Android fans, it was an amazingly busy week in the Googleverse. At its annual developer conference, Google introduced Android M, which brings few visual changes, but many much needed improvements and refinements, including doze mode, better volume controls, Android Pay, app state back up, and Google Now on Tap. It wasn’t just M; Photos is now an independent app; Project Brillo was announced as Google’s new IoT operating system; updates were announced for Inbox, Google Maps, and the Play Store; and Google ATAP blew our minds with its new projects – Jaquard, Soli, and Abacus. In other news Lenovo showed off some crazy concepts; Sony introduced the Xperia Z3+; the Galaxy S6 Iron Man edition launched; and Microsoft unveiled Cortana for Android.
Inside AA HQ
It probably won’t be a surprise that we spent this preparing for Google I/O, and from Thursday, in a mad dash to bring you all the news coming out of Google’s announcement-packed conference.
We’re all pretty excited to try out Android M, and most of the team is already rocking the M developer preview on various devices. Google only touched on a fraction of the changes and new features in Android M, and we’ve been busy perusing the developer previews to spot all the new stuff. To keep up with everything, check out our Diving into M series, where we take a closer look at the smaller new features in Android M.
Google I/O is over, but the tech world is still revving at full speed. This week, Darcy attended Lenovo’s TechWorld conference and over the next days he will be reporting from Taipei, where Computex is about to start. Computex has always been Asus’ stomping ground, and this year is no different. We expect to see the Zenwatch 2 and some updated tablets come next week.
In celebration of Google I/O, we’re giving away a Nexus 9! Get your ticket for our weekly giveaway from here.
The stuff you shouldn’t miss
- Roundup: Interested in a budget device? Check out our top Android recommendations for under $200
- Tech talk: Gary Sims weighs in on the issue of multi-core usage of Android apps
- Feature: Ever wondered what it’s like inside a smartphone factory? Wonder no more
- Tech talk: Native or HTML5: Obaro gives you the pros and cons
- Video: These are the top features of Android M
- Video: Joe Hindy gives his hands-on impressions of Android M
Top news of the week
And here are the top news in the Android world this week:
Microsoft loves Android
- Microsoft announces Cortana app for Android
- Microsoft to push its cross-platform apps with Windows 10 phone companion
- Microsoft partners with LG, Sony and 18 other OEMs to bring Office apps to more Android tablets
Xperia Z3+ is here
- Sony launches Xperia Z3+: same as Japan’s Xperia Z4, almost the same as Xperia Z3
- Sony explains why the Z4 was rebranded to the Xperia Z3+
Galaxy S6 Iron Man edition has landed
- The Galaxy S6 Edge Iron Man edition has landed, check out the unboxing video
- (Update: $35,600!) Galaxy S6 Edge Iron Man Edition going for a truly intergalactic price
Android M: everything to know
- Google officially announces Android M, preview coming today!
- Google is bringing granular app permissions control to Android M
- Android M introduces doze mode and USB Type C support
- Chrome Custom Tabs lets you use Chrome as your app browser
- Android M supports fingerprint authentication for use with new Android Pay system and other apps
- Android M will bring Google Now on Tap
- Android M Developer Preview images are live!
- Android M to feature automatic app data backup
- Google plans regular updates to Android M preview, the first coming in a month
More Google I/O news
- Google I/O keynote roundup: all the announcements in one place
- Missed something at Google I/O 2015? Re-watch the full keynote here!
- Project Brillo is Google’s new Internet of Things OS
- No invite required for Inbox by Gmail anymore, new features added
- Google Photos officially unveiled at Google I/O 2015
- Fully-featured offline features coming to Google Maps
- Autoplay, queuing, second screen and multiplayer gaming comes to the Chromecast
Google ATAP epic projects
- Google ATAP aims to bring touch-sensitive clothing to the mainstream with Project Jacquard
- Project Vault is a security system on a microSD card
- Google ATAP’s Project Soli will make interacting with wearables a breeze
- Project Ara put together on stage, shown off as fully working
Lenovo TechWorld
- Lenovo VR Goggles announced, takes on Samsung and Oculus
- Lenovo announces Lenovo Cast streaming device
- Lenovo shows off dual-screen Magic View concept smartwatch
- Lenovo unveils concept smartphone with laser projector
Sound off
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Happy Sunday!