Author: Clinton

On Monday, Google announced that audio podcasts were coming to Google Play Music for the first time with the feature already enabled on the web and an updated app coming to Android.  To make your life easier and to find those podcasts you want to listen to on your phone, the Google search app on your phone has received a background update to help you find and play them.  The good news is that there is no update of an app required for users.  This is all on the back end and it is already working.

After a lengthy beta program for the Xperia Z2 and Z3, Sony has announced they have begun rolling out the Android Marshmallow update to the wider lineup of those devices, including those that were not in the beta program.  The update is firmware build 23.5.A.0.570 for those keeping score and brings these devices up to Marshmallow 6.0.1.  Owners of the Z2 or Z3 should start seeing the update come to them via an OTA update in the coming days.

Today in Brussels, the European Commission formally laid out charges of antitrust against Google for the Android mobile operating system.  In the complaint, the EC outlines that Google has made several anti-competitive moves with the Android operating system with regard to how apps are bundled with it, using Google search as default and prevented phone manufactures from building competitive operating systems based on Android.  If the charges are upheld, Google faces significant fines including up to 10% of their revenue in the EU.

The update to Pocket Casts, the multi-platform podcasts app, is an interesting one for Android users.  While the update does bring a few new features, the developer of the app, Shifty Jelly, is pretty open about this update being more future focused than present focused.  The update is build 5.4 for those keeping score at home and is rolling out to the Google Play Store now.

Let’s get your first question out of the way:  Why am I posting a review on a tablet that is over a year old?  Fair question.

The why is pretty simple.  If you are looking for a well spec’d, well designed tablet for under $300, the Nexus 9 remains one of the best options on the market today.  Yes you could go with a Pixel C but that $300 barrier comes into play.  Yes you could get another brand tablet for less money but when it comes to a pure Android experience, the Nexus 9 is very hard to beat.  And while I certainly focus a lot of attention on the latest devices and apps, there are times where something just a little bit older still does an amazing job at a lower cost than their replacement devices today.

So justifications made, I have no hesitation in recommending the HTC built Nexus 9 if you are looking for a sub-$300 tablet that performs exceptionally well and is going to be around for a while given that you can already load the Android N beta onto it.  I’ve been using one for the past several weeks and it is wonderful device that performs well for those who need a reasonably sized tablet.

The latest update to Google Maps is rolling out and with it comes the addition of 360-degree photos when you look at a location.  The update you are looking for is version 9.23.1 for those keeping score at home and should be coming to you via an OTA update if you have the app installed.  The only major change in this update is the addition of 360-degree images.