Showing posts with label Google. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Google. Show all posts

Tuesday, October 22, 2013

Google Hangouts for iOS approaches potential with major update

Google Hangouts for iOS approaches potential with major update Google Hangouts has folded in Google Voice in the US

The Google Hangouts app for iOS just got a lot better, especially for those in the US who can now make free phone calls with the all-encompassing, multi-platform messaging and video chat application.

A new update arrived on Friday, essentially folding in Google Voice functionality and thus allowing users to make free calls to anyone in the US and Canada, and cheap calls internationally.

Outgoing calls will come from the user's Google Voice number and incoming calls will be received through the Hangouts app. That feature isn't even available within the Android version of the app yet.

Unfortunately for Brits Google Voice has never made its way across the pond, but fear not there are a few other improvements for users to enjoy.

Namely, Hangouts will no longer halt music when incoming messages are received, which had proved a serious annoyance for some users.

"Incoming messages will no longer stop your music. Instead of interrupting your groove, Google+ Hangouts will now temporarily duck your music, then crank the volume back up," wrote Kate Cushing on her Google+ page.

The app update also sees the return of the green, orange and grey circles next to contacts to indicate who's available and who is idle or offline.

And, perhaps most importantly, animated .gif files will now play in-line within conversations. Thank heavens for that.

Thilina  /  at  8:41 AM  /  No comments

Google Hangouts for iOS approaches potential with major update Google Hangouts has folded in Google Voice in the US

The Google Hangouts app for iOS just got a lot better, especially for those in the US who can now make free phone calls with the all-encompassing, multi-platform messaging and video chat application.

A new update arrived on Friday, essentially folding in Google Voice functionality and thus allowing users to make free calls to anyone in the US and Canada, and cheap calls internationally.

Outgoing calls will come from the user's Google Voice number and incoming calls will be received through the Hangouts app. That feature isn't even available within the Android version of the app yet.

Unfortunately for Brits Google Voice has never made its way across the pond, but fear not there are a few other improvements for users to enjoy.

Namely, Hangouts will no longer halt music when incoming messages are received, which had proved a serious annoyance for some users.

"Incoming messages will no longer stop your music. Instead of interrupting your groove, Google+ Hangouts will now temporarily duck your music, then crank the volume back up," wrote Kate Cushing on her Google+ page.

The app update also sees the return of the green, orange and grey circles next to contacts to indicate who's available and who is idle or offline.

And, perhaps most importantly, animated .gif files will now play in-line within conversations. Thank heavens for that.

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Google Play to finally add newspaper subscriptions with Newsstand feature?

Google Play to finally add newspaper subscriptions with Newsstand feature? Newspapers coming to devices like Nexus 7 soon?

The Google Play store offers everything from TV shows to magazines, but thus far Android tablet owners have been unable to have their favourite newspapers delivered to their digital doorstep.

That might all be about to change, according to AndroidPolice, which has spotted code for the long-rumoured Newsstand app within an upcoming revamp of the Google Play Store.

After delving inside the APK for Google Play 4.4, the site reckons Google may be close to launching the feature, which may take the place of Google Play Magazines to form one all-encompassing apps.

Like the Magazines app, it also appears from the code that free newspaper trials will be offered to users.

"Your favourite magazines and news are right here on Google Play. Pick up the latest issues or try out a free trial subscription. Read instantly with the Play Newsstandapp, even offline," reads the introduction text.

With the Nexus 5 and Android KitKat announcements seemingly just around the corner, this is probably as good a time as any for Google to roll out the feature which has been available to iPad owners for quite some time.

The company has also scheduled a 'Play' themed event in New York on October 24. Watch this space.

Via Engadget

Thilina  /  at  4:03 AM  /  No comments

Google Play to finally add newspaper subscriptions with Newsstand feature? Newspapers coming to devices like Nexus 7 soon?

The Google Play store offers everything from TV shows to magazines, but thus far Android tablet owners have been unable to have their favourite newspapers delivered to their digital doorstep.

That might all be about to change, according to AndroidPolice, which has spotted code for the long-rumoured Newsstand app within an upcoming revamp of the Google Play Store.

After delving inside the APK for Google Play 4.4, the site reckons Google may be close to launching the feature, which may take the place of Google Play Magazines to form one all-encompassing apps.

Like the Magazines app, it also appears from the code that free newspaper trials will be offered to users.

"Your favourite magazines and news are right here on Google Play. Pick up the latest issues or try out a free trial subscription. Read instantly with the Play Newsstandapp, even offline," reads the introduction text.

With the Nexus 5 and Android KitKat announcements seemingly just around the corner, this is probably as good a time as any for Google to roll out the feature which has been available to iPad owners for quite some time.

The company has also scheduled a 'Play' themed event in New York on October 24. Watch this space.

Via Engadget

Sunday, August 11, 2013

Google brings ads to Maps app

Google has recently rolled-out a redesign of its popular Google Maps app and the company has now announced that ads will now appear on the iPhone, iPad, and Android based on a user's search terms.

The Adwords integration has been announced in an official blogpost stating, "relevant ads on the Google Maps app can now appear at the bottom of the screen after a user performs a search. They include a title, ad text, and a link to get directions."

When a user then clicks on the suggested ad, they will receive business information, photos, reviews and more.

Users will then be prompted to choose between some free or paid for options. Free options include saving the information for later, sharing with a friend or starting navigation.

Paid options include 'get location details' (a standard CPC charge), click-to-call and clicks on the ad headline.

The Google Maps redesign saw the removal of the sidebar and introduction of pop-ups and emphasis on Google+ integration.

The option to search depending on activity was also unveiled, e.g. users could search based on entertainment, drinking, dining etc.

Earlier this year, Google acquired two mapping companies Locationary and HopStop to join their earlier purchase of mapping start-up Waze.

Source: Adwords


View the original article here

Thilina  /  at  4:32 AM  /  No comments

Google has recently rolled-out a redesign of its popular Google Maps app and the company has now announced that ads will now appear on the iPhone, iPad, and Android based on a user's search terms.

The Adwords integration has been announced in an official blogpost stating, "relevant ads on the Google Maps app can now appear at the bottom of the screen after a user performs a search. They include a title, ad text, and a link to get directions."

When a user then clicks on the suggested ad, they will receive business information, photos, reviews and more.

Users will then be prompted to choose between some free or paid for options. Free options include saving the information for later, sharing with a friend or starting navigation.

Paid options include 'get location details' (a standard CPC charge), click-to-call and clicks on the ad headline.

The Google Maps redesign saw the removal of the sidebar and introduction of pop-ups and emphasis on Google+ integration.

The option to search depending on activity was also unveiled, e.g. users could search based on entertainment, drinking, dining etc.

Earlier this year, Google acquired two mapping companies Locationary and HopStop to join their earlier purchase of mapping start-up Waze.

Source: Adwords


View the original article here

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Monday, July 1, 2013

Review: Updated: Google Nexus 10

Powerful processorHigh-res screenAndroid 4.2No 3G/4G optionNo expandable storageMuted colours for media

The Google Nexus 10 was only announced around a week ago but in many circles it had been anticipated since the announcement of the Google Nexus 7. After all, if Google was entering the tablet field directly then how could it resist the potentially very lucrative 10-inch market?

And here we are, just a few short months after the Nexus 7's launch and Google is taking the fight to Apple, going head-to-head for tablet supremacy.

Google Nexus 10

It's not going to be an easy fight for Google; the iPad has always been in a league of its own and has a serious head start, but Google isn't entering the fray unprepared.

At $399 for the 16GB model the Google Nexus 10 is $100 cheaper than the equivalent iPad 4, which is $499. In fact, $499 is what a 32GB Nexus 10 costs. Once again, it's $100 cheaper than the equivalent Apple tablet, since a 32GB iPad 4 will run you $599.

Google Nexus 10 review

Don't think that just because it's relatively cheap it's not a premium powerhouse device. With a retina-searing 10.05-inch 2560 x 1600 Super PLS display, it's even higher resolution than the latest iPad, with 300 pixels per inch against the iPad 4's 264ppi.

That makes it the highest resolution tablet in existence. With a display that beautiful it's reassuring to know that it uses Corning Gorilla Glass 2 to keep it in pristine condition.

It's no slouch under the hood either. With a dual-core 1.7GHz Samsung Exynos processor and 2GB of RAM it should have no problem keeping pace with the fastest Android devices. It comes with Android 4.2 out of the box and being a pure Google tablet, it will be one of the first devices to get the next version of Android, keeping it up to date and future proofed for as long as possible.

Google Nexus 10 review

It's the same tactic used for the Google Nexus 7 - produce top end hardware at the lowest price possible to get people buying. It's even learned a few lessons from the Nexus 7, as this time is isn't bothering with a cripplingly small 8GB model and making a 32GB version available from day one.

Early sales of the Google Nexus 10 have been extremely promising. Despite the slightly higher price tag compared to other tablets on the market, the Nexus 10 has sold out on Google's Play Store on multiple occasions, with buyers clearly entranced by the super high resolution screen and larger dimensions.

Right now, the Google Nexus 10 is Wi-Fi only, but if you want 3G or 4G you might not have to wait too long, as the Nexus 7 has just been made available with 3G, so we expect the Google Nexus 10 will follow suit.

Thilina  /  at  5:45 AM  /  No comments

Powerful processorHigh-res screenAndroid 4.2No 3G/4G optionNo expandable storageMuted colours for media

The Google Nexus 10 was only announced around a week ago but in many circles it had been anticipated since the announcement of the Google Nexus 7. After all, if Google was entering the tablet field directly then how could it resist the potentially very lucrative 10-inch market?

And here we are, just a few short months after the Nexus 7's launch and Google is taking the fight to Apple, going head-to-head for tablet supremacy.

Google Nexus 10

It's not going to be an easy fight for Google; the iPad has always been in a league of its own and has a serious head start, but Google isn't entering the fray unprepared.

At $399 for the 16GB model the Google Nexus 10 is $100 cheaper than the equivalent iPad 4, which is $499. In fact, $499 is what a 32GB Nexus 10 costs. Once again, it's $100 cheaper than the equivalent Apple tablet, since a 32GB iPad 4 will run you $599.

Google Nexus 10 review

Don't think that just because it's relatively cheap it's not a premium powerhouse device. With a retina-searing 10.05-inch 2560 x 1600 Super PLS display, it's even higher resolution than the latest iPad, with 300 pixels per inch against the iPad 4's 264ppi.

That makes it the highest resolution tablet in existence. With a display that beautiful it's reassuring to know that it uses Corning Gorilla Glass 2 to keep it in pristine condition.

It's no slouch under the hood either. With a dual-core 1.7GHz Samsung Exynos processor and 2GB of RAM it should have no problem keeping pace with the fastest Android devices. It comes with Android 4.2 out of the box and being a pure Google tablet, it will be one of the first devices to get the next version of Android, keeping it up to date and future proofed for as long as possible.

Google Nexus 10 review

It's the same tactic used for the Google Nexus 7 - produce top end hardware at the lowest price possible to get people buying. It's even learned a few lessons from the Nexus 7, as this time is isn't bothering with a cripplingly small 8GB model and making a 32GB version available from day one.

Early sales of the Google Nexus 10 have been extremely promising. Despite the slightly higher price tag compared to other tablets on the market, the Nexus 10 has sold out on Google's Play Store on multiple occasions, with buyers clearly entranced by the super high resolution screen and larger dimensions.

Right now, the Google Nexus 10 is Wi-Fi only, but if you want 3G or 4G you might not have to wait too long, as the Nexus 7 has just been made available with 3G, so we expect the Google Nexus 10 will follow suit.

Posted in: , , , Read Complete Article»
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