AndroidGuys

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• Google I/O 2013: No new Android release this year, but that’s not a bad thing
• ‘Send Money’ option added to Gmail and Google Wallet [video]
• Hangouts announced as Google’s messaging overhaul, app replacement to Talk ready for download
• “Google Edition” Samsung Galaxy S4 confirmed, to be available June 26 on AT&T and T-Mobile US
• New Google Now cards include reminders, TV shows, video games, music albums, and more
• Possible Spotify killer Google Play Music All Access revealed, start your trial now
• HP announces Android SlateBook x2 just in time for next school year
• Android 4.3 accidentally confirmed by Google developer site
• Google Play Games verified by Play Store changelog
• Samsung Galaxy S4 Google Edition set to be announced at Google I/O
• A sneak peek at Epson’s next-generation Moverio wearable Android glasses

Google I/O 2013: No new Android release this year, but that’s not a bad thing Posted: 15 May 2013 03:06 PM PDT So as you’ve learned by now, there is no new version of Android being announced at this year’s conference. But, before you get all upset and scream about how that sucks, I’ll tell you that it’s not a bad thing. In fact, I posit that what Google did for Android this time around is a benefit to the platform and ecosystem. Hear me  out. What’s the first question that everyone starts asking when a new version of Android is announced? “When is my phone or tablet getting the latest release?”  Just the simple act of not announcing a new build helps cut that down – for now. But, going deeper, Google did the Android space a favor with the new Google Play Services stuff. By that, I am referring to stuff like the new Google Play Music (All Access), Google Play Games, and separate apps. In a nutshell, Google is updating features and apps for phones that run very old versions of Android, dating back to 2.2 Froyo. Think about it: a year ago, it would have been easy to convince you that in order to get the new Google+ gaming and Google Play Games you would have to get the latest verison of Android. Not this time, just about every phone sold in the last few years gets to take advantage of the new stuff. Rather than worrying about how carriers and handset makers fold in updates and services, Google is taking things under control and updating stuff from within. And it’s not just for 4.0 and 4.1 products either. If you have a phone from 2010 on the chances are very good that you’ll see the new stuff. The tide rises for everyone at once and provides little tweaks and adjustments that might otherwise come with an incremental, say v4.3, release. Assuming we are still a few months off from the next release of Android, handset makers and carriers can bring newer devices up to date with the 4.1 and 4.2 builds. Indeed, there will be products left in the shadows and kept behind with older releases, but Google is not forgetting them. The same thing goes for Google Now improvements – it’s easier to roll out features on a per app basis that really move things forward in the same manner that a brand new version of Android would have. Speaking of which, I’m really excited about location, date, and time aware reminders and notifications. Sure, I would have loved to been given at least a glimpse into some of the upcoming features of Android; we saw plenty about the future of Maps and other services. With that in mind, I’m hopeful that Google is going to slow the release cycles down for Android yet continue to build things up from within. No new hardware Yeah, so that was a pretty big letdown, actually. I was hoping to see at least minor refreshes in hardware for the Nexus 4 (additional storage, LTE) and/or the Nexus 7. Alas neither device was mentioned and everything stays the same for now. Samsung Galaxy S4 with stock Android It’s not exactly new hardware, but we do have a Samsung Galaxy S4 with a stock Android 4.2 experience coming in June. Priced at $649, the device features an unlocked bootloader, 16GB storage,and  4G LTE support for AT&T and T-Mobile. Sadly, it’s twice the price of a Nexus device; the target audience will likely skip this in favor of a Galaxy Nexus. On the positive side of things, it’s great to see Samsung embracing the stock Android experience. I would love nothing more than to see companies release alternative versions of their phones. HTC, Sony, and LG could all do well to follow the model. The post Google I/O 2013: No new Android release this year, but that’s not a bad thing appeared first on AndroidGuys.

‘Send Money’ option added to Gmail and Google Wallet [video] Posted: 15 May 2013 02:17 PM PDT Over at the Google Commerce Blog, there’s a new option being shown off, and it’s pretty cool. Google has added the ability for users to send money via Gmail and Google Wallet to other users, as well as to receive payments in the same manner. The option is going to be incorporated into Gmail the same way you attach anything else – you’ll see a money icon, and you can then send money, free of charge, as long as you have a bank account connected to your Google Wallet. Even cooler? The recipient doesn’t even have to be using a Gmail address. There will be a small transaction fee if the money is sent by an attached credit or debit card, however, and the fees will be clearly noted to users. Check out the video below: You’ll be able to do this over the coming months as the ability rolls out to Gmail users for U.S. residents over 18. The option won’t be available on mobile via the official Gmail app, but will be able to be done via the Google Wallet mobile site. What are your thoughts? Tell us in the comments below! via google commerce The post ‘Send Money’ option added to Gmail and Google Wallet [video] appeared first on AndroidGuys.

Hangouts announced as Google’s messaging overhaul, app replacement to Talk ready for download Posted: 15 May 2013 01:14 PM PDT If you’ve been paying attention to I/O today, chances are that you saw the announcement about Hangouts. Hangouts is Google’s new messaging system that is stepping up to replace Talk, and users are excited. The app is now available on the Play Store, as well as on the app store for Apple devices, and available for PC / Mac. The new app is a refreshing overhaul in the user interface department, with a sleek new look, and an intuitive experience. You can start new chats by name, email address, circle – or even a phone number. Even better, the new Hangouts is broken free completely from Google+ as a standalone application. You can check out the Android app at the source link below, and get to chatting. via google play The post Hangouts announced as Google’s messaging overhaul, app replacement to Talk ready for download appeared first on AndroidGuys.

“Google Edition” Samsung Galaxy S4 confirmed, to be available June 26 on AT&T and T-Mobile US Posted: 15 May 2013 12:53 PM PDT Last night, we posted about the fact that we should be seeing a stock Android version of the Galaxy S4 from Samsung. Now, Google has officially made the announcement that, yes, this is true. It’s been dubbed the “Google Edition” of the GS4, and is going to go on sale via Google Play. The Google Edition will run Android 4.2.2 stock, which means no TouchWiz UI overlay. Just pure, simple, Vanilla AOSP Android. It will go on sale June 26th via Google Play, and will run on AT&T and T-Mobile’s US bands. Also on board will be MicroSD expansion, LTE, 16G onboard storage, an unlockable bootloader (yay!), and software updates on the double. To make things extra sweet? Google promises users the total “Nexus user experience”. The device will sell for $649. The post “Google Edition” Samsung Galaxy S4 confirmed, to be available June 26 on AT&T and T-Mobile US appeared first on AndroidGuys.

New Google Now cards include reminders, TV shows, video games, music albums, and more Posted: 15 May 2013 11:37 AM PDT Google Now is another app slated to get some updates, thanks to the I/O conference. There are six new cards coming out for Google Now, and they include: Reminder Music Albums TV Shows Public Transit Books Video Games Reminders will allow you to set reminders to do things like “buy a wrench”, where as the rest are set to give you information. Also, Google showed off new “hot words” in voice search, which allow for broad inquiries like “show me restaurants near work”, or “when does my flight leave”. Google is looking to make the experience with Voice Search a little less like talking to a machine, and more like asking your personal assistant a question. The post New Google Now cards include reminders, TV shows, video games, music albums, and more appeared first on AndroidGuys.

Possible Spotify killer Google Play Music All Access revealed, start your trial now Posted: 15 May 2013 10:48 AM PDT If you’re a Spotify user, listen up. Google, at the I/O conference, just announced their new all-access music service, appropriately named Google Play Music All Access. It combines your personal music uploaded to Google Music with a universal catalog of music, and appears to work very well. The best part? If you head to Google Music, you should get a prompt to start your All Access trial free for 30 days. If you get your trial started before June, you’ll only pay $7.99 / month, as opposed to the soon-to-be standard $9.99 / month. You can also create radio stations based on your favorite music. This editor has already started using it, and it looks terrific so far. Be sure to keep it here for more updates from I/O. The post Possible Spotify killer Google Play Music All Access revealed, start your trial now appeared first on AndroidGuys.

HP announces Android SlateBook x2 just in time for next school year Posted: 15 May 2013 10:25 AM PDT HP announced today that they will be releasing the SlateBook x2 and the Split x2 towards the end of summer. This pair not only offers the flexibility of a portable personal computer, but it also allows users to detach the display and use it as a standalone touchscreen tablet. While both devices might look similar (see photos), let us tell you they are definitely very different machines. The HP SlateBook x2 is a high-end 10-inch Android tablet, while the Split x2 is a relatively low-end Intel notebook that runs full Windows 8. According to The Verge, you will be able to grab the HP SlateBook x2 for $479.99. It runs the newest Android 4.2.2 Jelly Bean operating system on the latest quad-core Nvidia Tegra 4 processor, making it unique as one of the first devices to use that chip, in fact. At 10.2 inches, it’s smaller than the new 13.3-inch Split x2, but it has the highest-quality screen with a full 1920 x 1200 resolution IPS panel. While its expandable 16GB of storage and 2GB of system memory won’t be anything special, the keyboard dock certainly might be. This little keyboard adds one USB port, an SD card slot, an HDMI jack, as well as an extra battery that could nearly double the tablet’s battery life to somewhere around eight hours. Unlike many previous convertible devices, the keyboard dock is included in the SlateBook x2′s price. On the flip side, we should mention that if you are in the market for a Windows 8 computer, the $799.99 HP Split x2 (with the included keyboard dock) will also be available. The muted black Split x2 includes a 7W Core i3 processor and 4GB of memory, as well as a 500GB hard drive that is tapped into the included keyboard base. The 13.3-inch screen is definitely of the low-resolution 1366 x 768 variety, but HP stated that it should get as much battery life as your average notebook. The prices of both options may come as a shock at first, but honestly if you’re looking for a personal computer that can easily double as a tablet these options may be fitting. According to HP, both devices will arrive in August, just in time for school shopping season.       Source: The Verge             The post HP announces Android SlateBook x2 just in time for next school year appeared first on AndroidGuys.

Android 4.3 accidentally confirmed by Google developer site Posted: 15 May 2013 09:39 AM PDT The keynote is coming, and the leaks just keep flowing. Before Google’s big wigs could even take the stage, Android 4.3 has been accidentally confirmed through a search listing on Google’s developer website. The mention in the result has been removed, of course, but has been caught by the cache here:   Chances are, we’ll be seeing the release of this new Android iteration at Google I/O this morning. The update is expected to include Bluetooth Low Energy and OpenGL for Embedded Systems 3.0 graphics specifications. via theverge The post Android 4.3 accidentally confirmed by Google developer site appeared first on AndroidGuys.

Google Play Games verified by Play Store changelog Posted: 15 May 2013 09:10 AM PDT Over at Google I/O, things are quickly heating up, and it’s causing some people to jump the gun. A new changelog for the app “Eufloria HD” shows support for “Google Play Games achievements”, and also adds: We hope you enjoy using Google Play Games to save and share achievements! We’re expecting Google Play Games to become official as the keynote at Google I/O begins, so be sure to hang here for further details. via google play The post Google Play Games verified by Play Store changelog appeared first on AndroidGuys.

Samsung Galaxy S4 Google Edition set to be announced at Google I/O Posted: 15 May 2013 01:08 AM PDT At the Google I/O event, Samsung is set to make a pretty big announcement. A new version of their latest flagship phone, the Galaxy S4, will be announced – the Google version. Now, this doesn’t mean that Google will do that manufacturing, or any major overhaul like that. What it means is that Samsung understands that some people, while they may love the device, aren’t so big on the software (mainly TouchWiz). In response, we’ll e seeing a pure AOSP version of the Galaxy S4 being prepped to launch. An AOSP version of Android, for those who don’t know, is simply Android without the manufacturer overlays. It is the pure, stock Vanilla experience from Google, just wrapped up and set to work with the Galaxy S4. This is a major step for Samsung. In the past, if users wanted to have the option to go AOSP on a device that runs with an overlay user interface, they would have to root their device, and install a custom ROM. Even then, the experience had the capacity to be not-quite-optimal, as drivers and such had a tendency to spend a long time in development before being released for these ROMs, making some functions of the device not work at all. This new version of the Galaxy S4 is expected to be available in june on T-Mobile’s USA bands. We don’t have any information on pricing, nor do we know what kind of retail outlets will be selling, if any at all – with it being a pure Google experience, they may choose to sell it via the Play Store. What do you think? Be sure to let us know in the comments! via geek The post Samsung Galaxy S4 Google Edition set to be announced at Google I/O appeared first on AndroidGuys.

A sneak peek at Epson’s next-generation Moverio wearable Android glasses Posted: 14 May 2013 06:01 PM PDT With pretty much all the glory going to Google Glass right now, people are becoming more aware of the wearable technology than ever before. That’s not to say, however, that this is a one-horse race. Epson has been playing around with concepts for quite some time now and is ready to announce some new stuff at Google I/O 2013. I had a chance to sit down with members of Epson and APX today and see just how the new concept works and what lies ahead for developers. Everything will be introduced at the developer conference, especially if you’re involved in developing with/for YouTube. Before going further I should point out that this is not a consumer-minded concept (yet) and that it’s still going through some design changes.  Physically the glasses are still big and bulky and the test versions still use an older version of Android (2.2). With that in mind, the team I spoke with today is very optimistic about the eventual form factor believes we’re not that far from the sleek and sexy stuff that consumers might expect. In a nutshell, the concept that Epson and APX will introduce at Google I/O revolves around touchless gestures for selecting and viewing YouTube videos. Imagine seeing a carousel-like roll of YouTube videos to choose from, right in front of you. You can look left and right to scroll through and then a long press-like focus will automatically start the video.  Look up and the clip stops – tilt left for rewind, right for advance.  It’s pretty intuitive stuff and works well. What does it look like? Instead of the picture-in-picture stuff that Google Glass provides, this is like having a big television display sitting right in front of you. I think the official description calls for an 80-inch TV around 5 meters away. It’s big and easy to see yet doesn’t clutter or obscure your view. Sure, the demo unit I tried on was a little heavy and wonky but the big picture scenario is fun to imagine. Immediately I thought of how cool it would be to watch YouTube videos or other clips without interrupting others in the room or making things too bright. Then I thought of seeing Google Maps overlayed with POIs or other apps. However, this is getting ahead of things and looking at more consumer-minded focus. Rather, this is more enterprise and business-like. There were two devices shown off today, one with a front-facing camera and microphone and the other without. Given that the YouTube stuff did not use either, the model I wore was without. Both, however, featured a 9-axis sensor for looking around in all directions. I also saw a demonstration of how one might see a pump assembled and disassembled in 360-degrees, moving around the unit in real-space. Imagine a workforce being able to see what is in boxes on trucks, where staff is in real-time, or what is on the shelf. Imagine a fleet of drivers knowing where everyone else is or a doctor using augmented reality to see where instruments are inside a patient. My understanding is that developers will soon be able to get their hands on SDK’s and kits later this summer.  Yes, you can purchase the BT-100 for around $699 through Epson today (only $400 through Amazon), but I sense much better stuff is coming. Given that the team was ready to show press and other developers the proof-of-concept stuff, it feels like we’re nearing that retail-ready rollout. Along those lines, there are specific Android devices which host the content and provide the apps; in this case YouTube was delivered from a Samsung Nexus 10. Once things go live, developers will get a clear idea as to which products provide the needed connections. I asked about how developers will be able to develop and distribute apps and it appeared that nothing concrete has been established. The partners are looking for the most viable options around, including Google Play and direct. In the spirit of Android, I was told that Epson and pals want to keep things very open. The post A sneak peek at Epson’s next-generation Moverio wearable Android glasses appeared first on AndroidGuys.

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