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December 8, 2015
Google has released the latest distribution numbers for the various shipping versions of Android, with the latest version, Marshmallow, picking up a marginal increase.
Last month’s numbers showed Android 6.0 running on only 0.3% of devices, while this month’s chart puts it at 0.5%, making it the least-used version of Android except for Froyo.
December 7, 2015
Shortly after Dropbox announced it had shut down its popular Mailbox and Carousel apps, Facebook has made a similar move by removing a handful of its apps from the Google Play Store and shutting down the division that created them.
Facebook’s Creative Labs project was intended to promote the creation of apps like Snapchat competitor Slingshot, and has launched several apps with some success. However, the social site has apparently decided that the time has come to shutter that initiative and the apps it has produced.
In a new blog post today, Dropbox has announced the shuttering of the Mailbox app it acquired in 2013, along with the Carousel photos app that launched last year. The beta build of Mailbox for Mac has not seen an update in quite some time, while the iOS version had been left to stagnate, leading many to believe this was the case already, but today’s announcement finally confirms it.
Dropbox says that the reason for the shutdowns was that company had “increased our team’s focus on collaboration and simplifying the way people work together.”
November 30, 2015
AT&T subscribers who previously had unlimited data plans back in the iPhone 3G era and have managed to hang onto that plan are in for their first price increase in seven years, a source with knowledge of the matter has informed 9to5Google.
Update: AT&T has now publicly announced the change. Additional information has been added below.
November 23, 2015
T-Mobile has announced its latest “un-carrier” initiative, dubbed “Un-carrier Unwrapped.” Rather than a permanent addition to the company’s offerings, Un-carrier Unwrapped is a month-long event during which the carrier will gift its subscribers and new customers with special deals and benefits.
The first of those was announced today: unlimited LTE data for all subscribers on Simple Choice post-paid plans for the next three months.
November 19, 2015
Facebook announced today that a new feature rolling out soon across its mobile apps will allow you to hide posts from ex automatically (or hide your posts from them) when you change your relationship status back to single. You can also hide all traces of your past relationship from the public.
November 12, 2015
YouTube has finally debuted the music streaming app it announced last month. The app helps users find new music to enjoy by allowing them to select from pre-made stations or create their own based on their musical tastes.
November 2, 2015
Sprint announces new agreement to let subscribers roam in Cuba
Sprint today announced a new agreement with the Telecommunications Company of Cuba that will allow the fourth-largest US carrier’s subscribers to roam in Cuba. The move comes on the heels of changes to US-Cuban relations recently implemented by the US government.
The Sprint press release (below) mentions two of the company’s global roaming initiatives, but doesn’t specify whether Cuba will join the existing programs or will be part of a different offer.
The company says the exact details and the timing of the launch will be announced at a later date.
October 29, 2015
Apple has published its second Android app, following up on the Move to iOS app with something a bit more appealing to current Android users. The new app is designed to let users control and manage their Beats Pill+ speakers.
October 23, 2015
New screenshots of what is reportedly the beta version of Apple Music for Android have been published, providing what may be a first look at Apple’s first second foray into app development on Google’s competing mobile platform.
The screenshots, included below, show most of the features users would expect, such as Beats 1 availability and the “For Me” recommendations page. Apple Music Connect, the social network for musicians built into the service, is also included.
October 16, 2015
Google wins appeal in book-scanning copyright lawsuit
Google has won an appeal in what is now a decade-long legal dispute over whether the company violated copyright law when it scanned millions of books into its online database.
The original lawsuit was brought against Google by the Authors Guild in 2005 and claimed that Google had violated copyright law by allowing readers to view up to 20 pages of copyrighted books without purchasing them.
Samsung has announced two new colors for the Galaxy Note 5, both of which will be available only in Korea for the time being. Along with a titanium-hued finish, customers will be able to get the Note 5 in a “pink gold” shade reminiscent of Apple’s ‘rose gold’ iPhone 6s, which will go on sale in Korea later this month.
October 1, 2015
A woman receives a package from Amazon that presumably does not contain a Chromecast
If you’re looking to buy an Chromecast online, you may need to look somewhere other than Amazon in the very near future. A new report from Bloomberg claims that an internal email at indicates the retailer will block sales of Google’s streaming device because it doesn’t support Amazon Prime Video.
September 29, 2015
Google Maps comes to the Apple Watch in latest iOS app update
Google has released an updated version of its mapping application for iOS that includes several new features, including an Apple Watch app. Along with the new watch app comes the ability to compare ETAs for different modes of transportation, such as biking and walking.
HTC announces which devices will get Android Marshmallow, starts rollout this year
HTC has announced its plans to roll out Android 6.o “Marshmallow” to some of its mobile devices. Two devices, the One M8 and One M9, will get the update beginning this year, but most other devices on the list appear to be getting support next year.
September 18, 2015
Android Pay gains promised Citibank support
Google has updated the Android Pay website to indicate to support for Citi cards has finally arrived, leaving Capital One as the last card issuer still on the “coming soon” list. Users should be able to add their Citibank-issued cards to their phones and use them for payments immediately.
This brings the list of supported banks and card issuers to 12, including MasterCard, Visa, American Express, Bank of America, Wells Fargo, and Discover. The number of stores accepting Android Pay numbers in the thousands.
August 26, 2015
Facebook today confirmed previous rumors that it was developing a Messenger-based virtual assistant codenamed “Moneypenny.” The software was debuted today under the name “M,” and will be available in a very limited release to users in the Bay Area starting today.
August 21, 2015
Samsung has launched a new promotional offer aimed squarely at iPhone owners. In a bid to attract Apple’s users to the latest lineup of Galaxy smartphones, the South Korean competitor will now let iPhone users take one of three new models for the “ultimate test drive” for a full month.
August 12, 2015
Google announced earlier this week that it will be turning its Map Maker tool back on in six countries after shutting it down due to misuse and map vandalism three months ago. Along with the relaunch of the tool, Google has implemented some new checks to ensure that the system isn’t being abused.
August 10, 2015
Thanks to Google’s SEC filing, we’ve got some answers on that front.
