Category: Google

The Google native keyboard alternative, Google Keyboard, has received a significant update today that brings several improved features along with the standard bug fixes.  If you haven’t tried Google Keyboard, it is a free download and is a great alternative keyboard to those built into many ROMs of devices out there.  It allows for swipe typing (drag your finger across the letters to spell a word) and has auto completion – a feature that is significantly improved in this update.  The new version is, wait for it, 4.1.22063.1974169 for those keeping score at home and for those who like large build numbers. 🙂

Google has released an update to Google Calendar for Android tablets and phones which brings several improvements, especially for those who use the app on their phone.  The update, version 5.2.1-94626333-release for those keeping score at home, has mainly focused on improvements around the month views on Android phones but also has moved some of the navigation elements in the app to improve and streamline it.  Although the name suggests it is for Google’s online calendar service only, Google Calendar can be your single calendar app on your phone or tablet as it allows you to pull in data from other account types including Exchange and Outlook.com.

Google Calendar – Free – Download Now

Google has released an updated version of the Android System WebView app that addresses several bugs around inline video playing and graphic driver bugs.  What is Android System WebView you ask?  It is actually installed on every Android device and it a Chrome powered application that allows Android apps to display web content.  It is an update that everyone should make sure they have installed on their devices, particularly if you have had some troublesome apps that won’t display web content or display it properly.  The new version is, wait for it… 43.0.2357.121.

Also note that this update is only for devices running Lollipop 5.0 or higher.  If you are on KitKat or older, you will not see this update.

The American Airlines app for Android has received a nice update today that brings support for Android Wear devices.  Now once you have viewed your boarding pass within the app on your phone, you will have it available on your watch for quicker boarding of your flight.  It’s one of the latest apps to support Android Wear and one that busy travelers who have Wear devices will likely find quite, erm, handy.  For those keeping score at home, the updated version is 4.0.1 and it is available now in the Google Play Store.

American Airlines for Android – Free – Download Now

The cloud storage app Google Drive has been updated for Android devices, bringing with it several performance improvements along with improvements to the built-in PDF viewer.  The update, version 2.2.182.17.35 for those keeping score at home, is available now for all Android devices.

Google has indicated in the release notes that this update to Google Drive brings performance and interface improvements.  In my testing of this update this morning, the update appears to have solved some lagging performance.  I have not noted any interface improvements but it could simply be that Google is referring to these performance improvements of the interface and not changes to the interface itself.  Regardless, it does appear that the update makes the app a bit more snappy in performance on my BLU VIVO IV.

Google Drive for Android – Free – Download Now

Google has updated their activity tracking app Google Fit with improved Android Wear support along with many bug fixes.  The update, version 1.51.07-000 for those keeping score at home, works on a wide range of Android devices and while Android Wear devices are supported, are not required.

If you aren’t familiar with Google Fit, it is an app that uses the sensors in your Android phone to track your physical activity such as running and walking.

Google Fit – Free – Download Now