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Google’s default Clock app gets new ‘more neutral’ color scheme

Stephen Hall Jul 15 2015 - 11:17 am PT

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It wasn’t that long ago that Google opened up its Clock app to be downloaded on just about any Android device, and now a very minor update released today has refreshed the app’s color scheme. While the previous version sported a pink-and-blue look that was reminiscent of cotton candy, the app now looks a lot more like a patriotic red, white, and blue.

Those who weren’t avid users of the previous version might not notice the difference, because in the grand scheme of things it’s definitely not a huge change. But if you were a fan of the light-hearted and unique colors of the app, you might be disappointed that Google has now gone with something more “neutral” in version 4.0.2. The update also packs a few bug fixes.

You can get the latest version of the Clock app over at APKMirror right now, or you should see it rolling out via the Play Store any minute now.

Five years after introducing the feature, Google makes HTML5 default on YouTube

Stephen Hall Jan 27 2015 - 1:09 pm PT

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YouTube 2015-01-27 15-00-53

Google has announced today, five years after introducing a test version of the feature, that HTML5 video on YouTube is now the default setting for video playback. Before today, Adobe Flash was used for playing YouTube videos, and users needed to go to YouTube.com/HTML5 (pictured above) to toggle the HTML5 player (if your browser supported it).

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Google Drive’s new design is now enabled by default, but users can still revert back for now

9to5 Staff Nov 7 2014 - 1:17 pm PT

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Google announced on Friday that the new user interface for Google Drive, introduced in June as an opt-in experience, is now the default design for the cloud storage platform. Google Drive users can revert back to the old design through the Settings dropdown for the foreseeable future, although Google will eventually remove this option.

Following the change, users are now prompted with a “welcome to the new Google Drive” pop-up message upon loading the web-based service. The dismissible message provides a walkthrough of a number of Google Drive’s new features, including the ability to view and manage versions for non-Google file formats and add caption files or transcript files to videos.

Microsoft Office file editing now on by default in latest Chrome OS dev build

Jordan Kahn Aug 13 2013 - 7:31 am PT

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After rolling out the ability to edit Microsoft Word and Excel files for the developer build of Chrome OS back in June, Google Chromium evangelist François Beaufort today notes that the feature is now on by default in the latest build:

Microsoft Office files editing is now enabled by default in the last Dev Update of Chrome OS. As we can see below, the UI has been slightly updated since the first time we’ve seen it. Moreover if you encounter any issue, don’t forget to open the “Help” Menu and click on “Report an issue”.

Previously the feature had to be enabled by the user, but it appears that Google might be getting closer to introducing the functionality in the stable build of Chrome OS in the near future.

Earlier this year, Google released a Chrome Office Viewer beta allowing users to view Office files in the browser, but not yet the ability to edit the documents.

What effect will Apple’s choice of Bing for Siri in iOS 7 have on Google?

Jordan Kahn Jun 11 2013 - 6:42 am PT

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Microsoft must be pretty happy with Apple’s decision to include Bing as the default search engine powered web results in Apple’s revamped Siri application heading to iOS 7 this fall. However, what does this all mean for Google? It could very well signal Apple’s increasing desire to cut its reliance on services powered by its biggest competitor in the smartphone space.

Before iOS 7, searching for something with Siri would often turn up the option to search for web results. Doing so would give you results through Safari using your default search engine (which by default is set to Google). Now, in iOS 7, web results will be displayed right in the Siri app, however, they will be powered by Microsoft’s Bing– and not Google.
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Gmail’s new compose window rolling out as default for all users starting today

Jordan Kahn Mar 28 2013 - 12:08 pm PT

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We told you in October that Google began to test a redesigned compose and reply window in Gmail for a number of users. Google was previously allowing users to opt in and out of using the new feature that lets users compose and reply to multiple messages at once while still navigating the inbox. The company announced today that it is beginning to roll out the feature as the default for all users:

In addition to telling us what you love about the new compose experience (like how much easier it is to multitask!) you’ve also been sending us helpful suggestions for what features you’d like to see added. As a result of your input, we’re now ready to introduce the new compose experience as the default for everyone. We’re looking forward to hearing what you think!

The new compose experience will be available as default to all users in the next few days. Google didn’t’ specify whether users will still be able to switch back to the old compose style.

Android 4.0 default ‘Holo’ theme required by Google for Market access

Jordan Kahn Jan 4 2012 - 10:16 am PT

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When Google unveiled Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich, we quickly learned that a refined version of the “Holo” system theme would be used throughout the operating system. Now, Google has announced in a blog post on the Android Developers website that it will require vendors to use the theme to gain access to the Android Market and Google apps and services. Android Framework engineer Adam Powell explained:

In Android 4.0, Holo is different. We’ve made the inclusion of the unmodified Holo theme family a compatibility requirement for devices running Android 4.0 and forward. If the device has Android Market it will have the Holo themes as they were originally designed. This standardization goes for all of the public Holo widget styles as well.

The benefit, according to Google, will be easier to implement future updates for vendors. As The Verge pointed out, “it most definitely does not mean that Google is enforcing usage of the theme on” third-party developers. It will, however, allow developers to avoid using the system themes of TouchWiz and other third-party skins, and instead they can utilize Holo. Powell wrapped up Google’s final thoughts on the decision below:

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