R
Robert Nazarian
Guest
To say this past week was epic would be an understatement. Google I/O was only two days, but it was jam packed with a ton of stuff. Google introduced the Android L Preview, Android Wear, Android Auto, and Android TV, and that was only the tip of the iceberg. We even got to see Project Ara and Project Tango in public for the first time. Oh yea, let’s not forget what a cardboard box can do. There were of course a lot of other things happening, including Microsoft’s first Android phone, the Nokia X2. It’s time to get caught up and get ready for what is sure to be another great week in the world of Android.
Google I/O Coverage
Watch Google’s I/O 2014 keynote right here
Google announces Android One project for low-cost smartphones
1 billion active users on Android, tablet presence impresses
Google Play Services holds important role in security for Android devices
Google details what’s new in Android L preview, including new design language, performance improvements, and security features
Android Wear gets detailed, full SDK available today
LG G Watch, Samsung Gear Live available today via Play Store, Moto 360 waiting in wings for summer launch
Samsung, LG provide specifications on their Android Wear smartwatches
Early Look Video: Hands on with the Gear Live, Samsung’s first Android Wear smartwatch
VIDEO: Quick hands on with the LG G Watch
Hands on with the Moto 360 at Google I/O 2014
Google’s Android Auto ready to hit the road
VIDEO: First look at Android Auto (Android in the car) at Google I/O 2014
Android TV gets announced, hardware launches this fall
VIDEO: Hands on with Android TV at Google I/O
Chromecast to receive major update
Chromebooks to include new security unlock features, new Google Now cards, and run Android apps
Google acknowledges enterprise needs, launches Android for Work
Google talks developer tools during keynote session
VIDEO: First look at Project Tango developer tablet at Google I/O 2014
Guides
How to set up a wireless hotspot for tethering on Android to avoid paying carrier subscription fees
Android TV
Razer will launch a “micro-console” this fall powered by Android TV
Gameloft announces 9 titles have been optimized specifically for Android TV
Android Auto
Audi announces intention to deploy Android Auto
Volvo to introduce an Android Auto vehicle this October
Android Wear
Asus planning September launch for smartwatch offering
Here are the first third-party apps for Android Wear
Google makes it easy to check your phone for compatibility with Android Wear
Google Maps updated to include Android Wear support
Apps – New
Yahoo Aviate exits beta, open for everyone in the Play Store
Google launches Google Slides in the Play Store
Mobile check-in and keyless entry for Android introduced to Hotel Tonight
Google releases Android TV Remote Control, Google Cast Receiver apps already
Manage your channel with the new YouTube Creator Studio app
Apps – Updates
Microsoft’s OneDrive now offers 15 GB of storage for free
Deezer gets Chromecast support
PBS KIDS Video app hits Play Store with Chromecast support
Emoji support added to Google Voice
Google Search gets system-wide hotword detection and audio history in latest update
Google Play Services 5.0 includes Android Wear support, new Play Games features, and more
Google releases new Gmail API
Runtastic will integrate with Android Wear, Google Glass, and Google Fit
Netflix pushes major UI update to its Android app, changes logo, fixes bugs and more
Google Now gains true multi-language support
Here are the first third-party apps for Android Wear
Google Maps updated to include Android Wear support
Carriers
Sprint adds the very durable Samsung Galaxy S 5 Sport to its rotation
Sprint opens up 30 day risk-free trial of its improved network
T-Mobile adds speed-testing apps to data limit exemption
Verizon cuts off free data for Chromebook Pixel (LTE) owners one year early
Google comes to the rescue, offers $150 in credits for Verizon / Chromebook Pixel debacle
Samsung Galaxy Tab 4 8.0 coming to Verizon on June 26
Chromebooks
Verizon cuts off free data for Chromebook Pixel (LTE) owners one year early
Google comes to the rescue, offers $150 in credits for Verizon / Chromebook Pixel debacle
Google Play for Education expands its availability to Chromebooks
Chromecast
Deezer gets Chromecast support
PBS KIDS Video app hits Play Store with Chromecast support
Chromecast will use ultrasonic noises instead of WiFi to connect to unrecognized devices
Gaming
Google Play Games service getting improvements, including quest notifications and snapshots
OnLive working towards bringing cloud gaming to WikiPad
NVIDIA Shield 2 could be globally released on July 22
Gameloft announces 9 titles have been optimized specifically for Android TV
Google entering the domain registration game, invite-only beta for now
New video shows how Google plans to bring Android to every screen in your life
Google releases new Gmail API
Build your own cardboard virtual reality headset courtesy of Google
Google begins removing search results as part of ‘right to be forgotten’
Matias Duarte talks Material Design
Sundar Pichai talks Google’s platform expansion, open approach, and relationship with Samsung
Google forges partnership with MediaTek for Android One device development
Google+
Google+ adds Auto Awesome Effects and the ability to adjust previous edits
Google+ Photos introduces new World Cup face paint after-effects
Google Glass
Google Glass Frames by Diane Von Furstenberg available in the U.S.
Google extending Glass Explorer program to the United Kingdom
Google Glass welcomes 12 new Glassware services
Google Glass gets upgraded just before Google I/O
Hardware
Qualcomm celebrates latest Adreno GPU to make it to market
NVIDIA’s Tegra K1 chip showcased in several Google I/O announcements
Samsung to utilize Assertive Displays in future Exynos smartphones
Google forges partnership with MediaTek for Android One device development
Home Automation
Nest announces access to new API for third-party developers
Phones – HTC
HTC One (M8) in black leaks without Harman Kardon branding
HTC “plans” to update its flagship devices (M8 and M7) within 90 days of receiving Android L from Google
HTC’s Butterfly 2 4G gets certified for Taiwan
HTC Desire 610 leaks with AT&T branding
Phones – Huawei
Huawei Honor 6 announced: 5-inch display and Kirin 920 octa-core SoC
Phones – LG
LG G3 to begin rolling out on June 27, excluding the US
Phones – Motorola
Alleged encased Motorola Moto X+1 press render leaks
New leak reveals Motorola Victara coming to Verizon
Digital tattoos used to unlock the Moto X selling for only $1 each
Phones – Nexus
Google brightens things up with yellow Nexus 5
Google could have one last Nexus phone release before waving goodbye
Nexus program to remain intact
Want an early taste of Android L? Here are the factory images. (Nexus 5 / Nexus 7 – 2013)
Phones – Nokia
Nokia X2 from Microsoft with Android announced today
Phones – Samsung
According to benchmarks, Exynos 5433 Galaxy Note 4 smokes Snapdragon 805
Galaxy Note 4 slated for September 25 launch, announcement coming at IFA 2014
Galaxy Note 4 may have 12 megapixel OIS camera
Front of the Samsung Galaxy F in gold leaks
Sprint adds the very durable Samsung Galaxy S 5 Sport to its rotation
Special edition Galaxy S 5 LTE-A has less dimples and more diamonds
Project Ara
More from Google I/O 2014: Project Ara smartphone boots up and Storytelling gets introduced
Project Tango
Google working with LG for Project Tango device to be publicly released in 2015
ROMs
‘Heads Up’ notification mode from Android added to CyanogenMod
Smartwatches
Asus planning September launch for smartwatch offering
Asus Android Wear device to be thinnest in the category
LG G Watch to go on sale in 12 countries on July
Wireless charger for Motorola’s Moto 360 smartwatch stops by the FCC
Moto 360 face design competition winner announced
Runtastic will integrate with Android Wear, Google Glass, and Google Fit
Minuum designs circular keyboard for Android Wear
Tablets
Google issues Android 4.4.3 update for Nexus 7 (2013) with LTE
Want an early taste of Android L? Here are the factory images. (Nexus 5 / Nexus 7 – 2013)
Samsung Galaxy Tab 4 8.0 coming to Verizon on June 26
Samsung launches Galaxy Tab 4 7.0 in India
Updates
Screenshots belonging to Android ‘L’ surface from Chromium Issues Tracker
Sundar Pichai confirms Google will preview next version of Android tomorrow with a fall release
HTC speculates what Android ‘L’ will be called
Google issues Android 4.4.3 update for Nexus 7 (2013) with LTE
Check out a visual comparison of Android L versus Android KitKat
Want an early taste of Android L? Here are the factory images. (Nexus 5 / Nexus 7 – 2013)
System dump brings Android L wallpapers and APKs to the masses, get the new material themed Google Keyboard as well
Android L Preview now has root
Wallpapers
System dump brings Android L wallpapers and APKs to the masses, get the new material themed Google Keyboard as well
Miscellaneous
Should LG and Samsung fear the Amazon Fire Phone?
Samsung may post a weak Q2 due to slower device sales
HTC takes a shot at Galaxy S 5′s Band-Aid design
Jeff Bezos gives insight behind the Fire Phone, admits to having used a Samsung smartphone
Sundar Pichai responds to Tim Cook’s comments regarding Android’s security and user turnover
New study names Samsung the leader in smartphone patents
Samsung announces trial program at select locations
Come comment on this article: TalkAndroid Weekly Recap for June 23 – June 29, 2014
Visit TalkAndroid for Android news, Android guides, and much more!
News via TalkAndroid