Author: Clinton

This afternoon Google began pushing out a big update to Google Hangouts, their SMS & IM app for Android.  The update brings the app to version 7 and this is one that all users will want to get and try out.  Perhaps the biggest new feature is one that many Hangouts users had requested:  The ability to do Quick Replies.

Everyone pause for a moment and soak in the glory.

Now on the Notification Shade, you can do a quick reply to a message and send it.  It saves you from having to open up the Hangouts app and makes replies, especially while you are on-the-go (but not driving… because driving and Hangouts don’t mix).  There is nothing you need to do to enable the feature.  It will be automatically started for you after you upgrade to this new version.

Through the Google Chrome Release blog, the company has announced a new build of Chrome OS is now available for devices.  The updated build is version 48.0.2564.92 (Platform version: 7647.73.0) for those keeping score at home and it is available for all Chrome OS devices.  While most updates to the platform focus on performance and security improvements, this update also includes a number of user experience changes and app changes.

• Improved Download Notifications
• Material Redesign for Video Player
• Adding Google Photos as a Default App
• Update Recovery Screens
• Cultural Institute Wallpapers for Chrome OS

The update is available now and will be pushed to your device in the coming days.  I have already upgraded my Acer Chromebook and this update is big.  It took several minutes to download unlike most updates which take just a few seconds.

For the second time in three weeks, Google has dropped the price of the Nexus 5X.  Back on January 12th the company dropped their entry level Nexus phone by $30 and now have lopped off another $50 which brings the 16GB model to just $299.  The 32GB model has also dropped by $50 and is now $349.  For the specifications of the device, that is an excellent price and you will have Android Marshmallow already on the device.  Plus, as we all know, Nexus devices get Marshmallow updates first and faster than anyone else.

Nexus 5X – 16GB – $299 / 32GB – $349

If you have been waiting for the Blackberry Priv to come to T-Mobile then today is a very good day for you.  The flagship device from the company (and perhaps the savior of it all?) has come to T-Mobile and is available for Zero down on a 30 month payment plan for $30 per month or an outright purchase of $719.99.  The pricing is in line with what is offered by AT&T, the carrier who had the device exclusively since it’s launch so don’t expect a savings on it.

While the Blackberry Priv has had some mixed reviews, overall the device has done well in the market.  Currently it is running on Lollipop 5.1.1 but it is expected to receive its Marshmallow update this quarter.  Given that Blackberry has positioned the Priv as a secure and privacy friendly device, it is regularly updated with security patches and fixes and that should continue even after the Marshmallow update.

Blackberry Priv – T-Mobile

One of the things that I love about Android Marshmallow is Doze, the battery saving feature of the OS that I believe is one of the killer features of the release.  But for some users, Doze and App Sleep have proven to be a little bit to sleepy, especially when it comes to Gmail.  Multiple users have reported in various forums, websites and communities that they are having notifications for Gmail not happen if their device is in Doze.  The reason behind this is pretty straight forward.  Google has enabled battery optimization for Gmail so when your phone is in Doze it does not listen for email and thus, you don’t get notified.

There is a way however for you to prevent this from happening which is to turn off the optimization for the app on your Android Marshmallow powered device.  In fact, the How To I’m going to outline can be applied to any app that you have installed on your phone or tablet, not just Gmail.  But, and you probably figured this out already, by disabling battery optimization, you lose some of the battery saving benefits of Doze on your device.  Essentially this How To is going to show you how to bypass Doze so proceed with caution.  If you override to many apps, you will still see a lot of battery drain while your device is sitting idle, unplugged on your desk.

Over the weekend on the Android Developers Blog, Google announced a significant change is coming this year to Google Play Games.  To this point, if you played a game on your Android device and signed into the service, it required you to have a Google+ ID to do so.  It created a multi-step process for users and is a bit of a hold over from when Google tried to push everyone and everything through Google+.  At some point this year, Google is going to eliminate this requirement and gamers will be able to sign in one time per account and any new games they start playing, they will be automatically signed into the service.

We’re taking steps to reduce sign-in friction and unnecessary permission requests for players by moving the Games APIs to a new model. The new interaction is:

• Players are prompted to sign-in once per account, rather than once per game

• Players no longer need their account upgraded to Google+ to use Play Games services

• Once players have signed-in for the first time, they will no longer need to sign in to any future games; they will be automatically signed in

• Note: Players can turn off auto-sign-in through the Play Games App’s settings

It is certainly going to make it much easier for players to sign into the service, especially on new games where they can just get to playing immediately without having to go through the whole sign in process repeatedly.