Category: Android

Microsoft has released a new update of Bing for Android that brings a handful of new features and improvements.  The new build is version 8.2.26177804 for those keeping score at home.  If you have Bing installed on your phone, you should get the OTA update over the course of the next few days.

Among the new features is the ability to sync your search history across devices on which you use Bing.  The most vivid example of this would be your Android phone and your Windows 10 PC.  If you search for something in the Bing for Android app, you can go to Bing on your PC browser and get that search history there too.

Last week I posted about the new Chrome for Android beta app.  Unlike other beta programs in the Play Store, anyone can actually download the beta version of Chrome to their phone and give it a try without having to sign up for a formal beta program.  The update brought Chrome 66 to the app and on the surface, didn’t bring a lot of changes.

However, if you dig into the flags within Chrome for Android, you will find a new Chrome Modern Design option.  Enabling this flag transforms the User Interface into a rounded, clean design that frankly makes the current Stable channel UI look really dated.

The Google Phone app for Nexus and Pixel devices has a minor update rolling out today that streamlines the sound settings of the app.  Version 18.0.187698947 is the new build for those keeping score at home and on the surface, you won’t find anything new.

The only note of change is the Sound & vibration settings found in Settings.  In previous builds, this was located directly within the app so settings were somewhat independent of the system sounds.  That has changed in this build.  Now when you tap the sound settings, you are sent to the System sound settings, providing a bit more control but also a simplified experience.

Today’s Deal on the Essential Phone is pretty awesome all told.  First, the phone itself which just got upgraded to Android Oreo, is down to $449.  That’s the lowest price drop ever for the phone.  But, for a limited time, you also get the Essential Ear Buds for free.  That’s a $99 value itself so this deal is really good.  The deal is over at Amazon and you can get it for either the Black Moon or Pure White colors of the phone.

The PH-1 as it is known got off to a rocky start with most people loving the design but not so much when it came to the camera and overall stability.  That has changed, radically.  Essential has been pumping out updates at a steady clip for the phone and it is now one of the best flagship device options out there.  At this price, with the spendy ear buds included, it is a hard deal to pass up.

Google has rolled out six games as part of their Instant Apps initiative.  The games – Clash Royale, Words With Friends 2, Solitaire, Bubble Witch Saga 3, Mighty Battles, and Final Fantasy XV: A New Empire – can be found in the Google Play Games app on your Android phone.

The idea behind Instant Apps is to give you an opportunity to try out a game or app without having to actually download it to your phone.  You get a limited demo version of the game that loads right in the Play Games app and if you like what you see, you can download the full app.

When Android Pay was rebranded and revamped as Google Pay, it known that public transportation tickets would eventually make their way into the tap-to-pay app.  Now the first one has arrived in Las Vegas.

Starting today, you can purchase tickets for the Las Vegas Monorail online and have it added to your Pay wallet.  Then, when you get to a pay station, just tap your phone to the terminal like any other purchase.  When the gate turns green, go through the gate and your fare will be deducted from your balance.