Google Will No Longer Making Tablets

Google has confirmed it has dropped all plans of releasing any tablet in the foreseeable future. Instead, it will focus on laptops and other devices running Chrome OS.

Google’s initial tablet, the Google Nexus lineup was not meet with much success. The Google Nexus 7 with a 7 inch form factor did well but it was more of a surprise hit. After the disastrous start with Android tablets Google launched the Pixel Slate running Chrome OS in 2018. 

However, even the Google Pixel Slate offered a not well received user experience, performance and failed to attract consumers.

This does not mean that Android or Chrome OS tablets themselves are dead. While you will have a hard time finding Android tablets in the market, Google will continue to support OEMs who are interested in launching such tablets. Samsung is currently the only major OEM which continues to launch Android tablets.


Source: Twitter

Dota Underlords Open Beta Now Available

Dota Underlords is now available on Android, iOS, and PC. The game is Valve’s take on the Dota Auto Chess mod for the popular Dota 2.

For fans of Dota and the Auto Chess mod, this will be a time killer and is available to download now on Apple iPhone's and Google Android device. This is still an early Beta with Valve confirming that it expects the title to stay in this Early Access phase for at least a few months where updates and features will be added over time.

STRATEGIZE TO WIN: Recruit heroes and upgrade them into more powerful versions of themselves.

MIX AND MATCH: Each hero you recruit can form unique alliances. Stacking your team with allied heroes will unlock powerful bonuses that can crush your rivals.

CROSSPLAY: Play on your platform of choice and battle players across the globe in a hassle free crossplay experience. Running late? Start a match on your PC and finish it on your mobile device (and vice versa). Your profile in Dota Underlords is shared across all devices, so no matter what you play on, you’re always making progress.

LIGHTNING FAST NETWORK: Valve’s network will get you into a game in no time flat.

RANKED MATCHMAKING: Everyone starts at the bottom, but by playing against other Underlords you’ll climb through the ranks and prove you’re worthy to rule White Spire.

TOURNAMENT READY: Create your own private lobbies and matches, then invite spectators to watch 8 Underlords duke it out.

OFFLINE PLAY: Offering a sophisticated AI with 4 levels of difficulty, offline play is a great place to hone your skills. Pause and resume games at your leisure.

SEASONAL ROTATION: Every season we’ll say goodbye to certain Heroes, Items, and Traits to make room for new additions that will shape the ever-evolving world of Underlords.

You can download Dota Underlords from the Google Play Store or Apple App Store at the links below. Currently the game is available as a free download, with a battle pass in the works that will add progression, cosmetics, custom boards and other new features to the Dota Underlords experience. You can find more information at the Underlords link below.


Souce: Dota Underlords, Google Play, Apple App Store

T-Mobile And Sprint To Sell Off Boost Mobile

T-Mobile and Sprint are closer to merger approval, working with the Department of Justice to divest assets that would create a new fourth wireless carrier. The New York Times says the carriers are in discussions with Dish Network, Charter, and Altice to acquire Boost Mobile and some of Sprint's wireless spectrum.

The critical part of the structuring deal is that Sprint would be giving up spectrum holdings, not just the Boost Mobile brand that runs on Sprint's existing network. In order for a new carrier to be a true competitor it would need its own spectrum holdings. If the merger were to be structured with this sort of deal in place it would presumably ease pressure coming from lawsuits that's aiming to block the merger on the basis that it would reduce competition.

The question is why are we going through all of these hurdles to end up with four U.S. carriers once all is said and done. The combined T-Mobile and Sprint would have a large enough customer base and network infrastructure to compete with other major U.S. carriers. But the new smaller carrier would be starting from a disadvantaged position.


Source: The New York Times

Android Q Beta 4, Rolling Out To Google Pixel Devices

Android Q is the latest Android OS version by Google. With some advanced features and latest tech device compatibility. Google released the fourth beta version of the Android Q today.

You can download and run Android Q on all Google Pixel devices, to get Android Q on your Google Pixel device, you need to be a part of the Google Android Beta program.


How to Download Android Q:

Once you are a part of Google's Beta program, you will receive the build over the air. Android Beta program users can enroll Google Pixel devices from the source link below.

What's new in Android Q:

Privacy: Google introduced new privacy and security policy with Android Q to enhance privacy for OS controls, file based encryption, Google Play Protect, and more. With Android, Q Google has also provided options to control an apps' access to photos, videos or audio collections via new runtime permissions feature. Also, apps that access downloaded files on your device have to now go through the system file picker. Android Q has a unique real time running feature which will prevent any background app from launching an activity unless it is essential, such as alarms or an incoming call.


Control over location: Android Q will give you more control over the location sharing. With Android Q, the user will have the option to provide app permission to use location all the time, only when the app is in use, or never. This is an extraordinary feature I found which will help your phone to save better and internet data.

Device location access and foldable screen support : With new folding smartphones support one can let two apps work simultaneously, and to notify the app when it has focus. Apart from that, Google will also give you to decide how your app is shown on foldable screens. We should hear more on that in the upcoming betas.

Sharing shortcuts: Android Q with a new shortcut feature in Android Q user can jump directly into another app for sharing content using a feature called Sharing Shortcuts. Also, the next Android version will include a new settings panel which will let you see key system settings such as Wi-Fi connection, network, and aeroplane mode on third party apps via a floating window.

Dynamic Depth Image: With new Android Q image feature, apps can request a 'dynamic Depth Image' which allows you to use specialized blurs and bokeh options as well as enjoy 3D images and support for AR photography.


Source: Android Beta Program

Google Confirms Pixel 4 Design, Via Twitter

Google on Twitter officially confirmed the Google Pixel 4’s design. Tweeted from the official Made by Google account at 11:30AM PT we can see the rear of the Google Pixel 4 including the square camera bump with two side by side lenses a first for the Pixel lineup, but standard on competing Android and iPhone devices. Underneath is a flash, while there are two unknown cutouts at the very top and in the bottom right corner and possibly a microphone.

The photo only shows the rear of the Google Pixel 4 with the lower left device highlighting the cameras while the top right shows the Google logo at its usual position at the bottom. Elsewhere on the phone we see the volume toggle and a white power button but the lack of a fingerprint sensor.

On the right edge when looking at the phone from the rear there is a small recess consistent with a SIM card slot/tray. You can also make out the USB-C cutout at the very bottom.

To accompany the image Google tweeted an reference that teases “what it can do.” A hashtag also reveals what the company is unsurprisingly calling its next flagship "Pixel4".



Source: Twitter

Google’s Project Soli Chip Could Debut In Google Pixel 4

Project Soli is a Google ATAP endeavor based on radar hardware most notably for device control via subtle hand movements. Whether you’re using a watch, phone, or tablet this miniature radar sensor can differentiate between very fine motions to perform various platform specific functions.

Google showed off Project Soli working on both a smartwatch and a smart speaker at Google I/O 2016. The demo showed the chip embedded in a Wear OS smartwatch for interface control and the smart speaker integration made it possible to simply wave at the speaker to tell it to stop playing.

Google is rumored to be launching a new generation of the Google Home this year, as well as a smartwatch and gesture based control via Soli. Some details from XDA corroborate that the Google Pixel 4 will have a Soli chip, and suggest that the feature will be called “Aware” for users.


Source: XDA Developers