Tag: Android

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Google Camera Update Includes Photo Capture While Shooting Video

google camera iconThe Google Camera was recently unleashed on the Play Store for any phone running KitKat. It provides a consistent and super simple interface for photos and vids no matter what phone you use.

For being so streamlined, it does pack some handy features like PhotoSphere, HDR, exposure control, and panorama modes. Google is now rolling an update which will allow users to take still photos while shooting video.

While shooting a video, just tap the screen and it’ll grab a 2MP screenshot. Super simple.

This isn’t exactly mind blowing on its own, but this update process is what’s exciting. It’s a small update for one app, and users are getting it directly. We aren’t being forced to wait for a full OS update which may or may not be sent down from the carriers.

And for folks curious how the Google Camera app works, we have a full hands on review below!

Google Camera on Google Play

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Google Adds Lane Guidance and Uber Support to Maps!

Google Maps Navigation with Lane GuidanceThis has always been one of my biggest complaints about turn by turn apps in general, and Google Maps specifically. Unless a turn is intermediately following another direction, Maps will only give you one instruction at a time, with little guidance as to which lane you’ll need to be in.

To address that issue, Google is now building Lane Guidance into their turn by turn directions. When you approach a turn or intersection with multiple lanes, the app will try to highlight which lane you should be in, and what direction each lane will travel. A terrifically welcome update to Google’s mapping app.

Google is also improving the offline caching for maps. Going on vacation? You can search a locale, save it offline, and name it for quick reference.

Also added to the navigation options, Google has included support for Uber. After searching for directions, you’ll now have the option to tailor results to Uber, and selecting that will automatically open the Uber app on your phone.

It’s a pretty substantial update for one of the best mobile mapping experiences available, and should be rolling out to all phones over the next couple days.

More info on the Google Maps blog.

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Chrome Remote Desktop App: Control Your Computer Remotely with Android!

Nexus 7 Chrome Remote Desktop Windows 8 SomeGadgetGuyThere are probably few things more horrific to the Android faithful out there than seeing their precious Nexus devices running Windows 8 Live Tiles…

I kid. I kid. For you folks looking for a free way to remote control your computer while you’re away from home, the Chrome Remote App might be just the ticket. Having just left BETA, Google is releasing it for free, for any device running Android 4.0 (Ice Cream Sandwich) or higher.

Running a small Chrome app on your desktop or laptop communicates with a web service, and that links up with an app on your phone or tablet. This allows you to see what’s on your computer screen and control the action remotely. Depending on your data connection there will be some lag, but I haven’t found it to be any worse than some of the paid services available for Android.

Google claims this app is designed for phone use, but it seemed to function just fine on my Nexus 7. You have keyboard support for text entry (mouse is controlled via screen touch), and a dedicated Ctrl+Alt+Del macro for those of you controlling Windows PC’s.

Give it a whirl, and drop us a comment below if it works for you!

For Android: Chrome Remote Desktop App (Google Play)
For Windows/Mac/Linux: Chrome remote Desktop (Chrome Web Store)

 

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Youtube Android App Update Supports Chromecast Live Video Streaming

youtube app for android update lg g2 somegadgetguySweet little update for the YouTube app on Android. Now there’s support for captions, for those who like/need to read what’s being said on screen.

Also a handy little feature for Chromecast users, you can now cast live video from your phone to a TV using Chromecast. Perfect for live hangouts and events. Hopefully Google also lands some kind of deal for live sporting events for all the cable cutters out there.

Hit the update, and let us know what your think!

Youtube (Google Play)

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Free WiFi Calling For All Through Facebook Messenger

facebook messenger android free wifi callingIf you’ve been rocking the BETA, then you’re already aware of this, but it’s finally rolling out for all consumers.

If you’ve got the separate Facebook Messenger app installed, you can now call your Facebook friends over WiFi for free! The update to FB Messenger 4.0 brings this to all users alongside better support for creating chat groups and the ability to create shortcuts to specific chats on your homescreen.

Hit the update and get calling!

Facebook Messenger (Google Play)

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Review: Leef Access – MicroSD Memory Card Reader for Android!

I love little gadgets like this.

I’m a stickler for file management. I like controlling everything about what files and media are on my various devices, where they live, and who I can share those files with. Leef has a handy little MicroUSB adapter which allows you to swap memory cards even easier! Even if your phone doesn’t have an SD card slot…

Continue reading “Review: Leef Access – MicroSD Memory Card Reader for Android!”

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Analyst Report: Motorola Gains with Moto G and LG Moves up with G2

LG G2 Camera reviewGood news for two phone companies looking to step up some competition.

Kantar Worldpanel released European sales stats for phones last fiscal quarter (ending February 2014)., and both LG and Motorola saw gains.

Moto was practically absent from previous analyst reports, but following strong sales of their entry level Moto G handset, has climbed to 6% in less than six months. Lending further credence to the idea that the entry level phone market is primed for serious growth over the next couple years.

LG also saw some great gains moving the LG G2. LG was ahead of the curve with processor and battery tech at the end of last year, unseating the HTC One and GS4 as being the powerful “normal sized” phones in the Android ecosystem. That boundary pushing attitude paid off with LG becoming the fastest growing Android brand of last quarter.

The Moto and LG gains also helped secure Android as a whole positive growth over iOS and Windows Phone, maintaining Google’s top spot for phones. You can read the full report below.

Continue reading “Analyst Report: Motorola Gains with Moto G and LG Moves up with G2”

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Experts Roundtable: Android Wear, Moto 360, and the future of Smartwatches!

A pair of exciting announcements dropped today for wearable computing fans. Google took the wraps off of Android Wear, the OS and UI that will be gracing many a wrist in the future. Motorola quickly followed (or maybe preempted) with the reveal of the Moto 360.

Now that Google has officially joined the smartwatch wars, let’s talk about the future!


I’m joined by a terrific panel of bloggers, so make sure to give them all a follow!

Enobong Etteh – @BooredAtWork – http://booredatwork.com
Andrew Kameka – @AndrewKam – http://MobileBurn.com
Tori Dorsey – @GlassesnGlitter – http://www.glassesandglitter.com/

motorola moto 360 smartwatch teaser announced (1)

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