New Google Play Store version 3.9.16 ready to download

Yes, it is that time again where Android fanatics can get their hands on the latest Play Store .apk file. Thanks to some tipsters over at Android Police, you can now download the latest Google Play Store version, build 3.9.16. And I have to admit this version packs some useful features. So lets dive into it.

What Has Been Updated?

There are quite a few things to cover in the latest update, but lets talk about removing “selected apps”. In the previous versions of the Play Store, in fact even when it was known the Android Market, users could only remove apps from the management interface one by one. It was really a pain when came the time to clean out unused apps in the app draw, taking minutes just to remove the ones requested. Fortunately, you are now able to select multiple applications at once, for a quick removal process.

To help Android users update with ease, Google has integrated the actual application icons on the taskbar. This replaced the default shopping bag icon. More information is also displayed on the taskbar, to notify you exactly of what apps are available to be updated. And all in all the file size is smaller, weighing in at about 5.22 MB.

The last update launched in August, so it is about time to snag the newest version. All you have to do is download the .apk file like any other. The latest version is available to download below.

Download Link

Source: Android Police

Google ready to revamp Play Store with release of Jelly Bean?

With Google I/O slated to kickoff later this week, Android faithful are eagerly waiting for news about updates to the Android operating system. The Android 4.1 update, dubbed Jelly Bean, is anticipated to be shown running on a Nexus tablet. In conjunction with the release of Jelly Bean, some are also expecting changes that will flow throughout the entire Android ecosystem. A rumor of one such change surfaced this morning with the release of an image purporting to show a revamped Google Play Store interface for Android devices.

The image shared on the HD Blog web site came from a Google+ post by Loranz Yousif. It shows a revamped Play Store running on a Galaxy S III. The new interface resembles the old Android Market interface and is similar to the desktop version of the Play Store. Unlike the old interface, this new one appears to incorporate some ribbons along the top and bottom of the screen for access to different areas of the store.

We should keep in mind that faking images does not take great effort. The original HD Blog report has been updated with a note indicating some additional analysis shows an anomaly in the photo. Also, Mr. Yousif has not responded to comments on his Google+ post inquiring as to the authenticity of the image. It seems odd that Google would go back to a design it abandoned during their recent efforts to rebrand the Android Market to the Play Store. Anything is possible though, especially if users have been complaining.

What do you think? Fake? Real? Does the Google Play Store need a revamp? Perhaps our own Stacy Bruce, who will be attending Google I/O, will find the truth for us.

source: HD Blog
via: Android and Me

Titanium Backup Pro Now Syncs To Google Drive

For root users, there’s no question that Titanium Backup has been the preferred backup app of choice. Its ability to sync your backups to Dropbox and Box.net has helped it become a must-have app. With its latest release, the paid version, Titanium Backup Pro, has upped the ante and added support for syncing to Google Drive. But how have they pulled this off since there is still no Android-to-Google Drive API yet? Apparently, the devs were able to use the “old” Google Docs API to get things working. Clever lads.

Google Drive support isn’t the only new feature. Hit the break for the full changelog and download link.

 Changelog:

• [PRO] Supports Google Drive!
• [PRO] Can use a Filter for Dropbox/Box/Google Drive sync. All features from the Filters screen are supported.
• Can backup & restore system apps on stock ROMs, for backups made with TB 5.1.0+.
• Fixed infamous “Android Market query failed” error when viewing Market info on an app.
• Fixed frozen system apps getting defrosted when integrating their updates into ROM.
• Fixed TB launch failure on some ROMs (for LG Optimus 2X & SGS2).
• Misc improvements & bugfixes.

Google Play Store Download Link

Google Play Store Now Offers Carrier Billing For Books, Music, Movies and Apps

For those of you who enjoyed carrier billing when it came to apps on the Android Market, guess what?  Google is now offering direct carrier billing on the Play Store for everything else as well.  Now, you can consolidate your music, books, movies and apps onto one bill if your carrier is on the list above (sorry Verizon users).  We’re pretty thankful that Google is offering this as for some, it’s extremely convenient.  So, from here on out, when you purchase something, your device will now prompt you as to what method of payment you prefer.  If you’re not into consolidating and the whole convenience thing, just opt out.  What’s your preference?  Feel free to drop a comment or two below.

source: Google+

Google Play Store updated. Grab the download now!

The Google Play Store has ran into one or two teething problem since it replaced the long-standing Android Market. Google has already pushed out a couple of updates in a short space of the time with the most recent seemingly causing more issues than it fixed. Frustrated users have been reporting a series of force closes, glitches whilst browsing and disappearing paid apps.

Fret no more as Google has started rolling out v3.5.16 which promises to fix the reported issues. There doesn’t appear to be a major overhaul here, it’s primarily just bug fixes. Paid apps are back, force closes fixed and early feedback suggests that navigating the menus is quicker and smoother.

If you don’t want to hang around until Google gets round to pushing the update then why not fetch it yourself. Click any one of the links below to get going.

source : Android Police

Download mirror 1
Download mirror 2
Download mirror 3

Is this the Nexus Tablet?

Nothing gets the rumour mill turning quite as much as good, solid Nexus rumour. The build up to the Galaxy Nexus was quite incredible with numerous leaks and rumours surfacing daily, all citing “credible” sources. More recently, we’ve been hearing stories of a mystical Google branded, Nexus Tablet despite the fact Google has never actually confirmed the project directly.

Pocketnow managed to get its hands on a set of images supposedly giving us a glimpse of what the tablet might look like. My first observation is that for a leaked image, the quality is sharp and the details are clear unlike the regular ‘blurrycam’ leaks we enjoy so much. If this is a hoax then it’s a pretty good one as the originator has spent some time on some of the finer details. You’ll notice that there are only Google application icons on the homepage, the soft-keys and launcher seem to be of the Android 4.0 ICS variety and the 4:00am time matches that of the Galaxy Nexus render.

There are a couple of facts that do point towards this being a fairly convincing mock-up. Note the presence of the Android Market icon as opposed to the Google Play Store. The dimensions of the tablet and the icon layout also suggest that this is 10 inch tablet and not the 7 inch size that is expected if the rumoured sub $200 price point is correct.

We’ll be filing this story under ‘rumour’ for the time being however we are certainly excited to see what the Nexus tablet does bring to the table, if and when if finally does surface. Check out the image below and let us know your thoughts on the authenticity in the comments below.

source : pocketnow

Is this the Nexus Tablet?

Nothing gets the rumour mill turning quite as much as good, solid Nexus rumour. The build up to the Galaxy Nexus was quite incredible with numerous leaks and rumours surfacing daily, all citing “credible” sources. More recently, we’ve been hearing stories of a mystical Google branded, Nexus Tablet despite the fact Google has never actually confirmed the project directly.

Pocketnow managed to get its hands on a set of images supposedly giving us a glimpse of what the tablet might look like. My first observation is that for a leaked image, the quality is sharp and the details are clear unlike the regular ‘blurrycam’ leaks we enjoy so much. If this is a hoax then it’s a pretty good one as the originator has spent some time on some of the finer details. You’ll notice that there are only Google application icons on the homepage, the soft-keys and launcher seem to be of the Android 4.0 ICS variety and the 4:00am time matches that of the Galaxy Nexus render.

There are a couple of facts that do point towards this being a fairly convincing mock-up. Note the presence of the Android Market icon as opposed to the Google Play Store. The dimensions of the tablet and the icon layout also suggest that this is 10 inch tablet and not the 7 inch size that is expected if the rumoured sub $200 price point is correct.

We’ll be filing this story under ‘rumour’ for the time being however we are certainly excited to see what the Nexus tablet does bring to the table, if and when if finally does surface. Check out the image below and let us know your thoughts on the authenticity in the comments below.

source : pocketnow

Opera Mini 7 for Android hits Google Play Store

One of the biggest strengths of Android is the near endless customisation available to the user. Don’t like the stock set-up out of the box, go ahead and change it. The stock Android browser has always been extremely capable and the Ice cream Sandwich browser is one of the smoothest and fastest in the market. Mozilla’s Firefox has been steadily improving since its lacklustre arrival on Android. Google really upped the ante in the browser wars when they released the fabulous Chrome for mobile on Android ICS devices and today it’s Opera’s turn to show its hand.

The latest release offers a number of performance and usability enhancements as well as a new take on Opera’s ‘speed dial’ feature which it believes to be more efficient than the standard bookmark approach that most browsers use. Perhaps the biggest Unique Selling Point for Opera’s mobile browser is the claim that the advanced compression techniques on-board reduce the amount of data required to load a webpage by up to 90%, a huge benefit for users without unlimited data plans.

Hit the link below to try it for yourself. Be sure to let us know how it compares to your everyday browser of choice in the comments.

Google Play Store

You can also heck out the full press release below.

Opera Mini 7: The must-have app for Android available today

At last! The wait for Opera Mini 7 is over.

Oslo, Norway — March 28, 2012

Taking a page from Etta James, Opera Mini 7 is “a thrill to press your cheek to” for Android users. Today, Opera Software launched the Opera Mini 7 web browser in a final version for the Android platform.

This must-have app is your web surfing soulmate. 160 million monthly users of Opera Mini already know that this must-have app makes web browsing on your phone faster and can help save costs. If you’re watching your mobile data diet, now’s the time to go download the Opera Mini 7 app from the Android Market.

What’s new, Stu?

Glad you asked, Max! Opera Mini 7 for Android makes browsing faster and panning around sites smoother, thanks to improved hardware acceleration.

Feeling boxed in by only nine favorite Speed Dial sites on the Home Screen? With Opera Mini 7, you get as many Speed Dial buttons as you’ll ever want. Add all the sites you want to see right from the moment you start up your browser. No more messing around with fiddly mobile keyboards or bookmarks.

Perfect travel companion

Ever needed to look something up online when you’re away from your home mobile network? Using the web while traveling can turn into an expensive adventure … unless you’re an Opera Mini user on Android. Opera Mini 7 compresses, squeezes and jams webpages from the network into your phone.

Up to 90% of the original data gets cut out, so not only do you use less data, but you also get where you want to go on the web even faster. You’ll also save time on slow networks. It’s the must-have web-travel companion!

Download Opera Mini 7 from Android Market or m.opera.com.

About Opera Software ASA

The worldwide World Wide Web — any device, any platform, any bandwidth, absolutely anywhere in the world. Opera Software was founded in 1994, based on the idea that access to the web should be a universal right. 250 million people (and counting) use the Opera web browsers for computers, mobile phones, TVs and other connected devices. Opera also delivers tools, distribution, engagement, monetization and market insights to developers, publishers and brands around the world. We are passionate about breaking down barriers, so everyone can share in the power of the internet. Our vision of one web for all remains at the heart of what we do, because we believe that participation changes everything. Opera Software ASA is listed on the Oslo Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol OPERA. ‘Opera’, ‘Opera Software’, ‘Opera Mini’ and the ‘O’ logo are trademarks of Opera Software ASA. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners. Learn more about Opera at www.opera.com.

HTC Looks To Be Entering The Portable Media Player Fray

It’s no secret. The iPod owns the portable media player sector, but that hasn’t stopped Android OEMs from taking a stab it. Most recently, the Samsung Galaxy Players have been top dog for team Android, but it appears HTC is near ready to join in the fun and with a novel design it seems. The screenshots you see here in this post are taken from a patent filing from Q1 2011. In the illustrations (another after the break) you can clearly see a kickstand as well as multiple speaker grills. This thing looks like its ready to crank it up to 11, no sweat, and since its HTC, a device like this has got to have Beats on board. Of particular interest is that it appears the speakers are ordinarily hidden and you slide the two back halves to create the surround sound experience. Speaking of Surround, we’ve seen an approach similar to this on the Windows powered HTC Surround. Looks like they saved the better stuff for Android! 

Before, launching an Android PMP was slightly risky business, because Android Market was a place for apps. Now, however, Android Market has evolved into Google Play, and along the path toward that transition we’ve seen the introduction of many new media formats such as books, videos, and music added to the store. The world may finally be ready. In fact, I’m sure there are more than a few chomping at the bit to completely ditch iTunes. Their inevitable Beats branding should help propel this device as well. So, unknown specs and price aside, what do you all think? Would you go for this?

source: PatentBolt
via: Phandroid 

Some European developers waiting for Google to dip into its wallet

It’s been exactly a week since Google re-branded the ever-present Android Market and launched the Google play store, however it seems all may not have gone without a hitch. A thread in Google’s official Checkout Merchant forum is racking up the posts from disgruntled developers claiming they haven’t seen a payment for February as yet. Developers are ordinarily paid through Google Wallet on the 2nd of each month with funds clearing on the 7th however a week has passed with many developers still waiting for their payment. Google is yet to comment on the issue.

Hopefully Google doesn’t drag its heels too long before getting a response to the developers. A successful operating system is only as successful as the ecosystem that surrounds it and with over 300,000 applications currently available on the Google play store, the value that the developers add is clear to see. Fingers crossed for a timely resolution.

source : Google Checkout Merchant