Android Verification Code for Google Accounts

When you're signing in to a Google account from a different country, Google asks you to <a href="https://support.google.com/accounts/answer/2506340">confirm your identity</a>. You can enter your recovery email address or phone number, enter a verification code received in an SMS messages or voice call and now you can enter <a href="https://support.google.com/accounts/answer/6046815?hl=en">a code generated by your Android device</a>.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7CV2FfcmYRve2WLebDbst2DmaO4cz34l62Ugvq5SBcHi-0sbuggf4Y-7_ynLYYPxzdrp6wkYz8JypXEfJhzcVagDdiOP4RkcR9N0YzTR1fpfBgbeMGKXX9Humw6ImdjO4TrlQtB5YKIOb/s1600/google-verify.png" /></div><br />"If you're signing in from a different location than you usually do, we may ask you to enter a code from the Google Settings app on your Android phone or tablet to make sure you own the account. You don't need an internet connection or phone/SMS connectivity to get codes using this app."<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGfnHEBZ7ITXZDJFrSdjl7Y0UXDey2e2qYw6RSPGDl4by6azPIndNsS_lS862nT-dtIuvTc5bKVLLlL5wCYtuKrPPU1n04EKyNoqAwe-tpSrFDUkGXjBWsl52zF8PO5bK0qakFEE6_bsHm/s1600/get-code-1.png" /><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgZdJt3VErg9p5VvZE3r2udScnjseQtftJuoP0Laz2BMt_Bc57OiutPidAu1P0HxWmv-HDC6sGFDWBILZ8pozGA29oHT8-nd7TGYuijiU3YBHgXTf6quVTgR_Dwx_sNQkhVDE3UpkE0Ked/s1600/get-code-2.png" /></div><br />The Google Settings app is the UI for Google Play Services, Google's framework that delivers new features and APIs without installing a new Android version. It has nothing to do with the built-in Settings app, which is part of the operating system and can't be updated by Google.<br /><br />The verification code has 8 digits and it can be obtained by opening the Google Settings app, tapping the menu button and selecting "Get verification code".<br /><br />{ Thanks, <a href="https://plus.google.com/+HerinMaru/">Herin Maru</a>. }

Android Verification Code for Google Accounts

When you're signing in to a Google account from a different country, Google asks you to confirm your identity . You can enter your recov...

Read more »

Android Apps in Chrome OS

Google built an app runtime for Chrome that allows Android apps to run in Chrome OS. <a href="http://chrome.blogspot.com/2014/09/first-set-of-android-apps-coming-to.html">The first Android apps</a> you can run in Chrome OS are <a href="https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/duolingo/ebnhfamfopiobpaehmebmfjcgkaogihe">Duolingo</a>, <a href="http://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/dhfolfjkgpeaojbiicgheljefkfbbfkc">Evernote</a>, <a href="https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/kids-sight-words/inpoiemibmljfjmjmlokfdllnkjejhai">Sight Words</a> and <a href="https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/vine/plfjlfohfjjpmmifkbcmalnmcebkklkh">Vine</a>.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfkilDGE3kS1kiCVb69HOYG53aExTi-qphJrOYzgzka2Wsmmvgmw8g97dsM38dUEMhdTA0iBmsfOlZMfkrd6Z_g9lkMop7k635xj2BgCSQ1mnOEWVyMl8ckXtUvRnKUj1-c4aVRgcW_hG6/s1600/chrome-os-android-app.png" /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYbOQRieuh6Q4XSC6k92EZypipaFEAma4i5Lhyphenhyphen5tiimO38ev2DfBtdKz6P1n0glt_PTSXrjpuB7D3tdwH-XDudsXr2kn0N1uFgG0JmS_shdh-2fUayIjXrjeFbJo_Drw6EIv9bCKcqVGWA/s1600/duolingo-android-in-chrome-os.png" /></div><br />Bringing more powerful apps to Chrome OS is a great idea. Making it easier to bring mobile apps to Chrome encourages developers to go beyond web apps and write native apps that work offline, include hardware integration and work outside of the browser. While cross-platform web apps are still useful, <a href="http://googlesystem.blogspot.com/2013/05/the-new-chrome-apps.html">the new Chrome apps</a> can bring some missing features that people expect to find in native apps. "These combine the best of websites and native applications — they're available offline, are always up to date, and they can communicate with devices like USB drives & Bluetooth speakers," explains Google.<br /><br />"These first apps are the result of a project called the App Runtime for Chrome (Beta), which we announced earlier this summer at Google I/O. Over the coming months, we'll be working with a select group of Android developers to add more of your favorite apps so you'll have a more seamless experience across your Android phone and Chromebook," <a href="http://chrome.blogspot.com/2014/09/first-set-of-android-apps-coming-to.html">informs Google</a>. You can <a href="http://www.chromebook.com/newapps">tell Google</a> what Android apps you'd like to be ported to Chrome.<br /><br />For now, the first 4 apps can only be installed in Chrome OS, but I'm sure that Google will add support for Chrome in the near future.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8sgIuKG4K1fXlp1ruGhC5suVP3tLmiRi-kFS41PtuRKzbCRTHLMwTjiYgTprM9ZonVtpM24ZZsN7ujoFXbH_SSzqef7AMlkFSkFyQJxThYYR4W4AmbeROoUDKn5X3MkUS0P1JiwEG1xqj/s1600/chrome-app-not-compatible.png" /></div><br />It's interesting to notice that the apps aren't manually ported to Chrome, as I assumed. <a href="http://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2014/09/chrome-os-can-now-run-android-apps-no-porting-required/">Here's an explanation</a> from a Google employee:<br /><br />"The app code is all running on top of the Chrome platform, specifically inside of Native Client. In this way the ARC (Android Runtime for Chrome) apps run in the same environment as other apps you can download from the Chrome Web Store, even though they are written on top of standard Android APIs. The developers do not need to port or modify their code, though they often choose to improve it to work well with the Chromebook form factor (keyboard, touchpad, optional touchscreen, etc)."<br /><br />Here's an APK for Duolingo (Android app) inside the CRX file (Chrome app):<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcTrD2xj0EA-KGUmxrrm-nXiYhjofnhfE0mTHu0E2nWI33wUljLYNHzI9PEi4Aqga7pgv4T9oyxZHTEECce7vFuS3fMGOw-zsrymIG3AhBJZehrwSQtLqpz4xaklvA54SDiDhzxauULBf6/s1600/apk-inside-crx.png" /></div>

Android Apps in Chrome OS

Google built an app runtime for Chrome that allows Android apps to run in Chrome OS. The first Android apps you can run in Chrome OS are D...

Read more »

Offline Android Games

Google Play Store has <a href="https://play.google.com/store/apps/collection/promotion_3000933_offlinegamemea">a collection of games that work offline</a>. It's a hand-picked list of free and paid games like Despicable Me, Asphalt 8, Dots, Minecraft, Riptide GP, Temple Run 2 and more.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4mRbYlB3e7tq6DxNKF6L1C_lTnf8wkAekNXMjEfU22vdtz5fVigAeL2YYmsFpBv8qkloOAWJbVfYKRH7TjMzsFQf4ycUTutZPmELpWugLZUFVu6E9L95QqqzuT7mAZvTmwmg1VDcaiIM0/s1600/android-offline-games.png" /></div><br />"Whether you're in airplane mode or stuck with zero bars, all these games require is your thumb. Now you can play your heart out from anywhere with our selection of off-line games," <a href="https://plus.google.com/106886664866983861036/posts/WPJxCRV1GSS">says Google</a>.<br /><br />Maybe Google should allow users to create their own collections they could share with other people. <a href="https://www.google.com/search?q=site%3Aplay.google.com%2Fstore%2Fapps%2Fcollection%2F">A Google search</a> reveals a lot of Google Play collections: Get Things Done, Essential Games, Abstract Puzzlers, MMORPGs, Hidden Gems, Mood Boosters, Picture Taking, For The Power User and more. There are also <a href="https://www.google.com/search?q=site%3Aplay.google.com%2Fstore%2Fmusic%2Fcollection%2F">music collections</a>, <a href="https://www.google.com/search?q=site%3Aplay.google.com%2Fstore%2Fmovies%2Fcollection%2F">movie collections</a>, <a href="https://www.google.com/search?q=site%3Aplay.google.com%2Fstore%2Fbooks%2Fcollection%2F">books collections</a>, <a href="https://www.google.com/search?q=site%3Aplay.google.com%2Fstore%2Fnewsstand%2Fcollection%2F">Newsstand collections</a>.

Offline Android Games

Google Play Store has a collection of games that work offline . It's a hand-picked list of free and paid games like Despicable Me, Aspha...

Read more »

How Many Android Apps You've Installed?

You can find a list of all the Android apps you've ever installed from the Play Store using your current Google account in both the Google Play Store app (My Apps > All) and the <a href="https://play.google.com/apps">Play Store site</a>. For some reason, the site doesn't use pagination and doesn't load content as you scroll, so you need to wait until Google displays a long list of apps.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0neML-n4zD0TVui7RGgSs8_lrm7H6oBYPLgtN2xefsQTcIHzaRNgPpw7-fOcTFnefwtpNV1m1xRDkqs5Ys4F20fnyEVF7AF_3U2MkoBUVafwzz0CE6Taa9gh47qcHDKr7C93XDYNBySxK/s1600/my-android-apps.png" /></div><br />Google doesn't offer a way to filter the list of apps you've installed or downloaded, but you can use your browser's find-in-page feature (Ctrl+F or Cmd+F for Mac). The list is sorted alphabetically in the Play Store site, while the Play Store app displays recently installed apps first.<br /><br />Google Play doesn't even show the number of Play Store apps you've installed on your Android devices over the years. If you're curious to find the actual number, go to <a href="https://www.google.com/settings/dashboard">Google Dashboard</a> and scroll to Play Store.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLhOCK3T0CVW5u1z7ey5zCkRnvOEwmYGWufxJ3KH2P5fL4NqDRXP21jOCFjlSwxP9w2GPDWek8e26_e34I4Tc7nTAeAguWdLqydc-2SnR5gxeQK9CtNd4BxJ74Pf0IGwj17u1JOEbiXQGh/s1600/my-android-apps-count.png" /></div><br />The Play Store app lets you remove apps from the list, but the Dashboard number is still accurate.

How Many Android Apps You've Installed?

You can find a list of all the Android apps you've ever installed from the Play Store using your current Google account in both the Goog...

Read more »

Google Audio History

A recent update to the <a href="https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.google.android.googlequicksearchbox">Google Search app for Android</a> added enhanced support for the "OK Google" hotword. If you go to the settings, tap "Voice", then "OK Google Detection", you can enable "from any screen" and "from lock screen". This way, you can say "OK Google" to start a voice search or action when the screen is on or the device is charging and even from the lock screen. Right now, this feature is limited to English/US and requires Android KitKat.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhl1gh0ruAtot6vogqmL0Eolmni3WRHiGVpdZZw8Q_Ch7VzxnQ3WoAB79ANmq0dKQouH-DvEPo5_qbWbGm4pRc_8K22XuWctIkOYCfvGRCHq9oQNw6Wtwrzwa5oxCmEZDDtXpaEVlwOvHX/s1600/ok-google-android-1.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhl1gh0ruAtot6vogqmL0Eolmni3WRHiGVpdZZw8Q_Ch7VzxnQ3WoAB79ANmq0dKQouH-DvEPo5_qbWbGm4pRc_8K22XuWctIkOYCfvGRCHq9oQNw6Wtwrzwa5oxCmEZDDtXpaEVlwOvHX/s1600/ok-google-android-1.png" /></a><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG31r_gqwf_WeKiz9HknAbez-E6QJMlhnMCynZq-cPCKtiRVeYv1Y2IMiZv3Fh6ycYpFmMjChDI89oIY6w7uyCaXgKxvOIEFx2LxVzQQu9zvkoVJXPaEUq_A3N2h3__NIWyrOP4DaEEI6I/s1600/ok-google-android-2.png" /></div><br />When you enable these features, Google asks you to say "OK Google" 3 times to train the speech recognition software and it also enables Audio History. "When you use voice activation commands such as 'OK Google' or touching a microphone icon, a recording of the next thing you say, plus a few seconds before, may be used and stored by Google and associated with your Google Account to help recognize your voice and improve speech recognition."<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTcR1yoQsRWFnQAmGg1ED15UQ54O9CXWJjrknc3h2zj3DBiK9iuoqJiPwRSV-7S51wpvegRZGFucxS9r1r1PJUBHzMVUU0nHGARrVba93YcDs-Q6c7gjATnE1saXoJSpZK2ctXSA7HScTb/s1600/ok-google-android-3.png" /> <img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDsOEy_5NjDifyNfrfTz31Ur9reFC1WwSeccA09_OcNm6p1Ag46yJu4H3YlQDEaXKMSESQ7NxaYZSi1WIdg6JtM-k43No6y9ZevoDIf9hGZCLxz1KSQOghcsCxGccrNMmCVcvWYq4hlV4F/s1600/ok-google-android-4.png" /></div><br />Your recordings are available online at the <a href="https://history.google.com/history/audio">Google Audio History page</a>. "Only you can see your history. Some items may take up to an hour to display," informs Google. You can delete the recordings, play them or click the Google search links. Click the "gear" drop-down menu, click "delete" and you can pick from "past hour", "past day", "past week", "last 4 weeks", "the beginning of time" (the same options that are used by Chrome's "clear browsing data" feature).<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEvXS3c6BmV-Jj-MSefpnpx4NzW8gUyncaP1cvikGT0GVD7-FlPh3Dy3GJcW4SanMp7ECCU-nVg6KXlkVNgSwXvNg4kqV9Q3jdYTYUMzxcV9fMSSk3UcrpcMZL19lD-KjxHpSnOZ87dBeq/s1600/google-audio-history.png" /></div><br />You can disable Google Audio History from the Android app's settings, but this also disables "OK Google" detection from any screen or from the lock screen. "When Audio History is off, voice searches will be stored using anonymous identifiers and won't be saved to your Audio History, even if you're signed in to your Google Account," <a href="https://support.google.com/websearch/answer/6030020">informs Google</a>.<br /><br />"Google uses your Audio History to: learn the sound of your voice, learn how you pronounce words and phrases, recognize when you say 'Ok Google' and improve speech recognition across Google products that use your voice."<br /><br />The new Audio History feature seems to replace <a href="http://googlemobile.blogspot.com/2010/12/voice-search-gets-personal.html">Personalized Voice Recognition</a>, an opt-in setting added back in 2010. "If you opt into personalized recognition, we begin to associate the recordings of the words that you ask us to recognize with your Google account. We then automatically use these words to build a speech model specifically for you. This speech model enables us to deliver greater recognition accuracy," explained Google back then. <br /><br />While it makes sense for Google to improve the voice search history and build personalized voice models, I can't find any connection between the improved "OK Google" detection, which works offline, and the Audio History online service. It's probably an artificial requirement, just like the Google Now feature, which requires enabling location services in iOS, but not when using Android.<br /><!-- Blogger automated replacement: "https://images-blogger-opensocial.googleusercontent.com/gadgets/proxy?url=http%3A%2F%2F4.bp.blogspot.com%2F-Uf5jPU7h-Ck%2FU7_aQ6UgQ4I%2FAAAAAAAB-Ys%2F8XB23jlY-So%2Fs1600%2Fok-google-android-1.png&container=blogger&gadget=a&rewriteMime=image%2F*" with "https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhl1gh0ruAtot6vogqmL0Eolmni3WRHiGVpdZZw8Q_Ch7VzxnQ3WoAB79ANmq0dKQouH-DvEPo5_qbWbGm4pRc_8K22XuWctIkOYCfvGRCHq9oQNw6Wtwrzwa5oxCmEZDDtXpaEVlwOvHX/s1600/ok-google-android-1.png" -->

Google Audio History

A recent update to the Google Search app for Android added enhanced support for the "OK Google" hotword. If you go to the setting...

Read more »

Chromecast Adds Support for Android Screen Mirroring

As previously announced at Google I/O, Chromecast is about to become a lot more functional. The latest version of the <a href="https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.google.android.apps.chromecast.app">Chromecast app for Android</a> (that's version 1.7) adds support for screen mirroring. The feature is still in beta and it's limited to <a href="https://support.google.com/chromecast/answer/6059461">a few high-end Android phones and tablets</a> running Android KitKat 4.4.1+: Nexus 4, 5, 7 (second generation only) and 10, Samsung Galaxy S4 and S5, Note 3 and 10, HTC One M7, LG G2, G3 and G Pro 2. Google promises to add more devices to the list.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL01o1kHfrj6Gy6k1_v50xkByt83ZJwLsup55V8v2Q2l7VupzjeCxAoReBHim8LcAxCLJAfRm_zJLS0sxQ-G1WR-DNNx1karjSkMAYkT3zGj2kRay3akPxFPfmtoQDURP-MKQ_r30X9UNv/s1600/cast-screen-android.png" /></div><br />"To start mirroring, simply select 'Cast Screen' from the navigation drawer in the Chromecast app and select your Chromecast device. On Nexus devices, this feature is also available through the quick settings menu," <a href="http://chrome.blogspot.com/2014/07/mirror-your-android-screen-to-tv-with.html">explains Google</a>.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDtvkU0oX7-CB1rZuLO0qWTVogoQ90ObaBnoYYqb0CZ9pr7-nMpdkbprJtlFpu2psu37q1OHELKlUOVDprJYTGF2iyG2xALcgPD-YCm0dOSRcec6CqotWZXs4ALrPgOEESZ1lGn3WPmVJT/s1600/cast-screen-android-2.png" /></div><br />Hopefully, Android L will add native support for screen mirroring, so you'll no longer have to use the Chromecast app.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.google.com/intl/en/chrome/devices/chromecast/apps.html">This screenshot</a> shows screen casting in action. Obviously, the entire screen is mirrored, including the on-screen navigation buttons, if your device has them. <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3SF4Qc_IwCIGtCYGPiQhWrIaXLU1eISl-Iap5WhkkNlNkw7Y3oz4DvHQkQI3h_mutTA-AKjr_bx_eo8J2N6oVwacSkLDBj2-wj8JmlDVzKOFhW-1Bb5caJ3mX005Beh2HMNaSoA0T_J6u/s1600/cast-screen-android-3.png" /></div>

Chromecast Adds Support for Android Screen Mirroring

As previously announced at Google I/O, Chromecast is about to become a lot more functional. The latest version of the Chromecast app for And...

Read more »

From Google TV to Android TV

I was curios to find how Google plans to restart the Google TV project, so I checked the developer sites for <a href="https://developers.google.com/tv/android/">Google TV</a> and <a href="http://developer.android.com/preview/tv/">Android TV</a> to find some differences. Android TV seems to be a simplified Google TV built along the lines of Apple TV.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX6No0rqnqXyfnGUmI-KkLRHi6Pc_lWlyXQWkrPgsnRbatmRyx9Ff1OpxO_k2CKE4kUMoy2iTuigp0mRwQLswbyOO3CjGIBMj-UzmdB83GeqkW7Owuj6fvUHBtW9lnzzlQCoE_QM2JdweM/s1600/android-tv-full.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Android TV</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyOhfAeAwrRCt2Evnic7A3jfHm7bCrFvcp0Sqly0Tt7ErGkqlJXUzC-9rY5jOfa3-KsHd35mFrY0aZFKP7fvoGchWJzgYJEvOsQitjTiNowsza-MkAfRHOpMyWnKHU8rGPve9DdgS8qso_/s1600/google-tv.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyOhfAeAwrRCt2Evnic7A3jfHm7bCrFvcp0Sqly0Tt7ErGkqlJXUzC-9rY5jOfa3-KsHd35mFrY0aZFKP7fvoGchWJzgYJEvOsQitjTiNowsza-MkAfRHOpMyWnKHU8rGPve9DdgS8qso_/s1600/google-tv.png" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Google TV</td></tr></tbody></table><br />1. <b>Navigation: from keyboards and mice to remote controls</b><br /><br />"Google TV devices always include a keyboard and a pointing device that controls the cursor. Many users will have these next to them as they view TV. The two may be combined into a single physical device, and this device may also include a mouse controller." Android TV has <a href="http://developer.android.com/preview/tv/ui/navigation.html">a more limited scope</a>: "On a TV device, users navigate with controls on a remote control device, using either a directional pad (D-pad) or arrow keys." While keyboards are still supported, they're no longer that useful.<br /><br />2. <b>Avoiding text input</b><br /><br />While Google TV devices included keyboards, Android TV recommends developers to <a href="http://developer.android.com/preview/tv/design/principles.html">avoid text input</a>. "Avoid making users enter text whenever possible, and use voice interfaces when you require text input."<br /><br />3. <b>Avoiding text altogether</b><br /><br />Google TV's <a href="https://developers.google.com/tv/android/docs/gtv_android_patterns#Display">dev pages</a> suggested to "limit each paragraph to no more than 90 words and break text into small chunks that users can quickly scan". <a href="http://developer.android.com/preview/tv/design/principles.html">Android TV's guidelines</a> tell developers to "avoid using on-screen text to convey information and purpose. Tell your story with pictures and sound."<br /><br />4. <b>From computing to content consumption</b><br /><br />Google TV included a browser with Flash support and encouraged developers to optimize their sites for the platform. Android TV tells <a href="http://developer.android.com/preview/tv/design/principles.html">a different story</a>: "The TV is an entertainment interface, not a computer or mobile device. Optimize for activities that put content at the center: from the casual posture of movie-watching, to immersive gameplay, to hanging out with friends in a living room." And <a href="http://developer.android.com/preview/tv/games/index.html">another thing</a>: "We discourage including web browsing in games for Android TV. The television set is not well-suited for browsing, either in terms of display or control scheme."<br /><br />5. <b>Simplicity</b><br /><br />One of the main issues with Google TV was that it was complicated to use. "Android TV is simple and magical. It's all about finding and enjoying content and apps with the least amount of friction."<br /><br />Google TV's goal was to bring the Web to the TV. That didn't work well: content providers blocked Google TV, input devices were clunky and people didn't like browsing the Web on their TVs. So now Android TV tries to bring the Android ecosystem to the TV: the focus is on content, immersive interfaces and simple navigation.<br /><br />Here's the <a href="http://googlesystem.blogspot.com/2010/05/google-tv-announced.html">2010</a> introduction video to Google TV:<br /><br /><div><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="320" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/diTpeYoqAhc?feature=player_embedded" width="580"></iframe></div>

From Google TV to Android TV

I was curios to find how Google plans to restart the Google TV project, so I checked the developer sites for Google TV and Android TV to f...

Read more »

Understanding Android Wear

<a href="http://www.android.com/wear">Android Wear</a> watches work best when paired with phones running Android 4.3 or later. You can also pair them with tablets, but they're more useful as phone companions. Android 4.3 brings support for Bluetooth 4.0 and that's the reason why it's required.<br /><br />There's <a href="https://support.google.com/androidwear/answer/6056390?hl=en&ref_topic=6056405">no app store</a> for Android Wear: the watch will show information from the apps you've installed on your phone. Android Wear has a simple interface for displaying notifications, Google Now cards and a few customization options. Watches don't make sounds for notifications, they only vibrate. You can only use voice input and this works when you are online.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWrCKAy5QmIIUrSi6kr9T-nMWG2gSsi1dYt7tGEKK-TK8Z-Trfcd3D7ffwiz4UrPKeciFtqsFnherc1bRniCPKvDEhuDdAbXz3u0eN3_sjewLddAGrzWmLSCqfKuA3uoQje_BW4KMlngrS/s1600/lg-gwatch.png" /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOjClpkZcFQVUIBR2u73kkyuy74JAMPCE1ipDLahrRy0ZVUwPkD1NVrCxK-xChABJD_WD6LI7g7-JMoKjtnHKdt25xQfs3Qg3xTqiX9nm6TZVjJ3av4p5nB3hXbRRSCZZon3i6r7LBJ_oY/s1600/samsung-gear-live.png" /></div><br />So what happens when you aren't near your phone or you unpair your watch from your phone? You can still use <a href="https://support.google.com/androidwear/answer/6056862">some basic features</a>: tell the time, alarm, stopwatch, timer, view calendar for today, step count, heart rate (if supported), change watch face and enable airplane mode. Basically, it's a combination of watch, timer and pedometer.<br /><br />Android Wear watches don't bring any new feature, they're just a more convenient way to access your notifications and Google Now cards. A second screen for your phone that displays useful information, so that you only use your phone when it's necessary. It's also a way to <a href="https://support.google.com/androidwear/answer/6056824">quickly find information</a> or <a href="https://support.google.com/androidwear/answer/6056802">perform simple actions</a> like setting reminders, controlling music, taking notes or replying to texts and emails - all of them using your voice. "OK Google" is the magic hotword.<br /><br />Android Wear's tagline is "information that moves with you". <a href="https://play.google.com/store/devices/collection/promotion_500013a_android_wear_us">The first two Android Wear</a> watches from Samsung and LG cost from $199 to $229 and don't have impressive specs. Battery life is limited to 1-2 days and that's one of the most important things that need to be improved. Unlike Samsung's Gear watch that runs its own software, they don't have a camera and they don't let you answer phone calls.<br /><br />Computing devices get smaller and smaller, they're powerful because they're always with you. Still, it's important to keep in mind that Android Wear watches aren't standalone devices, they're only companion devices. They're water resistant, so they're better suited for an active lifestyle.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/QrqZl2QIz0c" width="560"></iframe></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/wiveM2l5e6s" width="560"></iframe></div><br />Google Now and Google Voice Search are great for interacting with a simple device that has a small screen. Hopefully, Android Wear forces Google to add APIs that allow other apps to add Google Now cards and voice actions.

Understanding Android Wear

Android Wear watches work best when paired with phones running Android 4.3 or later. You can also pair them with tablets, but they're m...

Read more »

The New Android

Somewhere between the new gadget releases and the new Android flavours, there's a new Android and it doesn't look like the old one. The old Android was about developers and customization, the new Android is about users and user experience. To control the user experience, customization will take the back seat.<br /><br /><a href="http://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2014/06/android-wear-auto-and-tv-save-you-from-skins-and-oems-from-themselves/">ArsTechnica reports</a> that Android TV, Android Wear and Android Auto won't allow hardware manufacturers to change the interface. The software will be updated by Google and manufacturers will only be able to add some apps and some hardware features.<br /><br />"The UI is more part of the product in this case," said Google engineering director David Burke. "We want to just have a very consistent user experience, so if you have one TV in one room and another TV in another room and they both say Android TV, we want them to work the same and look the same... The device manufacturers can brand it, and they might have services that they want to include with it, but otherwise it should be the same."<br /><br />Much like Chromebooks, the new Android devices will be frequently updated by Google. Even if you're buying a Chromebook from Samsung, HP or Acer, you're getting almost identical software and similar user experience, but slightly different hardware.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLuuOE40bDzLfuqW7ZkPdLmntei7mQMeKa1eMcetzQvK5e_ouRD-G-hzCYFcixATNH1sthiAlmX4Kg1HIpzMzxnH-dzdA1pHtowNhoYBZ2O4_w4GPxWVwz00AjFwROIC5dOxXI_XeT65fq/s1600/android-wear.png" /></div><br />Back when the first Android phones were released, Google was more focused on adding features and APIs and cared less about user experience. Manufacturers had to create their own apps and skins to sell phones. This fostered a vibrant ecosystem, but also created problems: devices are slow to update, Google's guidelines are sometimes ignored by manufacturers, user experience suffers. Apple started with the user experience and added the missing features later, Android started with the features and improved the user experience later.<br /><br />"The new Android projects Google talked about at I/O this year circumvent the [fragmentation] problem entirely by not offering that kind of freedom to OEMs in the first place. That might make it more difficult for them to differentiate their products from one another, but it saves them a ton of development work and gives users more consistent, more secure devices that all pick up new features at the same time," <a href="http://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2014/06/android-wear-auto-and-tv-save-you-from-skins-and-oems-from-themselves/">concludes ArsTechnica</a>.<br /><br />They're more like Windows Phone devices. Strict guidelines, consistent interface and branding.

The New Android

Somewhere between the new gadget releases and the new Android flavours, there's a new Android and it doesn't look like the old one. ...

Read more »

Google Play Services Delivers Security Updates

One of the most important new features announced at Google I/O was that Google Play Services will deliver security updates. <br /><br />Google Play Services started as a way to solve Android's fragmentation problem: instead of adding APIs to new Android versions, they were added to Play Services, which was bundled with almost any Android device and updated automatically by Google. Play Services became a clever tool that allowed Google to add new features to Android without waiting until phone manufacturers update their software.<br /><br />Now it looks like Google can deliver timely security updates using the same software bundle. Apparently, <a href="http://android-developers.blogspot.com/2014/06/developer-preview-and-play-services-5.html">Google uses</a> a "Dynamic Security Provider, which offers an alternative to the platform's secure networking APIs that can be updated more frequently, for faster delivery of security patches."<br /><br />Google Play Services is updated <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wtLJPvx7-ys&feature=youtu.be&t=45m35s">every 6 weeks</a> and about 93% of the Android devices have the latest version. "By updating this application, Google can keep as many Android devices and Android users up to date with software, services, and security issues," mentions <a href="http://www.forbes.com/sites/ewanspence/2014/06/25/google-has-93-of-android-users-on-the-latest-google-play-service-outperforming-apples-ios7-adoption-rate/">Ewan Spence from Forbes</a>, who suggests that Play Services is also a way for Google to control the Android platform and make it more difficult to fork Android, since Play Services is not open source. "By being in complete control of the access to Google Play Services, and by association the other closed source apps that consumers feel are integral to the Android experience, Google acts as a gatekeeper to the successful Android world."<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTan8BQKGceidXV-blAiM4gfQLJUKoi8HsOMeYoVU2jAB85ekJeA50RsWX6HZlK2JMrbfrF9wjsiubv-vRQmISaPHjVWUR0z7FnvlmvfSuj1DnamEyqignO6lUa614JSsIqJfdWmieB7Lj/s580/Screen+Shot+2014-06-28+at+1.35.16+.png" /></div>

Google Play Services Delivers Security Updates

One of the most important new features announced at Google I/O was that Google Play Services will deliver security updates. Google Play Serv...

Read more »

Android Developer Previews

This year, Google changed the way it releases new Android versions. Just like Apple, Google released <a href="http://developer.android.com/preview/index.html">a developer preview</a> that allows developers to test their apps, add new features, tweak their UIs before regular users install the new Android version.<br /><br />This make sense, considering that Android L (Android 5.0) is probably the biggest new release since Android 1.0. There's a new runtime (ART replaces Dalvik), 64-bit support, a completely new design language, there are a lot of new APIs and new classes of devices that require optimized interfaces.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFkY1Eot6gwdzF2e8m2LVtnow9JQwfi2a3l9y8f17MrX_1wDga1I3o1w3Rz4C9M03Fvlrf_7m674hIWrfn8k3ZVAxc0dZoTJ_U109i_pmxk4WnU4hFI8TQq7b7iRtI7h8tBsmt-MGA9JK4/s1600/android-dev-preview.png" /></div><br />"The Developer Preview lets you explore features and capabilities of the L release and get started developing and testing on the new platform. The L Developer Preview includes updated SDK tools, system images for testing on an emulator, and system images for testing on a Nexus 5 or Nexus 7 device." Only the latest of version of Nexus 7 Wifi is supported. "With the SDK Tools, and Nexus device images, you can get a head start on testing out your app on the latest Android platform months before the official launch. You can use the extra lead time to take advantage of all the new app features and APIs in your apps," <a href="http://android-developers.blogspot.com/2014/06/android-l-developer-preview-and-android.html">informs Google</a>.<br /><br />A yearly major release with a few months of beta testing has a lot of advantages:<br /><br />* bugs can be found faster and the final release will be better. There's <a href="https://code.google.com/p/android-developer-preview/">a bug tracker for the Dev Preview</a><br />* Nexus phones and tablets are actually used as developer devices<br />* both iOS and Windows Phone allow developers to install early releases. Android is now more developer-friendly<br />* developers are expected to test their apps in the new Android version and take advantage of the new features, so Android apps will get better<br />* developers have more time to read about the latest features and to update their apps<br />* developers and power users feel important because they get to try the latest features faster<br />* there's more hype about the latest Android release: journalists and bloggers write more articles about the new features because not everyone wants to install "dev preview" software<br />* phone manufactures have a few more months to integrate, optimize and test their own software<br />* when the new Android version is publicly released, more devices will be updated (not just Nexus and Play Edition phones and tablets)<br />* new Android versions will get significant market share faster.<br /><br />To sum up, Android developer previews are better for developers, users, phone manufacturers and for Google. Developers, manufactures and Google have more time to improve their software, while users will install a better OS and higher quality apps.

Android Developer Previews

This year, Google changed the way it releases new Android versions. Just like Apple, Google released a developer preview that allows develo...

Read more »

Android Everywhere

In a few years, Android has become the dominant mobile OS. Still, Google has a lot of challenges ahead. Android is very popular when it comes to mobile phones, has started to become popular in the tablet space and that's about it. Google TV failed, the home automation project wasn't successful and Google bought Nest, wearables are still new, cars are uncharted territory.<br /><br />Google's challenge was to replicate Android's success and make Android the OS that powers all of your smart devices. To do this, Google had to come up with a new design language that works well on any Android device from a smart watch to a smart TV. It's called <a href="http://www.google.com/design/">Material Design</a> and it's inspired by paper and ink, by surfaces and their tactile attributes, by light and movement. Material Design is Google's unified design language for mobile apps and web apps, so it's not limited to the next Android release.<br /><br />"A single underlying design system organizes interaction and space. Each device reflects a different view of the same underlying system. Each view is tailored to the size and interaction appropriate for that device. Colors. iconography, hierarchy, and spatial relationship remain constant."<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK20uox6K2QgLmuKH53XZ0sIvM5E_9uH9mCOllpvfE22iuJJS5iasEZmEBLj4dMeRF7fC_mA9RNJmStUowKteFALo1uHxWTs9T5BKQn96075-3utuIRCMoK9pXZw2J-5hS971OGwlS1jrq/s1600/material-design-2.png" /><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipaGeMtoVjh63-83d5inYsesIEkdJfclzch7DPFUrXsnVc_MFYPqPRk0utg7SFDbxOekxbcfPB8YIchpzrNU2cPQOzfO1ir9QAH-H4xCSjTw1evHiz7yZ1m-GB6pkFkkhRC21wfkl0Vz5p/s1600/material-design.png" /></div><br />The next version of Android is only available as a developer preview called "Android L". Google will reveal the name when Android L will be released in a few months. So what's new in Android L? ART, the new Android runtime that brings improved performance, 64-bit support, better battery life (Project Volta) and a new battery saver mode, Bluetooth 4.1 support, Android Extension Pack with support for desktop-level graphics performance, lockscreen notifications, do not disturb, enterprise features based on Samsung Knox, color space correction and a lot more.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYVLC9VJCHz9qSDu8TTdngzLF1skmgx7Z0rt9wULL5bpkMRI0wPxL_SV32RNR_W3kUZi3eA76VaC1Dul3RwrHgm9CtfrHVsue4uDzy4soJTOKu_Bh3DpGsJ-T4HPBOB3CnZ7nPzg9DBQhH/s1600/android-l.png" /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeg-m8571N_FoKxshHc0t69vahOdHEikiemZZErmB6pNap-RyQv9nXe4jiTY2rywwCOCkLwa9eU0GXEgNzL-T0JJW8OUvFrJASXtj2keRvC5l_eL2A1jdMEbdu35GaeZ9GyLJ-I83hUpn8/s1600/android-l-notifications.png" /></div><br /><a href="http://www.android.com/wear">Android Wear</a> has a SDK and it powers the first 3 Android smart watches: LG G Watch and Samsung Gear Live (available today on Google Play) and Moto 360. Android Wear uses a simple card-based interface, it integrates with other Android devices and allows you to see your notifications and to interact with the apps from another Android device (for example, play music on your phone). If you dismiss a notification on your watch, it will also be dismissed on your phone.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAEwhs8Tszz3nB6zylvWOGnihPIb1Hlhyphenhyphenz9y8V0D0cGcwWCdss6K4otHwCkoSbFcf5PtjAEZxUDZl4Fx26v__QxPUsEBwvFiEOzqf4ceyVOZ9sD7-M9VxyphIoUe-ssoW9971L3QaKWdzy/s1600/android-wear.png" /></div><br /><a href="http://www.android.com/auto/">Android Auto</a> allows you to integrate your Android phone with your car. "Android Auto was designed with safety in mind. With a simple and intuitive interface, integrated steering wheel controls, and powerful new voice actions, it's designed to minimize distraction so you can stay focused on the road." Connect your phone to your car and use the custom-tailored interfaces for apps like Google Maps, Play Music, Google Search and more.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioDhGiNZLWpelNan843L7An8f1NgcWvvxanz2j0U3vKNxtJEuDMoT74DpmhRfNzSfQDVk5agUIp3uoUjiBIfvxDwlEBM5nkLgX02PmskKiECqimign18WTw2lqQTokduXGNGRzst6mPgio/s1600/android-auto.png" /></div><br />Android Auto is coming later this year for new cars from automakers like Ford, Fiat, Honda, Mazda, Volkswagen, Audi, Renault, Opel, Chevrolet and more.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.android.com/tv/">Android TV</a> lets you run Android apps on your TV. It supports Google Cast, so it includes Chromecast functionality. Android TV should power smart TVs and set top boxes, just like Google TV. So what's different this time? Chromecast brought content providers on board, Android TV is easier to use and optimized for entertainment devices, not for computing devices.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiwrra-rVnSjv2Y3JU2rD469kltw6eKW1pAjESUCsD4LuctqD9vVcM3nDRopM2MHOFRHCZkKPMswFBSNxQGla7h8xCLcnmG6dn-U2eE9plYD8RzLl2M63SRgEg7SvXsyW_9py32LJo9h1q/s1600/android-tv.png" /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="320" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/d36cIFCJvQs" width="580"></iframe></div><br />In an interesting twist, Chromebooks will be able to run Android apps and integrate with Android devices. This addresses the lack of native apps for Chrome OS and brings the Google Play ecosystem to the desktop. I'm sure that this feature will also be added to Chrome for Windows, Mac and Linux.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3Pw2Mj5M0buMt_LN9sSiXkAStnQPn2qzivs02W8qnbqMNKSeRtaxQKv7_G_b9rFBvE6ZVK-AaN88BVTE4ogiHSszg3RVDktjfjphYXJ_U7Cv9UFvT6SytQfvDDM8-CgkmUUJDU9Apl8Aq/s1600/android-apps-chromebook.png" /></div><br />Android has a huge user base: 1 billion active users. It makes sense for these users to buy products that work well with their existing devices. Unfortunately, cars and TVs are replaced less often than phones and tablets, their software is rarely updated and there are so many models that it's hard to test apps and provide a great experience. Disruptive products like Chromecast are better because they're cheaper, easier to update and improve.

Android Everywhere

In a few years, Android has become the dominant mobile OS. Still, Google has a lot of challenges ahead. Android is very popular when it come...

Read more »

Chrome Web Store Links to Android Apps

<a href="https://chrome.google.com/webstore/">Chrome Web Store</a> now shows links to Google Play for apps and extensions that are also available for Android. For example, <a href="https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/pocket/mjcnijlhddpbdemagnpefmlkjdagkogk">Pocket's page</a> includes this message next to the number of users: "Available for Android. Get it".<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgELeuEVNlfdqNivFG6wVw6AIlw9R17TsBsZQWmfIjGAXGUCe6PE-GCC1q0dqQzWwYsRPBb4GMchj6z047tRy4q4ilzbJKUucB3L_acagHJgXhl6Fw7g8QbbScRSv3L_EOL26743zTdMK1c/s1600/chrome-store-android-tag.png" /></div><br />You can also find Chrome apps and extensions that are <a href="https://chrome.google.com/webstore/category/apps?_feature=android">available for Android</a>:<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwvPqCRszKi-RGjFHBLcYsNqnph3Ijm2WsY-biBBBhPZeMJ_eWPjhPc70SZRS3uW6KoAH7EBKkCS5551Uuhxda8IWyfpimMNb02Alh6GD6Gzy5v_jFX_kzfuScsuWwDS9CRLiZiDgsIzbg/s1600/chrome-store-android-tag-2.png" /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2u1kJhmf791UVJuPYntdpO5Y4LeLsl0mtxfYLZKhdjrialFu7SYFhvyj_Q0m3gumOBU9rVlpJ96I4536Xxqshn2RZjm2Tvd6yFXUPL2pcXNsd5l03IrsLtxYPheYr8jV2F83KLlw3Ag5-/s1600/chrome-store-android-tag-3.png" /></div><br />Google Play doesn't show links to Chrome Web Store apps, at least not yet. It will be interesting to see if Google plans to keep a separate store for Chrome or merge it with Google Play. When <a href="http://googlesystem.blogspot.com/2012/03/google-play-android-markets-new-name.html">Google rebranded Android Market</a>, I speculated that Google Play will become Google's unified store for digital content.<br /><br />{ via <a href="http://www.chromestory.com/2014/05/chrome-web-store-now-links-play-store-app-android-version/">Chrome Story</a> }

Chrome Web Store Links to Android Apps

Chrome Web Store now shows links to Google Play for apps and extensions that are also available for Android. For example, Pocket's page...

Read more »

Cast Videos in Chrome for Android

The latest beta release of Chrome 35 for Android added support for casting HTML5 videos. You can now send videos to the Chromecast from any site that uses HTML5 video players, including YouTube.<br /><br />To connect to a Chromecast, you need to play a video in fullscreen, click the cast icon and select a Chromecast device. You can then change the volume, fast forward or switch to a different video. YouTube's mobile site has support for the TV queue, so you can add videos to the queue instead of playing them right away.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_k5WIRYL3E117c3JSLH1Lp1r7H12dBiMVZP2oyOH2sU9EW_gNQ8e1Ik_CMhKHd7Rr_V7gInye4DQ-aNn5fHnqx0kKOOiRY1Gst0XjJjDWeIMP-7hUmmHwquhDRMIq4Be9S8k_3Iqft0x6/s1600/chrome-android-chromecast-1.png" /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaoJDNdUd_oKPnTOLfXVGC7wST69mcIq16amFFULr72pSZd5kWV_oWtnxRorTlqEOYCFETJjMvFFkQHEpGAmdRKbkU9XLWvHN1NC2Pvu2Kz-lY_NLMQd0bRyiqG8ShBAWgtfctmT-bcUaw/s1600/chrome-android-chromecast-2.png" /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxUTE7K_IfYKFcn9wNqn5zA2BpnsnkJOCuFiyAXzNYrr9Vh5DFXZMm-5X5UU4G3LQAwMhh4YLZJRElX30FybfSSf98lzAlC-WsprSPmVDowcZL2b7axr4un3JC8wQqYDWOVP2jpx5jL0JU/s1600/chrome-android-chromecast-3.png" /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGp8FpHyMoSeKxzW3qRDcV2aONGO29JBNIw5ompRKAGaklyJWFvAV_rCkvcmp_qiLjKlq6-p6fqzDTzP5O0rUTNOWwXCxTybT5CCrSVxrJHDyNbzm2I_NuM0uf05Nq5Uox1odhhjrnsYeD/s1600/chrome-android-chromecast-4.png" /></div><br />The Chromecast integration is not perfect, there are some bugs that need to be fixed, but it's nice to see that you can cast almost any video right from the mobile browser, without having to install other apps and wait for the developers to integrate their apps with Chromecast.<br /><br />Chrome 35 for Android <a href="http://googlechromereleases.blogspot.com/2014/04/chrome-beta-for-android-update.html">also adds support</a> for undoing tab closing, Samsung's multi-window feature and fullscreen videos with subtitles and HTML5 controls. Here's a video that shows the undo close tab feature in action, courtesy of <a href="http://www.androidpolice.com/2014/04/10/chrome-for-android-beta-version-35-adds-undo-tab-close-better-fullscreen-video-and-samsung-multi-window-support/">Android Police</a>:<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="320" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/JI070mJ5FDE?feature=player_embedded" width="580"></iframe></div><br />{ Thanks, Sterling. }

Cast Videos in Chrome for Android

The latest beta release of Chrome 35 for Android added support for casting HTML5 videos. You can now send videos to the Chromecast from any ...

Read more »

Anti-Malware Monitoring for Android Apps

By default, installing apps outside of the Google Play Store is disabled on most Android phones. If you try to install an APK file, you'll see a warning and you'll have to check an option in the Settings to enable app sideloading.<br /><br />Just in case you install APK files, Google Play Services includes a feature that verifies apps when you install them. It blocks potentially harmful apps and it has been used <a href="http://officialandroid.blogspot.com/2014/04/expanding-googles-security-services-for.html">more than 4 billion times</a>. The anti-malware feature is now a lot more powerful: it now monitors apps even after installing them.<br /><br />"We're rolling out a new enhancement which will now continually check devices to make sure that all apps are behaving in a safe manner, even after installation. In the last year, the foundation of this service - Verify apps - has been used more than 4 billion times to check apps at the time of install. This enhancement will take that protection even further, using Android's powerful app scanning system developed by the Android security and Safe Browsing teams."<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCYv2s_1R1dhs5uWoE51UP8Z7bxF2MrSsvkj77f1ZYxENkEo5_Q3Byp6nCrN_KbXK5-X52shLUC3OAWlwaNLnKaFCYI4WbZISPV8VvLQ9Upcf732R0Crah9YgJ1akSPMXHDVV6DGnw8Y4N/s1600/android-verify-apps.png" /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7he9jUoVI1Pm7jaL46iWQlFP9x3QEv6Rpc2pMr3JNA5O15a1nJCBGX8URoOZv6kZ-e7Ryc0u8XF_Zg4WK7Ts89EQhqmlxGmVaFOkTQ1FK_h-w-MbFHD37_zklgZUwAErawBIfbe7ObPHx/s1600/android-security-settings.png" /></div><br />Apparently, Android is more secure than you would think. "We've found that fewer than 0.18% of installs in the last year occurred after someone received a warning that the app was potentially harmful," <a href="http://officialandroid.blogspot.com/2014/04/expanding-googles-security-services-for.html">mentions Android's blog</a>.<br /><br /><a href="http://qz.com/131436/contrary-to-what-youve-heard-android-is-almost-impenetrable-to-malware/">QZ.com reported</a> last year that the percentage was 0.12% and that "0.001% of app installations on Android are able to evade the system's multi-layered defenses and cause harm to users". 95% of the phones have Verify Apps enabled by default and 0.5% of app installs from unknown sources receive a warning. Just because you receive a warning doesn't mean that the apps are actually dangerous: 40% of the warnings are for apps that root your device, another 40% are for fraudware apps that send premium SMS messages and another 15% of the warnings are for commercial spyware.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimuDkQxPHL90LHOioF0Vr4F7kI99jlyZhxcjo8z3ZQ8X0Ih_Oj3ZsxLjVS2N_tiiVKyRvxNcxtzGVWqNFXCSzJdMJ1snzj3y3RtDyhyphenhyphena8DvzaI0VEuEeOabb69MsdJckTB9L3S5B-YWcag/s1600/android-defense.png" /></div>

Anti-Malware Monitoring for Android Apps

By default, installing apps outside of the Google Play Store is disabled on most Android phones. If you try to install an APK file, you'...

Read more »

NS5, Free Phone From Google

Google is about to launch a free phone that will be called NS5. It's a free 8GB version of Nexus 5 ("Nexus Special 5") that will only be available in the US. You'll still have to pay $50, but you'll get $50 Google Play credit, so the phone is actually free.<br /><br />NS5 will only be available online at the Google Play Store. It comes with a special version of Android KitKat that installs some new software, adds new features and restricts a few options. Chrome's data compression proxy is now used at the OS level, so all the traffic is routed through Google's servers and you can't disable this feature. Your phone is associated with a Google account, you can no longer disable location services or Google+ Auto Backup and there's a new sponsored card in Google Now that shows personalized recommendations. You'll also hear some relevant audio ads when calling companies or when you play your music.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5IJdk1T9FRTAPQLIVT-rRRDAHPvYsBY4WVQMbL4GuGE4_Hg6JgK3-h8Nx2QiO15fetSckNKiXZ3LiEJfuKz_VULzv6Ug0EbJh69f4H3AN_5BPA36QYIGD21OfP6HF3klhyphenhyphenKzW4z_bVNPq/s1600/nexus5-red.png" /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT_Xz4BxW-XW5Qo3X5_FOTFJRkrfRi0ZqPx6GbCsNcjpbtwqit5cni51ABR6ZatRtGrX1Vl9IcmqbldtOtdmWFmsECXh6409N5TbyqzpaMnPVYUOGm_k963_bLcwyhzEkHeeEKAAP_O2D0/s1600/google-now-ad.png" /></div><br />It's a great opportunity for Google to test new software, find new ways to monetize its services and capture the value of free hardware. Building a platform that makes mobile phones accessible for everyone has always been at the heart of Android.<br /><br /><b>Update:</b> This is a joke for April Fools' Day 2014.

NS5, Free Phone From Google

Google is about to launch a free phone that will be called NS5. It's a free 8GB version of Nexus 5 ("Nexus Special 5") that wi...

Read more »

Google's Voice Command for Playing Music

Google's voice search feature still has a long way to go. If you say "play music" or "play some music" in the Google Search app for Android, Google starts the Play Music app and opens the <a href="http://googlesystem.blogspot.com/2013/10/google-musics-feeling-lucky.html">"I'm Feeling Lucky" radio</a>, which is based on your listening history. I think it makes more sense to continue playing your music and use the current queue instead of creating a new playlist.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGFPGcDQ0BVt1LbL5zKmoJnKupbL38BBdaAHnla4MVR3a-zwrwIy4s6hgVlSL2ZusNqvDVb2xk-pz7TR974SMtByo6NioeOUgwXfhyIBFWsN3Fwglr07TETOqRkgPtgtlW6SKY_Jvbmjdr/s1600/play-music-voice-action.png" /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjFMXkSzjsqalCg6qIp49vCcnJIaOOdZNr0V-UvJGLWvNdRUkvpXQOHT_qdDoKAxrI_dJyFuOElr-hu1BF-e7p0OQwW_TiBdO5PsUAxcli1ql7J1_Gjq9XG_BSOqhSVlIMAG2-8bVH8UpL/s1600/play-music-voice-action-2.png" /></div><br />Google still doesn't support basic voice actions like "next song", "skip", "pause" or "stop the music". If you say "next song", Google only shows the search results and a list of songs from Next, an American R&B musical group.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUG8x61yC1LAQ5imhdWtF5gvV6Tk5YwHBPkjzHg14FGt6qJsHaiIVJy6FF-5e2hRZX3_PxG5YOYGWRuxPICePPAdFNU6hNqi_CSQZSXIu2GUlrdx5lVjGXy1h76qhI9VrEgWVMtYeR3MZ6/s1600/next-song-no-voice-action.png" /></div><br />You can say "play Alicia Keys" and Google will shuffle Alicia's songs:<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRMe9v8EFsynMJYLREoSJocD1zGflp7wklFkBJ8zPGbi2xCH8GCClWEy16ED1WilJMdSZGSj7-sVL-9usTAoElAIhyphenhyphenGlFdLD6H8jOq8h6-2FNYCtWIKhyAnfgE1w05Lc8wyOO0X5zGYFcR/s1600/play-alicia-keys-1.png" /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlxotRb5e2_iWactfRavqqa_xVAHKarLpUWQXR1VCSLKqQBn86KhJyzanYMN5gRhkHjvXCM8bzSNamS6qO5oQOCqwhE9sN1eQ8lpLAi8oygXjNeAqmB7lCE7SlIheXlRms-15pQ8Io4Dik/s1600/play-alicia-keys-2.png" /></div><br />You can also say "play blues" and Google will start the Blues radio. If you say "play hip hop", Google Play Music will show a list of search results for "hip hop".<br /><br />That's what happens if Play Music is the default app that handles music voice actions. You can change it by saying "play Coldplay" or something similar, quickly tapping the icon next to the app's name, picking one of the music apps and tapping the selected app (I could choose between Google Play, Google Play Music, TuneIn Radio and Poweramp, but your list will be different, depending on the apps you've installed). The next time when you use a music-related voice action, the app you've picked will handle it. Most apps will show a list of search results or start playing music.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_JuPHpGDJdZ8SSwx5Xm7CeThs9z99OEOKDkjFwA6DMxh1xhosv_NSJ-TRuvcggTrgj0P-J_egvZm0QGkXSwDsdMMzUq3xF6Es8Vg1pcEDJNG5Hr8bxQlNOLZB28gLTA-lvwSn2JiC4Leh/s1600/music-voice-actions-change-app.png" /></div><br />{ via <a href="https://plus.google.com/116899029375914044550/posts/HEeddSu1GyD">+Google</a> }

Google's Voice Command for Playing Music

Google's voice search feature still has a long way to go. If you say "play music" or "play some music" in the Google...

Read more »