Tag: google

Google I/O 2015 – Android M Preview and Wear update

Here is a brief overview of what went down in the Moscone Centre last night at Google I/O 2015. The conference started with a massive Pong game stretching across the panoramic screen around the venue. Some guy won a giant fluffy Android toy! Last year 8 out of …

No more little wee wee on Google Maps

Remember this interesting Google Maps “addition” ? What initially appeared to be a dig at Apple actually turned out to be a prank by someone using the Map Maker system. It allows users to add extra detail to Google Maps, such as rivers or parks etc. Trouble is, …

Immerse – Virtual Reality Headset Review

I reviewed the Google Cardboard some time ago. It was £2 and is (obviously) made from cardboard. It’s a virtual reality headset which uses your phone as the screen. This one, which isn’t made of cardboard but has a similar design, is £29.95. You buy this, slap your …

Apple are no longer taking the pee

Just a few hours ago Google were proudly showing this rather interesting shot of an Android robot relieving himself all over the Apple logo… Now it’s all cleaned up and the location is free of the image now, although some devices are still showing it. The “new park” …

Android and Apple. Shots fired.

I’ve been emailed just now about some sort of “Easter Egg” in Google Maps. The mail came with this preview image, which I assumed had been Photoshopped, because as a global company you surely couldn’t get away with adding that into your product…could you? Thing is, it’s not …

Google’s Project Fi to run on 2 networks

Before we start I should put in a slight caveat that this is just in America at the moment, but it is still an interesting development, especially given the network rivalry over the pond. Google are going to rent network capacity for voice, texts and data from Sprint …

Android Wear getting iOS support

  There aren’t many smart watches compatible with iOS. Pebble is the major player at the moment and when the Apple watch comes that’ll probably be the winner for some, but I’m unsure. With the announcement of the stunning Huawei smart watch, that’s caught my attention and it’s …

MWC – Google to launch an MVNO

Tesco Mobile? giffgaff? How about switching your mobile to Google as a provider? It’s another step into your life for the company, who last night announced here at Mobile World Congress that they would be launching an MVNO in the USA. It’ll be arriving in the “coming months” …

LG VR for G3 brings 3D 2U for free

A short while ago I put together my ultra-cheap Google Cardboard headset. It’s something you construct yourself, pop on your head and then, using the Google app, you can step into a 3D world. Now, if you’ve got an LG G3 handset, you’ll be getting one free. It’s …

Nexus 9 Keyboard Folio Review

The Question: How do you make a lightweight and portable tablet productive? Well apart from adding the appropriate software like MS Office or Google Docs, the other way is to add a keyboard case/dock. That is exactly what I have done with the Nexus 9; I have added …

Google close Glass Explorer Programme

News is coming out that Google are closing down their  ‘Glass Explorer Programme’ and will stop selling the devices next week. Details are still rather limited but Rory Cellan-Jones who is a technology journalist for the BBC has said the following More information over on the BBC website confirms …

Nexus 9 Review

HTC have not really been in the tablet business, with the exception to their quite old HTC Flyer. At the time a great piece of hardware let down by a poor software experience. The main reason behind this was tablets running Android were still very new and had very …

CES – Nest adds more connections to “Works With” list

Remember our Nest review ? Of course you do, it was the one with the Ford Cortina, which all good reviews should include. Anyhow, there’s more innovations and gadgets getting added to the “Works with..” list of internet-connected devices that’ll work with your Nest thermostat. A sneak peek …

Nest Review

I thought I was being clever a few years ago when I installed a programmable thermostat into our house. We’d just moved in and there was a number of issues with the heating system at the time. The biggest problem was the fact that the hot water system …

Nexus 6 availability update

The Nexus 6 has been plagued with availability issues both in the UK and on the other side of the pond. However upon checking the Play store today I saw that this is about to change. If you are wanting to get the Nexus 6 from Google direct …

Nexus 9 LTE available in the UK

Finally we are able to purchase a Nexus 9 LTE in the UK, but not from where you think. Amazon are currently showing that they have some Nexus 9 LTE variants in Black in stock.. Unfortunately since this screenshot was taken the price has gone back up to …

In the UK? Looking to get Google Glass cheap?

Come on now, let’s not panic. We’ve still got a whole week until Christmas. Plenty of time. No need to … wait… that’s not very long at all is it? How about a cheap deal on the Google Glass Explorer Edition? Head over to Google Play and you …

Now talk to your boiler

I know. We’ve now got to the point where we’re having to have a discussion with our own central heating. Thanks to Google Now working with those Nest thermostats, you can simply pick up your phone and say, “tweak my temperature to 22”. You’ll then hear your boiler …

Production of the Nexus 5 finished

Google has confirmed that the Nexus 5 production has stopped, and… once they are gone, they’re gone, so we’d suggest people get them while they can. It was only yesterday that Google removed the listing of the the Red and White variants of the Nexus 5 from Google Play. The …

Nexus 6 Review

It’s here. The latest generation of the Nexus lineup, the Nexus 6. We have finally managed to get hold of one of these unobtainable devices by buying our own review unit. The device we have here is the 32GB model in blue. There has been much said about …

Deal – Reconditioned Google Nexus 4

My kitchen ceiling is falling in because the bath is leaking. It’s a mess I can tell you and I’m well narked off because it’s about the fourth thing to go wrong this week. But no, I’m not leaving you my friends. I’m hear to tell you about …

Nexus 6 available with several networks

Fancy yourself a Nexus 6 dear reader? It seems to be popping up all over the place. Made by Motorola it runs Android Lollipop, has a 2.7GHz Snapdragon 805 quad-core CPU (with an Adreno 420 GPU) 3GB RAM, 13 megapixel rear camera, 2 megapixel front, 6″ 1440×2560 AMOLED …

Getting a Chromebook? How does 1TB of Google Drive space sound?

A couple of us writers here in Coolsmartphone towers use Chromebooks. I for one love my HP11. In the past, when you purchased a new Chromebook, Google would give you 100GB of Google Drive storage free. This would last for two years and would act as a little …

Google wallet to cease third party digital purchases.

Google have announced that they will shut down the Google Wallet API for third-party digital goods purchases from March 2nd 2015. Google Wallet will continue to function, however, for Google Play purchases. Google Wallet will still exist and consumers will be able to make purchases for goods in …

Nexus 9 First impressions

Every once in a while a tablet comes along that you think is going to really up the ante and raise the bar. This is what I was hoping the Nexus 9 was going to be. Now is the time where we start to find out. Those of …

Gmail Android app appears on even more handsets

If I’m honest, the Gmail experience you get on a desktop computer isn’t exactly “swish”. It’s a little clunky, a bit low tech but yes, it does the job. On Android it was a bit better, but still lacked some gloss. This morning that newly designed Android version …

Nexus 6 cases pop up on Google Play

If you’ve got a Nexus 6 then, well, I’m amazed. It’s not available yet but we do at least know prices. You can’t even pre-order it on the Google Play store. To be honest, if I’m getting on my soap-box for a bit, putting a phone up for …

UK Nexus 6 pricing revealed

Google have finally disclosed UK pricing for their new Nexus 6 flagship phone. It’s as expected unfortunately, which might be a good thing for some people, but others were hoping for a price similar to the Nexus 4 or Nexus 5. Two colours will be available at launch …

Andy Rubin leaves Google

I’ll lay money on the fact that a lot of you know who Andy Rubin is, even if you’re not quite sure why. He’s one of the people responsible for creating Android and was the former CEO at Danger. He left the Android division in March last year …

Google Cardboard review

After almost a month, my Google Cardboard has turned up. This self-assembled version was ordered some time ago from dx.com and cost just over £2 in the end. Oh yes. I’m reviewing some cardboard construction that costs less than a pint of beer. I think I’ve made it …

Nexus 9 Amazon preorders pushed back

Those of you who listen to our weekly podcast will undoubtable know that I have a Nexus 9 on order with Amazon for delivery in the 4th November. Well just to keep things interesting I received an email today informing me that this preorder is now being pushed …

Google Unveils ‘Google Inbox’

In a bit of a surprise announcement today, Google decided to announce a new product of theirs’. “Years in the making”, Google says that Inbox, though developed by the Gmail team, is a whole new way to send and receive emails. For many of us, dealing with email has become …

Nexus 7 no longer available on UK Play Store

Well that didn’t take long! A quick search for some details on the Nexus 7 (to be honest I was looking to compare the battery size with the Lenovo Yoga 8 tablet due to the cheap price that Argos are selling it for as reported earlier this week) …

Nexus – we got what we asked for – opinion

Or did we? If you frequent this mobile specific site, then there’s every chance that you’re that type of person to also check out others… and possibly read the associated comments. A lot of these comments concerning any given Nexus may revolve around how the various Nexus devices …

Nexus 9 announced

The new Nexus tablet is here and it looks brilliant. Is it enough to compete on the market as it stands?  Well lets dig in and try to find out. I have owned and used both the previous Nexus 7 tablets amongst others, so I have been keen …

Motorola & Google announce the Nexus 6

Its big, its very big and now its official. The long rumoured and multi leaked Nexus 6 does exist and it is the 5.9″ monster that has long been touted. It’s the first device to launch with Android 5.0 Lollipop and it packs a pretty hefty punch specs …

Android L is Android 5.0 Lollipop

After much speculation Google has finally confirmed the name of Android L as Android 5.0 Lollipop. Now live on the Android.com website is a full overview of the new OS. Material Design A bold, colorful, and responsive UI design for consistent, intuitive experiences across all your devices Responsive, natural motion, …

Take a look at the Nexus 6

Retirement is supposed to be a time where you down tools, put your feet up and relax. Clearly this message has not got through to serial leaker Evan Blass who retired from leaking earlier this year as he has taken to Twitter to post a render of what …

Friday afternoon impulse buy?

It’s that time of the week when you’re hopefully thinking of spending a bit of cash on yourself. Expansys are kicking out the 2012 model of the Google Nexus 7. The reconditioned Asus-built device comes with a free dark grey travel cover. It’s the one we first reviewed …