Google has announced on its Android Developers blog that it is open sourcing its WALT Latency Timer. The company says that it has been using the tool in its Chrome OS and Android divisions to measure and minimize touch and audio latency, but now all developers will be able to take advantage of the tool.
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Chance currently writes for both 9to5Google and 9to5Mac, in addition to 9to5Toys. He has previously written for several other online publications. He uses a Nexus 5, iPhone 5s, iPad Air, Hackintosh, and Macbook Air.
Casio’s ultra-rugged WSD-F10 smartwatch to remain restricted to the United States and Japan
Casio’s ultra-rugged WSD-F10 might be the most durable Android Wear device on the market, but it looks like only a handful of people will be able to get their hands on the device. Speaking to Wearable.com, Casio stated that the company currently does not have plans to bring the smartwatch to any additional countries. Currently, the WSD-F10 is available in the United States and Japan only.
Report: Nest’s future increasingly unclear under Alphabet as it continues to underperform
According to a new report from Re/code, Alphabet-owned Nest is under-performing and its future at Google could be in jeopardy. The report, citing three people with knowledge of the matter, says that Nest generated $340 million in sales last year and while that’s solid for a company focused mainly on Internet-connected thermostats, it’s not as strong as what Google hoped initially.
Apple Music for Android updated with new homescreen widget, more
Apple today has released an update to the Apple Music app for Android users. The update over month after the app’s last update that added support for saving music to SD cards for offline listening. Today’s update adds yet another feature that isn’t supported on iOS: the ability for users to add an Apple Music widget to their homescreen. The Beats Music app offered a widget when it was available for Android, but Apple Music has lacked it since release.
Android 6.0 Marshmallow to begin rolling out to Verizon’s LG V10 tomorrow
Verizon has announced today that Android 6.0 Marshmallow will soon start to rollout to users of the LG V10. The update was announced on Verizon’s Advanced Devices Software Updates page and will begin to rollout tomorrow, March 24th. The update comes with build number VS99022A.
Google planning new Periscope-like YouTube Connect app for iOS and Android
According to a report from VentureBeat, Google is working to compete more directly with live streaming app Periscope. The report claims that Google will launch an app called YouTube Connect that will allow anyone to immediately begin broadcasting live onto YouTube from their smartphone.
You can now add a shortcut to your homescreen to quickly access weather info in the Google app
Google is rolling out a new feature that allows users to more easily access one of the most commonly searched terms. With this rollout, if a user searches for the weather in their location or another location, Google will ask if that user would like to add a shortcut to their homescreen to “access weather instantly from your homescreen.”
Report: Google building its own gesture-based keyboard for iOS with built-in GIF search, more
According to a report from The Verge, Google is building its own third-party keyboard for iOS and has been doing so for “months.” While it’s unclear when or if the keyboard will be released, the report notes of several features Google has been working to implement as employees test it.
Instagram to soon start showing content out of order and based on personalized algorithms
Following in the footsteps of Facebook, Instagram today announced in a blog post that it will soon adjust the way in which content is presented in its iOS and Android apps. While content is currently shown in chronological order, Instagram will soon switch to a new personalized algorithms based on each user…
Talking Schmidt: Google to soon bring its driverless cars to the UK, humans don’t have eyes in the back of their head yet
Speaking in South Korea (where he was also seen using an iPhone), Eric Schmidt addressed the possibility of Google’s driverless cars expanding outside of the United States. In an interview with The Telegraph, Schmidt explained that UK officials have approached the company about bringing its self-driving vehicles to the streets.
Twitter adds support for web links to Moments
Twitter announced in a blog post today that it’s adding a new capability to its Moments feature on iOS and Android. While Twitter Moments originally supported content like photos, videos, Vines, and polls, publishers can now added add links to Moments to continue telling their story on their own website.
Alphabet’s life sciences wing is developing a hub for collecting and analyzing health data
According to a recent FCC filling, Alphabet’s Life Sciences wing Verily has recently developed a new “Connectivity Bridge” for use in clinical studies. The device is capable of collecting and syncing medical information of people participating in clinical studies, allowing Google to continue to improve its efforts in healthcare.
Google releases Android Studio 2.1 preview with support for Android N
In addition to releasing the first developer build of Android N earlier today, Google has also released Android Studio 2.1 Preview. It’s available in the canary channel for developers now and supports the Android N developer preview released this morning.
Amsterdam judge asks Google to hand over IP addresses & more of people behind fake reviews
In the Netherlands, Google has been battling it out in court over fake reviews on several of its sites. TechCrunch today reports that a nursery in Amsterdam has recently won the lawsuit against Google, not only forcing the company to take down the fake reviews, but also forcing it to hand over the details of those who initially posted the reviews.
Report: Larry Page, other tech execs attended secret meeting to discuss how to stop Donald Trump
Update: Elon Musk said in a tweet today that the American Enterprise Institute meeting was not secretive and that he was not there to talk about Trump.
The AEI meeting wasn't secret and I was only there for a few hours to talk about Mars and sustainable energy. Nothing to do with Trump.
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) March 9, 2016
According to a report from the Huffington Post, Google co-founder Larry Page was among a handful of tech CEOs and Republican establishment members who recently met at the American Enterprise Institute’s World Forum to discuss how to best stop Donald Trump.
Google testing a 100KW radio transmitter in New Mexico; possibly for Project SkyBender?
Google is working on something outlandish in the middle of New Mexico, according to recently filed FCC documents. The documents, first discovered by HackADay, show that Google is currently testing a 100KW radio transmitter at Spaceport America in New Mexico.
Google joins other tech companies in filing court brief supporting Apple in FBI case
Google today has joined over twenty other tech companies and filed a joint amicus brief with the U.S. federal court, expressing support for Apple in its battle with the FBI over unlocking an iPhone used by one of the gunmen in the San Bernardino terrorist attack. Google filed a joint brief with companies such as Facebook, Microsoft, and Snapchat. Another joint brief was also filed today by Twitter, Airbnb, and others. Google explained its motives in a blog post, curiously never mentioning Apple by name…
Report: Google to file court motion officially supporting Apple in FBI fight
Following Apple’s filling earlier today in which it formally responded to the FBI’s court request to access date on a locked iPhone, the Wall Street Journal now reports that both Google plans to file court motions in which they support Apple’s stance. Facebook is also expected to file a motion, as is Twitter.
Google-owned Boston Dynamics shows off the ‘next generation’ of its Atlas robot
Google’s Boston Dynamics company, the people behind previous terrifying yet amazing robot videos, has today shared a glimpse at what it is calling the “next generation” of its Atlas robot. The new generation of Atlas is designed to operate both indoors and outdoors, the company says, and weighs a solid 180 pounds.
Obi Worldphone, company founded by ex-Apple CEO John Sculley, announces new $139 Android device
Obi Worldphone, the company founded by former Apple CEO John Sculley, has announced that it is releasing a new phone aimed at emerging markets. Called the MV1, the device was unveiled at Mobile World Congress in Barcelona and will cost either $139 or $149, depending on the amount of RAM you chose.
Google to shut down its Google Compare platform on March 23 following slow adoption
Less than a year ago, Google Compare was launched in the United States to help customers find and compare credit card rates, mortgages, and car insurance. Now, however, Google has announced that it is shutting the Google Compare service down, reports Search Engine Land. Google’s specific reasoning for shutting down Compare is unclear at this point, but after being available for less than a year, it’s a pretty quick turnaround time for the company.
Snapchat introduces ability for anyone to create custom geofilters, but it comes at a cost
In a blog post today, Snapchat has announced that it is expanding its geofilter feature to be open to all users, businesses, and brands. Previously, Snapchat’s geofilters were available to public places, such as cities, colleges, and neighborhoods. With today’s expansion, however, anyone can pay to create a custom geofilter.
Carrier Availability: Where to buy the Samsung Galaxy S7 & S7 Edge in the US
Update: Samsung’s Galaxy S7 is now up for pre-order at Best Buy and through the carriers below.
The Galaxy S7 and Galaxy S7 Edge were made official at long last today, with Samsung taking the wraps off of the two devices during its press event at Mobile World Congress in Barcelona. Now, all of the major carriers in the United States are announcing their respective pre-order information and details.
HTC unveils new global One X9, three new Desire models w/ unique ‘Micro Splash’ design
At Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, HTC today has unveiled four new mid-range Android devices. Three of the devices carry the company’s mid-range Desire branding, while the fourth is a global version of the One X9, which was previously available only in Asia.