Android Phone Fans |
- LG G Watch now available for pre-order from online retailer, launches July 7th for $255
- We’re at Google I/O 2014, follow us for the latest Android news
- Watch the Google I/O 2014 keynote streaming live on Phandroid.com!
- Chromebook Pixel owners receive $150 Visa giftcard after complimentary Verizon service got cut off early
- Google Glass gets another hardware revision with 2GB RAM, previous owners wont be upgraded
- 8 new Glassware apps hit the Glass store ahead of Google I/O
- What will Android 5.0 “L” be called? [POLL]
- Samsung Galaxy Tab S review
- What is the Motorola Victara for Verizon?
- Next version of Android (Lollipop?) to be revealed tomorrow at Google I/O
- Minuum Keyboard for Moto 360 revealed
- Civilization Revolution 2 confirmed for Android
- Nest opens up exciting developer program for better connected homes
- Mid-range HTC Desire 610 said to be headed to AT&T soon
- What to expect from Google I/O 2014
| LG G Watch now available for pre-order from online retailer, launches July 7th for $255 Posted: 24 Jun 2014 05:37 PM PDT While the world is gearing up for a full reveal of the LG G Watch and the Motorola Moto 360, 2 new smartwatches introducing the world to Google’s all new Android Wear platform, we still don’t know is exactly when we’ll be able to pick up the new wearables, and for how much. It was only 2 weeks ago Paul O’brien of MoDaCo fame had it on good authority that the LG G Watch would launch at around $200, citing a price below that of the Samsung Gear 2 Neo and Pebble Steel. Shortly after that, online retailer Mobile Fun (UK) claimed to have pricing for the Moto 360, pricing it around $335. Today, Mobile Fun — who leaked the Moto 360′s pricing at around $335 — is piquing our interest yet again, after AusDroid discovered the online retailer throwing up the LG G Watch for pre-order at $255. You can find the smartwatch launching in 12 countries with launch dates ranging from July 7th to 9th, lining up with MoDaCo’s previous info. Last week full specs for the LG G Watch leaked out online but didn’t really tell us much as we’ve never actually handled an Android Wear device, so we’re not entirely sure how demanding Google’s wearable OS will be on a smartwatch like this. If you’re looking to pre-order, you can grab both the black and white versions via the links below. |
| We’re at Google I/O 2014, follow us for the latest Android news Posted: 24 Jun 2014 04:49 PM PDT It’s that time of year again Android fans, the time of year when Google bestows upon the world all of the cool and exciting projects that they’ve been meticulously working on behind closed doors. Rob Jackson, Steve Albright, and I are here in beautiful San Francisco ready to take in everything that Google has to offer over the next two days. If you’re an Android enthusiast or a Google product lover, it’s basically Christmas time. Phandroid will be keeping you up to date on everything you need to know from Google IO as soon as it happens (watch our live stream!). We’ve already made our Google IO 2014 predictions over here. Be sure to have all your bases covered by following us across social media, downloading our app on Google Play, or checking in right here at Phandroid.com throughout the day for your dose of Google IO news and announcements. Of course, you can also follow the three of us on Google+ as we’re sure to be posting enough Google IO related goodies to keep any Android fan drooling over the next couple days. All of our notebooks, cameras, tablets, and phones are charged. It’s happening. And we’re ready. What are your predictions? |
| Watch the Google I/O 2014 keynote streaming live on Phandroid.com! Posted: 24 Jun 2014 04:27 PM PDT For many an Android enthusiast (that’s you), Google I/O is the most wonderful time of the year. It’s a lot like Christmas to the Android faithful. Rather than scour the net looking for a live stream of tomorrow’s events, your friends at Phandroid (that’s us) will be live streaming the entire keynote — including 4 channels of IO sessions — directly from our homepage. This will ensure that, not only will it be easy to keep up with everything being announced, but you can also follow along with our own live coverage from the Moscone Center directly on the Phandroid homepage. Pretty cool, right? We’re expecting for a jam packed event, filled with talk of Android Wear, Google Glass, Android’s upcoming “L” release, and whatever other surprises Google has in store for Android, Chrome, and their other projects. Don’t forget to check back with Phandroid.com so you don’t miss a thing and for a full schedule of events, check out Google’s page here. We know it’s going to be tough, but try and get some sleep. |
| Posted: 24 Jun 2014 03:54 PM PDT For all 4 people that picked up Google’s very own Chromebook Pixel, the search giant is looking to make things right after an issue with Verizon saw the laptop’s complimentary 4G LTE came to an abrupt end. Originally, the LTE equipped Pixel was sold with 2 years of free Verizon data (up to 100MB), but according to ComputerWorld, reports from users (seriously, who bought this thing?) noticed their 4G LTE had been cut-off early, barely a year into their service. While Verizon has yet to address the issue (they’re currently investigating), Google is taking matters into their own hands by offering Chromebook Pixel owners a complimentary $150 Visa giftcard for their troubles. If your service has been cut short, you can contact Google Play support about the issue here. |
| Google Glass gets another hardware revision with 2GB RAM, previous owners wont be upgraded Posted: 24 Jun 2014 02:20 PM PDT The Google Glass Explorer Edition is still a product very much in its infancy. It’s something we’ve been well aware since we reviewed the device almost a year ago. While some are quick to declare Google Glass as “DOA” due to pricing or privacy concerns, the fact remains that Glass in its current form will continue to evolve and change as Google gains valuable feedback from its Explorers, and as the wearable nears a general consumer release. It wasn’t too long ago Google revised the hardware with Google Glass 2.0, offering a free upgrade to everyone who purchased the previous version of Glass to the new and improved model with support for prescription frames and stereo headphones. A worth while update for sure, it appears Google is now focusing on performance in their latest hardware upgrade, there’s only one problem — current Glass explorers wont be getting a free upgrade this time around. The Glass team announced the news via their Google+ page letting everyone know that all Glass units shipping out (we’re assuming the UK is also included in this) will now include 2GB of RAM. This is a dramatic increase from the 1GB of RAM included in Glass 2.0 and should help with all the new software features continually rolling out to the headset. Speaking of software features, the Glass team also announced yet another software update that addresses one of the biggest complaints Glass photogs have had since the products inception: the complete lack of a viewfinder. In a new update rolling out this week, speaking the command “Ok Glass, show the viewfinder,” will now display brackets to help frame those shots. Previously, this was an art perfected only by the most advanced Glass photographers. Google also mentioned the addition of a few new Google Now cards (seriously, why not all of them?) with the addition of package tracking an parking spot locator. |
| 8 new Glassware apps hit the Glass store ahead of Google I/O Posted: 24 Jun 2014 01:10 PM PDT Yesterday, we told you guys about some new Glassware hitting the Glass store, but it seems that was only the beginning. Today, 8 more Glassware apps have made their way into the Google Glass store (+1 major update), joining up with yesterday’s introduction of Shazam, MusiXmatch, and Zombies Run. Let’s take a look. Goal.comFor keeping up with all things socc- er, football. Given the ongoing World Cup, this app couldn’t have arrived at a better time. The GuardianMost of you are already familiar with The Guardian, an online publication dealing with world news. The app not only brings you a Guardian RSS feed, but allows you to save articles for later viewing. AllthecooksThis is a Glass app that looks to free your hands while cooking. More of an honorable mention, this was already available in the Glass store, but a new update makes the Glassware a completely hands-free affair, using voice commands to cycle between recipes and directions. Star ChartArguably why Google Glass was created, Star Chart provides Glass wearers with an augmented reality star chart when viewing the sky at night. Your astronomy cred just leveled up. GuidiGOA virtual tour guide, GuidiGO includes 27 destinations and over 250 guided tours by real-life experts. The best part? Tours can be downloaded for offline use when a data connection isn’t available. DuolingoA handy app for broadening your vocabulary skills across a variety of languages, Duolingo makes learning a new language fun by turning it into a game. LivestreamAs the name implies, Livestream allows you to broadcast a live video feed across your social networks, even read chat messages in real-time. RuntasticBecause you can never have too many fitness apps, Runtastic is a virtual personal trainer that provides a several workout routines to helps you reach your fitness goals. 94Fifty BasketballThis apps works with the 94Fifty Smart Sensor Basketball to help measure muscle memory you wouldn’t see on your own. A virtual coach, this app will help you improve your game with audio and visual feedback. To enable all these apps on your Google Glass headset, be sure to head on over to the Glassware store here and turn on the ones that tickle your fancy. |
| What will Android 5.0 “L” be called? [POLL] Posted: 24 Jun 2014 12:29 PM PDT The hype beast is alive and well. We are less than 24 hours away from Google I/O 2014, and the rumors are swirling like a tornado. Less than 12 hours ago the idea of Android “L” being announced at I/O was considered highly unlikely. Now, thanks to some quotes from Android chief Sundar Pichai, we will be expecting it. There is still one big question to be answered when it comes to Android 5.0: what the heck will the “L” stand for? As I’m sure you are well aware, Google uses a dessert theme for naming Android versions. Cupcake, Donut, Eclair, Froyo, Gingerbread, Honeycomb, Ice Cream Sandwich, Jellybean, and KitKat have been used up to now. The two popular choices for “L” are lollipop and Lemonheads. Lollipop would be a more traditional Android name, but with last year’s KitKat theme we can’t rule out name brands. So, wise Phandroids, which one will it be? Does Google go back to the traditional generic dessert names, or do they continue to pair up with candy companies? Let us know in the poll below and state your case in the comments! |
| Posted: 24 Jun 2014 12:25 PM PDT Samsung has finally crafted a tablet deemed worthy of the 'S' branding so far only associated with the company's flagship smartphone line, and it's easy to see why. The Galaxy Tab S offers a compelling feature set — including a stunning Super AMOLED display — at a competitive price for both its 8.4 and 10.5-inch variants, a mix that Samsung has struggled to achieve in the past. Read on for our full review! Design & BuildThe Samsung Galaxy Tab S takes several design cues from its smaller counterpart, the Galaxy S5. Most notably, the dimpled rear introduced with the GS5 carries over, faux-leather inclinations and all. A home button and soft-touch navigation keys mirror those of Samsung's premium smartphone. These buttons are arranged for portrait orientation on the 8.4-inch model and landscape on the 10.5-inch Tab S. Regardless, both versions of the slate resemble a Galaxy S5 that has been pulled and stretched to a larger size. Samsung has added gold accents around the edge of the device to bring a touch of class, and the result is a slate that is truly quite pleasing to look at. For better or for worse, this is about as adventurous as Samsung gets with the Galaxy Tab S' design. What is truly impressive, however, is just how thin and light Samsung has made this tablet. Both editions measure 6.6mm at their thickest. This isn't the thinnest on the market (consider the Sony Xperia Z2 Tablet at 6.4mm), but it's close enough. The small and large models weigh 294 grams and 465 grams, respectively. Samsung continues to rely on plastic composite construction for nearly all of their devices, resulting in a set of tablets that doesn't feel quite as premium as it looks. The build quality, however, manages to translate slightly better to these larger devices that it typically does to Samsung's smartphone line. One interesting aspect of the Galaxy Tab S' design is the inclusion of two attachment points on the rear of the tablet. These circular ports allow for the secure attachment of accessories ranging from folding folio-style covers to Bluetooth keyboards. DisplaySamsung's Super AMOLED technology has long been regarded as producing some of the best displays on mobile devices. Most recently, the Super AMOLED display was the cause of much acclaim for the Samsung Galaxy S5. It took Samsung a bit longer to bring the same display to a tablet, but it arrives with the Galaxy Tab S as one of its strongest features. Samsung knows this — the company has based the majority of its Galaxy Tab S marketing on its display. The company isn't wrong in doing so, as the Super AMOLED displays of both the 8.4 and 10.5-inch Galaxy Tab S models are some of the best you can expect from a tablet. Both sizes sport WQXGA resolutions of 2560×1600 pixels and provide rich, vibrant colors and the deep contrast that has become expected of AMOLED displays. Samsung promises users can expect a color palette blanketing 90 percent of the Adobe RGB standard (versus the 70 percent of a traditional LCD) and a contrast ratio 100 times greater than that of the typical smartphone and tablet display. The Galaxy Tab S' Super AMOLED display is further enhanced with what Samsung is calling "adaptive display” technology. The gist is a screen that automatically optimizes presentation depending on the app (whether it be a movie, eBook, or web page). The limitation to this feature is that adaptive display only applies to seven pre-installed apps. In all other instances, users can choose between three screen modes: AMOLED Photo, AMOLED Cinema, and Basic Mode. The selected mode will then apply tablet-wide to all apps and services. The result is about what you would expect: a display on par with that of the Galaxy S5 and other AMOLED devices. It looks great, but it comes with the caveat that is often applied to AMOLED technology specifically. The vibrant color reproduction and deep contrast can often lead to an image that seems artificially enhanced and not true-to-life. That shouldn't be taken as a knock on the display, but there is a reason they say beauty is in the eye of the beholder. For some the Super AMOLED might be a bit much, but for most it is a perfectly enjoyable display, if not one of the strongest on the market when it comes to tablets. HardwareSamsung hasn't raised much noise about the Galaxy Tab S' hardware, but the device is no slouch. The WiFi-only edition of the tablet runs Samsung's in-house Exynos 5 Octa chipset, while the LTE model sports a Snapdragon 800. Regardless of the wireless configuration the processor will be served by 3GB of RAM. Combined these two key elements provide strong hardware performance, but it can at times lack in responsiveness. If you throw a lot at the Galaxy Tab S, expect a few hiccups here and there, but overall we had no major complaints. Beyond the solid processing power the Galaxy Tab S offers several other hardware elements that keep it inline with the latest tablet offerings from the competition, including 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac MIMO wireless. Dual antennas provide more stable connectivity and faster internet speeds when operating over WiFi. It's one of those little perks that is easy to overlook but hard to miss once, especially for a multimedia-centric device like the Galaxy Tab S. The Galaxy Tab S also takes advantage of the fingerprint scanner technology introduced with the Galaxy S5, allowing users to unlock the device with a swipe of their fingertip as well as interact with other apps and services like Private Mode. While the prerequisite headphone jack is available, users will be pleased to see stereo speakers on the Galaxy Tab S line. Side-mounted, they don't offer an especially immersive or profound audio experience, but they are suitable enough when it comes to enjoying video and music. Samsung's latest tablets offer a good mix of hardware features suitable for multiple uses. The slates are powerful enough for gaming, fast enough for streaming HD content, and utilitarian enough for productivity purposes. Software & MultimediaHardware only goes so far by itself, and Samsung knows this as well as we do. We were glad to see that some attempts were made to provide a unique experience tailored to the form factor, and they paid off. While the Magazine UX on top of Android 4.4 is a pretty standard take on the Samsung experience we have become accustomed to, there are a number of new features that add a layer of utility to the Galaxy Tab S. For starters, the Quick Briefing pane gives an all-in-one look at your favorite bookmarks, events and alarms, and stocks, as well as magazines via the new Papergarden app plus news and quick access to Samsung WatchOn. It also provides quick access to Samsung's new SideSync 3.0, easily the coolest new feature of the Galaxy Tab S. Using SideSync, a user can link a Galaxy smartphone to the tablet, providing complete remote control over the phone. This not only lets you explore the apps and media installed on your phone through an emulated Galaxy interface, but it also will forward text messages and even allow the user to place and receive calls directly from the tablet. This is a killer feature, assuming you own a compatible Samsung smartphone to make it work. Overall Samsung has done an impressive job putting the Galaxy Tab S' software to good use. The inclusion of exclusive apps and services, the ability to sync a Galaxy smartphone, and the useful Quick Briefing pane make the slate a worthy companion device for both work and play. CameraThe Galaxy Tab S is equipped with an 8MP rear camera and flash and 2.1MP front-facing camera for both versions of the device. While the setup can provide pretty decent results in ideal conditions (good lighting being key), this is a tablet we are dealing with. Users shouldn't expect the most impressive images ever captured on a mobile device, but the slate's camera serves its purpose well.
    The Tab S' camera struggled in low light but otherwise offered decent color reproduction and did a good job of focusing in and providing sharp images. Likewise, HD video recording offered about as much as we would expect from a tablet of this class. You can see for yourself in the sample below. BatteryThe 10.5-inch Samsung Galaxy Tab S rocks a beefy 7,900mAh battery, and it needs every last drop of juice to keep that power-hungry Super AMOLED display online. Likewise, the 8.4-inch Tab S makes the most of its 4,900mAh battery. Given the circumstances, both perform admirably when it comes to battery consumption. Samsung advertises that a full charge on either tablet should provide up to 12 hours of video playback, and their claims are surprisingly spot-on. Use the tablet for a mix of other tasks instead of 12 hours straight of video playback and you can expect to uptime in excess of this number. Just as with the Galaxy S5, Samsung has included software-aided power saving modes to get even more life out of the Galaxy Tab S. These modes dim the display, shut off unnecessary wireless connections, and otherwise alter the tablets performance profile to get the most out of a battery running low on charge. The Bottom LineConsidering its striking Super AMOLED display, slim design, and strong battery life, the Galaxy Tab S arrives as one of the best Android tablet options on the market. Add to that the fact that the competitively priced tablet will sell for $499 (10.5-inch) or $399 (8.4-inch), a direct strike at Apple's iPad Air and iPad mini with Retina Display, and you get slate that could challenge for best on the market, period. It took Samsung several years to craft the tablet worthy of appending the 'S' brand onto, but we'd say the Galaxy Tab S does the name justice and then some.
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| What is the Motorola Victara for Verizon? Posted: 24 Jun 2014 11:59 AM PDT A new Motorola phone seems to have been leaked for release on Verizon. A product guide for an accessory for the device is calling it the “Motorola Victara,” though we don’t learn much about the device itself (because, you know, it’s meant to sell the case). At first glance we can tell it most likely isn’t going to be a “blow your mind” device. The lack of an LED flash and the compact-looking frame all scream entry-level. The device does curiously have what appear to be dual stereo speakers on the front which is something we haven’t really seen Motorola do before. We’re not sure if this is to be considered a variant of the Moto G 4G LTE or something entirely different, but whatever it is we assume it will go just as easy on your pockets. Let’s hope we hear more in due time. [via @evleaks] |
| Next version of Android (Lollipop?) to be revealed tomorrow at Google I/O Posted: 24 Jun 2014 11:19 AM PDT Android circles are freaking out after a statement made by Android lead Sundar Pichai suggests we could see the next version of Android unveiled (in some capacity) during this week’s Google I/O developer conference. According to Bloomberg, Google will preview Android L (Lemonhead, Lollipop?) during this year’s keynote, with Pichai going on the record as saying:
While that quote doesn’t necessarily reveal much, Bloomberg says this is Mountain View’s effort for greater transparency in regard to firmware updates. With Apple already giving the world a preview of their next OS release for mobile — iOS 8 — during WWDC last month, perhaps this is Google’s way of stealing some of Apple’s thunder. Where we didn’t expect to see anything more than a Google app redesign at this year’s I/O, we suppose the event (and Android) is still too young to pin a specific pattern of announcements or releases. As we all know, when it comes to Google (and Android), you never know what you’re gonna get. In the back of our minds, we can’t help but hope Google will also provide a limited developer preview of Android L before it officially rolls out to the world with their rumored Android Silver program. Hey, we can dream, right? As we prepare our bodies and our minds for tomorrow’s event, don’t forget to check out the full 5-page interview with Sundar Pichai here as well as his Q&A session here. It’s a great read. |
| Minuum Keyboard for Moto 360 revealed Posted: 24 Jun 2014 09:54 AM PDT We expected to see minimal keyboards such as Minuum for smart watches with square dsplays, but what about smartwatches like the Moto 360 that has a circular display? Thankfully you guys have not been forgotten as Minuum has just revealed the first keyboard for circular smartwatches. While we don’t get a full video demo of it in action, they did drop a handy GIF of the how the keyboard will look whenever you use it. There’s one important thing to remember: the keyboard is technically useless right now considering Android Wear does not yet have text input elements built in without the use of voice. Minuum has likely been testing their keyboard on a custom build. But should Google ever get around to implementing the functionality down the line then Minuum will be ready to deliver the keyboard fit perfectly for your display. If you’re skeptical as to the accuracy of a keyboard on such a small display you can watch some of their earlier demo videos in the YouTube embed below. [Update]: As you guys have pointed out in the comments, this design does, in fact, forget to take into account the black strip on the bottom that is used to “cover” the smartwatch’s various sensors. We’ll be reaching out to Minuum to see what they plan to do to adapt the keyboard.
[via Minuum] |
| Civilization Revolution 2 confirmed for Android Posted: 24 Jun 2014 09:19 AM PDT 2K Games has announced a sequel to the original Civilization Revolution game that launched for iPad, which can be considered a bad Nintendo DS port (especially compared to the PC and console counterparts). The first part of the big news is that this release is slated for Android at some point! The iOS version is due at some point next week, and 2K promises we should see it in Google Play shortly afterward. The second piece of good news is that they have completely overhauled the game’s controls, graphics and mechanics for this release. We move from 2D to 3D scenery, and the controls have been properly adapted for mobile (the original was a lot more wonky and difficult to use). Civilization Revolution has you taking the reigns of one of several countries. You start with nothing but a group of eager settlers, and it’s your job to take those two people from rags and poverty to riches and prosperity. You’ll do so through research and advancing new technologies, building your military, and striving toward science, economic and cultural victories through space exploration, currency and great works.
Diplomatic engagements are aplenty, too, as you’ll be trading, waging war, negotiating peace and more with all of the civilizations around you. It’s a wonderful turn-based strategy game that should be on everyone’s radar, so stay tuned for a release date and more information as we barrel toward release. Need a quick idea of what Civilization is like? Gameplay from the original console and PC version of Civilization Revolution can be found sitting above. [via GameSpot] |
| Nest opens up exciting developer program for better connected homes Posted: 24 Jun 2014 07:53 AM PDT
It feels like the connected home dream is moving as fast as it ever has in 2014. Nest, one of the most promising players in this space (which is even more true now that they’re under Google’s wing), has announced the launch of their open developers’ program. Developers are invited to create solutions that interact with and work with Nest products to make your smart home even more effective. For instance, the Nest Protect smoke detector could flash LIFX lightbulbs red whenever an alarm is going off, so you get a visual cue as well as the typical audio-based alarm you’re used to. Away from home on vacation? Thwart potential burglars by automatically turning your lights on throughout the day. Driving home from work? A Mercedes-Benz can let your Nest thermostat know that you’re on the way and that it should turn up the heat or cool things down. Jawbone’s Up24 band can communicate sleep cycle information with your Nest thermostat so your home can be properly cooled or heated before you wake up (no more shivers out of bed!). Exciting, no? Nest’s small (yet capable) roster of products positions them squarely in the middle of a very exciting ecosystem that is growing faster than ever, and with these latest initiatives we should see the scene begin to explode a great deal. Here’s hoping there’s more to see once Google I/O kicks off tomorrow. Developers interested in signing up to develop their own wares can apply using the sign-up form right here. |
| Mid-range HTC Desire 610 said to be headed to AT&T soon Posted: 24 Jun 2014 06:56 AM PDT It seems AT&T will be one of the first benefactors of HTC’s new focus on providing more mid-range devices to help their bottom line. According to @evleaks AT&T will soon be getting the HTC Desire 610, which has a pretty nice bang for your bucks. The device features a 4.7-inch 960 x 540 display, a Snapdragon 400 processor, 1GB of RAM, 8GB of internal storage, an 8 megapixel camera and more. We imagine it wouldn’t break the bank for anyone interested in buying one when it does come out, and it should be a pretty serviceable device so long as you aren’t expecting an HTC One M8 or something. That said, we have no idea when, exactly, this device is supposedly launching on Ma Bell, though it should be before the end of the year if the source is to be trusted. |
| What to expect from Google I/O 2014 Posted: 24 Jun 2014 06:24 AM PDT The biggest day of the year in the Android blogosphere is almost upon us. The doors of Google I/O 2014 will soon open, and thousands of enthusiasts and developers will pour into Moscone Center. For those of us that won’t be in attendance the excitement is just as real. Leading up to the event there is always a cluster of news, leaks, and rumors about what we might see. We will be at I/O to cover the news as it happens, but until then this is what you should expect to see at the show. Android Wear launches with new smartwatchesThis one is a no brainer. Just three months ago Google surprised everyone by announcing Android Wear, a new platform for wearables. Along with that announcement was the unveiling of the Moto 360 and LG G Watch smartwatches. Right then it was very apparent that we would see more about this new platform and devices at I/O. Expect to see both the Moto 360 and LG G Watch on stage to show off Android Wear in-depth. We’ve seen some demos of Android Wear, and even a video for developers, but there is still a lot to learn about this platform. Those watches won’t just be on stage for demo purposes, either. We expect to get pricing and release dates for the 360 and G Watch, plus some Android Wear device announcements from Samsung and HTC. The LG G Watch will be given away to all attendees as an entry-level device to get developers working on Android Wear. The retail pricing of the G Watch will likely be in the $200 or lower range, while the Moto 360 will be priced as a more premium device. Expect to see a lot about wearables and Android Wear. Google Fit will get you in shapeA couple of weeks ago we first heard rumors of Google releasing some new API’s for health and fitness tracking. These API’s, called Google Fit, will be available to developers to implement in their own apps. The data collected will be stored in the cloud and available to access from anywhere. Since Android Wear will be a big part of I/O we expect to see Google Fit announced alongside it. Wearables like smartwatches are the perfect devices to track fitness. Companies like Fitbit, Jawbone, and even Samsung have built fitness trackers that can be wore on wrists. If you’re going to have a smart device on your wrist at all times it should also be able to track fitness. If Google Fit is indeed announced at I/O we also expect Google to announce some launch partners. Android should finally be getting more fit. Google finally does TV right with Android TVBack in April we saw some leaked screenshots of a new project from Google called “Android TV.” In May we heard about the project again, and this time it was reported that Google would unveil it at I/O. Other than those two stories there hasn’t been a lot of news about Android TV, which leads us to believe there will be at least some mention of it at I/O. Android TV is said to be a lightweight version of Google TV. A small and simple streaming media device like the Roku or Amazon Fire TV. Google admittedly tried to do too much with Google TV. It was bulky, complicated to set up, incompatible with some cable companies, and expensive. It was a product that seemed to have tons of potential, but never really caught on. Ever since its launch in 2010 the platform has received little attention and app support. Obviously Google needs a new approach. With the Chromecast they created a useful device for a very low price. Android TV will take that idea a bit further by implementing an interface and allowing search. We’re not 100% certain that Android TV will be shown off at I/O, but we wouldn’t be the least bit surprised if it is. Google wants to be on every screen you turn on. The TV is a big part of that plan, and Android TV would go a long way in completing Google’s picture. Android Automotive puts Google in your carSo far we’ve talked about Android on your wrist and TV, but how about your car? In January Google announced the Open Automotive Alliance, which included Audi, GM, Honda, Hyundai, and NVIDIA. Google wants to create a great info-tainment experience for cars. The system will likely allow drivers to control their phone from built-in dash displays, similar to Apple’s Car Play. At CES this year Audi was the first car company to show off an Android device for their vehicles. They were showing off an Android tablet with the Audi S8. Some of the features that Audi touted include navigation, beaming DVDs to the tablet, controlling windows, locks, and temperature, and the ability to detach the tablet to use at home. Check out our video below. Since that announcement in January we haven’t heard much from Google’s partners. I/O would be an excellent time for some new information about Android in cars. As with the living room, Google wants to be on every screen you see, including in-car displays. The car is one of the latest battle grounds for companies like Apple and Google. It’s a big win for whichever company can use something as expensive and long-lasting as a car to hook you into their ecosystem. More focus on designA big focus at I/O this year will be design. It wasn’t long ago that Android was considered an ugly mess, but a lot has changed since then. Ever since Android 4.0 it seems Google has put a lot of time and money into making their products look great. Android 4.4 KitKat was all about refining the Android UI, but if recent rumors are true the next version could see a much bigger update. The probability of Google announcing the “L” version of Android seems very unlikely at this point, but we could start to see some of the new design language. Rumors of a Bond-esque initiative called “Quantum Paper” have shown us glimpses of a brand new look and feel for Google mobile and web apps. They are planning to unify how things look across platforms and devices. Another design project that we will hear about at I/O is Polymer. This is a tool that lets you build responsive websites with easy building blocks. The idea is that reusable elements will appear across platforms with minimal work from developers. Some of this can already be seen in the leaked Gmail mobile and web apps. Polymer is really just a precursor to Quatum Paper. Will Hangouts get some love?Will we finally see Hangouts merge with Google Voice? Will Google match Apple and add the ability to send SMS from the desktop? Both of these are valid questions heading into I/O. The former has been an often requested feature, but we don’t expect to see any major Hangouts news from I/O. Usually there are many leaks building up to the release of major features like these. We haven’t seen anything that would lead us to believe Hangouts will be getting any love. Apple did make a major push into messaging with iOS 8 and OS X Yosemite. Google really needs to do what everyone has been asking for years: merge all of their messaging platforms into one unified interface. Adding SMS to Hangouts on the desktop would be icing on the cake. Let’s do this, Google. Is a new Nexus Tablet coming?Chock this one up as “highly unlikely.” Just this week we saw a leak of the rumored HTC Nexus tablet. We do believe that this tablet could be true, but the timing is so close to I/O that we would be shocked if they had a device ready to show off already. With all of the new Android Wear hardware to show off, we think a Nexus tablet would be a bit too much. Weird stuff from GoogleThe last thing you can expect from Google I/O is some weird stuff. Google is not afraid to try crazy ideas. A couple of years ago they had people parachute out of a plane into the convention center during a keynote speech. Last year the CEO talked about wanting a special section of the country for experimenting without rules. They have a product called Google Glass. This is a company that can, and will, try anything. Be ready for the unexpected. What do you expect to see at Google I/O this year? There is so much new Android and Google news just waiting to explode. We can’t wait to see what Google actually does announce. Is there anything that would leave you disappointed? What is the one thing you want to see the most? Let us know in the poll below! |
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