Google Acquires Messaging Company Jibe Mobile

September 30, 2015 Acquisitions & Mergers, Google, Jibe Mobile No Comments
Google Messenger for Android

In an effort to bolster their own Rich Communication Services (RCS), Google has acquired Jibe Mobile, a leader in the space.  For those who don’t know, RCS is a new standard that is being rapidly adopted by mobile carriers as an they look to provide richer content than SMS can provide.  RCS allows you to do things like group messaging and high resolution photos and Google is working closely with the mobile industry to help get this new service enacted.

In a post on the Official Android Blog, Google outlines that the acquisition of Jibe Mobile will help them continue this adoption work and will build upon what Jibe Mobile has already built in this space.

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Weather Channel Adds Health Module to Android App

September 30, 2015 Android Phone, Android Tablet, App Update, Weather App, Weather Channel No Comments
Weather Channel Health Module

The Weather Channel app for Android has been updated with a new and important feature as we go into winter and what is typically the cold & flu season here in the US.  The app has a new Health Module that provides you details about the pollen, breathing comfort and flu conditions in your area.  It’s a great addition, especially for those who suffer from allergies or have breathing difficulties under certain weather conditions.  The update is version 5.10.0 for those keeping score at home and is available now in the Google Play Store.

Weather Channel for Android – Free – Download Now

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Google Is Really Serious About Project Fi

September 30, 2015 Android Marshmallow, Google, Nexus 5X, Nexus 6, Nexus 6P, Opinion, Project Fi No Comments

There was an undertone at the Google event yesterday that didn’t necessarily go unnoticed but certainly wasn’t put to the fore.  Google is serious about Project Fi.  For those who don’t know, Project Fi is the mobile service that Google launched in April of this year and it uses a unique combination of existing carriers (T-Mobile and Sprint) as well as always on Wi-Fi to make calls and consume data on your device.  It is a pay-as-much-as-you-use plan meaning that if you have a 3GB data plan and only use 1GB, you only pay for that 1GB, not the entire 3GB like traditional carriers.  With the base package of $20 giving you unlimited calls and text then just $10 per gigabyte of data, the plan is cost effective when you compare it to other carriers.

To this point Project Fi has been invitation only and only available on the Nexus 6.  Google, wisely, has wanted to control the number of people on the service so they can better manage expectations and experiences.  After yesterday however, it is clear that Google is committed to Project Fi with the addition of the Nexus 5X and Nexus 6P but also the payment plan you can sign up for on these devices when you sign up for Project Fi.  While it certainly isn’t the flood gates opening, it is more than the trickle of invites that have been committed to so far.

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Updated Chromecast App In The Play Store

September 29, 2015 Android, Android Phone, Android Tablet, Chromecast, Google No Comments

With two new Chromecast devices announced today by Google, it is only fitting that the app for Android has been updated as well.  The updated app is available now in the Google Play Store and it brings a huge number of updates to support better content searching and apps that can use Chromecast already installed on your device. The update is version 1.12.32 for those keeping score at home and is designed for both Android phones and tablets.

Chromecast for Android – Free – Download Now

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HTC One M8 and M9 To Get Android Marshmallow in 2015

September 29, 2015 Android Marshmallow, HTC, One M8, One M9 No Comments
Android Marshmallow

If you are the owner of an HTC One M8 or One M9, today is a good day for you too.  HTC’s Jason Mackenzie has tweeted that both of these devices will be the first to receive the Android Marshmallow update and that will happen before the end of 2015.

This is great news and while it will lag behind the Google Nexus devices which will get Android Marshmallow next week, it is good to know that HTC is committed and putting a timeline for when users can expect the update.

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