Verizon to give customers option to pay via carrier billing for Google Play purchases

Google Play announced today that they will be implementing a new feature for Verizon Wireless customers. Verizon users will be able to select “Bill my Verizon Wireless account” when making purchases in Google Play to have the charges show up on their phone bill. It appears this option can be used for anything purchased in Google Play, including apps, movies, books, music, and magazines. No specific date for availability was included in Google’s announcement via their Google+ page, but they do say the feature will be rolling out to users during the next couple weeks.

source: Google Play Google+ Page

Marvel War of Heroes arrives on Google Play with trading card addictiveness in tow

Trading Card Games such as Rage of Bahamut have been extremely popular with Android users. Now the comic book giant Marvel, responsible for icons such as Spiderman and the recently revived Avengers series, have decided to cut themselves a piece of the pie with the recently released Marvel War of Heroes. Made by the same developers as the aforementioned Rage of Bahamut, expect it to have extremely strategic and open gameplay that everyone from the die hard TCG player to the 7-year old Iron Man fanatic can enjoy.

Published by Mobage games, it has a social aspect ingrained into its very DNA, allowing players to play each other, as well as participate in a cooperative campaign across the internet. Complete with all the Facebook and Twitter connectivity you could dream for, this is a game made for groups of friends to play and challenge each other. The game is currently out and early user reviews are proclaiming it the best game since Rage of Bahamut and many users are willing to share promo codes for exclusive and rare cards. With a free price tag, I suggest anyone who’s into TCGs to pick this one up for some on-the-go action. Hit the break for the download links.

Play Store Download  Link

Google Play Store wishlists included in latest update now rolling out

Google continues to make improvements to the Google Play Store, slowly turning it into a one stop shop for software and entertainment selections for Android devices. To help move users into their “store” and away from competitors means implementing features that users expect to be available. One such feature is the ability to create a “wishlist” within the store.

Yesterday we reported on an update to the Google Play Store app bringing it up to version 3.9.16. Along with the malware scanning code that was discovered in the update, it was also determined that code was present for a wishlist function. As users have started to receive the update, they have discovered that not only is the framework for the wishlist function included, it is actually working.

When viewing the details of an item, they will discover a new icon in the menu bar at the top of the Google Play app. Clicking on it will add the item to their wishlist. The dropdown menu includes a new entry for “My Wishlist” which will take a user to the list to view all of the items they have added. The items are not limited to apps – any item available through Google Play can be added to the wishlist. Different types of items are assigned different colors for their prices to help users distinguish the type when viewing the list.

Users don’t need to do anything to enable wishlists. Just wait for the Google Play Store app to update on your device and you will have it.

source: Android Police

Google Calendar now available as standalone app from Google Play for ICS and JB devices

We often get the opportunity to report on all manner of snazzy apps released through the Google Play Store. Rarely do we see something seemingly mundane like a calendar app. That is probably because a calendar app is virtually assured of being a “stock” app on any smartphone, whether it be Google’s app or a manufacturer’s replacement to fit in with their overlay, like TouchWiz, Sense or Motoblur. Apparently Google believes some users may want to get their hands on the stock version, so they are making it available as a standalone app in the Google Play store.

This version is only compatible with Android 4.0.3 or later devices and according to Google, there are several known problems with HTC devices. If you are interested in experiencing a small bit of the pure Android experience via Google’s Calendar app, use one of the links below to download it from the Google Play Store.

Google Play Download Link

Google rolls out Android 4.1.2 OTA update for Google Play Galaxy Nexus devices

More good news for owners of Galaxy Nexus smartphones. Those who purchased their devices through the Google Play store or who have flashed the “takju” version of the firmware onto their device should be receiving an over-the-air (OTA) update to bring their device up to Android version 4.1.2. The update mirrors the version that rolled out a couple days ago for Galaxy Nexus devices purchased from sources other than Google Play. Like the earlier variant, it appears this is a minor update that primarily provides some performance enhancements “under the hood” as opposed to new features for users.

If you haven’t been notified yet of the update’s availability for your device, you might want to check in your settings.

source: Android Central

Google rolls out Android 4.1.2 OTA update for Google Play Galaxy Nexus devices

More good news for owners of Galaxy Nexus smartphones. Those who purchased their devices through the Google Play store or who have flashed the “takju” version of the firmware onto their device should be receiving an over-the-air (OTA) update to bring their device up to Android version 4.1.2. The update mirrors the version that rolled out a couple days ago for Galaxy Nexus devices purchased from sources other than Google Play. Like the earlier variant, it appears this is a minor update that primarily provides some performance enhancements “under the hood” as opposed to new features for users.

If you haven’t been notified yet of the update’s availability for your device, you might want to check in your settings.

source: Android Central

Google Play Store credit now available for purchase directly from Google Play web store

I was wondering when Google would eventually implement this. Recently, Google has enabled credit purchases for their Google Play Store within the Google Play web in itself. If you’re in the web version of the Play Store, go ahead and jot down to the bottom and you’ll see a tab option that reads “Buy Google Play Credit.” The purchase of credits are an an increment of $5, $10, $15, $25 and $50.

Sadly, there’s no way to “gift” credits and you can only purchase for yourself, although I would imagine that option will be available in due time. Also, it looks like this is only for US customers and the option won’t seen in other countries.

source: Google Play Store

Pinger offers free voice calls and texting to Android users

So-called free text and voice alternatives have long dominated the Play Store, each with their own unique set of limitations and caveats. Pinger, however, is a new application, and while it’s mostly more of the same, it also manages to squeeze in a few additional features that direct competitors have been missing.

Similarly to Google Voice, Pinger will provide you with a personal phone number which can be given to friends and family. The same number can be used regardless if the person on the other end is using Pinger or not, meaning mobile to mobile, mobile to landline and vice-versa are all supported. You’ll also get a personal voicemail inbox, so contacts can leave voice messages in the event that you are unreachable. Incoming calls are free, though you’ll need to pony up some extra cash to buy minutes for outgoing calls (new users receive 20 minutes free). Currently the full service is limited solely to the United States and Canada, though free text messages can be sent in an additional 35 countries.

As with these types of applications, there are several limitations. For starters, Pinger SMS works only between two Pinger users, meaning you won’t be able to exchange photos or videos friends who aren’t using the service. Also, because Pinger is a VoIP application, you’ll need an established data connection to utilize any of the service’s functionality. And, with data fees becoming increasingly more expensive, the idea doesn’t seem too tempting. Catch the official PR after the break.

Pinger Launches New Free Texting and Calling Service For Android Devices

Maker of Textfree, the #1 Free Texting App, Adds Free Voice Communication for Android

San Jose, California — October 16, 2012 — Pinger, the company disrupting the global communications space by making texting and calling free, today announced its new Android application, called “Pinger.” Pinger users can text and call for free to any phone in the U.S. and Canada, including smartphones, landlines and basic mobile phones. Pinger is free and available in the Google Play Store.

Pinger users receive a free, local phone number they can then use to text or place calls to any phone number, giving them a second, fully-functional phone line. Pinger supports inbound and outbound calls, as well as free texting to 35 countries. All incoming calls are free, and users can earn free outbound minutes by watching videos and downloading apps. Users can also purchase minutes at an inexpensive rate from the Google Play Store.

“What makes Pinger truly unique is its ability to make texting and calling free to any phone number, not just other smartphones,” said Greg Woock, co-founder and CEO of Pinger.  “We started out by making texting free, and now, by making calling free for Android users in the U.S. and Canada, we’re another step closer to achieving our goal of making global communications free.”

The company has an established community of over eight million active users on the Android and iOS platforms. The company’s existing Android phone app, Textfree, is one of the top free apps in the Google Play store. It is consistently ranked in the top 130 free applications out of the more than 400,000 apps that are currently available in the store. Textfree allows users to communicate for free via SMS and picture messaging. The new Pinger app combines free calling and an ingenious new interface with the free texting capabilities of Textfree. Both Textfree and Pinger are ad-supported.

Pinger simplifies the communications process, incorporating useful and intuitive features including:

·         Text and call anyone on any phone or carrier—including smartphones, landlines and basic mobile phones in the U.S. and Canada

·         Adds a free second line to their existing Android phone

·         The unique photo-based interface means that there’s no need to swap between screens or apps to check missed calls, listen to a voicemail or send a message. The Pinger phone app organizes communication with each contact—text, voice and picture messages—into a single screen

·         Group addressing—communicate with groups faster and easier

·         Anyone using Pinger Android is on the global Pinger network.  Communicate with friends and family anywhere in the world on Android, iOS or even the web.  Users communicating with others on the Pinger network get longer texts, hi-res picture messages, higher-quality calls and instant open notifications

In the U.S. alone, Pinger’s eight million active users send more than two billion text messages and use 75 million voice minutes a month. Pinger is the seventh largest U.S. carrier by SMS volume. According to comScore, the company’s apps are installed in 21% of U.S. iOS devices, putting Pinger among the Top 5 most installed U.S. apps of all time on iOS.

Textfree users on Android can seamlessly transition to the new voice features by simply downloading the “Pinger” app from the Google Play Store, allowing them to maintain their current Textfree phone number with these added services.

Pinger can be downloaded here: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.pinger.ppa

About Pinger

Pinger, together with millions of users, is building the planet’s first free, global communications network. Our mission is to ensure everyone can freely text and talk with the people they care about most. Pinger simplifies network complexity with an intuitive, picture-based interface that brings together different types of communication in one place, from any device. At Pinger, we strive to make the costly completely free—and the complex surprisingly simple. Connect with us atwww.pinger.com.

Google Partners With LG UPlus To Bring Google TV To Korea

As Google TV expands outside of the States and confirms its intentions to take over the world, it’s only fitting that it begins to invade itself into the homes of prospective markets in booming countries. With that said, Google has achieved a major collaboration with LG UPlus to bring IPTV set-top boxes to Korean households with Google TV preloaded. What this means is that Korea becomes the tenth country in the world utilizing the service, so users of the service will be able to dabble in all of the traditional Google TV goodies including apps like Search, YouTube, Google Play and Chrome.

The exciting this is this is the first IPTV provider to offer a Google TV experience, so this should open the door for many more offerings in the near-future.

source: Google TV Blog

Google Play Magazines adds content for Australia, improvements for all

As part of Google’s improvements to the Google Play store during 2012, this past summer they announced the addition of magazines and TV shows. The announcement was made in conjunction with Google I/O and the Google Nexus 7 tablet release. Today Google released an update to the app making it available for users in Australia. Along with the new content, Google also indicates general improvements for all users have been included in this latest update, including performance improvements in page flipping and rendering.

If you are interested in upgrading or grabbing the Google Play Magazines app and giving it a try, hit one of the download links below.

Google Play Download Link