Author: Clinton

While the numbers are not dramatic, Android Marshmallow continues to gain in use and share according to the latest Android Developer Dashboard on versions of Android in use.  The latest version of the mobile OS made its debut in the report last month and as of the report today, is on .5% of all devices that went to the Google Play Store for the period ending December 7, 2015.  That is up from .3% in the initial report.  Although it is far from where everyone would like it to be, the growth is significant in these early days of Marshmallow as it shows more manufactures are getting the update out to their devices.

In comparison however, Android Lollipop still has 29.5% share which actually increased a bit as well over last month while KitKat, the top version out there, fell by nearly 1% which should be expected at this point in the life cycle of the release.

Google has finally released the Pixel C, their latest Android tablet meets laptop replacement device, to the Google Play Store.  The Pixel C was announced at the Android Marshmallow and Nexus event a few months ago and it has only been a matter of when the Mountain View company would release it.  That wait has ended today with the 32GB unit starting out a $499 while the 64Gb until will start at $599.

Like Apple with the iPad Pro, Google is trying to develop an answer for the Microsoft Surface which this past month out sold the iPad lineup.  Google’s focus with the Pixel C is like the iPad Pro which is to bring laptop-like functionality in an easy-to-use and highly available device.  While it will remain to be seen if the 10.2″ display device will meet the need, many Android users and fans have been waiting for its release.

Google has released an update to Google Calendar that, while is mainly focused on performance improvements, also brings a new and pretty sophisticated reminders function to the app.  The update is version 4.1 for those keeping score at home and it is in the Google Play Store now.  If you have not received the OTA update, you should over the course of the next couple of days.

The new reminder function allows you to setup a reminder for a wide range of activities from phone calls to checking in for flights and is found on the “+” menu in the lower right corner of the app.  Now you can chose Reminder as well as Event on that menu.  By adding a reminder, you will be able to tell the app what you want to be reminded of and fill in the details.  A reminder is then placed in your calendar for that event and you can setup notifications to remind you of your reminder.

Google has released the December update for Android Lollipop and Marshmallow, holding true to their monthly security updates to the mobile platform.  The new images for Nexus devices has been released for OTA updates as well as factory images and for Marshmallow, it will be known as 6.0.1.  If you have a Nexus device, you can expect to start seeing the update over the next couple of days unless you are locked to a carrier in which case it will be a bit longer.

The update contains no less than 16 vulnerability fixes, the most severe of which allowed for remote code execution.

The most severe of these issues is a Critical security vulnerability that could enable remote code execution on an affected device through multiple methods such as email, web browsing, and MMS when processing media files.

In all there were 4 critical issues addressed along with 10 high risk issues and 2 moderate risk issues.

Fitbit has released an updated version of the app for Android phone that, while mostly focused on fixes and improvements, also brings a new look to the exercise tracking of the app.  The updated build is version 2.15 for those keeping score at home and it is out in the Google Play Store now.  If you have the app installed you can expect the OTA update at any point over the next couple of days.

The Fitbit app has always had a exercise log where from the main page you could enter in exercise (or sync it from another app if you log elsewhere (I log in MyFitnessPal personally and have it sync)) and see in a calendar form how you did for a particular week.  That information along with minutes exercised and calories burned is still there, but now you have a weekly challenge that you configure to help you stay on task of getting and staying healthy through exercise and a sensible diet.

Fitbit for Android – Free – Download Now

Today the Google team has rolled out a great improvement to the search results on your Android phone or tablet.  Now when you do a search of a band, actor or actress, TV show or Movie, you get a significant amount of more information about them than just the search results themselves.  The update was announced on the Inside Search blog and it is a behind-the-scenes update from the company.  That means it is working now for everyone on Android devices and soon will work for iOS Google Search.

If you search for a band, you will see an overview of that band, albums and photos of the band, see songs information, links to videos of the band of particular songs, their discography and you are a tap away from playing their music from sources like YouTube, Google Play Music, iHeartRadio and TuneIn.  It is a great way to help you identify more music from a song you have heard or if you have a favorite band (Rush fans unite!) you can get all kinds of great information on them.