Not that anyone was expecting to see one, but according to Fast Company, who spoke with executives of Samsung, there are no future plans for a Samsung-made Android Wear device. The only Android Wear smartwatch Samsung ever released was the Gear Live, which was made available after Google I/O in 2014. Since then, Samsung has used Tizen, its in-house operating system, exclusively for wearables.
However, while that news should not alarm or upset anyone, the Samsung executive (no name provided), stated that Android Wear is not as battery-efficient as Tizen. No doubt, Android Wear and smartwatches in general have a ways to go in the battery department, but is Tizen really that much better?
Back when Kellen was using the Gear S2 (powered by Tizen), he never mentioned incredible battery life, which leads us to believe its not just battery life that turns Samsung away from Android Wear. Could it be that Samsung has already invested a ton in its own wearable ecosystem? That seems more likely.
Whatever the reasoning may be, don’t expect a Samsung Android Wear watch anytime soon.
Here, you can borrow my tissue to wipe the tears.
Report: No More Android Wear Devices From Samsung is a post from: Droid Life
An update for the unlocked HTC 10, labeled as 1.53.617.5, is rolling out to those in the US. While it doesn’t include Android N or anything fancy like that, it does include a few very important performance tweaks.
As listed in the changelog, users can expect an improved camera experience (seriously, the camera needs a big boost in speed), enhanced WiFi stability, as well as system stability improvements. Once updated, the overall phone should behave and perform better, which is always a good update in our book.
The update, which is available to pull right now in the US, weighs in at nearly 400MB. Get yourself on WiFi and grab it.
Unlocked HTC 10 Receiving Update, Brings More Camera Tweaks and System Improvements is a post from: Droid Life
Google is essentially rebranding Google Now and the overall Google Search experience for individual users, announcing Google Assistant at this year’s Google I/O developer conference. Unlike the 1-way conversations we have with Google right now, Assistant is a 2-way conversation between you and Google. Contextually aware, Assistant builds on the progress Google has already made to make Search smarter.
As an example for Assistant, a user could search for SF Giants, then be met with all of the information they need regarding that baseball team. Once complete, suggestions will be shown for the SF Giants, such as roster, ticket sales, and more. From here, Assistant knows that you want information pertaining to the SF Giants, so it will recommend other detailed Giants information from the web, YouTube, and other sources. The same can be done for a movie that is in theaters, or other events taking place.
As previously announced, Assistant won’t only be for mobile devices. It is also being built into Google Home, meaning you will have your personalized Google Assistant wherever you are. According to Google, “The assistant is an ambient experience that will work seamlessly across devices and contexts. So you can summon Google’s help no matter where you are or what the context. It builds on all our years of investment in deeply understanding users’ questions.”
Since Google Assistant is merely an update to an already existing platform, don’t look for any new “Assistant” app to hit Google Play. Instead, look for it in Google Home, as well as Google’s new social apps like Allo and Duo. Those apps release this summer. You can also expect Assistant to hit the existing Google app sometime in the future.
Google Assistant is a More Personalized Google Search Experience is a post from: Droid Life
Yesterday, we reported changes coming soon to AT&T’s GoPhone plans that would reward each with more data without a price hike. AT&T has now confirmed and announced the plan changes, which will arrive this Friday.
As we noted yesterday, both the $45 and $60 plans are getting more data, with the $45 plan going from 2GB to 3GB data per month, while the $60 plan is jumping from 5GB to 6GB. Again, that is all happening without a price hike.
Also, keep in mind that you can receive a $5 per month discount on each if you sign-up for autopay.
If you are already a GoPhone customer, the increase in data will attach itself to your account automatically – you don’t need to do anything to get it.
AT&T Confirms: $45 and $60 GoPhone Prepaid Plans Get More Data This Week is a post from: Droid Life
To go along with all of the excitement out of Mountain View at Google I/O, NVIDIA is getting in on the action, announcing a gang of new content for the NVIDIA SHIELD Android TV set-top box. Set to be included in Upgrade 3.2, available in the near future for all owners, new content is coming to SHIELD, including 4K streaming at 60fps from YouTube, HDR video from Netflix, HDR GameStream, and a ton of new application support for Android TV.
Listed as “new” for Android TV, there will be apps for the Disney Channel, Spotify, WatchESPN, Watch ABC, MTV, Comedy Central, and Deezer. Vudu with 4K video is also launching and will be a SHIELD exclusive.
For gaming, NVIDIA is bringing Resident Evil 5 (native Android), Shadwen (GeForce NOW), and Homefront: The Revolution (GeForce NOW) to gamers. Resident Evil 5 will be available on Google Play tomorrow, May 19.
NVIDIA has yet to announce exactly when Upgrade 3.2 will be made available, but as soon as it is, we will let you know.
Here’s the entire list of new content for NVIDIA SHIELD.
New Apps
More 4K Content (SHIELD only)
NEW HDR Content (SHIELD only)
New Games (SHIELD only)
More 4K Content, HDR Gaming Coming to NVIDIA SHIELD is a post from: Droid Life
Google did not spend too much time detailing changes for the Android TV platform during its opening I/O keynote yesterday, but following the event, plenty of information was posted to the company’s official blog. Not only did Google explain where potential Android TV users could find the platform in new 2016 TV and set-top hardware from various companies, but also explained a few changes we will see once Android N hits the platform.
If buying a new TV with Android TV baked in sounds like the best way to get your fix, Google states that new sets from Sony (2016 BRAVIA line) and RCA will have Android TV built in. For set-top boxes, users can buy one from Sharp or Xiaomi. The Xiaomi Mi Box supports 4K at 60fps, complete with 802.11ac WiFi, Dolby Digital Plus + DTS surround sound, HDR10 and HDMI 2.0a support, and more. Additional details for the Xiaomi Mi Box can be found here.
As for the changes taking place once Android N hits the platform, Google talks about 3 main focuses. Picture-in-Picture, Recording APIs, and HDR (High Dynamic Range). Picture-in-Picture will allow users to continue watching video while browsing for new content to enjoy, Recording APIs allows the recording of live TV, and HDR enhances the 4K UHD viewing experience on many TV sets.
We won’t have Android N on Android TV until Google releases it, which will be sometime in Q3.
Google Lists More Places to Find Android TV, Changes for Android N is a post from: Droid Life
