Play Store

Google has launched another standalone Android app on the Google Play Store — its simple stock clock app for Android, giving users another option for their time related activities. The app is available on the Play Store as of now, and it is called aptly enough just “Clock”. Anyone who has used the stock Android clock will find that it functions the same way with alarms, the stopwatch, a snoozing function, the ability to set a timer, and all those needed features.

Continue Reading

You have to hand it to the NSA and its allies. It would have moved heaven and earth to be able to spy on anyone and everyone. In the interests of national security, of course. The latest covert plans revealed by whistleblower Edward Snowden strikes at the very heart of the Android world. According to leaked documents, the NSA and its counterparts in the "Five Eyes" alliance sought to ride on the traffic that connects smartphones with the likes of Google Play Store, in order to implant spyware on these devices.

Continue Reading

The pen is mightier than the sword, or so they say. And that holds true for some even in this digital age of cloud storage and note-taking apps. And thanks to Livescribe and its line of smartpens, you don't really have to make a hard decision between the two. And now, you don't have to turn into a green-eyed monster just because you root for the green robot. Yes, Livescribe+ is finally out of preview and now available to all on Android to take their scribbles to the digital frontier and beyond.

Continue Reading

If you've ever been in that situation where you failed to keep track of when an interesting app or game finally landed on Google Play Store, then you'll know how important this new feature is, both for users and developers. Now developers will be able to mark soon to be launched apps as "Coming Soon" and interested users can opt to be informed when that day arrives by pre-registering for the app. This enables both to squeeze out maximum engagement, and maybe even money, for the app.

Continue Reading

Google I/O 2015 is almost upon us, so of course we're bound to hear a lot about what's expected to land at Google's annual developer conference. Among those expected bits and pieces, which includes Android Pay, for example, one particular rumored announcement is causing some app developers to take serious note. According to developers who have been briefed on the matter, Google will use I/O 2015 as a launchpad to reveal it latest tool to help developers maximize and monetize their apps, what the industry calls A/B testing.

Continue Reading

At CES this year, Livescribe was ready for us with their Livescribe 3. The company also had a (very beta) working model of their Android app, which will take full advantage of everything their new pen had to offer. Starting today, anyone can check that app out for themselves, as Livescribe is making their Livescribe+ app available via Google Play. Available for download, Livescribe is saddling the app with a ‘Preview Edition’ name, meaning it’s still technically in beta form.

Continue Reading

True to their word, LG has made available the classy Watch Urbane this week although not yet in all retail outlets. However, those who have the luck of being able to access Google Store's collection of devices can now also grab the smartwatch for themselves. Yes, the LG Watch Urbane has landed on Google's device store but still in limited reach. In the meantime, as if to give way to the newest arrival, the LG G Watch R and the Moto 360 get a hopefully permanent price cut.

Continue Reading

Google is making a push for family-friendly content in the Play Store. Today, the company is announcing Designed for Families, a new program that will allow Developers to designate their content as safe for all eyes. While the program will undoubtedly put more eyes on apps, Google is also promising apps that fall under the Designed for Families banner “will be eligible for upcoming family-focused experiences on Google Play that will help parents discover great, age-appropriate content and make more informed choices.”

Continue Reading

It's not yet May the 4th and it's definitely not yet Christmas, but it seems that the Force will be in full, well, force this Friday. Come 10th of April, the Interwebs will most likely be clogged when hundreds of Star Wars fans try to download and stream all at once the Star Wars Digital HD collection which, for the first time, brings all, yes all, Star Wars film in digital format, HD quality. That means you can enjoy all of the good and the bad that Star Wars has to offer, wherever you are and on whatever device.

Continue Reading

Google is about to face the music about Wallet. A district court denied Google’s motion to dismiss a lawsuit that the company shared too much of a customer’s personal information with a Developer. Lead plaintiff in the case, Alice Svenson, says Google sent “unnecessary” info about her to YCDroid, whom she paid $1.77 to for an email app. Filed in September of 2013, the lawsuit is seeking up to $1,000 per incident and class-action status so others can pursue litigation.

Continue Reading

The apps you’re looking to download will soon be judged based on age and region rather than adhere to a worldwide standard. The ratings you find for apps will soon reflect a more regional flair, which Google says is an effort to make their ratings reflective of what is deemed appropriate content where you are. The new ratings system will have a questionnaire for Developers before they’re allowed to assign a rating, and will have oversight from various ratings agencies around the globe.

Continue Reading

Searching for apps in the Play Store or App Store is often a pain. With so many apps available, many offering the same features, it can be hard for Developers to distance themselves from the herd. According to a new blog post from Google, the company is about to let Developers pay to be featured in the Play Store via a ‘sponsored’ Search program. Saying “app discovery plays a critical role in driving your continued success”, sponsored results are set to start showing up in the coming weeks.

Continue Reading