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News and notes from Android team
The soundtrack of your next trip is on TripAdvisor with Google Play Music
Wednesday, May 25, 2016
It’s almost summer. Want to get away? Whether you’re in search of gold at the Olympics in Rio or enjoying the good life in the South of France, we want you to have everything you need, including music for the right moment. That’s why Google Play Music teamed up with TripAdvisor to offer Android users a new music experience on the
TripAdvisor Android app
with locally-themed music stations based on the destination of your choice.
Starting today, with the TripAdvisor Android app you can access a wide array of well-known and hidden-gem soundtracks for popular cities to listen to whether you’re in travel planning mode or on a road trip exploring the globe. This new app feature is in more than
60 countries
around the world where Google Play Music is available.
Wherever you go, or whenever you start planning your next vacation, TripAdvisor and Google Play Music have your ultimate holiday soundtrack sorted. Travelers can listen to
Cafe Italiano
while sipping an espresso in Rome, rave to the
Underground Club Sounds of Berlin
and dance to
Sao Paulo Funk
.
Not a Google Play Music subscriber? No problem. If you don’t have it already, download the TripAdvisor Android app today and get a 2-month trial of Google Play Music. So go plan your next vacation…now with music that’s just right for you.
Posted by Brandon Bilinski, Product Manager, Google Play Music
New additions to the Android TV and Google Cast family
Wednesday, May 18, 2016
More Android TV devices and features on the way with Android N release
Android TV
delivers thousands of your favorite movies, shows, games and apps to your living room. We’ve extended Android TV to millions of users globally with support from hardware partners and TV service providers. Today, we’re excited to welcome even more TVs and set-top boxes to the lineup.
Sony and Sharp are adding to their Android TV product lines with Sony’s 2016 BRAVIA and Sharp’s Net Player. New devices are also on the way with RCA’s first Android TV, and Xiaomi’s sleek 4K set-top box. And in Europe, Android TV will be available from Beko, Grundig and Vestel starting in June.
Hardware is only half of the picture. In addition to the hundreds of apps currently available, many new apps are coming to Android TV such as CNN, Comedy Central, MTV, Freeform, Nickelodeon, Spotify, STARZ, WATCH ABC, WATCH Disney Channel, WATCH Disney Junior, ESPN and many more. Plus, new features available in Android N will make it easier to watch your favorite programs. Here’s a look at what’s coming:
Picture-in-Picture:
lets users play video while browsing other content.
Recording APIs:
brings recording functionality to live TV.
High Dynamic Range:
supports the next frontier in 4K UHD video.
Google Cast scales to more TVs and displays
Google Cast
, which is built into all Android TV devices, is also expanding. In March, we
introduced
the first displays with Google Cast from Vizio. Those are now joined by a lineup of TVs from Magnavox, Philips, Polaroid, Toshiba, Westinghouse and more. All Google Cast devices–TVs, displays, speakers, Chromecast, and Chromecast Audio–will be supported by the Google Cast app. You can use the app to discover 1000+ Cast-enabled apps, set up almost any Cast device, and receive the latest content recommendations.
Posted by Sascha Prueter, Program Manager, Android TV
Android Pay now in the UK, new countries on the way
Wednesday, May 18, 2016
Starting today, Android Pay is now available in the UK, one of the most advanced contactless nations in the world. Android Pay helps people pay for things simply and securely with their Android smartphones. This builds on the launch of Android Pay in the
US
last year, with new countries coming soon.
So, where does Android Pay work in the UK?
You will be able to use Android Pay everywhere contactless payments are accepted including your favourite high street stores like Boots, Starbucks and Waitrose and pay for the Tube, bus and train with
Transport for London
. Just tap with your phone as you would with your card. It’s that simple. And businesses across the country with contactless terminals won’t need to do anything else to be able to accept Android Pay in store.
Android Pay will also speed up checkout in your favourite apps including JD Sports, Deliveroo, YPlan, and
many more
.
Also, we will be launching Android Pay Day, bringing special offers each month to brighten the last week before pay day. Starbucks UK and Deliveroo will be among the first to reward Android Pay users in the UK. Stay tuned for more offers which will roll out in the months to come.
To start using Android Pay you’ll need to
download the Android Pay app on Google Play
and have an eligible MasterCard or Visa credit or debit card from one of our supported banks, such as Bank of Scotland, First Direct, Halifax, HSBC, Lloyds Bank, M&S Bank, MBNA and Nationwide Building Society, with new banks being added all the time.
Security is at the centre of Android Pay. With industry standard tokenisation, Android Pay doesn’t send merchants your real card number when you purchase. Android Pay also makes it convenient to keep track of payments and to lock your device if it becomes lost or stolen.
What’s next?
Android Pay will soon be available in Singapore and Australia. And we will continue to add more countries, features, banks and stores in the coming months—making it even easier to pay with your Android phone around the globe.
Get started with Android Pay in the UK today:
download the app on Google Play
, add your card and start shopping. It’s as easy as Tap. Pay. Done.
Posted by Pali Bhat, Senior Director, Product Management
Get your limited-edition Jeff Koons Live Case today
Tuesday, May 10, 2016
Today, the latest artist collaboration for Google Editions launches a limited-edition Live Case created by world-renowned artist,
Jeff Koons
, exclusively for Nexus.
Start your Koons collection
From balloon animals to classic figures, Koons’ art often challenges the perception of scale, weight and even the laws of physics. The
Jeff Koons Live Case
features three sculptures inspired by his
“Gazing Ball” series.
Each Jeff Koons Live Case is individually numbered and available for a limited time for Nexus 5X and 6P in the U.S.
Three designs: “Bust,” “Mailbox,” and “Diana”
His first piece of live-action video artwork
For the case’s live wallpaper, Koons created his first ever live-action video artwork – the “Gazing Ball Ballet.” Double-tap the screen and watch the dancers come to life, recreating twenty-eight moments from the classic “Swan Lake.” Each day, your wallpaper is updated with a new vignette.
Jeff teaches you how to create his famous balloon animals
Original art, delivered to your phone
Live Case owners will receive exclusive Koons-created artwork sent directly to their phone through the
Live Case Editions app
. The collection will include digital art and glimpses into what inspires him, including his favorite art shows or discoveries.
Customize the shortcut button on the back of the case to discover museums around you, open the digital art collection, or open one of your favorite apps.
The Gazing Ball Tour
To celebrate the collaboration, Koons also created his first social media art piece. In the “Gazing Ball Tour,” Koons invited people he admired to photograph their own poses with his Gazing Ball. See creations by searching for
#KoonsXGoogle
.
Exclusively on the Google Store
Get yours at the
Google Store
today in the U.S. through the end of June while supplies last.
Posted by Kari Clark, Senior Manager, Live Cases
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