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14,411 'Android' stories May 2011 - November 2015
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Android is Google’s mobile operating system, launched in September 2008, although its history technically began with the release of the Android alpha in November 2007. To this day, Android powers the majority of the world’s smartphones and comes in several different flavors across many phone makers.

Table of contents

What is Android?

Android Inc.

Android, before it was Android, was a company called Android Inc. That company was founded in Palo Alto, California, in 2003 by a crew of four: Andy Rubin, Rich Miner, Nick Sears, and Chris White. The company and its project was acquired by Google in 2005 for a sum of more than $50 million, although the exact number is unknown. The company’s founders joined Google as part of the deal.

In its infancy, Android was an operating system built not for touch screen smartphones like the iPhone, but rather BlackBerry-like devices with physical keyboards. It’s well documented that after Apple shocked the world with the iPhone, ahead of its nearest competition by at least a couple years, Google and Android Inc. had to go back to the drawing board to build something competitive.

Adoption by third-party makers

It didn’t take long after the launch of the iPhone for various manufacturers to enter the market with their alternatives — and Google’s Android immediately became the obvious platform of choice for just about everyone except Microsoft. HTC was the first manufacturer on board, and introduced the T-Mobile G1 running Android in September 2008. Soon after, HTC, Motorola, Samsung, and carriers like Sprint and T-Mobile jumped on board to form the Open Handset Alliance.

Android makers across the world

Iconic Android handsets

There have been thousands of Android phones released since Android’s inception, but some have been more important to the platform’s history than others. There was the original T-Mobile G1, as mentioned, but there was also the HTC One Google Play Edition, Moto G, Samsung Galaxy S4, and others. Some of the most iconic Android handsets include:

  • HTC G1
  • HTC Nexus One
  • Samsung Galaxy S, S2, S3, S4, and their successors
  • HTC Incredible S
  • Samsung Nexus S
  • Samsung Galaxy Nexus
  • Samsung Galaxy Note
  • Nokia 8
  • BlackBerry KeyOne
  • Google Pixel and its successors

In more modern times, there are several Android smartphones makers that popped up across various niches and in several international markets. Huawei is a dominant Android maker in China and many European markets, while Samsung is by far the most popular maker in the United States by far — effectively creating a duopoly with Apple. Today, there are dozens of major device makers contributing to the Android ecosystem.

Full list of Android OEMs

History of major Android versions

Android has seen countless software revisions over the course of its life, but in modern times the OS usually sees a major release on an annual cadence. In the earlier days, Google famously gave its major software releases dessert-themed codenames, but retired that practice in 2019 with the release of Android 10.

VersionNameReleaseDevices
2.3GingerbreadFebruary 9, 2011Nexus S
4.0Ice Cream SandwichOctober 19, 2011Galaxy Nexus
4.1Jelly BeanJuly 9, 2012Nexus 7
4.2Jelly BeanNovember 13, 2012Nexus 4, 10
4.3Jelly BeanJuly 24, 2013Nexus 7 (2013)
4.4KitKatOctober 31, 2013Nexus 5
5.0LollipopNovember 3, 2014Nexus 6, 9
5.1LollipopMarch 9, 2015Android One
6.0MarshmallowOctober 5, 2015Nexus 5X, 6P
7.0NougatAugust 22, 2016Nexus 5X, 6P
7.1NougatOctober 4, 2016Pixel, Pixel XL
8.0OreoAugust 21, 2017Pixel, Pixel XL
8.1OreoDecember 5, 2017Pixel, Pixel XL
9PieAugust 6, 2018Pixel 2, Pixel 2 XL
1010September 3, 2019Pixel 3, 3a
1111September 8, 2020Pixel 4

List of major Android OS platforms

While Android proper is certainly the most widespread of Google’s Android operating systems, the company has also launched many offshoots of the main OS over the years. There’s Android Auto, Android Wear (now Wear OS), Android TV (now rebranded to Google TV), as well as versions of Android built for tablets and Android Things (now defunct).

Review: Wileyfox Storm is Britain’s well-specced invite-free answer to OnePlus [Video]

Avatar for Cam Bunton Nov 17 2015 - 1:45 pm PT
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Grab a OnePlus One, slap on a fox logo and some pretty, shiny orange trim and you essentially have the Wileyfox Storm. It’s an attractive, affordable handset which currently stands as one of the few official Cyanogen partner phones with flagship specs. It’s made by a British company, and my experience with it has generally been pleasing…


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Lenovo launches Vibe X3 line of phones for Chinese markets

Avatar for Abner Li Nov 17 2015 - 12:28 pm PT
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Known stateside for their purchase of Motorola, Lenovo makes and sells their own branded smartphones in China and some European countries. The Vibe X3 continues the Vibe series, but it’s now a lineup of three models. All three share a 5.5-inch full HD Gorilla Glass display and rather serious audio tech, but differentiate in other specs…


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A first look & walkthrough of TouchWiz changes coming with Android 6.0 Marshmallow

Avatar for Jordan Kahn Nov 17 2015 - 11:41 am PT
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With the latest version of Android, version 6.0 Marshmallow, reportedly scheduled to start arriving for Samsung devices at the end of the year and into next, today we get a look at changes to Samsung’s TouchWiz overlay coming in the update via XDA-Developers.

Among the changes are tweaks to the user interface (most noticeably in the notifications panel) with a new color palette that the report notes is now “ predominantly white, with the same green accents” as the previous design, as pictured above on a Note 5.

There are touches of Material design throughout, new animations, and cleaned-up menus, while some of the stock TouchWiz apps also get a fresh coat of paint. Here’s a quick look at few:
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Google drops minimum premium app and IAP price in 17 countries

Avatar for Cam Bunton Nov 17 2015 - 9:31 am PT
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Google has announced today that — following a successful trial in India — it will allow developers in 17 more countries to charge a lower price for its premium apps and in-app purchases. This news comes a couple of weeks after the company raised the maximum price, now giving developers much more flexibility in what they can charge customers, and hopefully enabling them to reach more customers.

The full list of countries this reaches, and the minimum prices:

  • Brazil: R$ 0.99 (was R$2.50)
  • Chile: CLP $200.00 (was CLP $500.00)
  • Colombia: COP$ 800.00 (was COP$ 2000.00)
  • Hungary: Ft 125.00 (was Ft 225.00)
  • Indonesia: Rp 3,000.00 (was Rp 12,000.00)
  • Malaysia: RM 1.00 (was RM 3.50)
  • Mexico: MXN$ 5.00 (was MXN$ 9.90)
  • Philippines: ₱15.00 (was ₱43.00)
  • Poland: zł1.79 (was zł2.99)
  • Peru: S/. 0.99 (was S/. 3.00)
  • Russia: руб 15.00 (was руб 2.00)
  • Saudi Arabia:﷼ 0.99 (was 2.00﷼)
  • South Africa: R3.99 (was R10.00)
  • Thailand: ฿10.00 (was ฿32.00)
  • Turkey: ₺0.59 (was ₺2.00)
  • Ukraine: ₴5.00 (was ₴8.00)
  • Vietnam: ₫6,000 (was ₫21,000.00)

If you’re a developer in one of these countries, you can lower the prices of your app by going to the Google Play Developer Console and clicking “Pricing and Distribution” or “In-app Products” for your apps.

TENAA leak suggests Samsung is about to release Galaxy S6-like flip-phone

Avatar for Cam Bunton Nov 17 2015 - 8:58 am PT
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Samsung has vastly changed its design ethos over the course of 2015, and we think that’s a good thing. Swapping out the flimsy, cheap plastic chassis in favor of a much more premium glass and metal combo is exactly what the manufacturer needed to breathe life back in to its flagship smartphone ranges. The look was first adopted by the Galaxy S6, and looks set to be used in yet another phone soon, albeit one with a slightly different form factor…


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Huawei’s upcoming Mate 8 flagship leaked, here’s everything we know [Video]

Avatar for Stephen Hall Nov 17 2015 - 8:48 am PT
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The Mate 8 is shaping up to be the best Huawei phone yet, and this time around people might actually care. The previously almost-unheard-of-in-the-west Chinese company was the star of the show with this cycle of Nexus devices, and the company also launched this year what I believe is the best Android Wear smartwatch to date — the Huawei Watch.

And now we’re getting a look at the company’s upcoming flagship, the Mate 8, in all of its glory…
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Samsung Galaxy Note 5 now ships with warning not to insert S-Pen the wrong way

Avatar for Cam Bunton Nov 17 2015 - 7:58 am PT
2 Comments

A recently published YouTube unboxing video reveals that Samsung has begun shipping its Galaxy Note 5 handsets with a warning label, telling users not to insert the proprietary stylus in the wrong way. It may seem like pointing out the obvious, but Sammy has very real reasons for warning users.

When the Samsung Galaxy Note 5 launched earlier this fall, it was discovered that the device didn’t like having the S-Pen stylus inserted in to its silo the incorrect way. It’s not a fault as such, since inserting it the wrong way is user error, but the fact that this error would break the smartphone wasn’t as forgivable.

Thanks to the S-Pen’s new clickable top — and the catches which hold the stylus in place when stowed — the top would catch on the inner ‘hooks’ and either get stuck, or break them. We detailed exactly what happens in an in-depth post back when the issue first came to light.

Samsung did halfheartedly address the issue in a statement back when the problem was at its most prominent, and did so by pointing people to the user guide which shows the correct insertion of the S-Pen. Clearly though, the issues haven’t stopped since then, and Sammy wants to make it as clear as possible to Note 5 buyers that the stylus only fits in one way.

Report: Google Glass successor Project Aura bringing two screenless head-mounted devices

Avatar for Stephen Hall Nov 16 2015 - 6:54 pm PT
2 Comments

According to a report out of The Information today, Google is working on three devices under the umbrella of Project Aura: the next iteration of Glass (dubbed Enterprise Edition, which we extensively detailed earlier this year), and two screenless head-mounted devices that rely on audio.

The report mentions that these two audio-based devices use bone conduction just like Google Glass, but notably go without the screen. They’re like “headphones worn on your face,” Jessica Lessin says. The team that’s building the new devices (one of which is reportedly for “sport” users) is targeting a release for next year…
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Opinion: The Nexus 5X is excellent, but performance is its one inexcusable flaw

Avatar for Stephen Hall Nov 16 2015 - 3:54 pm PT
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I’ve been feeling up the Nexus 5X for about a week now, and I’m undoubtedly impressed. It’s been a while since we’ve seen a Nexus phone in this size range, and — as someone who used the Nexus 6 as his daily driver for a year — it’s really refreshing to once again have a handset to match my hands. That was the first thing I noticed about the Nexus 5X. I have little-to-no tolerance for third-party bloatware, skins, and gimmicks, and stock vanilla Android is almost a non-negotiable for me. And in this one area, the 5X — the 6P, as well — delivers, and that alone puts it in a league of its own in my eyes. That alone makes this phone, for me, one the cream of the Android crop.

But there’s one thing that has been a recurring theme in my first week with the 5X: performance. It’s just simply not good enough, and in 2015, OS stutters, frame rate drops, and lag while switching apps is quite simply inexcusable, (but especially in any phone that costs more than $100). It’s not that the 5X is a crippled experience — no, I’m sometimes in buttery smooth Android heaven. But in those times that my phone just slows to a crawl in the middle of my day, whatever the reason may be, I can’t help but want to throw the 5X at a wall…


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9to5Toys Lunch Break: New 32GB Nexus 5 $210, Samsung Galaxy Tab 3 w/ FreedomPop plan $60, more

Avatar for Stephen Hall Nov 16 2015 - 1:28 pm PT
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Keep up with the best gear and deals on the web by signing up for the 9to5Toys Newsletter. Also, be sure to check us out on: Twitter, RSS Feed, Facebook, Google+ and Safari push notifications.

TODAY’S CAN’T MISS DEALS:

Nexus 5 32GB Black/White in new condition: $210 shipped (Reg. $350)

7-inch Samsung Galaxy Tab 3 tablet: w/ FreedomPop: $60 shipped (Reg. $140+) | FreedomPop

TRACFONE Alcatel Onetouch Pixi GLITZ smartphone: $10 shipped (Reg. $20) | Best Buy

Amazon Gold Box – PNY storage up to 60% off: 128GB microSD $40, 64GB USB 3.0 Flash Drive $16, more

Best of Black Friday – HDTVs: 40-inch from $149, Samsung 55-inch Smart $580 (Reg. $1,200), more

Best of Black Friday – iPads, Tablets and e-readers: iPad Air 2 from $360, Amazon Fire $35 (Reg. $50), more

Best of Black Friday – Games: Xbox One/PS4 console bundles, deep discounts on games, more

Best of Black Friday – wearables: Fitbit Flex $59/Charge $90/more, $100 off Apple Watch, Android smartwatches, more

MORE NEW GEAR FROM TODAY:

Daily Deals: Seiki 39-inch 120Hz 4K 2160p HDTV $250, Aukey 3-Port USB Hub w/ ethernet $16, more

LG 43-inch HDTVs: Smart 4K + $150 Dell Gift Card $600 (Reg. $800+), 1080p $300 (Reg. $350), more

BLACK FRIDAY AD LEAKS & NEWS:

Best Buy’s Black Friday ad brings deals on Apple Watch, Macs, HDTVs, games & more!

MORE DEALS STILL ALIVE:

LG Google Nexus 5 16GB Unlocked GSM (Refurb) $150 (Reg. $300)

NEW PRODUCTS & MORE:

What Watch uses Bluetooth connectivity to tab the memorable moments of your life

Pulse brings Bluetooth LE + iOS connectivity to a slew of Canon and Nikon DSLRs

 

Samsung’s huge Galaxy View tablet to be available at AT&T on November 20

Avatar for Stephen Hall Nov 16 2015 - 12:37 pm PT
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Samsung’s new Galaxy View tablet was announced a few weeks ago, and now we have word that the gigantic device is going to be available at AT&T starting November 20th. AT&T is also announcing a promotion with DIRECTV that can land you a View for just $100.

The Galaxy View is a behemoth of a tablet, so much so that some are referring to it as a TV. I have to agree with this sentiment, because even compared to Apple’s very-large 12.9-inch iPad Pro, this thing is just plain massive.

The Galaxy View has an 18.4-inch Full HD 1080p display, a 2.1-megapixel camera on the front, and is powered by a 1.6 Ghz octa-core processor, 2 GB of RAM, and a 5,700mAh battery. There are two 4W speakers on the back, and a MicroSD card slot to go with 32GB or 64GB internal storage.

Keep reading for the details on the DIRECTV deal…

WALK OUT WATCHING DIRECTV® WITH THE ONE OF A KIND SAMSUNG GALAXY VIEW FOR $99.99, ONLY AT AT&T
Built for streaming entertainment on your terms, you can walk out watching DIRECTV

DALLAS, NOV. 16, 2015 – Available first from AT&T on Nov. 20, experience the latest LTE device from Samsung with the entertainment-centric Samsung Galaxy View. The Galaxy View is more than a tablet. It combines the entertainment features of a TV with the mobility and engaging design of a tablet. You can buy the Galaxy View in retail stores nationwide and online at www.att.com. DIRECTV customers can walk out watching over 100 live channels.d For a limited time, customers that sign up for new DIRECTV service (24-month agreement required) can buy the Samsung Galaxy View for $99.99, with a two-year wireless agreement.3 Existing DIRECTV customers that activate a new line with a smartphone on AT&T Next can also get the Galaxy View for $99.99, with a two-year wireless agreement.4

Additional key features on the Galaxy View tablet include:
• Display: Streaming video is brought to life on the Galaxy View’s 18.4 inch, Full HD 1080p screen.5
• Storage: AT&T’s Galaxy View comes with 64GB6 of storage, with expandable memory up to 128GB7, so you can download your favorite videos, music and more.
• Portability: Use the Galaxy View’s built-in kickstand in TV-mode to watch the game while you grill, or stand upright into Lap-mode to read comfortably. Turn up your music’s volume while its powerful speakers provide serious sound.
• Long-lasting Battery: With up to 8 hours of continuous play or watch time8, you can binge-watch, game and browse for hours without having to pause the action.

Samsung Galaxy View will be available in Black from AT&T for $0 down for well-qualified customers and $30 per month for 20 months with an AT&T Tablet Installment Plan9 or $499.99 with a two-year agreement.10 Add the Galaxy View to a new or existing Mobile Share Value Plan for an additional $10 per month access charge.11

“The Samsung Galaxy View is the best parts of a TV and tablet, designed with entertainment as its primary focus,” said Jeff Bradley, senior vice president, Device Marketing and Developer Services, AT&T Mobility. “We know our customers are watching video in ways they never used to, and with this tablet you can shift where and when content is consumed. No other Samsung device provides this combination of integrated entertainment experience and value.”

The Samsung Galaxy View earned 4 of 5 stars, on AT&T’s Eco-Rating 2.0 system. The 2.0 system rates the social and environmental factors of AT&T branded handset devices and tablets. AT&T created the Eco-Rating 2.0 system to empower consumers to make better informed decisions when selecting a device. For more information about this device’s rating, AT&T’s Eco-Rating 2.0 System, and how you can join AT&T in making a difference, please visit http://att.com/ecospace.

For more information on the Samsung Galaxy View, check out this Mobile Minute video and visit: att.com/GalaxyView. Follow the conversation on social media by using #GalaxyView.

ASUS says its ZenFone 2, PadFone S are getting Android 6.0 Marshmallow

Avatar for Stephen Hall Nov 16 2015 - 10:06 am PT
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ASUS has come out on its ZenTalk forum today to detail which of its phones will be getting the upgrade to Android 6.0 Marshmallow. Among others, the list of course includes the ZenFone 2 (which we gave a decent review earlier this year), as well as the ZenFone 2 Special Edition and the recently-announced ZenFone 2 Laser…

Here’s the full list of models as per the forum posting:

We are planning to support the Android M upgrade for below model:

  • PadFone S (PF500KL)
  • ZenFone 2 (ZE550ML/ZE551ML)
  • ZenFone 2 Deluxe / Special Edition (ZE551ML)
  • ZenFone 2 Laser (ZE500KG/ZE500KL/ZE550KL/ZE600KL/ZE601KL)
  • ZenFone Selfie (ZD551KL)

Almost half a year ago, we reviewed the ASUS ZenFone 2 and basically said that it’s definitely a decent phone (which, frankly, was a first from ASUS in my book). We also gave the ZenFone 2E a review, in which I said that it’s pretty much exactly what you’d expect from a ZenFone 2 turned Go Phone. I’ve had my hands on the ZenFone 2 Laser for the last few days, so keep your eye out for that review sometime soon.

Motorola proves that we’re physically incapable of not touching our phones [Video]

Avatar for Stephen Hall Nov 16 2015 - 8:56 am PT
1 Comment

In a clever new video, Motorola has proven — albeit while also advertising its Moto X — that we just can’t keep our hands off of our phones for as much as one minute. It’s perhaps not the most well-designed scientific experiment, but it’s interesting nonetheless the temptation we have to reach for our phones when they start buzzing, even in situations where we probably shouldn’t.

In this case, Motorola (or, more accurately, Ashton Kutcher) told unknowing victims that they were “running an experiment” that required them to keep their hands in two circles on a table. After they closed the door to leave the suspects in the room by themselves, they started sending notifications to their phones. As might be expected, the participants just couldn’t wait to check them.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_qUZai-kGgA

Google adds parts of Bolivia and Ecuador to Street View

Avatar for Stephen Hall Nov 16 2015 - 7:41 am PT
0 Comments

Street View has been slowly getting more locations since it launched in 2007, and now the company has added many of parts of Bolivia and Ecuador to the list. These two South American countries are full of history and beautiful imagery, and now they can be explored from the comfort of your Chrome browser.

Google is even featuring some of the best imagery from Bolivia and Ecuador on its Street View site.

Just a couple of months ago, Google launched a standalone Street View app for Android and iPhone. Android users will find it on the Play Store, and iPhone users can download the standalone Street View app on the App Store. And if you’re interested in exploring Bolivia and Ecuador in VR, you might be interested in the fact that the Street View app recently added support for Google Cardboard.

T-Mobile chief John Legere: BlackBerry is “on a comeback”

Avatar for Cam Bunton Nov 16 2015 - 6:25 am PT
2 Comments

The BlackBerry PRIV has drawn both positive and negative opinions since it was officially announced earlier this fall. In fact, one could argue that there’s not a single tech enthusiast anywhere who remains completely indifferent on the first Android-powered phone from Waterloo. You’ll either love it or hate it, and it’s either the device that will save BlackBerry or a desperate last-gasp attempt at survival which confirms that it’s dead. Ask John Legere, T-Mobile‘s outspoken CEO, and he’ll tell you the company is on its way back up…


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OnePlus 2 and OnePlus One will get Android 6.0 Marshmallow update in Q1 2016

Avatar for Cam Bunton Nov 16 2015 - 4:59 am PT
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We’re all eager to discover when our smartphones of choice will finally receive the Android 6.0 Marshmallow update – and for OnePlus smartphone owners, it’ll mean waiting until the beginning of next year.

OnePlus announced on its forums this morning that it will be rolling out Marshmallow-based builds of Cyanogen OS for the OnePlus One and Oxygen OS for the OnePlus 2 at some point in Q1 2016.

With the OnePlus 2, the manufacturer will be switching its proprietary fingerprint sensor firmware out in favor of the standard Marshmallow ones when it rolls the Android 6.0-based software in early 2016.

The OnePlus 2 will also be updated in Q1, and the update will include the new standard Marshmallow API for the fingerprint sensor. We’ve heard requests for us creating an API for the current fingerprint implementation in OxygenOS, but have decided against this since we’re switching over to the standard Android M implementation soon.

Although the company has built a version of Oxygen OS for the OnePlus One, the company is rightly focussing on rolling out the officially-supported Cyanogen OS update first. As for the latest phone, the OnePlus X, there are plans to push Marshmallow ‘as soon as possible’, we don’t have any specific timeframe from the manufacturer.

Google engineer warning: Don’t use OnePlus’ Type-C connectors with your Nexus 5X/6P

Avatar for Cam Bunton Nov 16 2015 - 3:33 am PT
7 Comments

Recently we brought you news that a Google engineer named Benson Leung was testing a bunch of USB Type-C cables and reviewing them on Amazon, so that you didn’t have to and risk ruining your brand new Nexus 5X, Nexus 6P or Chromebook Pixel. Just yesterday, Leung specifically called out OnePlus on his public G+ profile to shame the company on its use of outdated tech which isn’t just old, but could end up damaging people’s devices. In short: If you have a Nexus 6P, 5X or Chromebook Pixel, you couldn’t buy any of OnePlus’ Type C connectors to charge or connect them…


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Galaxy S7 and S7 Edge allegedly already in testing at AT&T

Avatar for Cam Bunton Nov 16 2015 - 2:55 am PT
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Over recent weeks and months we’ve read numerous reports regarding the Galaxy S7 and its dual-curve sibling. Most recently, the rumors have suggested the device will see an earlier-than-normal release, perhaps indicating that Samsung will unveil its next hot flagship before MWC in Barcelona. Some speculate we might even see an announcement as soon as January. A tweet from well-known leakster, Evan Blass, does nothing to discredit those rumors:

[tweet https://twitter.com/evleaks/status/665279918633295872 align=’center’]

Blass believes that with testing already happening at AT&T, we could see the phones land in the early part of Q1 2016. In other words: Between the beginning of January and mid-February. While the tweet alone doesn’t confirm anything, it certainly adds credibility to those previous launch timeframe rumors.

In recent years, Samsung has used MWC in Barcelona as the platform to announce the Galaxy S lineup. But it hasn’t always been that way. With MWC scheduled for 22-25 February in 2016, and big press events normally occurring before the conference officially kicks off, Samsung could once again use the Barcelona event to show off its next flagship phones. If it did, it would certainly (just about) fit in with Evan’s early-to-mid Q1 launch timeframe. Or Sammy could do what it did with the Galaxy Note 5 launch and decide to steal a march on a major conference by announcing its devices at a separate event beforehand.

It’s been reported in the past that Samsung will use Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 820 processor in the Galaxy S7 (at least in some markets). The powerful quad-core chips has just been officially outed by Qualcomm, and looks like it’ll be next year’s processor to beat. Saying that, it’ll be interesting to see how it compares performance-wise with Samsung’s own recently-announced Exynos 8890. If rumors are to be believed, the Snapdragon models will go for sale in China and the US, while the Exynos-equipped phones will be sold in Europe and other international markets.

Review: Aukey Sport Bluetooth headphone, $25 you won’t regret spending

Avatar for Cam Bunton Nov 14 2015 - 5:59 am PT
1 Comment

Aukey is a Chinese company more commonly known for producing charging accessories like in-car chargers and multi-port USB stations. But, it also builds headphones. I’ve been testing the wireless Bluetooth earphones while out running for a few months now. For $25, it’s really hard to argue against the Aukey Sport Bluetooth Headphone…


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Google publishes support docs detailing new wrist gestures, speaker support in Android Wear 1.4

Avatar for Stephen Hall Nov 13 2015 - 10:47 am PT
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To the surprise of pretty much no one, LG’s recently-launched Watch Urbane 2nd gen. LTE runs the latest version of Android Wear, based on Android 6.0 Marshmallow. This version is certain to be rolling out to the current line of Android Wear devices soon, and as was revealed in the recently-updated Android Wear companion app, the update will bring some features to other watches that are currently exclusive to the new Watch Urbane. Now, Google has published some support documents detailing the two major features coming in this version: new wrist gestures, and support for hardware speakers…
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Google expands Local Guides in Maps with new rewards

Avatar for Jordan Kahn Nov 13 2015 - 10:22 am PT
1 Comment

Google announced today that it’s expanding the Local Guides feature it has for Google Maps that aims to act as a community-driven virtual guide for points of interest with an integrated rewards program (which it could position as a Yelp competitor).

Among the biggest update for the expansion is new rewards for users, allowing access to upgraded Google Drive storage, early access to Google products and features, and more.

Google detailed the new rewards, which include the ability for users to earn a free 1 TB upgrade of Drive storage by accumulating a certain number of points. The top reward will make users eligible to attend Google’s inaugural summit in 2016: “… you’ll be able to meet other top Guides from around the world, explore the Google campus, and get the latest info about Google Maps. Look out for details early next year.”

Here’s a look at the new rewards:

Level 1 (0 – 4 points): Enter exclusive contests (think new Google devices!) in select countries.

Level 2 (5 – 49 points): Get early access to new Google products and features.

Level 3 (50 – 199 points): Show up in the Google Maps app with your official Local Guides badge.

Level 4 (200 – 499 points): Receive a free 1 TB upgrade of your Drive storage, allowing you to keep all the stories, photos, and videos from your travels in one safe place.

Level 5 (500+ points): The very top Local Guides will become eligible to apply to attend our inaugural summit in 2016, where you’ll be able to meet other top Guides from around the world, explore the Google campus, and get the latest info about Google Maps. Look out for details early next year.

Users can earn points by using the feature in Google Maps to do things like leaving a review, answering questions, uploading photos, and submitting fixes.

The expansion also includes an update that makes it easier for contributors to view and track local guides they’ve submitted.

[youtube=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=puDNfWfILl4]