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http://cdn.mos.techradar.com/art/gadgets/Google%20Glass/2.0/google-glass-prescription-lenses-470-75.jpgThe Google Glass headset will soon receive its largest update yet with the company confirming it will transition the device to Android 4.4 KitKat from the current Ice Cream Sandwich OS. The move was confirmed by Googler Teresa Z in a private forum, in a move geared to gee-up Glass Explorers disappointed by the lack of the XE14 software update, due in February. "We're working to move Glass from Ice Cream Sandwich to Kit Kat to make the Glass experience smoother and just plain better," she wrote. "This change will make it easier for us to bring you more useful updates and it's something we're really excited about. Developers, we know you're gonna be excited, too. But it's also something that we don't want to send to you all until it's just right." Larger, less regular updatesSomething else that isn't quite right yet is the XE14 update, which missed its February deadline and followed a month with no planned update, meaning Explorers have been waiting since December. Teresa Z added: "What we had planned for February just isn't ready for primetime yet. So... we've decided to hold off for now. "I know this might be a disappointment to some of you. But it's all part of the Explorer program. We're trying a lot of things. Most of them work out great, and some of them need a little more polish. In this case, we'd rather wait to get it right, than release something that isn't up to snuff." The Googler said that although Google was doing away with scheduled monthly updates, it was still committed to bringing Explorers regular software bumps that will in turn be larger and more stable. 2020 Vision: The Future of Google Glasshttp://rss.feedsportal.com/c/669/f/415085/s/37b25b61/sc/15/mf.gifhttp://res3.feedsportal.com/social/twitter.png http://res3.feedsportal.com/social/facebook.png http://res3.feedsportal.com/social/linkedin.png http://res3.feedsportal.com/social/googleplus.png http://res3.feedsportal.com/social/email.png http://da.feedsportal.com/r/187558391104/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/37b25b61/sc/15/rc/1/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/187558391104/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/37b25b61/sc/15/rc/2/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/187558391104/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/37b25b61/sc/15/rc/3/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/187558391104/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/37b25b61/a2.imghttp://pi.feedsportal.com/r/187558391104/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/37b25b61/a2t.imghttp://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/techradar/software-news/~4/tyJ6Nmsgyb8

http://cdn.mos.techradar.com/art/mobile_phones/Nokia/NokiaX/Nokia_X_Android_apps-470-75.jpgThe Nokia X, the company's first-and-potentially-last handset running the Android operating system, doesn't really have much to identify it as a handset running Google-based software. There's no access to core Google apps like Gmail, YouTube, Hangouts, Google Now and users are unable to download items from the Google Play store. Everything is decidedly Windows Phone flavoured. However, thanks to a little bit of ingenuity from one of the clever folks on the XDA Developers forum, anyone can access those Android essentials on the new handset. Forum member Kashamalaga has unveiled a pretty easy - the man himself called it rudimentary - method for restoring the phone to its Google roots. Holy GrailMicrosoft hopes the Windows Phone-style user-interface, with the likes of Skype and OneDrive front and centre will give users an incentive to jump on board with the company's own OS next time they're in the market for a phone. However, what users really wanted from this release was the smartphone Holy Grail of a Nokia handset running full-fat Android. This little exploit doesn't offer that, but it brings the dream a little closer to reality. Microsoft needs to stop worrying about Android and learn to love the Nokia X.http://rss.feedsportal.com/c/669/f/415085/s/37acbbb5/sc/5/mf.gifhttp://res3.feedsportal.com/social/twitter.png http://res3.feedsportal.com/social/facebook.png http://res3.feedsportal.com/social/linkedin.png http://res3.feedsportal.com/social/googleplus.png http://res3.feedsportal.com/social/email.png http://da.feedsportal.com/r/186531189715/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/37acbbb5/sc/5/rc/1/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/186531189715/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/37acbbb5/sc/5/rc/2/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/186531189715/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/37acbbb5/sc/5/rc/3/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/186531189715/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/37acbbb5/a2.imghttp://pi.feedsportal.com/r/186531189715/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/37acbbb5/a2t.imghttp://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/techradar/software-news/~4/9nViNspVNUE

http://cdn.mos.techradar.com/art/other/AU%20News/NewiOSHangouts-470-75.jpgGoogle has updated its Hangouts app for iPhone and iPad to version 2.0 on Apple's App Store. This is the first big update for the iOS app since adding voice calls for North America last year October. The update brings in a new look that is completely iOS optimized, now sporting a two pane conversation window, and along with the new look, you also get picture-in-picture video calls, similar to other video calling services. Video messagingIn its efforts to go up against Apple's own OS-entrenched FaceTime, the biggest update for Hangouts this time comes in the form of 10-second video messages for contacts who are offline. Being able to leave video messages for friends and families makes Hangouts an increasingly attractive all-encompassing, multi-platform messaging and video chat app, though we still doubt it will pull many away from FaceTime. Hangouts 2.0 on iOS also gives you animated stickers and the ability to send Google Maps based on your current location with just a few clicks - though these can be considered to be part of the Google app's natural evolution. Don't have an iOS device yet? Check out our reviews of the iPhone 5S, iPhone 5C, iPad Air or iPad mini with Retina displayhttp://rss.feedsportal.com/c/669/f/415085/s/37a021fb/sc/15/mf.gifhttp://res3.feedsportal.com/social/twitter.png http://res3.feedsportal.com/social/facebook.png http://res3.feedsportal.com/social/linkedin.png http://res3.feedsportal.com/social/googleplus.png http://res3.feedsportal.com/social/email.png http://da.feedsportal.com/r/186531069647/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/37a021fb/sc/15/rc/1/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/186531069647/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/37a021fb/sc/15/rc/2/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/186531069647/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/37a021fb/sc/15/rc/3/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/186531069647/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/37a021fb/a2.imghttp://pi.feedsportal.com/r/186531069647/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/37a021fb/a2t.imghttp://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/techradar/software-news/~4/5pnP8QnU0pY

http://cdn.mos.techradar.com/art/other/Onetimers/google-now-launcher-470-75.jpgGoogle Now has become a little more immediate thanks to the new Google Now Launcher app that became available for select Android devices today. Installing the app makes Google's contextual personal assistant one easy swipe away from the home screen. Sliding the interface left brings up all the app's relevant information. It also adds the "Okay Google" voice trigger to the home screen for instant voice-prompted searches. Previously, Google Now was buried within the home screen of most Android devices. This required holding down an on-screen home button and dragging your finger up toward a Google logo. Bringing Google Now to the forefront should give its Siri-rivaling capabilities more use among Android owners. Google Now for some, later for othersThe new launcher made its debut with the Nexus 5, but has broken out of the operating system and into the Google Play Store for Nexus and Google Play Edition devices. That means while the new Google Nexus 7 and Nexus 10 tablets running Android 4.4 are able to take advantage of the easier-to-access Google Now app, everyone else has to wait. We reached out to Google to see when other Android phones and tablets would be compatible with the new Google Now Launcher app and will update this story when we hear back. For more Google, read our Galaxy Note 3 and Chromecast reviewhttp://rss.feedsportal.com/c/669/f/415085/s/379306b9/sc/15/mf.gifhttp://res3.feedsportal.com/social/twitter.png http://res3.feedsportal.com/social/facebook.png http://res3.feedsportal.com/social/linkedin.png http://res3.feedsportal.com/social/googleplus.png http://res3.feedsportal.com/social/email.png http://da.feedsportal.com/r/187558260675/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/379306b9/sc/15/rc/1/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/187558260675/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/379306b9/sc/15/rc/2/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/187558260675/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/379306b9/sc/15/rc/3/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/187558260675/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/379306b9/a2.imghttp://pi.feedsportal.com/r/187558260675/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/379306b9/a2t.imghttp://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/techradar/software-news/~4/6ecKSvLbpjM

http://cdn.mos.techradar.com/art/mobile_phones/Android/AndroidPhones-470-75.jpgA free version of McAfee's Mobile Security app for Android has hit Google's Play store. Announced at MWC 2014, the move to offer McAfee Mobile Security for free is part of an intiative by its parent company, Intel, to "integrate security more deeply into the consumer experience." The plans to offer free mobile protection were unveiled by Intel CEO Brian Krzanich at CES 2014. McAfee's Mobile Security for iOS is already available for free, but it's Android that particularly needs protection from online nasties. According to a report by NQ Mobile, Android malware accounted for 95% of all smartphone infections in 2012. AV-BestMcAfee Mobile Security received a 100% detection score and was given a top ranking in recent independent testing by AV-Test. It features anti-theft, anti-virus, app protection, Web protection, call and SMS filtering functionality. A new Wi-Fi Security feature alerts users to any risky or non-protected networks to which they may be connecting. Additionally, a CaptureCam feature will take a picture of whoever is holding the device in the event of it being stolen and will send it to the owner, and an SOS feature can log the last location of the device before battery life expires if it is misplaced or stolen. Check out the TechRadar Pro Mobile World Congress 2014 live coveragehttp://rss.feedsportal.com/c/669/f/415085/s/3777e657/sc/5/mf.gifhttp://res3.feedsportal.com/social/twitter.png http://res3.feedsportal.com/social/facebook.png http://res3.feedsportal.com/social/linkedin.png http://res3.feedsportal.com/social/googleplus.png http://res3.feedsportal.com/social/email.png http://da.feedsportal.com/r/186531030124/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/3777e657/sc/5/rc/1/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/186531030124/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/3777e657/sc/5/rc/2/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/186531030124/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/3777e657/sc/5/rc/3/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/186531030124/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/3777e657/a2.imghttp://pi.feedsportal.com/r/186531030124/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/3777e657/a2t.imghttp://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/techradar/software-news/~4/UtM2B-z-qKM

http://cdn.mos.techradar.com/art/mobile_phones/Android/KitKat/KitKat%20plain-470-75.jpgA leaked memo suggests that Google may be about to make a very smart move that could bring some order to the chaos of the Android operating system. The memo was reportedly sent out to several of the Android world's leading 'original equipment manufacturers' (OEMs) - in other words the people who actually make the smartphones and tablets that run versions of Google's mobile OS. In it, according to Mobile Bloom, Google gently suggested that unless new Android devices were released with the most current version of the OS then it might withhold access to certain key Google services like Maps or the Play store, collectively known as Google Mobile Services or GMS. Approval windowUnder Google's new regime, each major Android OS release would have a GMS 'approval window' that closes roughly nine months after the next OS release. If a vendor tries to launch a new device with an older version of Android after its approval window has closed then Google will simply bar that device from using Play, Maps, Gmail and all the other GMS goodies. The reason for this rule change is fragmentation. Google's most recent figures show that around 60% of Android devices are running some flavour of Jelly Bean while the latest release, KitKat, is on under 2% of systems. Perhaps more worryingly, Honeycomb (Android 2.3.x) is still on 20% of devices and there are untold numbers running versions older than 2.2 as that's the point where Google's census cuts off. By way of contrast, Apple recently crowed that in the magical land of iOS more than 80% of devices are now running the latest version of the OS, iOS 7. One of Android's strengths is that it is easily modifiable to run on different hardware and that OEMs can build cheap, low-end phones and tablets as well as premium devices. The downside to this freedom is that there has been nothing to stop vendors cooking up their own custom builds of Android and then dragging their feet over updates. Until now. CrackdowntimeThere are arguments against this kind of crackdown, however. A deep re-skinning of the Android OS is one of the few tools at the OEM's disposal that can help carve out a real brand identity for a new device. The basic template for the generic smartphone is well established and without the ability to 'add value' in software, the argument goes, then the new phone will be a generic slab with only the number and placement of hardware buttons and quality of its camera to tell it apart from all the other glass oblongs. The reason that existing smartphones can take a long time to receive OS updates - often many months after the official release from Google hits the current flagship Nexus handset - is that OEMs feel the need to make their mark on the new code, adding interface tweaks and changes to core OS functions to make their devices more distinct and support their value-added services. The counter-argument is that I can count on one hand the number of OEM 'enhancements' to the basic Android OS that have actually made it better for the people who use the phones day-in, day-out and still have enough fingers left to do a decent multi-touch gesture. The recent Android releases have solved most of the interface niggles that resulted in heavy-handed skin jobs like HTC Sense and while a complete look 'n' feel change may help boost the brand it does little to make the phone or tablet any simpler or more pleasant to use. The F wordOS fragmentation might seem like the kind of problem that is only obsessed over by phone nerds and people already in the industry - after all, many consumers don't see their phone as an 'Android' device at all but rather a Samsung or a Sony or whatever. It does give the Android OS a disadvantage however and a good case could be made that it is the stability and uniformity of iOS that attracts developers. More developers means better apps, means happier users. Android has done remarkably well considering it has to support a huge range of hardware and the wide spread of OS versions has still, somehow, given rise to a healthy app ecosystem that is finally starting to reach parity with iOS. Imagine how much more could be done if OEMs could be persuaded to add their personal touch in other ways - through better hardware, bundled services, better launchers, bespoke apps - if all this exists outside the main OS it can be kept up to date and bug-free without having to match pace with the rest of the OS. If Google can use its muscle to get all new Android devices on the same page it must be good for developers and, ultimately, better for you. More Fighting Talk: Let's get lairy about techhttp://rss.feedsportal.com/c/669/f/415085/s/3767dcb4/sc/15/mf.gifhttp://res3.feedsportal.com/social/twitter.png http://res3.feedsportal.com/social/facebook.png http://res3.feedsportal.com/social/linkedin.png http://res3.feedsportal.com/social/googleplus.png http://res3.feedsportal.com/social/email.png http://da.feedsportal.com/r/186530961224/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/3767dcb4/sc/15/rc/1/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/186530961224/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/3767dcb4/sc/15/rc/2/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/186530961224/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/3767dcb4/sc/15/rc/3/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/186530961224/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/3767dcb4/a2.imghttp://pi.feedsportal.com/r/186530961224/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/3767dcb4/a2t.imghttp://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/techradar/software-news/~4/hIGP_ChJ3ME

http://cdn.mos.techradar.com/art/software/Google/meetthenew_google_maps-470-75.jpgThe new look for Google Maps that Google unveiled during its IO keynote in May 2013 is finally beginning to roll out to all users. The new Google Maps will replace the old version in desktop browsers "around the world," arriving "in the coming weeks," Vice President of Google Maps Brian McClendon wrote in a blog post. "It's now even easier to plan your next trip, check live traffic conditions, discover what's happening around town, and learn about a new area," McClendon wrote, linking to the Google+ page documenting the return of Pegman. He said the new Google Maps enables users to "make smarter decisions," "get where you're going faster," and "see the world from every angle." The eye of the beholderMcClendon outlined some specific new Google Maps features. For one thing, searching for specific types of businesses, like cafes, shows results right on the map. Clicking on one suggests related results. The new Google Maps also displays multiple routes for cars, bikes, and public transportation, integrating real-time traffic reports and Street View previews on the map as well. And "rich imagery" like Street View and destination previews is now easier to access from a new "carousel" feature at the bottom of the map. "With any product redesign, there may be bumps along the road," McClendon wrote. "We're hoping that you're as excited as we are to navigate uncharted territory in pursuit of the perfect map." Finally he encouraged users to send feedback via Google's support site. The new Google Maps is here, and it could kill off the competitionhttp://rss.feedsportal.com/c/669/f/415085/s/374e838a/sc/21/mf.gifhttp://res3.feedsportal.com/social/twitter.png http://res3.feedsportal.com/social/facebook.png http://res3.feedsportal.com/social/linkedin.png http://res3.feedsportal.com/social/googleplus.png http://res3.feedsportal.com/social/email.png http://da.feedsportal.com/r/186530788101/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/374e838a/sc/21/rc/1/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/186530788101/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/374e838a/sc/21/rc/2/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/186530788101/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/374e838a/sc/21/rc/3/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/186530788101/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/374e838a/a2.imghttp://pi.feedsportal.com/r/186530788101/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/374e838a/a2t.imghttp://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/techradar/software-news/~4/fi7Fux5ndaw

http://cdn.mos.techradar.com/art/mobile_phones/Android/KitKat/Android_KitKat-470-75.jpgAndroid device manufacturers could soon be banned from launching their handsets on older versions of the operating system, Google has decreed in a purported leaked internal memo. The memo, obtained by MobileBurn, expresses that all new handsets must run Android 4.4 KitKat if they want access to the Google Play Store and other Google Mobile Services like Gmail and YouTube. "Starting February 2014, Google will no longer approve GMS distribution on new Android products that ship older platform releases," the memo states. "Each platform release will have a 'GMS approval window' that typically closes nine months after the next Android platform release is publicly available." Ever-present fragmentationThe reported move comes as the company looks to solve the ever-present problem of Android fragmentation, which has left the vast majority of users perennially stuck on older versions. KitKat was designed especially to befit lower-end smartphones as well as those packing the latest and greatest spec sheets, but uptake remains slow. According to stats released by Google earlier this month, KitKat has only made it onto 1.8 per cent of devices since its launch in November 2013, struggling to graduate beyond Google's own devcies. Enforcing KitKat - and ensuing versions - is a must on new devices would certainly assist in the process as smartphone users grow tired of companies launching phones on older versions, promising updates that take eons to arrive. Well, the Moto G has Android 4.4. Is it the best smartphone bargain ever?http://rss.feedsportal.com/c/669/f/415085/s/373460e1/sc/15/mf.gifhttp://res3.feedsportal.com/social/twitter.png http://res3.feedsportal.com/social/facebook.png http://res3.feedsportal.com/social/linkedin.png http://res3.feedsportal.com/social/googleplus.png http://res3.feedsportal.com/social/email.png http://da.feedsportal.com/r/187557892807/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/373460e1/sc/15/rc/1/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/187557892807/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/373460e1/sc/15/rc/2/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/187557892807/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/373460e1/sc/15/rc/3/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/187557892807/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/373460e1/a2.imghttp://pi.feedsportal.com/r/187557892807/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/373460e1/a2t.imghttp://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/techradar/software-news/~4/tcatK4g5hxA

http://cdn.mos.techradar.com/art/mobile_phones/Nokia/Nokia-Android/NokiaAndroid-LEAK-01-470-75.jpgThe Nokia "Normandy," the long-rumored Nokia Android phone, will be officially announced at MWC 2014, says a new report. The Nokia Normandy will also be released in February, The Wall Street Journal reports. But apparently the Normandy will be specially tailored so that some Google features won't be promoted as heavily as they might be on a traditional Android phone - you know, one not made by a company now owned by Microsoft. That means no Google Play store, and the Normandy will instead feature a selection of apps created by Nokia and Microsoft, like Here maps and Mix Radio, plus a Nokia app store full of Android apps, the site's sources said. Let's be practicalNokia has long been focused on Windows Phone, but its work on an Android handset has been rumored for months. The Normandy's debut at MWC has even been touched on before. However, ever since Microsoft picked up the Finnish phone maker for $7.4 billion (about £4.4 billion, AU$7.9 billion) in 2013, the Nokia Android phone's fate has presumably been up in the air. Considering it was never officially announced to begin with, it seemed Microsoft could put its foot down at any time and cancel it altogether. But the WSJ report says Nokia's engineers were working on the Android phone long before Microsoft began conducting due diligence leading up to the purchase, and the Windows company will reportedly let it continue all the way to retail. The reason for that? Pragmatism, apparently. If the phone is debuting in a matter of weeks, then the legwork was likely completed months ago, and Microsoft would likely rather make some money off of it - even if it does run Android - then scrap it entirely and throw away all of Nokia's hard work. Speaking of Android, here's everything we know about the Samsung Galaxy S5http://rss.feedsportal.com/c/669/f/415085/s/36f01550/sc/5/mf.gifhttp://res3.feedsportal.com/social/twitter.png http://res3.feedsportal.com/social/facebook.png http://res3.feedsportal.com/social/linkedin.png http://res3.feedsportal.com/social/googleplus.png http://res3.feedsportal.com/social/email.png http://da.feedsportal.com/r/186530468222/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/36f01550/sc/5/rc/1/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/186530468222/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/36f01550/sc/5/rc/2/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/186530468222/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/36f01550/sc/5/rc/3/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/186530468222/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/36f01550/a2.imghttp://pi.feedsportal.com/r/186530468222/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/36f01550/a2t.imghttp://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/techradar/software-news/~4/XFTczZs_8T4

http://cdn.mos.techradar.com/art/laptops/Chromebook/Lonovo_ThinkPad_Yoga_11e_Chroembook-470-75.jpgLenovo did Google a pretty big favour this week, by taking the Motorola division off its hands. Now the Chinese PC maker is lending support in the proliferation of the Chrome OS with a pair of new notebooks. Lenovo has announced theThinkPad 11e series Chromebooks which include a flexible Yoga-branded convertible laptop/tablet hybrid, which operates in four positions, and a traditional clamshell laptop. The new Chromebooks are aimed at the education market and come with built-in protection against youths may be prone to chucking school bags around as if their parents hadn't spent a fortune on nice things. There's rubberised bumpers, reinforced ports and stronger hinges to protect from the "hustle and bustle of the classroom," Lenovo says. Kid-proofing aside...Aside from the kid-proofing, the 11e series Chromebooks feature an 11.6-inch display, while the Yoga has a wide-angled IPS touchscreen to boot. The devices promise all-day battery life and are powered by unnamed Intel processing configurations (which probably means they're pretty low-end). There's also an LED indicator which shows "wireless connectivity, laptop power or sleep mode to help teachers ensure consistent student activity," - in other words allowing teachers to check students aren't cyber loafing. Schools can also have them custom engraved to ensure those of dubious morals don't do a runner with them. The ThinkPad 11e series goes on sale this spring, starting at $349. Better get used to Lenovo Chromebooks. There are loads coming this year...http://rss.feedsportal.com/c/669/f/415085/s/36a217fa/sc/15/mf.gifhttp://res3.feedsportal.com/social/twitter.png http://res3.feedsportal.com/social/facebook.png http://res3.feedsportal.com/social/linkedin.png http://res3.feedsportal.com/social/googleplus.png http://res3.feedsportal.com/social/email.png http://da.feedsportal.com/r/186530122160/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/36a217fa/sc/15/rc/1/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/186530122160/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/36a217fa/sc/15/rc/2/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/186530122160/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/36a217fa/sc/15/rc/3/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/186530122160/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/36a217fa/a2.imghttp://pi.feedsportal.com/r/186530122160/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/36a217fa/a2t.imghttp://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/techradar/software-news/~4/n4lDr-cvzPk

http://cdn.mos.techradar.com/art/logos/donna-470-75.jpgWith its latest acquisition, the start-up Incredible Labs, it seems Yahoo may have plans to develop its own competitor to Google Now. Yahoo has acquired Incredible Labs and shut down the company's mobile personal assistant app, Donna - but it also hired five of Incredible Labs' seven former employees. They'll now work in Yahoo's communications department on Yahoo mail, the company said. Like Google Now, Donna was designed to anticipate its users's needs and provide help, like directions, reminders, and automatic emails, before it was even asked. Oh, Donna"In case you haven't heard of her, Donna's pretty amazing," Yahoo said in a statement about the acquisition. "She has an immense amount of intellect, she keeps you on time and gives you the information you need, when you need it. For her clients, she's the ultimate daily habit." Shame they're shutting her down, then. The statement continues, "When we met with the team from Incredible Labs, it was an immediate fit. As we look to the future, our visions are aligned in that we think technology should be smart enough to think for us." So what exactly does that mean?Yahoo hasn't announced any plans to develop its own Google Now competitor, but why else snatch up a hot personal assistant start-up and fold it into your own inner workings? Yahoo's communications department handles everything from email to Yahoo Messenger, groups, contacts, and calendar. If anyone at Yahoo is going to develop a virtual assistant app it may very well be that department. Don't miss TechRadar's updated Google Glass review - how does Google's wearable stand up to weeks of continuous use?http://rss.feedsportal.com/c/669/f/415085/s/368cd63e/sc/15/mf.gifhttp://res3.feedsportal.com/social/twitter.png http://res3.feedsportal.com/social/facebook.png http://res3.feedsportal.com/social/linkedin.png http://res3.feedsportal.com/social/googleplus.png http://res3.feedsportal.com/social/email.png http://da.feedsportal.com/r/186529929494/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/368cd63e/sc/15/rc/1/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/186529929494/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/368cd63e/sc/15/rc/2/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/186529929494/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/368cd63e/sc/15/rc/3/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/186529929494/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/368cd63e/a2.imghttp://pi.feedsportal.com/r/186529929494/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/368cd63e/a2t.imghttp://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/techradar/software-news/~4/m7xYhe8V0_I

http://cdn.mos.techradar.com/art/tablets/Samsung/Galaxy%20Note%20Pro%2012.2/Samsung_Galaxy_Note12_2_official-470-75.jpgFollowing the announcement earlier this week that Google and Samsung will be licensing each other's patents, new details have come to light suggesting the Android maker might be influencing the manufacturer to back off its own customizations. Re/code reported today that the Android-based Magazine UX user interface shown off on Samsung's latest 12.2-inch Galaxy Note Pro tablet could be marked for death - or at the very least, in dire need of future tweaking that makes the OS underneath shine through. According to multiple unnamed sources, the recent patent sharing deal between Google and Samsung also involves a directive from the former which reins in the number of custom apps and UI flourishes the latter has added with increasing frequency on recent mobile devices such as the Galaxy S4 smartphone. Representatives from the two companies refused to comment on such a possibility, although Samsung did promise it would "continue to identify and provide differentiated and innovative service and content offerings on our mobile devices." Sea changeThe newfound cooperation between the companies was described by one source as "a huge change, a sea change" made over the last few weeks which could put Google's content and services more front and center at the expense of Samsung's own. Sources claim the Korean manufacturer may "consider dumping or altering the Magazine UX interface in future devices," with a reduced focus on the in-house software that has been an increasing focus for the company. In its place, Samsung might shine the spotlight on preloaded Google Play apps, replacing services like WatchON, ChatON and mSpot, which the report called "largely forgettable in the wider Android community." Samsung may not ultimately care, but third-party partners such as Dropbox, Flipboard, SwiftKey and TripAdvisor likely will, given that their services have been bundled with devices out the box and Google has its own software capable of replacing them. Let the Android light shine in our review of the Motorola Moto G!http://rss.feedsportal.com/c/669/f/415085/s/3681d935/sc/15/mf.gifhttp://res3.feedsportal.com/social/twitter.png http://res3.feedsportal.com/social/facebook.png http://res3.feedsportal.com/social/linkedin.png http://res3.feedsportal.com/social/googleplus.png http://res3.feedsportal.com/social/email.png http://da.feedsportal.com/r/186529977923/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/3681d935/sc/15/rc/1/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/186529977923/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/3681d935/sc/15/rc/2/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/186529977923/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/3681d935/sc/15/rc/3/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/186529977923/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/3681d935/a2.imghttp://pi.feedsportal.com/r/186529977923/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/3681d935/a2t.imghttp://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/techradar/software-news/~4/Teo-IrJl61w

http://cdn.mos.techradar.com/art/mobile_phones/Samsung/GalaxyNote3/press/Note3-Press-09-470-75.jpgPerceived tensions between Google and Samsung had threatened to derail the dominance of Android, but a landmark parent agreement, announced this weekend, seems to have put all that nonsense to bed. The Korean hardware giant confirmed a wide-ranging ten-year licensing alliance, which includes all existing patents and those filed by both companies over the next decade. The news comes following countless damaging legal battles raged around the world where Samsung and Apple have bickered around the world, often related to Samsung's use of the Android operating system. Despite Google and Samsung's previous reluctance to take action against each other, the agreement seems like a symbolic amnesty in the hope that the tide of suit and counter suit. Better friends than enemiesThe agreement also places Google firmly in Samsung's corner as the pair continue to battle iOS in the smartphone and tablet arena. "This agreement with Google is highly significant for the industry," said Dr. Seungho Ahn, the Head of Samsung's Intellectual Property Center, before taking a swipe at Apple. "Samsung and Google are showing the rest of the industry that there is more to gain from cooperating than engaging in unnecessary patent disputes." Google's Allen Lo added: "By working together on agreements like this, companies can reduce the potential for litigation and focus instead on innovation." Reports over the last few years have highlighted the threat Samsung poses to Android with its ever-increasing market monopoly. Many observers have suggested that Samsung could use its power to influence the future of the operating system, but it appears that both companies have decided, for now, that they're better friends than enemies. Is Samsung's new TouchWiz UI a prettier version of Google Now?http://rss.feedsportal.com/c/669/f/415085/s/3661acc8/sc/5/mf.gifhttp://res3.feedsportal.com/social/twitter.png http://res3.feedsportal.com/social/facebook.png http://res3.feedsportal.com/social/linkedin.png http://res3.feedsportal.com/social/googleplus.png http://res3.feedsportal.com/social/email.png http://da.feedsportal.com/r/186529767065/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/3661acc8/sc/5/rc/1/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/186529767065/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/3661acc8/sc/5/rc/2/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/186529767065/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/3661acc8/sc/5/rc/3/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/186529767065/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/3661acc8/a2.imghttp://pi.feedsportal.com/r/186529767065/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/3661acc8/a2t.imghttp://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/techradar/software-news/~4/jG6mXHMf5QI

http://cdn.mos.techradar.com/art/laptops/Chromebook/chromebook_detail-470-75.jpgA recently spotted message has revealed that Google is working on a "Chromoting" remote desktop app for iOS. Chromoting is essentially a remote desktop client that will allow users to control their computers from their Android and, it seems now, their iOS devices. The message popped up on Google's developer site for Chromium, the open-source browser that's at the heart of Google Chrome. It appears to be from one developer to another, discussing the iOS and Android versions of the Chromoting app. Self-ChromotionThe Chromoting app is related to the Chrome browser's own remote desktop and screen sharing features, which as TechCrunch points out graduated from beta in 2012. There are plenty of similar services, like LogMeIn and TeamViewer, but Google's is free and works natively with Chrome. But according to the developer post, the iOS and Android apps are in need of an aesthetic overhaul. "As noted, the iOS version is very unpolished at this stage," developer Hannah S. wrote. Icons, toolbars and more apparently need to be re-designed and re-organized. In addition the iOS version is reportedly further behind than the Android version, which will ship first, though no time frame is given. TechRadar has asked Google to share any additional details about Chromoting, and we'll update this article if we hear anything useful. Here's 21 brilliant iOS 7 tips and trickshttp://rss.feedsportal.com/c/669/f/415085/s/360b6697/sc/5/mf.gifhttp://res3.feedsportal.com/social/twitter.png http://res3.feedsportal.com/social/facebook.png http://res3.feedsportal.com/social/linkedin.png http://res3.feedsportal.com/social/googleplus.png http://res3.feedsportal.com/social/email.png http://da.feedsportal.com/r/186529054305/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/360b6697/sc/5/rc/1/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/186529054305/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/360b6697/sc/5/rc/2/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/186529054305/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/360b6697/sc/5/rc/3/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/186529054305/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/360b6697/a2.imghttp://pi.feedsportal.com/r/186529054305/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/360b6697/a2t.imghttp://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/techradar/software-news/~4/fhZdyOkfAT4

http://cdn.mos.techradar.com/art/software/Google/Google%20Play%20Movies%20and%20TV%20for%20iOS-470-75.jpgThe awkward conundrum you find yourself in when you want to relax with your iPad and a flick purchased from Google Play is no more. Google has plopped an iOS version of its Google Play Movies & TV app in the iTunes App Store, meaning owners of devices with an "i" can now watch content purchased through Mountain View's virtual store front. While it sounds almost like a peace treaty between the two hardened rivals, don't unfurl the white flags just yet. Users can't actually purchase content from the app. Rather, they're left to make the buy through a web client before they can play it on their iDevice. What's more, streaming video content currently works over Wi-Fi only, and standard definition, not high-def, will play on the phone. Users will also be left without "info cards" that pop up when a video is paused. The app is compatible with iPhones, iPads and iPod touches running iOS 6 and up. So far, TV shows are only available in the US, UK and Japan. The Chromecast connectionGoogle posses quite the collection over on Movies & TV, but iPhone peeps who also happen to own a Chromecast may be leaving the happiest of all. Thanks to today's app release, those who stream to their Chromecasts from their iPhones now have access to content beyond Hulu Plus and Netflix. Google Play Movies & TV opens a world of new, often just-released content to Chromecasters who stream from their phones. Can you believe we're on Roku 3?http://rss.feedsportal.com/c/669/f/415085/s/35f4b93f/sc/15/mf.gifhttp://res3.feedsportal.com/social/twitter.png http://res3.feedsportal.com/social/facebook.png http://res3.feedsportal.com/social/linkedin.png http://res3.feedsportal.com/social/googleplus.png http://res3.feedsportal.com/social/email.pnghttp://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/techradar/software-news/~4/w8k1goPhph0

http://cdn.mos.techradar.com/art/software/Bump/bump-470-75.jpgGoogle is shutting down the Bump application, it purchased back in September, the company's co-founder announced on New Year's Day. The app, which allows users to exchange files by tapping their phones together, was a big hit on the Samsung Galaxy S3 smartphone, but Google now has the Bump team working on other projects. As a result, Bump and the Flock photo-aggregating app also developed by the company, will be been pulled from the Apple App Store and the Google Play store on January 31. After that date, the app will no longer work and all user data will be deleted. Users wishing to export their data have until the end of the month to do so. Textbook acqui-hireDavid Lieb, the app's co-founder, said the Bump team are also 'deeply involved' with other projects at Google, as if there were any doubt the purchase was a straight-up acqui-hire. He wrote in a statement: "Back in September, we announced that the Bump team was joining Google to continue our work of helping people share and interact with one another using mobile devices. "We are now deeply focused on our new projects within Google, and we've decided to discontinue Bump and Flock. On January 31, 2014, Bump and Flock will be removed from the App Store and Google Play. After this date, neither app will work, and all user data will be deleted." Bump users will be emailed with instructions for safeguarding their data before the shutdown happens. Will the soon-to-be departed Flock app eventually prove more useful for Google?http://rss.feedsportal.com/c/669/f/415085/s/3566b7aa/sc/21/mf.gifhttp://res3.feedsportal.com/social/twitter.png http://res3.feedsportal.com/social/facebook.png http://res3.feedsportal.com/social/linkedin.png http://res3.feedsportal.com/social/googleplus.png http://res3.feedsportal.com/social/email.png http://da.feedsportal.com/r/184842628230/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/3566b7aa/sc/21/rc/1/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/184842628230/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/3566b7aa/sc/21/rc/2/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/184842628230/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/3566b7aa/sc/21/rc/3/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/184842628230/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/3566b7aa/a2.imghttp://pi.feedsportal.com/r/184842628230/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/3566b7aa/a2t.imghttp://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/techradar/software-news/~4/ylgrfQuxUqY

http://cdn.mos.techradar.com/art/gadgets/Google%20Glass/hands%20on%20IO/20130516_182119-470-75.jpgGoogle is contacting subscribers to its Play Music All Access subscription service, offering them the opportunity to buy a Google Glass headset. The firm is sending out the invites to commemorate Google Play Music arriving as a Google Glass app with the aim of extending its pool of Glass 'Explorers' prior to the expected consumer roll out in 2014. "With the launch of Google Play Music on Google Glass, we've secured VIP invitations for All Access customers to join the Glass Explorer Program," the company wrote in an email to subscribers. "Interested in rocking out while exploring with Glass? Sign up to receive your invitation below!" Fork it overPlay Music All Access is Google's answer to Spotify and iTunes Radio, with unlimited, ad-free access to millions of songs and custom radio stations for a monthly fee of $9.99 (£9.99, AU$11.99) Currently the offer is only being extended to those in the United States, but providing you can nail down a U.S shipping address of some description, you should be good to go... providing you're willing to part with $1,500 (around £907, AU$1,677) so soon after the holidays. Google in 2014: What to expecthttp://rss.feedsportal.com/c/669/f/415085/s/355fe864/sc/5/mf.gifhttp://res3.feedsportal.com/social/twitter.png http://res3.feedsportal.com/social/facebook.png http://res3.feedsportal.com/social/linkedin.png http://res3.feedsportal.com/social/googleplus.png http://res3.feedsportal.com/social/email.png http://da.feedsportal.com/r/184842542544/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/355fe864/sc/5/rc/1/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/184842542544/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/355fe864/sc/5/rc/2/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/184842542544/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/355fe864/sc/5/rc/3/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/184842542544/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/355fe864/a2.imghttp://pi.feedsportal.com/r/184842542544/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/355fe864/a2t.imghttp://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/techradar/software-news/~4/5hBokwNyJjI

http://cdn.mos.techradar.com/art/car%20tech/Audi_A6_dashboard-470-75.jpgGoogle and high-end German auto manufacturer Audi are preparing to announce they're working together to produce a new generation of Android-based in-car systems. The partnership, set to be officially confirmed at the CES expo in early January, involves the creation of dedicated, built-in hardware, running on Google's mobile operating system. According to the Wall Street Journal's report, the units will give drivers access to some of the same navigation, entertainment and information tools that they enjoy on their smartphones and tablets. The article says Google and Audi will be joined in the venture by chip manufacturer Nvidia with the parties using CES to announce a timetable for Android-based systems to arrive in cars within 4 to 5 years. iOS vs Android pt. 5,526The news comes as Apple prepares for its own march on in-car connectivity. Earlier this year it announced its own iOS in the Car initiative, which will allow iPhones and iPads to play nice with compatible vehicles. A recent iOS 7.1 beta provided evidence that iOS in the Car will be integrated within the update, which will land at a time yet to be determined. It seems that Apple and Google have found yet another ripe territory to battle over. Who'll come out on top this time? Would you rather have Apple Maps or Google Maps built into your motor? In depth: What does iOS in the Car mean for in-car multimedia?http://rss.feedsportal.com/c/669/f/415085/s/355846ad/sc/15/mf.gifhttp://res3.feedsportal.com/social/twitter.png http://res3.feedsportal.com/social/facebook.png http://res3.feedsportal.com/social/linkedin.png http://res3.feedsportal.com/social/googleplus.png http://res3.feedsportal.com/social/email.png http://da.feedsportal.com/r/184842501183/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/355846ad/sc/15/rc/1/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/184842501183/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/355846ad/sc/15/rc/2/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/184842501183/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/355846ad/sc/15/rc/3/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/184842501183/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/355846ad/a2.imghttp://pi.feedsportal.com/r/184842501183/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/355846ad/a2t.imghttp://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/techradar/software-news/~4/6i0QpCfVOmo

http://cdn.mos.techradar.com/art/events/google/Google%20IO%202012/GOOGLE%20I-O%20DAY%20ONE/P6271394-470-75.JPGGoogle has asked a court in California to rule on a patent issue that was first raised by Rockstar Consortium in Texas in October. Rockstar, a patent firm backed by Microsoft, Apple, BlackBerry, Ericsson and Sony, outbid Google to acquire a pack of patents for $4.5 billion in 2011. Then in October this year Rockstar proceeded to sue Samsung, HTC and five other Google partners in a Texas court for allegedly infringing on seven of those patents. Now Google has reached out to the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California to ask the court to rule that its Nexus devices and the Android devices produced by its partners do not in fact infringe on Rockstar's patents. They're certainly not making Grand Theft AutoFrom the outside looking in it would appear that Rockstar Consortium is nothing more than a patent troll looking to dampen Android's dominance. Google certainly things so at least. In its filing with the California court, the search company said Rockstar "produces no products and practices no patents." "Instead," the filing reads, "Rockstar employs a staff of engineers in Ontario, Canada, who examine other companies' successful products to find anything that Rockstar might use to demand and extract licenses to its patents under threat of litigation." Google believes the California court has jurisdiction because Rockstar shareholders (like Apple, for one) and companies Rockstar litigates against are located in the Golden State. Everything's biggerTexas courts are notorious for being lenient toward patent claims, even when said cases appear to be obvious instances of patent trolling. In a separate but related case Rockstar and subsidiary NetStar Technologies have sued Google in Texas over another seven patents concerning search queries and related ads, an important part of Google's business. Google has asked for a 30-day extension to issue a response in that case. 10 worst enemies of tech: who's holding us back?http://rss.feedsportal.com/c/669/f/415085/s/353be616/sc/15/mf.gifhttp://res3.feedsportal.com/social/twitter.png http://res3.feedsportal.com/social/facebook.png http://res3.feedsportal.com/social/linkedin.png http://res3.feedsportal.com/social/googleplus.png http://res3.feedsportal.com/social/email.png http://da.feedsportal.com/r/184842301020/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/353be616/sc/15/rc/1/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/184842301020/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/353be616/sc/15/rc/2/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/184842301020/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/353be616/sc/15/rc/3/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/184842301020/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/353be616/a2.imghttp://pi.feedsportal.com/r/184842301020/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/353be616/a2t.imghttp://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/techradar/software-news/~4/K1uiHhOOA6k

http://cdn.mos.techradar.com/art/mobile_phones/Apps/PlayMusic_iOS_feeling_lucky-470-75.jpgGoogle's perennial attempts to turn Google Play Music into a force against iTunes have been boosted by the arrival of 'I'm Feeling Lucky Radio' within the company's iOS app. The random radio feature comes to iPhone, iPad and iPod touch two months after it was rolled into the Android version, while an iOS 7-inspired UI has also been introduced. The feature, like its search engine forebear, allows users to access a selection of music the app thinks they will like, auto-generating a radio station based on previous listening habits. The app will automatically bring tunes from the users most listened-to genre. Big Thumbs Up!The revamped iOS app also offers access to auto-generated playlists (such as Thumbs Up) for the first time and All Access subscribers will also have the opportunity to search genres within the app. The new Google Play Music features come into competition with Apple's own iTunes Radio platform, which is yet to launch outside the United States. It's a streaming throwdown: Google Play Music vs Spotify http://rss.feedsportal.com/c/669/f/415085/s/3514cc63/sc/5/mf.gifhttp://res3.feedsportal.com/social/twitter.png http://res3.feedsportal.com/social/facebook.png http://res3.feedsportal.com/social/linkedin.png http://res3.feedsportal.com/social/googleplus.png http://res3.feedsportal.com/social/email.png http://da.feedsportal.com/r/184841990989/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/3514cc63/sc/5/rc/1/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/184841990989/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/3514cc63/sc/5/rc/2/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/184841990989/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/3514cc63/sc/5/rc/3/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/184841990989/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/3514cc63/a2.imghttp://pi.feedsportal.com/r/184841990989/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/3514cc63/a2t.imghttp://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/techradar/software-news/~4/oCyeuPVRtiA

http://cdn.mos.techradar.com/art/mobile_phones/CyanogenMod/CyanogenMod%20Oppa%20N1/CyanogenMod%20Oppa%20N1-470-75.jpgIn a Christmas Eve miracle, Cyanogen has announced it will ship the first Google-approved phone running a third-party version of Android. The Oppo N1 claims to be the world's first Google compatibility test suite-certified CyanogenMod handset, and it plans to launch on December 24. The plucky smartphone comes running a rooted version of Android 4.2 called CyanogenMod 10.2. Google gave the third-party phone its blessing to access the Play Store and take its apps out for a date. This means users will be able to download apps from the Store directly instead of having to sneak around and sideload the software. Cyanogen, Cyanogen's parent company, said getting its version of the Oppo N1 through the certification process was an arduous task, but that's really not surprising. Previously, Google pulled Cyanogen's unofficial Android installer app after being on the Play Store for just 15 days. Dare to rootOther then the hacked software, the Oppo N1 is equipped with some fairly decent internals including a 1.7 GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon 600 quad-core processor, Adreno 320 GPU and 2GB of RAM. The device is also fairly hefty with a 5.9-inch 1920 x 1080 resolution screen and a large 3,610 mAh battery. One of the phone's more unique characteristics is its rotating 13MP camera, which can be flipped around as the device's back and front-facing snapper. Storage-wise the Oppo N1 will come in 16GB and 32GB varieties. Oppo also seems to have made its handset ready to take on the mobile world circuit with GSM as well as WCDMA antennas that cover a wide range of cellular frequencies. Cyanogen announced the CM-equipped handset will be available starting on December 24. There isn't any word of availability outside the US or how much it will cost, but a standard 16GB Oppo N1 model without the special software floats around the $599 (or £366/about AU$671) price range. For T-Mobile's next Uncarrier magic trick, it could make termination fees disappear.http://rss.feedsportal.com/c/669/f/415085/s/3510b289/sc/15/mf.gifhttp://res3.feedsportal.com/social/twitter.png http://res3.feedsportal.com/social/facebook.png http://res3.feedsportal.com/social/linkedin.png http://res3.feedsportal.com/social/googleplus.png http://res3.feedsportal.com/social/email.png http://da.feedsportal.com/r/184841987029/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/3510b289/sc/15/rc/1/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/184841987029/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/3510b289/sc/15/rc/2/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/184841987029/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/3510b289/sc/15/rc/3/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/184841987029/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/3510b289/a2.imghttp://pi.feedsportal.com/r/184841987029/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/3510b289/a2t.imghttp://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/techradar/software-news/~4/kPewnKu2tTs

http://cdn.mos.techradar.com/art/magazines/Linux/Issue%20177/LXF177.iview.2-470-75.jpgGoogle has just celebrated its 15th birthday, and much of its success is thanks to Linux and open source software. This gave us the perfect excuse for our sister magazine Linux Format to ask Google's Chris DiBona, about how open source has changed Google, and how Google has changed open source. Sadly, he couldn't comment on the KitKat name for Android 4.4. Linux Format: After nine years at Google, including the launch of Android, what's changed for you? Chris DiBona: Ah, well, when I got to Google, it was 1,800 people, and now we're topping 44,000. As you grow like that, everything grows, right? You get more developers who want to use more source code, you get more repositories, because nine years ago we didn't have that many to worry about. Now I have to worry about all of them. We didn't have Android or Chrome when I started, and it's been difficult to kick off those projects in a way that's consistent with the goals of the project and open source. Think about Android alone. It tops 400 Git repositories, and so we had to write all this new tooling that's all open source as well, such as Repo [Android's repository management tool] and Gerritt [a web-based code review system]. And then Git itself wasn't working for us anymore because it wasn't scaling when we'd have an operating system release. So we ended up hiring most of the Git team - there's like only one or two core committers now for Git who don't work at Google, and that's keeping Git running on our back-ends, but also keeping the clients out there up to date and everything working. So now, for instance, there's a Google team that maintains what you think of as Git in Debian. And that ensures that when a Debian, Mac or Windows user uses Git to pull Android - or to pull really any of our Git-based projects - that they're using the most recent version of Git. It's fairly complex, the way all the things weave together now. LXF: What was originally envisaged as your role at Google? Did Google think 'We're going to have 100 open source projects and we need someone to manage them?' CDB: If it were just 100 that would be one thing. I think technically, I've released a little over 3,700 projects since I started - large and small, mostly small obviously. For every Android there's a thousand smaller projects. Little tools that find their ways out there and patches galore. So when they hired me, they just knew they needed somebody who would care about this stuff professionally to come in and sort of keep things on an even keel. LXF: How do you manage the open source compliance in a project such as Android? CDB: I don't run Android but I do help them. For Android we were very lucky in that we were able to really make compliance part of the tooling and part of the build system early. LXF: Years ahead of its release? CDB: Yeah, about three years ahead. We worked with the Android team and we actually provide infrastructure for the Android team worldwide, as well as all the Android partners and the rest. We're able not just to say to them, 'Hey! You should be in compliance!' Because it's kind of not enough. We're able to say, 'Here's how you can stand in compliance.' And in fact, we're at the point where if you're shipping an Android device, even if you have no contact with Google whatsoever, and no real desire to even care, it is actually work to come out of compliance with Android because it will fill in the 'About' boxes for you, it will do a lot of things for you that the open source licences demand of you. So when you see an Android device that's out of compliance - I mean literally letter of the law out of compliance - it can be rare. Even if somebody is completely and wholly ignorant of what open source licences require. And in some ways that's the best case, right? Even in a company like Google where we have staff in place, as new repositories are created, as new projects are started - we're not always pretty. We have to be extremely up to date on what the company is doing, so that we can make sure that when it comes to the time to launch a product that they're able to do so in compliance with open source licences and, frankly, using the most up-to-date versions of open source software - they can be up to date on bugfixes and that sort of thing. We try to get in early, so that we're not seen as a barrier to launch because if we're slowing down launches, we're failing in a company like Google, and we don't want to be that group. http://mos.futurenet.com/techradar/art/magazines/Linux/Issue%20177/LXF177.iview.3-420-90.jpg LXF: Is that kind of compliance in the DNA of people that work at Google? CDB: Yes and no. You have to realise that open source licences can be extremely complex. You don't necessarily want engineers to become experts at licences, because if they're doing that sometimes they're not developing quickly because they're worrying too much about these interactions. We try to give them broad guidelines and smart tooling so they know the implications of that which they're building. We try not to have them become experts in licensing because it's a scale just like any other: if you're good at this do you have the capacity to be good at this other thing too? Maybe, but I'd rather have them concentrate solely on product development and all the rest. LXF: Has Google's approach to open source changed over those nine years? CDB: Sure. It's funny because depending on the project, they have different perspectives on open source. LXF: So ChromeOS has a different perspective than Android? CDB: I'd say so, yeah. I mean ChromeOS is a different approach to operating system development than Android. It's funny because if you're going to ship a browser, for instance, there are certain plugins that you want to make more secure, but those plugins are by their nature closed source - things like Flash. If you want a ChromeOS box to render Flash content and do it in a secure way, well, we had to cut a special deal with Adobe that would allow us to ship that version of Flash in that way. And that's something that doesn't show up in Chromium or ChromiumOS, right? It just shows up in ChromeOS. And so you have these funny borderlands between open source and proprietary software and how does that work? Similarly, if you want to cut a deal with one of the content producers in the USA, in Europe and the rest, they want to know that they have that whole "secure path" and to ensure that you have to make sure that the deal does not interact poorly with the open source licences in an operating system or program. That can be extremely tricky. On top of that is our standards work. We have one part of the company that is advocating for encrypted media extensions, for instance, so that they can ship Netflix players and that kind of thing, and then you also have Ian Hickson, who works for me, saying that that doesn't belong in the Web WG (Web Hypertext Application Technology Working Group) specification for HTML 5. LXF: So who makes the decision? CDB: This is the interesting thing about a company like Google. We can have both. Or we can have neither, depending on your perspective. We will sometimes have things that look conflicting, but they're not really. There's nothing wrong with us wanting the Web WG HTML 5 specification to be a pure document that doesn't depend on patent-laden technologies, like you'd find in some specifications, and also have an ancillary specification that adds to HTML 5 that allows for it. You can drive yourself crazy. LXF: Are you allowed to have an opinion on these kind of subjects, or do you remain objective? CDB: I always let one thing guide my actions and to date that's served me well. And it's this: I don't care, OK, if I like a project, or what it does for a user, or if I'm the user of that project so long as they're in compliance with open source licences - in spirit and in letter - I'm fine. I don't have to like it so long as they're compliant - so long as they're not disrespecting my friends in open source software. As long as our colleagues in open source software are being served well, I don't have to like it, because I like being in compliance. I am that kind of regulator, and as long as that which I regulate is healthy, I'm happy. LXF: And that includes something as contentious as DRM in the HTML 5 specification? CDB: It's extremely contentious. What I end up doing more often than not in those cases is ensuring, as much as I can, that the two teams treat each other nicely, you know don't call each other names, or whatever, and don't try to force the issue in unhealthy ways with each other. LXF: And as long as they're both in compliance, you're happy? CDB: As long as they're both in compliance, we're happy. That's actually never been a problem. They all know that that's something that's important too, so that's never really been a problem. The trick is when people are working on conflicting or competitive projects with each other; it's very difficult to keep them from turning that into a personal problem. As an engineering manager this is something that's true. LXF: What if there's a philosophical difference? CDB: It's funny because people say 'Oh, it's just software, you shouldn't worry about it'. Or 'It's just business, you shouldn't worry about it'. But what people seem to forget is that software and business are personal. It's how we get through our day. It's an important part of our lives so trying to keep things in perspective is really important. Now, you could say 'Does that make you a sellout Chris?' But I don't feel it does because given that the overall actions of the company have been, in my opinion, really strong and on the side of the angels, I think it's OK for us to have these discussions, especially internally. LXF: What do you spend most of your time working on now? CDB: I have a team of about 30 or so people working for me, and that's on various aspects of compliance and the Summer of Code, as well as tooling and infrastructure. I end up doing people management. Acquisitions compliance takes up a fair bit of time. When you have as many engineers as we do, and you have as many programme managers as we do, and project managers; people inside the company have to care about their careers and make sure that they're happy at a company like Google. So looking after promotions and calibration is something I think is really important, but not as exciting for your readers. http://mos.futurenet.com/techradar/art/magazines/Linux/Issue%20177/LXF177.iview.1-420-90.jpg LXF: Do you get to influence policy? CDB: Yes and no. I mean, I'm a director in the company. That means I'm not in charge. Larry is in charge, and then we have a bunch of people who are way more senior than I am. But I'm able to help out in a lot of ways, help people find their way careers and that's actually really rewarding. LXF: What do you think has been Google's biggest contribution to open source? CDB: I think that the three biggest projects we've released are Android, Chromium and Go. If you asked me ten years from now which one I'm proudest of, I'm going to have a hard time answering, because Android has had incredible impact. LXF: There's Summer of Code as well! CDB: Well, Summer of Code is a very personal thing that's affected thousands of people. Android and Chromium have affected millions, or even a billion people. But from my nerd heart, my programmer's soul, I look at things like Summer of Code; and I look at things like Go; and I look at things like even GCI, our High School programme. I think these things are what makes open source persist in ways that even Android and Chromium do and don't. Chromium and Android are market forces at this point. LXF: They are the proof that open source is legitimate? CDB: They're fundamental. Beyond legitimacy. There have always been people over the last 20 years who've said open source is a cancer, or not legitimate, or the enemy. They say things like this and that always sort of misses the point for me, because open source is everywhere, right. And if we want it to continue to be everywhere and continue to help computer science move forward, we have to continue making it and keep it fundamental. The way we do that is through languages and through platforms like Android. By improving established open platforms like the web through things like Chromium. You have to realise that before Chrome launched, people were still launching browsers where one tab could bring down the whole OS. That's really hard to do now. That's considered silly. And where JavaScript performance didn't really matter. We were able to change that with Chrome in a way that users obviously found useful. But it also forced people who are working off of WebKit and Gecko to take another look at performance and security. If we hadn't done that, the web would be in a much worse state right now because there's a lot of malware around the web; there are a lot of people looking to trick you on the web. But because of Chromium, we focussed on this stuff early enough that it saved - in my mind - what the web could be. Can you imagine if you didn't have the malware protection and the process isolation of Chrome, that Chrome brought to other browsers? Can you imagine surfing the web the way it is right now? It's pretty grim. There's a lot of malware. You end up basically funnelling people into fewer and fewer sites, and therefore fewer and fewer viewpoints and all the rest. LXF: Do you think Google would have existed without open source or without Linux? CDB: Probably. But I don't think the web would exist without open source and Linux. So there would have been no Google. It would have been something different, but without open source driving the internet there would have been no internet for Google to crawl, much less to run ads against, and much less to enforce our ideas around Android and Chromium. I think they're one and the same. LXF: Of Summer of Code's 1,200 students and 60 countries, 271 students have been/ are in India. Do you think the next ten years is going to see a shift in where and how technical innovation originates? CDB: I hope so. Every year that goes by we see more people from outside of the US take part. The US still has a healthy proportion - 250 or something - but it's amazing to see where people pop up - like Sri Lanka. Even during the civil war we still had Tamil and other Sri Lankan students taking part in the Summer of Code; it's like, how did it transcend borders in that way in that country? And so, Sri Lanka has always been really interesting to us in ways that even India and China are not. Here's basically a very small nation, and if you look at it, there's a couple of universities that really glommed onto Summer of Code as a way of expanding their curriculum. Think about that. 79 Computer Science students in a small university in a small country in the midst of a civil war, all doing remarkable work. This is the promise of the internet and computer science made flesh. LXF: Is that how you'd imagined Summer of Code to be? CDB: Not really. I don't want to portray myself as like a visionary. I never saw Summer of Code like that. I saw Summer of Code as a way that we could bring new people into open source. People we never would have seen before, because we were literally financing students so that they wouldn't have to go home and do something random that isn't Computer Science over the summer. So for me it was just a way of keeping computer scientists engaged for the summer and, hopefully, on open source. And it turned into something much more than that. Something more revolutionary than that in my opinion, and that's really a testament to the open source teams that have shown up and mentored, and all the rest. Remember, for every open source developer in the Summer of Code, there's a mentor and a project. Without the mentors, it wouldn't work. The only thing Summer of Code does, that's revolutionary… is it pairs up an experienced open source developer who's used to working remotely with other people with a neophyte developer. That's the remarkable thing because in the end that student can always go to their mentor and they can say, 'I'm having a problem.' Or the mentor can watch the incoming change list and say, "You're having a problem. If you do this and this, you're be doing good. If you do this and this, you're going to be doing bad." You don't even get that in most jobs! Now why not read Google at 15: from the garage to Glasshttp://rss.feedsportal.com/c/669/f/415085/s/34f55ddf/sc/4/mf.gifhttp://res3.feedsportal.com/social/twitter.png http://res3.feedsportal.com/social/facebook.png http://res3.feedsportal.com/social/linkedin.png http://res3.feedsportal.com/social/googleplus.png http://res3.feedsportal.com/social/email.png http://da.feedsportal.com/r/184841770751/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/34f55ddf/sc/4/rc/1/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/184841770751/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/34f55ddf/sc/4/rc/2/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/184841770751/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/34f55ddf/sc/4/rc/3/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/184841770751/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/34f55ddf/a2.imghttp://pi.feedsportal.com/r/184841770751/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/34f55ddf/a2t.imghttp://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/techradar/software-news/~4/OLCXMmtOn-Q

http://cdn.mos.techradar.com/art/software/Google%20Glass/GoogleGlasswink-470-75.jpgThe search giant has released a new software update for Google Glass, and with it will come the MyGlass app for iOS. Google says that the iOS app will have all the features that's already available for Android, including integration with Glassware apps like Google Search, Gmail and Google Plus, and also with the ability to mirror what you're seeing through Glass on your iDevice. Optimised for iOS, the Glass companion app will be up for free in Apple's App Store by the end of the week. Wink, wink XE12Besides MyGlass for iOS, the XE12 update, which is being rolled out for both the new Glass hardware as well as the older iteration, sure does bring a lot of new features, while doing away with a few. First up, there's no longer a need to say "OK, Glass, take a picture". With what Google is calling an "exploratory" feature, you'll be able to snap pictures with just a wink - which may worry non-Glass owners and may make Glass owners look a little more creepier. On the other hand, your Glass will be a little safer with a screen lock, which activates when it powers down or you remove the Glass, though it isn't clear yet how you will be able to unlock the device. Google has also removed the "Guest Mode" feature, which will likely make sharing and showing off the device even more difficult. New waresSpeaking of features removed, XE12 will also no longer attach a "Sent through Glass" tag to SMS messages, but there's no sign of being able to deactivate the signature on emails yet. Google Search cards, YouTube and Google Music Glassware functionality have all been beefed up as well, while Google has also added a "Glass must cool down" warning for when the hardware starts to overheat. But in terms of all new Glassware apps, Hangouts is finally making its debut on XE12, which is sure to make keeping in touch with people easier. Haven't been able to get your hands on Glass yet? Here are some Google Glass competitors you can check out instead.http://rss.feedsportal.com/c/669/f/415085/s/34f17aa3/sc/5/mf.gifhttp://res3.feedsportal.com/social/twitter.png http://res3.feedsportal.com/social/facebook.png http://res3.feedsportal.com/social/linkedin.png http://res3.feedsportal.com/social/googleplus.png http://res3.feedsportal.com/social/email.png http://da.feedsportal.com/r/184841732483/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/34f17aa3/sc/5/rc/1/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/184841732483/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/34f17aa3/sc/5/rc/2/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/184841732483/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/34f17aa3/sc/5/rc/3/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/184841732483/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/34f17aa3/a2.imghttp://pi.feedsportal.com/r/184841732483/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/34f17aa3/a2t.imghttp://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/techradar/software-news/~4/rz9QC3EIhyU

http://cdn.mos.techradar.com/art/internet/Google/apps/google_apps_ring-470-75.jpgGoogle has added a major update to its online spreadsheet program, Sheets, to include the ability to create and edit spreadsheets offline. Sheets, part of Google's Apps suite, has stood in the shadow of Microsoft Excel since its release. It has been hard pressed to measure up to one of the pillars of Microsoft's vastly successful Office package. Google has been working on making alternatives to Microsoft's flagships for some time, introducing programs 'Docs' in 2007 and 'Slides' in 2010. However its spreadsheet alternative still doesn't get recognition. It has been criticised before for its slow speed, online-only setting and inferior import options, especially when users attempt import from Excel. However, it can be credited for Microsoft's launch of Office 365. What users asked forThe reliability of imported files has now been tweaked with bug fixes and optimisation. The update has also made Sheets faster, especially when working with large and complex spreadsheets. A new filter view feature lets users create peeks at sections of a Sheet for their use only, even if it is shared. On top of this the help-system for entering formula has been given more fluidity. The update has also removed size limits (spreadsheets can now have up to two million cells) and, perhaps most crucially, added the ability to create and edit Sheets offline. This feature had already been present in Docs and Slides, Google's other Office alternatives, and had been what many users were asking for. It may still be lacking when compared to Excel, but for basic spreadsheet use, Google seems to have taken a step in the right direction. Microsoft has been attacking Google's Chromebooks and software recently with the argument that they don't offer any offline capabilities. The update probably won't stop Microsoft's campaign, but will take some of the sting out of the punches. 20 expert tips for Google Drive and Docshttp://rss.feedsportal.com/c/669/f/415085/s/34e0dad4/sc/4/mf.gifhttp://res3.feedsportal.com/social/twitter.png http://res3.feedsportal.com/social/facebook.png http://res3.feedsportal.com/social/linkedin.png http://res3.feedsportal.com/social/googleplus.png http://res3.feedsportal.com/social/email.png http://da.feedsportal.com/r/180266325647/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/34e0dad4/sc/4/rc/1/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/180266325647/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/34e0dad4/sc/4/rc/2/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/180266325647/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/34e0dad4/sc/4/rc/3/rc.img http://da.feedsportal.com/r/180266325647/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/34e0dad4/a2.imghttp://pi.feedsportal.com/r/180266325647/u/49/f/415085/c/669/s/34e0dad4/a2t.imghttp://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/techradar/software-news/~4/PpMHoH7H4U8

http://cdn.mos.techradar.com/art/televisions/Google/Chromecast/Chromecast_Android_app_screen_2-470-75.JPGGoogle is in talks with third party manufacturers over the launch of more Chromecast-like devices, as the company looks to make the Google Cast streaming tech an industry standard available on Android and iOS. Speaking to Gigaom, Google VP of Product Management Mario Queiroz, said the web giant has big plans for its little dongle in 2014 which may include new hardware solutions and an open SDK for developers. "Our broader goal is for Google Cast to be established as a standard," Queiroz said, while adding that an API will allow developers to add Cast functionality to applications on other platforms. Queiroz told the site Google is in "serious conversations" with a number of manufacturers in the hope of rolling out more Cast-compatible devices in 2014. Making every app 'castable'As well as the open SDK and more devices Google is also planning to bring Cast functionality to as many applications as possible in the next 12 months. Although Cast-friendly apps have been on the rise in recent months, Google acknowledges "there will be an expectation from consumers that any and every app will be 'castable.'" Queiroz said "hundreds of developers have already signed up for the scheme. 2014 will also mark the year Chromecast officially goes global with an international roll out on the horizon. The VP says expectant Android device owners will be "pleasantly surprised" by the scope of the expansion. Don't cross the streams! It's Apple TV vs Google Chromecasthttp://rss.feedsportal.com/c/669/f/415085/s/34d0ad1f/sc/15/mf.gifhttp://res3.feedsportal.com/social/twitter.png http://res3.feedsportal.com/social/facebook.png http://res3.feedsportal.com/social/linkedin.png http://res3.feedsportal.com/social/googleplus.png http://res3.feedsportal.com/social/email.pnghttp://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/techradar/software-news/~4/60JxYTCxxrI