time, so it’s uncertain if or when we will see the service expanded to other countries and markets. However, we suspect Google will expand to other countries since you know— more and more customers will want to buy devices like the Nexus 4 and it makes those online purchases just a little easier for all.

source: BufferBox Blog

ASUS Qube, a USB dongle with Google TV, shows up at the FCC

Posted: 30 Nov 2012 09:46 PM PST

Google TV hasn’t had the runaway success that Android has, but that hasn’t stopped Google and OEMs like Logitech from trying to turn it into something. According to some information leaked from the FCC, it appears that ASUS is next up on the list to try to get Google TV into living rooms.

The FCC has approved a new device called the “Qube” manufactured by ASUS that works similar to a Roku, but built into a small USB dongle, turning the host device into a full Google TV experience. Sounds kinda cool, right? On top of that, some remote apps in the Play Store also link to the Qube. The apps apparently aren’t working with other Google TV boxes, though. If this device turns out to be priced competitively, I could see it gaining steam where the other Google TV devices failed.  Hit the break for the source and the Play Store apps.

source: FCC

Play Store Download Link

Play Store Download Link

Nexus 7 dock pops up on ASUS Japan and other regions with an early December release

Posted: 30 Nov 2012 08:25 PM PST

Well, well…what do we have here? It seems that all you Nexus 7owners may have something to look forward to in the near future. A Nexus 7 dock (90-XB3XOKDSS00020-JAN) recently popped up on various international websites, including ASUS Japan, and is scheduled for an early December release. The dock has a USB port and a 3.5mm audio jack on its rear side, which means the dock will more than likely utilize the Nexus 7′s pogo pins for charging and audio output.

ASUS Japan has it listed for 3,480 Japanese Yen, which equals about $41 USD. We also found the same dock on a Norwegian site for 240 NOK, which also translates to $42, and last but not least, a site in Portugal showing it as low as € 23.90 ($31.00).

No word on if/when this will come to the States, but it has Nexus branding across the front, so we’re hopeful we will see it in the Google Play store soon.

Any of you looking to pick one of these up for your Nexus 7? Let us know in the comments! My wife was just asking me what I wanted for Christmas!

Source: Asus Japan / ps.no (Norwegian) / kuantokusta.pt (Portugal)

Facebook reveals official Photo Sync feature for Android and iOS app

Posted: 30 Nov 2012 08:08 PM PST

A couple months ago we reported on Facebook’s testing of a new photo uploading feature for their Android app. Today Facebook announced the official availability of the new feature for Android and iOS versions of their mobile app. The Photo Sync function will automatically upload pictures captured with a mobile device to a special, private album on the user’s Facebook account. Once uploaded, the user can decide at a later time whether they want to share the photo. 

Users of the Google+ mobile app will quickly recognize the new Facebook feature is very similar to Google’s instant upload feature. Google does not limit the size of the album while Facebook has a 2GB limit. Google also performs instant uploads in the background without the app even being open and does not compress the photos. Facebook on the other hand, has to be open for the upload to occur and will compress photos down to 100kb unless uploaded via WiFi.

Is the addition of Photo Sync a feature you are glad to see in the Facebook mobile app? Were you hoping Facebook might address something else first in light of their ‘droidfooding initiative?

source: Facebook
via: TechnoBuffalo

OUYA developer consoles begin shipping December 28th

Posted: 30 Nov 2012 05:53 PM PST

It appears as though the highly anticipated and long-awaited OUYA consoles have officially been given a firm ship date of December 28th today, in addition to the news that the console’s SDK, dubbed “ODK”, would be available later that very same day. This announcement means Kickstarter backers can expect to receive the device “within a couple days” of the 28th, effectively kicking off their new year with a bang.

Production units are still expected to ship some time in March of next year, though the company has yet to announce an official release date. On the software side of things, users can expect to set up their units, including account activations by Christmas day. For the full run-down, be sure to hit the source link below.

Source: OUYA

HTC One VX to be available on AT&T by December 7th

Posted: 30 Nov 2012 05:35 PM PST

The HTC One VX was originally poised to arrive on AT&T alongside the HTC One X+ on November 16th. The problem is that only one of the devices made that scheduled launch date. And while the HTC One X+ is currently available both in carrier stores and online, the HTC One VX is nowhere to be found.

According to an AT&T spokesperson however, that’s set to change in just a few short weeks, confirming that the carrier  ”expects to be fully stocked in all channels by Dec. 7.” So, if you’re currently on the holdout for HTC’s budget handset, you shouldn’t have too much longer to wait.

Source: Android Central
Posted by at 6:51 AM

No comments:

Post a Comment

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)