Google likes automation, Google Now on your desktop, integrating your pictures and videos, and more!
Headlines
- Google meeting with FDA regarding eye devices and heart condition diagnostics
- Google purchases Nest for $3.2b
- YouTube gets improved Google+ comments moderation system via YouTube inbox (similar to old system)
- Google Drive updated to show activity stream for shared document changes
- Google Chrome for Windows 8 gets ChromeOS style integration
- Schemer to be shut down by Google [users have until Feb 7 to export data]
- Google releases Wordpress plugin for easier Webmaster integration and adding Adsense ads to Wordpress sites
- CyanogenMod installer released for Mac
- Google Chrome (Canary build) gets early version of Google Now
- Google Maps gets 3D maps for cities across Japan (including Tokyo)
Apps
- Beats Music (radio app) to release January 21 at $9.99/mo
- Feedly updated to increase app speed, improved Nexus 7 interface, back button fixes, login with Google+, support for Galaxy Gear, enhanced themes
- Greenify updated to support non rooted phones via homescreen widget
- Motorola Driving Assist updated to allowing sending SMS with voice
- Samsung releases Winter Olympics 2014 app for only Samsung devices
- Google Chrome gets update to add shortcuts to homescreen and data compression functionality
- Pandora app getting personalized station recommendations based on liked tracks
- Final Fantasy VI released to Google Play - $15.99
- Google Play Movies & TV released for iOS
- Gmail updated to allow starring contacts to automatically show up in the People app
- Spotify drops time limits on mobile apps (desktop as well) - premium users get higher quality audio and ad-free experience
Devices
- HTC One X and One X+ not to get upgrades beyond Android 4.2.2
- Samsung Galaxy Note 3 starts getting Android 4.4.2 update in Poland (*via Kies)
- Samsung Galaxy S 4 Activ [AT&T] getting Android 4.3 update
- Google Play Edition Moto G released - 8/16 gb models
- Moto X releasing to England (no word on MotoMaker yet)
App Review - GalleryNext by CyanogenMod
- Integrates photos and videos between device and accounts
- Includes Facebook, Flikr, Picasa, & Dropbox
- Currently in Beta
- The Android Realm App Review
Game Review - Robocop
- Released ahead of 2014 movie launch
- Play style similar to VirtuaCop
- Start with training missions to learn controls and game features
- Upgrade weapons and armor
- Runs on Android 2.1 and higher
- The Android Realm Game Review
Quick Tip - Google Now in Google Chrome
- Currently requires Google Chrome Canary build
- How to Enable
- Open Google Chrome Canary Build
- Enter chrome://flags/#enable-google-now
- Select Enabled
- Click Relaunch Now at the bottom of your screen
- Notification bell shows up in taskbar
- Google Now Cards in Chrome
- Google Operating System Unofficial Blog
- Works along side stable installation of Google Chrome
- The Android Realm Quick Tip
- 7 great styles and colors
- Very durable and noise reducing
- Free Shipping
- Visit http://tweakedaudio.com/ and use promo code 'geek' for 1/3 off your order