Google Play

HTC has dissected another piece of its Sense software and shipped it off to Google Play for fast access. Starting today, owners of compatible devices made by the Taiwanese manufacturer can pick up the HTC Sense Input keyboard directly from the Play Store. The benefit of doing this is that it lets the company make small adjustments to its keyboard without having to release device specific software updates.

Google refreshes Chromecast website with tabbed interface, ability to view full list of apps

Chance Miller Jul 21 2014 - 4:55 pm PT

Google today updated its Chromecast website with a few notable and worthwhile enhancements. Previously on the site, you could only view a selection of the apps with Chromecast support, but with today’s refresh, you can now view all of the apps with support for the streaming stick. That number has been growing rapidly recently, but there is a search option on the new site, as well. Though, the search functionality is still rather limited and not as robust as the Play Store.

Security firm Zscaler finds 28% of Android apps request permission to read SMS logs

Alex Allegro Jul 17 2014 - 12:08 pm PT

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In a study conducted by security research firm Zscaler, 28% of Android apps request permission to read old SMS logs, while a whopping 68% request permission to send SMS messages from your phone. They also found that 36% of apps request GPS permissions, while over 46% request access to the “phone’s state”, allowing the app to gather information related to the SIM card, IMEI number, serial number and more. For the study, Zscaler analyzed over 75,000 apps from the Google Play store and logged the requested permissions from each app. Being a security firm, Zscaler considers SMS and GPS related permissions to be the two most “high risk” permissions to grant access to, with “device information related permissions” landing sixth on the list.

HBO’s Game of Thrones Ascent game arrives on Android

Jordan Kahn Jul 17 2014 - 6:43 am PT

Following a release for iPad back in March, HBO’s Game of Thrones Ascent game developed by Disruptor Beam & Kongregate is now available for Android. The game already racked up around 2,500,000 players on Facebook and the web before making its way to mobile devices, and it comes to the smartphones with new art, optimized imagery, and leaderboards.

With Game of Thrones Ascent, fans can immerse themselves beyond the books and show, living the life of a noble in Westeros, working with (or against) each other in a persistent, authentic game world. Taking part in thousands of story-driven quests, players delve deeply into the lore and develop their own lands and reputation among the Great Houses. Players explore an expansive world filled with deep political and social play involving diplomatic agreements, pacts, marriages, and betrothals. Through Alliance challenges, players work with hundreds of others to accomplish great tasks and rise to the top of the Power Rankings.

The developers update the game weekly and alongside new episodes of the TV show when it’s airing. That includes new quests, in-game items and more that follow the storyline of the show.

Game of Thrones Ascent is available for Android now as a free download on Google Play.

Google Play Store now lets you flag content as inappropriate from the Web

Zac Hall Jul 16 2014 - 6:32 am PT

The ability to flag content on the Google Play Store as inappropriate, a feature long available on Android, has recently hit the Web version as well. The link to do just that can now be found on the web interface under Report within the Additional information section of the content’s description. While the feature is likely targeted toward apps that may violate some policy or have a lower-than-appropriate content rating, it does extend to other media like books, music and TV shows, and music distributed on the Google Play Store as well.

Chromecast now available from Google Play in Ireland

Mark Hearn Jul 15 2014 - 3:49 pm PT

Google officially introduced Ireland to Play Movies less than two weeks ago and today the company is releasing its Chromecast media streaming dongle to the land of saints and scholars. In addition to Mountain View’s in-house movie service, Irish Chromecast owners will have access to YouTube, Netflix and several other cast-friendly applications.

Leaked screenshots show off revamped Play Store designs – bigger, bolder, clearer

Ben Lovejoy Jul 14 2014 - 4:26 am PT

Here’s what the Google Play Store is likely to look like when it gets its ‘Material Design’ revamp based on the new look and feel of Android L. Google has already started rolling out the new design language on the web in the form of new pages for Docs, Sheets and Slides.

The screenshots were obtained by Android Police, which says that the redesign of the Play Store is “well underway” …
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Nova Launcher updated with new design and animation options inspired by Android L

Chance Miller Jul 11 2014 - 2:03 pm PT

The talented TeslaCoil developers this afternoon updated their insanely popular Android app Nova Launcher with a variety of new features and enhancements. We just told you how to install Android “L” on your Nexus 5 or Nexus 7, but if you don’t have one of those devices or don’t want to put up with the bugs, today’s Nova Launcher update will certainly keep you satisfied.

HTC updates Dot View app with new wallpaper personalization options, more

Chance Miller Jul 11 2014 - 9:55 am PT

One of HTC’s biggest selling points for its One M8 flagship is the Dot View case, and today, the company rolled out an update to the companion app with a handful of new features. The biggest change is the addition of themes for wallpapers. HTC has bundled 18 themes into the app that you can now set as the case’s wallpaper. You can also choose your own custom image, although some of them may not look quite right.

Google Keyboard update 3.1.19 moves location of Voice Input button

Chance Miller Jul 10 2014 - 10:42 am PT

Google this morning started rolling out a minor update to its Keyboard app on Android. The update bumps the app to version 3.1.19 and is pretty small. The only notable change is that the Voice Input button has been moved to the top row of the keyboard, on the right side of the auto-complete suggestions. Previously, the button was located next to the spacebar. This change is definitely useful, as many users would previously accidentally tap the voice button when aiming for the space bar.

The update is available on the Play Store now, although it is rolling out slowly.

Minecraft Pocket Edition gets biggest update yet w/ infinite worlds & much more

Jordan Kahn Jul 10 2014 - 9:19 am PT

Minecraft Pocket Edition, the Android version of the popular Minecraft PC game, today is getting what developer Mojang says is the app’s biggest update yet. Version 0.9.0 introduces a number of new features carried over from the original game including infinite worlds, much improved caves, wolves, new items, and much, much more.

In addition, Mojang is bringing over new biomes from the PC version of the game with mesas, jungles, swamps and extreme hills, and you’ll also notice abandoned mineshafts, villages and “new feature generation, including lakes, vines and monster rooms.” That doesn’t even include a fraction of what’s actually included in today’s update. A full list of new features from new blocks to new and updated features for biomes, mobs, AI and feature generation is below.

The game also receives some welcomed UI tweaks in the update including a new “interaction” button that Mojang hopes will cut down on accidental sheep punches.

Infinite worlds!
Caves!
Loads of new blocks and items including Monster Eggs and huge mushroom blocks.
Wolves! Tame a loyal companion.
Loads of new flowers! So pretty.
New mobs, including the spooky endermen and less spooky Mooshrooms.
New biomes from the PC version, including mesas, jungles, swamps and extreme hills.
Abandoned mineshafts, villages, and many other cool places to explore.
A brand-new “interaction” button. Never accidentally punch a sheep again!
New feature generation, including lakes, vines and monster rooms.
Many bugs fixed, and possibly a few added.

The updated Minecraft Pocket Edition version 0.9.0 is available now on Google Play now.

The full huge list of what’s new via Mojang is below:

New features

Unlimited worlds!
New culling algorithm
New culling of clouds
Tile entities are saved differently
New falling mechanics for gravel and sand
New insta ticking of water and lava

New blocks

Podzol
Mycelium
Huge mushroom blocks
Cocoa
End portal frame
Double plants
More stairs/slabs for new wood types
New log types (savanna tree and dark oak)
New leafs (savanna tree)
Monster egg
Stained clay
Waterlily
New flowers
Red sand
Hardened clay
End stone
Granite
Diorite
Andesite
Emerald block
Emerald ore
New leveldb based saving format
New entity handling
New crafting screen
Remade network code (mostly the same packages but new system).
New interact button (to make the game easier for new players)

New mobs

Slimes
Endermen
Wolves
Mooshrooms
Silverfish

New and updated biomes

Deserts
Extreme hills
Forests
Redwood taiga
Roofed forests
Frozen
Jungle
Savanna
Mesa
Mushroom island
Taiga
Deep ocean
Swamps

New world feature generation

Sand
Boulders
Ice patch
Ice spike
Spike
Lake
Double plants
Ground bushes
Fancy oaks
Jungle tree
Mega jungle tree
Mega pine tree
Savanna tree
Swamp tree
Huge mushroom
Tallgrass
Waterlily
Vines
Melons
Pumpkin
Dead bush
Monster rooms
Desert well
Fallen logs
Emerald ore

Tweaks to caves

Lava at the bottom of caves
Caves in desert and mesa
Strongholds
Villages
Villagers
Abandoned mine shafts
Flat world generation
Limited world generation
“New” mob spawning
Updated light generation
Grass color for different biomes
Foliage color for different biomes
Water color for swamps

New AI

Spiders
New leaf rendering
Added more spawn eggs in Creative Mode
Added immersive mode for Android
Added drip particles for water and lava
Updated create world screen

Tweaks and bug fixes

Correct name for stairs, slabs and spawn eggs
Beds no longer gives full health in normal difficulty
Smooth lighting added for:
Beds
Fences
Walls
Cobwebs
Chests
Leaves
Smooth lighting removed for:
Glowstone
Glass
Jack ‘o’ lanterns
Improved performance of TNT
Prettier clouds
The fog is darker underground

Known Bugs

The block highlight flickers (z-fights) when more than 10k blocks distant from spawn
Changing the view distance while in a world might crash the game
If players walk too far from each other in multiplayer, they can’t see each other

Known bugs requiring attention

Multiplayer is a bit fragile. Please test it and report all issues to us!
The LevelDB save format + upgrading of old maps. Please report any data corruption!
Crashes in general – uncommon and random crashes might still happen

Google Play Games updated w/ level-up notifications, interface tweaks, more

Chance Miller Jul 10 2014 - 8:38 am PT

Google last night started rolling out an update to Google Play Games that bumped the app to version 2.0. The update includes several new features, some of which were confirmed in the recent Google Play Services 5.0 update, as well. The update today introduces Level-up notification controls, XP rankings, and a few UI tweaks.

You’ll soon be able to install paid apps on Android Wear as Google offers ‘workaround’

Ben Lovejoy Jul 9 2014 - 4:11 am PT

If you’ve been frustrated by the fact that you can’t install paid apps on your Android Wear devices, your frustration should soon be at an end. Google has just notified developers of a workaround to the problem, which was caused by a bug in the anti-piracy measures employed with paid apps …
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Google silently drops all but three devices from Play edition listings

Mark Hearn Jul 8 2014 - 3:30 pm PT

There’s something bizarre going on at Google Play. If you visit the site’s Devices section and take a look at its Google Play edition listings, you’ll notice that it’s been pared down to just three devices: the HTC One M8, Samsung’s Galaxy S4 and the Moto G. For one reason or another, devices like Sony’s Z Ultra and last year’s HTC One M7 are missing in action.

Google creates Celebrate Ramadan video and microsite to showcase range of products

Ben Lovejoy Jul 8 2014 - 4:18 am PT

[youtube=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2iucQyDxKwk]

Never one to miss a marketing opportunity, Google has put together a video and microsite showing how a bunch of different Google products could help those families celebrating Ramadan.

Google Calendar, Keep, Maps and Hangouts all feature, along with YouTube and the Google Play Store – and it appears the company hasn’t yet given up hope that someone, somewhere might even use Google+.

[tweet https://twitter.com/google/status/486374122759671808]

Latest Android distribution numbers show KitKat reach 17.9% of devices, Jelly Bean usage decline

Chance Miller Jul 7 2014 - 2:04 pm PT

Like it does at the beginning of every month, Google this afternoon updated its Android distribution numbers to reflect a 7 day period ending today, July 7th. The most recent version of Android, 4.4 KitKat, saw a modest increase from 13.6 percent to 17.9 percent. Jelly Bean, for the first time ever, saw a decline as a whole in usage by 1.9 percent.

Korean Fair Trade Commission rules that Google must change Play Store refund policy

Mike Beasley Jul 6 2014 - 4:30 pm PT

Google has been ordered by the South Korean government to revise its Play Store refund policy, the Korea Herald reports. The company’s current policy requires users to submit a request for a refund within 15 minutes of the purchase. Once that time has passed, refunds can still be requested, but must be reviewed manually by a Google employee.

The practice was ruled “unfair” by the Fair Trade Commission after numerous requests from the Citizens’ Coalition for Economic Justice. Google told the Fair Trade Commission that it would create a new, automated refund system for the Korean Play Store, but had no plans to roll this system out to the rest of the world.

Android Wear app lists grows to 33, Lyft, CloudMagic and IFTTT among the standouts

Mark Hearn Jul 3 2014 - 1:41 pm PT

Last night Google announced a new space for apps on the Play Store specifically for Android Wear software. In just a few short hours, this new wing has amassed a collection of 33 apps and shows no signs of slowing down. Apps like Runtastic Running & Fitness, MediSafe Meds & Pill Reminder and Hue Control and Lyft hit Google Play today along with a slew of others.

Google launches official Android Wear companion app, new section for Wear apps on Play Store

Chance Miller Jul 2 2014 - 5:59 pm PT

Google tonight made a pair of enhancements to the Play Store for the lucky people with an Android Wear device. First off, the company has released the official Android Wear companion app for Android. This app connects with your Android Wear device (i.e. the Gear Live or G Watch) and allows you to control voice action preferences, adjust notification settings, and configure various other settings for your watch.

Google Play Services 5.0 now available with Android Wear support, security enhancements, more

Chance Miller Jul 2 2014 - 12:56 pm PT

Google today announced that a major update to Play Services is now rolled out, bumping it from version 4.4 to 5.0. Many of the details in this update were announced at Google I/O last week, but the company also broke everything down in blog post today, as well. The update began rolling out after I/O, but now is entirely rolled out to devices world-wide.

Google Sheets receives massive update w/ formula support, auto-fill, Excel compatibility, more

Chance Miller Jul 1 2014 - 7:37 pm PT

Hot on the heels of updating the Docs app for Android, Google has just started rolling out an update to Sheets on Android, as well. The update is packed full of changes, both feature-wise and in terms of design. The update comes just days after Google announced it was shutting down Quickoffice on iOS and Android and introduces several features formerly available in the mobile editing app.

Google Play Edition Galaxy S5 still exists, shows up again in leaked image

Chance Miller Jul 1 2014 - 8:17 am PT

The Galaxy S5 Google Play Edition has been the subject of a lot of leaks lately, between it passing through Bluetooth certification, briefly appearing on the Play Store, and appearing on a Play Store support page. Now, notorious Twitter leaker @evleaks has posted a render of the device, seemingly confirming its existence, yet again. The Google Play Edition S5 looks identical to its TouchWiz counterpart, aside of course, from the software.

The Google Play Edition HTC One M8 is already available on the Play Store, so it seems a bit odd that it is taking Samsung and Google so long to release its Play Edition device for the year, but with this render coupled with all of the other leaks, the device still seems to exist and is presumably coming sooner rather than later.

Google Play Music updated with Android TV support, interface tweaks, more

Chance Miller Jun 30 2014 - 2:16 pm PT

Google this afternoon started rolling out an update to its Play Music app on Android that bumps it to version 5.6. While the update is not all that big, it does coincide well with the recent announcements at Google I/O this week. One of the biggest changes comes to how device authorizations are handled. You still get to have 10 devices active on your Google Music account, but now only five of them can be phones. The other five can be any combinations of tablets, computers, and other devices. This is obviously not a huge deal for the average user, but could cause issues for power users. The account switcher UI itself has also been updated.