Category: Android

In the latest update to Google Wallet, you now have the ability to send money to friends and family via their email address or SMS.  The update, which is in the Google Play Store and rolling out now, adds a key functionality to the app which by-and-large was replaced by Android Pay back in September.  Wallet is now more focused on sending and receiving funds from individuals while Android Pay is focused on the retail point of purchase.

The update to Google Wallet is version 12.0 for those keeping score at home and is designed for Android phones.  Prior to this update, the person you were sending funds to had to have an email address.  You can still send funds that way if you want but if you only have someone’s mobile number, you can simply send them the funds to that number.

Google Wallet – Free – Download Now

As a Google Docs user and one who is constantly on the go, I find myself doing more document creating and editing on my Nexus 6 and Nexus 7 than I do within Chrome.  One glaring gap between the web version and the Android version however was document templates in all of the Docs suite:  Google Docs, Google Slides and Google Sheets.  That gap is filled now in the latest update to all three apps, bringing to your phone or tablet templates to make your document creating faster and easier.

Starting now, when you go to create a new document, spreadsheet, or presentation on your Android or iOS device (by clicking the red “+” button in the bottom right corner of your screen), you’ll be given the option to choose a template. These templates will be the same as those available to you in Docs, Sheets, and Slides on the web, including a meeting agenda, pitch deck, expense report, and more.

No longer do you have to go to the website to do this – a big benefit if you are working offline on your phone or tablet and when you need to create new content.

If you are considering a move to the Google apps over Microsoft Office, you may want to take a look at my 4-part series on my transition over the summer.

My Migration to Google Docs Part 1 – The Setup

My Migration to Google Docs Part 2 – Google Docs on All The Toys

My Migration to Google Docs Part 3 – Between the Google Sheets

My Migration to Google Docs Part 4 – Sliding to Google Slides

I read a lot, especially at night, on my Nexus 7 tablet, so eye strain and fatigue is always a concern for me.  I’ve found ways around this to a large extent by enabling sepia tone mode in Google Play Books but it only goes so far.  Google seems to agree and with the latest update to the eBook reader app, they have created a Night Light mode.  Using information based on the amount of sunlight available, the app will gradually change the temperature and brightness based on that information.

When turned on, Night Light gradually filters blue light from your screen, replacing it with a warm, amber light as the sun sets. Night Light automatically adapts to the amount of natural sunlight outside based on the time of day, giving you just the right temperature and brightness. The color adjustment is more comfortable on your eyes and greatly improves low-light night reading.

Essentially, if you have been using the Sepia mode like I have in Google Play Books, this is an automatic version of making this change plus it adjusts the brightness.  It is a bit genius.

Google Play Books – Free (In-App Purchases) – Download Now

While the vast majority of the world is still waiting for Android Marshmallow to hit their devices for the first time, that doesn’t mean that Google themselves have stopped pushing the mobile platform forward.  This week the company released the 6.0.1 update and many Nexus 5, 5X, 6, 6P, 7 and 9 owners are already seeing the update hit their devices.  The numbering convention somewhat gives it away that this update is a minor update but it is more than then monthly security updates that Google sends out for Android.  There are several new features along with a smattering of improvements and updates to Android itself.

The first and likely most visible change to most users is the new set of unicode 8 emoji that come in Android Marshmallow 6.0.1.  This brings Android on par with iOS when it comes to emoji, something that generally Google has lagged on in the past.  The new emoji include updates to virtually all of the ones in Android as well as brings a pile of new ones including country flags (to be fair, they were there before but you couldn’t access them) You can get the complete list of all emoji on all platforms over at the unicode.org site although the team over at Ars Technica have put together a specific list for Android that is pretty handy.

Google continues to push the Google Play Newsstand app as your single source for news and information about topics you care about as well as a magazine reader.  The latest update add something simple but important for those who start their day with this app:  Local weather.  Now when you open up the app, at the top in the Headlines section you will see the local temperature as well as the forecast high and low for the day.  You will also see an icon next to the temperature to indicate if it is sunny, raining, snowing and other weather conditions.

The updated version of the app is in the Google Play Store now and it is version 3.4.6 for those keeping score at home and if you already have the app installed on your phone or tablet, you should see the OTA update shortly.

In addition to the weather information, Google has also improved the article layouts in the app to improve loading speeds and performance.

Google Play Newsstand – Free – Download Now

Last week I posted that Google Play Music would be introducing the Family plan for subscribers “soon”.  Soon appears to be today.  In the latest update to the Android phone and tablet apps, you can now sign up for the family subscription.  If you are a family with lots of music lovers, this will be a great plan at only $14.99 per month for unlimited streaming and downloading for up to 6 members of your household.  Keep in mind that a single subscription is $9.99 per month so basically for $5 you getting 5 additional accounts.  Plus, that subscription also gets each member access

Google Play Music Family Plan

to YouTube Red, the ad-free version of that service, which is valued at $9.99 per month.  It is a very competitive offering in a landscape full of streaming music services. To sign up your family members, you will need to have their email addresses that are associated with their Google accounts.  This is usually their Gmail account but it could be different.  You can designate those who have account rights as well as those who are required to get permission for making purchases.

One thing to note, if you are currently trying out Google Play Music via a trial (if you took advantage of it after buying your Chromecast for example) and subscribe to the family plan, your trial plan ends immediately.  That may not be that big of a deal for some but keep it in mind.  The trial is for individual users only.

Also, if you want to sign up for the Family plan, currently you can only do it from your Android devices.  The web-based Play Music site does not allow you to sign up.

The latest version of the app is 6.2.2221U for those keeping score at home and it is out in the Google Play Store now.  If you have the app installed on your device(s) then you should see the OTA update for it at any point over the next couple of days.  If you haven’t downloaded and tried it yet (you can try it free for 30 days) now is a good time to do so and see if it is right for your family.

Google Play Music – Free (In-App Purchases) – Download Now