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Google Play Books gets copy-paste and Single Sign-On support

Christian Zibreg ∙ September 16, 2013

With less than 48 hours until iOS 7 is let out of the cage, Apple's iOS developers have been tremendously busy updating their iPhone and iPad apps with iOS 7 compatibility. Needles to say, we're expecting a brand new and flattened version of the company's own iBooks app and its other downloadable iPhone and iPad programs, such as the free iLife/iWork suite. But those who get their electronic books from Google, however, should download the newly updated Play Books app.

Not only does it include handy support for copy and paste, there's the tremendously useful unified account sign-in feature which lets you skip typing altogether and instead log in with your Google Account real fast...

Google buys mobile sharing app Bump

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated January 24, 2016

In the early days of the App Store, Bump was a popular way to exchange photos, links and other items between iPhone owners, augmented by the fact that iOS to date doesn't support standard Bluetooth file sharing.

Six years later, we have AirDrop as the preferred method of beaming documents, images and just about anything between nearby iOS 7 device.

Be that as it may, if an Android-toting friend asks you politely to wirelessly transfer a photo you took with your iPhone - or a contact card or perhaps a location - over to his device, the cross-platform Bump app is still the best solution.

To all the fans of the software out there: I hope you won't mind that Google has now snapped up Bump Technologies and its namesake app for an undisclosed sum - the search monster's first acquisition since it paid $1 billion for Waze back in June...

Nokia was working on an Android phone before Microsoft buyout deal

Cody Lee ∙ Updated March 15, 2018

In February of 2011, Microsoft and Nokia announced a joint strategic partnership that would see Windows Phone become the principal platform strategy for Nokia's mobile devices. And the Finnish giant took quite a bit of heat for putting all of its eggs in Microsoft's basket.

But according to a new report, the company had a plan b: an Android device. Sources familiar with the project say that a team within Nokia had Android up and running on its Lumia handsets "well before" it began buyout negotiations with Microsoft for its mobile phone business...

iPod Godfather says Apple built Google Glass style eyewear prototypes

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated May 16, 2018

Tony Fadell, the brains behind the popular Nest thermostat, used to work at Apple where he'd helped engineer the iPod music player, earning him a nickname of the iPod Godfather. He also led the development of the first eighteen iterations of the original iPhone. In a recent interview, the famous engineer revealed that Apple in the past had experimented with the idea of a virtual reality headset and has actually built a few prototypes of a Google Glass-style device.

"The craziest thing we talked about was something like Google glass," says former Senior VP of iPod division...

1 out of each 4 US smartphones users has an iPhone

Ed Sutherland ∙ September 9, 2013

America is now a smartphone nation and the iPhone is increasingly becoming the favored device. Smartphones now account for 56 percent of cell phones in the United States. That's up nearly ten points from a year ago, according to a new Pew Research poll. Additionally, the iPhone is used by 25 percent of US smartphone owners - or one out of each four smartphone owners in the country.

That's a notable six-point increase from nineteen percent a year ago. The rise in US smartphones mirrors a drop in feature phones, which fell to 35 percent. Just nine percent of US adults do not own a cellphone...

Google-owned Motorola becomes first convicted patent troll

Ed Sutherland ∙ September 6, 2013

Google may have become the first convicted patent troll, after a federal jury Thursday fined the internet giant $14.5 million related to licenses held by Motorola. The Seattle-based jury upheld Microsoft's claim that the Google-owned Motorola demand $4 billion to license Wi-Fi and video patents that were supposed to be available under fair and reasonable terms.

The finding comes just a week before Apple's appeal of a similar claim against Motorola is to be heard. This week's judgement against Motorola opens a legal can of worms for both Google and Motorola, according to one keen patent observer...

Redesigned Google Drive app brings card-style thumbnail layout from Android

Christian Zibreg ∙ September 5, 2013

With just five days left until Apple's big iOS 7/iPhone 5S/5C big reveal next Tuesday, a bunch of iOS 7 focused updates have begun trickling in. Some of the most popular apps from both Apple and well-known brands like PayPal are now being refreshed with a matching flat iOS 7 look and feel, including major games such as Electronic Arts' Real Racing 3.

You can now add Google's Drive app for the iPhone and iPad to your iOS 7 compatibility list. You'll immediately notice a drastically redesigned interface that behaves much like its Android counterpart, without looking out of place on iOS 7.

Along with a few other enhancements, you're going to absolutely love the card-style thumbnail layout from Android as it makes it dead easy and fun to browse and preview your files - and it looks even more gorgeous on the iPad.

Jump past the fold for additional facts...

Google updates Authenticator app with new iPhone 5-friendly interface

Cody Lee ∙ Updated April 13, 2018

Good news for all of you folks who have been using Google's Authenticator app. The search giant has posted a big 2.0 update for the client, which brings about a number of long-awaited improvements like iPhone 5 support.

Google Authenticator, for those who are unfamiliar with the app, works with 2-step verification for your Google account to provide an extra layer of security. And it's been redesigned today to make it easier than ever to use...

KitKat pokes fun of Apple’s design prowess

Christian Zibreg ∙ September 3, 2013

You've likely learned by now about this morning's surprise Google announcement, clearly conceived as a novel way of busting up Apple's news and diverting attention from the brightening of your day.

I'm talking about the upcoming Android version 4.4, code-named KitKat after the famous chocolate-covered wafer biscuit which has apparently "been a favorite candy" on the Android team.

The though process behind the delicious partnership has now unravelled itself in a cringeworthy KitKat clip.

Not only does it spoof Apple's elaborate product videos, it does so by ridiculing the way Jony Ive and his industrial design team go about agonizing over the minutiae. Wait, a confectionery maker is parodying Apple's presentation mojo? What has this world come to?

Google announces Android 4.4 KitKat

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated October 12, 2018

Whoa, it's indeed been a crazy news day. First we learned that Microsoft is buying Nokia's devices division for north of $7 billion, then Apple came official with its iPhone event and now - just minutes after Apple's September 10 keynote confirmation - came word straight from the Internet giant Google that the next version of Android is going to be called KitKat.

Way to go to steal Apple's thunder, Google! I'm not kidding: the KitKat Google+ page just went live making the code-name official.

On top of this, the brown chocolate-like statue has joined the crew outside Google's Mountain View, California headquarters. Plus, the Android 4.4 web page is now live, too. Is the use of the KitKat name meant to suggest Google will now "take a break" from innovation? Go past the fold for the full reveal...

Another Android exec leaves Google nest as Silicon Valley romance rumors swirl

Ed Sutherland ∙ August 29, 2013

It's not often that Silicon Valley gets to mix tech with romance, but there appears to be a full-blown soap opera erupting in the executive suites at Google.

Hugo Barra, who as product manager for Android was the face of Google's mobile software, is moving to China and smartphone maker Xiaomi.

But what's got tongues wagging is that Barra's departure comes amidst news that he leaves a Google romance. Google's co-founder - who just split with his wife - is on the rebound: with a Google employee. Confused? Don't worry, we'll explain it all below, as well as what the product chief's new job may mean for Android and Apple...

iOS remains developers’ first choice, report shows

Ed Sutherland ∙ August 29, 2013

Despite all the chatter about Android and other smartphone platforms trying to entice developer, when it comes to picking their first choice, developers opt for iOS. In addition, 27 percent of developers chose the iPad as their second priority compared to a fifth for Android tablets. The survey by researcher Forrester shows that while Android has the numerical lead, when it comes to developer unveiling a mobile product, iOS is considered first...