Google Daydream Update Brings Controller Performance Improvements

There is a new update to Google Daydream that brings a wealth of updates and improvements.  The new build is version 1.7 for those keeping score at home and it is rolling out in the Play Store now.  If you have a Google Pixel device or a Huawei Mate 9, you’ll want to pick up this update once it comes to you via an OTA update.

Overall, Daydream Home in the app has been redesigned to give you quick access to content and experiences.  It doesn’t look much different than the previous build but there is much more content in the top carousel than in the previous release.

Today’s Deal – Belkin 3-Outlet & 2-USB Travel Surge Protector for $12

Today’s Deal is on the Belkin 3-Outlet travel surge protector.  The adapter sports 3 AC outlets and two, 2.1A USB-A ports to charge your devices at the same time.  Today on Amazon it is down to $11.99.  It is a great travel accessory as, if you are like me, you are always hunting for additional electrical outlets in hotel rooms.

The adapter has a 360-degree rotating plug so you can fit it really anywhere and it has 4 locking positions.  It has a 918 Joule energy rating to protect your devices against power surges and Belkin backs it up with a lifetime warranty and a $75,000 connected equipment warranty.  

The deal is today only and, as with most of Today’s Deals, the Belkin 3-Outlet travel adapter has free shipping for those of you who are Amazon Prime customers.

For more details and information, head over to Amazon.  You’ll note there is also a 6-outlet version if you need a slightly larger version.  That one is $22.49.

Huawei P10 Update Rolling Out with Improvements and May Security Update

There is a new update for the Huawei P10 that is rolling out now to device owners.  The update is for both the dual-SIM and single-SIM variants of the phone and it brings an updated security patch and other performance improvements.  The update is VTR-L09C432B150 or VTR-L19C432B150 depending on which variant you have in hand.  The builds are identical in updates and are about 270MB in size.

The update includes several improvements to the device including improvements to the camera app for more natural colors and adds a Moving picture feature which creates a small movie from your photo.  There are also battery performance improvements in this update, especially for times when you use your phone over a long period.

Today’s Deal – Google WiFi Single down to $99 on Amazon

Today’s Deal is on the Google WiFi single Access Point, which will give you Wi-Fi access throughout most homes & apartments.  Right now the single unit is on sale for $99, a savings of $30.

If you have a home or apartment that is 1500 square feet or less, the single should do the job for you.  No need to overbuy.  Over that and up to 4500 square feet, the 3-Pack is what you need for your home.  That is also on sale at $269.  The nice thing is, if you get a single and add more later, it is easy to add the new ones to the network via the Google WiFi app on your Android phone or iPhone.

Google Home Update Brings Google Music Library Playing, Not Just Stations

Chalk this one up in the “about time” category.

There is an update rolling out for Google Home that finally brings the ability for Google Play Music subscribers to stream their library of uploaded and purchased music to the Smart Speaker.  The update is rolling out as a device-side to your Google Home.  There is no update to the Home app itself expected – but keep an eye out.

To this point, when you wanted to play music on Home, it would always stream stations from the service, regardless if you had that music in your Google Play Music library.  The work-around of sorts was to specifically name an album that you have in your library, say “Play the album Clockwork Angels from Rush”.  If the album you requested was in Play Music, it would play it but it was streaming from the service itself, not necessarily what you had in your library.  This becomes a problem if there is an indie artist or other music that you have in your library but it isn’t in Google Play Music.  The work-around above won’t work.  The other work-around was to cast Play Music from your phone to your Home but that somewhat defeats the point, eh?

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