Category: Android

Over the course of the past two weeks, there have been a significant number of updates to a wide range of Google apps in the Google Play Store.  These update primarily have been laying the foundation for Android Marshmallow which is expected to be released next week.  While those on Android KitKat or Android Lollipop will not see the full benefits of many of these update until Marshmallow, there are a few apps that have hints as to what is coming.  One of these is the Google Search app.

The Google Search app has been updated to build 5.3.19.19 for those keeping score at home and one of the big changes that comes with the update is an all new App Drawer and the ability to quickly and easily search for apps that you have installed on your Android phone or tablet.  The update has been published to the Play Store but it is slowly trickling out so you may not see the update for a few days via OTA updates.

Google Search for Android – Free – Download Now

There are cases for protection and cases for looks and every once in a while you find one that does both for your devices. For me, both are equally important and one of the best at providing both of these is Noreve.

Noreve is a French company who has been making leather cases and accessories for mobile tech for years and I have been fortunate enough to review some of their products in the past. Recently they sent me the Traditions B case for the Google Nexus 7 tablet and it is, as I expected, superb in every way.

If you have been waiting for the least week or so since its launch for your Google Wallet app to update to Android Pay, you can now take matters into your own hands.  Google has released the Android Pay app into the Google Play Store for you to download to your NFC compatible devices.  The app is free and if you haven’t had a chance to check it out, you can read my first look at the app from last week when I got it on my Nexus 6.  Essentially this is the replacement for the old Google Wallet app (there is a new one for sending and receiving funds) rebranded with some security improvements and other performance updates.  There are a long list of retailers that are already accepting Android Pay because they were accepting Google Wallet prior to the launch.  Additional retailers and financial institutions are there now too and many more are in the roadmap to be added in the coming weeks.

Android Pay for Android – Free – Download Now

Google has released an update to Google Play Music for Android that should be a welcome sight… erm, I mean sound, to users.  The update, version 6.0.1995S for those keeping score at home, has completely overhauled support for Chromecast with all of the new updates and features of this release focusing on your ability to stream music through your Chromecast.  The update is rolling out now to the Google Play Store so if you haven’t received it yet, you should over the course of the next 2-3 days.  For those who haven’t tried Google Play Music, it is a free app (ad supported) that allows you to stream music and store your own music in the service.  For $9.99 per month you can get ad-free listening and the ability to download content to listen offline.

Google Play Music – Free (in-app purchases) – Download Now

I will admit that I’m a bit retentive when it comes to my work space. Everything has a place and everything should be easy to reach but equally, it needs to be tidy and organized. I don’t like seeing cables sticking out everywhere and I certainly don’t like my devices sitting on the desktop. They take up space and I already have a small enough desk space.

When I started looking for a desk stand for my Nexus 6 and Nexus 7, there were plenty out there but I couldn’t find that perfect one. That was until I discovered the Kbtel Micro Suction stand on Amazon. The aluminum body is angled perfectly for device viewing while you are stat at your desk. It also has a unique micro-suction technology that securely holds your device in either landscape or portrait mode. Add to that cable management on the back of it and the Kbtel stand is an elegant and simple design that just works.

Kbtel Universal Micro Suction Stand – $16.99 – Amazon

One of the most common questions I get here on the site has to do with screenshots.  The questions generally fall into two categories.  First, how to actually take the screenshot itself and second, how I create the images that you see in reviews or posts on applications.  In both cases they are easy and free to do and hopefully this How To will clear it up for you.

First, let’s focus on the actual screenshot taking process itself.  On your Android phone or tablet, when you are viewing the screen you want to capture, press the power button and volume down button at the same time.  You will know that you have captured it when your screen flashes and you see a fading image of what you captured on the display.  You will also get a screenshot notification in your Notification area.  The screenshot itself will be a PNG file and will be stored in your device’s photos folder.