Category: Google

Since the release of Lollipop about 6 months ago, Google has been on a slow and methodical march with the apps that are included in the release.  While we have always had stand alone apps like Google Maps and YouTube, increasingly even the most basic of apps found in Lollipop are being released into the Google Play Store for everyone to download, regardless if they are running Android 5.x or not.  Apps like Google Messages (for SMS), Google Calendar, Inbox, Chrome and the latest, Google Clock are no longer confined to just the latest release of Android.  Anyone can download them and get a Lollipop-like experience with these apps but also get the latest-and-greatest offerings from Google.

This migration to standalone apps is not being highly touted by Google but in my opinion it is a sign of things to come and a step in the right direction when it comes to base Android versus apps.  By making this move it also helps solidify the future of Android by potentially speeding up releases of Android core updates.  It is a win for everyone.

You may have 99 problems, but streaming radio certainly shouldn’t be one of them.  Last week Google announced that their Google Play Music app and service will now provide you free, ad-supported streaming music to your Android phone and tablet with a premium, ad-free service costing $9.99 per month. It falls in line with other services that are already available and the upcoming Apple Music service coming to iOS in July.  The question for Google will be if anyone will be interested given there are so many options available today but the Google Play Music does have some nice features like being able to incorporate your own music you have uploaded into the service, something you aren’t able to do on some other services.  To get this new streaming feature you will need to have the latest Google Play Music app which is now up to version 6.0.1945S for those keeping score at home.

Google Play Music – Free (In-App Subscription Available) – Download Now

For those who have the AT&T version of the Nexus 6, it’s a good Wednesday morning for you.  The Lollipop 5.1.1 update is starting to roll out from the US carrier, following in the footsteps of Sprint and US Cellular who have already released the update (see my article on why I think Android Lollipop updates are broken and this delay is a good example).  The update is coming via an over-the-air (OTA) update and is 81MB in size according to the AT&T site. Interestingly, the site also points out that the OTA update will slowly ramp up over the course of the week.  That means if you check for an update on your Nexus 6 and don’t see it, try again later as it may just not be to you yet.

Google Maps for Android has been updated with a small but really handy feature.  Now when you use the app for navigation, it will inform you prior to you starting your journey if the destination will be closed when you arrive.  Obviously the implications of this are significant in that you can save time and fuel by not going to the destination only to find it closed.  The update, version 9.10.1 for those keeping score at home, was released yesterday and while it is the only really new feature, it is certainly a handy one.

Google has released a significant update to the Google Camera app and if you own a Nexus 4, 5 or 6 you will certainly want to get it on your device.  While most of the improvements in this release are focused on the Nexus lineup, there are a few features and improvements for everyone regardless of which Android device you are using.  This new update bumps the version to 2.5.052 (2005148-30) for those keeping score at home and is available now in the Google Play Store.

For those who aren’t familiar with it, Google Camera is a camera alternative for your device.  It is a simple, easy-to-use camera app that covers all the basics of smartphone photography.  You can read my review of Google Camera here on the site and it remains the primary camera app I use on my OnePlus One.

Google has updated their news and magazine reading app Google Play Newsstand with several improvements that all users of the app will benefit from having on their device.  If you aren’t familiar with the app, it is a news curation app that allows you to see articles from a wide range of news sources in one app on a variety of different topics.  This latest update, version 3.4.1 for those keeping score at home, also has improvements for the widgets you have display on your home screen on your Android phone.  The app is free and free to use.