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Today’s can’t miss deals:

Daily Deals: Samsung Galaxy Gear Android Smart Watch (refurb) $55, Smallville Complete Series $85, more

Sphero’s BB8 Star Wars toy lands tomorrow for $150, and we all want it

Samsung Galaxy S6 Edge 32GB (factory unlocked): $500 shipped (Reg. $1,000) | eBay

Pre-orders for the new Moto 360 (2nd gen) and Huawei Watch are now live on the Google Store

LG G Pad V410 AT&T GSM Unlocked 7-Inch 4G LTE 16GB Tablet: $80 shipped (Reg. $200) | eBay

SanDisk Ultra 200GB Micro SD card for Android devices: $200 shipped (Reg. $220+)

LG G3 D850 32 GB unlocked new 32GB blue: $250 shipped (Reg. $400) | eBay

GoPro HERO4 Silver waterproof action camera: $319 shipped (Reg. $400)

Giveaway: $400 Belkin WeMo bundle including the new Lightify Starter Set, multiple winners

More new gear from today:

JBL’s Pulse 2 Bluetooth speaker takes its lightshow next level, previous gen on sale for $100 (Reg. $150)

Cambond 10-ft MFi Apple-Certified Lightning Cable (multiple colors): $11 Prime shipped (Reg. $14)
Games/Apps: Captain Toad Treasure Tracker $29, LEGO Star Wars Clone Wars & Deus Ex Ultimate $5 ea.
Over-Ear Headphones: V-Moda Crossfade LP $90 (Reg. $125+), Parrot ZIK Bluetooth (refurb) $140 (Orig. $400)
Audio-Technica AT2020USB+ mic & CAD Acousti-Shield $149 shipped ($244 value)

More deals still alive:

Twelve South iPad Air/mini cases: BookBook from $35 (Orig. $80), leather SurfacePad $35 (Reg. $70), more

Incase MacBook Backpacks 50% off in multiple colors w/ free shipping: Cargo $40 (Reg. $80), Staple $30 (Reg. $60)

9to5Toys Specials: Moto E & 1-Yr FreedomPop unlimited talk-and-text: $150 shipped (Reg. $120 + plan)
Ringke Cases from $3 shipped: Galaxy S6/Edge, Nexus 6, iPhone 6/Plus, more in multiple colors/styles
HP Chromebook 14″ 2.3GHz 16GB storage Chromebook (refurb): $200 shipped (Reg. $220+) | eBay
You can score Nest’s 2nd generation Learning Thermostat for $199 if you move quickly
Transistor iOS action-RPG gets its first price drop: $5 (Reg. $10)
Kanto YU2 Desktop Mini Reference Monitor Speakers: $140 shipped (Reg. $180+)
Grain Audio OEHP On-Ear Headphones: $149 Shipped (Orig. $199, CA Tax Only)
Fashion: J. Crew Factory shorts $25, Timex Weekender Watch $14 Prime shipped, Toms Mens shoes $29
Fitbit Charge HR Activity Tracker in multiple sizes/colors: $120 shipped (Reg. $150)
Healthkit-supported Bluetooth Smart Bathroom scale with BMI, more: $49 Shipped
Ringke iPhone 6/Plus Cases from $5 shipped in multiple colors/styles, more
Harman Kardon Nova 2.0 Bluetooth Stereo Speaker System $150 shipped (Orig. $200)
Home: Dyson AM07 tower fan $270, Philips Norelco men’s shaver $120, more
D-Link PowerLine AV500 Mini Adapter Starter Kit: $20 shipped (Reg. $35+)
Kindle First Books for September: The Prettiest One, Pale Queen Rising, Still Waters, more
Brother All-in-One AirPrint Wireless InkJet Printer $50 shipped (Reg. $85+)
Gift Cards up to 20% off: Sports Authority, Domino’s, Jiffy Lube, Steak ‘n Shake, more
Western Digital 5TB USB 3.0 Desktop Hard Drive: $130 shipped (Orig. $200)
GoPro HERO4 Silver waterproof action camera: $319 shipped (Reg. $400)
Motorola SURFboard Cable Modem + Wireless Router: $90 shipped (~$109+ value), more
Monitors: Acer 23″ $100 (Reg. $140), Dell 23.8″ UltraSharp w/ HDMI $210 (Reg. $240)
Audio: JBL Micro Bluetooth speaker $28, V-MODA M-80 headphones $80 (Reg. up to $120)
MicroSD cards: Silicon Power 64GB $20 (Orig. $36), PNY 128GB $51 (Orig. $80), more
REI extra 20% off: Columbia Fleece Half-Zip $24, Marmot Down Jacket $104, more
Hot Java Android Coding Bundle: 5 app development courses for $29 (Orig. $657)
Free Xbox Live Gold Games for September: Tomb Raider Definitive Edition, Battlestations Pacific, more
Free PS Plus Games for September: Grow Home, Super Time Force Ultra, Twisted Metal, more
Doxie Go Wi-Fi Scanner: $175 Shipped (Orig. $229, CA Tax Only)

New products & more:

Polaroid’s latest pocket-sized Snap cam instantly prints photos with no ink

Review: Tucker and Bloom’s East to West XL Messenger Bag goes big to handle all your gear

Amazon now offers money back to Prime members after their first Dash button purchase

Hulu puts pressure on Netflix with new commercial-free subscription plan
Sony’s new high-resolution headphones have a cringe-worthy name
Neato details its new iOS/Android connected robotic smart vac
EA announces upcoming Star Wars Battlefront beta, new gameplay modes and companion app
Pandora celebrates its 10th anniversary by nixing ads for all listeners
Nintendo brings new smaller 3DS to North America, Zelda Tri Force 3DS, opens digital store on Amazon
Leica partners w/ an Italian auto designer to create a marvelous set of limited edition binoculars
Microsoft details new Xbox One Elite Bundle w/ upgraded SSD, new special edition controller
Release dates/special editions announced for Uncharted 4 & Deus Ex: Mankind Divided
Set the clock back to 1875 with the new Tesla Watch from ThinkGeek
Netflix September Preview: The Walking Dead Season 5, Gotham Season 1, and more
SmartHalo adds simple smartphone-connected navigation to your bike’s handlebars
Gears of War creator reveals the first gameplay footage for his new gravity-defying FPS

Google updates health Knowledge Graph with hundreds more conditions, printable PDFs for doctor visits, more

Zac Hall Sep 3 2015 - 10:08 am PT

Google first introduced fact-checked health information to its Knowledge Graph earlier this year to present quality medical facts to users searching for specific conditions. Today the search giant says it will soon have over 900 health conditions included in its Knowledge Graph offering “quick at-a-glance info on symptoms, treatments, prevalence, and more.” Google says this more than doubles the amount of health conditions it included at the start. Google’s health information Knowledge Graph is getting smarter in other ways too.

Barnes & Noble, Samsung launch the 8-inch Galaxy Tab S2 NOOK

Stephen Hall Sep 3 2015 - 9:35 am PT

Following the introduction of Samsung’s Galaxy Tab S2 a couple of months ago, it appears that the Korean company has now partnered with Barnes & Noble to launch a “NOOK” variant of the device. While the standard S2 comes in both 9.7-inch and 8.0-inch screen sizes, the S2 NOOK embraces the 8-inch variant and packs plenty of Barnes & Noble software on top…
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Skype 6 for Android adds floating action button and improved messaging in latest redesign

Zac Hall Sep 3 2015 - 8:36 am PT

It was only a month ago that Skype for Android was hit with a slight visual refresh, and today Microsoft is pushing out a much bigger redesign to the messaging app that it says was inspired by Google’s Material design. Skype 6.0 for Android replaces the custom action bar along the bottom of the app with a new floating action button that should be familiar to other modern Android apps. The action button ties in shortcuts to video messages, video calls, voice calls, and conversation chats.
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Google’s new ‘I’m feeling curious’ feature is really addicting

Stephen Hall Sep 3 2015 - 6:36 am PT

Google is definitely known for its hidden easter eggs and features in search, and this one is really going to keep you occupied: Searching for “I’m feeling curious” now shows you a widget that rotates through some random and interesting facts about just about everything — from how much a “lifetime airline pass” costed in the 80s to facts about Oprah.

After clicking the “Ask Another Question” a few times, it looks like the box pulls information from anywhere and everywhere on the web. A few facts were pulled from Wikipedia, and plenty of others were from History.com, Princeton.edu, People.com, and several other sources. As a bonus, it looks like “thefactsite.com” is going to get some nice extra traffic today.

If you want to check it out, head over to Google and search “I’m feeling curious“. Alternatively, it looks like other similar queries like “fun facts” will also show the widget.

Google restructures payment options for users of Maps APIs

Tom Maxwell Sep 2 2015 - 2:10 pm PT

Developers who want to do unique things with Google’s mapping technology, like plot markers on a map from a content management system, can now do it more affordably. Several Maps APIs have been moved to a payment model where you pay just for what you need.

With the move, the following APIs will begin to cost $0.50 per 1,000 requests after the first 2,500 in each 24-hour period: Geocoding, Directions, Distance Matrix, Roads, Geolocation, Elevation, and Time Zone APIs. This price will stay in place until developers pass 100,000 requests per day. Beyond that large number, developers will need to contact Google to request a premium license.

Previously developers who exceeded the 2,500 per day cap had to contact Google about purchasing one of its premium Google Maps for Work licenses, now called Google Maps for Business, which has been quoted as costing as much as $10,000 per year (Google doesn’t publicly list a price). Basically the APIs are now accessible to a much larger portion of those who want to use them.

Google Maps for Android gains richer local recommendation search

Tom Maxwell Sep 2 2015 - 1:09 pm PT

Google Maps on mobile has since last year had an Explore section where users can find the best restaurants to eat at and things to do in their area. With an update rolling out today to the Android app, it’s becoming a bit more easy to specify and narrow down exactly what you’re looking for.

Prior to today, Explore only used the inputs of distance and time of day to determine what to show you. Users can now, however, specify a nearby neighborhood, category, and type of cuisine to find, on top of the existing inputs. Tapping on a suggested place will bring up more detail like who the vibe is best, or least, suited for, and sometimes it’ll include why Google chose to recommend that place in particular.

It seems crazy to me that Explore in Google Maps was lacking this type of gradual search before, but it was. The new inputs make perfect sense, too — what if I specifically want to find a place to have drinks with friends, and also make sure it’s not too upscale of a place? You couldn’t narrow your results down that far before, but now you can. Well, that’s if you’re in the US or UK, where the Explore update is limited to for now. And if you happen to be in NYC, San Francisco or London, Google will even curate its suggestions into named sections like “Best places for classic Mission-style Mexican food.”

Aside from the new search, the UI has been updated a bit with a card-based interface for swiping through suggested places and their corresponding photos. This interface closely matches what Google rolled out to its search product on mobile for rich content results just a few days ago. Maps for Android also recently saw its directions interface updated with a similar tabbed design displaying duration estimates for every form of transportation to a given location.

Other location-based recommendation apps like Foursquare and Yelp have had what Google is rolling out now for quite a while, it’s worth noting. When I find an APK for this new update I’ll be sure to update this post.

Google details performance improvements w/ ‘Chrome Custom Tabs’ available in Chrome 45 (Video)

Jordan Kahn Sep 2 2015 - 12:06 pm PT

[youtube=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QOxIdbNwpx0]

With the release of Chrome 45 yesterday for desktops and Android devices, Google introduced a new feature called Custom Tabs that it previously demoed at its Google I/O developer conference earlier this year. With the introduction of the new feature, Google today posted the Google Dev video above offering a walkthrough of the new features for developers and sharing some details on performance improvements for users.
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PSA: Popular iOS game Alto’s Adventure is coming to Android

Stephen Hall Sep 2 2015 - 8:08 am PT

Alto’s Adventure is one of those fad games that may or may not stick around in the long term, but it has been featured in the App Store a couple of times for good reason. It’s a tranquil and calm pick-up-and-play snowboarding game not all too different than the likes of Tiny Wings, but — just like Tiny Wings — it’s very addicting. Now, thanks to an announcement from NoodleCake (the game’s maker), we know that Alto’s Adventure is coming to Android.

We don’t yet know exactly when the game is making its way to Google’s mobile platform. “We are hoping to have the game out soon enough but we don’t have an exact launch date just yet,” the developers said in a blog post. Assumably, NoodleCake will also be pushing the device to the Amazon Appstore, as the company says that it is coming to Kindle Fire as well. We’ll keep you in the loop. As a fan of the game myself, I’m excited.

ASUS ZenWatch 2 hands-on & comparison with original ZenWatch [Gallery]

Tom Maxwell Sep 2 2015 - 6:06 am PT

ASUS just wrapped up its IFA Berlin keynote address during which it showed off a range of new devices like the “world’s fastest Wi-Fi router,” plus some we’ve already seen like the Zenfone Selfie and Zoom. Afterwards we got a chance to take a hands-on look at the Android-powered ZenWatch 2.
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Google begins updating Android apps with its new logo

Chance Miller Sep 1 2015 - 3:57 pm PT

Earlier today Google officially unveiled its playful new logo and began replacing the classic logo with the new one around the web and at brick-and-mortar locations. Now, the company is rolling out updates to its Android apps with the refreshed logo.

Google has updated Maps, Translate, and Search on Android with the new logo. The Search update also included a handful of other changes, which we told you about earlier today. The Maps update also includes the ability to more easily compare ETAs across driving, transit, walking, and biking.

Google will undoubetedly continue to rollout updates to its other Android apps with its revised logo and if the speed at which its been updating the logo in other places in any indication, it won’t take long before the classic logo is entirely phased out.

The updates to Maps, Translate, and Search are rolling out now via the Play Store, but as usual, they may take a few days to hit every device. In the meantime, you can download the APKs from APKMirror at the links below:

Google rolls out visual tweaks to Search on mobile, Google Now on Android

Jordan Kahn Sep 1 2015 - 12:14 pm PT

In addition to unveiling its all new logo today, Google has announced some changes coming to its Search experience on mobile devices and its Google Now homepage on Android. Google notes that it’s made the search results page for mobile devices easier to navigate with a new swipeable and tappable UI. Google offered a look at the new UI for images, videos and news stories in the video below.
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Google will begin penalizing mobile sites for using app install interstitials

Tom Maxwell Sep 1 2015 - 11:12 am PT

Through this big shift we’re in the middle of to a mobile world where native apps reign king, Google has held strong in its devotion to improving the user experience of the web. Today another example of that is a shift it’s making to penalize those sites which display app install interstitials that hide a significant amount of content.
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HTC teases a phone announcement (HTC One A9?) for September 6th

Stephen Hall Sep 1 2015 - 11:11 am PT

HTC has come out on its official Weibo account to post a picture teasing what looks to be a smartphone of some kind. Notably, September 6th would put the announcement during IFA, so the date seems a bit more than plausibly realistic. Also, HTC has been saying since the flop that was the HTC One M9 that it is planning to try and take at least one more stab at the smartphone market…

HTC’s CEO Cher Wang having promised a new “hero product” coming in October, and most recently, images of what is purportedly an “HTC One A9” (otherwise known as “Aero”) leaked out. There’s no way to know if those images are genuine, but if they are, it’s definitely an unashamed copy of Apple’s iPhone 6. They do, however, match up with another image leaked purporting to show the A9.

I guess we’re only a few days away from knowing the truth. Here’s the tease:

Moto X Pure Edition is going up for pre-order tomorrow, September 2nd

Stephen Hall Sep 1 2015 - 9:49 am PT

Update: A member of Moto Makers says that the phone will ship starting September 13th.

Update 2: Moto X Pure Edition pre-orders are now live!

Tomorrow, September 2nd, Motorola’s much-anticipated Moto X Pure Edition — also known as Moto X Style, also known as Moto X (3rd generation) — becomes available for pre-order. That’s the word from the official Motorola Google+ page, at least…

Clear your schedule tomorrow! Those of you in the US can finally pre-order the new #MotoX Pure Edition, the phone that loves you back. It’s got a top rated camera, water repellent coating and all-day battery life. Learn more at http://bit.ly/1Fg9CJi. US only.

Up to now, the Moto X Pure Edition web page has only offered potential buyers the chance to sign up for updates. If you did sign up for updates, this was probably the update you were waiting for. Sadly, this is only for US customers at the moment.

Head over to the Moto X Pure Edition page on Motorola’s website tomorrow to hand over your credit card information and get yourself set for the Pure Edition. The phone starts at just $400, and you can only buy it unlocked at the moment.

Yet another Moto 360 press render image surfaces, possibly shows gold-plated models

Stephen Hall Sep 1 2015 - 9:10 am PT

The original Moto 360 in champagne gold

The Moto 360 leaks just won’t stop. We’ve seen images front, back and all-around of the smaller Moto 360S and larger Moto 360L, but now Evleaks (by the way, didn’t he retire or something?) has shared images of what could be one of the more expensive Moto 360 variants. They’re probably not Apple Watch Edition-level expensive, but more likely close to the price range of the Huawei Watch (another Android Wear device that’s slated to have its availability and pricing detailed at IFA).

As you can see above, there looks to be at least a couple of what are assumably gold-plated models in both the “small” and “large” sizes. As we told you yesterday, the small device is slated to have a 42mm body, while the large is expected to sport a 46mm case. All of the above watches have link bracelets,but Motorola could still offer these with a leather band, perhaps through Moto Maker. We saw a lot of watches leaked in renders yesterday, but none of them looked quite like the gold ones above.

Based on an image we shared with you earlier today, it seems Motorola is prepping to show off the Moto 360 on September 8th. We’re on the ground in Berlin already, and we’ll be keeping you up to the minute on the latest in the world of Android, Android Wear, and anything else that might catch us by surprise over the next week.

Google’s logo has a new look, and it’s really playful and cute

Stephen Hall Sep 1 2015 - 9:00 am PT

Update: Google has published an article outlining the changes and the ideology that inspired them.

Update 2: Yep, Google has already updated their brick-and-mortar logos.

Today, Google has announced that it’s introducing a brand new look and brand identity for the company. Gone is the logo based on the Catull serif type face, as the Mountain View company introduces a new, more playful, logo that looks made with a font similar to the “LTCircular” face used on the Alphabet announcement page…
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Google reportedly ditches secret project to beam location-based retail messages to smartphones

Ben Lovejoy Sep 1 2015 - 6:57 am PT

Fortune reports that Google has abandoned plans to beam location-based retail messages to both Android and iOS smartphones, shortly before launch. The project was reportedly named Google Here, and would have used beacons in retail stores like Starbucks to display offers and reward cards on the lockscreens of smartphones when they entered the store.

Google Here worked by sending a notification to a smartphone user’s lock screen within five seconds of their entering a partner’s location. If the user clicked on the notification, a full screen HTLM5 “app” experience would launch. Google Here would know when to send the notification via Google Maps and beacons placed in the stores of participating partners …

Nest introduces 3rd-gen Learning Thermostat with bigger, sharper screen & new features

Zac Hall Sep 1 2015 - 6:52 am PT

A week ago we reported that Google’s, err, Alphabet’s Nest had a new smart thermostat in the works per FCC filings, and today Nest is ready to unveil its 3rd-gen Learning Thermostat. Nest already automates heating and cooling, offers remote access, and aims to lower energy costs, so what’s new in the third version? The already sleek designed Learning Thermostat now has a bigger and sharper display that looks even better and it’s gained some new smarts behind it.
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The never-ending Google anti-trust story: the company could now face civil claims in Europe

Ben Lovejoy Sep 1 2015 - 5:18 am PT

It seems Google’s legal woes in Europe will never end. The European Commission has long been running an investigation into whether Google was guilty of anti-competitive behaviour in Europe, which finally resulted in a filing of charges in April and a warning of large fines in June. It may be next year – some six years after the investigation began – before the final ruling.

A second anti-trust investigation into Android followed, and a third one not long afterwards, this time into its web advertising business. As if all that weren’t enough, the NY Times reports that a US law firm and European public affairs company have created a joint venture to help companies file civil claims against Google in the event that the EC finds it guilty of the first set of charges …
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Google’s custom self-driving car to begin testing in Austin, Texas

Chance Miller Aug 31 2015 - 8:30 pm PT

Google today has announced that it is expanding its custom self-driving car project to Austin, Texas. Previously, the company had only been allowing the car to roam the streets of California. Google now says, however, that it is brining “a few” of its self-driving cars to Texas. The cars will stay in the northern part of Austin, like its modified Lexus vehicles have been for the last several months.

Android Wear on iOS: Setup and first impressions [Video]

Cam Bunton Aug 31 2015 - 3:00 pm PT

Android Wear finally has iOS support after Google pushed its iPhone-compatible software to the App Store. This means that Android has beaten Apple Watch to the cross-platform game. Or, at least it would, if iOS didn’t restrict it to a state of almost uselessness. The only device officially supported is the LG Watch Urbane although — as we previously revealed — the older generation Android Wear watches do work. I got it set up with my Moto 360, and have been mostly disappointed by my experience so far.

Samsung reveals its Gear S2 smartwatch ahead of IFA 2015 kick off

Stephen Hall Aug 31 2015 - 2:43 pm PT