update

You might not have heard of it, but Google has a first-party app on the Play Store called Field Trip that basically serves as a guide to all things located in your vicinity. The Mountain View company just recently released a new version of the app, bringing to it Material Design and a flurry of other improvements.

While the app used to sport a vintage look and feel that made it somewhat unique, the new version goes the opposite direction and simplifies the entire experience. In addition to the redesign, Google says that the new version comes with new content from “hundreds” of publishers and performance improvements.

Here’s the full change log:

V2.0.5

* New sleek & modern design.

* Easier to discover and browse more cool stuff around you.

* New content from hundreds of publishers.

* Performance improvements.

You can get Field Trip on the Play Store for free.

Google gives Chrome for iOS a Material redesign, OS X Handoff support, & iOS 8/iPhone 6 optimizations

Jordan Kahn Jan 20 2015 - 10:15 am PT

Google is today rolling out Chrome 40 for iOS and with it bringing Material Design to Chrome users on iDevices, OS X Handoff support, and optimizations for iOS 8 and the new iPhone 6 and 6 Plus.
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Android 5.0.2 Lollipop OTA files start showing up for Nexus 7, here’s how to install them

Stephen Hall Jan 20 2015 - 6:35 am PT

We saw in late December that Google had published download links for the Nexus 7 (2012) factory images, but now it appears OTA update links are finally making the rounds. While not much is known about the specifics of what this update brings, Google has been fast to push this minor Lollipop revision to Nexus 7 owners. Many have reported that Lollipop brought reductions in performance, so if you’re one of those people, it might be a good idea to try this out and see if it will help.

Hyundai cancelled its Google Glass Blue Link app in favor of Android Wear

Stephen Hall Jan 16 2015 - 8:14 am PT

A little more than a year ago, Hyundai told the world that it was working on a Google Glass counterpart for its Blue Link platform. The app was supposed to launch with the 2015 Hyundai Genesis, but the car’s first availability came and went without any mention of Google’s head-worn computer. And while Hyundai did recently announce that it plans to release an app compatible with Android Wear devices very soon, it’s now official that the company’s Google Glass app won’t likely be getting the same treatment.

Google adds social links for brands to Knowledge Graph search results

Stephen Hall Jan 15 2015 - 8:31 am PT

As noticed by Search Engine Land, Google recently added a new section to its Knowledge Graph for brands searches. As you can see in the screenshot above, searching for a brand like McDonald’s will show a new “Profiles” section including Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, Google+, and Instagram accounts. As of today, the same is not true about celebrity Knowledge Graph results. Updates to the Knowledge Graph usually sneak in under the radar, but they seem to keep coming nonetheless. This update follows last month’s Knowledge Graph update, which added a new lyrics section.

Google rolling out updated Drive app for Mac and PC w/ new status menu & bandwidth control

Stephen Hall Jan 14 2015 - 1:20 pm PT

Google is rolling out an updated version of its Google Drive app for Mac and PC this week with a few handy new features. First, you’ll find (as you can see above) that Google has updated the status menu to show much more information than before. Now, you can see the files that are being synced up to the cloud as well as a check mark next to them that will appear as they do so. The app will also make it clear which files are currently syncing and which files are yet to be synced. Additionally, hovering over an item will let you share it straight from the menu.

Lollipop OTA rollout begins today for HTC One (M8) unlocked and developer editions

Stephen Hall Jan 13 2015 - 10:30 am PT

It looks like January is going to be the month of Lollipop for many Android device manufacturers, and that trend continues with the announcement from HTC’s VP of Product Management that the company has now received technical approval for the update and that it will be rolling out over-the-air to HTC One (M8) unlocked and developer editions starting tonight.

The Android 5.0 update for HTC device isn’t going to be just an update to Lollipop, though, as the company is also launching its Sense 6 skin atop the latest version of Google’s mobile OS. We got a peek at Sense 6.0 running on the HTC One (M8) late last month, which should probably give you a pretty good idea of what today’s update is bringing.

HTC One (M8) Unlock and Dev Owners! We have received TA from Google on Lollipop + Sense 6. OTA will be out starting tonight. #HTCAdvantage

— Mo Versi (@moversi) January 13, 2015

Earlier today we learned that Samsung is rolling out Android 5.0 to the Galaxy S5 in the UK, and also touched on the fact that Android 5.0.2 is today hitting the second generation Moto G.

Google Sheets update lets you add images to header cells

Stephen Hall Jan 13 2015 - 8:54 am PT

Adding images to cells in Google Sheets isn’t anything new, but a new update rolling out today allows you to add images to header cells as well. While you’ve normally been restricted to simple text in these cells, you can now spice things up a bit by adding branding or a logo. Here’s what it looks like:

In case you don’t know how to make a row a “header” row in the first place, it’s a simple as clicking on a cell in the top row, clicking “View”, hovering over “Freeze rows”, and selecting “Freeze 1 row”. To add an image, you need to head to the “Insert” menu, and after selecting the image you would like, you can resize it and move it around as you see fit.

It’s a pretty minor update, but you can’t complain about new features.

https://twitter.com/googledrive/status/555034160624975872/photo/1

Samsung rolling out Android 5.0 Lollipop for UK Galaxy S5

9to5 Staff Jan 13 2015 - 7:52 am PT

SamMobile reports on Tuesday that Samsung is now rolling out Android Lollipop for the Galaxy S5 in the United Kingdom, after seeding the software update in Poland, Spain, Russia, and Malaysia. The report claims that the update is arriving in the form of Android 5.0, despite Samsung internally testing Android 5.0.2 on flagship devices internally.
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Motorola says it will update its 2013 & 2014 devices to Lollipop “really soon”

Chance Miller Jan 12 2015 - 6:45 pm PT

Motorola’s quest to update its devices to Lollipop has gone anything but smoothly so far. The company started its efforts with the 2nd generation Moto X Pure Edition, but quickly learned that it had some more work to do when users started reporting a plethora of bugs. In a statement on Google+ this evening, however, a Motorola software engineer said that devices from 2013 and 2014 can expect their updates “really soon.”

Google puts millions of users at risk by ending WebView security updates for Android 4.3 Jelly Bean and below

9to5 Staff Jan 12 2015 - 8:54 am PT

Forbes reports that nearly one billion Android smartphone users that are not running the latest Lollipop operating system are at risk of malicious attacks due to Google no longer releasing security updates for the WebView tool on Android versions at or below 4.3 Jelly Bean. Research firm Rapid7 discovered that Google started the process of ending support for WebView late last year for devices not running Android 5.0 Lollipop.
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Falcon Pro 3 Twitter client lands on the Play Store, but expect limitations

Stephen Hall Jan 12 2015 - 8:35 am PT

Falcon Pro was one of the most notorious Android Twitter clients for quite some time, but development of the app got pushed aside when it started running into its Twitter API token limits. But the app’s developer Joaquim Verges has now brought it back with the release of version 3, which has been completely rewritten and re-imagined, and packs a gorgeous new dark-skinned Material Design aesthetic.
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Google app updated to version 4.1 w/ new Now card settings and more

Chance Miller Jan 7 2015 - 5:11 pm PT

The Google app on Android has received an update today, as part of the company’s Update Wednesday regimen. The update bumps the app to version 4.1.21.1657903 and includes a handful of notable new features, including new Google Now card settings and “Ok Google” setting tweaks.

WordPress for Android updated w/ Material Design interface enhancements

Chance Miller Jan 7 2015 - 2:03 pm PT

Screenshots of the prior version

WordPress today has announced an update to its Android app, bumping it to version 3.5. The update adds a handful of new features, but most notably it gives the app an interface overhaul to make it fit in with the Material Design theme on Android. WordPress has added round avatars, a plethora of new icons, and changed the colors of the interface for users.

Hyundai’s upcoming Android Wear app lets you start, lock, and locate your car from your wrist

Stephen Hall Jan 2 2015 - 1:11 pm PT

Hyundai has announced today that it’s working on an Android Wear app, marking another advancement in the next-generation of the company’s Blue Link system for monitoring and controlling your car remotely. The company says the the Blue Link Android app will be updated with Android Wear support at some point in “early 2015” and that it will be showcasing the app at its CES booth on January 5th.

Android Lollipop for Galaxy S5 now hitting Russia and Malaysia

Stephen Hall Jan 2 2015 - 10:37 am PT

The update to Android 5.0 for the Galaxy S5 has been slowly rolling out across a variety of not-United-States countries over the last month, starting with Poland and then more recently making its way to Spain. Now, preceding what will soon be the software update’s widespread availability, devices in Russia and Malaysia are being offered (via SamMobile) some Lollipop goodness.

Alleged email leak confirms January for Samsung’s Lollipop rollout

Stephen Hall Dec 30 2014 - 2:34 pm PT

We already know that Android 5.0 Lollipop is likely on its way to Samsung’s current lineup of devices soon (in fact, it’s already hitting devices over-the-air in Spain and Poland). But now, thanks to a post on Reddit from a user claiming to be a Samsung employee, we have a tidbit of information that pinpoints January as the month that will begin to happen in more countries around the world.

HTC says to “always Desire more,” teases new Desire smartphone launch for CES

Stephen Hall Dec 30 2014 - 8:06 am PT

As we reported yesterday, there are several rumors floating around that HTC intends to announce a new device of some kind at this year’s CES in Las Vegas, an event that’s typically fairly quiet for the Taiwanese corporation. But while many believed that the upcoming device might be the company’s next flagship, codenamed “Hima,” a new teaser image posted to the company’s official Weibo account would suggest otherwise. The image makes direct reference to the company’s “Desire” line of affordable phones.

Moto G (2nd generation) with LTE shows up on Brazilian Motorola site

Stephen Hall Dec 29 2014 - 12:56 pm PT

According to the Moto G page on the Brazilian Motorola website, there appears to be another model of the company’s affordable Moto X alternative in the works, sporting LTE and a variety of other minor changes (via Android Police). It was only a matter of time before this device popped up consider its predecessor had 4G capable model, and now it’s (almost) here.

Samsung Galaxy S5 now receiving Android Lollipop in Spain, more countries hopefully to come

Stephen Hall Dec 29 2014 - 10:05 am PT

The Samsung Galaxy S5 started receiving Android Lollipop in Poland early this month, but now it appears (via SamMobile) that the latest version of Google’s mobile operating system is now hitting the device in one more European country. Specifically, model SM-G900F of the Galaxy S5 is now receiving the update in Spain.

HTC’s ‘Hima’ may be announced at CES 2015, shows up on AnTuTu reaffirming previous leaks

Stephen Hall Dec 29 2014 - 8:40 am PT

Specifications for HTC’s upcoming flagship—dubbed “Hima”—began leaking earlier this month when it purportedly began carrier testing. But today, the phone has apparently passed through an AnTuTu benchmark (via Nowhereelse.fr), and the resulting specification sheet seems to line up perfectly with what we saw before. Additionally, new evidence suggests that HTC has plans to introduce the device earlier than expected, at the annual CES 2015 which officially starts just over one week from today.

Samsung’s new Galaxy Note 4 variant is the world’s first LTE-A Tri-Band CA phone

Stephen Hall Dec 28 2014 - 10:01 pm PT

It was rumored earlier this month that Samsung had plans to introduce a new variation of the Galaxy Note 4, but it’s now been confirmed by the Korean company that this is indeed the case. While there are already two distinct models of the Note 4 available worldwide (sporting slightly different processors), today’s announcement adds a third to the mix, packing Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 810 and a claim of being the world’s “first commercially available LTE Advanced (LTE-A) Tri-Band Carrier Aggregation (CA) smartphone.”

Android 5.0.1 already landing on the NVIDIA Shield tablet

Stephen Hall Dec 26 2014 - 9:12 am PT

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We told you last month that the NVIDIA Shield tablet would be getting Lollipop, and that time has since come and gone. Now, while most recently-released devices already have Lollipop (or are in line to get it soon), attention has been turned to see which devices are going to be first to get Google’s first bug fix release, 5.0.1. Most of the Nexus devices have received it already (and you can get those from Google’s factory image download page), but it appears NVIDIA is also making sure its Shield tablet receives a timely update.

Nexus 7 (WiFi, 2012) OTA update download for 5.0.2 now available

Stephen Hall Dec 24 2014 - 10:54 am PT