Google officially announced the Play Store’s Material Theme in August 2019, while a dark mode came that October. Since then, pages like “Manage apps & devices,” settings, and navigation have been significantly revamped. A Material You redesign with Dynamic Color is what’s next for the Google Play Store, and here’s an early look.
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Hands on: Nvidia’s new Shield TV is a Google Assistant-wielding powerhouse that we can’t wait to buy [Video]
Nvidia’s Shield TV has been one of the best Android TV devices in recent memory and at CES 2017 it has gotten a massive update. It has new hardware, an updated OS with built-in Google Assistant, and an amazing new accessory that all turns it into the technology of our dreams.
Google Assistant on Nvidia’s Shield TV won’t require repetitive ‘Ok Google’ commands [Video]
One thing that the Google Assistant has that puts other voice assistants to shame is the fact that you can have a contextual conversation with it. With information from previous questions or commands, Assistant can make the conversation feel more natural, but it’s not perfect, especially on certain devices. It looks like the Nvidia Shield will have a leg up on some other Assistant-supported devices, however.
9to5Google Best of CES 2017 Awards
If you’ve been following our coverage this week, you know that CES 2017 has already brought the introduction of countless new phones, laptops, accessories, and more. In the Google realm, that means we’ve seen plenty of new Android phones, Chromebooks, wearables, and more.
But CES is always a matter of finding the diamonds in the rough. There are always some impressive announcements, but the vast majority of things we’ve seen this week have been either mundane or old news. That’s why we’ve done the work for you.
Follow after the break to get a peek at our picks for the best Android, Chrome and Google-related products that debuted at this year’s Consumer Electronics Show…
Hands on with the ZTE ‘Hawkeye’ and Blade V8 Pro [Video]
ZTE took to the stage at CES 2017 to announce two new devices coming to the US market. The first is a phone we’ve seen previously released in Asia, Europe, and Mexico and that is the Blade V8 Pro. The second is a device that ZTE crowdsourced called the Hawkeye. Both devices are fairly inexpensive and come unlocked — but are either of them worth your time?
Hands on: TP-Link smart home products will work with Google Home starting in Q2 [Video] (Updated)
Update 1/9: TP-Link has reached out to clarify that Google Home integration is expected in Q2 of 2017, not February.
Google Home’s portfolio of supported products has slowly been growing since its release, but several major players still aren’t supported. That’s soon to change, though, with the addition of Actions on Google. Today at CES 2017, we were able to confirm that TP-Link products will be supported by Google Home in the coming weeks, and got a chance to see them in action…
Hands on: New Balance’s Android Wear-powered RunIQ is a wonderful watch for runners [Video]
CES 2017 hasn’t had a ton of exciting announcements in the arena of Android Wear, but one of two big reveals is New Balance’s long-awaited Android Wear smartwatch, the RunIQ.
Hands on: Casio’s latest rugged Android Wear smartwatch runs Android Wear 2.0, somehow got even bigger [Video]
Android Wear has made its way to quite a few styles of smartwatches, but few have been as, striking as those from Casio. The Casio WSD-F10 rugged smartwatch certainly turned heads at last year’s CES and for 2017, Casio has refreshed that watch with a few key additions.
Cute thermal printer turns your smartphone content into Post-It-style sticky notes
I may live a paperless life myself, but not everyone does. If you’re someone who prefers physical reminders of things you need to do, the Mangoslab Nemonic may be for you: it’s a small thermal printer that can print anything on your Android phone onto a sticky note.
Hands on: Samsung’s Chromebook Plus/Pro breathe new life into Chrome OS [Video]
There’s not a ton to get excited about at CES 2017, but two devices we’ve been eager to check out are the ASUS Chromebook Flip 2 and the Samsung Chromebook Pro & Plus. Today, we’ve finally been able to lay our hands on Samsung’s latest Chromebook option.
Google recaps new Daydream-ready phones, including Huawei Mate 9, first 3rd-party viewer
Last year, Google announced that many upcoming Android devices would support the Daydream VR platform. At CES, Asus announced the Daydream-ready ZenFone AR and ZTE noted that support was coming to the Axon 7 with Nougat. Today, Google announced the addition of Huawei’s Mate 9 and Mate 9 Pro, as well as the first third-party Daydream viewer.
JVC, Pioneer, Alpine & Kenwood announce new aftermarket Android Auto in-dash units
CES 2017 has officially kicked into full gear ahead of the show opening to the public this weekend, and today we get a look at the latest aftermarket in-dash entertainment systems that support the Android Auto platform. Announcements at the show include new products from JVC, Kenwood, Pioneer, and Alpine. Head below for all the details.
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T-Mobile follows Project Fi’s lead with Kickback, now includes fees & taxes in ONE pricing
T-Mobile’s CEO John Legere took the stage at CES 2017 today to share the latest Uncarrier news. T-Mobile has announced they are going “All in” on their T-Mobile ONE plans. This means that starting on January 22, new customers will only be able to choose the ONE plan. Additionally, the carrier will be including all fees and taxes into the price of your T-Mobile ONE plan.
Xiaomi reveals white variant of its Mi Mix ceramic-bodied smartphone
At an event today at CES 2017, Xiaomi has announced that the Mi Mix smartphone it first showed off back in October will now be available in a sleek new white variant.
iHeartRadio integration with Google Home is coming ‘soon’
Google Home is one of our favorite products of 2016, and as we go into 2017, we’re only expecting it to get better. That includes integrations with more new services, such as popular radio streaming service iHeartRadio, which has announced that it will be coming to Google Home.
Polaroid debuts new 4K UHD TVs at CES 2017 with Chromecast built-in
Google’s Chromecast is one of the most popular products the company makes, as well as being one of our personal favorites. The simple and easy experience of casting content from your device is smooth and fun, but in some cases, it’s nice to use the features built-in to your TV.
Hands-on: ASUS Zenfone AR and ASUS ZenFone 3 Zoom [Video]
This week at CES 2017, ASUS has unveiled two new Android smartphones — the ASUS Zenfone AR and the ASUS Zenfone 3 Zoom. Following the company’s press conference, we had the opportunity to try out the company’s latest devices and so far, they may potentially be the best of CES this year.
Nex Evolution wearable band and Niantic’s forthcoming Ingress wearable revealed
A company you’ve probably never heard of, Mighty Cast, has today announced a pair of interesting new wearable devices at CES 2017. The Nex Evolution doesn’t have a full display, but rather opts for five small tappable buttons called “Mods” that can be customized to do almost anything using the companion app and light up to provide phone notifications. And the second device is being made in partnership with Niantic for Ingress, the sibling of the wildly popular Pokemon Go game.
Huawei Mate 9 is the first phone w/ Amazon Alexa pre-installed, landing in the US for $599
Two months after its initial debut, Huawei has just announced that its current flagship smartphone, the Huawei Mate 9, is coming to the United States on January 6th…
Google Assistant coming soon to Android TV, NVIDIA launches new SHIELD TV w/ 4K HDR support
Update: The new Nvidia Shield TV is now available online at Amazon and Nvidia’s online store for $200 (or $300 for the Pro).
Already available on the Pixel and Home, Google Assistant will soon come to Android TV. A new SHIELD TV shown off at NVIDIA’s CES event was the first device to demo these capabilities, but the Assistant will come to most current set-top boxes and television sets running Android.
New Balance RunIQ is a fitness-focussed Android Wear device, available Feb. for $299
Announced last CES with availability originally slated for 2016, New Balance’s first Android Wear smartwatch has finally been made available. The fitness-focussed RunIQ sports GPS and a heart rate sensor with exercise software from Strava.
ZTE details Nougat w/ Daydream for Axon 7, opens pre-orders for crowdsourced ‘Hawkeye’
At CES 2017, ZTE provided updates on when Android 7.0 Nougat would arrive for the well regarded Axon 7 and more details about their bid to crowdsource a smartphone. The company also launched the affordable dual-camera Blade V8 Pro in the US market.
Samsung Chromebook Pro & Plus coming in February w/ convertible design and styluses, starting at $449
Today at CES 2017, Samsung unveiled its long-awaited Chromebook Pro alongside the previously unheard of Samsung Chromebook Plus. Both Chromebooks are designed specifically with Google Play in mind, as being the first Chromebooks ever with support for a stylus.
Hulu sets itself apart from DirecTV Now as it secures CBS for upcoming live TV service
Hulu announced today that it has signed a new agreement with CBS to carry content from America’s most-watched broadcast network including both on-demand and live programming. This news comes about a month after DirecTV Now launched without the major network, although CBS CEO Les Moonves has alluded that they’ll be able to figure something out.