Mike Beasley, Author at 9to5Google - Page 6 of 16

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Withings debuts Activité Pop smartwatch, brings an affordable splash of color to the original

Mike Beasley Jan 4 2015 - 11:50 pm PT

Screen Shot 2015-01-05 at 2.27.26 AM

Withings announced its new Activité Pop smartwatch today during CES. While the original model will set you back $450, the new “Pop” version will only cost you $150. For that much lower price you’ll gain the same fitness-tracking functionality of the original, including compatibility with the Health Mate mobile app. Oh, and an eight-month battery.

A secondary hand on the face of the watch provides a simple way to quickly check how much of your daily exercise routine you’ve completed. The Activité Pop can measure many activities, from running to swimming, and even monitor your sleep cycle. It even has a silent, vibration-based alarm to help you wake up.

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Griffin debuts iTrip Aux Bluetooth, updated Twenty digitial audio amp, new wearable accessories, and more at CES

Mike Beasley Jan 4 2015 - 11:24 pm PT

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Griffin unveiled a series of new accessories for mobile devices today during the Consumer Electronics Show. The first of these accessories is the iTrip Aux Bluetooth, which combines a standard 3.5mm audio cable with a Bluetooth reciever powered by the cigarette lighter in your car, allowing you to stream your music wirelessly to your car’s stereo, even if you don’t have a Bluetooth equipped car.

The iTrip Aux Bluetooth retails for $49.99 and is available from Griffin’s website starting today.

The company also announced…

Parrot introduces Android Auto-powered RNB6 infotainment system

Mike Beasley Jan 4 2015 - 9:09 pm PT

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[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LfrN8IVQB84&channel=parrot]

Parrot today introduced its new Android-powered infotainment system, currently known only by its model number, “RNB6,” that features a 7-inch 720p display. The system runs on a custom build of Android Lollipop, and has full support for that operating system’s Android Auto feature, allowing control of your cell phone’s key functions through your dashboard.

Even without a phone connected, the system offers onboard navigation (integrated with the dashcam), phone call capability (presumably over Bluetooth unless connected via Android Auto or Apple CarPlay), vehicle diagnostics, music and climate control, and more.

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Could the Palm brand be coming back in the form of an Android phone?

Mike Beasley Dec 30 2014 - 10:07 pm PT

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The Palm smartphone brand may not be as dead it seemed. While parent company HP has already taken the company apart and sold off its remnants, there’s some new evidence pointing to the idea that the name, logo, and other related trademarks may be preparing to make a comeback.

Specifically, HP sold Palm’s trademarks to a company called Wide Progress Global Limited. Other trademarks owned by that company include… absolutely nothing. It seems Wide Progress Global was created solely to handle the Palm trademarks until some other company could put them to use.

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Larry Page named in lawsuit by worker who was injured while painting his yacht

Mike Beasley Dec 30 2014 - 4:57 pm PT

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Google CEO Larry Page is being sued by a worker who sustained injuries while painting the executive’s yacht. When Page hired contractor HF Interior to remodel his boat, painter James Grupinski says he was forced to work 12-hour days without the proper tools or safety equipment.

The painter says he collapsed at one point after being subjected to toxic fumes from the paint he was given to use. He asked to be taken to the hospital, but his employer threatened to fire him and allegedly told him to “stop being a baby” and “drink some milk.”

How any of this ends up being Page’s fault is somewhat of a mystery, but it’s likely Grupinski is just hoping to make his payday a little bit bigger by roping the CEO into the mess. Grupinski is also suing several contractors, according to the report.

Google+ gains automatic video quality, stability, and audio enhancement capability

Mike Beasley Dec 19 2014 - 7:07 pm PT

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[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SjDd0rkHAuA]

Google has announced a new feature for its Google+ Auto Backup system that will automatically enhance the quality of videos taken on mobile devices. The feature works by analyzing videos that have been backed up to Google+, then present users with the option of applying color, stability, or audio quality fixes.

You can then view a before-and-after example of the changes, then choose whichever version you like best. An example is embedded above. These changes can also be applied to any older videos through the Google+ website. The company says that a speech enhancement option will be added in the future.

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Google announces Tegra K1 processor will be among those available for Project Ara

Mike Beasley Dec 19 2014 - 4:15 pm PT

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Google today announced a few new details about the progress on its Project Ara smartphone, which will feature interchangeable internal components designed to allow consumers to build exactly the phone they want and upgrade individual parts as necessary.

The latest update on the project includes some information about what types of processors are expected to be available for the device. Previously Google had announced a partnership with Rockchip to create a custom system-on-a-chip that would power the Ara. The company revealed today that Marvell’s PXA1928 will also be available in the lineup.

However, the bigger news is that the NVIDIA Tegra K1…

Leaked James Bond product placement pitches reveal unannounced Sony smartphone

Mike Beasley Dec 18 2014 - 8:32 pm PT

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Emails found among the documents recently stolen from Sony by hackers have revealed what looks to be concept art for an unannounced smartphone. The “XPERIA Z Fourth Generation,” seen above, was pitched by Sony executives for product placements in the recently announced 24th James Bond flick “Spectre.”

The executives haggle over pricing for the placement of the phone, questioning whether they should pay the full $5 million for star Daniel Craig to use the phone, or settle for actor Ben Whishaw’s much cheaper “Q” to show it off.

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Reuters: Google planning new ‘Android M’ specifically for cars

Mike Beasley Dec 18 2014 - 3:06 pm PT

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Google is planning to create a version of Android that will run in cars without the need for a connected smartphone according to a new report from Reuters. The updated version of Android Auto said to include “all the features of the Internet,” such as streaming music and GPS navigation.

The software would also reportedly include the ability to use the car’s sensors (like GPS) to feed information about consumers’ driving habits to advertisers.

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Google ‘deeply concerned’ by reports of MPAA working with movie studios to ‘revive SOPA’

Mike Beasley Dec 18 2014 - 2:36 pm PT

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Google has published a post on its Public Policy blog responding to recent revelations that the Motion Picture Association of America was working with a group of movie studios in order to find new ways to force the search giant to modify its results to omit sites that contained stolen copyrighted material:

We are deeply concerned about recent reports that the Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA) led a secret, coordinated campaign to revive the failed SOPA legislation through other means, and helped manufacture legal arguments in connection with an investigation by Mississippi State Attorney General Jim Hood.

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Microsoft’s Xim photo app updated with support for Chromecast streaming

Mike Beasley Dec 17 2014 - 8:00 am PT

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[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Iwwvma8jLXM&feature=youtu.be]

Microsoft updated its Xim photo sharing application today with support for viewing photos wirelessly on Google’s Chromecast streaming device. The instructions for setting up Chromecast streaming (demonstrated in the video above) are relatively simple: just tap the display mode icon and select your Chromecast from the list. After that, you’ll see your slideshows on your TV in real time.

Xim allows users to create shared photo slideshows that stay in sync across multiple devices. Whenever a user changes the slideshow by zooming in, switching photos, or changing something else, all users currently viewing that slideshow will see the change in real time.

The Xim app is free for all users on the Google Play Store.

Fleksy becomes Android’s first GIF keyboard, gains support for extensions, new themes, and more

Mike Beasley Dec 17 2014 - 6:00 am PT

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A major update to the Fleksy keyboard for Android was released today, adding several big new features and a handful of new themes to the popular app. The update adds the ability to insert GIFs into your text messages and elsewhere, making it the first GIF keyboard for Android. That’s done through a new feature called Extensions.

Extensions allow the user to specify certain optional features to be included on the keyboard. Some of the extensions that come with the new app include a fifth row on the keyboard for numbers, the aforementioned GIF keyboard, and even an app launcher at the top of the keyboard. Several others are also included.

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Firmware update brings VoLTE support to AT&T’s Galaxy S4 Mini

Mike Beasley Dec 16 2014 - 5:23 pm PT

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AT&T has released a new over-the-air software update for the Galaxy S4 Mini which introduces support for voice-over-LTE calls, as noted by Android Central. The update also includes the ability to dial 911 without a SIM card in the phone.

VOLTE Software Update Includes

VoLTE inter-op call hold

SIM less 911 Dialing update

ISIM SQN re-sync for VoLTE reregistration

v4v6 for IMS PDN while roaming

You can grab the update for yourself by opening the Software Update screen in the Settings app.

Bose reportedly planning to launch its own music streaming platform to challenge Google’s offerings

Mike Beasley Dec 15 2014 - 7:48 pm PT

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With Google-owned YouTube recently launching its own streaming music platform, it seems that Google is poised to provide a solid challenge to others in the streaming space, like Apple’s iTunes Radio and Beats Music services.

Now the market is about to get a little more crowded as an even newer competitor prepares to enter the fray. Audio hardware manufacturer Bose is reportedly planning to launch a direct competitor to Google’s streaming services. The information comes from a job listing posted by the speaker manufacturer.

The listing states in no uncertain terms that…

Google preparing to jump into online commerce with ‘buy now’ button

Mike Beasley Dec 15 2014 - 7:38 pm PT

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Google is preparing to take on commerce giant Amazon by incorporating a “buy now” button into its shopping search results, the Wall Street Journal reported today. The results currently rely on links to third-party retailers, but the Mountain View search company is apparently looking to integrate itself a little deeper into the checkout process.

Unlike Amazon, Google doesn’t plan to maintain its own warehouses, stock products, or handle any sales itself. Instead, it will create a system for consumers to buy products from third-parties using Google Shopping as an intermediary service.

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Lollipop is now rolling out over the air to the Galaxy S4 GPE

Mike Beasley Dec 12 2014 - 7:00 pm PT

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Google has started rolling out the (almost) latest version of Android to the Google Play Edition of the Samsung Galaxy S4. The over-the-air update to version 5.0 (not the more recent 5.0.1) was noticed by Android Police today.

Previously the S4 had been said to be on the schedule for Lollipop in “early 2015,” but apparently things moved a little faster than expected. Other GPE devices like the Moto G have also recently started seeing updates to the new operating system.

Earlier today Google also made the Android 5.0.1 factory image available for the LTE-equipped Nexus 9 tablet.

Movie studios and the MPAA created a secret plan to combat Google, dubbed ‘Project Goliath’

Mike Beasley Dec 12 2014 - 6:35 pm PT

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New emails uncovered by the Verge from Sony’s stolen files have revealed that the company, along with several other studios and executives at the MPAA, worked together to create a plan of attack against Google, which they see as one of the biggest enemies Hollywood has.

The plan, which was codenamed “Project Goliath,” would involve each of the major movie studios contributing money toward a $500,000 fund to support legal attacks against the Mountain View company for its (unwitting) role in helping pirates find stolen media.

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Google donates $2 million to three charities benefiting San Francisco’s homeless

Mike Beasley Dec 11 2014 - 9:59 pm PT

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The city of San Francisco announced today that Google has made a $2 million donation to three charities benefiting the homeless. The money will go to Larkin Street Youth Services, Hamilton Family Center, and HandUp, according to a report from Mashable.

A full $1 million will go to the Hamilton Family Center, which locates homeless families through the public school system and helps them find a place to live.

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Hangouts Chrome extension updated with dialer and notification support

Mike Beasley Dec 11 2014 - 9:09 pm PT

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Google updated its Hangouts extension for Chrome with two new features today. The first addition is that of a dialer, which allows you to call your contacts quickly right from the extension. It also supports sending SMS messages from your Google Voice account.

When Chrome is set to not always remain on top, you’ll also find that you can now get notifications for new messages. There’s also a new option to minimize the app, along with some bug fixes. You can grab the Hangouts extension from the Chrome Web Store.

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YouTube unveils experimental new GIF maker, currently in testing on PBS Idea Channel

Mike Beasley Dec 11 2014 - 8:59 pm PT

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YouTube has just released a new GIF-making tool in testing on PBS’s Idea Channel. The tool is available under the share menu and allows users to pick a five-second clip from the video, add two lines of text, and export the file to their computer.

The frame rate of the output isn’t quite buttery smooth, and the inability to pick a longer section of video can be a little annoying, but the tool seems very usable in its first version. Google hasn’t said when this feature will roll out to the rest of YouTube.

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Russia

Google to shut down Russian engineering office after country passes data storage rules

Mike Beasley Dec 11 2014 - 8:22 pm PT

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Google is planning to shut down a Russia-based engineering office, The Information reports, following the nation’s passage of strict regulations on how technology companies are allowed to store data. The new law requires the company to store any the personal data of any Russian citizens within the country’s borders.

Rather than comply with that requirement, Google is ready to just pull out of the nation entirely. Employees based in Russia will be given the chance to work for Google in another location. Around fifty employees are expected to be affected.

Google and Hulu team up to offer free streaming to latest TV season on Android devices

Mike Beasley Dec 11 2014 - 4:26 pm PT

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A post on the official Android Google+ page today announced that Google and Hulu have partnered up “in the spirit of the season” to provide free streaming access to the current seasons of popular TV shows for customers in the US.

The free Hulu app typically requires a Hulu Plus account ($7.99/month) to stream anything on a mobile device. The Google+ post didn’t specify how long this offer will last, or if older episodes will also be included in the deal, but wording seems to indicate that it’s only available during the holiday season.

You can grab the Hulu app for free from Google Play.

Google Fit update brings support for new activities, including kickboxing and housework

Mike Beasley Dec 11 2014 - 4:09 pm PT

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Google’s Fit application has been updated with support for tracking over 100 activity types, Android Wear, and a new way to track steps, as discovered by Android Police. The app is available as an APK right now, and is expected to appear on the Google Play store at some point in the near future.

The update introduces the ability to manually enter many, many new types of activity, ranging from biking to kickboxing, and even housework. Yes, you read that correctly. Google Fit can track your activity during housework.

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Microsoft releases suite of MSN apps for Android, including News, Sports, and more

Mike Beasley Dec 11 2014 - 6:00 am PT

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Microsoft released an entire suite of MSN apps for Android today, which includes MSN News, Money, Health & Fitness, Food & Drink, and Sports, and Weather.

The Health and Fitness app allows users to track their diet and fitness goals, keep track of health-related news, view an interactive map of the human body. The Food and Drink app will include videos and articles on cooking from top culinary sources. It also provides a shopping list feature and wine guide.

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