Apps and Updates

1,647 'Apps and Updates' stories June 2013 - November 2014

Google Play Services updated to version 6.5 with tweaks for Maps, Drive, and more

Mike Beasley Nov 17 2014 - 4:20 pm PT

Google has updated Play Services for Android with several new developer features for its Maps, Fit, and other APIs. Developers incorporating Google Maps into their apps will find a new toolbar available to users that allows them to instantly get directions or open a map in the Google Maps application from within a third-party app.

An additional “lite mode” has been added that allows developers to include a static map image in locations that would normally make it impractical or impossible to manipulate the map. These “lite mode” maps can be tapped to open in the Maps app.

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Google Keep updated w/ real-time collaboration, improved search capabilities

Chance Miller Nov 17 2014 - 1:18 pm PT

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An update to Google Keep has started rolling out this evening with a handful of notable enhancements. Announced in a post on the official Android blog, today’s update adds the ability to collaborate on notes such as grocery lists and watch items get checked off in real-time. So when someone adds something to a list, you’ll instantly see it on your device, as well.

Next time you create a list, share it on Keep and watch as items get checked off in real-time! No need for text messages back and forth—get things done together, quicker.

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Snapchat partners with Square, launches Snapcash for instantly sending money between users

Chance Miller Nov 17 2014 - 12:52 pm PT

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Snapchat today announced a new service, in partnership with mobile-payment service Square, dubbed Snapcash. The new feature allows Snapchat users to quickly and easily send payments to one another. Users can do so by simply swiping right to chat on the main screen in Snapchat and then entering a dollar amount. The money will go directly from one user’s bank account to another.

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Google’s new Calendar app is now available on Google Play for Android 4.1+ devices

Jordan Kahn Nov 14 2014 - 1:06 pm PT

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When it showed off its shiny new Google Calendar app earlier this month alongside the first wave of Android 5.0 Lollipop devices, the company said it would arrive in the “coming weeks.” Today Google confirmed the app is now available through Google Play for all Android 4.1+ devices.
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Microsoft begins inviting users to Skype for Web beta

Zac Hall Nov 14 2014 - 7:03 am PT

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Today Microsoft announced that Skype is starting to roll out as a service on the Web. Skype for Web will allow users to chat, video call, and manage contacts from a web browser without having to download the Skype app. Microsoft is currently offering Skype for Web as a beta to select users.
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Photo Editor by Aviary for Android updated with $200 worth of free tools

Mark Hearn Nov 13 2014 - 11:04 am PT

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Today, Aviary announced the release of its a new update for its Photo Editor mobile application for Android. This is the company’s biggest update software’s biggest update since its maker was acquired by Adobe just a few short months ago. This massive overhaul adds around $200 worth of stickers and effects when synced with an Adobe ID.

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Google Keep for Android updated with a new Material Design layout

Mark Hearn Nov 13 2014 - 10:24 am PT

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Google’s has been working around the clock updating its Android apps with new Material Design interfaces and the latest software to receive a makeover from Mountain View is Keep. Version 3.0.1 of the company’s note taking software has been refreshed with a flat look and feel, plus a new search interface that follows suit with Keep’s web variant.

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Google Keyboard updated with Material themes and Lollipop’s Messenger app now available from the Play Store

Mark Hearn Nov 12 2014 - 10:29 am PT

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It’s Wednesday and Google is hard at work rolling out updates for its suite of Android apps. Today, the company released a refreshed version of its homegrown keyboard, which ships loaded with a pair of light and dar Material Design themes. These cosmetic additions aren’t available by default, so you’ll have to go into settings and select which theme you’d like to use.

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Instagram revamps Explore tab, adds caption & location editing

Zac Hall Nov 10 2014 - 1:06 pm PT

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Instagram is out with a feature update today with some welcome features. Users will likely appreciate the ability to edit photo captions and locations attached to photos in post now. That means if you make a typo on your caption, you no longer have to choose between correcting yourself in the comments, deleting and re-posting the photo with the correction caption, or just ignoring it altogether.
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Google Voice adds Verizon MMS support, native MMS for photo

Stephen Hall Nov 10 2014 - 11:56 am PT

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Google Voice has been granted a pretty decent update today, bringing the service to support MMS via a new carrier: Verizon Wireless. Additionally, Google has added native MMS support to the service for photo messaging and—if you choose to opt for Google Voice in Hangouts—you’ll be able to send photos as MMS like you would with any other normal attachment.

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Mirror Beta screen recording app plays nice with non-rooted devices running Android 5.0

Mark Hearn Nov 10 2014 - 10:35 am PT

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Prolific Android developer Koushik “Koush” Dutta has released a new mirroring app that lets you broadcast your device’s screen to your TV via compatible set-top receivers like Chromecast, Apple TV or Amazon Fire TV. You can also use the new software to record your gadget’s screen in action, which could be useful when making a how-to video.

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Facebook Messenger mobile apps surpass 500 million monthly users

9to5 Staff Nov 10 2014 - 9:34 am PT

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Facebook announced this morning that over 500 million people are now using its Messenger app per month. The impressive milestone comes just days after Facebook chief executive Mark Zuckerberg explained why Facebook Messenger was turned into a standalone app for Android and iOS, a move it made in July after disabling messaging in the main Facebook app.
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Google Drive for iOS adds Touch ID unlocking, video saving, iPhone 6/Plus support, more

Zac Hall Nov 6 2014 - 11:13 am PT

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In addition to updating its Maps app with an overhauled design, Google has released a new version of its Drive app for iPhone and iPad users adding support for the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus as well as some new iOS 8 features.

The Google Drive file storage app can now be secured using Touch ID so users with supported devices (iPhone 5s, iPhone 6, iPhone Plus, iPad Air 2, iPad mini 3) can unlock the app using the fingerprint scanner. The new version of Drive also includes an extension to “open form and save to Drive in other apps” for iOS 8 users, and videos can now be saved from Drive to the Photos app (instructions below). Google says the new version of Drive for iPhone and iPad also includes full iOS 8 compatibility, bug fixes, and performance improvements.

Google Drive 3.3 for iPhone and iPad is available for free on the App Store. Full change log below.
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New for Moto 360: Metal, slim, and interchangeable accessory bands, new watch faces & fitness features

Jordan Kahn Nov 6 2014 - 10:09 am PT

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Motorola just announced additional hardware options and software features for its Moto 360 smart watch including new metal, slim and interchangeable watch bands.
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Google Hangouts now offering free calls from India to the US and Canada

Mark Hearn Nov 6 2014 - 7:56 am PT

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Today, Google announced that people in India can now make free calls from Hangouts to folks in the US and Canada. The freebie phone calls are available via the web, or the company’s Android and iOS apps.

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Microsoft launches preview of Office for Android tablets, sign-up now

Jordan Kahn Nov 6 2014 - 6:32 am PT

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Microsoft announced today that it’s rolling out a preview of its Office apps for Android tablets after releasing Word, Excel, and PowerPoint apps exclusively for iPad earlier this year. Microsoft has an “Office Mobile” app that integrates some features of all three Office apps for Android smartphones, but today’s release of standalone Word, Excel, and PowerPoint apps for Android tablets is the first time the platform gets access to the full-fledged, standalone Office mobile apps.
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WhatsApp update shows read receipts, leaked image suggests future VOIP feature

Stephen Hall Nov 5 2014 - 2:14 pm PT

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Although this isn’t an actual update to the app, WhatsApp is now sporting a nifty new feature that—although small—might make a big difference in how users of the messaging app stay in touch with their friends. The Facebook-owned app, which would previously show double check marks if a sent message had been received, now goes one step further and turns those check marks blue if the message has been read.

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Google Maps for Android updated with a fresh new Material Design layout, Uber and OpenTable integration

Mark Hearn Nov 5 2014 - 9:38 am PT

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Google announced a new update for its Google Maps apps for Android and iOS today that adds a fresh new Material Design layout focusing on bright colors and real world surfaces and shadows. The software’s refreshed interface is set to roll out over the next few days, with new features like dinner reservations from OpenTable (US only) and enhanced information cards with photos and reviews of popular attractions near your location.

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Google Drive now lets you open files in compatible Mac & PC apps w/ new Chrome extension

Jordan Kahn Nov 5 2014 - 9:34 am PT

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Google announced today that it’s releasing a new Chrome extension called Application Launcher for Drive that allows users to open files directly from its Google Drive service in compatible apps on a Mac or PC. The extension adds an “Open With” option that will let users launch files in apps like, for example, Mac OS X’s Preview app or third-party editing apps like those from Adobe and Microsoft.
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Microsoft adding Dropbox integration including syncing and sharing to Office for Android

Zac Hall Nov 4 2014 - 9:12 am PT

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Microsoft and Dropbox announced a new partnership between the two companies today and a commitment to bring integration between Dropbox and Office apps on Android and iOS. Currently Office users rely on local storage for saving files or Microsoft’s own OneDrive service for saving and syncing files, but the newly announced partnership will allow Office users to use the popular Dropbox service as an additional storage and syncing option and introduce new features between the productivity apps and syncing service.
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Sony rolling out Xperia Z2/Z2 Tablet update w/ PS4 Remote Play, hi-res audio, Smart Social camera apps, more

Jordan Kahn Nov 4 2014 - 8:30 am PT

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[youtube=http://youtu.be/PzFc5zGMjCk]

After releasing the the new PS4 Remote Play app for Xperia Z3, Xperia Z3 Compact and Xperia Z3 tablet, Sony today announced it’s bringing the feature for remotely playing games from a connected PlayStation 4 to its Xperia Z2 lineup. That means following an update for the Xperia z2 and Xperia Z2 tablet, users will now have access to the PS4 Remote Play app and full support for the PS4 DUALSHOCK4 wireless controller.

The update for Xperia Z2 and Z2 tablet also brings hi-res audio, the latest Battery STAMINA Mode feature, Sony’s Smart Social camera apps including Sound Photo, AR fun, Multi camera and Face in, and much more.
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Disney’s ‘Movies Anywhere’ app, previously exclusive to iOS, comes to Android and web

Mike Beasley Nov 3 2014 - 9:28 pm PT

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Back in February, Apple and Disney teamed up on a new app called Movies Anywhere that allowed iOS users to access their library of purchased movies—whether bought on the iTunes Store, DVD, or other media (with the appropriate redemption code in the box).

Today, Disney has launched the same service for Android users. Movies Anywhere owners will now be able to access their movie library featuring titles from Disney, Pixar, and Marvel from any of their devices. Because this is a cross-platform solution, movies previously purchased on the iTunes Store will now be available to users on Android devices, and iOS users will be able to watch Disney movies they’ve purchased from the Google Play Store.

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New Lollipop Google Calendar app coming to Android 4.1+ devices in coming weeks

Jordan Kahn Nov 3 2014 - 10:21 am PT

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[youtube=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MSTmkvn060E]

With the first Android 5.0 Lollipop devices becoming available— Nexus 9 today and the Nexus 6 later this month— Google is also showing off its new Google Calendar app arriving for other devices in the coming weeks. The new app comes on devices running Android 5.0 Lollipop, but Google also confirmed today it’s arriving for Android 4.1+ devices through Google Play in the coming weeks.

Google highlighted a few of the app’s new features including events from Gmail, suggestions that learn from your habits over time with a new feature called “Assists”, and a brand new schedule view:
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Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare Companion app now available for Android

Jordan Kahn Nov 3 2014 - 6:40 am PT

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Ahead of the much anticipated release of Call of Duty: Advance Warfare on consoles tomorrow, Activision has now released the official Android companion app for the game on Google Play. In case you’re unfamiliar with the upcoming title, the latest in the first person shooter Call of Duty franchise makes a move to futuristic weaponry:

Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare envisions a powerful future, where both technology and tactics have evolved to create a ripped-from-the-headlines-of-tomorrow story. Kevin Spacey stars as Jonathan Irons – one of the most powerful men in the world – shaping this chilling vision of the future of war. Based on plausible technology and extensive research, the all-new story, conceived by the storytellers at Sledgehammer Games, introduces a world where private military corporations (PMCs) wield more might than national governments, and soldiers fight not for country but for profit; militaries for the highest bidder. These PMCs are outfitted with the latest in combat technology – the exoskeleton – empowering soldiers to overcome enemies with incredible and varied abilities, giving them a whole new way to traverse the battlefield. This is war like never before… Advanced Warfare also introduces the exoskeleton – the biggest core movement change in franchise history. With the power of the exo, players can boost jump, dodge, slam and more through a visceral and compelling new story; built from the ground up multiplayer experience; and a brand new cooperative mode for the complete entertainment package that only Call of Duty can deliver.

The app allows users to manage clans with the ability to make game player and clan emblems, participate in clan chats, get access to in-game items, view profiles and more. The free app of course pairs with the Sledgehammer-developed console title of the same name, which is officially landing tomorrow on Xbox, PlayStation, and PC.

While the official release of Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare is set for tomorrow, a “Day Zero Edition” of the game is available worldwide starting today with exclusive content.

The Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare Companion app is available for free on Google Play now for both Android smartphones and tablets.