Google brings Android Market movie rentals to UK

Jordan Kahn

Following the introduction of YouTube movie rentals and Google eBooks in the UK earlier this month, The Telegraph is reporting that Google has now opened up movie rentals to UK users via the Android Market.

Starting at £2.49, users have one of two choices for renting movies. Either grab the video app from the Market, or head over to market.android.com/movies to rent and watch films from your PC. Of course, films rented through either method will be available to watch through your phone, PC, or Android tablet during the rental period. As with the service in the US, you’ll have up to thirty days to watch a film after purchasing the rental. However, after the first play it will expire after 48 hours.
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Google Reader to get redesign and Google+ integration next week

Jake Smith

Google just announced on their Reader blog this afternoon, that Google Reader will be receiving an updated redesign to match many other products next week. When it comes to social features that Reader already has, Google will be removing friending, following, and shared links and implementing Google+ features instead.

The new redesign will most likely look like the redesign we’ve already seen across Mail, Docs, Maps, and more. Personally, I welcome the new theme, because currently I don’t think Reader looks good. I also like Google’s efforts to make their products look better.

Sprint announces the Motorola Admiral, landing October 23rd for $99

Jake Smith

Sprint has announced the Motorola Admiral this afternoon, a 3.1-inch device running Android 2.3 with a design to withstand rugged environments. The device features a 3.1-inch VGA display (Gorilla Glass), full QWERTY keyboard, 1.2 GHz processor, 4GB of internal memory, 5-megapixel camera, Wi-Fi, and Android 2.3. That Gorilla Glass and full QWERTY keyboard are definitely a selling point for some.

The Motorola Admiral launches October 23rd for $99. We’ll have a full review then, so stay tuned.

Google to launch redesigned Gmail interface

Jordan Kahn

According to a report from Google Operating System, a video from Google’s YouTube channel (which has recently been made private) leaked a new Gmail interface that will more than likely be introduced publicly in the near future.

As you can see from the video above, they’ve redesigned the overall look of the UI (based on the new Preview theme) by using large icons opposed to text labels, a brand new conversation view with profile pictures, and a new flexible layout that maintains maximum usability when resizing browser windows.

A new customizable search bar adds the ability to easily select filters and advanced options for searching and even create new filters right from within the new search dialog. Display density settings including “Comfortable”, “Compact”, and “Cozy” will allow you to adjust the amount of content displayed in your inbox, and Label and Chat areas can now be resized. Many of the themes have been updated with new HD imagery as well.

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Asus chairman: “Android is improving very fast”

9to5 Staff

Asus chairman Jonney Shih sat down for a fireside chat with the Wall Street Journal columnist Walt Mossberg at the AsiaD conference yesterday to talk tablets, smartphones, cloud computing and general trends in our industry. The interesting Google tidbit came at the end of a preview video, included above. Of Android, Shih said:

I still believe that Android is improving very fast.

Shih advertised the upcoming Transformer device which functions both as a thin Android tablet and a notebook when docked to an aluminum-clad keyboard dock which houses a battery as well. Together, the two batteries in the device and the keyboard dock can provide juice for up to 16.5 hours. The new Transformer launches November 9, Shih said.

Google currently is disadvantaged in the tablet space, no denying that. However, the search Goliath has a strong momentum going in the broader ecosystem, with device makers building Android products spanning tablets, smartphones, ultra portables and what not. It’s the same ecosystem approach Microsoft tapped to achieve Windows monopoly and reduce the Mac’s market share to a single-digit figure. Google, of course, unveiled the new Galaxy Nexus smartphone with Samsung and Ice Cream Sandwich software that supports both smartphones and tablets.
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