Despite the fact that Google Now in other forms has been out longer than Siri, it looks like Apple has added the service to its long list of lawsuits against Samsung, referring specifically to the Google Now functionality on the Galaxy S4. Here's a quote with some additional detail,

Apple has updated an earlier lawsuit filed against Samsung with claims that the Galaxy S4 and its Google Now feature violate two Apple patents covering functions of its own virtual personal assistant, Siri. Florian Mueller of FOSS Patents relayed news of the updated complaint on Wednesday, and he noted that two of the patents — U.S. Patent 8,086,604, and U.S. Patent 6,846,959 — cover technologies related to Siri. Both filings describe a “universal interface for retrieval of information in a computer system.” Apple also added three more patents to its earlier complaint that are not related to Siri, according to the report.

As you can see, Apple is up to its old tricks again. It's interesting that they are targeting Google Now on the SGS4, but not going after Google in the courts directly. Perhaps it's just a publicity stunt to convince people Apple had voice search and assistance first, even though it had been on Android for quite a bit longer. At this point it almost looks like Apple's lawyers are simply throwing stuff at the wall to see what they can get to stick.

Source: BGR

Here's something funny that came out of Google I/O 2013 this year. During the conference Google "Trolled" their own attendees by showing off tidbits of Key Like Pie easter eggs sprinkled throughout the events. Here's a quote with more of the details,

During Reto Meier’s “Android Protips 3: Making Apps Work Like Magic” session at Google at IO13, Google did what they do best, tease their fans with upcoming Android release juicy nuggets. His session teaches developers how to use advanced Android techniques to build good apps. Apps so good, users will think they’re magical. Besides learning the tricks of the trade, at about 25 minutes in, there’s an Android wearing an magicians cap, eating a piece of Key Lime Pie. Oh, Google. We love it when you tease us like this.

The trolling didn’t stop there either. Later on during the session, Google showcased a crude game (Is that some sort of Cthulhu?). The boss attributes include Chrome, Jelly Bean, and Key Lime Pie.

You can't help but appreciate those crazy Googlers even when their sense of humor boarders on the sadistic.

Source: AndroidAuthority

The new flagship Android tablet from Sony just went global a couple of days ago. Sony announced the world-wide availability of their new Xperia Z tablet. You can get it in the United States starting at $499.99 at Amazon. That price might seem a bit steep for an Android tablet, but this the main advantage of this tab is you can use it in nearly any conditions, rain, snow or sunshine. It is also the thinnest and lightest tablet on the market. Here's a spec-list and Sony press release,

• 10-inch 1080p
• Quad-core Snapdragon S4 Pro CPU
• 2GB of RAM
• 16GB of internal storage (and other larger options available)
• A microSD slot for additional expansion
• 8MP Sony Exmor R camera
• Optional 4G LTE connectivity (for a price jump)

LONDON, May 20, 2013 /PRNewswire/ --

World's slimmest*, lightest** tablet hits shelves across the globe

Ultimate entertainment tablet comes in 4G or WiFi and a choice of black or white

Red Dot Design Award 2013 joins growing list of accolades

Sony Mobile today announced that Xperia Tablet Z - the world's slimmest, lightest premium Android tablet - is now available to buy across the globe through Sony's retail and operator partners as well as online channels. The multi-award winning product - which recently picked up a Red Dot Design Award 2013 - has received the largest number of pre-orders of any Sony tablet to date.

Xperia Tablet Z captures the very best of Sony's technology, design, connectivity and entertainment in a premium high-performance water-resistant tablet. It's incredibly slim and lightweight and includes Sony's stunning and now familiar OmniBalance design that perfectly complements its smartphone sibling - the smash hit Xperia Z. Xperia Tablet Z is available in black or white finishes and in 4G or WiFi versions.

"Xperia Tablet Z has received an incredibly positive response since it was announced and this is demonstrated by the strong pre-orders the product has received," said Tomokazu Tajima , Senior Vice President, Head of UX Creative Design and Planning, at Sony Mobile Communications. "We believe we have created the ultimate tablet experience and one that is uniquely Sony. Who else would design a tablet that can be used as a media center, a TV remote control - as well as sync seamlessly with Xperia Z and be submerged for 30 minutes underwater!?"

Xperia Tablet Z is also the best connected tablet available and continues Sony's unique one-touch function story using NFC. No other company is making it easier to enjoy content between multiple products such as TVs, speakers and smartphones than Sony.

A number of companion

... [Read More]

Microsoft just announced their new sucessor to the Xbox 360, and it is not called the Xbox 720. It's called the Xbox One and it absolutely blew us away! From the fantastic specs to the rich and amazing feature-set, this new Xbox One is poised to take the home entertainment world by storm. The Xbox One will hit retail shelves later on this year and just might transform the way we think about games, movies, music, Skype video calling and more.


We are so excited we just had to start a new forum for this white hot device! We wanted to share it with you guys to give you an opportunity to join in on the discussions just begninning. Please check it out at the Xbox One Forums!

The newest hot Android tablet from Samsung might be coming pretty soon. The Samsung Galaxy Tab 3 8.0 just got its press pic leaked. We also have some intel on specs for the device. Here's the industry speculation at the moment,

• Wi-Fi, 3G and LTE versions
• Android 4.2.2 Jelly Bean
• 8-inch 1280 x 800 pixels display (could be better at time of launch)
• 1.3MP front-facing camera
• 5MP rear camera
• Bluetooth 4.0
• Dual-core 1.5GHz processor
• 1.5GB of RAM
• 16GB of internal memory
• MicroSD card support (up to 64GB)
• 4,450 mAh battery

As you can see, the specs aren't spectacular, but perhaps the price will be competitive because of that. If they can price it below certain point it could put the squeeze on the Apple iPad Mini. We will keep you apprised if something more concrete comes out.

Source: UnWiredView

The LG flexible OLED display reveal is going to happen a great deal sooner than expected. In fact, according to a press release directly from LG, they will be debuting the technology later this week at the The Society for Information Display annual show in Vancouver, Canada. LG plans to debut a 5-inch unbreakable flexible OLED display at the event.

Samsung has been developing their own version of this remarkable new tech as well, but they have run into some development snags. It will be a remarkable achievement if LG's version of the tech actually beats Samsung to market so quickly. Here's LG's official press release,

Seoul, Korea (May 20, 2013) – LG Display [NYSE: LPL, KRX: 034220], a leading innovator of display technologies, will showcase the latest TV, mobile, and other products representing the future of display technology at the Society for Information Display’s (SID) Display Week 2013. Underscoring its leadership in OLED technology, the company will introduce both a curved 55-inch OLED TV and a 5-inch plastic OLED panel. Also exhibited will be mobile panels applied with Oxide Thin Film Transistor (TFT) which is viewed as the next generation TFT technology.
“Recent trends indicate that the small- and medium-sized display market is moving towards high resolution and low power consumption, and the large panel market to OLED and Ultra HD,” said Dr. Sang-Deok Yeo, CTO and Executive Vice President of LG Display. “With the resulting rapid need for new display advancements, LG Display, at the forefront of these trends, is well positioned to lead the market with its differentiated and cutting-edge technologies.”

Industry Leadership in OLED

LG Display will demonstrate its industry leadership in OLED technology by showcasing a curved 55-inch OLED TV, as well as its award-winning standard 55-inch OLED TV at SID 2013. Based on the same WRGB OLED technology as the standard set, now widely adopted as the most effective OLED application for large-sized panels, the new curved 55-inch OLED TV offers a glimpse into the future of TV design.

In addition, for the first time to the public, the company will unveil an unbreakable and flexible 5- inch plastic OLED panel for mobile devices. The development comes at a crucial time when smart devices are being used more than ever and at increased risk for damage from drops, hits, and other accidents.

Next Generation TFT LCD Method

LG Display will also introduce 5-inch and 7-inch HD LCD panels based on Oxide TFT, seen as the next generation TFT technology as it offers high investment efficiency in producing thin, high transparency, and low power consumption displays. LG Display, which utilized this technology in its large-sized OLED displays for the first time in the world, will expand its expertise to LCD panel development thereby leading the market.
The 5-inch HD panel will feature 1.0mm bezel allowing production of borderless smartphones that are lightweight and emit significantly less

... [Read More]

If you thought nothing about Google TV was going on at Google I/O this year you are mistaken. Although they didn't mention anything specific to Google TV during the keynote, since then they announced some cool new things for the service. First, Google is now sending out the latest Android 4.2.2/Jelly Bean to Google TV. This is a welcome upgrade and should get GTV users excited. Additionally, they are also sending out the latest version of Chrome as well. Now browsing on your Google TV should be even faster than before.

That's not all. Google also announced they plan to bring updates to Google TV on a much more timely basis, specifically stating “weeks rather than months.” Here's a quote below from the Google TV developer's blog G+ account with all the details,

Over the past few months Google TV has gathered momentum by launching powerful features for our users such as the highest quality voice search of any TV product and strong manufacturer adoption of the platform. At Google I/O, it’s time to talk about developers and enabling them to bring more great experiences to TV.

Today, Google TV is moving to the latest version of Android (Jelly Bean, 4.2.2), and we’ve refactored Google TV so that our TV OEM partners can update to future versions of Android in a matter of weeks rather than months. For developers, this means you can build TV experiences using the latest Android APIs, including the NDK.

Today Google TV is also moving to the latest version of Chrome, and from now on Google TV benefits from Chrome updates on the same six week cycle that you’ve come to expect from Chrome. In Chrome on Google TV, we’ve added support for hardware-based content protection, enabling developers to provide premium TV content in HD within their web apps.

Google TV-powered devices in market will start to receive updates in the coming months, and we expect to see new devices launched later this year. If you are attending Google IO, please check out the “Android: As seen on TV!” session and stop by the Google TV Developer Sandbox area.
https://developers.google.com/tv/

LG has already updated some of their new Google TV equipped LG HDTVs with the newest Android 4.2.2 version. Above is a video of the TV with the new update.

Source: Google TV Developer's Blog Google+

For some, the Google I/O 2013 Keynote was as remarkable for what was not included as what was included. Many were hoping to catch a glimpse of a new Nexus 7 product, or maybe Android 4.3 which we have been hearing rumors about. Sadly, that didn't happen, (unless you indirectly consider the new SGS4 GE to be a pseudo-Nexus device release). However, there is some new info suggesting we will still see both a Nexus 7 and Android 4.3 before the end of the summer.

The latest "rumint" indicates a July time-frame for the launch of both of these. Obviously, these launches will be designed to coincide because Android 4.3 will be the OS debuted on the new Nexus 7 model refresh. There is not really much known about Android 4.3 at this time. No real features or functions have been leaked during the time we have caught glimpses of its nomenclature. The only hint we have is the next iteration of Android is likely to include the new Bluetooth 4.0 Smart Ready (also known as Bluetooth Low Energy or BLE). This will be a new Bluetooth standard which uses less power than the current standard, which will be much appreciated in the mobile world.

This hint of a feature also leads into why the speculation suggests a July time-frame for the release of Android 4.3. Google sent out a press release about the new standard, and supposedly someone at let slip during a Google I/O 2013 developer session that the new BLE will be launched in a couple of months. If you put two and two together, this indirectly confirms a July launch of a feature that will most likely be given in an incremental update like Android 4.3 would be. Of course, it's just speculation at this point, but we will keep you informed if more details emerge.

Source: AndroidAuthority

Here's a Google Glass double story for you this morning.

First, we have some intriguing intel for Google Glass developers. It looks like Google plans to subtly tempt developers to hack Glass on purpose. According to insider sources, one of Google I/O's sessions this week will be dedicated specifically to giving developers root access to Glass, with the intent of encouraging them to create experimental applications. Despite the fact that your warranty will be voided if you gain root access to the device, Google actively wants developers to pursue this, just to see how far they can take their creative energies. ~ Technology Review

Second, we wanted to take a moment and gauge interest in Google's newest "outside the box" product. Google Glass has become a polarizing device in the media. Almost everyday we hear stories of people & groups who hate it or love it. Of course, there are also some folks who are cautiously skeptical and sitting firmly in the middle on this device. This gives us the perfect opportunity for a Thursday morning poll. Here's the gist of it below,

Are you excited by the prospect of Google Glass and think it could be a highly successful new gadget in the future?
Do you think Google Glass is a silly toy that will flop like the Segway?
Or, are you not quite sure what to make of this creature yet, and want to wait until the final retail launch to offer your judgement?

Share your perspective in the poll and the thread.

Amongst the plethora of new stuff Google announced at the Google I/O 2013 Keynote yesterday, one of the new services they will be offering is actually pretty exciting because of how mundane, yet useful it will be. Google plans to offer a new service soon in which you can send and/or receive money to friends directly through Google Wallet or even just through Gmail! What's really amazing about it is that if you are sending money via Google Wallet, there will be no fees at all, the transaction will be completely free. Sending through Gmail will incur a small fee, but for the added convenience it is to be expected. Here's a video above demoing the service, and a full quote from Google's blog below for more of the details,

Paying back your friends is now as simple as sending an email, whether you’re chipping in for lunch or reimbursing your roommate for your share of the rent.

Google Wallet is now integrated with Gmail, so you can quickly and securely send money to friends and family directly within Gmail -- even if they don’t have a Gmail address. It's free to send money if your bank account is linked to Google Wallet or using your Google Wallet Balance, and low fees apply to send money using your linked credit or debit card.

To send money in Gmail, hover over the attachment paperclip, click the $ icon to attach money to your message, enter the amount you wish to send, and press send.

While sending money in Gmail is currently only available on desktop, you can send money from Google Wallet at wallet.google.com from your phone or laptop. You will need to have set up Google Wallet to send and receive money, and Google Wallet Purchase Protection covers you 100% against eligible unauthorized payments.

We’re rolling out this feature over the coming months to all U.S. Gmail users over 18 years old, so keep an eye out for the $ icon in the attachment options. You can also get earlier access if your friends have the feature and send money to you.

To learn more, visit our website.

Source: GMail Blog

For any of our members who had to miss the Google I/O 2013 keynote, they made the entire 4 hour event available on YouTube. Here it is above if you have half a workday to spare now. Enjoy!

For weeks now we have been hearing rumors about a new Hangouts unified messaging service from Google. Today at Google I/O they made it official and shared the details,

• Hangouts combines all Google messaging services including Google Talk, Google+ Hangouts and Google Messenger
• It will be available starting Wednesday on Google Chrome OS, Android and iOS
• It can also be accessed through desktop versions of Google+ and Gmail
• Hangouts will also allow users to save text, images and videos from any of their chats conducted across all platforms
• It will also allow you to access them through Google’s cloud storage service
• Hangouts will also let users start video calls with up to 10 people at the same time

Even though Google hasn't really announced any cool new gadgets (other than the unlocked pure Android SGS4), it is obvious they have been focusing hardcore on developing better software experiences. It's sometimes easy to forget that not all major technological advances are physical objects. Software is what drives our devices to do so much, and it's developers that make this amazing stuff possible.

Source: Google I/O

Be sure to request an invite to experience the new Google Maps folks! You will receive the invite first thing in the morning according to Google.