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Wednesday, October 26, 2016

Poll Do You Still Buy Music

11:42 AM buy, do, music, poll, still, you

Poll Do You Still Buy Music

Pretty simple question, right? If you are wondering about the timing, it’s because the internet media fumbled and slobbered all over itself yesterday when a report surfaced suggesting that Apple was going to kill off paid music downloads within the next couple of years. Why would Apple do that, you ask? I think it’s pretty obvious that subscription streaming is the future, or at the very least, these tech companies are going to try to keep convincing you that it is. Apple has already called the report “not true,” but that doesn’t mean it isn’t an interesting idea. Ideas like this, though, are only that if the world has stopped buying music (sales are in decline) and is instead turning to streaming services exclusively. Then again, maybe Apple doesn’t care if you still buy music because they see more money in the long-run with you subscribing to streaming services.

And that brings us back to our poll for the day – do you still buy music? Do you pay for albums online or by physical copies of them? Have you given up buying music and have instead attached yourself to a subscription streaming service like Google Play Music or Apple Music? Do you both buy and pay for streaming? Feel free to answer the simple yes/no question before taking to the comments to explain.

Note: There is a poll embedded within this post, please visit the site to participate in this posts poll.

Google Cast Offer Gets You 3 Months of YouTube Red for 0 99 Which Means Google Play Music Too

8:52 AM 0, 3, 99, cast, for, gets, google, means, months, music, of, offer, play, red, too, which, you, youtube

Google Cast Offer Gets You 3 Months of YouTube Red for 0 99 Which Means Google Play Music Too

YouTube Red, the ad-free version of YouTube that also includes a subscription to Google Play Music at a price of $9.99 per month, can be had as a Google Cast (Chromecast) offer for just $0.99 for three months. At less than a dollar, I’d say signing up is probably worth the hassle if it gets you the next few months of ad-free YouTube streaming with a bonus of the Google Play Music collection on the side.

If you own a Cast-eligible device, you can check to see if the offer is available to you by hitting up the Google Cast Offers page, linked below. Once redirected, the site will check all of your devices to see if the YouTube Red can be yours. If it can be, the click of a “redeem” button followed by a short sign-up process over at YouTube should be all that is required.

Enjoy.

Google Cast Offers

youtube red deal cast

Cheers Marco!

FCC and FTC Want to Figure Out Why Security Updates Take so Long to Get to You

1:39 AM and, fcc, figure, ftc, get, long, out, security, so, take, to, updates, want, why, you

FCC and FTC Want to Figure Out Why Security Updates Take so Long to Get to You

Because security is always of the utmost importance, but maybe even more so today on mobile because we all have a smartphone and use it for everything we do, the FCC wants to figure out why it’s taking carriers and manufacturers such a long time to get you updates, namely security patches. Yesterday, through a press release, the FCC announced that it is partnering with the FTC to open an inquiry into mobile device security updates. The basic idea here is that they want carriers and manufacturers to tell them their process for updating, to see what can be improved.

The announcement from the FCC name-drops Stagefright as an example, a vulnerability that really had the potential to be a disaster for many people, but has since been patched a number of times by Google. Stagefright was such a big deal during much of last year that companies like Google, Samsung, and LG all promised monthly security patches to try and protect users going forward. Unfortunately, not everyone got on board with the monthly schedule and there could be millions of vulnerable people still to date with older devices that are no longer supported by OEMs or carriers.

The FCC sent letters carriers with questions about the processes for “reviewing and releasing security updates for mobile devices.” They want to know things like, if the carrier faces issues or hurdles in releasing updates, if there are hurdles getting users to install new updates, if carriers know if updates have been installed, and if security vulnerabilities in mobile devices pose threats to their networks. They also want to know all of the parties involved in getting an update ready and pushed out, how this process works differently from one operating system to the next, and when do carriers cut off security patch support for devices.

I can’t help but applaud the FCC for probing carriers over security updates, but will say that many of them have become quite good at getting out the monthly patches that start with Google and then carry on through companies like Samsung, LG and HTC. Thankfully, the FTC says that it is going after eight phone manufacturers (Apple, Blackberry, Google, HTC, LG, Microsoft, Motorola Mobility, and Samsung) to find out similar information. That’s a good thing, because there are certainly a couple that need to get with the program.

All parties have 45 days to respond to the FCC and FTC, so it could be a while before we know anything, including findings, thoughts, and if there are going to be recommendations for improving the entire process.

Via: FCC (PDF) | FTC (PDF)

OnePlus Will Let You Review the OnePlus 3 Early

11:12 AM 3, early, let, oneplus, review, the, will, you

OnePlus Will Let You Review the OnePlus 3 Early

To kick off the week with a Monday announcement, a Monday that just so happened to be a pretty major holiday here in the US and is not exactly a great day to announce anything that might be headed this way, OnePlus unveiled a program for the upcoming OnePlus 3 that could land you one ahead of time, for review. The program is called “The Lab,” and it works as a “peer review” program that involves 30 of OnePlus’ biggest fans reviewing the OnePlus 3 to deliver a “comprehensive community review.”

How do you get signed up? Well, you get to apply, not just sign-up. OnePlus wants anyone who is a fan of OnePlus to apply and sell themselves on why they would be the perfect candidate for early review. You have 500 words to do so, but if you have reviewed other products in the past, linking to those reviews could and probably will be beneficial.

OnePlus says they are doing this because the community built OnePlus and they want to give back and blah blah. It’s the same story all small companies pitch to their biggest fans, which is fine. I’m just not sure I fully understand the point of a “comprehensive community review” from the biggest OnePlus fans, a group that isn’t exactly going to go into a review unbiased and open to criticizing the product in front of them from the company they already love. But hey, marketing!

As of right now, over 8,500 people are on the list and OnePlus plans to choose 30.

If you are interested in pitching your services to OnePlus for a chance to review the OnePlus 3 early, head over to The Lab here.

Android Instant Apps Let You Run Apps Without Installing Them

8:26 PM android, apps, installing, instant, let, run, them, without, you

Android Instant Apps Let You Run Apps Without Installing Them

One of the most fascinating announcements to come out of yesterday’s Google I/O keynote came during the end of the 2-hour long presentation that had already rattled off news of Google Home, Assistant, Allo, Android Wear 2.0, and a new Daydream VR platform. The idea was not expected and certainly wowed a few in the crowd. I’m talking about Android Instant Apps, of course, a new project that Google is working that allows you and I to use an app without having to first install it.

The thought here is that getting access to an app should be as fast as finding and loading up a web page. Instead of doing a Google search, finding the information you want in an app, tapping on it to then install it, waiting for that to complete, and then moving on to your content, Google just wants you to be able to tap, load up the content you were looking for within the app, and be on to the next task.

How does that work, you ask? Google says that developers are going to have to “modularize” their apps, so that when you and I come hunting for info and it’s available in an app, Google Play can quickly load it up on our phones by only pulling in the “parts that are needed.” So as you tap on an app in Google Search, the app loads and looks like the app needed, but it’s not the full experience. You would still need to download and install the app to get that.

Instant Apps allow you to do plenty of things, like shopping for items with full checkout experiences and Android Pay, or paying for parking through a parking app that you never intend to install.

android instant apps

Google is rolling this idea out slowly and only working with select developers at this time, developers like Buzzfeed, B&H Photo, Medium, Hotel Tonight, and Disney. They did say that many developers could have their apps ready for Instant Apps within about a day, though, so converting it into this modular concept may not be all that difficult.

We should expect to see Instant Apps access later this year.

Via: Android Developers

Question of the Day What are You Hoping to See at Google I O Tomorrow

5:16 PM are, at, day, google, hoping, i, o, of, question, see, the, to, tomorrow, what, you

Question of the Day What are You Hoping to See at Google I O Tomorrow

So, umm, Google I/O starts tomorrow. You didn’t forget did you? If so, be sure to read our quick preview, as it dives into the latest rumors and also includes predictions on what we may or may not see.

Since we are on the eve of the magic that is I/O, we thought we would give you one last chance to weigh in with thoughts everything before it becomes official. Let’s talk about what we want to see the most, which sessions have grabbed our attention, and how awesome Matias’ outfit is going to look on stage at an amphitheater.

Ready? Go!

Poll Do You Like the Instagram Redesign

8:06 PM do, instagram, like, poll, redesign, the, you

Poll Do You Like the Instagram Redesign

It’s no secret, the Internet’s inhabitants are not too thrilled with Instagram’s new icon. Yeah, it’s sorta bright and obnoxious, but what about the revamped UI? Do people like that? Well, let’s find out.

Earlier this morning, Instagram made official changes to the UI, switching from its long-standing blue-hue look, to a white and black (monochromatic) aesthetic. To me, it’s a nice touch. It allows photos to pop a bit more. Surprisingly, I haven’t seen any change.org petitions going up to have IG reinstate the old UI, so that’s a good sign.

Share your feelings on the icon and new UI down below.

Note: There is a poll embedded within this post, please visit the site to participate in this posts poll.

Poll Will You Buy a Chromebook Once They Get Android Apps

11:30 AM a, android, apps, buy, chromebook, get, once, poll, they, will, you

Poll Will You Buy a Chromebook Once They Get Android Apps

Google’s big day 2 announcement at Google I/O centered around the Google Play store and Android apps making their way onto Chromebooks. I followed up that news by writing up a bunch (probably too many) of words on why I think this is a major game-changer and potentially puts the final nail in the Android tablet coffin.

In the early days, we talked about Chromebooks not being powerful enough and lacking the utilities many of us needed to get by on most days. With Android apps, that could (and should) all change, since Google Play includes an app for just about every single one of our favorite PC services.

Obviously, I think this is a huge deal and will take a great deal of time to test out the new functionality once it arrives, but I’m curious to know what the majority of you are thinking now. Are Android apps on Chromebooks enough to get you to buy one? If not, why?

Note: There is a poll embedded within this post, please visit the site to participate in this posts poll.

Google is Letting You Help Name Android N

5:17 AM android, google, help, is, letting, n, name, you

Google is Letting You Help Name Android N

What’s Android N going to be called? You know the question has be burning through your brain since the first preview arrived a couple of months ago. Google has teased options. We have taken guesses. But we still don’t know, even after today’s I/O keynote.

Well, Google is going to let you do something about it. During today’s keynote, Google announced that they are letting the people help decide what Android N should be called because they are struggling (or just want to include you in the fun). Seriously, they even have a website already setup for you to start submitting options.

Go here and let Google know what you think Android N should be!

Poll Do You Use Home Screen Widgets Still

4:36 PM do, home, poll, screen, still, use, widgets, you

Poll Do You Use Home Screen Widgets Still

Way back in the day, Android widgets were my thing. I rocked Beautiful Widgets, a Gmail widget, DashClock, Sound Search widget, and a few more that I can’t recall right off. These days, I feel old and lame, using a single widget from the stock Clock app on my phone. It’s not very cool.

Times have changed, I suppose. I don’t feel the need to have all of that information cluttering my home screen, and instead, I was a minimalistic look with quick access to the apps I frequently use. It might have also been the performance drag some widgets caused due to improper optimizations made for Android. Whatever the cause was, at this point, I’m over widgets.

Tell us, do you still widgets? If so, which ones can’t you live without?

Note: There is a poll embedded within this post, please visit the site to participate in this posts poll.

Wednesday, October 26, 2016

Poll Do You Still Buy Music

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Friday, October 14, 2016

Google Cast Offer Gets You 3 Months of YouTube Red for 0 99 Which Means Google Play Music Too

Cheers Marco!

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FCC and FTC Want to Figure Out Why Security Updates Take so Long to Get to You

Via: FCC (PDF) | FTC (PDF)

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Tuesday, October 4, 2016

OnePlus Will Let You Review the OnePlus 3 Early

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Monday, October 3, 2016

Android Instant Apps Let You Run Apps Without Installing Them

Via: Android Developers

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Friday, September 23, 2016

Question of the Day What are You Hoping to See at Google I O Tomorrow

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Wednesday, September 21, 2016

Poll Do You Like the Instagram Redesign

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Thursday, September 15, 2016

Poll Will You Buy a Chromebook Once They Get Android Apps

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Friday, September 9, 2016

Google is Letting You Help Name Android N

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Monday, August 8, 2016

Poll Do You Use Home Screen Widgets Still

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