Stay up to date on news from Google headquarters. Be the first to learn about plans for Android, Google Plus, Google Apps, and more!
Stay up to date on news from Google headquarters. Be the first to learn about plans for Android, Google Plus, Google Apps, and more!
Google is in the final stages of preparation for its event tomorrow morning in San Francisco, and just as the company is putting the finishing touches on its presentation, it seems we have a release date for Android Marshmallow: October 5th. Android Police’s sources confirmed the date previously found in a Telus leak, suggesting several Nexus devices will get the software update on that day.
It’s expected that the Nexus 5, Nexus 6, 2013 edition Nexus 7, and the Nexus 9 will all start receiving the Android 6.0 software on October 5. Sadly, however, it seems several older generation Nexus phones and tablets are being left out of the picture. Lollipop will remain the latest (and last) software update we’ll ever see on the Nexus 4, 2012 edition Nexus 7, and the Nexus 10. Although, that really isn’t very bad for 3-year-old devices.
We’re expecting Google to confirm this release date at its event tomorrow, alongside several other updates and some new product announcements. We’ve been building up to Google announcing a pair of new Nexus phones as well as a couple of refreshed pieces of Chromecast hardware. What’s more, recent rumors have predicted we could even see a new tablet named the Pixel C with a 10.2-inch display and a detachable keyboard. You can read more about all of those in our guide on what to expect from the event.
While details about the Nexus 5X — and its brother, the Nexus 6P — have been making the rounds for several weeks now, today brings a full spec sheet for the former. Many of these details were previously leaked, but this document (via Reddit) essentially reiterates what we saw before and adds a few little details to be gleaned — including the phone’s RAM…
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Google is planning to launch a large, 10.2-inch tablet with the Pixel brand attached, according to a report this morning from Android Police. Interestingly, this device is said to be launching later this year not with Chrome OS, but rather with Android Marshmallow. The device will also purportedly sport a detachable keyboard — a la the iPad Pro or the Microsoft Surface — and will pack the same quality build and lightbar found with the Chromebook Pixel. And, since this is a Pixel device and not a Nexus, the hardware is going be 100% Google’s…
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Google today announced that it’s increasing the size limit for apps on Google Play allowing developers to upload APK files (Android application package) up to 100MB in size. That’s up from the old limit of 50MB and will allow developers to push out bigger app packages without a warning to the user, which will now only appear when apps are over the 100MB quota.
While Google notes that the increase will help developers with rich apps or graphically intensive games that need a bigger app package, it also warns developers to keep in mind mobile data connectivity and caps, app performance, and install times for users.
Not much changes for users, however, as Google points out that auto-updating of apps will remain “over Wi-Fi only, enabling users to access higher quality apps and games while conserving their data usage.”
Developers can find out more here.
Google’s September 29th event — the company’s biggest press-facing event since Google I/O 2015 — is scheduled to kick off tomorrow. And while there are definitely some things that haven’t managed to hit the rumor mill quite yet (or maybe not?), a lot of the company’s biggest announcements for tomorrow aren’t secret. The company is planning to reveal two different Chromecast devices, we’ll certainly see the unveiling of the company’s Nexus 5X and 6P, and we’ll hear about the official launch of Android Marshmallow among many other announcements…
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Google must wonder whether it will ever be free from antitrust investigations. Following antitrust charges against its search business (cleared in the USA, upheld in Europe), the EU filed a second complaint that Google had abused its dominant position in the mobile field to favor its own Android apps. The allegation is that Google forced smartphone companies to favor Google apps over rival ones in return for permission to use Android. Bloomberg reports that the U.S. appears to be opening a similar investigation in the USA.
The Federal Trade Commission reached an agreement with the Justice Department to spearhead an investigation of Google’s Android business, [two sources] said. FTC officials have met with technology company representatives who say Google gives priority to its own services on the Android platform …
Google just announced the rollout of Google Play services 8.1 for developers, introducing Android 6.0 (Marshmallow) permissions, app invites, ambient mode maps, the new Play Games Player Stats API, and more.
Among the more notable new features for developers in this release is support for the new permissions in Android Marshmallow, which we noted previously offer users precise control over app permissions on a case by case basis.
A new App Invites feature allows apps to integrate the ability for users to invite Google contacts from Android or iOS using email or SMS, while a new Play Games Player Stats API will let apps better customize the gameplay experience in relation to the player’s stats and actions.
Lastly, Google Play Services 8.1 brings the ambient mode for always-on apps on Android Wear to Google Maps and introduces Nearby Status Listener for Google Nearby allowing apps “to receive callbacks when an active Nearby publish or subscribe expires.”
[youtube=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YyODgiUZ_YE]
The Google Play services 8.1 SDK is available now for developers.
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Google today announced that it’s bringing its Google Keep note taking app to iPhone and iPad for the first time after originally releasing only for web and Android users a couple years back.
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Google’s Sundar Pichai has taken to the Indian YouTube channel today to welcome Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Google headquarters.”It is an honor to welcome Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Silicon Valley this weekend,” Pichai said in the video. “I hope Prime Minister Modi’s visit will energize people in Silicon Valley.”
He puts emphasis on Google’s hope to bring the next billion users online, with the majority of those coming from developing smartphone markets in India, China, and elsewhere. He also outlined a couple of Google’s initiatives intended to make this happen, including Android One. Modi will be visiting Google HQ later this week.
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We just saw the Huawei Nexus 6P colors earlier today, and now the same source has shared stock imagery showing the upcoming Nexus 5X from LG. While the white variant was all but confirmed (and a black version easily assumable), this image shows that Google is preparing to launch a green-ish blue color as well — lining up pretty well with previous rumors of a “mint” color.
According to an earlier report out of Android Police citing a “reliable source,” LG’s upcoming “Nexus 5” (which we’ve recently learned is actually called the Nexus 5X), will sport a Snapdragon 808 processor, a 5.2-inch 1080p display, 3 GB of RAM, a 2700 mAh battery, support for USB-C, a 12.3-megapixel main camera sensor, and a 5-megapixel front camera.
As is the case with the Huawei Nexus 6P (and the Chromecast 2nd gen. & Chromecast Audio, which we exclusively leaked last week), we’ll know more about Google’s announcements on September 29th.
Pebble Time and Pebble Time Steel both launched earlier this year to mixed reviews, and now the company behind two of the most-funded Kickstarter projects ever is at it again. Today, Pebble is launching the Pebble Time Round, its first circular smartwatch…
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One of the best things about the Internet is the access it provides to free educational resources, and the Google-backed Khan Academy is one of the best examples. The non-profit launched an iPad app way back in 2012, and has now finally done the same for Android.
“A free, world-class education for anyone, anywhere.” This mission inspires us day in, day out, and we’ve seen over 30M students sign up on Khan Academy to learn almost anything for free. We know you love using Khan Academy more and more on your phones: in fact, over 30% of our sessions are now on mobile devices. We believe strongly that unlocking the potential for anyone, anywhere to learn on 2B+ smartphones worldwide is just getting started. Today Khan Academy is releasing our first Android app along with a redesigned iPhone app!

Not long after sharing the first images of the retail packaging for the upcoming Nexus 6P, Android Police has now shared the clearest pictures to date of the device. The image, which is a press render of the device, shows the same phone that was initially leaked a few weeks ago.
A YouTube user by the name of Tom Scott has discovered a nasty bug in Google Chrome. It’s probably harmless, and Google is probably about to fix it, but it’s interesting nonetheless. Typing in http://a/%%30%30 in your browser window and pressing the Enter key will completely crash your browser, and even hovering over a link containing the text will at least crash your current tab.
Here’s why this happens:
This year, Google is rumored to be partnering with a Chinese manufacturer for the first time on its Nexus lineup. The Huawei Nexus isn’t just an experiment, or giving a new OEM a chance at making a device. If rumors are correct, the partnership was chosen because of Huawei’s influence in China. Google’s Play Services are limited in China, in that they’re basically non-existent. But still, as a consumer, I can’t help but feel this year should have been Samsung’s year, and next year definitely should be…
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Last month we shared with you photos purporting to be of an upcoming ‘One A9’ handset from HTC. While we pitted them as likely to be fake thanks to sketchy images that had surfaced the day before, a newly-leaked photo (via OnLeaks) suggests that this design might actually be the real deal. And that’s sad, because if this phone isn’t an iPhone copycat, I don’t know if I’ve ever seen one…
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We’ve seen Android One devices land in a couple Middle East countries already, but now the program is coming to the United Arab Emirates. The Infinix Hot 2, which you can see in the image above, is now available exclusively from Souq.com…
The 5-inch smartphone launches with a quad-core MediaTek processor, dual-SIM support, front and rear cameras (at 2 MP and 8 MP, respectively), 1 GB of RAM, and 16GB storage (expandable via microSD card). Out of the box, the phone runs Android 5.1 Lollipop, and the whole package will cost you AED 299 (or just about $80 in the equivalent US dollars). We saw the same phone launch in Africa earlier this year.
Interestingly, we have yet to see the official Android blog come out to brag about this launch. Android One has been introduced to many major markets this year, most recently including Europe with the BQ Aquaris A4.5, a new handset in India called the Lava Pixel V1, and a launch in Pakistan just a few months ago with the QMobile A1. According to a recent report, Google wants to halve the price of its Android One handsets in all of these markets.
Infinix Hot 2 becomes Middle East’s first Android One smartphone; launched exclusively onSouq.com
20 September 2015 Dubai, UAE– Infinix Mobility has announced the launch of the new Infinix Hot 2 phone in collaboration with Google™ to bring high-performance, low-cost Android™ experience to the Middle East. The device, which is the first smartphone on the Android One™ program in Middle East, will enable all users enjoy the latest version of Android with guaranteed software upgrades after release, premium hardware specs and a wide range of customized apps.
Speaking on the device, Benjamin Jiang, MD, Infinix Mobility, stated that the new Infinix Hot 2 will redefine the smartphone industry in Middle East. He said: “At Infinix we believe that Middle East end-users deserve to experience the latest smartphones at competitive price. That is why we are pleased to collaborate with Google to deliver this unique smartphone; the Infinix Hot 2. We are confident that the phone will push the frontiers of smartphone technology to the next level.”
Speaking in the same vein, Caesar Sengupta, Vice President, Product Management at Google said “Google is pleased to collaborate with Infinix Mobility on Android One — a program designed to help bring high-quality, low-cost Android devices to everyone. We’re looking forward to working with Infinix Mobility to put a great smartphone into the hands of people in the Middle East.”.
Ronaldo Mouchawar, CEO & Co-Founder of Souq.com commented, “Souq.com is committed to the development of e-commerce in the MENA region of which consumer electronics (smartphones specifically) is the biggest industry sector. Today, Souq.com is championing the factory-to-consumer model through its unique partnerships by opening the market up and providing product diversity for our customers as well as making high-spec, world-leading technology more accessible. Infinix Mobility’s high-performance, great value Android Hot 2 could be a significant turning point in the smartphone ecosystem. We are excited to be exclusive partners and supporting Infinix Mobility in this launch.”
As with other phones running the latest Android Lollipop, users of the Infinix Hot 2 can automatically enable the new battery saver feature to extend battery life by 90 minutes. Users can also see the estimated time left before they need to recharge. And when charging, they can also see the estimated time for the battery to become fully charged. The operating system offers users more control over data usage by offering a two-quick swipe control to turn data on or off; they can also easily check data usage.
The Infinix Hot 2 is made of glossy materials that give users a luxury experience. Its cutting edge style was precisely designed to fit in the palm of a user; its style, display and architecture give it a unique design.
Powered by a Mediatek 1.3GHz Quad-Core Processor and a 1GB RAM, users can play 3D games on the Infinix Hot 2 in addition to an extraordinary experience while watching videos in high-definition (HD). The smartphone has a 2200mAh battery that allows users to enjoy the device for longer hours. The device runs on Android Lollipop and there will be automatic update to the latest version of Android when it becomes available.
The Infinix Hot 2 also comes with a 5.0 inch display and high-definition (1280 x 720 pixels) resolution that allows users to read and respond to messages directly from the lock screen and provides quick access to tools like the flashlight, Bluetooth, WI-Fi, and more- also standards available on the latest Android Lollipop.
Infinix Hot 2 has an 8.0 MP rear camera in addition to 5P Lens and 2MP front-facing camera. The metal camera decorative design makes the camera a bright spot on the back. It comes with true flash+ BSI. And even in dark light, users can still capture best shots. Camera not only allows you to take photos of things and people you love but also of you through the front camera. Infinix Hot 2 also comes with a beauty face option which captures a portrait and automatically adjusts the photo to create a more visually pleasing photo, making face smoother and brighter.
In addition to improved high dynamic range and low-dark current, the device perfectly complements the 5P lens which increases light sensibility by 30% thus making it possible for users to take high quality photos anywhere and anytime.
Exclusively available on Souq.com No.1 Middle East e-commerce retailer for 299AED only
http://uae.souq.com/ae-en/ae-infinix-hot-2/c/
Full Device Specifications
Network: 2G/3G
OS: Lollipop 5.1
Dimensions: 145 x 71.86 mm x 88 mm
Display: 5” HD screen
Resolution: 720 x 1280
Processor quad core: 1. 3 GHz
Battery: 2200mAh
Camera: 8MP rear + 2MP front
Premium Accessories
Double-Side PU screen protector
Stylish Leather Cover
*Terms and conditions apply
1Users will be able to receive updates for the latest Android operating system up to two years

Oyster, the ‘Netflix for books’ service that provided unlimited access to over a million books for a $9.95 monthly subscription, is closing, with Re/code reporting that its CEO and two co-founders have been ‘acquihired’ by Google.
It’s not known at this stage whether Google plans to relaunch the service as a Google-branded product. Oyster said in a blog post that members that they will receive an email with more information in the next few weeks, and Google declined to comment …
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As we’d previously heard, Google’s event — where it’s expected to unveil the upcoming Nexuses (Nexii?) — will take place in San Francisco on September 29th. Doors will open at 8am, with the event due to kick off at 9am and followed by hands-on time with the new devices…
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