Category: Google

The Google event is tomorrow and there is a lot that we are going to see.  From a new version of Android to new Android devices, we are going to get a wide range of things to ponder and lust over and there will likely even be a few surprises.  There are some things that are a given:  Two new Nexus phones, Android Marshmallow and a new Chromecast device.  But what else could we see?  I think there is a greater that zero chance we will see a lot more from the Googlers.

New Nexus Phones – Probability 100%

Again, this one is a given.  We will see not one but two new Nexus phones.  The Nexus 5X is 5.2″ device powered by the Snapdragon 808 processor while the Nexus 6P will be a 5.7″ device running the Snapdragon 810 processor.  The Nexus 5X is expected to be full HD while the 6P will be QuadHD and both will have over 400PPI so they are going to be ultra crisp and clean viewing displays no matter which size device you choose.  The Nexus 6P will come with the option of 128GB storage on board, a first for a Nexus device, while the 5X will come in 16/32/64GB of storage.  From a camera perspective, the 6P will have a 20MP camera while the 5X will only have a 13MP rear shooter.  Finally, both will have a fingerprint scanner for authentication, something that is supported in Android Marshmallow which these devices will be running.

Most of what we know on the Nexus 5X and 6P are already leaked so I don’t think we are going to see any surprises with the actual release tomorrow.  I suspect both devices will go on sale in October.

Earlier this week, Google dropped a pretty big update to Google Clock in the Play Store.  While most of us look at clock apps as pedestrian and not very exciting, this update to Google Clock actually brings a lot of new functionality and features that will make this utilitarian app a bit more useful and personal.  The update is build 4.2 for those keeping score at home and is available for both Android phones and tablets.

Among the changes in this update is the ability to have your alarms gradually increase in volume so you are gently notified or awaken instead of being jarred awake by a blasting alarm.  Speaking of alarms, you can now also select your favorite ringtone as your alarm sound instead of the standard ones the app offered previously.

Google Clock for Android – Free – Download Now

Google Text to Speech, the underlying TTS engine that powers many other apps on Android devices, has been updated today and coming with that update is support for four new languages.  You won’t find a Google Text to Speech app on your devices.  Rather, think of this as a service that runs in the background that other apps like Google Translate uses to translate text to spoken word or Google Play Books when you have the app read the book to you.  The update is build, wait for it, 3.7.12.2235583 for those keeping score at home and is available now in the Google Play Store.

Google Text to Speech for Android – Free – Download Now

Google has released an update to Chrome OS for Chromebooks that brings a raft of updates and fixes to the platform.  The update is build 45.0.2454.98 for those keeping score at home and it is primarily a fix and update release.  In reviewing the build notes, there are a lot of minor fixes and updates that should overall improve the stability of the platform.  One notable update that is in this is a fix for Adobe Flash Player.

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

While speculation has been rampant the last few weeks, it is now confirmed that Google is hosting an event in San Francisco on September 29th.  The event has all the makings of a huge showing from the company with a wide range of products expected to be announced and of course the launch of Android Marshmallow.

Invites to the events tagline  “Join us for some tasty treats and much s’more.”  is a great play on the whole Marshmallow theme and pretty much guarantees that the next version of Android will be officially launched at the event.  With the huge number of app updates from the Google stables happening these past few days, that’s hardly a surprise as all of them are prepping for Android Marshmallow.