Android Authority

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• Google+ Games will be discontinued on June 30
• Google Wallet updated: Send money to friends and one click purchases on the go
• Google sends Microsoft cease and desist letter for Windows Phone YouTube app for lack of ads
• Samsung Galaxy S4 Mini better quality images leaked, release date rumored for May 30
• Android 4.3, new Nexus 7, 32 Nexus 4 LTE, X Phone, Google smartwatch missing in action – are you disappointed?
• Google Play Books update brings upload feature along with new and improved UI
• Google’s Larry Page takes the stage at I/O, holds Q&A session
• Need a network boost? Check out the best Signal Boosting apps for Android!
• Why the Galaxy S4 with pure Android is a huge deal
• Google I/O keynote coverage roundup
• How to replace a cracked or broken Nexus 7 screen and digitizer
• Google revamps search on the desktop, adds new Google Now cards
• Hangouts application for Android and Chrome is live
• Sharp quietly launches Aquos Pad SH-08E tablet with Full HD IGZO display through NTT DoCoMo in Japan
• Google Maps for desktop, Android and iOS get major redesign [video]
• Google+ Photos enhanced with new editing features, additional storage for Backup, and more
• HTC employee alludes at Google experience device, executive denies it
• Google Play Services: new APIs, cloud messaging and more
• Google Hangouts messaging app made official at Google I/O 2013 [video]
• Google Plus redesigned: multi-column view, related hashtags and more
• Google gives away free Chromebook Pixel to all Google I/O attendees
• Google introduces new ‘Google play for Education’ app store
• Google Play update brings tablet apps to the forefront, integrates latest mobile-focused redesign
• Google Play Music All Access streaming service announced
• Android Studio announced, developer console updated with new features

Google+ Games will be discontinued on June 30 Posted: 16 May 2013 02:44 AM PDT Google Plus Games will no longer be available starting June 30, it was revealed yesterday. According to a page on Google Plus Help, after June 30 all games hosted on the social platform will become unavailable, though some games may remain available on other sites. A list of links to the sites of developers of Google+ Games is provided, so you can contact them and see what happens next. The move is related to the launch of Google Play Game Services (which is detailed on the same page) at Google I/O, a cross-platform gaming experience which has been rumored for a while, then confirmed by its inclusion in an Eufloria HD update. Google Play Game Services promise to completely change gaming, across three platforms – Android, iOS and the web. Included are achievements, cloud services, leaderboards, and real-time multiplayer (which only comes on Android for the moment). Some games already take advantage of the new features. While some people may miss Google+ Games, it surely won’t cause the reactions the Google Reader cancellation did.

Google Wallet updated: Send money to friends and one click purchases on the go Posted: 15 May 2013 07:59 PM PDT Today, Google announced a two major updates to their Wallet platform. Google Wallet now allows you to send money to your friends quickly and securely from Google Wallet or directly from Gmail. Whoever you’re sending money too doesn’t even need to have a Gmail account to receive money and it’s completely free if you’re sending money from your Wallet balance or if you’ve linked a bank account to Wallet. Sending money is currently only available on the desktop, however you can visit wallet.google.com on your favorite mobile device to send payments from mobile. At this time, these features are only available to US residents over the age of 18. If you don’t have access to Wallet yet, all you need is a friend to send you money as an invitation. While you wait for a kind soul to send you money (an invite), I’ve taken some screenshots to tide you over. As you can see above, you can now add a bank account to Wallet. It takes approximately 4 days for your bank account to get verified by Google. When sending money, you can choose you Wallet Balance, a credit card on file, or your bank account. It’s also good to mention that at this time Google is waiving normal credit card fees during the promotional period. Remember, sending money from your Wallet Balance or bank account is always free. After you’ve received your payment, the funds are added to your Wallet Balance, with the option to transfer the funds directly to your bank account. If this doesn’t make you switch from PayPal to Google Wallet, Google’s second update today should sweeten the deal. Google has made shopping much easier and more secure on your Android phone. Google has added a one click checkout button. It’s just as easy as tapping the checkout button, reviewing your billing and shipping information, and tapping on submit. Of course, this all relies on the fact that the eCommerce site your using supports Wallet.

Google sends Microsoft cease and desist letter for Windows Phone YouTube app for lack of ads Posted: 15 May 2013 05:46 PM PDT Based on the portrayal of Google in one of Microsoft's more recent TV ads, it may look like Google is in a bind with Apple over phones, while Microsoft sits the fight out and generally just keeps enjoying its peaceful existence. However, reality could not possibly be farther from the truth. Microsoft is currently battling with Google for the right to let users download and use a Windows Phone-based YouTube app for, well, watching YouTube videos on Windows Phone. But apparently, Google doesn't want that. And according to an exclusive report on The Verge, Google has now issued a cease and desist letter in order to get Microsoft to stop what it's doing at once. Google’s demand is a simple one. As specified in the cease and desist letter that it sent to Microsoft (and addressed to Todd Brix), it just wants the Microsoft YouTube app to be taken down from the Microsoft store and that all existing installations of it should be disabled by May 22. For its part, Microsoft has responded to Google’s demands by saying that it would be happy to cooperate with the search giant to show ads on its YouTube app, but only if Google itself offers some cooperation first. Unless this altercation gets taken care of very soon, users will keep getting caught in the crossfire between companies, which is particularly bad since there doesn’t seem to be an end in sight. For now, Windows Phone users are encouraged to check out other YouTube app choices available from the Microsoft Windows Phone store unless the matter gets settled. To read the cease and desist letter sent out by Google to Microsoft in its entirety, go to the source link below.

Samsung Galaxy S4 Mini better quality images leaked, release date rumored for May 30 Posted: 15 May 2013 05:23 PM PDT The Samsung Galaxy S4 Mini has appeared in some better quality images, courtesy of a site that got to play with the device for a bit. Bulgarian site Smart News has managed to get its hands on the device and to take a few pictures of it, too, which are better quality than the previously leaked ones, giving you a better idea about the device. The handset, which has been rumored for quite a while now, is even turned on in one of the four pictures, which you can see in the gallery available below. You can also get a good look at the smartphone’s back, which, as you’ll notice, does indeed look pretty similar to the one of the Galaxy S4. The site mentions May 30 as the release date for the handset and also adds that the Samsung Galaxy S4 Mini made a good impression on them. Apparently it’s not inferior to its older (and bigger) brother, being very fast and having a very good camera and display. If that’s true, and Samsung makes no compromises with the Samsung Galaxy S4 Mini, it just might have a winner on its hands. There aren’t any new information on the specs front. According to a recent report, the phone will pack a 4.3-inch Super AMOLED display with a resolution of 540 x 960, as well as a 1.6GHz dual-core Exynos 5210 processor and 1GB of RAM (2GB on the LTE Version). The camera is said to be an 8-megapixel one, with the device running Android 4.2 Jelly Bean. Phone Arena‘s sources also mention an IR blaster, like the Samsung Galaxy S4 has on board, allowing you to control your TV with your smartphone. Would you be interested in getting a Samsung Galaxy S4 Mini when the device comes out?

Android 4.3, new Nexus 7, 32 Nexus 4 LTE, X Phone, Google smartwatch missing in action – are you disappointed? Posted: 15 May 2013 05:01 PM PDT Google did not unveil at Google I/O 2013 any of the rumored hardware or operating system upgrades that various reports said it would. Should you be disappointed? Just like Sundar Pichai, the head of Chrome and Android, told Wired a few days ago, this wasn't a Google I/O keynote where you'd see new OS versions alongside new Nexus-branded hardware. Instead, it was focused on users and developers – after all it's a conference for developers – therefore on new Google apps and services. The three-hour keynote was packed with announcements worth your attention but it had little talk about hardware. We only saw the Galaxy S4 Google Edition mentioned on stage right next to a bunch of Chromebooks including the high-end Chromebook Pixel that was offered to all Google I/O attendees. In fact, we also saw the Nexus 4 used to demo certain features, but also the iPhone and the iPad when talking about certain apps and/or features. In case you missed the opening keynote, you can always check our I/O coverage and read more details about all the software novelties Google introduced at this edition. In short, Google announced new services such as Google Play Games Services, Google Play Music All Access, Android Studio, Google Play for Education and Google Hangouts, and revamped some of its existing web products including the Google Play Store, Google Play Services, Google Plus, Google Maps and (unsurprisingly) Google Search. So what didn't make the cut  or simply wasn't supposed to be unveiled at this time – of course, assuming that any of the products we’re going to talk about is actually real? Let's take a look! No Android 4.3  Despite having seen it in server logs, and despite Google having revealed it itself, Android 4.3 was not unveiled at Google I/O. In fact, Google did not announce any new Android update, and did not mention any details about any future OS versions. In case you haven't been keeping up with recent rumors and you're asking about Android 5.0 then we'll tell you that particular version wasn't unveiled either, but it wasn’t the primary candidate for a Google I/O 2013 announcement anyway, considering all the recent Android 4.3 talk. No "new Nexus 7" That "new Nexus 7" one analyst mentioned not long ago looked great on paper, sporting pretty believable specs. Considering that the first-gen Nexus 7 was announced at Google I/O, it made plenty of sense to assume that a second-gen product was in the cards for this year's Google I/O edition, but that was not the case. Google did make sort of a big deal about apps for tablets during some of the keynote's various sections, but it did not unveil a new tablet of its own. No 32GB Nexus 4 LTE Another rumor that got more traction in the past few weeks mentioned the slightly upgraded Nexus 4 – a device that would sport 32GB of storage, offer LTE connectivity and would be unveiled at Google I/O 2013. Considering that the Nexus 4 is only five months old – which may be old in Android years but it’s still a new product – it wouldn't have made much sense to actually see a Nexus 5 unveiled at the event. But releasing a slightly updated Nexus 4 model may have made some sense, especially if paired with a new Android OS update. The white Nexus 4 wasn’t acknowledged during the show either. No X Phone The other important presence in day-to-day Android rumors is the Motorola-made X Phone that should be an Android device running a stock Android version, almost a Nexus device but without the Nexus branding. Of course those X Phone rumors aren't always on the same page, and while some people believed the X Phone could be unveiled on stage at Google I/O 2013, others said the handset would not make it to the show.

Google Play Books update brings upload feature along with new and improved UI Posted: 15 May 2013 04:46 PM PDT If you’ve been following the Google Play-related updates that we have been posting today, then you wouldn’t be surprised to know that Google Play Books has now been fitted with a new user interface, giving it a new look that’s more in tune with Google’s other Play Store services — such as Google Play Music — after the wide-ranging redesign that Google implemented today. Google Play Books, which is currently on version 2.8.59, now boasts a couple of new features as well. Firstly, a navigation tray that automatically pops up after a user taps a certain icon is now in place. Also, a new confirmation dialog has been added to the app in order to prevent users from accidentally removing downloaded books from their devices. The new Google Play Books app also comes with a feature that lets users upload their own PDF or EPUB files and then read them off just about any device that they prefer. The feature lets users either upload books directly, or simply import books that are already stored on a user’s Google Drive. Right now, Google has set a limit for books to be under 50MB each. However, they are allowing up to 1,000 books to be uploaded per account. If you think that this Google Play Books update is for you, then simply make your way to the source link below to get the apk from the Google Play Store and install the latest version of the app on your device right now.

Google’s Larry Page takes the stage at I/O, holds Q&A session Posted: 15 May 2013 04:38 PM PDT Recently Larry Page took to Google+ to talk about his vocal-related medical condition, which has kept him out of the speaking spotlight in recent years, and even caused him to miss taking the stage at Google I/O 2012. Luckily, this year, Page did in fact make an appearance as the 3-hour keynote neared its closing. Larry Page started by pointing out all the great technological innovations that has happened in recent years. He then stated that despite how quickly tech seems to be moving, "We as Google, and as industry all of you, are really only at one percent of what is possible. And probably even less than that. And despite the faster change we have in the industry, we are still moving slow, relative to the opportunities we have." According to Page, the reason for this is that negativity is controlling the direction of the industry. “Every story I read about Google is about us versus some other company is kind of us versus some other company or some stupid thing, and I really don’t find that interesting. We should be building things that don’t exist". Page stresses that instead of fighting, we should be worried about making great things and moving forward with technology. Additionally, technology needs to continue pushing towards the goal of making lives easier around the globe and solving real problems. Some of the examples mentioned by Page included Google’s driverless car technology and how it can not only reduce accidents, but also free up time for us to do other things during a commute. To get there, Page says we need to continue to get future generations interested in computing and in development. Page says in order to do that, they need to make computer science fun and exciting, which is one of the reasons why Google got involved with the upcoming movie, The Internship. Page ended his speech saying that "today we are just scratching the surface of what’s possible". He then opened up the floor for questions from some of the developers attending I/O. Questions from the developers   The first question came from Robert Scoble, who had Google Glass in tow with him. He asked Page to talk about the sensors in Google Glass and other mobile technology. Page mentioned that sensor technology is important to Google, and how it is still in the early stages. He further stressed that as technology improves, sensors will make live easier. As an example, Page brought up having to shut off all his phones before coming on stage, and how sensor technology could eventually solve these kinds of problems. Next up, Page was asked about whether the web would eventually "be the operating system" as opposed to Android, and if it would eventually be the main source of innovation from Google. While Page didn’t directly talk about the web superseding operating systems like Android, he did instead talk a bit about the future of the web and how right now the web is at a poor state when it comes to standards. Page further asserted that the solution to that problem is further cooperation between different companies that utilize web technology. Some of the other questions mentioned included asking what the production run might be for Google Glass, though Page said he couldn’t say for sure. Page said that the company’s main focus with Google Glass is getting the experience right and having happy users. As his Q&A session came to a close, Page was asked what could be done to combat some of the industry "negativity" . Page mentioned that part of the problem probably has to do with the laws, citing how when Google went public the laws "about that were 50 years old", "How could those laws be up to date? It’s crazy". While he didn’t specifically mention it, his statement on the "laws being old" could also be his way of referencing to patent laws and the continued wars that are fought over them. What do you think of Page’s statements about the negativity in the industry and how it potentially is holding back technological innovation? Agree or not?

Need a network boost? Check out the best Signal Boosting apps for Android! Posted: 15 May 2013 04:29 PM PDT We all love a good network boost, and fast download speeds, but sometimes our mobile devices need a boost to reach maximum performance. If you want to get a network boost and maximize your download speeds, we’ll show you some of the best signal boosting apps for Android. Android WiFi Signal Booster Android WiFi Signal Booster will analyze your WiFi network and connection strength so that you’re able to find a WiFi network with an even better connection. This particular app isn’t ideal for home use, but if you’re at an Airport terminal you’ll find it be a nice tool. In the app there is a radar view, which will allow you to analyze a multitude of WiFi networks and find the best connection available. The app also has a signal booster, and according to the app description, it’ll give your Wi-Fi a network boost by 25-30%. Some people say it works really well too. Network Signal Speed Booster Network Signal Speed Booster will boost your call and signal strength in just a few short steps. Simply open the app, and wait. That’s all the setup that is involved. The app performs all of the steps for you and lists them out on the screen so you know what’s going on. The downside to this app is that it is plagued with ads. As you can see in the image above there’s a banner ad. When you hit the menu button on the app though, you’ll notice that there’s other options to take you to the developer’s other apps, his website, and etc. There’s no way to buy a pro version of this app to remove them either. Regardless, if you’re not technologically inclined, this app is very simple to use. Especially with the nice network boost it gives you! WiFi + 3G Signal Booster Like most signal boosting apps, WiFi + 3G Signal Booster is very easy to use and configure, and it gives you a nice network boost too. It enhances the usual WiFi and mobile data signals, but it will also improve your Bluetooth connection if you need a stronger signal. To set up this signal booster up, you simply tap a button and wait a few minutes for it to complete the process. During that time, it’ll tell you exactly what it’s doing to get a better signal. It’s a very simple and quick process that shows some positive results. If you’re looking for a quick network boost, this’ll do the job nicely. WiFi Manager WIFi Manager isn’t entirely a signal boosting app. However,  if you’re around a lot of WiFi hotspots, it’ll help you manage them all by picking one with the best signal strength. After all, when you’re around a lot of WiFi networks, it’s often better to pick the one with the best signal strength than simply boosting a really bad connection. This app does have a few options to help give you a network boost, but not in the traditional sense. For instance, there’s an option that will let you switch from a fixed to a dynamic DHCP. Of course, there are a few features in this app that’ll require you to purchase the $1.75 premium package. So, while the app is free, there are a few features that’ll need you to purchase that package. All in all, it’s a great app to organize and find the best WiFi connection in your immediate vicinity while giving you a decent network boost too. WiFi Signal Speed Booster All of the apps on this list are very easy to use and configure, but WiFi Signal Speed Booster is unique in that it examines your WiFi speed in real time and then shows what the potential of your connection looks like. After that, you simply tap the fix button and your WiFi strength should get a tad better. Given how simple this app was, we decided to give this signal booster the Speedtest treatment. Our first test more than doubled the speed — we went from 7mbps down to 15mbps down. The results seemed really fishy, so we uninstalled the app and ran another test. This time we got 10mbps down. While this signal booster seems to bog down your WiFi a bit for a dramatic increase, it does still increase give you a bit of a network boost, but not much. Signal Booster wrap-up You can check out our leaderboard (image above) to see how these apps rate against each other. As usual, our ratings are based on download numbers and Google Play Store ratings, so there’s no bias on our part whatsoever. When it comes down to it, these apps all essentially do the same thing. They’ll restart your modems to get you a better connection to a closer tower, and so on. On the other hand, and as you can see on the reviews section of each application page, many consider this stuff to be voodoo since signal boosters and similar apps don’t do much beyond what your device is capable of. Of course, everyone is going to have a different experience with apps that give you a network boost like these, so you may not get the same results as we did. Regardless, we’ve tried our best to find some of the best signal strengthening apps out there that’ll really give you a network boost. So, as usual, if we’ve missed one that really works well for you, be sure to let everyone know in the comments below.

Why the Galaxy S4 with pure Android is a huge deal Posted: 15 May 2013 04:03 PM PDT I saw it. You saw it. We all saw it. I’m not talking about how everyone at this year’s Google I/O developer conference got a free Chromebook Pixel. I’m talking about the fact that Google announced a new version of the Samsung Galaxy S4, one that’ll run a “pure” Android operating system that’s free of manufacturer-added fluff or any amount of bloat whatsoever. We’ve taken to calling it the Galaxy S4 Google Edition; it’s a device that first got rumored less than a day ago, and many people are now waiting for. It’s fascinating and all, but you have to ask, what’s the big idea? As you may already know, the Galaxy S4 currently exists in an “official” configuration. It’s manufactured by Samsung and comes with a whole list of additional software features on top of the default ones found on Android. It isn’t without issues, and some of its features can’t be considered the best. But despite all of its flaws, it still managed to become the fastest-selling Samsung smartphone to date. In other words, it’s selling well enough. Heck, it’s selling so well that it’s on track to hit the 10 million unit sales mark by the end of this month. Was it really necessary to come up with and release an entirely new version of it? Whose idea is it, anyway? The Samsung Galaxy S4 has been regarded by many as one of the best Android smartphones ever. However, it has also been the subject of harsh criticism from users who have found it lacking in sufficient internal storage space, especially the model with 16GB of memory. Was it Samsung who decided to work with Google for a cleaner version of the Galaxy S4 with less system apps and more user-available storage space? It’s more likely than you think. In the past, Samsung has been known to resort to good old-fashioned trial and error to find out what type of phone sells the most. During the height of the Samsung Galaxy S3′s popularity, Samsung thought to come up with a smaller version of the same handset, and decided to call it the Galaxy S3 mini, to see if any people would be willing to buy it for a less expensive fee. As it turns out, people did like the smaller and less expensive version, and now Samsung is trying to duplicate the process of creating a miniature version of its current flagship with the production of the rumored Galaxy S4 mini. To make a long story short, Samsung is willing and able to make moves such as this one just to make sure its best-selling products actually keep on selling. But what about the Nexus 5? Many people thought that Google I/O would be the venue for the official announcement of the Nexus 5. It was either that, or the Motorola-Google X Phone. But we saw neither of these two phones, and instead we found ourselves greeted by a familiar face wearing a very different set of clothes. The Galaxy S4 with pure Android is the very first non-Nexus handset running the stock version of Android with Google’s blessing, and it is said that it will launch pre-loaded with Android 4.2. Then, when later versions of the Android software arrive, it will be among the few phones that will get the software first. What does all of this mean for the future of the Google Nexus smartphone brand? Quite simply, it means everything. Einhorn is Finkle. Finkle is Einhorn. Google didn’t cancel or postpone the launch of the handset that would be known as the Nexus 5. The Galaxy S4 with pure Android is the Nexus 5. It’s quite an ingenious setup, as it brings the best of Android hardware and software all in one place. And the lack of unnecessary software add-ons takes care of the known Galaxy S4 storage problems at the same time. The big issue now is with the price. At over $600, it’s certainly not as affordable as the Nexus smartphones that came before it. But we think that it will all work out in the end, as it is likely that there are a lot of people who have been waiting for a chance to buy this exact same type of device. Now that it’s here, these people will finally be able to fulfill their electronic desires once and for all. How about you? Do you think this is the one? Could this actually be the droid that you have been looking for? Sound off in the comments below.

Google I/O keynote coverage roundup Posted: 15 May 2013 02:43 PM PDT If you find it a bit hard to keep track of all the updates, new products, statistics, features and overall awesomeness that Google poured on us at Google I/O, here's a place to get everything in bite sized chunks. Google revamps search on the desktop, adds new Google Now cards Hangouts application for Android and Chrome is live Google Maps for desktop, Android and iOS get major redesign [video] Google+ Photos enhanced with new editing features, additional storage for Backup, and more Google Play Services: new APIs, cloud messaging and more Google Hangouts messaging app made official at Google I/O 2013 [video] Google Plus redesigned: multi-column view, related hashtags and more Google gives away free Chromebook Pixel to all Google I/O attendees Google introduces new 'Google play for Education' app store Google Play update brings tablet apps to the forefront, integrates latest mobile-focused redesign Google Play Music All Access streaming service announced Android Studio announced, developer console updated with new features Google+ single sign-in gets even better at Google I/O Galaxy S4 Google Edition is official, coming on June 26 with stock Android Google Play Game Services launched with aim to offer ultimate cross-platform gaming experience Google: 900 million Android activations, 48 billion app installs Thanks for tuning in!

How to replace a cracked or broken Nexus 7 screen and digitizer Posted: 15 May 2013 02:20 PM PDT Sometimes the inevitable happens — you’re walking along using your Nexus 7, and right before your eyes your favorite Android tablet has a run-in with the sidewalk. As you pick it up you realize that you have cracked the screen, it won’t respond to touches either. When both of these symptoms occur, it means that you have broken both the glass screen and the digitizer. On the other hand, if your tablet still responds to touches that means you have only broken the screen, and the following guide is not applicable. Nonetheless, this guide will teach you, step-by-step, how to safely replace a broken screen and digitizer. Remember that this is somewhat of an in-depth process. You should only use this guide as reference, as there is always a chance you may damage your device even further by opening it up. With that being said, read ahead to learn exactly how to breathe life into your broken Nexus 7! Make sure to also check out the video tutorial, which will make the process a breeze! Tools needed   The process of replacing the Nexus’ screen requires very few tools, and many replacement panels even ship with tools included. Mini Phillips head screwdriver, one with a magnetic tip will help greatly. A spudger, a tool which is usually static resistant and is used to pry or separate the components in the tablet. An anti-static workmat is suggested as well in order to protect the tablet’s internals from electrostatic discharge Repair process  Step 1 After finding a suitable workspace, begin by separating the Nexus’ back shell from it’s bezel by lightly prying with a spudger or guitar pick. The shell is very easy to remove and does not require a great amount of force to come off of the N7′s body. Step 2 Disconnect the battery cable from the motherboard. You can do this by pushing forward and giving pressure to each side of the plug in a rocking fashion. Step 3 Remove the black tape that covers the LCD display cables. The tape can be folded backwards to remove it from your workspace, but try to let the tape retain its adhesiveness. Step 4 Unplug the LCD data cable and ribbon cables from the motherboard. The data cable can by lightly pried upwards to disconnect, the ribbon cables have two pressure clips that can both be pried upwards as well. Ribbon cables circled, with data cable unplugged to the left Step 5 Unscrew the 15 perimeter screws that surround the Nexus 7′s body. They are all mini phillips screws, and as previously stated are best dealt with by using a magnetic screwdriver. Two black 4.25 millimeter screws will be removed, as well as thirteen silver 3.2 millimiter screws. Step 6 Separate the LCD panel and the aluminum body of the Nexus 7 by gently pulling them apart. There is a weak adhesive binding the two. It should split apart with minimal effort, aside from the large yellow data strip that runs down the middle of the body. Also make sure that the small  display data cable passes through its cutout with ease, and doesn’t catch and tear on any part of the body. Step 7 This is a tricky step, it involves heating up the broken screen in order to separate it from the plastic bezel that surrounds the Nexus. Now, a heat gun or hairdryer will do the trick just fine, but so will leaving the panel in the sun for about 30 minutes on a warm day. After the panel is nice and toasty, begin slowly lifting it from the black glass panel. The goal during this process is to keep the adhesive tape attached to the bezel and not the display when they are separate. If your tape is stuck to the display panel, you can either apply more heat to strip the tape and reseat it on the bezel. If that doesn’t work you will need to cut and install new double-sided adhesive tape to the bezel. Finally, remove any loose pieces of glass that remain attached to the bezel Step 8 Line up and set the new screen face up inside the bezel. Make sure the tape strongly sticks to the backside of the screen. You can then insert the data display cable into it’s clip connector. If your replacement screen/digitizer panel didn’t come ship with copper heat shielding you can transfer it on from the old display. Step 9 Attach the bezel/screen combo to the chassis of the N7. You can lay the screen face down and set the aluminum body/motherboard on top of it. Feed the display data cable through the hole in the motherboard as you set the body down onto the screen. Step 10 Reattach the ribbon cables to the motherboard and lock them in place.  Reattach the black tape from step 3 to the motherboard. After doing this you can plug the battery cable into it’s socket once again. Step 11 Secure the chassis in place using the screws removed in step 5. You can snap the back shell in place once again after tightening all the screws. You can then power on your tablet and use it once again! Success! So, after following this guide you will have successfully installed a new screen/digitizer combo onto your Nexus 7. That wasn’t so hard!  Remember to comment if you need any help with the process, as we are willing to guide you through any rough patches. Cost As stated before, cost will vary due to differences in what might actually need to be replaced. Digitizers, panels, and combos can both be found on Ebay or Amazon, and are usually sold as spare parts from donor Nexus units. This effects the availability of such parts.  A combo can usually be purchased anywhere between $100-$140, with individual parts landing in the $70 area. For the time being, here is a link to a Nexus 7 screen/digitizer combo from Amazon. You can find spare parts on Amazon using this link. Good luck! Let us know how it goes!

Google revamps search on the desktop, adds new Google Now cards Posted: 15 May 2013 01:24 PM PDT From Hangouts to Google Play Games, there is one theme that seemed prevalent throughout the I/O keynote: Cross-platform functionality. Google seems to be breaking away the chains that separate us on different devices, making a more seamless experience regardless of whether we are using an Android device, a PC or the browser. The same idea applies to Google search. Google Now is continuing to spread its way onto different devices (at least in limited form), including iOS, Android devices, Google Glasses and now even the desktop. The desktop has had voice search for a while now, so what makes this change so special? In a word, conversational language support. Let’s say you are planning a trip to Las Vegas from San Francisco. You have already used Chrome voice search to research things to do on your trip, now you need to figure out how long it will take to get there. You don’t need to say something complicated like "How long will it take to get from [current city] to Las Vegas". Instead, you can simply say, "How far is it from here?" Google already knows what you are talking about. Chrome understands the "it" is Vegas and the "here" is San Francisco. The Chrome browser voice functionality also makes it possible to quickly send emails, make calendar entries and even pull up flight information. This isn’t the full "Google Now" experience found on Jelly Bean, but it is a major leap forward nonetheless. Expect these new search features to roll out within the coming weeks. In addition to the changes to Chrome browser search, Google Knowledge Graph is also expanding, allowing it to try to predict your next question and add related statistics to graphs. Google Graph is also adding support for Polish, Turkish, Simplified Chinese and Traditional Chinese. Google Now gets new cards It’s not just the Chrome browser that is seeing changes to the way we search. Google Now is getting a new recommended content alert card, displaying suggestions for upcoming books, music, games and TV shows. The better Google Now knows you, the more accurate the card suggestions for this multimedia content will be. Google is also adding real-time public transportation updates for select cities, and Japan is even getting a "last train home" card. Last but not least, a new Google Now card adds the ability to set reminders based on time, location and even specific contacts. For example, you could remind Google Now to tell you to call a business contact on a specific date, after you arrive in town from your flight — all using natural language. With Google’s latest efforts, search is about to become a heck of a lot more personal. What do you think of the new changes to Google Now and to Chrome for the desktop? Excited?

Hangouts application for Android and Chrome is live Posted: 15 May 2013 01:19 PM PDT Google Hangouts has just gone live in the Chrome Web Store and in the Google Play Store. Hangouts is the new unified messaging service available on the web, iOS and Android and will replace the current Google Talk application. Unfortunately, there is a glitch which makes the application appear to not be compatible with tablets. Luckily, a fix is on the way. Here are the features of Hangouts as listed in the Google Play Store: Say more with photos and emoji. See when people are together in Hangouts, when they're typing, or whether they've seen your message. Turn any conversation into a video call with up to 10 friends. Message friends anytime, even if they’re not connected right now. Use Hangouts on computers, Android and Apple devices. Hangouts stay in sync across devices so you can start or continue them anywhere. Choose from hundreds of emoji to help you make your point See what you talked about in the past, including shared photos and your video call history. Get notifications just once. Once you see an alert, you won't see repeats on your computer or other Android devices. View collections of photos shared from each of your Hangouts. Snooze notifications at times when you'd prefer to be undisturbed by alerts. Unlike Google Talk, Hangouts does not support “invisible” status. Hit the links in the Source below to begin downloading the application and start hanging out with your friends and family. Are you as excited as we are about Hangouts? Let us know in the comments.

Sharp quietly launches Aquos Pad SH-08E tablet with Full HD IGZO display through NTT DoCoMo in Japan Posted: 15 May 2013 01:18 PM PDT If you’re visiting Japan, and you have an affinity for ultra high-resolution Android tablets, then you might want to check out the newly launched Sharp Aquos Pad SH-08E, which quietly made its debut as the newest 7-inch Android tablet available through NTT DoCoMo. It may not look like much, but in fact you are looking at one of the few true Full HD 7-inch tablets available on the Android market. Hardware-wise, the Aquos Pad SH-08E is quite gifted, boasting a 1.7GHz quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 600 processor, an 8.1-megapixel rear camera, and a 4,200mAh battery. At the same time, it’s also fitted with some of today’s latest wireless features, such as Wi-Fi, NFC, mobile TV, and LTE. But its biggest, most important feature yet lies in its screen. The Sharp Aquos Pad SH-08E for NTT DoCoMo comes equipped with a 1920×1200 pixel IGZO display, not unlike the ones sought after by Samsung for possible use in some of its future devices. It runs Android 4.2 by default. Will it ever be made available out of Japan? For how much? We honestly don’t know. But what we do know is that it will be released first in the land of the rising sun in July of this year, so watch out for that.

Google Maps for desktop, Android and iOS get major redesign [video] Posted: 15 May 2013 01:02 PM PDT Google unveiled at Google I/O 2013 a variety of new features for its Google Map products – both for the desktop and the mobile versions. We got a sneak preview at some of the new features for the desktop version of Google Maps earlier today, but the company also presented new features for the Android and iOS versions of its mapping app. Before revealing the new Google Maps features, the company reminded the audience that Google Maps is now available in 200 countries, with North Korea being the latest addition. Furthermore, 50 countries are pictured via Street Views, with Street Views cars having travelled 5 million miles so far and 50 billion kilometers of turn by turn directions have been delivered. Moreover, more than one million websites integrate Google Maps maps. Google Maps for Android and iOS Interestingly, when talking about the mobile version of Google Maps, Google's Daniel Graf started it off with Google Maps for iPhone, a product launched only in December 2012. Graf took a shot at Apple Maps before unveiling new Google Maps features, by saying that iOS users found Google Maps for iOS to be "sleek, simple beautiful, and let's not forget accurate." The new Google Maps for Android app, which will be similar to the iOS version design-wise, will bring a new five-point rating scale for places including restaurants and offer Zagat review integration as well as Google Offers right on the map page from various partners. Naturally, Search will be an important component of Google Maps to help you find the places you're looking for. When it comes to turn-by-turn navigation, Google Maps for Android and iOS will add live coverage of incidents and dynamic re-routing. Support for tablets has also been added, with the iPad getting a dedicated Google Maps app of its own. Google Maps for Android and iOS will be available at some point this summer, although actual release dates have not been mentioned. Google Maps for desktop Google said that the new Google Maps has been "built for you," revealing that it has completely overhauled the app. As previously rumored, the app will offer users full-screen maps, removing all the unnecessary clutter and white space from the screen. As Bernhard Seefeld explained on stage, the "map is the new UI." The search bar is the only element present on top of the map (not counting the information layers, of course), which should serve for all one's search needs. The results will appear directly on the map, and you won't see anymore the regular pins you expect in Google Map search. In addition to outdoors maps, Google will also show you indoor pictures for various places including restaurants and museums, relying also on crowd-source imagery uploaded by other Google users in the process. Google Maps will offer Google+ integration, and users will be able to check out results reviewed by friends. By logging in into Google Maps, users will be able to personalize their Google Maps experience. Saving and rating places will have a direct effect on the appearance of a map, which will highlight the most important landmarks around based on ones Maps experience. When clicking on a place on the map, Google Maps will show you how to reach that place from different directions, marking the potential access routes to any landmark. And that's how Google "can build a unique map for every place on every click," as Seefeld put it. Also interesting is the way Google Maps handles directions. All you need to do is click on a place and then on your home to activate it. Then you'll be offered various ways to reach your destination including public transit, which is a feature Google Maps users will probably appreciate under its new format. Google Maps will show all potential public transportation means for a destination right alongside trip duration and schedule information for each line. Obviously, in addition to public transit information, you’re also going to get driving, walking and biking directions, and you’ll be able to check out flight information right from inside Google Maps. Finally, the new Google Maps will offer access to better images, from street level or places all the way up to the clouds, which will be shown in real time around the Earth apparently. The image carousel at the bottom will include Street View images, business photos, photo tours but also Google Earth images on top of Google Maps (Earth View). You can check out the new Google Maps in action in the short video Google posted on its Google Maps YouTube channel: Just like with Google Now, Google Maps gets better the more you use it, as it learns more details about you. The new Google Maps can be previewed at maps.google.com/preview, but requires an invitation to use, at least for now.

Google+ Photos enhanced with new editing features, additional storage for Backup, and more Posted: 15 May 2013 12:28 PM PDT Today, Google announced a number of changes to some of its most popular free services. These include the introduction of Google Play Game Services, as well as the launch of a redesigned Google Play Store (with a greater focus on tablets this time around). But the fun isn’t limited to just the Android ecosystem and the Play Store, of course. Google also announced the addition of a few new enhancements that are available now for photos on Google+. The new features added to Google+ Photos makes the overall experience of using Google+ for sharing images so much better that Facebook, Twitter, and even Instagram should all be scared out of their minds right now. Google is about to take the power back. But what exactly has been added to Google+ for photos, anyway? Google+ now comes with a number of new features such as Auto Enhance and Auto Awesome which make the process of making photos share-worthy as easy as possible. Other changes include an improved Auto Backup and a speedier way of finding highlights in photos so that, according to Google, it's easy to find the right moments to share. Read on for a better understanding of the changes to Google+ photos with the help of pictures we took during this year’s Google I/O developer conference. At Google I/O, the main changes to Photos in Google+ were highlighted, and the most important new features were enumerated via a talk on stage. The Auto Backup feature available for photos on Google+ has now been upgraded from 5GB to 15GB of storage space, allowing users to upload full-size photos without having to worry about running out of space. One of the most popular photo sharing services in the world, Instagram, doesn’t even have such a feature, while Facebook only added it later in its existence. Meanwhile, Highlight helps users spend less time sifting through individual photos by automatically organizing all the good stuff and taking out all the rest. When used in combination with Auto Enhance, it will easily allow users to experience first hand what is quite possibly the best photo sharing experience that has ever existed. Other photo editing niceties are mentioned in the above picture, such as tonal distribution, skin softening, noise reduction, sharpening, red eye removal, and white balancing. But by far one of the most exciting additions to Google+ Photos unveiled today is a new feature called Auto Awesome. It takes a user’s photos and turns them into animated GIFs, panoramas, and more. At this rate, Google is going to steal the thunder of every single popular photo sharing service and app on the planet. These interesting new software enhancements for phtos can be traced back to the Q3 2012 acquisition of the makers of Snapseed. Even then, we predicted that it would somehow play into a future where Google comes out with vastly improved photo sharing options. And now that the cat is out of the bag, all that’s left is to see how users actually react to it. If you still want to learn more about these new photo editing and sharing features, head on to the source link below for all of the details.

HTC employee alludes at Google experience device, executive denies it Posted: 15 May 2013 12:12 PM PDT With the Google Experience Samsung Galaxy S4 being announced at Google I/O, HTC obviously felt a need to answer back. In typical, brash, 2013 HTC style, HTC employee Leigh Momii tweeted a not so subtle jab at the Galaxy S4 and it's choice of build materials, calling it a piece of plastic running stock Android. So you can pay $649 for a piece of plastic running stock or… You can wait :) #IO13  — Leigh (@jetleigh) May 15, 2013 Right after the news broke, Jeff Gordon a Senior Global Online Communications Manager at HTC, released a statement saying, "HTC is not currently planning a 'Nexus Edition' of the HTC One." So if you were hoping for an all metal Nexus-like smartphone, it appears as if those hopes have been dashed. Of course, just because HTC isn't planning a "Nexus Edition" currently, it doesn't mean it can't change its tune. It wouldn't be the first time a company used the ploy, so we are keeping our fingers (and our toes) firmly crossed. Would you be interested in an HTC-made “Google experience” device? Would you pick a Google Experience HTC One over a Google Experience Samsung Galaxy S4? Let us know in the comments.

Google Play Services: new APIs, cloud messaging and more Posted: 15 May 2013 11:23 AM PDT Mountain View today at Google I/O announced some really big changes: new APIs for Google Maps, Google+ single sign-in, cloud messaging, and Play Games. These are some exciting times for Android users, and we’ve got the rundown on all of the new services below! Google Maps Google Maps has received a trio of APIs: Fused Location Provider, Geofencing, and Activity Recognition. The first of three brings more accurate location signals. It even has a low-power location mode that uses less than one percent of your battery per hour! Simply amazing. Geofencing allows for virtual fencing around a geographical area, and the last of the three, Activity Recognition, uses accelerometer data to tell if someone is, say, walking, running or driving. Google+ single sign-in Google earlier announced the ability to sign-into websites using your Google+ credentials. Today at Google I/O, Mountain View revealed further plans to make the feature more seamless. Once navigating to a website using your smartphone’s or tablet’s browser, you can sign into the website using Google+. From there, it begins downloading the Android app for the website. Once it’s installed, you can launch the app and you’ll find that you’re already signed into it via Google+. It’s a small update, but makes for a more seamless browsing experience. Cloud Messaging Google Cloud Messaging, the push notification service that was introduced last year, is now integrated into Google Play services, and has received three new features. These include persistent connections, which will help push out messages quickly, upstream messaging for easily sending data from your app to your servers, and perhaps the most awesome feature yet: synced notifications across all of your devices. Game services Google Play Games services introduces a number of new APIs for developers to use, including instantaneous cloud game saves, which will be amazing for games like Angry Birds. Developers will also be able to take advantage of leaderboards and achievements. So, it’s your standard gaming platform, like Apple’s Game Center. Google takes it a step further though. While developers will get take advantage of cloud game saves, leaderboards, and achievements, all of these APIs won’t just be available on Android — they’ll be available on iOS and the web too. Conclusion There are some exciting things going on in the Android world, folks. Google’s game services is going to be really helpful among the developer community considering you won’t have to worry about services like OpenFeint shutting down and essentially ruining your leaderboard, and achievement integration. There’s only one thing I’m a tad worried about though. What if the Google Play Games API isn’t mandatory? While giving developers a choice is nice and all, it seems like it’d be a bad idea to leave the space open for third-party developers (i.e. Verizon and Playphone) to make their own gaming platform to try and trump Google’s own Play Games services. Regardless, the features listed in this article will be rolling out today to those running Android 4.0 or higher. Are you excited for any of these new APIs and services? Sound off in the comments!

Google Hangouts messaging app made official at Google I/O 2013 [video] Posted: 15 May 2013 11:23 AM PDT The Google Hangouts messaging app has been announced today at the Google I/O 2013 keynote event. The app, which had been rumored for some time and was thought to be called Babel and Hangout, is finally a reality and is set to be available starting today for Android, iOS and the web. Google Hangouts has been introduced during today’s Google I/O keynote by Vic Gundotra, Google’s Senior Vice President of Engineering and it allows for cross-platform communication across devices. It will turn Google’s messaging services, like Google Talk or the Chat and Hangouts features in Google+ into a single services. The app is a standalone one, not part of Google+, and is focused on conversations, not contacts, with the most important people you talk to ranked, so you can add them to a conversation easier. As you can see in the screenshot below, the chat window is very fluent, just like a normal discussion, with the possibility to add images (which are stored in albums, for easy access). Said conversations will be stored in the cloud, so you can always go back to your archive. The best part is that clicking the video button will send everyone into a group video call, a feature that’s also available in the app, and it’s free, too. Probably one of the most interesting features it will offer you is cross-platform notifications, meaning that if a notification is removed from one of your devices, it gets removed from all of them. Will you be using the new Google Hangouts messaging app? Do you think it will change the way we communicate?

Google Plus redesigned: multi-column view, related hashtags and more Posted: 15 May 2013 11:12 AM PDT Google has just announced a redesign of the Google Plus application. The UI is now more streamlined and maximizes the screen space for your feed. Google has removed the sidebar and placed all the navigation tools at the top. The new design also creates a dynamic multi-column view, which means that depending on the size of your screen, your Google Plus stream will be a single column, two column or three columns wide. Google also offer the ability to go back to the old design, if you so choose. The new redesign also adds a feature called "related hashtags", allowing users to browse through related photos by clicking on the current photo and looking at related hashtags on the flip side of the photo. Google has also released "intelligent hashtags" for photos, meaning Google analyzes the photo, and places a hashtag on the post. For instance, if you take a photo with the Eiffel Tower in the background, your post will automatically contain the hashtag "eiffeltower". You can also choose to remove the hashtag as well, and to opt-out of the feature. The new Google Plus redesign will be rolling out this afternoon, so keep your eyes peeled for it. Like the new redesign of Google Plus? Which feature excites you most? Let us know in the comments.

Google gives away free Chromebook Pixel to all Google I/O attendees Posted: 15 May 2013 11:08 AM PDT Did you miss the Google I/O developer conference this year? If you’re only after information on all the new stuff that’s being outed by Google as part of this yearly program, then we’ve got you covered. However, there’s one thing we can’t help you with if you truly missed your chance to attend this year’s conference, and that is the chance to take home your very own Chromebook Pixel. Google has given each and every single Google I/O attendee this year their own Chromebook Pixel to take home. And quote-unquote real OS or not, it’s still a brand new $1,300 laptop. As you may already know, the Chromebook Pixel is a high-end notebook powered by Google’s Chrome OS, which is Web-based, and features a high-resolution 12-inch screen in a lightweight and relatively slim metallic body. It’s a sight for sore eyes, though its features leave a lot to be desired. We’ve written plenty about it, but the fact remains, it’s an expensive laptop with a limited number of benefits for the average computer users. The Chromebook Pixel has a few things going for it. But still a big problem has kept it from becoming more popular with consumers, and that is a problem with its price. With this move, Google has shown that through a giveaway is perhaps the only real way to get the Chromebook Pixel out onto the hands of that many people at once.

Google introduces new ‘Google play for Education’ app store Posted: 15 May 2013 11:05 AM PDT Going back as far as the 80s, Apple has all-but dominated the education market. This could finally be changing, at least if Google has anything to say about it. We’ve already seen Google take aim at the education market with Chromebooks. Now the Mountain View giant is preparing to bring a similar push towards tablets and apps. How do they plan to do that? Today Google announced Google Play for Education, a custom app store designed for grades K-12. What’s really exciting about this initiative is that Google will make it easy for educators and administrators to pick an education app and install it on all the tablets in a particular class, or even throughout the school. The only requirement is that all student devices will need Google accounts. The store itself will be organized by grade level and subjects. Google will also make purchasing apps simpler for educational facilities. Instead of requiring credit cards, apps can be purchased against an account that the school has on file. It is also worth noting that "Google Play for Education" moves beyond apps, it will also support certain books and videos. What’s brilliant about Google’s new education strategy is not only that it makes finding great educational Android apps easier, but it also creates tons of new Google account users. Once these users have accounts, they are more likely to use other Google services. It also starts hooking users into the Google ecosystem from a younger age. Google will start taking app submissions for the new Google Play for Education appstore this summer, but won’t launch the app until this fall school season.

Google Play update brings tablet apps to the forefront, integrates latest mobile-focused redesign Posted: 15 May 2013 10:39 AM PDT If you think you’ve seen the last of Google’s Play Store updates today as part of Google I/O, think again. After introducing Google Play Game Services, Google has now launched a much-needed redesign to the Play Store for avid shoppers who happen to use Android-powered tablets. One of Google’s numerous Play Store updates today involves adding a dedicated tablet section for users of Android-powered tablets who wish to find out the top ranking free and paid apps available on the Google Play Store. If you check out the Play Store, you’ll see that Google has already made the necessary changes. Also part of today’s Google Play Store update is the introduction of the recent Play Store mobile redesign to its Web-based counterpart, allowing users to get more out of the Play Store by putting all of the extra screen real estate to good use — a sidebar to toggle between media types is now available alongside the regular Google Play Store setup. As mentioned above, the changes have already been made by Google, and you’ll be able to see them for yourself by navigating to play.google.com/store. For more on Google I/O this year, check out our live blog or follow all of latest stories here.

Google Play Music All Access streaming service announced Posted: 15 May 2013 10:32 AM PDT Google Play Music All Access has been announced at Google I/O and will be available in the U.S. starting today. Rumored some time ago and then reported to launch at Google I/O, the service has been officially introduced  by Google’s Chris Yerga. It will allow you to explore and discover new music, based on what you already listen to, and you’ll be able to do so whether you’re on your smartphone, tablet or computer. The service, described as a Google approach to subscription music services, offers you the possibility to start a radio station from any track you’re listening to, filled with related songs and artists. You can remove tracks or reorder them at all times, and you’ll also get expert recommendations and playlists so you can find new stuff you might like. Your library can include tracks you’ve uploaded, as well as tracks from the service (for example, an album you already own and have uploaded, as well as the latest one from the respective artist). Google Play Music All Access has been built with the philosophy that it should be a music service focused on music, with technology being in the background, because choosing music shouldn’t be a chore, according to the presentation. Judging by the first look, that’s what’s been achieved. We’ve reached the most important section, the price of the new service. Google Play Music All Access will be available for $9.99 a month and, as I mentioned, is launching in the U.S. today, offering everyone a 30-day trial. If you sign up for the trial by June 30, the price will be $7.99 a month. Google has promised to bring the service to more countries soon. U.S. readers, do you plan on signing up for Google Play Music All Access?

Android Studio announced, developer console updated with new features Posted: 15 May 2013 10:27 AM PDT Google I/O is primarily a developer conference, though it's easy to forget it, given that consumer focused announcements are often made in the keynotes. Today, Google's Hugo Barra presented some of the work that Google has been doing to make the life of Android developers easier. One big announcement is Android Studio, a Google-made integrated development environment (IDE) based on the popular IDE IntelliJ. While Bara didn't reveal many details about this new tool, developers in the audience seemed pretty impressed. Some of the highlights of the Studio presentation include real-time previews of changes and adaptable layouts (an app can be simultaneously tested on different resolutions and form factors – smartphones and tablets). More features are said to be coming to Android Studio in the future. Google also revealed some substantial updates to the app developer console. The changes include: A new section for app optimization, including tips on how to adapt an app for tablets App translation services – a way for developers to simply get translations for their apps Referral tracking – monitor ads, integrates Google Analytics Revenue graphs – visualization tools Beta testing and staged rollouts We'll keep you posted with more details. Stay tuned.

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