Jide's new Remix OS Player system is based on the virtual machine in Android Studio, with extensive modifications being added. The aim is to make a stand alone Remix powered devices or a full OS installation for desktop PC's. Jide's press release didn't say which version of Android the player's software is based on, but the latest release from the company uses Android 6.0 Marshmallow code. Jide's Remix OS Player is a free download on Jide's website and includes full access to the Google Play Store. Source: Jide
According to a new Chromecast support page, Google Chromecast users can now enroll their Chromecast into a “Preview Program” for access to early and unreleased features…
The support page allows Google Chromecast users to join the preview program and will be able to try new features, give feedback directly back to the Chromecast team, and will be emailed every time a new update rolls out to their Google Chromecast streaming device. According to the Google Chromecast support page you will be able to use the Google Cast app to enroll in the preview program by following the steps below:
From your Android or iOS device, open the Google Cast app.
Tap the Devices tab to see your available Chromecast devices.
Scroll to find the device card for the Chromecast you’d like to enroll in the Preview Program.
In the top right corner of the device card, tap the device card menu (three squares).
Tap Device Settings.
Tap Preview Program. ***Google stated If you don’t see Preview Program, we aren’t accepting new members at this time. Please continue to check back as opportunities become available***.
Choose whether to receive email notifications by moving the slider to the right or left.
If you opt-in to email notifications, you’ll be asked to sign into your Google account.
Review the contents of that page, and tap Join Program.
Review the contents of the page, then tap OK, GOT IT.
Google has also made note, this program is not a beta program and the “intention is that Preview Program updates will be of the same quality as production version updates.” Source: Google Chromecast support page
With Google’s latest Nexus/Pixel phone's release tipped for an October 4th announcement, the launcher formerly known as the Nexus Launcher has been leaked. The Pixel Launcher has a new trick up its sleeve... integrating Google Calendar in to the Pixel Launcher, allowing for real-time dates to be shown in the calendar app. The Pixel Launcher app confirmed that Google's smartphones will be called the Pixel later this year. In addition, the Pixel Launcher app version number being 7.1-3231428 indicating a likelihood that Pixel devices will ship with Android 7.1 Nougat. Google's Pixel Launcher can be downloaded by following the source link below, along with the Wallpaper Picker that allow for setting stock wallpapers when using the new Pixel Launcher. Leave your comments, let us know what your thoughts are in the comment section. Source: Pixel Launcher, Wallpaper Picker
Apple just unveiled the new iPhone 7 & 7 Plus today. Below you'll find the rundown on specs, features, pricing and availability…
Specs/Features:
Redesigned Home button with Taptic engine
A10 Fusion four-core CPU
Water and dust resistant enclosure
12 Megapixel cameras with new quad-led True Tone flash
Dual-camera system for enhanced zoom on Plus models
Optical image stabilization in all iPhone 7 and 7 Plus models
Lightning Earpods + Lightning to 3.5mm adapter in box
Color options: New glossy “Jet black”, second “black” finish with black logo, silver, gold, and rose gold
Repositioned antennas
Apple has confirmed that iPhone 7 and 7 Plus will get new cameras, water-resistance improvements, stereo speakers, longer battery life and more.
The new iPhones feature a 12 megapixel camera, optical image stabilization now available in all models, a f/1/8 aperture, six-element lens, new high-speed sensor, and a redesigned quad-LED True Tone flash. The iPhone 7 Plus model offers high-res optical zoom at 2x using built-in dual-cameras.
The iPhone 7 features a redesigned Home button that uses a “Taptic Engine” like Apple uses in the Apple Watch to provide tactile feedback for various functions. iPhone 7 and 7 Plus also include new stereo speakers, and both iPhone 7 and 7 Plus models will be water and dust resistant.
The new iPhones also receive a big performance bump courtesy of the new A10 Fusion four-core CPU. Apple said it’s 40% faster than the A9 in previous generation iPhones and includes a 6-core graphics chip that’s 50% faster than A9. Since the iPhone 7 will be Apple’s first iPhone without a headphone jack, all iPhone 7 models come with Lightning EarPods and a Lightning to 3.5mm headphone adapter.
Availability:
iPhone 7 and 7 Plus will be available to pre-order starting September 9th with retail availability beginning on September 16th.
Google has recently updated the Google Contacts application for select Android devices to made it easier to edit contact details. The most significant change Google expanded the app's availability from just Marshmallow to Lollipop. The app is still limited to Nexus, Android One, and Google Play Edition devices. Users running Lollipop on these devices can now add and edit contact data points such as name, number, and email allowing users to save to their Google account, fix duplicates, and call or message from the contact card. Google Contacts is free to download from the Google Play Store by folling the link below. *Update* I was successfully able to download the APK (APK link below) install and run the new Google Contacts app on my Moto Z, Moto Z Force, and LG G5. Please comment below if you are able to install and run the new Google Contacts app on your non Nexus, Android One, or Google Play Edition phone. Source: Google Play Store, Direct APK link
Google has made the final version of Android 7.0 Nougat available to developers, phone makers, and select devices. Google released the first developer build of Nougat earlier this year and has been refining the platform ever since. Today Android 7.0 Nougat official moves out of beta. The next generation mobile operating system includes support for Vulkan to improve graphics performance for games, and also improves the Android runtime to speedier daily use. Nougat introduces file based encryption to better isolate and protect individual users. Android 7.0 Nougat offers seamless security updates that happen automatically in the background with no user action required. Google made improvements to the multitasking with multi window mode. Android 7.0 Nougat now shows the most recent seven apps and moves the "clear all" tool to the top of the screen to prevent accidental closings. Nougat overhauls notifications providing direct control over silencing certain types of notifications. The platform adds Unicode 9.0 for an expanded set of emoji. Last but certainly not least Android 7.0 Nougat adds direct support for virtual reality. Android 7.0 Nougat is available to the Nexus 6, Nexus 5X, Nexus 6P, Nexus 9, and Pixel C devices. Source: Android
Google has released Duo the video chatting app for Android and iOS. Duo doesn't require a separate account users need only their phone number to get started.
Google says it built the app to function well even across poor network connections. The app will change the resolution to match the connection speed in order to keep the call going, and can seamlessly switch from wifi to cellular.
A feature called Knock Knock gives people a preview video of the person calling so they can see what's up before answering the video call. Duo is free to download from the Google Play Store and iTunes App Store.
Google’s own GitHub page simply describes Fuchsia as “Pink + Purple == Fuchsia (a new Operating System)”. There’s the Magenta kernel based on the LittleKernel project. Just like with Linux and Android the Magenta kernel powers the larger Fuchsia operating system. Magenta is being designed as a competitor to commercial embedded OSes. Magenta is said to work on embedded devices, smartphones, and desktop computers. Magenta improves upon its LittleKernel base by adding first class user mode support and a capability based security model, this will allow features like Android 6.0 permissions to work. Google is using Flutter for the user interface as well as Dart as the primary programming language and Escher a renderer that supports light diffusion, soft shadows, and other visual effects with OpenGL or Vulkan at the helm of it all. Shadows and subtle color reflections are a key component of Material Design. We know Fuchsia has support for both 32-bit and 64-bit ARM CPUs, as well as 64-bit PCs. Could Fuchsia be a lightweight OS used on hardware not capable of running full Android such as the Google OnHub router and Google Home? Let us know what your thoughts are in the comment section below. Source: GitHub, Google Git
According to a video published earlier today via YouTube titled Sneak Peek at Lenovo's 2016 Holiday Product Launch the company is about to unveil a new chapter in tablets, new Moto Mods for the Moto Z and Z Force smartphones, and a whole new kind of intuitive keyboard. As for a new Moto 360 smartwatch being showcased at IFA 2016 the new video doesn't directly mention a refresh to the existing Moto 360 smartwatch, it does however show older Moto 360 models in the below video. Seeing how last year's Moto 360 was officially unveiled in September, it makes sense that we're speculating an announcement of a new Motorola Android Wear watch at this year IFA.
Mobile accessory giant Incipio today announced the purchase of Griffin Technology, a long time maker of mobile accessories. Recently, Incipio has purchased Skullcandy and Incase. Source: Incipio
According to a new Chromecast support page, Google Chromecast users can now enroll their Chromecast into a “Preview Program” for access to early and unreleased features…
