Google Rolling Out Fresh New Look For Google Play

Google's been looking to give a nice refresh to Google Play for a long time it seems and now they're just starting to roll it out. Putting focus on the variety aspect of the store, the new look will feature suggested content with infinite scrolling .

The new look will also focus on bigger showcases that jump off the page. Similar content will be grouped together and the checkout process has been revamped to help you get to your content as fast as possible. This way you'll be able to get into the latest James Bond film or fill your mind with Stephen Kings latest genius!

The refresh is being pushed starting today for phones and tablets running Android 2.2(Froyo) and above. People will continue to receive the new look over the next few weeks.

Get ready for a simpler Google Play.

Image Credit: Google

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Google Introduces x-default hreflang HTML Attribute

Google is the largest and most popular search engine website out there and they're always looking for better ways to serve their customers and web developers alike. Today, they've introduced a new way for developers to point the search engine to the right web page depending on the user's location around the world. The new rel-alternate-hreflang annotation is it.

Let's take a look see shall we!

• example.com/en-gb: For English speakers that live in the UK
• example.com/en-au: For English speakers that live in Australia
• example.com/en-us: For English speakers that live in the US
• example.com/: This homepage would show users a country selector and would be the default page for visitors worldwide

Webmasters would be able to specify  rel-alternate-hreflang annotation by using the following HTML tags:

<href="http://example.com/en-gb" hreflang="en-gb" rel="alternate">
<href="http://example.com/en-us" hreflang="en-us" rel="alternate">
<href="http://example.com/en-au" hreflang="en-au" rel="alternate">
<href="http://example.com/" hreflang="x-default" rel="alternate">

This cluster of tags will tell Google's search engine algorithms which website is for which location around the world.

Google says:

The new x-default hreflang attribute value signals to our algorithms that this page doesn’t target any specific language or locale and is the default page when no other page is better suited. For example, it would be the page our algorithms try to show French-speaking searchers worldwide or English-speaking searchers on google.ca.

This x-default hreflang attribute value would also apply to web pages that alter content dynamically based on their geolocation as well as their Accept-Language defaults. It would specify that such a page does not target a specific language or region.

Image Credit: Google

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Google Reader to be Laid to Rest and Others

Earlier today Google has announced that Google Reader, along with other things, will be retiring some time this year.

While the product has a loyal following, over the years usage has declined. So, on July 1, 2013, we will retire Google Reader.

It's sad to see Google Reader go, however it's all in the best spirit:

...as a company we’re pouring all of our energy into fewer products. We think that kind of focus will make for a better user experience.

Hopefully we'll get that promised better experience and all be happy with whatever alternative we're able to find!

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Moving Contacts from Gmail to Apple's Address Book

Are you moving into Apple's ecosystem? Just taking a dip? Moving your contacts to one ecosystem to another isn't the easiest, nor is it the simplest. We'll show you an quick way (short of using third party software) to transfer your contacts over.

Firstly, you'll want to open up your browser on the desktop. Whether you have Chrome, Firefox or even cringe Internet Explorer, the procedure is the same.

Logging into Gmail, you'll want to head into your contacts.

Hit export and you should be greeted with a pop-up similar to this one:

 

Click the vCard Format radio button and hit export.

Once that's done, email the file to the appropriate recipient, and have them open the attachment on a Mac or iOS device. You will then be prompted like so:

Tapping add all contacts will bring up a small menu at the bottom giving you the option to either Merge with existing contacts, or create new contacts. Choose the one that is more fitting to your needs.

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8GB Nexus 4 out of Stock...Once Again! [UPDATE]

That didn't take long. The Nexus 4's 8GB model seems to be out of stock once again. Looks like LG can't keep up with production demands!

After shipping estimates went up to 9-10 weeks, the 8GB Nexus 4 was finally marked as Sold Out in the Google play store. This means that those looking to purchase the internet-deemed 'superphone' are forced to wait another three months while production runs in the background.

The 16GB model is still available although there's no telling how long that'll last.

This could prove to either be a problem for LG and Google or a huge market boost.

Problem: Users already looking to get the Nexus 4 might decide to settle for another phone of equivalent value, however value is relative. Surely those in desperate need for a smartphone, or any type of mobile telephone, won't wait for LG to restock the Play store's shelves.

Market Boost: Those looking for smartphones who weren't originally planning on buying the Nexus 4 may change their mind in seeing this sort of news figuring since it's out of stock so often, that it might just be worth getting. Again, worth is relative.

Update: The 16GB model has also been marked as sold out. Sorry guys.

What do you think? Are Google and LG irresponsible or is this some sort of marketing ploy? Sound off in the comments below.

Update #2: Since the writing of this article, the Nexus models have been restocked and look to be here to stay that way.

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Multiple Users for YouTube Petition

Long is the day when you're forced to switch from YouTube account to YouTube account just to upload to your blog or website's central channel. Wouldn't it be awesome to be able to upload a video to your account, and feature it as the central channel's upload instead? No multiple password dilemmas.

What if you want to host a fundraiser or sell products and need a place to host testimonies or videos like such? It's not like you have the money to host your own server and hire a web developer on top of that! How about a YouTube channel with an upload button? Have users from all over the world upload videos with their opinion to your channel.

Here's what we're proposing and we need your help to make it possible.

We're going to provide you guys with a copy of the letter we're sending to Google along with a petition you can sign if you want these features too. Once we get 100,000 we're going to send the letter along with the petition signup sheet to them with the results. All we need is your name, email and a little description of what you might use these sort of features for.

You can sign the petition here.

Read the letter here:

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Google Drive for Android Updated

Today Google's pushed out an update for Google Drive on Android and the changelog is as follows:

• Edit Google spreadsheets in a new native editor
• Formatting is maintained when copy/pasting within Google Docs
• Single tap to enter edit mode in the Google Docs editor
• Shortcuts for Drive folders/files on the home screen for quick access
• Edit contents of tables in the Google Docs editor
• Send Link now supports copying to clipboard

This update brings Android's Google Drive app to version 1.1.470.11. 

You can grab the update here: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.google.android.apps.docs

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Nexus 7 Refresh

The Nexus 4 and Nexus 10 were announced, as well as Android Jelly Bean's Hallows Eve return, but don't you think that the Nexus 7 feels a little lonely after all this hubbub? Not really.

With Monday's announcement came a little update to the Nexus 7 family. Prices have dropped and newer, bigger, and better models have been released. With the refresh, the 16GB model is now $199 USD, the newly released 32GB model is set at $249 USD, and an even better 32GB with unlocked 3G mobile data is set at $299.

Buy them here:

16GB: https://play.google.com/store/devices/details?id=nexus_7_16gb
32GB: https://play.google.com/store/devices/details?id=nexus_7_32gb
32GB + 3G: https://play.google.com/store/devices/details?id=nexus_7_32gb_hspa

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Nexus 10 from Google and Samsung

Along with Android 4.2 and the Nexus 4 comes the Nexus 10, a tablet developed by a partnership between Samsung and Google. It's about time a full sized Nexus tablet comes on the market! Thinner than the iPad and more dazzling than the Nexus 7, the Nexus 10 is a must have device.

Display:

Coming in at 2560 by 1600 and a pixel density of 300ppi, you might want to wear a nice bib to catch all that drool once you feast your eyes upon the 10's 10-inch screen (10.055 inches to be exact). Google and Samsung must be proud to have the highest resolution display on a mobile device on the market. Corning Gorilla Glass 2 is what's protecting that screen of yours of course!

Side Note: The Nexus 10 has a higher screen resolution than the iPad...just sayin'

Cameras:

On the front sits a 1.9 megapixel camera. This thing will be perfect for those amazing high quality Google+ Hangouts. On the back is a 5 megapixel camera. This ain't no DSLR, but it'll definitely get the job done for you instagrammers and your fancy meals.

Wireless and Connectivity:

In terms of wireless modules, you're going to find Bluetooth, NFC (Android Beam) and MIMO Wifi, which is boasted at 4x the regular speed of Wifi. Unfortunately, a cellular model of the Nexus 10 is not available. 

Charging will be a cinch with a MicroUSB port on the side as well as Magnetic Pogo Pins for dock accessories on the bottom. For the big display, a Micro HDMI port is present and for headphones, a 3.5 mm headphone jack on the side.

Memory and Power:

With the Nexus 10, you'll be getting the Dual Core A15 ARM processor as well as the Mali T604 Graphics Processing Unit. 

2GB of RAM will definitely help with those users who do twenty things at once. On the memory side, you'll be provided with the options of getting a 16GB or 32GB model (Formatted memory will be less, but not by a huge margin). Battery power inside the Nexus 10 will provide you with 7 hours for web browsing and 9 hours for video playback.

Size, Weight:

Coming in at 263.9 mm long,177.6 mm wide and a miniscule 8.9 mm thin, the Nexus 10 is even thinner than the iPad! Also, it weighs less at 603g. Although the battery performance is a little under par, I don't think users will complain with how beautiful the screen looks.

Price:

32GB Model: $499 USD
16GB Model: $399 USD

Will you be buying one? I might!

Image Credit: Google

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Jelly Bean Has Returned For Hallween Treats!

Android 4.2 was set to be announced yesterday and boy was it ever. Along with the Nexus 4, Nexus 10 and a new model of the Nexus 7, Android 4.2 is sure to impress. It's no Key Lime Pie, but it's nothing to disappoint. With Photo Sphere, Gesture Typing and Improvements, you'll be just as happy as I am to receive that OTA update notification.

Although Android 4.2 was set to be announced live Yesterday, Hurricane Sandy said something along the lines of "Ain't gonna be no Android announcement in NYC!". Google cancels the event, but not the release. Android 4.2 Jelly Bean comes with a slew of new features including a few of our favourites.

Photo Sphere:

Remember Panorama photos? I don't, I'm already looking forward to Photosphere, a semi-realistic way to view scenery! Switch to said mode and you're greeted with an interface relative to what you see below:

Press the shutter button and rotate around you, below you, and even above you to capture the photo. Taken in globe-form, this Photo Sphere gives you a 360 view similar to what you would experience in Google Maps' Street View feature.

How it works: The camera takes multiple photos as you move the camera around you and Android's got an algorithm that stitches them all together to give one nice clean globe-like photo.

Gesture Typing:

With gesture typing, you'll be typing faster than ever. It might take a little while to get used to at first, but after that, you'll wonder why you did it any different. Slip and slide your finger from letter to letter as Android predicts your most likely word selection. Lift to enter your word. No need to worry about spaces, Android adds them for you. 

Although I love this feature, I can't help but think of Nuance's Swype. Quite a handy feature this is. Could Google face a lawsuit? Perhaps; a few years back, ForWord Inc. signed for a patent on the exact feature that Swype and Gesture Typing are. However, as per research, this company does not currently exist.

On a side note, Google has improved speech-to-text typing so Voice typing is more accurate in Android 4.2.

Multiple Users:

Only available to tablets (like the Nexus 10), Android 4.2 offers up the ability to have multiple users. This is perfect for families that like to customize every little tidbit but only have one tablet. No need to log in and out, switching users is like multitask switching to another app!

Each user gets their own widgets, lock screen, home screen, apps and even settings! I truly think this is a treat that will benefit all types of families :)

Instant Play:

With Android 4.2, users will be able to mirror their display, wirelessly, via their HDMI-enabled HDTV. Attach a wireless HDMI connector into the appropriate HDMI outlet on your TV and enjoy games, videos and even movies on the big screen!

Although Apple has done this before, see AirPlay, Android does it without having to use other Android technology. 

DayDream:

Who knows, maybe Robots DO dream of electric sheep, or at least with Jelly Bean's update you can make them do that. DayDream is a screen-saver for Android and allows you to have your device display your favourite photos, the latest headlines from Google Currents and much more(maybe even your Twitter feed, don't hold me on that one though).

Actionable Notifications:

When Jelly Bean first surfaced, it came with expandable notifications, allowing you to see relevant details about the notification like the content of a new Email or information on your latest mention. With the update, Jelly Bean now comes with Actionable notifications. Whether it's an Email that you send a response to or an event you need to email the guests about, the action is easy to reach and fluid to execute. 

Google Now:

Updates for Google Now are not exclusive to Android 4.2, however the updates are prevalent to the old version. They include information about your latest flight, tracking info on your latest package, reminders for hotel check-outs, restaurant reservations, appointment locations and event times. 

I love all this, however, most of the information that's displayed via Google Now will be pulled from your Gmail emails. I'm not so sure I want my phone digging through my email, however, I trust Google to be safe about this information. 

I will surely be updating to Android 4.2 and I think all these updates are surely needed. I love what Google has done in the past few months with Jelly Bean. Hopefully, you'll be updating too! What are your opinions 

on the latest iterations? Feel free to leave a comment below.

Don't forget to follow us on Twitter, Like our Facebook Page and Circle us on Google+!

Disclaimer: Android 4.2 is not available to install at the moment. We'll keep you updated on what's going on as soon as we find out more!

Image Credit: Google

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Nexus 4 from Google and LG Electronics

Hurricane Sandy may have deterred Google from presenting their products in NYC today, but that didn't stop them from unveiling one of their newest Nexus device, along with the Nexus 10 and Nexus 7 refresh, the Nexus 4. Google partnered up with LG to create this beautiful slate of glass and plastic in order to show off what the Android ecosystem can achieve.

Hardware:

At 4.7 inches, the Nexus 4's screen resolution is a whopping 1280 by 768 pixels (320ppi) which sets it just below the iPhone 5's 326 ppi display. The screen is protected by a Corning Gorilla Glass 2 curved slate which stretches right to the edge.

The Camera department for the Nexus 4 does not disappoint. With an 8MP rear-facing sensor and a 1.3MP front-facing camera, your Instagrammed meals and Facebook'd 'bathroom selfies' will look marvelous!

On the wireless side of the this smartphone's spectrum, you can find Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Wireless Charging, NFC as well as Bluetooth. Nothing special here folks.

In terms of memory, you'll be getting a choice between 8 and 16 GB of internal storage (but we all know that you'll have less than that available to you) as well as an impressive 2GB of RAM which will surely improve not only multitasking, but cognitive performance.

Now for the cellular specs. The Nexus 4 features a GSM/UMTS/HSPA+ module, and a GSM/EDGE/GPRS (850, 900, 1800, 1900 MHz) module, as well as dedicated 3G (850, 900, 1700, 1900, 2100 MHz) and HSPA+ 21 modules.

This phone definitely packs a punch in processing and graphics performance. Your socks will be knocked off so make sure they're on tight! The Nexus 4's Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 Pro processor comes in with FOUR Krait cores clocked at 1.5Ghz! Now that's some real performance to brag about my friends!

Enough with the specs? Alright, how about some measurements? The Nexus 4 measures in at 133.9 mm long, 68.7 mm wide and 9.1mm thick. Weighing in at 139 g, this device is definitely an innovative piece of Hardware.


The Nexus 4 will be running Android 4.2

Image Credit: Google

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YouTube Lacks Support for Multiple Uploaders: Problem?

YouTube is a great tool for collaborating, advertising and making money, but they don't make it easy. YouTube seems to lack support for multiple user accounts uploading into the same channel. The whole thing can become troublesome and quite an annoyance if encountered often enough.

There's no denying that being able to upload from your personal Google account to - let's say - a blog's YouTube channel would be amazing, but Google just hasn't thought of it yet. So here's what's proposed:

1. A petition signed with emails and names signed by over 100,000 individuals
2. A letter to Google outlining what is asked of them
3. Various customer testimonies

Within the next few days, using Google Drive, a form will be created and published via CSIYF, Facebook, Google+ and most of all Twitter. The form will feature options to enter your name, your email, and a personal message. 

All entries will be recorded in a Google Spreadsheet and once our goal of 100,000 unique emails has been reached, an email with a letter and said Spreadsheet will be sent to Google's YouTube department as well as several other departments. We suggest you check in daily as this form will be available shortly.

Have a nice day.

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Getting Started with Windows 8: Changing the Default Browser

Most users spend their time online and with Microsoft’s new Metro interface, Windows gets a full screen experience without ever having to use the desktop – unless you need to. The new experience includes a very basic and stripped Internet Explorer but users can replace this browser, Mozilla has announced it is working on a version of Firefox and Google, more silent about it, has included a metro style version once its browser is set as the default. In case you’re wondering: right clicking on the top of the screen toggles tab view – even in Chrome. Let’s get started!

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Video Review: Battery Widget Reborn

Battery Widget Reborn is an App AND a widget. The app allows you to keep track of your battery state at all times, including a launcher widget as well as a notification center widget that lets you switch on and off common battery consuming facets of your device.

I stumbled on this a little while ago and am sad to see the beta expire considering I have no way to get any money onto my Google Play account. Anyway, here's the review:

Get the app from Google Play:

Battery Widget Reborn Beta (Expires in September)
Battery Widget Reborn Pro($1.49 CAD)

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Google Drive: A New and Improved Google Docs or Something Brand new Altogether?

Today Google unveiled it's brand spankin' new (or so it seems) product, Google Drive.

Look familiar? We think so. (Click to enlarge)

Google advertises this new service as a place where you can "Keep everything" and "Share anything". But what would trouble one's self is the almost exact resemblance to the Google Docs layout that Google Drive has. In fact, if you compare the two, you wouldn't know the difference unless you look at the URL.

It seems that Google Docs no longer exists, period. The Google Docs URL now links to Google Drive.

As you may recall, Google has done something like this before. The Android Market, Google Music, Google Books and now Google Movies, were combined into one Marketplace Google deemed as Google Play.

Google Drive is a place to store videos, songs, images, and most importantly, Office documents. Right off the bat, Google Drive is creates Word documents, Presentational slides, Spreadsheets, drawings and more!

Wait a second! This sounds very familiar. If I recall, Google docs did this as well! It did. All Google Drive is, is a rebranding of an old feature that was updated and fixed up through the years, and rebranded just to bring it into the media's attention. Bravo Google! Bravo!

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Google+ Now Available to the Open Public! [Update: iOS]

[Update: The update to Google+ Mobile is now available to iOS customers]

It was announced this morning by Google that Google+ was now available to sign up for without any sort of invitation necessary. All you need to do is make a new Gmail (or use your current Google Account)  to sign on to Google+ now. Easy as that.

It takes five minutes and you can sign up here. Once you do so, you can add myself (Brandon Nolet) and my colleague (Julian Wolfe)

Along with today's opening of Google+ there were a few new features added to hangouts:

Click to enlarge

• Screensharing: for when you want to show off your vacation photos, your high score, your lesson plan or whatever else is on your screen
• Sketchpad: for when you want to draw, doodle, or just scribble together
• Google Docs: for when you want to write, plan or present something with others
• Named Hangouts: for when you want to join or create a public hangout about a certain topic (like fashion or music or sports...)

In terms of the mobile application, there was a tiny bit of work done; though it brought a hugely demanded feature. You can now participate in a hangout with your mobile device. (Android is the only device supported for this brand new feature. iOS support is being promised in the near future.)

My worry is that if somebody is using their mobile device to hangout, and he's the only one, is that it's going to prevent you from using the previously mentioned features for hangouts. Unless they've put these features into the mobile application update, that's probably what's going to happen. (in my opinion)

So far we've got an open Google+, improved hangouts and a huge feature that was demanded since the beginning of the Google+ mobile application. Next we have the search. 

Google has decided to integrated sparks and the search together. You can now search for:

• People
• Content people have posted on their Google+ account
• And content from the World Wide Web :)

Click to enlarge

Have a good time with the new features, until next time :)

Happy +1'ing!

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Google Docs: A Free Office Suite that takes what you need anywhere you go

Google Docs is Google’s online rival to Microsoft Office. While it may not possess all of the features of its major professional rival, Google Docs is capable of completing everyday tasks easily and smoothly.

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Google Cloud Connect for Office: No Need to Upgrade Your Office Software

In Office 2010, Microsoft released a new feature that allows users to collaborate on documents by synchronizing hem through Skydrive. In order to be able to use the feature, you absolutely had to upgrade to Office 2010. Now say that you are working with a friend who is exclusively on Gmail – and hence can’t access Skydrive, or neither of you are using Office 2010 simultaneously. With Google Connect for Office, synchronizing documents has been made easier.

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Google +1 button gets the share option

The problem that the +1 button had when it launched was a lack of share ability, a lack of understanding of what it did and meant, and a lack of users. Now, however, it is a worthy opponent to Like.

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Gtalklet: The GTalk Anywhere for Chrome

Most people who have either Gmail or Google Plus want to be able to chat with their friends on Gtalk across all their tabs without having to switch windows. Well now you can with the Gtalklet.

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