If you are a web developer than Google has created something very useful for you. It is the “Save to Drive” button which can be used on your webpage. This button allows users to save a document or image right into their Google Drive.
How “Save to Drive” button works?
It really requires a developer to only post a small amount of script and HTML code. Basically copy-paste the code below into your webpage. (Reproduced from here)
I have been a little surprised that LG might be producing a new Nexus 5 phone to be presented at Google IO. In this post, I will be doing something that can quickly backfire, which is putting down 5 reasons why LG Nexus 5 seems a unlikely at this year’s Google I/O conference that starts next week.
The rumours really started with a reputable source called @EvLeaks – which often accurately leaks new phone models before they are presented to the public. It started with the picture below posted by Evleaks on their Facebook page.
It might not be the Nexus, it could be the LG Optimus G 2. If you look at the image above it shows LG logo at the front. That is not how Nexus phones usually show of the manufacturers logo. The logo is usually on the back of the phone.
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This is meant to reaffirm the Google Nexus brand more than the manufacturers brand. Also the screen size is supposedly 5.5 inches. That actually is closer to the size of LG Optimus G and hence its likely this one is actually the Optimus G2 phone and not the Nexus 5.
2. Google X phone or Motorola’s new phone
Google might be releasing a new phone from Motorola. It is very unlikely that Google IO will feature two phones. Guy Kawasaki who works for Motorola has teased on his Google+ page that smartphones should be customizable like cars leading to rumours that Motorola’s next phone will be just that. Also Google’s CEO Larry Page has talked about a new phone from Motorola and even hinted it will be unbreakable.
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3. Its too soon for Nexus 5
The Nexus 4 was released in the first week of November 2012. So a Nexus 5 will be only after 6 months. Some might like the idea but people who bought the Nexus 4 will actually not like that. If they have bought a phone, they do not expect a newer model to come out only in a few months.
LG Nexus 4 did not ship with LTE and we might see Nexus 4 with LTE upgrade being announced at the Google IO conference.
4. LG is not necessarily going to make the next Nexus 5
Nexus phones are meant to be Google phones. But the manufacturer is not constant. For instance previous Nexus phones have been manufactured by HTC and Samsung. So it is not necessary that Google will repeat LG for Nexus 5 though it the success of Nexus 4 might work in LG’s favour.
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5. Google IO is about developers not phones launches
Google IO traditionally is not about phone announcements. Usually they introduce a new Android version at Google IO. Last year they introduced the Nexus 7 tablets but no phone. The real purpose of Google IO is to get developers introduced to a new Android version and changes to Chrome.
So despite the rumours I think a LG manufactured Nexus 5 phone just might not happen at the Google IO this year. Though as I said earlier, this post could quickly backfire with Google announced an LG Nexus 5 phone at their Google IO keynote address.
Google has been regularly updating their Gmail app for the iOS platform over the past few months. Today, it sent out another update which will fix some major issues faced by iPhone or iPad users. That is, it allows Gmail app to open links on Chrome automatically. Previously, they would open on the mobile browser which was Safari on iOS.
Mainly Apple does not allow any browser other than Safari as the default. This means all the links you open from a particular app, opens on Safari. This included Gmail previously. But now all the links open with Chrome.
Additionally the app will also open all Google Maps and YouTube links with the relevant apps if installed on your iPhone or iPad. Though Google Maps app is available only on iPhone so by default the links on an iPad will open on Chrome.
The new update also allows users to sign out form a single account if they are using multiple accounts on Gmail. This is useful as previously it would sign out from all accounts. I use 2-step verification for my Gmail account and also my work account. So that was pretty frustrating so I really appreciated it getting fixed.
Gmail app needs to be better:
Gmail app on my iPad is at best useful but it lacks many features. Some Gmail features like canned responses are not available with iPad. It also does not support creating filters. Additionally Gmail app could manage archive, deletion and labeling of emails a lot better with more multi-touch options on iPads and iPhones.
One of Windows 8 questionable decisions was to not have a small screen tablet. Google has Nexus 7 and Apple has its iPad Mini. Acer was then rumoured to bring out a Windows 8 tablet with a 8-inch screen. The new tablet has been spotted leaked by PC World on the retailer website Amazon.com.
The tablet named Acer W3-810 is priced at $380, which is not exactly very expensive. The tablet will in all probability go head to head with iPad Mini and Nexus 7 as a competitor.
Acer W3-810 Specs
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The final spec list has not been revealed but here is some information which was leaked.
Screen-size of the device will be 8.1 inches and support 1200 X 800 pixels maximum resolution.
The device will run on 1.5 GHZ A4 processor which is the same one as that of the first iPad. But that could be a mistake.
The device will run on Windows 8 but its not clear if its Windows RT or full-fledged Windows 8 version.
It will also pack in 1 USB 2.0 port and battery life is expected to last upto 8 hours.
The small-screen form factor for tablets really works. Apple iPad Mini has seen a great deal of popularity but it might be coming at the cost of the full sized iPad. It works because these tablets are cheaper and still have a screen-size large enough to work for reading books, web browsing and even games.
This tablet looks like $50 cheaper than iPad but if it has a full working Windows 8 on it, that could be a real bargain.
What do you expect from 8-inch Windows 8 tablets? Do you expect them to catch on? Do drop in your comments.
Apple’s App store is serving up millions of app downloads everyday. With apps for iPod, iPhones, iPads, the app ecosystem has amplified the number of apps downloaded form the App store. The number of app downloads is fast reaching 50 Billion. Apple has launched a new contest which will rewards people who download apps from the app store.
The first prize is a US $10,000 app store gift card. The winner is the user who completes the 50 billionth app download for the app store.
Additional prizes include $500 gift card for the next 50 customers who download an app.
Ideally the person taking part in this competition has to be atleast 13+ years old (or the eligible age based on country) and total app download limit per day is 25 apps.
These apps do not need to be purchased, even the free ones are included in the app downloads.
You can read the complete set of rules at this page.
The chances of winning this prize though small, it might be a good idea to download those apps you wanted this month, just in case you hit the jackpot.
Google Keep is a service that is the Evernote clone from Google. It is baked into Google Drive and that allows syncing notes between web, phone and tablets. Today, Google has released a Chrome app for Google Keep. The app basically opens a small window that allows you to edit and read your notes that you have on Google Keep.
Google Keep Chrome App features
Install the Chrome app and it shows up with the Google Keep icon on your Chrome’s new page layout.
The app opens a small window that can be kept open through the day while we can add new notes and task lists.
All the notes automatically sync with Google Keep app for Android.
There are still some downsides of using Google Keep on Chrome. I would have preferred a right-click option to open the window. An extension instead of an app would have been better.
Is Google Keep useful?
I have started using Google Keep more than my favourite task manager called Any.do. But unfortunately Google Keep has only a Android app but nothing available for iPhone or iPad devices. But considering Google I/O conference takes place in a couple of week, a lot of new announcements on updates will be expected.
Do try out Google Keep on Chrome and drop in your comments.
Until today, Google Now was only available one Android but today it goes live on iOS. If you are using Google Search app on your iPhone or iPad, you only have to update the app. The Google Now feature will be updated onto your Google Search app.
Google Now basically taps into your data from various services like Gmail, Google Maps, Google+, Google Places, your search history and more. This information is then used to serve you with useful reminders and prompts.You might need change your privacy settings to allow your iPhone or iPad to let the Google app access your location data.
The Galaxy S IV was launched in 50 countries which included India. Now when phones are launched companies try to find the weirdest possible ways to sing praises of its device.
So what did Samsung do?
They hired Bollywood actor Ranveer Singh and made him dance to a song that was a remake (copy) of Psy’s ‘Gangnam Style’ music video. The words of the song were “S for Samsung style”. The Korean lyrics of the song were further changed into praise filled phrases about Samsung’s Galaxy S IV phone. The song is even more ridiculous than I make it sound.
Below is the full video.
If I was ever going to buy Samsung Galaxy S IV, I think this video would have definitely changed my mind.
Jokes apart, Samsung might be doing great business and also selling millions of phones. But they definitely need to learn that it would be better if their phone did the talking and not some bizarre over the top song and dance show.
It is that time of the year again, when Google will be hosting developers at a 3-day conference. It is called Google I/O and as most presentations are available and streamed live on YouTube, it gives Google a massive audience to make new announcements.
Last year, they announced Google Glass, Android Jellybean, Nexus 7 and a few more announcements. This year should not be any different and here are five announcements, I expect from Google. Google IO takes place on 15-17 May, 2013.
1. A New Android Version (Jellybean or Key Lime Pie)
Android Jellybean started off as Android 4.1 version. When 4.2 was released, it was still named Jellybean. This prompted the argument that Key Lime Pie will be version 5.0.
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So will Google be pushing out a new version of Android? Absolutely yes. There is no way Google will host a conference with developers and not announce a new version. But this might not be the Key Lime Pie version but another updated version of Jellybean. So chances are that we will get to see Android 4.3 rather than Android 5.0 in May.
2. Google Glass Apps and partnerships
Google Glass alpha versions are out for developers to try out. I am sure that during Google IO, it will announce more apps and partnerships for its Glass project. I am sure this I/O conference will see a host of announcements and guidelines for developers to work with Google Glass. We might just see a better roadmap on how Google will be making Glass available for the general public in 2014.
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3. Nexus 4 LTE and Nexus tablets
The Nexus brand will keep growing with more announcements likely. Nexus 7 tablet will in all probability see an upgraded model with better specs. Also expected is the announcement of Nexus 4 LTE phone. The current Nexus 4 phone does not support LTE but is supposed to have a inactive LTE chip on it.
4. Babel (Unified Messaging service)
Google is working on a unified messaging service that integrated your SMS from your Android phone, your emails and your chat messages on Gmail and Google+. This is on the lines of Apple’s iMessage and should work across platforms. Google will probably integrate this service into Android and Chrome initially.
Google will probably not announce a Nexus 5 phones – as Nexus 4 was announced only towards the end of last year. It might just announce a new phone often called ‘Google X’. But the best rumours about Google X are sketchy at best.
There were rumours of Google announcing opening of physical stores (like Apple Stores) but that also seems unlikely as Google IO probably is not the best place for that announcement.
What do you expect to see this Google IO? Do drop in your comments.
Weeks after Samsung launched their new Galaxy S4 phone, it is finally available across 50 countries. This list of 50 includes India. The phone itself is a pretty solid product and will probably sell in its millions. It’s pricing has been of much speculation in India, some even claiming it will be priced higher than the iPhone 5.
Though, Samsung might be claiming to be better than a iPhone, it certainly is not going to start pricing their phone higher than the iPhone 5. The current model being made available has 16GB internal memory on the S4.
The price of the phone is a not surprising Rs. 41,500/-
Considering that most phone purchases haven at physical stores rather than online, I won’t be surprised that Samsung tightly controls the pricing of their phone on e-commerce retail sites. So don’t expect this price to drop for weeks if not months.
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Will LG finally blink?
I am not the biggest fan of Samsung phones. I won’t probably buy one but I like many Indians have probably been waiting for the Nexus 4 phone.
It seems LG might not be sure about the pricing of such a phone in India. I think its about time LG blinks and gets a high quality phone endorsed by Google into Indian markets. Their other phone models are simply going to be swept aside by Samsung Galaxy S4 and other models.
What do you think about the Galaxy S4 pricing? Do drop in your comments.
