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- Gmail and Google Wallet can now help you get money to people in your life
- Google Hangouts requires permissions to receive, read, and send SMS messages, could support be added soon?
- Samsung Galaxy S 4 Mini leaks once again, release set for end of May
- Google Hangouts officially announced at Google I/O, now live in the Google Play Store
- Google Search gets expanded functionality for users, brings new cards and improved Voice Search abilities
- New Google Maps makes the Map the UI just a little better and easier for all
- ZTE reveals Grand X2 In with Intel CloverTrail+ processor capable of taking 24 photos per second
- Google announces Google Play for Education at Google I/O 2013
- Samsung Galaxy S III comes to StraightTalk using Sprint’s LTE network
- Google Play Developer Console gets a major injection of new features
| Gmail and Google Wallet can now help you get money to people in your life Posted: 15 May 2013 03:40 PM PDT
This day full of Google goodness, keeps on rolling, and Google just made it easier to send money to our friends and family with the help of Gmail and Google Wallet. The two have been integrated to allow you to send money. In Gmail there will be an option next to the attachments, in the form of a dollar sign $. By clicking on this button you can now send money to the people you care most about. There are limitations to the service however, which are covered after the break:
Currently this is only available on the desktop, but can be used form the phone’s browser by going to wallet.google.com, and note that this isn’t expected to rollout for a couple of months here in the U.S. Checkout the video below to get an idea of what I’m talking about. Click here to view the embedded video. Source: Google Wallet
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| Posted: 15 May 2013 03:09 PM PDT
Very early reviews of Google Hangouts seem to be mixed. Many people love the new service, but many are also unhappy with the fact that SMS messaging is not integrated. These users have quickly dominated the app’s reviews in the Play Store, pleading for the feature to be added to what is supposed to be a unified messaging system. However, a quick look at the permissions Google Hangouts requires reveals that SMS support could be coming soon. Among the permissions the app has access to - receiving text messages (SMS), reading text messages (SMS or MMS), and sending SMS messages – none of which the app currently seems to actually be using. I’m keeping my fingers crossed that this means SMS support will be added sooner than later (maybe with Android 4.3?), making it even more of a truly unified messaging system. After the break you can read the message permissions Google Hangouts requires. GOOGLE HANGOUTS HAS ACCESS TO THE FOLLOWING:RECEIVE TEXT MESSAGES (SMS)
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| Samsung Galaxy S 4 Mini leaks once again, release set for end of May Posted: 15 May 2013 02:23 PM PDT
The Samsung Galaxy S 4 Mini has once again appeared online in photos, and some valuable news has also been leaked. The phone will apparently be almost as fast as the Galaxy S 4, as it will be powered by a 1.6GHz Exynos 5210 SoC, backed up by either 1GB or 2GB of RAM. Rumors also reveal that the phone will feature a built-in IR blaster, meaning it will have remote control capabilities, allowing one to control a TV, set-top box, or a home theater system straight from the smartphone. The Galaxy S 4 Mini is also said to have a 4.3-inch super AMOLED screen with a resolution of 540 by 960 pixels. The main camera will have 8MP of resolution, and a 2100mAh battery should keep the phone up and running throughout the course of the day. The phone is set for an official announcement on or around May 30th, which is when we should be hearing about the rumored Samsung Galaxy S 4 Activ and Samsung Galaxy S 4 Zoom as well. Source: Phone Arena
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| Google Hangouts officially announced at Google I/O, now live in the Google Play Store Posted: 15 May 2013 01:36 PM PDT
The long-anticipated Google Hangouts application was announced this afternoon at Google I/O 2013 and is now available in the Google Play Store for download. The app allows for one-to-one chat, group chat, picture/video sharing, emojis, as well as video calling. It’s multi-platform integrated, meaning you can use it on your computer, your Android, or your iOS device— everything will remain perfectly synced. Conversation threads will remain on the Hangouts application until you delete them, so you can always look back and see a timeline of old photos and videos you shared with others through the app. One pretty big disappointment is the lack of SMS support in the application. However, some have said otherwise. Google knows that apps like “Hangouts” are the future of smartphone communication, so they may just be paving the way for the abandonment of SMS-use. We’ll just have to wait and see how users react to this new technology! Check out a photo gallery and the link to the Google Play Store after the break!      
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| Posted: 15 May 2013 12:56 PM PDT
One of the major pieces of awesomeness at Google I/O was the introduction of the revamped Search function. Right off the bat, the new Search function for you Google Now users includes not only new cards, but also the ability to set reminders or see real-time public transportation updates. So whenever you want that reminder to “take out the trash before 7am” or want to see continuous updates for the A train at New York’s Penn Station (or other select cities), then Google certainly has you covered. Voice Search users aren’t left in the dust either, as Google has gone ahead and implemented some extra functionality to the nifty tool— so users can ask more questions such as “what time it is my flight leaves Thursday” or something of that nature. The update is already live in the Play Store now, so be sure to grab it by clicking on the Play Store link below.
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| New Google Maps makes the Map the UI just a little better and easier for all Posted: 15 May 2013 12:25 PM PDT
Google’s new Maps feature that we told about earlier today is officially a reality. So many things to list and such little brain power to remember them all. Let’s try and cover the stuff that got the most reaction from the crowd. There have been some major improvements to the 3D rendering. Getting to see St. Peter’s Basilica in 3D at I/O on Google Maps is excellent, but what really took the cake was the integration of user photos of the Basilica. By clicking on a user submitted Geo-tagged photo, Google Maps now helps to bring the interior of the Basilica on other wonders of the world right into your house through the browser. And of course like all of the other neat services, Google Maps can now become more personalized as you use it more and more. Picture this: you see a restaurant that may be of interest to you in a particular area, so Google Maps will showcase only the important items like specific roads or landmarks it is for you to get to the restaurant, so Maps will only show the information to you that matters most. Oh and you have friends that may +1 a restaurant or locale, so Google Maps will begin offering you recommendations based off of your friends’ interests. Pretty cool indeed. So the more you interact with the map, the better it gets. When you set your Home and Work locations, star favorite places, write reviews and share with friends, Google Maps will build even more useful maps with recommendations for places you might enjoy.
Another feature that garnered a lot of applause from the crowd at I/O was the new planet view for day and night. The day view shows you the world with real time clouds, and the night view brings you a lite up Earth as seen from high above. Google I/O is moving right along and keeping up with everything they announce in the Keynote is taxing to say the least. Good thing this event goes on for the rest of the week and good thing we have our main man Rob Nazarian there to get all the details for you. Keep it locked here and we will bring you the rest of the Google Maps story as we get. source: Google Maps Blog | Maps Desktop Preview
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| ZTE reveals Grand X2 In with Intel CloverTrail+ processor capable of taking 24 photos per second Posted: 15 May 2013 11:32 AM PDT
ZTE is no stranger to Intel’s up-and-coming CloverTrail+ project, including one of Intel’s chips in the ZTE Geek we reported on about a month ago. Today we bring you Intel and ZTE’s newest collaboration, dubbed the ZTE Grand X2 In. The Grand X2 In is a sleek purple device with a 4.5-inch, 720p display. It runs Android Jellybean and is powered by Intel’s 2GHz Atom Z2580 chip. Also under the hood is 1GB of RAM, 8GB of expandable storage, an 8-megapixel rear camera and a 1-megapixel front-facing camera. While this phone is not going to compete with today’s flagships, it does have some features that set it apart, most notably the aforementioned camera. Capable of 24 frames-per-second, zero shutter lag and image stabilization, the camera alone puts this mid-range offering ahead of many other comparable devices. Hit the break for the full press release. Global Premiere of ZTE Grand X2 In – ZTE’s Flagship Smartphone That’s as Quick as You BusinessWire — May 15, 2013 — ZTE today introduced the ZTE Grand X2 In smartphone with Intel Inside® at the MedPi conference in Monaco. Featuring the Intel® Atom™ Processor Z2580 with up to 2GHz, Android Jelly Bean OS, an advanced 8MP camera and 1080p movie and video play back, the ZTE Grand X2 In provides high quality experience for the demanding and value conscious user. The ZTE Grand X2 In provides instant performance with its advanced dual core Intel® Atom™ Processor Z2580 with hyper-threading running on the Android Jelly Bean operating system. Users can enjoy faster webpage loads, application launch times and content download times, as well as amazing graphics capabilities and responsive multitasking. ZTE’s new flagship smartphone also boasts an 8MP socially-smart camera with one of the shortest shot-to-shot times on the market, capable of up to 24 frames per second and no shutter lag. It secures a high image quality in challenging environments with real-time 2x axis stabilisation, and face and smart scene recognition. The ZTE Grand X2 In’s 4.5 inch HD display is optimised by ZTE’s My-Pop function for easy-to-use one-handed operation and IPS technology that prevents screen picture distortion. It also offers a seamless engineered body with soft-touch finish and a 0.7mm slim screen touch panel for a slimmer design. For those who like to share their experiences, the ZTE Grand X2 In features built-in Audio enhancementtechnology and Wireless Display (WiDi) which enables wireless streaming between connected media devices. “We are proud to announce the ZTE Grand X2 In smartphone pursuing our multi-year strategic collaboration with Intel,” said William Chhao, Terminal Director at ZTE France. “The ZTE Grand X2 In is set to build on the success of the ZTE Grand X In, our first flagship smartphone in Europe to feature Intel Inside, and further increase ZTE’s growth in the high-performance smartphone market segment.” “We are excited to extend our collaboration with ZTE on their latest innovative platform, the new Grand X2 In,” said Helmut Vogler, Vice President and General Manager of Mobile and Wireless Sales at Intel. “Our teams have worked together to harness the power of the Intel® Atom™ processor Z2580 to create a high performance smartphone with market-leading features and long battery life. The Grand X2 In will provide an excellent choice for consumers in fast growing smartphone market.” The smartphone was created for the tech savvy, brand and market aware customers and allows them to own cutting-edge technology. The ZTE Grand X2 In will be available in Europe in Q3 2013 with both key operators and channel partners. The launch of Grand X2 In will strengthen ZTE’s smartphone market share and brand awareness with consumers. Key specifications OS: Android Jelly Bean ZTE will be demonstrating the Grand X2 IN handset at the MedPi conference in Monaco, at booth J66 from 14-17 May 2013.
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| Google announces Google Play for Education at Google I/O 2013 Posted: 15 May 2013 11:26 AM PDT
If schools decide to give out tablets to each student, Google has now built a service with them in mind. Each student would be given a Google account which the teacher would have access to. Probably the coolest feature of the new service is taht the teacher can load an education related app onto the students tablet for the student to use. Schools will still be responsible for the cost of integrating tablets into their school, but Google is providing a framework for them to work with. Google has also add the option for schools to pay with a pay order instead of a credit card. Here is a pic of schools that already use Google apps in some way or another:
Sadly my school isn’t listed, maybe yours is, and if not hopefully with Google’s new move into education they will be added sooner rather than later.
Tablets weren’t the only thing in the education spotlight. Chromebooks made an appearance, too as can be seen in the picture above. 100,000 Chromebooks have been used by schools world wide to date. This number continues to grow and all of these services to help move that growth forward. Google is making a push into education and it truly looks like they are going full steam at it. Keep in mind all of this is still in the early stages, but finally the ball is rolling on tech in schools in a productive way. Like all the other great things coming out of I/O we will get more information on this as the event progresses.
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| Samsung Galaxy S III comes to StraightTalk using Sprint’s LTE network Posted: 15 May 2013 11:08 AM PDT
Pre-paid carriers are getting more and more high-end phones every day, and StraightTalk is no different now that they offer the Samsung Galaxy S III. A user on HowardForums posted a photo of the Galaxy S III’s StraightTalk retail packaging, and as of now you can purchase it directly from StraighTalk’s website. The phone is unbranded and comes at the very reasonable price of $439.99. Aside from StraightTalk’s website, the S III should be available at Wal-Mart soon. Now for the bad news, the device runs on Sprint’s CDMA-LTE network. If you live in an urban area this should pose no problems, but Sprint’s service is notoriously spotty outside of cities and its LTE coverage is still sparse in comparison to Verizon and AT&T. Normally this wouldn’t be a problem, but considering the carrier (StraightTalk) uses multiple networks depending on what phone you have, its unfortunate that StraighTalk customer’s first LTE experience will have to be on Sprint’s network.
Source: HowardForums
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| Google Play Developer Console gets a major injection of new features Posted: 15 May 2013 10:47 AM PDT
Google I/O 2013 keeps churning out awesome new additions to services they offer, and the Google Play Developer Console is no exception either. As you can see in the picture above, the service includes Optimization Tips, App Translation Service, Usage Metrics & Referral Tracking, Revenue Graphics and the most applauded, Beta Testing & Staged Rollouts. All of these services are intended to help developers make better apps. App Translation helps users see were there app is used the most. If the developer see that his app is being used in Russia, however the app isn’t translated into Russian, the new service can help in that area. As I stated earlier, Beta Testing & Staged Rollout got the most reception from the group at I/O. The service is just what the name suggests. Developers will now be able to rollout better apps in the form of betas as well as getting updates to them faster. Revenue Graphs allow developers track where they are making most of their money from, whether it be in-app purchases or the app itself. Stay with us as we try to bring you all the info for these new features, as Google I/O progresses over the next few days.
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