Author: Clinton

Google has released an important update to the Project Fi app for Android that expands the devices that can run the app.  Previously you could only run the Project Fi app and manage your account from a Nexus 6, the first device that could run on the Project Fi network.  Now with the addition of the Nexus 5X and the Nexus 6P, not only can you manage your account from those two new devices but from any Android device running Android Lollipop or higher.

The updated version of the Project Fi app is version F.1.5.10 for those keeping score at home and it is rolling out to the Google Play Store now.  If you are a Project Fi customer you should see the update hit your device any time between now and the next day or two.  If you are not a Project Fi customer you can still download the app to get an idea of how the mobile plans from Google work but obviously it doesn’t do a lot for you without being on the plan.

Project Fi – Free – Download Now

With Halloween fast approaching, the team at Rovio have not let Angry Birds 2 players down.  A new update to the sequel to the popular pig-popping game is now in the Google Play Store and it brings a new area to play, Snotting Hill.  In the release notes, the new level is described as slimy and slippery so that should give players a clue of what to expect once you reach this new level.  The update is version 2.2.1 for those keeping score at home and it is available now in the Play Store.  The game is free but as you would expect in this day of Freemium, there are in-app purchases you can make (although I’ve been play since it has been released and not spent any real money on it yet – it’s pretty easy to not spend money on it. Bravo Rovio!)

Angry Birds 2 – Free (In-App Purchases) – Download Now

Google has released an update to the the Google Street View app that now supports Google Cardboard for a more immersive experience.  The update is version 2.0 for those keeping score at home and it has been released to the Google Play Store.  That means if you have the app installed on your Android phone or tablet, the update will be coming to you anytime from now to a couple of days.  For those who don’t remember, Google released Google Street View as a standalone app about this time last month, separating it from being embedded within Google Maps.  The reason is for updates like this one which allow Google to give a more enhanced experience without the limitations of the Maps app.

Google Street View – Free – Download Now

If you are like me, next to my bed each night is my Android phone or tablet.  I use either of them for reading in the evening to wind down and given that my mobile number is the only number most of my family have for me, I want to have it near me in case of emergencies.  That said, I work for a global company and I get email at all hours of the day and night and the occasional call when someone forgets the world is round and we have time zones.  What I don’t want – and my wife really doesn’t want – are these tones and rings waking us up at night. Likewise, I don’t want the vibration of my phone sitting on my nightstand waking me up.

There have been a variety of apps that give you a Do Not Disturb like function for Android but with Android Marshmallow, it went native.  Google now includes a DND mode in their latest build of Android and it is highly customizable for your needs.  In fact, you can even have multiple rules for different days of the week.  All of this can be configured with just a few taps and I will show how to set these up so you can take advantage of this great new feature.

With the 2015-2016 National Hockey League season starting this week here in the US and Canada, you can get ready to keep up with your favorite teams and players with the official NHL for Android app.  The app is full of news, video highlights, social network feeds, stats and standings from across the league and you can configure the app to focus just on your favorite team – because really? As a Colorado Avalanche fan do I care about what’s going on with the Dallas Stars?  No, not really. 🙂

The NHL for Android app runs on Android phones and tablets and if you are a NHL Gamecenter subscriber, you can watch live action from across the league right on your devices.  I’ve often said that the best sports league app in my opinion is the MLB At Bat app for Major League Baseball but the NHL for Android app is undoubtedly just as good.  If you love stick & puck, you need to have this app on your phone or tablet.

Official NHL for Android App – Free – Download Now

Google has announced a new open source initiative aimed at bringing speed while maintaining content richness to the mobile web.  The project, Accelerated Mobile Pages, builds on existing web technologies and relies on AMP HTML, a new open framework built from those technologies.

Today, after discussions with publishers and technology companies around the world, we’re announcing a new open source initiative called Accelerated Mobile Pages, which aims to dramatically improve the performance of the mobile web. We want webpages with rich content like video, animations and graphics to work alongside smart ads, and to load instantaneously. We also want the same code to work across multiple platforms and devices so that content can appear everywhere in an instant—no matter what type of phone, tablet or mobile device you’re using.

The good news is that Google already has a lot of other companies signed up to help drive the project forward.