Google’s affordable Pixel 5a is here, but you might be left wondering how it compares to the Samsung Galaxy S21. We’ve got you covered in this Pixel 5a vs. Galaxy S21 face-off. It might seem a bit silly to compare these two phones given the gap in price. But thanks to Google’s photography prowess, the Pixel 5a punches well above its weight. When you use both phones side-by-side, Google’s phone feels very similar to Samsung’s device in several areas. The winner in some of the… Source link
Read More »Google TV vs. Android TV
With the recent launch of new TCL Google TV models as well as the latest Google Chromecast, there’s no question the Google TV is here in a big way. As a successor to Android TV, the new Google TV platform is more than just a new name. It’s a slicker, more intuitive, more capable operating system for your smart TV, bringing more capability to TVs and seating smart TVs more firmly at the center of the Google ecosystem. With both Google TV models and Android TV devices on the market this year,… Source link
Read More »Google is killing Android Auto for phones (if you even know what that is)
“Android Auto for phone screens” had an Android Auto-like UI, but it ran directly on the phone screen. Google … Source link
Read More »Google is shutting down its Android Auto mobile app in favor of Google Assistant
Google has confirmed it’s shutting down the standalone “Android Auto for Phone Screens” app with Android 12. Instead, anyone who wants a driving-friendly interface for their Android phone should use the Google Assistant driving mode, which is available within Google Maps, or the native Android Auto interface available in select cars. “For those who use the on phone experience (Android Auto mobile app), they will be transitioned to Google Assistant driving mode,” Google said in a… Source link
Read More »Google Pixel 5a Android phone launches Aug. 26 for $449
Google on Tuesday announced the Pixel 5a, a new budget Pixel phone that shows the company is continuing to dedicate resources to building fresh hardware across a range of prices. The Pixel 5a costs $449 and will launch on Aug. 26. Google is slowly ramping up its hardware business, which doesn’t generate meaningful revenue for the company compared with its services such as Search, YouTube and Google Cloud. It finished its Fitbit acquisition in January, giving it a foundation in the fitness… Source link
Read More »Yandex.Maps now includes Android Auto support, but only in Russia
Russia’s answer to Google is now branching out by bringing Yandex.Maps to your in-car Android Auto head unit. We’ve seen a whole host of navigation alternatives to Google Maps come to Android Auto over the past few months with the likes of Waze and TomTom providing sensible third-party options. According to Android Police, Yandex.Maps is now available on Android Auto provided you’re based in Russia. They note that you can’t even test it even when trying to spoof your location… Source link
Read More »Android Auto gets another navigation alternative to Google Maps
Google Maps is generally pretty darn great, but it’s always good to have alternatives. There have been a variety of new navigation tools for the Android Auto system over the last few months, including Waze, TomTom, and Gaia, all taking advantage of new third-party API options. The latest is Yandex.Maps, the popular mapping app from Russia-based Yandex. The Android Auto functionality may have been active earlier this month with version 10.5.0 of the app. But the new addition has now… Source link
Read More »Google launches Android 12 beta 4, hitting the platform stability milestone – TechCrunch
Google has now taken another step toward the public release of the latest version of the Android operating system, Android 12. The company today released the fourth beta of Android 12, whose most notable new feature is that it has achieved the Platform Stability milestone — meaning the changes impacting Android app developers are now finalized, allowing them to test their apps without worrying about breaking changes in subsequent releases. While the updated version of Android brings a… Source link
Read More »Google Is Finally Killing Off a Decade-Old Version of Android
Android Gingerbread, you’ve lived a good life. Now it’s time to rest. Photo: Gizmodo Whether you’re running it for a nostalgic feel or you’ve held on to a device for too long, it’s time to say goodbye to the decade-old Android Gingerbread. Google is officially laying it to rest. As of Sept. 27, the company will no longer allow devices running the vintage version of Android 2.3.7 or lower to connect with Google services, effectively cutting off every essential part of being an Android… Source link
Read More »Google will kill off very old versions of Android next month
Enlarge / Delicious gingerbread Android cookies. Google has started emailing users of very old Android devices to tell them it’s time to say goodbye. Starting September 27, devices running Android 2.3.7 and lower will no longer be able to log in to Google services, effectively killing a big portion of the on-rails Android experience. As Google puts it in an official community post, “If you sign in to your device after September 27, you may… Source link
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