Android

Version 3.5 of the Google for Android application includes a new API that developers can take advantage of to activate “Ok Google” functionality within their own apps. According to the Android developer blog, software makers can add a few lines of code to their app to enable users to search it using a global voice command.

Once the feature has been integrated into an app (Talon, for example), users will be able to say things like “Ok Google, search for 9to5google in Talon” to trigger a search for that term within Talon.

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Google has updated Drive for Android with a Material Design facelift and three new features in improved search, better sharing and an enhanced PDF viewer that make it easier for users to find, view and share through the app. The update will be rolling out on the Play Store for Android devices over the next several days.

The new search bar in Drive is easier and more predictive at finding content by updating results as each letter is typed into the field. Meanwhile, the app has improved sharing functionality that allows for users to write a custom comment on shared files so that all collaborators know why they sent it.
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Google today announced it’s adding new ways to add money to its Google Wallet service in addition to some new features that will make keeping an eye on your balance easier. The app also appears to be getting a bit of a Material Design update on Android (as pictured above).

First up, you will now be able to setup automatic bank transfers that will ensure there is always money to spend in your Google Wallet account. The recurring transfers allow you to schedule weekly, bi-weekly or monthly deposits and can be cancelled at any time:
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Google is now deploying an update for its Google My Business Android app that makes it easier for business owners to reply to customer reviews. With this revamped software, entrepreneurs can track customer critiques in real-time on the web, allowing them to address praise or complaints in a timely manner directly from their mobile device.

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Google today announced that it’s rolling out an updated Google Play Movies & TV app for Android that introduces a second-screen experience when streaming TV shows and movies to a Chromecast or Nexus Player-connected TV. That means that your Android smartphone or tablet will now display actor or soundtrack information related to the content streaming to the big screen.
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Google has just raised the gates on Nexus 6 preorders via the Play Store. The Nexus 6 preorder date was unveiled on its Play Store landing page earlier this month and the time has finally come…

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After a rebranded run with Verizon, the Xperia Z3 is now officially on sale at T-Mobile. Last week, some of the carrier’s customers received their pre-orders early, but if you weren’t among the lucky few, you can now purchase Sony’s waterproof flagship smartphone directly from the magenta-hued wireless carrier for no money down at a price of $26.25 per month for two years.

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The SmartBand Talk—which we leaked and was announced alongside the SmartWatch 3 earlier this year—is about to launch worldwide in the coming weeks, but today, its app has officially launched on the Play Store. Alongside the launch of this main companion app, the company has also launched four extension apps, which bring even more features to the SmartBand Talk.

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Oppo has unveiled a pair of new smartphones at a recent press event in Singapore. It looks like Oppo is really stepping up its game with these two smartphone announcements. Both devices feature innovations that we’ve yet to see with current smartphones on the market…

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LG’s twin-track smartphone strategy – offering both premium G-series models and cheaper L-series devices – appears to be working, with the company announcing Q3 smartphone sales up by 39% to 16.8M and operating profits more than doubled to 461B won ($440M). The results beat analyst expectations, and LG said that it was bullish about future prospects.

Building on its momentum and two consecutive profitable quarters, LG expects to strengthen its positioning in the smartphone market with its G Series and L Series models despite the landscape becoming more competitive

The G3 handset in particular has helped the company gain ground against its much larger Korean rival Samsung. Samsung is due to announce its own Q3 results tomorrow, but has already issued a profit warning on the basis of low average selling prices of its phones … 
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Fleksy keyboard for Android has received an update with a couple of new features and gone on sale for 99 cents through Friday after announcing it has secured $2 million in venture funding from Digital Garage, Eniac Ventures, Middleland Capital, Highland Capital Partners, Militello Capital and other investment partners.
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When Motorola announced its revised Moto X, I was pretty excited. I loved most everything about the first generation and had used it as a daily driver for quite some time. This year, Motorola has made a few big changes with the second generation, but are they enough to hold your attention? Well, let’s go ahead and find out…

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After months and months of inconsistent availability and controversial marketing techniques, the OnePlus One finally went up for official pre-order yesterday. As you’d expect however, the launch did not go as planned. The Chinese company’s site experienced a massive hit in traffic, causing it to be nearly impossible for customers to process an order, and even harder to tell if that order had actually gone through. This evening, OnePlus has published an apologetic blog post, explaining what exactly went wrong yesterday.

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Just about every major Google-made app in the Play Store has been updated with a Material Design makeover, but the house of Android doesn’t want to stop there. Today, Google published a checklist to help developers build Material Design style applications.

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Time Warner Cable today announced a new smartphone app that will let its customers use their home phone service on mobile devices for no additional fees. That means that users with a Time Warner Cable home phone service, which starts at $10/month, can now text and call through the new Phone 2 Go app available for both Android and iOS smartphones and tablets. The service requires a Wi-Fi or cellular data connection and will also work for international calling and texting:
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Google has outlined several of the new security enhancements that have been added to Android Lollipop, the latest version of its mobile operating system, such as encryption enabled by default and a new lock screen that is more convenient and powerful to use than ever before. Read ahead for a closer look at some of the new security features.
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