Category: Android Tablet

Google Docs continues to evolve into a powerful word processing app and the latest update gives users even more ability when it comes to Microsoft Word docs.  You have been able to track changes in Word docs being viewed and edited by Google Docs and now you have the ability to reply to comments in those docs, not just read them.  This latest update is build 1.4.272.12.35 (gotta love Google’s version numbering system!) and it is for both Android phone and tablet devices.

Google Docs – Free – Download Now

The second game of the Angry Birds franchise, Angry Birds Rio, has been updated for Android phones and tablets with an new coin bonus for completing 2 or 3 stars on each level.  The new coin bonus is aimed to make it quicker and easier for players to get power-ups and other bonus features in the game without necessarily having to spend real money.  The update is build 2.4.0 for those keeping score at home and even if you have been playing the game for a while, it is worth the update to get some new and improved power-ups.

Angry Birds Rio – Free (In-App Purchases) – Download Now

The Google News & Weather app is one of those apps that doesn’t get a huge amount of airtime but it is actually a pretty good little app.  Curating news from over 65,000 sources, it gives you one touch access to headlines, sports, financial and world news quick and easy.  It is also pretty customizable to the content you are interested in seeing and this latest update, version 2.3 for those keeping score at home, brings one new feature that has been missing for a long time from the app:  Push Notifications for important news events.  As one who uses the app, it is a great new feature and for those who haven’t given it a go, it is certainly worth a look for your Android phone or tablet.

Google News & Weather app – Free – Download Now

Many like to compare Google Play Newsstand to Flipboard, the news and information curation app and service.  While Flipboard certainly has its strengths and features that Google Play Newsstand doesn’t offer, the Google alternative does have some great features.  Frankly I look at these as complementary apps more than anything because Google’s app, while Flipboardesque in many ways, equally has some features that make it stand out.  Most notably, it is your source for magazine reading for your Google Play subscriptions through the Play Store.

The latest update to Google Play Newsstand is available now and it brings a great new feature that allows you to pin a news source from the app directly onto your Home Screen, saving you from having to tap into the app.  You love everything you read on AP (Associated Press)?  Then pin it to your Home Screen.  To get this new feature you need to be running the latest version of Google Play Newsstand, build 3.4.2 on Android phones for those keeping score at home, which is available as now in the Play Store

Google Play Newsstand – Free – Download Now

Google has issued an update to the Google Maps app for Android, bringing with it the ability to send Google Maps search results on your PC to your mobile.  It gives you the best of both worlds: Search on your larger display PC then have that result show up on your mobile device.  The best part is you don’t really have to do anything to make all this work.  This new version, build 9.11.0 for those keeping score at home, is for both Android Phone and Android Tablet powered devices.

Google Maps – Free – Download Now

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