Apps and Updates

1,635 'Apps and Updates' stories June 2013 - April 2016

See All Stories

Android Gmail app gets full Microsoft Exchange support on any device

Jordan Kahn Apr 25 2016 - 12:46 pm PT

Google is rolling out an update to the Android Gmail app that brings full support for Microsoft Exchange accounts on any device.

Full support for Exchange and the dual delivery feature allowing use of both Google Apps and Exchange simultaneously within the app was previously limited to certain Nexus Android devices. Users had previously found a workaround by installing the APK for the Gmail version with Exchange support on non-supported devices, but Google’s update will bring support for the feature to all Android users via the official Gmail app on Google Play.

Google said the feature is rolling out to all users now but that it could take a few days

Look out for the updated Gmail for Android app on Google Play.

Google Drive will now send alert notifications on the web in Chrome

Abner Li Apr 25 2016 - 10:43 am PT

In the past, the primary way of interacting with Google Drive notifications was through email. It was only recently that Drive on Android and iOS begin sending alert notifications. Starting today, Google Drive will also send out notifications on the web in Chrome.

Expand
Expanding
Close

Android apps and the Play Store show up briefly for some Chrome OS users

Abner Li Apr 24 2016 - 7:26 pm PT

Last year, Google began letting developers test and run their Android apps on Chrome with the App Runtime for Chrome (ARC). Google appears close to officially releasing the feature by launching a version of the Play Store for Chrome OS.

Expand
Expanding
Close

Google Play Music honors Prince by going purple, Android app testing new search bar

Abner Li Apr 22 2016 - 11:02 am PT

After a months-long wait, Google Play Music finally added podcasts features earlier this week. To pay homage to the passing of music icon Prince yesterday, the web app has since adopted a purple theme. Additionally, some users (via Android Police) are now seeing a new search bar in the Android app.

Expand
Expanding
Close

The Weather Channel and Samsung join forces to create a new app, here’s what it looks like [Gallery]

Cam Bunton Apr 22 2016 - 6:16 am PT

Samsung has joined forces with The Weather Channel to launch a brand new weather app, designed specifically for the latest Galaxy handsets. The Weather Channel for Samsung has a whole host of really useful features and metrics, and will be available on the Galaxy Apps store for Galaxy S6 Edge, Galaxy S7 Edge and Galaxy Note 5.

Expand
Expanding
Close

Microsoft adds image and inline translation to its Translator and Hub Keyboard apps

Edoardo Maggio Apr 21 2016 - 12:43 pm PT

While English is without a doubt the most common and prominent language in the world, it goes without saying that it’s not the only one, and that people often travel and want to understand what the words around them mean.

Multilingual dictionaries and translation apps come in handy, of course, but much like Google last year, Microsoft is taking a step ahead with its Translator app, giving it a few new features that will allow it to scan and translate on the fly…

Expand
Expanding
Close

Tech News on Android, iOS, and mobile web will soon list AMP articles

Abner Li Apr 20 2016 - 2:52 pm PT

Accelerated Mobile Pages load much faster than regular mobile pages and earlier this year launched in mobile search results. Now, Tech News on Android, iOS, and the mobile web will soon include AMP articles for a faster reading experience.

Expand
Expanding
Close

Google Keep gets a Chrome extension to easily save & add notes to links and images

Abner Li Apr 20 2016 - 10:39 am PT

Update: The Android app is receiving a similar update that allows users to add notes right from the Share menu. Additionally, hashtags in notes now act as labels.

Google Keep started out as a basic, cross platform note taking app with reminders and has slowly gained more features like image uploading, advanced search, and drawing. An update today adds a new Chrome extension that allows users to easily save and markup web pages and images.

Expand
Expanding
Close

Inbox by Gmail update makes newsletters glanceable and adds a Pocket-like save feature

Abner Li Apr 20 2016 - 9:55 am PT

Since its launch in 2014, Inbox has been updated with many smart features to make managing email simpler. An update today adds a trio of new features to keep better track of Google Calendar events, shorten newsletters, and save links to view later.

Expand
Expanding
Close

You can now search and listen to podcasts right from the Google app on Android

Abner Li Apr 20 2016 - 8:49 am PT

Earlier this week, podcast listening, subscribing, and syncing features were finally added to Play Music. While that app update is still rolling out, the Google app for Android has just gained similar podcast listening features.

Expand
Expanding
Close

This is Material Design for Chrome, first rolling out to Chrome OS

Abner Li Apr 20 2016 - 8:01 am PT

While Chrome 50 started rolling out to the desktop browser last week, there had been no word about the expected Material Design refresh. Now, as detailed by a Google designer, Chrome OS will be the first to get the design revamp.

Expand
Expanding
Close

Google Analytics 3.0 brings Material Design and fresh logo to Android app

Cam Bunton Apr 19 2016 - 7:05 am PT

Update: The new app also lets users share reports with anyone.

Google’s Analytics app has finally been updated to bring it up to date with the all-important Marshmallow-ified version of the Material Design ethos introduced originally with Android Lollipop. That means the top status bar blends in to the color scheme of the app which is now (mostly) bright orange.

I guess it’s fair to say that either the Analytics Android app hasn’t been a big priority, or that it’s used so infrequently that no one noticed the update hadn’t landed sooner, or both. Regardless, version 3.0 for Android is being rolled out, and has the new design and a new logo to go with it.

Expand
Expanding
Close

Ability to download individual Google Docs, Sheets, and Slides for offline editing now rolling out

Abner Li Apr 18 2016 - 6:17 pm PT

In 2013, Google Drive addressed one of the biggest advantages of Microsoft Office: offline access and editing. With this feature enabled, Docs, Slides, and Sheets effectively becomes a native application. An update starting today will allow users to select specific files to store and edit without an internet connection.

Expand
Expanding
Close

Google Camera 3.2 brings interface tweaks & ability to take photos while recording video

Abner Li Apr 18 2016 - 12:15 pm PT

Making its first appearance in Android N Developer Preview 2 last week, a new version of Google Camera is now rolling out to Nexus devices. The update features some slight interface tweaks and lets users take pictures while recording video.

Expand
Expanding
Close

Podcasts are now live in Google Play Music & rolling out to Android users, coming soon to iOS

Abner Li Apr 18 2016 - 10:39 am PT

As leaked by NPR last week, podcasts are now live in Play Music. Google announced the feature last October and podcasters have since been able to upload their shows. Besides just subscribing and listening, Google will apply the same recommendation features for music to podcasts.

Expand
Expanding
Close

LinkedIn today launching Tinder-style swiping Android app to help U.S. students find jobs

Ben Lovejoy Apr 18 2016 - 6:34 am PT

Screenshots show iOS version, also launching today

The LinkedIn profile of the typical student may look a little empty at this stage in their career, but the company believes its network can still be useful. It’s today launching an Android app to help students identify companies and job titles that might be suitable for them, as well as pointing to live job postings that may be of interest.

Expand
Expanding
Close

‘Ghostbusters: Slime City’ mobile game coming alongside new movie, first screenshots & trailer [Video]

Jordan Kahn Apr 15 2016 - 8:46 am PT

The new Ghostbusters movie reboot is set for release in theatres this July, and alongside the film Activision and Sony announced today they will release Ghostbusters: Slime City for mobile devices, including Android. The companies just sent over a first look at the game including a trailer with brief gameplay shots and some screenshots below.

The storyline in the game will take place after the events that unfold in the new movie, and the characters will not be clones of the film’s cast but rather a new selection of heroes. The new Ghostbusters movie is a reboot of the original film and features an all female cast in the main roles, including: Melissa McCarthy, Kristen Wig, Kate McKinnon, and Leslie Jones.

The rundown on gameplay in Ghostbusters: Slime City from the press release:

Expand
Expanding
Close

Google Drive for Mac/PC update lets users choose what files to sync locally

Abner Li Apr 14 2016 - 1:58 pm PT

The Google Drive apps for Mac/PC are receiving a small update today that lets users choose what specific subfolders to sync locally, while an update to the Android app includes a slight tweak to the upload interface.

Expand
Expanding
Close

Podcasts reportedly coming to Google Play Music on April 18

Abner Li Apr 14 2016 - 1:26 pm PT

Google announced in October that podcasts would be coming to Play Music. Since then, Google has been working with podcast networks and podcasters could begin adding their shows. According to NPR (via Android Police), Google will finally launch the feature on April 18th, this coming Monday.

Expand
Expanding
Close

iPhone and Samsung Gear S2 support draws closer as iOS app leaks

Greg Barbosa Apr 14 2016 - 11:26 am PT

We’ve previously reported that the Samsung Gear S2 would be gaining support for iOS later this year, and it looks like that support is coming soon. A member of the XDA-Developers forums has shared a link to a potentially early version of a Samsung Gear S2 specific app that would allows iOS to pair with the device. While the app appears to be in the early stages (indications of the app’s creation dates back to March 2nd), it could potentially show us what the final app will look like.

Based on discussions in the forum, users looking to attempt the pair the devices may have to restore their S2 to factory settings before having it pair with the leaked iOS application. This may require having another Android device on hand, but the results seem to be mixed at this point. Some forum members are also indicating that they are able to receive notifications pushed from iOS, but have no way to reply.

: Image Credit: matchev from xda-developers forums

: Image Credit: matchev from xda-developers forums

: Image Credit: matchev from xda-developers forums

: Image Credit: rino76 from xda-developers forums

The Samsung Gear S2 Lite iOS application can be installed through iTunes, or by side-loading through Xcode. Before launching the application, a Samsung specific enterprise profile must be accepted through settings. We cannot stress this enough, installing applications from unverified sources is not guaranteed safe. Proceed with extreme caution.

The Samsung Gear S2 is available refurbished from Best Buy for $159.99, or new from Amazon at $249.

Chrome 50 released to stable channel with improved push notification reliability [Update]

Abner Li Apr 13 2016 - 1:44 pm PT

Update 4/25: Chrome 50 for Android is rolling out now with the ability to pause and cancel downloads from the notification shade.

Chrome 50 is rolling out now to Mac, Windows, and Linux. The latest version of the browser contains the usual bug and security fixes, but also features an update to improve the reliability of push notifications and speed up page load.

Expand
Expanding
Close

Minecraft ‘Realms’ paid online gameplay coming to Pocket Edition app, Android alpha now available

Jordan Kahn Apr 13 2016 - 1:38 pm PT

Minecraft developers Mojang today announced a new online gameplay feature coming soon to the Minecraft: Pocket Edition mobile apps called “Minecraft Realms.”

Expand
Expanding
Close

You can now use a Shaq voice in Waze to mark the 2016 NBA playoffs

Stephen Hall Apr 13 2016 - 1:32 pm PT

Waze is known for adding special voices to its app to help you navigate while on the road, and the latest is the addition of Shaq’s voice to commemorate the 2016 NBA playoffs. This follows the Google-owned navigation app featuring the voice of Morgan Freeman in February to mark the release of London Has Fallen…

Expand
Expanding
Close

Yahoo Mail app gets access to Google Drive, Dropbox, GIFs from Tumblr, & three home screen widgets

Jordan Kahn Apr 13 2016 - 12:21 pm PT

Yahoo Mail is getting a notable update today for Android (and other mobile app users) that allows access to files stored in Google Drive, Dropbox, and GIFs on Tumblr. You can use the new feature to quickly attach a photo or other file from any of the supported services to emails.
Expand
Expanding
Close