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

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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.

One of the most exciting things shared at Google I/O this year is some major improvements to their Google Now voice search functionality. In fact, they made it clear their intention is to eventually eliminate "search as we know it." The keynote speaker for the Google Now service made it clear that his dream since childhood was to create a computer experience in which the user communicated via voice with the device, just like in "Star Trek the Next Generation" TV series. The Google Now team has evolved the product to a whole new level, and although we aren't quite to the Star Trek level of things, the new functionality is dramatically closer than before.

For folks who have had the pleasure of using Google Now, it is an amazing and truly useful tool, but it's new functionality takes that much further. The demonstration shared several new focuses and features for the service.

First, they updated the intelligent search feature “knowledge graph,” and it now attempt to anticipate future searches based on past and current queries and your location. It now offers a much more personal experience as well. One of the examples in the demo found our user asking Google Now in plain conversational English a number of useful questions, including flight times, geographic locations and features, and much more. It can even interpret your intent and offer information without you sharing very many details in your query.

Google also added a hands-free conversational search to the Chrome browser, and users can start the voice recognition software with a simple, "okay Google." Google responds with a search result and an audio answer. It can even display cards in your browser after a search to allow you to categorize better.

Ultimately, describing this functionality is much less impressive than seeing it demonstrated. Eventually Google will likely make the keynote video available and when they do, be sure to start watching at about the 2 minute mark to see the new Google Now functions demonstrated in real-time. It's amazing how far we have come toward fulfilling that dream of voice communicated control of our devices.

Source: Google I/O

Those crafty Googlers at Google I/O this year shared a ton of new info regarding the direction of Android, the Google Play Store and the services and software for developers and consumers. We wanted to share a quick breakdown of what they said.

First, Android activations are already up to 900 Million total. This means we will easily hit the 1 Billion marke before the end of the year. As far as app installs go, 48 Billion apps have been installed from the Google Play Store, with 2.5 Billion last month alone. This has had a huge positive effect for devlopers, as revenue payed out to developers has risen by 2.5x per user in just one month.

They also announced several new services for both developers and consumers. Here's a breakdown of new Google Play Services,

There are three new Google Maps APIs

• Fused Location Provide which is a new location API - it is faster & more accurate and uses far less power than before
• Geofencing - creates virtual fences
• Activity Recognition - helps the Google Maps recognize whether you are driving, walking, riding a bike and more

Google Created a new Google IM cross platform sign-on which got the press and developers pretty excited.

They also improved GCM (Google Cloud Messaging)

• Now supports persistent communication with servers
• Now supports upstream messaging
• Synchronizes notifications across multiple devices

Google also announced their new Google Play Gaming Services and Gaming APIs

• Cloud Safe - saves user data across multiple devices (you can finish level one of a game on your phone and start where you left off on your tablet for example.)
• Achievements and Leaderboards - encourages friendly competition with friends - check out your rankings compared to others - allows for cross platform comparisons
• Comprehensive Player Matching Service for Multiplayer - Easy to invite & quickly find and join friends or new people for multiplayer gaming

Android Studio - based upon IntelliJ

• Allows developers to be faster & more productive
• Includes multi-configuration editor - can make easy alterations for apps across multiple sized and multi-language devices & more

Google Play Developer Console has been improved with 5 exciting new features

• Optimization Tips
• App Translation Service
• Referral Tracking
• Revenue Graphs
• Beta Testing & Staged Rollouts

Finally, they also shared their new Google Play improvements including a UI that scales across multiple devices and a similar design for the web based version.

After this they showed off their new Google Music Subscription service called "All Access" which is a pretty big deal for the industry and will shake things up a bit. You can read more about that at our separate story from "CK." They topped things off by announced the Samsung Galaxy S4 Google Edition Pure Android Unlocked device.
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Google has announced their new music streaming service today at Google I/O. The music service will come as part of Google Play Music, and gets a subscription tag called 'All Access.' Some of the great features you get with All Access:

• Immediate and instant access to millions of tracks and Albums
• Recommended Playlists
• Featured lists and genre's
• Can be accessed via Browser, PC, Tablet, and Smartphone
• Turn your listening/artist preference into your own 'radio station'
• Ability to skip, move and delete tracks from your 'radio station'

The service is launching today in the US with a FREE 30-day trial. Following the trial, the service will cost just $9.99 per month, but if you try out the service before June 30th, Google will give you full access for only $7.99/month.

It's interesting how polarizing Google Glass can be (and I am not referring to a sunglass mounted version, although that will likely come in the future). Some folks are thrilled by all the possibilities presented by the device, while some are appalled at the concept and think it will flop. Of course, there are the folks in the middle who will happily sit on the fence until all of this actually shakes out with the retail launch of the device. In the mean-time, a clever videographer at Playground Labs decided to create a small movie showcasing a ton of creative and practical uses for the device, just to show the possibilities for the future.

Will this video get some of the folks in the middle to jump off the fence, or even sway some who think it will flop? Share your thoughts.