Official Blog
News and notes from Android team
Silent Night with Night Light
Tuesday, December 15, 2015
Any time is a good time to read, but at night is perhaps the best. What better way to drift off to sleep than with a great book? Our readers agree. Looking at reading time across the world, we see that activity peaks between 8:00 pm and 10:00 pm local time. But we also know looking at a bright screen before bed can be hard on your eyes. Cue the announcement!
Today we’re introducing Night Light, a new feature that makes night time reading more enjoyable and easier on the eyes. When turned on, Night Light gradually filters blue light from your screen, replacing it with a warm, amber light as the sun sets. Night Light automatically adapts to the amount of natural sunlight outside based on the time of day, giving you just the right temperature and brightness. The color adjustment is more comfortable on your eyes and greatly improves low-light night reading.
Night Light is rolling out to Android and iOS readers now, and turning it on is easy. To activate Night Light on your phone or tablet, update your Google Play Books app to the latest version through
Google Play
or the
App Store
. Then open a book and turn on the Night Light mode option (you’ll see a pop up in the app). After that, Night Light will always adjust to the perfect setting. We hope Night Light will help you drift off into a peaceful slumber once you finish just one more chapter.
Posted by Greg Hartrell, Senior Product Manager, Google Play Books
Android Wear: Dress things up with new designer watch faces
Tuesday, December 15, 2015
What makes a watch worth wearing? It should be beautiful and useful. Save you time and express your style. Like mechanical watches,
Android Wear
watches come in countless sizes, styles, and brands. And the different ways to wear what you want keep growing—just last month, Swiss watchmaker
TAG Heuer
and fashion brand
Fossil
launched their first watches powered by Android Wear.
But a watch’s physical design isn’t the only way to express your style with Android Wear. You can also choose from thousands of inspiring, useful, and downloadable watch faces. Today, we’re sharing new watch faces from nine iconic fashion brands.
Ted Baker:
Reveal your sophisticated side with ten gorgeous designs.
Melissa Joy Manning:
Rock a different birthstone for every month of the year.
Vivienne Tam:
Watch Opera Girl twirl, take a selfie, and more.
Nicole Miller:
Stay on track and in style with Nicole Miller’s pop art.
Y-3:
Sport the styles of Yohji Yamamoto, inspired by the beauty of human movement.
Mango:
Add instant chic to any outfit with this ready-to-wear watch face.
Zoe Jordan:
Free your time of clutter with the clean lines of modern design.
Harajuku Kawaii!:
Express your playful side with this adorable and vibrant watch face.
ASICS:
Motivate yourself to stay active with the help of your fitness buddy.
Android phone owners can
download these watch faces
today. And iPhone owners can find these unique designs in their Android Wear mobile app in the coming days. ‘Tis the season for festivities and fun! Pick your fashion favorites to match your outfit, mood, or occasion.
Posted by Kaitlyn Hurst, Product Marketing Manager, Android Wear
Tap. Pay. Next.
Tuesday, December 15, 2015
Since
our launch
this Fall, we've seen millions of people set up Android Pay, and the vast majority of them are using tap and pay with their Android devices for the first time. There are now over 1 million locations across the United States that already accept tap and pay, with more being added every day. In short, the response from customers and merchants has been tremendous.
Now we’re ready for the next step: We're working to bring Android Pay's simplicity and security to purchases within apps, and to people in more countries around the world.
Android Pay in apps
Starting today, you’ll be able to use
Android Pay
to speed through mobile checkout within many of your favorite Android apps in the US.
No more pulling out your credit card while on-the-go. No more errors thanks to clumsy thumbs. Just tap the Android Pay button in the app, confirm your information, and you’re done! And just like your purchases in stores, Android Pay never shares your card details with merchants.
Meet our growing collection of apps
In the next few months, you’ll see more and more of your favorite apps adding Android Pay to help you speed through mobile checkout. For a limited time, you’ll also get special savings by using Android Pay in select apps—from $20 off on OpenTable* dining, $10 off your Lyft ride*, $10 off DoorDash* to 30% off Vinted*—there’s something for everyone. Visit
our collection
to view all the offers.
Developers: want to add Android Pay to your app? You can visit the
Android Pay API developer site
to learn how to accept Android Pay for the purchase of physical goods and services. We’ve worked with leading payment providers to make accepting Android Pay a breeze.
Android Pay in more countries
We're also taking the first step to bring the convenience of Android Pay to Android users across the globe. In the first half of 2016,
Android Pay will arrive in Australia
. We’re working closely with many of Australia’s major financial institutions—including ANZ, Westpac and many other banks—with the aim of bringing Android Pay to their MasterCard and Visa card holders. You will be able to use Android Pay wherever NFC payments are accepted in the country, including merchants such as 7-Eleven, McDonald's and Telstra.
And Australia is just the start. We’ll be adding more countries throughout 2016. This was a big year for Android Pay, and we're excited about what's to come.
Posted by Pali Bhat, Director of Product Management, Android Pay
* Subject to merchant terms and conditions.
Google Play Music: Now playing for your family
Wednesday, December 9, 2015
In a family of music lovers, there’s a soundtrack playing throughout our daily lives. My husband likes to listen to
The Smiths radio
while he works; I like
Entering Beast Mode stations
when I hit the gym; and we listen to
Michael Bublé
as a family while we cook dinner. What can I say, we’re a pretty fun bunch! But it means my family ends up paying for multiple subscription music accounts which can add up over time.
For families like mine, we’re happy to start offering the Google Play Music family plan today. With the family plan, you and up to five family members can subscribe to Google Play Music - together - for just $14.99 per month. You’ll unlock all of the same features you’d get from having individual subscriptions, including ad free, unlimited access to more than 35 million songs and the ability for each family member to stream simultaneously on any device, all for one low price. Now, you can keep your listening experiences separate from your partner and get music recommendations tailored to the music you like. So, my husband’s Depeche Mode singles will never show up in my account - only my true favorites will be front and center. And a family plan on Google play will also get your family access to YouTube Red in the US.
You and your family will be able to sign up for a
Google Play Music
family plan in the coming days on Android devices in the US, Canada, the UK, Australia, France and Germany, with more countries coming soon. You and your family members can listen on Android, iOS and the web.
Posted by Eunice Kim, product manager for Google Play
Tap. Pay. Give.
Tuesday, November 24, 2015
Every gift is twice as nice. Support special education with every Android Pay purchase.
‘Tis the season to give back. Android Pay and Google.org are teaming up with DonorsChoose.org to support the 6.4 million children in the US education system with special needs. Over the last month, Google.org has been
shining a spotlight
on teachers who are using innovation in the classroom to improve learning and inclusion for kids with special needs. This is part of Google’s focus on improving the lives of people with disabilities through their
Global Impact Challenge: Disabilities
.
Now,
Android Pay
is extending that effort. Starting today through December 31st, we’ll donate $1—
up to $1 million
— to special needs education projects.
And as we kick off the season of giving, we’re doubling our donation for every Android Pay purchase made on Black Friday (November 27th). There’s never been a better time to give — twice.
Android Pay is accepted at over a million locations across the US - wherever you see these logos:
To find out more about how your taps can help make education more inclusive for every child, click
here
.
Teachers spend nearly $500 out of their own pocket each year to outfit their classrooms with enriching projects and programs. Since each student learns differently, let’s support special needs classrooms across the country to make education more inclusive
for every kid
.
Happy holiday tapping -- and giving!
Posted by Sherice Torres, Marketing Director, Android Pay
Void for residents of AL, HI, IL, MA, MS, SC, and where prohibited. Standard data rates, terms and conditions apply. May not be available from all service providers/devices. Between 11/24/15 & 12/31/15, Google Inc. will donate $1 to Donorschoose.org for every purchase made using Android Pay and $2 for every purchase made on 11/27/15, up to $1,000,000 in total. Charity information at www.donorschoose.org. App uses are not tax deductible.
Terms and conditions
here
.
Google Fit: Step up your fitness
Thursday, November 19, 2015
When it comes to fitness, every effort counts: each step, sit-up, snack, and good night’s sleep. That’s why
Google Fit
’s latest update recognizes all your healthy choices: from cardio to strength training, what you eat plus how you rest, and coaches you every step of the way.
Instant insights.
See real-time stats for your runs, walks and rides on your phone. Google Fit will record your speed, pace, route, elevation, and more so you can stay motivated and on track.
Strength training.
Want to add push-ups to your routine? If you have an
Android Wear
watch, you can start a daily challenge and your watch will automatically detect and count each sit-up, push-up, and squat. They'll be added to your daily activity, so you get credit for each one.
The whole picture.
Google Fit will now show you info from your favorite nutrition and sleep apps. Monitor your diet with
MyFitnessPal
,
Fatsecret
,
Lifesum
, or
LoseIt
. Or track your sleep with
Sleep as Android
,
Xiaomi Mi Band and Mi Band 1S
,
Sony Smartband 2
, or the
Basis Peak
. These new integrations (rolling out in the coming days) will provide even better insights into your health and fitness. And with Google Fit, you'll always have a personal coach cheering you on, right from your phone.
When you’re able to view your overall fitness, you may just start making better choices: taking the stairs instead of the elevator, choosing salads over eclairs. Looking to stay fit this holiday season? Check out the new
Google Fit
updates and start making every effort count.
Posted by Michael Gaiman, Software Engineer, Google Fit
Solving the age-old question: Batman or Superman?
Thursday, November 12, 2015
It’s a multi-generational debate—are you team Batman or team Superman? While we can’t personally help you make this very difficult decision, we can tell you it’s never been a better time to be a comic book fan. With a smartphone in your pocket, you have a sharp color screen at your fingertips and instant access to read any comic whenever and wherever you are.
Holy Android
!
Today, Google Play Books is getting an upgrade specifically designed for comic book fans, making it easier to read your favorite comics on your phone or tablet. Reading a comic book is all about following the story and enjoying the art, dialogue and pace the way you want. But navigating a comic can be tricky on a small phone or tablet screen. So, we’re introducing a new vertical scrolling experience for comics in landscape mode. Flip your device on its side and you can easily scroll through the story with quick vertical swipes.
New vertical scrolling experience for comics
(Featured “
Star Wars: Journey to Star Wars: The Force Awakens - Shattered Empire
”)
We’ve also made finding great comics and series really easy. Now we’re offering a new comics destination and a bunch of beautifully curated series pages on the Google Play Store that organize volumes, issues and other editions of the top comic series. You’ll also find new personalized recommendations for similar series to help you discover new stories and characters.
Easily discover and continue a comic series in Google Play Books
(Featured: comic series discovery in the Google Play Store app and Google Play Books app)
Google Play offers binge-worthy comics from all the major publishers, including DC Comics, Marvel, Image, IDW and Dark Horse. Whether you’re a long-time fan or just starting out, our collections will have something great for you, with series like
The Walking Dead
,
Justice League
,
Deadpool
and
Mortal Kombat
. And for the next week we’ll be celebrating these new features with
several free comics
, including issues from
The X-Files
,
Lazarus
, and
Jem and the Holograms
, and more.
These experiences will roll out to Android users in the next few days (with iOS soon to follow) in the US, Canada, Australia, the UK, India, Singapore, Ireland, New Zealand and South Africa. Now stop reading here, and go connect with the canon!
Posted by Greg Hartrell, Senior Product Manager, Google Play Books
Cellular support comes to Android Wear
Wednesday, November 11, 2015
Android Wear lets you stay connected, even when your phone isn’t with you. With Bluetooth and Wi-Fi support, for example, you can see who’s calling when your phone is in the next room, or respond to messages at the gym while your phone is at home. Today, we're bringing cellular support to
Android Wear
, so you can stay connected in even more places.
No more worrying about Bluetooth or Wi-Fi—your watch will automatically switch to a cellular connection when you’re out of range. As long as your watch and phone are connected to a cellular network, you’ll be able to use your watch to send and receive messages, track fitness, get answers from Google, and run your
favorite apps
. And yes, you’ll even be able to make and take calls right from your watch, for when your hands are full, or your phone is elsewhere.
The first Android Wear watch with cellular support is the LG Watch Urbane 2nd Edition LTE.
The watch’s three buttons offer quick access to what you use most: your contacts list, the LG Health fitness app, and back to the watch face to see the time. Its high resolution 480 x 480 P-OLED display makes it easy to read important info, no matter where you are. And the built-in heart rate monitor helps you get more out of your workouts. US customers can buy the LG Watch Urbane 2nd Edition from AT&T and Verizon. And international customers will be able to buy it within the coming months. Supported features for the watch may vary, so please check with your carrier.
The next time you’re running an errand or a marathon, try leaving your phone behind. With calling, messaging, and thousands of apps right on your wrist, you’ll always be able to stay in touch and on track. Say goodbye to bulky pockets and awkward armbands: cellular support for Android Wear lets you wear what you want.
Posted by Peter Ludwig, Product Manager, Android Wear
Android Wear: Introducing TAG Heuer Connected
Monday, November 9, 2015
Watches have a long and
celebrated history
of mixing beauty with engineering breakthroughs. And TAG Heuer has been at the forefront of many of these innovations—from the first chronograph accurate to 1/100th of a second, to the first belt-driven tourbillion, and
many more
. With the TAG Heuer Connected we're excited to introduce another first: the first luxury watch powered by
Android Wear
.
Inspired by the TAG Heuer Carrera, this watch includes a titanium case and signature strap in seven striking colors. In addition, its high-resolution, transflective sapphire glass display makes it easy to check the time and other important info—even in the bright sun.
Moving from atoms to bits, the TAG Heuer Connected includes a beautiful set of digital watch faces with classic TAG Heuer dials. You’ll be able to personalize what information you want to see: weather, step count, or calories. And because the watch is powered by Android Wear, you can check your messages, receive fitness coaching, and ask Google for help—right from your wrist. (Yes, even if you have an
iPhone
.)
The TAG Heuer Connected represents an incredible collaboration between watchmakers from La Chaux-de-Fonds, Switzerland, and engineers from Intel and Google in Silicon Valley, California. With our combined expertise in watchmaking, hardware, and software, we’ve created a watch that we’re excited to share with the world! So check out the
TAG Heuer website
, and learn more about this beautiful, useful watch.
Posted by David Singleton, VP of Engineering, Android Wear
Google Play Games: capture and share the moment
Wednesday, October 28, 2015
As with many gamers, I enjoy watching recorded gameplay to learn how to get past difficult levels or just listen to funny commentary. Who doesn’t love a good ‘
Leeroy Jenkins
’ battle cry or a
come from behind
win? It’s a growing phenomenon. Every month, more than 144 billion minutes of gaming videos and live streams are watched on YouTube. Channels like
VanossGaming
and
TobyGames
are already part of mainstream culture, generating millions of views – numbers typical of famous Hollywood personalities and musicians.
Today, we’re launching a new feature on the Google Play Games app that lets you easily record and share with others your own best gaming moments from your favorite mobile games.
It’s simple. In the Play Games app, select any game you want to play, then tap the record button. You can capture your gameplay in 720p or 480p, and choose to add video of yourself and commentary via your device’s front facing camera and microphone. When you’re done recording, you can quickly edit and upload your video to YouTube.
So whether you are leading your clan to victory in
Clash of Clans
, munching amoebas in
Agar.io
, or building new worlds in
Minecraft: Pocket Edition
, it's never been easier to record your favorite gaming moments and share them with your friends. Gameplay recording will first rollout to US and UK users over the coming days and will be available in more countries soon after, and who knows, you might even become the next big thing on
YouTube Gaming
.
Posted by Duncan Curtis, Product Manager, Google Play Games
Podcasters, welcome to Google Play Music
Tuesday, October 27, 2015
Google Play Music helps connect people with the perfect soundtrack for whatever they’re doing—whether they’re stuck in
rush hour traffic
,
staying up late with friends
or
lifting weights at the gym
. But what if that same technology and curation could help connect people with great podcasts based on their mood or interest—something to make them laugh, get lost in a story or learn something new? We thought that would be awesome, so we plan to start offering podcasts on Google Play Music, giving podcasters access to millions of new listeners on Android phones and tablets.
To that end, today we’re launching a
portal for podcasters
to start uploading their shows to Google Play Music before we open up the service to listeners. Along with direct searches and browsing for podcasts, the service will connect new listeners with podcasts based on what they’re doing, how they’re feeling, or what they’re interested in. Similar to our contextual playlists for music, this will give podcast fans and new listeners a way of finding and listening to content that’s unique to Google Play Music. Podcasters in the US can start uploading shows now at
g.co/podcastportal
.
We’re already working with more than a dozen of the most popular podcasters and networks to offer their shows when we open the service, including:
5by5
Dan Carlin
Dave Ramsey
Earwolf
Feral Audio
Gimlet Media
HBO
Head Gum
HowStuffWorks
Loud Speakers Network
Nerdist / Legendary
Public Radio International
Radiotopia / PRX
Sideshow Network
Slate / Panoply
StarTalk Radio
This Week in Tech
Tim Ferriss
With more than one billion people using Google Play every month, there’s always something to watch, read, listen or play. And soon, you can add podcasts to that list. We’ll have more details to share in the coming months. For now, start uploading your podcasts at
g.co/podcastportal
.
Posted by Elias Roman, Product Manager, Google Play Music
Get ready for the sweet taste of Android 6.0 Marshmallow
Monday, October 5, 2015
Today we’re starting to roll out Android 6.0 Marshmallow to Nexus users. Of course, the new
Nexus 5X and 6P
will ship with Android 6.0, straight from the factory. Android Marshmallow is the sweetest, smartest Android version yet: Now on Tap serves up assistance when you need it, battery-smart features keep your device going longer, and new app permissions give you even more control.
Assistance in the moment
Get help with what you need no matter which app you’re in.
Now on Tap
— a feature unique to Android Marshmallow — stays on task alongside you, instantly pulling up relevant info and helping you get more done. Say you receive an email about meeting a friend at the Central Park Zoo. Just tap and hold on the home button, and Now on Tap will assist you by providing links to information about the zoo, shortcuts to relevant apps and even suggest a calendar entry for the date, time and location.
A longer lasting device thanks to a smarter, more efficient battery
Improving battery life isn’t just about building a bigger battery. It’s also about improving the way your device uses the charge it has. With Android Marshmallow, we’ve added two new features which dramatically decrease your device’s thirst for power.
With Doze, Android recognizes when your device is idle and automatically goes into a deep sleep state to conserve power. To see how well it works, we took a bunch of Nexus 5s and Nexus 6s, put Lollipop on half of them and Marshmallow on the other half, and measured standby battery life. The screen-off time of these devices running Marshmallow lasted 30%* longer on average! So even if you forget to plug in your phone before bed, your phone’s alarm clock will still ring. The other new battery-conserving feature is called App Standby. This puts your seldom used apps into a reduced activity state to conserve battery for the apps you use more frequently.
More choice and control to protect your privacy
Android Marshmallow gives you the ability to customize and control which capabilities you give apps. With the new app permissions model, you pick and choose which permissions to grant apps at the time of use. Apps designed for Android Marshmallow only ask for a permission at the time it’s needed to use a feature. You can deny any permission and still continue to use the app. In addition, we’ve added new settings for permissions that allow you to turn on and off any permission, for any app, at any time.
Simplified security with your fingerprint
For fingerprint sensor enabled devices, Android Marshmallow gives you a new way to protect your device. On Marshmallow, your fingerprint is the gatekeeper to unlocking your device, authorizing transactions in the Google Play Store, signing into 3rd party apps, and zipping through checkout with Android Pay.
Set up your new device lickety-split
On Lollipop, Android made it easier to set up your new phone from your old one, migrating your apps and app data. With Android Marshmallow, you can breeze through setup on your Android TV or tablet too. Say "OK Google, set up my device" from your phone and you’ll quickly be up and running. For TV, we'll even transfer over your Wi-Fi passwords.
Coming to a device near you, starting today
Nexus 5, Nexus 6, Nexus 7 (2013), Nexus 9 and Nexus Player will get an over the air software update** to Android 6.0 Marshmallow. In addition to the new
Nexus 5X and 6P
, keep your eyes peeled for other new devices shipping with Android 6.0. Finally, we know many of you take your devices to work. To learn more about security and other work features in Android Marshmallow,
register
for the Android for Work Live online event on Nov. 4th. This is just a taste of Marshmallow but you can learn s’more on android.com/marshmallow!
Posted by Brian Rakowski, VP of Product Management, Android
*Actual battery performance will vary and depends on many factors including signal strength, network configuration, battery age, operating temperature, features selected, device settings, and voice, data, and other application usage patterns.
**The Nexus update to Android 6.0 Marshmallow occurs in stages and some carriers will receive the update later than others.
Get ready for Fall TV on Android TV
Thursday, October 1, 2015
More apps for you to enjoy
We can't guarantee Carrie Mathison will capture Haqqani. We’re not sure what groundbreaking global issues VICE will cover. And we can’t tell you if Sheldon and Amy will get back together.
What we do know is that you can find out for yourself with SHOWTIME®*, HBO NOW*, and CBS All Access, now available on Android TV. So go ahead and catch up on Homeland, VICE, The Big Bang Theory and hundreds of other shows from your favorite apps.
Disney fans, we’ve also got you covered. Disney Movies Anywhere is now available on Android TV so you can watch your favorite Disney movies on the big screen and anywhere you go. Disney princesses not your thing? Well, with EPIX now available, you can choose from thousands of movies, concerts and comedy specials to stream right from your living room.
Fight lovers, we didn’t forget about you. Tune in to WWE and UFC, now both available on Android TV, and never miss a battle in the ring.
In addition to these apps, you can always check out the
full list
of over 50 premium Android TV apps available for download.
More partners joining the Android TV ecosystem
Android TV is all about choice. Whether you’re looking for a new shiny Smart TV or an amazing gaming console experience, you have an abundance of options to choose from - Sony, Sharp, Razer, Nvidia. And today, we’re adding to your list of options by welcoming Hisense, TCL, and several other smart TV manufacturers to the Android TV family.
Pay TV operators can also be powered by Android TV, letting you seamlessly watch your TV service alongside all the great apps and games on Android TV. With that, we’re also excited to announce Pace, Sagemcom, Technicolor as set-top box manufacturers and KDDI and Telecom Italia as partners who will bring you their Pay TV services powered by Android TV. Now you can enjoy more ways to watch your favorite entertainment.
So, as the nights get longer and colder, you now have another reason to stay in and binge on your favorite TV shows, movies, and sports content right from your Android TV screen.
The end of summer isn't too bad after all.
Note that you may need to sign in with a subscription or participating TV provider account to access some content.
Posted by George Audi, Business Development Manager, Google Play
*SHOWTIME and HBO NOW currently supported on select Android TV devices
Committing to RCS, the latest standard in carrier messaging
Wednesday, September 30, 2015
Mobile messaging has never been more central to people’s lives, and there is an incredible amount of innovation happening with chat applications across the mobile ecosystem. SMS carrier messaging is used by billions of people every day and enables people to reach anyone around the world, regardless of their device, carrier, app or location. However, the features available in SMS haven’t kept up with modern messaging apps. Rich Communications Services (RCS) is a new standard for carrier messaging and brings many of the features that people now expect from mobile messaging, such as group chats, high res photos and more.
Many leaders in the wireless industry have already put great work into laying the foundation for RCS, and we’ve heard from many of them that there are ways Android can help. We’re excited to team up with mobile operators, device makers and the rest of the Android ecosystem to support RCS standards and help accelerate their deployment in a more consistent way. We’re already working closely with many of our partners on implementing RCS, and look forward to growing the RCS ecosystem together.
As part of this commitment, we’re also very excited to announce that the
Jibe Mobile
team is joining Google to help us bring RCS to a global audience. Jibe is a leading provider of RCS services and they’ll continue helping carriers easily deploy RCS to their users. We can’t wait to work with them and build on the great work that they’ve already done.
Deploying RCS to create an even better messaging experience on Android will take time and collaboration throughout the wireless industry, but we’re excited to get started.
Posted by Mike Dodd, Android RCS Software Engineer and Minister of Messaging
S’more to love across all your screens
Tuesday, September 29, 2015
(Cross posted on the
Official Google Blog
)
From your watch to your phone to your TV, we want to help you stay connected, entertained and informed across all your screens. Today we’re introducing a few new things that do just that: two Nexus phones, a tablet for work and play, updates to Chromecast and features for some of your favorite apps—all working together to make your day a little bit easier and more fun.
New Nexus phones
We made Android to be an open platform that anyone can build on, and today there are 4,000+ Android devices in all shapes and sizes. Android’s diversity is why it’s become the most popular mobile platform in the world, and the latest version,
Marshmallow
, takes Android to a new level of performance.
While we love all the Android devices out there, every year we build
Nexus
devices to show off the latest and greatest, directly from the people who built Android. Today we’re introducing the latest Nexus treats, both running Marshmallow, sweetened by amazing apps and sandwiched by some cutting-edge hardware (see what we did there?):
Nexus 6P
is the first all-metal-body Nexus phone. Built in collaboration with Huawei, this 5.7” phone is crafted from aeronautical-grade aluminum, with a USB Type-C port for fast charging, a powerful 64-bit processor, and a 12.3 MP camera sensor with massive 1.55
µ
m pixels (hello, better photos!). The Nexus 6P starts at $499.
You’re not the only one who misses your Nexus 5. We’ve joined forces with LG to bring it back with the new
Nexus 5X
, which gives you great performance in a compact and light package, with a beautiful 5.2” screen and the same 12.3 MP camera and Type-C port as the Nexus 6P. Nexus 5X starts at $379.
Both phones include a new fingerprint sensor, Nexus Imprint, which gives you quick and secure access to your phone, as well as use of Android Pay (in the U.S.).
They are available for pre-order on
the Google Store
from a number of countries, including the U.S., U.K., Ireland and Japan, and come with a free 90-day subscription to Google Play Music. In the U.S., pre-orders include a $50 Play credit to help you stock up your favorite music, apps, games and shows. And, finally, for you Project Fi fans out there, you'll be happy to know Nexus 6P and Nexus 5X will work on your favorite network. Request an invite to our Early Access Program at
fi.google.com
.
Pixel C
We’re expanding the Pixel family by introducing the
first Android tablet built end-to-end by Google
. The Pixel C brings together the benefits of a full-size keyboard with the portability of a tablet. The tablet and keyboard attach magnetically (no docking mechanism FTW), so it’s easy to switch between typing and using the touch screen.
And if you’re familiar with the
Chromebook Pixel
, you’ll immediately see the family resemblance: the Pixel C has the same beautiful aluminum design, great display and USB Type-C port. The Pixel C will be available in time for the holidays on the Google Store.
Cast ALL the things
Today we’re introducing two new Chromecast devices. The new
Chromecast
has a fresh design, and is easier to plug into TVs with crowded ports. It supports the latest Wi-Fi standards and adapts more easily to changing Wi-Fi conditions in your home, so you get higher quality video with less buffering. Most importantly, we added two new colors. ;)
Chromecast Audio
is a small device that plugs into your existing speakers, so you can stream your favorite music, radio and podcasts over Wi-Fi, similar to Chromecast. It works with tons of apps, including Spotify, Pandora and Google Play Music. Just like Chromecast, it works from anywhere in your home with your favorite devices, including Android, iOS, and laptops. And it’s available on
the Google Store
and other online retailers for just $35—way less than most Wi-Fi speakers today.
We’ve also updated the Chromecast app to make it easier for you to find great things to watch or to play, across the thousands of apps that work with Chromecast—whether you feel like browsing or want to search for a specific TV show or movie. For Cast-enabled apps that aren’t already on your phone, we’ll suggest one for you. The updated Chromecast app is rolling out on Android and iOS over the next few weeks.
Your favorite apps... for the whole family
All your shiny devices get even better when you have great apps to go with them. So we’re making a few updates to Google Play Music and Google Photos.
First, Google Play Music will offer a new family plan later this year. Up to six people will be able to use one account for a shared fee of $14.99 a month (instead of $9.99 per person). Get the dance party ready.
Sharing is a theme of today’s Google Photos updates, too. We’re adding Chromecast support to give you that old-school slideshow experience—dimmed lights optional. In the U.S., you can now add private labels to your photos to make it easier to search for specific pics of people with things, places or other people—say, that photo of Mom at the Grand Canyon, or of your daughter with her pet bunny. And soon you’ll be able to pool all your photos and videos with friends and family in one place, and get updates as soon as new photos are added. Best of all, there’s no setup involved, and you can use any device. So that dance party we mentioned earlier? Now it’s easier to gather all the memories from everyone who was there.
More to love, for more people
From Nexus to Chromecast to Pixel C to Photos, these updates are more than the sum of their parts—they unite great apps with devices that are designed to support them. They’re built to work together, so they
do
—seamlessly, across all your screens.
Posted by Hiroshi Lockheimer, VP Android, Chromecast and Chrome OS at Google
Tap to the Red Carpet
Monday, September 28, 2015
Last week, we announced the US
rollout of Android Pay
. To celebrate our launch, we’re giving one lucky winner plus three of their friends a VIP trip to Mexico City that includes four seats at the premiere of the thrilling new James Bond film,
Spectre
from Sony Pictures.
To qualify, just tap and pay at any of the
over one million locations
where Android Pay is accepted across the US between September 28 and October 15, 2015. Each day that you use Android Pay earns you one entry, and you can earn up to 18 entries during the promotional period. The grand prize winner will be drawn at random on October 19, 2015, and you can find more information by visiting the
official promotional page
.
To start tapping your way to the red carpet, make sure you have Android Pay on your phone. If you don't have it yet, you can download
Android Pay on Google Play
. Good luck, and we hope to see you on the red carpet.
Posted by Sherice Torres, Marketing Director, Android Pay
For official rules, how to enter, prize restrictions, and details, click
here
.
Tap. Pay. Done.
Thursday, September 10, 2015
Today, we’re beginning to roll out
Android Pay
-- the simple and secure way to pay with your Android phone at over one million locations across the US. Android Pay also stores your gift cards, loyalty cards and special offers right on your phone. We’ll be rolling out gradually over the next few days, and this is just the beginning. We will continue to add even more features, banks and store locations in the coming months, making it even easier to pay with your Android phone.
The choice is yours
Android Pay works with all NFC-enabled Android devices (running KitKat 4.4+), on any mobile carrier, at every tap and pay ready location across the US. Android Pay will support credit and debit cards from the four major payment networks: American Express, Discover, MasterCard and Visa. These cards are issued by many of the most popular US banks and credit unions, including American Express, Bank of America, Discover, Navy Federal Credit Union, PNC, Regions Bank, USAA, and U.S. Bank. Wells Fargo will be available in the next few days, Capital One and Citi are coming soon, and we're adding new banks all the time.
Shop at your favorites
You can use Android Pay at over one million locations (and counting…) across the US, everywhere tap and pay payments are accepted, including:
Security is at the center of Android Pay
We know how important it is to keep your personal and financial information secure, so Android Pay is supported by industry standard tokenization. This means your real credit or debit card number isn't sent with your payment. Instead, we’ll use a virtual account number that provides an extra layer of security. As soon as you make a purchase, you’ll see a payment confirmation that shows where a given transaction happened, so it’s easy to catch any suspicious activity. And if your phone is ever lost or stolen, simply use
Android Device Manager
to instantly lock your device from anywhere, secure it with a new password, or even wipe it clean of your personal information.
We’re just getting started...
Later this year, you’ll also be able to use Android Pay to speed through mobile checkout in your favorite apps. And with select merchants, you'll soon be able to transmit your loyalty cards and special offers with just a tap. We’ll be announcing more Android Pay news soon, and would love to hear your feedback on the Android Pay experience (just select Help > Feedback in the app).
If you’re an existing Google Wallet user, you’ll be able to access Android Pay through an update to your Wallet app. For new users, Android Pay will be available for download on Google Play in the next few days, and will come preinstalled on new NFC-enabled Android phones from AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon Wireless.
For updates on Android Pay and other Android news, subscribe to this blog, or follow Android on
Twitter
and
Google+
.
Posted by Pali Bhat, Director of Product Management, Android Pay
p.s. Looking to send or receive money right from your phone?
Click here
to learn more about the new Google Wallet
Update
: Citi's availability corrected to rolling out in the coming weeks.
Android Wear: New watch styles and sizes
Wednesday, September 2, 2015
As the season turns, it's the perfect time to update your look: out with swimsuits and flip flops, and in with scarves and Fall coats! Regardless of where your wardrobe lands, today's new
Android Wear
watches let you express your style—whether you rock Android or
iPhone
.
Get the
Huawei Watch
in six different designs with silver, gold, and black metal finishes. With an ultra-high resolution display, you’ll get a crystal clear view of all 40+ built-in watch faces. The watch’s sensors let you track not only running and walking, but also stair climbing.
Choose between the small or large
ASUS ZenWatch 2
, starting at $129. Both come in silver, rose gold, and gunmetal finishes with bands of different styles and materials. Get instant access to agenda and email with the built-in productivity app as well as fitness reminders with the wellness app.
Check out four new
Moto 360 watches
: Moto 360 for Women, Moto 360 in two different sizes, and Moto 360 Sport. Pick among rose gold, gold, silver, and black metal finishes for Moto 360 and a variety of stainless steel and leather bands. Want to go on a run without your phone? The Moto 360 Sport features built-in GPS and a display that’s easy to read outdoors.
All of today's watches also include improved battery life, always-on displays, and quick-release bands, so it's even easier to glance at your important info, and make your watch your own.
The
Huawei Watch
,
Moto 360 for Women
, and new
Moto 360
are available for pre-order today. And all other watches will go on sale in the coming weeks. So choose the watch that fits your style and wear exactly what you want!
Posted by Ryan Barnett, Partner Technology Manager, Android Wear
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