WebProNews

Tag: Nexus

  • Google Unveils New Nexus Phones, Pixel C Tablet

    Google Unveils New Nexus Phones, Pixel C Tablet

    Google made a bunch of announcements at a press event today, including the new Chromecast and Chromecast Audio, which we talked about here. Among the announcements were three new Android devices from the company.

    Two of these are new Nexus phones: the Nexus 6P and the Nexus 5X. Both include a new fingerprint sensor called Nexus Imprint and Android Pay in the U.S. Google describes the devices:

    Nexus 6P is the first all-metal-body Nexus phone. Built in collaboration with Huawei, this 5.7” phone is crafted from aeronautical-grade aluminum, with a USB Type-C port for fast charging, a powerful 64-bit processor, and a 12.3 MP camera sensor with massive 1.55Β΅m pixels (hello, better photos!). The Nexus 6P starts at $499.

    You’re not the only one who misses your Nexus 5. We’ve joined forces with LG to bring it back with the new Nexus 5X, which gives you great performance in a compact and light package, with a beautiful 5.2” screen and the same 12.3 MP camera and Type-C port as the Nexus 6P. Nexus 5X starts at $379.

    The third device is a new tablet called the Pixel C, which while being an Android device, is being placed in a family of products with Google’s Chromebook Pixel. It has a full-size keyboard that attaches magnetically and an aluminum design, as well as a USB Type-C port.

    Screen Shot 2015-09-29 at 2.22.10 PM

    The phones are available for pre-order on the Google Store in the US, UK, Ireland, and Japan. It’s unclear exactly when the tablet will be available, but Google says it will be in time for the holidays. It will start at $499.

    The newest version of Android (Marshmallow) is set to roll out next week.

    Images via Google

  • Google Announces Android 5.0 Lollipop, New Nexus Devices

    Google just announced that the new version of Android is called Lollipop. It also announced a trio of new Nexus devices: the Nexus 6 smartphone, the Nexus 9 tablet, and the Nexus Player Android TV device.

    First things first. Google showed off the new Android at Google I/O back in June. Here’s the presentation if you want to familiarize yourself:

    It includes over 5,000 APIs and what Google calls Material Design:

    Google considers it its most ambitious Android release so far. The company says:

    Lollipop is made for a world where moving throughout the day means interacting with a bunch of different screensβ€”from phones and tablets to TVs. With more devices connecting together, your expectation is that things just work. With Lollipop, it’s easier than ever to pick up where you left off, so the songs, photos, apps, and even recent searches from one of your Android devices can be immediately enjoyed across all the other ones.

    As you switch from one screen to another, the experience should feel the same. So Lollipop has a consistent design across devicesβ€”an approach we call Material Design. Now content responds to your touch, or even your voice, in more intuitive ways, and transitions between tasks are more fluid.

    Lollipop lets you adjust your settings so only certain people and notifications can get through. They can also be seen directly from the lockscreen. There’s also a new battery saver feature, which Google claims can extend your battery life by up to 90 minutes, and new privacy and security features.

    Now for the devices…

    Google worked with Motorola to develop the Nexus 6 smartphone, which has an aluminum frame, a 6-inch Quad HD display, and a 13 megapixel camera. It has dual front-facing stereo speakers and a “Turbo Charger,” which Google says will give you up to six hours of use with just 15 minutes of charge.

    The Nexus 9 tablet was built with HTC, and includes brushed metal sides and an 8.9-inch screen. It has a keyboard folio that magnetically attaches, and folds into two different angles.

    The Nexus Player is the first Andorid TV (also introduced at Google I/O) device. Google worked with Asus on this one, and describes it as a “first-of-its-kind Android gaming device.”

    “With Nexus Player you can play Android games on your HDTV with a gamepad, then keep playing on your phone while you’re on the road,” Google says. “Nexus Player is Google Cast Ready so you can cast your favorite entertainment from almost any Chromebook or Android or iOS phone or tablet to your TV.”

    The Nexus 9 and Nexus Player will be available for pre-order on October 17th and in stores on November 3rd. The Nexus 6 will be available for pre-order in late October and in stores in November. There will be an unlocked version though Google Play, as well as a monthly contract or installment plan through AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile, U.S. Cellular, and Verizon.

    Lollipop will also be available for Nexus 5, 7, 10 and Google Play edition devices in the coming weeks.

    Here’s a video in which Google compares Android to the Wright brothers:

    Images via Google

  • HTC Is Making A Tablet For Google [Report]

    HTC Is Making A Tablet For Google [Report]

    HTC isn’t doing so hot despite having one of the best reviewed smartphones of the year in 2013. While the company will try to turn it around in 2014 with a successor, it also may be working with Google on a new Nexus product.

    Focus Taiwan reports that HTC has won the bidding war that will see it produce the next high-end Google Nexus tablet. By high-end, we assume they mean the Nexus 10 which Samsung currently produces and has been producing since late 2012.

    If the above report is true, this would be big news for both HTC and Google. For HTC, it represents a chance to finally prove itself in the tablet space after its HTC Flyer and HTC Jetstream were both duds. For Google, it’s a chance to finally update its 10-inch tablet with something that can compete with the tablets that were revealed at CES back in January.

    Of course, this is merely a report out of a Taiwanese news channel. Its legitimacy can’t be discerned and HTC isn’t saying anything. For all we know, HTC could be only focusing on the M8 for the time being. Despite that, it’s hard to believe that HTC would pass up the chance to make a device for Google’s Nexus line. LG’s mobile business was in a similar state until it started producing Nexus handsets for Google starting with the Nexus 4. With a Nexus tablet under its belt, HTC might finally be a serious contender in the mobile space.

    The last we heard of the Nexus 10 was a leak from @evleaks back in October stating that Asus was making it. If this report is legit, something may have happened between then and now which led to HTC making it.

    Image via HTC

  • Nexus Tablet: In the News This Holiday Season

    Google seems to be constantly making the news with its Nexus tablet.

    The most recent rumblings involve the Nexus 10 2, the newest version of its 10-inch tablet. Rumor has it that the Nexus 10 2 may launch ahead of CES 2014.

    CES is an annual international consumer electronics and technology trade show, the self-described “global stage where next-generation innovations are introduced to the marketplace.” This year’s event takes place January 7-10 in Las Vegas, Nevada.

    But the technology world is abuzz with rumors that the Nexus 10 2 may actually hit the market after New Year’s Eve.

    Earlier this month, Google made the news when it unveiled a white version of its 7-inch Nexus tablet:

    Google is marketing the Nexus as a perfect holiday gift, putting the tablet up against what are possibly its two biggest competitors: Amazon’s Kindle Fire HDX and Apple’s new iPad Mini with Retina display.

    The verdict is out on which mini tablet tops the list.

    Some sources put the iPad Mini with Retina display last while others refer to it as the gold standard of mini tablets.

    Technology authority C-NET calls the iPad Mini with Retina Display “the best small tablet yet.”

    It calls the Nexus 7, however, “the best tablet value on the market” and the “best Android tablet.”

    Another industry authority is PC Magazine. In a comparison of the 10 best tablets, it gives the Nexus 7 an “Editor’s Choice” distinction.

    Google has been ratcheting up attention for the Nexus 7 on its own social networking site, Google+. It recently ran a giveaway encouraging users to compose still photos including their Nexus tablet and post them using the hashtag #whatmatters:

    Image via Wikimedia Commons

  • Nexus 5 Found Easier To Repair Than Other Smartphones

    The Nexus 5 is already a hit. Google’s latest flagship device has been getting nothing but positive reviews, and it’s already backordered on Google Play. Now what is perhaps the most important review for the device has finally rolled in.

    The guys at iFixIt are back with their traditional teardown review of the Nexus 5. All you ever wanted to know about the internals of Google’s latest flagship device are laid bare, and we’re told just how easily the device can be repaired.

    So, how repairable is the Nexus 5? The iFixIt team had a mostly pleasant experience with the device rating it an 8 out of 10. The only serious problem they ran into was that the glass and LCD are fused to the display frame. This makes replacing broken glass very difficult. They also ran into some trouble with removing the back cover as it was secured by plastic clips, but stated that it’s much better than some devices that use glue to secure everything.

    Here’s the full video review complete with images of the teardown:

    In comparison to some other recent major smartphone releases, the Nexus 5 scores relatively well. The iPhone 5S got a 6 out of 10 thanks to Apple’s use of proprietary screws and the additional complexity from the inclusion of a fingerprint scanner. At the bottom of the barrel is the HTC One with a repairability score of 1 out of 10.

    [Image: IFIXIT]

  • Google Officially Announces The Nexus 5

    After months of speculation and rumors, the day is finally here. Google has announced the Nexus 5 and it’s everything we hoped it would be.

    In the official announcement, Google confirms that the Nexus 5, just like the Nexus 4, is made by LG. Here’s what you can expect from it:

    Its design is simple and refined to showcase the 5” Full HD display. Nexus 5 also keeps you connected at blazing speeds with 4G/LTE and ultra fast wifi. The advanced new lens on Nexus 5 captures more light for brighter night and sharper action shots. And with optical image stabilization, you no longer have to worry about shaky hands and blurry pictures. A new HDR+ mode automatically snaps a rapid burst of photos and combines them to give you the best possible single shot. Learn more on our site.

    As for official specs, it really is an LG G2 with a worse camera. It features the same 4.95-inch 1080p display, 2.3GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 CPU, 2300mAh battery and 2GB of RAM as the LG G2, but has a downgraded front and rear camera at 1.3MP and 8MP respectively.

    The phone will come in 16GB and 32GB varieties as well as in black and white. The 16GB model will run you $349 while the 32GB model will cost $399. Like always, the Nexus 5 comes unlocked and ready for any compatible wireless carrier. It’s available for preorder now and will ship in the next few days.

    [Image: Google Play]

  • Latest Nexus 5 Leak Suggests Device Will Launch November 1

    Earlier this month, Nestle teased that Android 4.4, and presumably the Nexus 5, would be unveiled on October 28. That may still be the case, but a new leak suggests that the Nexus 5 won’t actually launch today, but rather a little later in the week.

    Over the weekend, the ever reliable @evleaks shared the Nexus 5 press render that we already saw when Google leaked the device itself on the Google Play store. Despite having already seen it, it’s still a nice piece of hardware:

    Now, things got interesting about 19 hours ago when the account posted the following tweet:

    That’s a white Nexus 5 with a release date of November 1. It’s not too surprising to see a white Nexus 5, but this is the first time that we’ve yet to see an actual date for the device. Now, this could mean that both the black and white Nexus 5 will launch on November 1, or it could mean that only the white Nexus 5 will launch on November 1 while the black Nexus 5 launches later today. My bet’s on the former as Google will probably reveal the device today and open up preorders for a launch next week.

    Keep in mind that the October 28 date is something that’s only been teased at this point. The @evleaks tweet may very well be pointing to a Google event that’s set to take place on November 1 instead. I, and many others, hope it’s today, but we won’t know for sure until Google says something.

    [Image: @evleaks]

  • Nexus 5 Accidentally Shows Up On Google Play, Is Promptly Removed

    The Nexus 5 has been the worst kept secret out of Google all year. We’ve known about it for months, and we’ve even seen video of it time and time again. Now Google itself is getting in on the leaking action via its official Google Play store.

    Droid-Life reports that the Google Play store was updated last night with the Nexus 5. It was obviously a case of somebody prematurely pulling the trigger as the device was quickly removed from the store, but that didn’t stop everybody from grabbing pictures of the device.

    So, without further ado, here’s the best looking shot you’ll see of the Nexus 5 this week:

    Nexus 5 Accidentally Shows Up Google Play

    That’s one good looking phone. Sure, we’ve already seen pictures of it, but this press render really nails just how beautiful Google’s latest phone really is.

    Aside from the image leaks, the Google Play leak also confirmed that the Nexus 5 will start at $349. It’s assumed that this means the 16GB Nexus 5 will cost $349 while the 32GB Nexus 5 will cost $400. It’s a bit more expensive than what the rumors were suggesting, but it’s still a really good price for what is essentially an LG G2.

    As for other details, there wasn’t much else. The only thing we have to go on is Google’s description of the device – “Capture the everyday and the epic in fresh new ways.” That doesn’t really tell us a lot. What it does tell us, in a roundabout way, is that the Nexus 5 is practically almost here. If the conspiracy theorists are right, we’ll see it and Android 4.4 on October 28.

    [Image: Droid-Life]

  • Here’s 7 Minutes Of The Nexus 5 In Action

    We still don’t know when Google’s Nexus 5 will be released, but recent rumors peg it as launching later this month. That certainly seems appropriate as more and more people are somehow getting their hands on the latest smartphone from Google and LG.

    smartphones.sfr.fr recently got its hands on the Nexus 5, and uploaded seven minutes of them playing around with it. Even more exciting than the Nexus 5, however, is getting to see more of Android 4.4, or KitKat. Unfortunately, the build on display here is incredibly early so it’s probably lacking some of the features that are likely to be in the final release.

    Still, it’s our best look at the Nexus 5 and Android 4.4 yet, and it’s looking really good so far. Like the Nexus 4 before it, the Nexus 5 looks to keep things simple with a nice design that doesn’t try to drastically change the smartphone in any way. It will surely be a hit when it launches later this month (or year), especially if Google is able to keep it at $300.

    If you need a refresher, the Nexus 5 is pretty much confirmed to be near identical to the LG G2 in terms of specs. That means the phone will have a 5-inch 1080p display, 32GB of internal storage, 2GB of RAM, a quad-core 2.3GHz Snapdragon 800 CPU, a 2300mAh battery, LTE compatibility and NFC.

    We’re likely to see it revealed alongside the new Nexus 10 and Android 4.4 sometime later this month if Nestle is to be trusted.

    [h/t: Droid-Life]
    [Image: Enaze Uddin/YouTube]

  • Nexus 5 Service Manual Leaks, Confirms Specs Once And For All

    Nexus 5 Service Manual Leaks, Confirms Specs Once And For All

    Late last month, an Android 4.4 log file pulled from a Nexus 5 was leaked onto the Internet. It seemingly confirmed the specs that Google’s Nexus 5 would be packing. With how leaks go, however, it very well could have been a fake. With that in mind, a recent leak pretty much confirms that leaked log file was the real deal.

    Droid Life reports that the Nexus 5 service manual from LG was leaked over the weekend. It tells us pretty much everything about the hardware, including confirmation that LG and Google have pretty much built the G2. That means Nexus 5 buyers will be getting a 4.95-inch 1080p display, 32GB of internal storage, 2GB of RAM, a quad-core 2.3GHz Snapdragon 800 CPU, 2300mAh battery, LTE compatibility and NFC.

    Of course, there are some differences between the Nexus 5 and the LG G2. The most obvious is that the Nexus 5 ditches the G2’s unconventional design that found the volume and power buttons placed onto the back of the device. The Nexus 5 will instead stick to conventions with buttons on the side.

    The other big difference is that the Nexus 5 packs an inferior camera on the front and back to reduce costs. The LG G2 packs a 13 MP rear camera and a 2.1 MP front camera, whereas the Nexus 5 packs an 8 MP rear camera and a 1.3 MP front camera.

    While the service manual doesn’t give us a price or launch date, we can probably assume that it will cost a little more than the Nexus 4 and probably launch around the end of the month. Google will most likely unveil the Asus-built Nexus 10 and launch Android 4.4 at the same event as well.

    If you’re interested in learning more about the Nexus 5, you can check out the service manual below:

    LG D821

  • Android 4.4 Leak Reveals Nexus 5 Specs

    Android 4.4 Leak Reveals Nexus 5 Specs

    Earlier this month, Google announced that Android 4.4, or KitKat, would be launching before the end of the year. We also understand that the latest version of Android will be accompanied by a new Nexus phone made by LG – the Nexus 5. Beyond that, we don’t know much else, but a recent leak may have just given us a bit more information on the latter.

    MyCE reports that it has obtained a log file of a Nexus 5 running Android 4.4. There’s some interesting stuff here, but it should be first noted that Android 4.4 was indeed going by the code name of Key Lime Pie before Google named it KitKat. I would have much preferred the former, but Google is probably right in saying that more people are aware of KitKat than they are of Key Lime Pie.

    Moving on to the more interesting news, the log file revealed the Nexus 5 specs. As many have guessed, the Nexus 5 will be pretty much identical to the LG G2 spec wise. What we got here is a 5-inch full HD display, 2.3GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon 800, 2GB of RAM, 16GB of internal memory, 8MP rear camera, 1.2 MP front camera, a 2300mAh battery and LTE support.

    As Droid Life points out, the 8MP camera in the Nexus 5 is inferior to the 13MP rear camera that’s in the LG G2. It’s thought that Google made that particular decision to help keep costs low. Some may feel cheated that Google is sticking with an 8MP camera on the Nexus 5, but it’s a better option than replacing the Snapdragon 800 CPU with an inferior CPU.

    As for details of Android 4.4 itself, we don’t have much. The log file only reveals that the latest version of Android will have a black notification bar with grey icons. Beyond that, we just don’t know what changes Google has in store for its latest version of Android. I suggested that Google may be broadening the scope of Android with version 4.4, but we won’t know until it’s officially unveiled.

    Speaking of which, we may not have to wait long. The official KitKat Facebook page said that Android 4.4 would be out sometime in October. Android 4.2 and the Nexux 4 were both announced at the tail end of October last year so it only makes sense that both Android 4.4 and the Nexus 5 will be unveiled later next month as well.

    [Image: Engadget δΈ­ζ–‡η‰ˆ/YouTube]

  • Google Cuts Nexus 4 Price By $100

    The Nexus 4 remains one of the best smartphones on the market, especially for its price. Google is now making its smartphone almost impossible to resist.

    Google announced today that both variations of the Nexus 4 – the 8GB and 16GB variants – are now $100 cheaper. That means the 8GB Nexus 4 now sells for $199 and the 16GB Nexus 4 sells for $249. It’s now without a doubt the cheapest flagship Android smartphone available.

    So, is the Nexus 4 worth it with this latest price drop? Well, the device sports a 4.7-inch 720p display, 2GB of RAM, a 1.5GHz quad-core CPU, Android 4.3 and an 8MP back camera. For $199 off contract, that’s an amazing deal for the hardware that’s packed into the device. Can it compete with the HTC One or the Galaxy S 4? In specs, no, but it can easily compete in usability as stock Android 4.3 is much better than either Samsung’s TouchWiz or HTC Sense.

    Of course, we do have to look at this sudden sale as a sign of things to come. It could very well be that Google is preparing to launch the next Nexus smartphone in the near future. It’s not uncommon for manufacturers to drastically reduce prices before the launch of its next big product. For those buying the Nexus 4 at this new price, you will have to understand that the Nexus 5, or whatever it’s called, is just around the corner.

    Even then, the Nexus 4 is a fantastic device and will continue to receive regular updates straight from Google. The Galaxy Nexus is still receiving regular updates from Google so it’s not hard to imagine that the Nexus 4 will remain relevant for many years to come.

    [Image: Google Play]
    [h/t: Engadget]

  • The Next Nexus Phone Will Be Made By Motorola [Rumor]

    So far, Google’s Nexus phones have been made by Samsung and LG. Some think that LG will make the next Nexus phone, but others wonder why Google just doesn’t have Motorola make it. After all, Google now owns the handset manufacturer. As it turns out, Google might actually involve Motorola in the future of Nexus.

    In a post from Taylor Wimberly on Google+, he says that Google and Motorola will release a Nexus phone at the end of this year. Droid-Life says that he was spot on with the Moto X months before it was announced so there is some weight behind his statement.

    This latest rumor is interesting on a number of fronts, but the most pressing is the existence of the Moto X. You could consider it a kind of Google phone as the company worked closely with Motorola on the device. Would a Motorola Nexus just be a Moto X with stock Android? It’s entirely plausible and I wouldn’t be the least bit surprised to see one later this year.

    Interestingly enough, it’s also speculated that LG could still release a Nexus phone as well. Would Google release two Nexus phones in the same year? The company already sells Nexus versions of the Galaxy S4 and HTC One in the Google Play store so it’s not entirely out of the question. LG could provide the flagship high-end Nexus experience while the Motorola Nexus would be a cheaper, mid-tier device.

    All of this is purely speculation for now, but it’s interesting to think about the future of the Nexus program. Will Google start cranking out more hardware every year? It’s a nice thought, but some hardware manufacturers may not be fully on board with the idea of selling their hardware at cost even if Google cushions it with heavy subsidizations.

  • Here’s All The New Stuff In Android 4.3

    At an event yesterday, Google announced the new Nexus 7 and the Chromecast. New hardware is always exciting, but many more were just as exciting to see that Android 4.3 was finally revealed. While not a huge upgrade from previous versions, this new flavor of Jelly Bean has its fair share of interesting features.

    The most compelling new feature by far is the addition of restricted profiles. As you may recall, Google introduced multi-user accounts on Android tablets in Android 4.2. This allowed families to set up multiple accounts for each member of the family on a single Android tablet. With restricted profiles, the admin can control what other accounts on the device can access. For example, a parent can prevent their child from seeing certain apps, or even prevent them from being able to see items for purchase in apps.

    Another small, but welcome, feature is the addition of Bluetooth Smart support. With this, Android devices can now interact with Bluetooth Smart devices, like fitness sensors, while using very little energy. Google says that the makers of Bluetooth Smart devices are working to make them compatible with Android 4.3.

    Of course, gamers will be happy to know that Android 4.3 is the first mobile OS to support OpenGL ES 3.0. This new rendering platform brings with it a number of enhancements that will make the mobile games of the future look even better than before. Here are the demos from the Google event that demonstrate what OpenGL ES 3.0 is capable of:

    Other small improvements include dial pad autocomplete, which suggests phone numbers upon typing in numbers, and improved support for more languages like Hebrew, Arabic, Hindi and more. If you want to see every new feature in Android 4.3, hit up Google’s Jelly Bean site.

    So, when can you get your hands on Android 4.3? Google said yesterday that it would start rolling out to Nexus devices – Nexus 7, Nexus 10, Nexus 4 and Galaxy Nexus – immediately. That rollout may be taking longer than expected as my 2012 Nexus 7 still hasn’t received the update as of this morning.

  • Google Thinks The New Nexus 7 Will Make Middle School Less Awkward

    Google Thinks The New Nexus 7 Will Make Middle School Less Awkward

    Did you hear? Google finally unveiled the new Nexus 7 during an event this morning. The successor to last year’s Nexus 7 comes with a number of hardware and software enhancements, but the real benefit comes in the form of making our children’s lives easier.

    As part of the Nexus 7 reveal, Google shared an ad that shows how the new Nexus 7 can make the life of a young boy struggling with public speaking just a little bit easier. Using the tablet, he can read books on the subject, watch The King’s Speech and listen to Franklin D. Roosevelt’s famous speech on fear. Sure, he could do all these things with other tools, but the Nexus 7 is the all-in-one device for all your awkward teenage needs.

    This ad is the latest in a string of Nexus 7 ads that shows how living in Google’s world can help make you more artistic or imaginative.

    The new Nexus 7 will be released in two models on July 30 with the 16GB costing $229 and the 32GB costing $269. A 4G LTE capable Nexus 7 will launch in the coming weeks for $349.

  • Google Announces New Nexus 7, Chromecast

    Last week, it was revealed that Google would be hosting a breakfast this morning with Sundar Pichai. It was assumed that he would spend the morning talking about Android and perhaps a new Nexus 7. He and other Googlers did that, but they also announced what amounts to a refresh of last year’s Nexus Q.

    Pichai kicked off the event talking about the success of last year’s Nexus 7. He said that Nexus 7 accounted for more than 10 percent of all Android tablets sold in 2012. With the new Nexus 7, they’re hoping to capitalize on that growth even further.

    Google Announces New Nexus 7, Chromecast

    When the new Nexus 7 was finally unveiled, Google confirmed much of what we’ve already seen these past few weeks through a number of leaks. In short, the new Nexus 7’s CUP is 1.8x faster than the previous model, and its GPU is 4x faster than the previous model. It sports a full 1080p HD display – the first of its kind on a 7-inch tablet. They were also quick to note that the new Nexus 7 now features stereo speakers and virtual surround sound.

    All that’s well and good, but what 4G LTE connectivity? The new Nexus 7 will ship unlocked with 4G LTE support for AT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile on a single model. The days of having to buy an AT&T or T-Mobile Nexus 7 from the Google Play store are now gone.

    As expected, the new Nexus 7 will ship with Android 4.3. This latest version of Jelly Bean doesn’t offer any major changes, but it does improve already existing software. For starters, the multi-user accounts for tablets that was introduced in Android 4.2 have been upgraded with restricted profiles in 4.3. What that means is that you can restrict certain profiles from accessing certain content. The example used is that a child’s profile won’t have access to in-app purchases inside of their apps.

    Other additions include support for Bluetooth Low Energy and OpenGL ES 3.0. They noted that the new Nexus 7 is the first Android device to support the OpenGL ES standard and developers are already taking advantage of it to build beautiful games for the device.

    The biggest addition to Android 4.3 is what Google calls DRM APIs. They’ve been working together with Netflix to provide full 1080p streaming on the new Nexus 7. Previously, Netflix streaming on tablets was restricted to SD video due to a lack of strong protection software. The Netflix app has already been updated to take advantage of this new functionality, and is now waiting upon the Android 4.3 update to use it.

    Google Announes New Nexus 7, Chromecast

    Speaking of which, when will Android 4.3 be out? Google says that it will start updating the original Nexus 7, the Nexus 4, the Nexus 10 and the Galaxy Nexus to Android 4.3 starting today. It will also be coming to the Nexus editions of the HTC One and Galaxy S4 soon.

    As for Google Play, the only two major additions are the Google Play Games app and Google Play Textbook category. The former adds a hub where players can see all of their games and all of their Google+ friends playing games in a central location. The latter adds interactive textbooks to Google Play from all five major textbook publishers in the U.S. It will also support textbook rentals.

    So, when will you be able to get your hands on the new Nexus 7? Google says the 16GB and 32GB Wi-Fi models will be available via Google Play and retailers on July 30 for $229 and $269 respectively. The 32GB 4G LTE model will be available in the coming weeks for $349.

    After the new Nexus 7 business was concluded, Pichai took the stage again to talk about the importance on online video. He said that Google is looking for a way to bring everybody’s favorite video content to the big screen from the comfort of their mobile devices. Well, that’s where Chromecast comes in.

    Chromecast can be thought of as the successor to last year’s Nexus Q, but it does a little bit more. For starters, it’s a tiny two-inch long dongle that connects via your HDMI port. Instead of Android, it runs a slimmed down version of Chrome OS. It also supports pretty much every device in the house, including Android devices, iOS devices, Chromebooks and Windows notebooks.

    Google Announces New Nexus 7, Chromecast

    Chromecast works by essentially pushing the content that’s currently playing on your mobile device onto your TV. It doesn’t use up your phone’s resources, however, as it pulls the video straight from the cloud. In other words, you’re free to do other things on your mobile device after you queue up a video to play on the TV via the YouTube app.

    Of course, YouTube isn’t the only application that Chromecast supports. It also supports Netflix, Google Play Movies, Google Play Music and Google+ Photos. It can also put your current Chrome tab up on the TV from a Chromebook, Windows laptop or Macbook.

    Google wants Chromecast to support more apps and devices so it will be releasing a developer preview of what it calls the Google Cast SDK today. The SDK will allow developers to build Chromecast support directly into their app so users can project their apps onto the TV.

    So, when can you get your hands on the Chromecast? It will be available later today from the Google Play Store, Amazon.com and BestBuy.com for $35. It will also be available at Best Buy retail locations next week.

  • This Is What The New Nexus 7 Looks Like

    This Is What The New Nexus 7 Looks Like

    Later this week, Google will be hosting an event with Android and Chrome boss Sundar Pichai. It’s pretty much a given that he’ll announce something related to Android, and some think that something may be the new Nexus 7.

    Everyone’s favorite tech leaker, evleaks, now has the official press render of the new Nexus 7 up. The leak doesn’t confirm if Google will be showing off the new tablet this week, but the existence of a press render strongly suggests that we’ll be seeing it very soon:

    This Is What The New Nexus 7 Looks Like

    As you can see, Google has made a number of noticeable changes to the design this time around. For starters, it finally got ride of those annoying rubber dimples on the back on the back of the device. The Nexus logo is now vertical across the back instead of horizontal as well. It’s also hard not to miss the inclusion of a rear-facing camera.

    As for the specs, the new Nexus 7 will reportedly sport a 1.5 GHz S4 Pro CPU, a 7-inch 1920×1200 display, a 5MP rear camera, a 1.2MP front camera, 16 or 32GB of storage and Android 4.3. Unfortunately, like the original Nexus 7, it does not have a microSD slot so you’re stuck with whatever storage size you go with.

    The fancier specs will come at a cost, however, as the new Nexus 7 will be a bit more expensive than the current model. The 16GB model will reportedly retail for $229 and the 32GB model will retail for $269. As for availability, a leaked Best Buy ad shows the new Nexus 7 going on sale July 30. It’s not known, however, if this is the universal launch date, or if Google will ship the device from its own Play store earlier. Either way, we’ll probably find out this Wednesday.

    [h/t: DroidLife]

  • New Nexus 7 To Cost $229 For 16GB, $269 For 32GB [Rumor]

    Are we going to see the new Nexus 7 at next week’s Google event? There’s a good possibility, and it’s becoming even more likely after the latest leak.

    Android Central received a tip and photographic evidence from an unnamed retail source that claims to have the prices of the new Nexus 7. The image shows that the 16GB model of the new Nexus 7 will cost $229 and the 32GB new Nexus 7 will cost $269.

    As you can already see, the rumored prices are a slight bump up from the $200 and $250 price tags on the current Nexus 7 devices. Even then, the new prices are still insanely affordable, especially when you consider what’s reportedly inside the new tablets.

    Last week, supply sources within China said that the new Nexus 7 would come equipped with a new Qualcomm Snapdragon 600 CPU, a 1980×1200 display, a 5MP rear camera and a 1.2MP front camera. The new CPU is definitely the star of the show as its a pretty sizable upgrade from the Tegra 3 CPU in the original Nexus 7.

    Unfortunately, the leak doesn’t give us any more information. We’re still waiting to hear on whether or not Google will launch the new Nexus 7 alongside Android 4.3. There’s a good chance as Google typically announces new Android versions alongside announcements of new Nexus hardware.

    Now the only question is whether or not Sundar Pichai will announce both, just one or neither at the Google event next week. Previous reports have pegged both Android 4.3 and the new Nexus 7 for a July launch so it’s only natural for one to assume that next week’s Google event and today’s leak are no mere coincidences.

    Of course, we’ll be watching out for any announcements out of Google next week regarding software and hardware. They still owe us for that relatively boring Google I/O keynote so here’s hoping they have something good in store.

  • New Nexus 7 Makes A Stop At The FCC

    New Nexus 7 Makes A Stop At The FCC

    Google confirmed before its annual developer conference that no new hardware would be shown, but it was still disappointing to see the company not introduce the oft-rumored new Nexus 7. It’s fine now, however, as the FCC has pretty much revealed the new tablet for us.

    A new 7-inch tablet from Asus bearing the Nexus moniker has recently made its way through the FCC. The filing reveals pretty much everything about the new tablet and it’s looking good so far.

    The new Nexus 7, according to the FCC, has been outfitted with a Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 Pro, rear camera, a 3,950mAh battery and LTE. The processor confirms previous rumors that Google and Asus have ditched Nvidia in favor of Qualcomm’s Snapdragon series while the inclusion of LTE will undoubtedly elicit a few “About time” reactions from consumers.

    Here’s the full breakdown courtesy of the FCC:

    New Nexus 7 Stops By The FCC

    The FCC is great at revealing the tech specs of new hardware, but it doesn’t gives us a date or price. We might have an idea thanks to rumors and speculations though. Droid Life says that the Nexus 7 might launch on July 30. Knowing Google, the company will either announce the new Nexus 7 on that very same day, or only a few days prior.

    As for the price, you can probably expect Google to stick close to the price of the current Nexus 7. The addition of LTE may jack up the price for some of the models, but I suspect Google will be releasing a Wi-Fi only model at the same $199 price that the 16GB Nexus 7 retails for now.

  • HTC One Nexus Edition Is Official, Will Cost $599

    It was rumored last week that HTC would release a Nexus Edition of its popular HTC One handset after the news of a Nexus Edition of the Galaxy S4 was received with such positive buzz at Google I/O. Now HTC has went and confirmed that rumor.

    HTC announced today that a Nexus Edition of the HTC One will be available starting June 26. It will be sold exclusively in the Google Play store, and will cost $599. For those keeping track at home, that’s $50 cheaper than the HTC One Developer Edition.

    Just like the Galaxy S4 Nexus Edition, the HTC One Nexus Edition will ship with the latest version of Jelly Bean (Android 4.2.2) instead of HTC’s own Sense software. You could install your own custom stock Android ROM on the SIM unlocked or Developer Edition, but the Nexus Edition comes with the official Google support that the Nexus experience offers.

    Still, you’re free to make your own choice about which HTC One device you want. You my want to try out the new HTC Sense on the One before you make the jump to stock Android. To compare the three HTC One models available, check out this handy chart:

    HTC One Nexus Edition

  • Is Google Working On A Nexus Q Successor?

    Is Google Working On A Nexus Q Successor?

    Remember the Nexus Q? It was the media player that Google showed at I/O last year, and then disappeared from the market after shipping out the Q for free to those who pre-ordered it. Now it seems that Google is going to take another crack at a media streaming device.

    Engadget reports that a media player from Google has hit the FCC. There’s not much information on the device for now, but we do know that it’s a Wi-Fi device. The model number – H2G2-42 – is also a Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy reference so we know Google is at least having a spot of fun with it.

    It will be interesting to see if this is a true successor to the Nexus Q. The original hardware was somewhat limited as it could only push content from Android devices, but it had the interesting gimmick of allowing multiple people to control what was being played through their own Android devices. It was pretty much doomed from the start, however, thanks to it only supporting Google Play and YouTube. Applications like Netflix and Hulu that make Google TV and Roku popular options were absent from the hardware.

    We can assume that Google has learned from its mistakes, and that its next media player will support more than just Google Play. A Google-made Google TV set top box seems likely, but it’s hard to say at this point if Google would opt to directly compete with those already making Google TV set top boxes, like the Vizio CO-Star.

    Either way, we’ve reached out to Google for comment, and will update if we hear back.