You can now initiate Hangouts video conferencing sessions directly from Google+ for mobile

News

  • December 14, 2011 at 3:25 pm

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Google+ mobile Hangouts video conferencing on a Galaxy Nexus

You already could do video conferencing through Google+ on smartphones, but the Hangouts session had to be initiated from a desktop computer. Google is launching a new version of Google+ for Android in the next few days, which will allow Hangouts sessions to be completely mobile, that is you can initiate a Hangouts video conference directly from your device. You simply touch the little camera button at the top to start a hangout. An updated version of Google+ for iOS devices is also coming soon.
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Connecting the Galaxy Nexus to your computer via MTP and the lack of USB Mass Storage

Guides

  • December 10, 2011 at 5:41 am

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For better or worse, Google has been pushing to abolish microSD card slots from Android devices. Some of the reasoning behind this move revolves around making making the experience easier for beginners, i.e. not having to worry where apps will be installed, applications breaking when you remove the SD card or having to download and use a file manager. Of course this goes against rightly disgruntled advanced users who’ve been used to the convenience of expandable external storage.

The Galaxy Nexus (read our full review here) is Google’s brainchild, proudly becoming the first Android device to run version 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich, and as such, it does not have a microSD card slot. Moving the external storage discussion aside, there is one specific functionality that’s become collateral damage. That is USB mass storage. To clarify here, Ice Cream Sandwich has support for USB mass storage but the Galaxy Nexus doesn’t.

USB mass storage is the protocol that allows your computer to view any USB device as a normal storage drive, i.e. gives it a drive letter and you can open it with Windows Explorer or Finder on Mac OS and transfer files and folders as you would with any other drive. If you’ve ever connected a USD thumb drive to a computer and browsed its contents, then it was using USB mass storage. USB mass storage allows block level access, i.e. ‘complete access’ to a storage device. As the Galaxy Nexus has one, unified, built-in storage which hosts both the Android operating system and your personal files it was impractical (if not impossible) to permit block level access on that storage.
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Google Search launches carousel view for tablets, gives us a peak of Ice Cream Sandwich on a Xoom

News

  • December 8, 2011 at 12:35 pm

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Google Image Search for tablets

Google has just launched a new carousel view for tablets when using image search. Images take up the majority of the screen with an info box at the bottom and you can swipe left or right. The new tablet-optimized carousel view certainly looks like a great improvement to the user experience, and quite addictive for those who enjoy to flick through hundreds of images.

What we’ve spotted in the video, after the break, is Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich running on what appears to be a Motorola XOOM.
No tablet has yet been officially updated to run Ice Cream Sandwich and we are sure that a lot of XOOM owners will be pleading to get their hands on the update ASAP.
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Google Goggles 1.7 for Android brings continuous mode, other tricks up its sleeve

News

  • December 7, 2011 at 3:46 pm

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Google Goggles in continuous mode

Google has just updated its Goggle Android app to version 1.7. The biggest change in the updated version is a new continuous mode. Instead of having to aim your device’s camera at a product, artwork, landmark etc. and press the shutter button before getting any results, Google Goggles now continuously scans for recognizable objects and populates a timeline with the results. We’ve tried it and it’s really what has been missing from Goggles so far. Images recognized in continuous mode won’t show in your search history and you won’t be able to add contacts or translate text.

Another new feature is article text recognition. You can just scan a written piece of text and get online results referring to that piece. Finally you now get search suggestions from other users, which will hopefully improve results. As usual, check the ‘My Apps’ section on your device to update, or search for Google Goggle to install.
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Samsung Galaxy Nexus complete review

FeaturedReviews

  • December 5, 2011 at 6:41 pm

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Samsung Galaxy Nexus in hand - on homescreen

There has been a lot of buzz around the release of the Samsung Galaxy Nexus, and that has mostly centered on the fact that this is the first smartphone to carry the latest (and greatest) iteration of Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich (‘ICS’). Similar to previous Nexus devices, it acts as Google’s launch device for a major Android version.

What one must understand is that this is a mass adoption device rather than a super high-end smartphone. It lacks the exotic materials found in other high-end phones and features such as Bluetooth 4.0, GLONASS satellite navigation or an advanced camera.

Nevertheless, it’s a well-executed device, albeit a few early teething problems. The Galaxy Nexus features a sharp 4.65-inch Super AMOLED 720p display and a fast dual-core 1.2GHz processor. It’s also a pure Google Android experience smartphone, without any user interface customizations such as HTC’s Sense or Samsung’s TouchWiz, which is important for some.

Most importantly, it’s the only device to officially run Ice Cream Sandwich, for a while, and similar to past Nexus devices, it will be the first smartphone to receive future software updates as they are released by Google — at least until the next Nexus device is launched. Although the Galaxy Nexus might not be bleeding edge with regards to hardware features, it will be cutting edge on software, which, can be argued, is more important.

This review is an in-depth look at the Samsung Galaxy Nexus, and centers on the device’s hardware features, real-life performance, as well as what’s new in Android Ice Cream Sandwich. We will further cover Android Ice Cream Sandwich in more detail in a future review. So read on for our opinion on the latest and greatest Android smartphone.
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Galaxy Nexus volume bug could be hardware related, UK retailed holds off shipments (video)

News

  • November 22, 2011 at 6:35 pm

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Galaxy Nexus 'volume bug' on 2G GSM 900 network

We’ve seen it time and time again. New devices generally have teething issues, though many of these can be patched with a software update, others have more serious hardware problems. The iPhone 4 had the infamous ‘antennagate’ issue, the HTC Sensation its own Wi-Fi deathgrip and it seems the Galaxy Nexus is now joining the ranks of not so smooth product launches.

The smartphone went on sale in the UK last week, and a number of users are reporting that the phone’s volume controls behave erratically when it’s transmitting on a 2G network at GSM 900 (900Mhz). This ‘volume bug’ could be a result of radio interference on the 900Mhz band and it has been replicated by placing another phone on 2G GSM 900 next to the Galaxy Nexus. The bug is quite serious because it can mute your phone’s ringer and notifications.

Most of Europe, Africa, Middle East, Australia and most of Asia use the GSM 900 band, so the number of users that could be affected is huge. Affected Galaxy Nexus devices behave normally when connected to 3G networks, so a temporary fix would be to force the phone to only connect on 3G, but that means you will be left without a signal where 3G connectivity is not available.
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Updated Google Search app for iPad offers new features, design and interactive animations (video)

News

  • November 21, 2011 at 5:11 pm

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iPad Google Search app

Google has just updated its Search app for the iPad. The new version offers a complete redesign with much more visual appeal and new features. Interactions are designed to take advantage of the iPad’s large screen and touch interface.

As soon as you start typing in the input box, Google Instant starts to display relevant results so that you will be able to get better prediction of your intended search with fewer keystrokes.

You now have a choice between reviewing the search results as the classic list or switch to a visual slide presentation, navigable by swiping. When doing an image search you are now presented with a default image carousel, where you can swipe left or right between the images.
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How to: sign-up and access Google Music for PC and Android from outside the US, easily

Guides

  • November 20, 2011 at 9:19 am

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Google Music

I’m sure you’ve read about Google’s online music service, appropriately titled Google Music. If you haven’t, it’s Google’s online music store and it’s also a free service which allows you to upload up to 20,000 of your own music files to Google’s cloud. Then, it allows you to listen to both purchased and uploaded songs from any browser (Windows or Mac PC) or through the Google Music app on Android devices. It’s Google’s answer to Apple’s iCloud and Amazon’s Cloud Player.

Unfortunately the service is currently only available within the US, and although Google will successively begin offering the service to other countries, if you reside outside the United States you will be out of luck for a while. Nevertheless there is a very easy way to sign-up and use the service from anywhere in the world, if you are willing to jump a couple of hoops. Note you still won’t be able to buy any music through the service, but you will have access to the free storage and streaming service for you own songs.
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Android basics: What is Ice Cream Sandwich and why would I want it on my phone or tablet?

Guides

  • October 22, 2011 at 4:54 am

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Google employee putting up the Android Ice Cream Sandwich mascot

Having just had a discussion with a non-‘techie’ friend who owns an Android phone, I received the very logical question: what is Ice Cream Sandwich? My response was followed with the equally valid inquisitive look on why would Google name its mobile operating system after a frozen desert.

Our attention is caught up with new gadgets and technology that we simply skip past all the basic concepts. Well today is the inauguration of a new column, appropriately titled ‘basics’, which will go over fundamental terms and provide beginners with (hopefully) easy to follow and clear how-tos. After all we are claiming that our opinions and advice should reach real people.

First, a background on Android. Android is a mobile operating system, it runs on mobile phones and tablets and provides all the basic functionally needed, such as connectivity (to connect to a Wi-Fi network or your mobile carrier), multi-touch recognition, a phone dialer and some built-in applications, like an internet browser and email. It’s like Windows or Mac OS but for your phone or tablet. Competing mobile operating systems are Apple’s iOS, Microsoft’s Windows Phone and also BlackBerry OS and the now-defunct webOS.
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The hottest Ice Cream Sandwich you will ever get: the complete guide to all the major new features of Android 4.0

FeaturedNews

  • October 20, 2011 at 5:10 pm

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Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich

Google has advanced its mobile operating system by leaps and bounds in just three years and Android is finally maturing. The latest version of Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich, which was announced this week, brings a host of usability improvements, new features and a lot of polish.

Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich (ICS) is a major upgrade, particularly for mobile phones, as it also brings Android Honeycomb functionality to smartphones. ICS will run on both smartphones and tablets. If you are new to Android, you might want to check out our beginners’ guide on what is Android ICS.

The changes in ICS are numerous and it’s easy to get lost in the details. We’ve compiled all the major improvements and new features of Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich in a simple, compact list. Head over the break, for your large dose of piping-hot Ice Cream Sandwich goodness.
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You can now watch, again, the entire Android Ice Cream Sandwich and Galaxy Nexus event

News

  • October 19, 2011 at 11:13 am

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Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich and Galaxy Nexus event

If you missed the Google and Samsung event, when was it streaming live, you can now watch the entire event below. The event covered most of the basics of what’s new in Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich and of course unveiled Samsung’s new flagship smartphone, the Galaxy Nexus.

If you are a fan of little green robots, you will find the video after the break.
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Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich could be getting a built-in photo editor

News

  • October 17, 2011 at 9:44 am

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Google built-in photo editor for Android 4.0

So we’ve just got over a day to go until the wonders of Android 4.0 ‘Ice Cream Sandwich’ are revealed to us. Knowing that something this big is coming, builds anticipation, which we need to satisfy, somehow. Well the guys over at Android Police have unearthed a number of icons showing off various image editing tools and photo effects.

It has been rumored in the past that Google is working on a photo editor for the Android Gallery and the assumption here is that the editor might be launched as part of Android 4.0. The icons, which you can see above, include tools like crop, rotate, straighten and sharpen, exposure adjustment and even artistic effects. From the leaked icons, there seem to be 19 different image effects, like fisheye, sepia etc.

We’ve been clamoring for an easy way to fix and adjust images within the gallery, so this would be great news. Hopefully, Android 4.0 will bring a lot more exciting new features. Now see, by the time you’ve come to the end of the article, you are so much nearer to the actual launch!
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Apple’s Siri, Google Voice Actions, the past and the future of voice control

EditorialsFeaturedNews

  • October 16, 2011 at 6:57 am

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iOS 5 Siri and Google Voice Actions for Android

Controlling a device with your voice is certainly nothing new. It’s been implemented time and time again and the execution has ranged from terrible, to gimmicky, to just ok, but it has never taken off. It’s been the sort of thing that you show off at family gatherings to impress older relatives but you never end up using.

It has existed on mobile devices for a while but with very limited capabilities. Feature phones could only do things like call up a number. Then, Google brought it on Android with Voice Search and Voice Actions expanding its capabilities. Now, Apple has officially taken a big step into voice control with iOS 5, the iPhone 4S and its personal assistant Siri. Could this mean that we will soon start using our devices in a different way?

Apple didn’t invent the artificial intelligence (AI) and voice recognition technology that makes Siri happen. In fact, Siri on iOS is the result of Apple’s purchase of same named company, Siri, and the use of third-party voice recognition technology (probably Nuance). But Apple has an incredibly successful history of doing exactly this, taking an existing but flailing technology, ironing out the quirks and making it the norm. The Macintosh made the mouse popular, the iPhone revolutionized touch-screen technology and Siri could be the beginning of a new way to interact with our devices.
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