Google Maps updated with visual enhancements

In its latest update to Google Maps, Google has included terrain and colour gradations to represent vegetation, and labels for natural land formations. Karl Johann Schmidt, Software Engineer, Google Maps shares in an official blog post that the new visualisations will enable users to understand and see for themselves the location of expansive forests, deserts, and mountain ranges around the world. In addition, users can gauge the impact of natural land formations, as well as how and why man-made developments such as urban cities, dams, and bridges are made.

Now when users search Maps for natural land formations such as the Gobi Desert, Melville Peninsula, or Nullarbor Plain, they will be able to spot “improved, well-labeled results”. In order to depict its newest changes better, Google has shared a comparison of search results before and after the update. 

Then and Now: Compare the visuals

Google recently released an update for the web version of its Maps service, which lets users access Street View from the mobile browser version of Google Maps in iOS. While the update is mainly for iOS devices, Google has said that other phones can also use Street View on the Google Maps web app, but it won’t work equally well. The feature is available on both the iPhone and the iPad by accessing Google Maps from the device and hitting the Street View button on the upper/lower right side. It is also possible to have Google Maps and Nokia Maps running on your browser in full screen on your iOS device.

Since iOS 6 was released, Apple users lost Google Maps and were forced to use the company’s new Maps app, which turned out to be very buggy. However, it looks like owners of Apple devices won’t have to wait long for their trusty Google Maps app to come to iOS 6. App Maps developer Ben Guild has posted leaked screenshots and details of what he calls the alpha build of Google Maps for iOS 6.

Guild states that the new Google Maps app for iOS 6 is vector-based, has two-finger rotation in any angle, and supports the four-inch iPhone 5 screen. He describes the app as 'super fast'.

Rumours about Google hard at work developing a standalone Maps app for iOS 6 have been doing the rounds. The New York Times reported in late September that Google’s app won’t be making it to iOS 6 for another couple of months as it was “caught off-guard” by Apple’s decision. It is speculated that the search giant only began developing the app after Apple announced in June this year that it would be replacing Google Maps with its own application.

Apple’s Maps app met with widespread criticism for its inaccurate addresses, mislabelled landmarks and other navigation features. Comparisons were drawn with Google Maps, and reviews of the iPhone 5 were marred by the criticism of the app. CEO Tim Cook eventually issued an apology and recommended Apple’s users to opt for Google and Nokia mapping applications instead, till Apple improved its own.

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First images of Nexus 10 tablet leaked online, specs in tow

There have been some rumblings in the past that Google would partner with Samsung once more to release a flagship device. Unlike their partnership last year, which saw the launch of the Galaxy Nexus smartphone, both brands are coming together to introduce a tablet designed to take on the likes of the iPad. Now, images and specifications of the upcoming tablet have been leaked online. The tablet has a 10.1-inch display with a resolution of 2560 x 1600 pixels with around 300 pixels per inch (ppi).

First images of the Nexus 10

As per a report by Brief Mobile, the author states that these are the first images of this upcoming tablet from Google that will be co-manufactured by Samsung. As expected, it will run on the upcoming Android v4.2 platform. The website confirms that it will be called Jelly Bean, and not Key Lime Pie. 

Here is a quick look at the leaked specifications of the Nexus 10:

• 10.1-inch display with a resolution of 2560 x 1600 and 298.9 ppi
• Wi-Fi, NFC
• Bluetooth 4.0
• 5-megapixel rear-facing camera with a front facing camera
• 16GB internal storage (other options possible)

Supposedly very thin and light

The report states that the Nexus 10 features a Samsung-built Exynos 5250 1.7GHz dual-core processor with a Cortex-A15 architecture and Mali-T604 GPU. This is the same processor used in Google’s latest Chromebook. The website claims that it benchmarks better than the Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 Pro and Apple A6 SoCs. The tablet has 2GB of RAM.

The source, who provided the website with the images, states that there is only 16GB of internal memory and no microSD card slot. There is no word on whether there will be multiple storage options available at the time of its launch. 

The author ends by stating, “Google is relying heavily on their new Drive and Play Store infrastructures for cloud storage, whether Android fans like it or not. We were thinking Drive might come pre-installed on this device, but that’s not the case (at the moment). The display is an incredible feat for Samsung. At 2560 x 1600 pixels, it far surpasses the Apple iPad’s “Retina Display” in resolution. We’re told the display measures 10.1-inches. That means we’re looking at approximately 298.9 pixels-per-inch, dwarfing Apple’s 263.92 on the third-generation iPad.”

As for the design, the rear of the Nexus 10 is believed to have a brushed aluminium feel. The edges are believed to be rubber coated while the overall build feels extremely thin and light.

The article states, “We expect Google to announce this tablet on Monday, October 29th, in New York City. At that time, the Android tablet market will have a new virtual king of the hill. With an ultra high resolution screen, screaming fast processor, and the latest Google operating system, I’m comfortable calling the Nexus 10 the best-specced Android tablet in the world.”

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Google Drive gets Docs, Sheets, Slides web apps

In an official post on the Google Drive blog, Google has announced that Documents, Spreadsheets, and Presentations – now called Docs, Sheets, and Slides are available as apps in the Chrome Web Store. On installing these apps, the shortcuts to these apps will appear when you open a new tab in Chrome.

In fact, those of you who use a Chromebook will be able to spot Docs, Sheets, and Slides in their apps list by default once the next update to Chrome OS arrives in a few weeks.

Building upon last year’s update to its News feature, Google recently introduced a host of updates that will be rolled out over the days to come. Among the first updates to come to Google News this time is the ability to view each news results cluster collapse down to one result, except for the first cluster. Users can click on 'Show more' to view articles from more sources. Google claims that the update has made it simpler to browse through the search results, and find the news coverage users are looking for. 

One click access

Over the next few days, users will be able to view a bar with videos and photos pertaining to the news content in some expanded result clusters. Clicking on any of these, users can view a more detailed coverage of the news. Once the changes begin to show, users will be able to spot that the cluster image has been moved to the left, while the source information has been shifted to below the article links to make it easier for users to read the content.

Google’s update to its News feature last year allowed users to scan for stories they find interesting. 

On typing search queries in the Gmail search box, users can now view results from Google Drive, Google Calendar, and more, in addition to the relevant emails. This is a part of a field trial currently underway for users with gmail.com accounts, or those on https://www.google.com in English. Also, the search strings of the participants on Google.com return relevant emails, files, content on Gmail and Google Drive, in addition to regular search results.

Those who are a part of the experiment will be able to view relevant Gmail messages and other shared links in their search results. Users will also be able to get information and statuses pertaining to their upcoming flights. Likewise, they will also be able to search documents, spreadsheets, presentations, and other files stored on Google Drive.

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Rumour: Google Will Launch Android 4.2 Nexus Tablet With 10" Screen On 29th October

The latest rumour in town is that Google will also be launching anAndroid 4.2-based 10"Nexus tablet during its 29th October event. According to The Next Web, the high-end slate manufactured bySamsung, is code-named "Manta" and possibly to be released as the Nexus 10, will be in direct competition against the Apple iPad. The device will sport a screen with a resolution of 2560x1600, thus yielding a higher pixel density of around 300 ppi as compared to the 264 ppi on the iPad. Detailed specs are not yet available. Google had launched the 16 GB Nexus 7 earlier this year and priced it at $200 (approx Rs 11,000), thus forcing the hot-selling Amazon Kindle Fire, which was initially priced the same, to lower its price to $150 (Rs 8200). If the price is right, and we suspect it will be, this news will definitely be unnerving to the Cupertino-based company (that's Apple, by the way), which is speculated to launch a 7" iPad mini this week.

As reported earlier, Google is slated to introduce Android 4.2, initially known as Key Lime Pie, the next version of Jelly Bean. The search giant could also launch two more Android 4.2 devices: the 32 GB version of Nexus 7 and the quad-core CPU-powered LG Nexus 4 smartphone with a 4.7" IPS HD screen with pixel dimensions of 1280x720 (giving a pixel density of 318 ppi) and 8 mp auto-focus camera with 1080p recording. This will be the biggest Nexus launch with three such branded devices being announced together (if all the launches do happen).

The Android event will begin at 10 am EST in the US (8:30 pm IST) on 29th October. If you can't make it to New York, fret not — the entire event will be webcast live at youtube.com/android.

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The new Chromebook, for everyone

(From Official Chrome Blog Team)
As a kid growing up in India, I was fascinated with computers and the endless possibilities they presented. I had to wait until college to finally get my hands on one in the computer lab and since then began dreaming of a world where everyone could have access to one. We’re not quite there yet, but every day we get a bit closer.

A few years ago, we set out on a journey to build a better computer that’s faster, simpler and more secure. When we introduced a few Chromebooks into the market, many of you early adopters joined us on this journey. For folks living entirely in the cloud, the Chromebook is now a primary computer.

Many people use the Chromebook today as the perfect additional computer for their home. For families, it’s easy to use and share: for kids doing homework on the couch, parents catching up on emails at the kitchen counter and grandparents staying connected on video chat. There’s no need to worry aboutsecurity updates and maintenance is easy; all you need to do is charge the battery. It just works.

This gets to the heart of the Chromebook vision. In order to have one, two or more computers around the house, they need to be easy to use and much more affordable. So together with Samsung, we designed a new laptop—the new Samsung Chromebook for $249—the computer for everyone.

    


The new Chromebook is a great computer at any price, but it’s an incredible computer at $249. It’s one of the lightest laptops on the market. You can easily carry it around all day—it’s 2.5 pounds, a mere 0.8 inches thick, with more than 6 hours of battery life for the typical user. And with 100 GB of free storage on Google Drive*, you can get to all of your stuff anytime, anywhere.

Even with its compact design, it’s packed with performance—it boots up in less than 10 seconds and resumes instantly. High-resolution videos (in 1080p) are beautiful to watch and when using the touchpad, you’ll notice smooth scrolling due to a hardware-accelerated user interface. And as you‘d expect from a Chromebook, it’s easy to share with others. Everyone—mom, dad, grandparents, tech lovers, tech haters—can have separate accounts where all of their stuff is kept safe. Finally, if you’re an active Google user of products like Gmail, Drive, Search, Maps, YouTube, Play or Google+ Hangouts, everything just works seamlessly.

Starting today, the new Samsung Chromebook is available for pre-order online from Amazon, Best Buy, PC World and other retailers. Next week it will be available for sale from these same online retailers as well as the Google Play store. You can also buy them at over 500 Best Buy stores across the U.S and over 30 PC World and Currys stores in the U.K.

So if you ever felt it was too complicated and too expensive to have an additional computer (or two), we hope you (and the entire family) will give the new Chromebook a try.

Posted by Sundar Pichai, SVP, Chrome & Apps

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Three New Google Services Rolled Out In India

Google is on a roll, literally, adding new features to several products over the past couple of days. Yesterday, the search giant announced additional language support for Gmail users: Gmail is now equipped with over 100 virtual keyboards that let you convert text typed in English to any regional language.

To use the feature (which Google has actually had since 2009), check the Enable input tools option under Language in theSettings menu. Once enabled, the Input Tools icon appears near the Settings button, and you can toggle the feature on and off.

Next up: You can now send text messages via the in-built chat application. The feature has been around for some months now, but it's just been extended to all operators in the country. You type in your friend's name in the Search or invite friends textbox, and select a contact.Then, you select the Send SMS option, and key in the mobile number in the Send SMS messages to this number box. (For this to work,you need to enable the service from the Chat settings page.) You can send as many as 50 texts a day, and these messages are stored in your Chat history like with regular chat. You can't use the Go off the record for this option, though!

The 50 messages are not charged for.

 

Last but not least, Google today rolled out a new homepage for iPhone and Android devices. Typingwww.google.com in your gadget's browser reveals a sidebar highlighting popular Google products, and you can jump between them with ease.

Do you find these new Gmail features useful? Let us know in the comments.

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Google mobile home page gets new hidden sidebar

Even though Google has it’s own official search apps for Android and iOS, they still keep updating their mobile home page for other mobile phone users, and this latest tweak throws in a neat little redesign.

The Mobile Search Homepage at Google.com on your mobile browser, will now show you a hidden left-oriented sidebar that lists all the Google products or services you use, instead of the usual tabs at the top of the screen.

The top now only has links to image search and web, and ofcourse the Google+ Notification area. Not a huge redesign but a nice little tweak, eh?

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Check the Current Location of Indian Trains on Google Map

You can now check the current location of an Indian Railways train on a Google Map. Just type the train details or the station name to know the exact location.

The Indian Railways has just launched RailRadar, a useful website that shows the current geographical location of any train on a Google Map.

To get started, you can zoom-in to any location /city on the map to see all the trains which are arriving at the station or have just departed. Or you can use expand the left sidebar to search trains by name, by train number or by the station name.

If you click a particular train, the map will also show the exact route of the train including all the stops and the current location of the train. The train markers highlighted in blue indicate trains that are running on time while the red markers indicate trains that are delayed or behind schedule.

The press release says that the train data is refresh every 5 minutes and the displayed location and running status of any trains displayed on the Google will always be delayed by at least 5 minutes.

The site is extremely useful and it will work on your mobile phone as well.

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32GB Nexus 7, Galaxy Nexus 2 appear in retailer’s inventory list

The highly anticipated successor of the Galaxy Nexus is set to be unveiled in the near future. However, there is no word yet on its exact timing. As per a report by Android Community,the website has got hold of a screenshot, which displays an inventory listing for a 32GB Nexus 7, and a screen protector for the Galaxy Nexus 2.

According to the report, the author Cory Gunther states, “Currently we only have a 8 and 16GB option, but with the Kindle Fire HD and NOOK HD both offering more maybe Google feels the need to step it up. I certainly wouldn’t argue with them. There’s recently been rumors of a $99 Nexus 7 tablet. Maybe Google will drop the 8GB to $99 (or $149), match the Fire HD at 16GB for $199, and then offer this new 32GB model. This screenshot leaked from Carphone Warehouse in the UK, and that’s really all we know at this point. Placeholders are put in online inventory systems all the time so it could really just be nothing, but at the same time Carphone Warehouse was right about the black Galaxy S III too well before Samsung announced it. Interesting leak that is for sure. We’d love to have both of those devices see the light of day.”

Soon to be launched

This leak indicates that the 7-inch Nexus 7 tablet comes with a higher storage capacity, and the listing of the screen protector of the Galaxy Nexus 2 could mean that the launch of the handset could potentially be around the corner.

Last year, Google co-manufactured the Galaxy Nexus with Samsung, and this year’s model apparently will be done in the same fashion. Those hoping to find some major changes in the 2012 edition may be a bit disappointed as these supposed specifications of this model show that the next Nexus will feature only minor changes, specification-wise.

Listing on Carphone Warehouse

According to an earlier report by SamMobile, “It looks like Samsung will make the next generation of the Google’s ‘Nexus’ line code name: GT-I9260. Samsung made before this phone the Google Nexus S and Galaxy Nexus. The next generation of the Nexus looks to be a small upgrade. When we see the specification we can say… Yes the screen, processor and camera is better, but for the HIGH-END market the processor isn’t that great. Google will use a 1.5 dual-core processor.”

Last year, Google had launched the Galaxy Nexus, which was powered by a 1.2GHz dual-core processor. This year’s major OS update from Google, Android v4.1 (Jelly Bean), works smoothly on it. With quad-core processors being the talk of the town on high-end Android devices and Samsung’s flagship smartphone, the Galaxy S III being powered by it, it appears that Google has decided to opt for a two-core solution for the upcoming Nexus.

credits:tech2.in

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10 reasons why the Galaxy Nexus is THE phone to buy

 There’s absolutely no lack of Android phones and as you can imagine, it’s not easy trying to find which one’s the right one for you. You could just go out and buy the most expensive one out there, but then you don’t want to waste so much money on it either. If you’re looking to spend somewhere between Rs. 18,000 and Rs. 27,000 on an Android phone, we feel that you should blindly go out and buy a Samsung Galaxy Nexus. No, it’s not ‘officially’ available in the market, but drop in at your local, buzzing mobile store and you’ll probably find it there for somewhere between Rs. 23,000 and Rs. 25,000, depending on where you are. No, you won’t get a warranty on it most likely but that’s a risk you have to take. Now, let’s look at why it’s THE Android phone to buy.

Jelly Bean available... right now

No waiting for Jelly Bean

Everyone’s talking about Jelly Bean and how their brand new Rs. 40,000 smartphone is going to get it really soon. If you’re as excited about it, you’ll be happy to know that the Galaxy Nexus already has it. Of course, if you have one, and haven’t received the update, here are some quick instructions on how to get it.

It’s Google’s iPhone!

Apple’s got the iPhone and if there’s one phone that can be called Google’s own phone, it’s this. While Samsung makes the device, the Galaxy Nexus most certainly is Google’s latest official phone, at least, at the moment. If you’ve always wanted to have the pure Google Android experience, without any third party interfaces and apps, this is the best device to have. All future updates that Google puts out will come to this phone before almost any other phone in the market.

720p screen

The screen on the Galaxy Nexus spans 4.65 inches, almost identical to the Galaxy S III and the HTC One X. Very few phones in this price range have such a large screen, that too at 720p. The screen may not be as vibrant as the ones on more expensive smartphones in the market, but it’s certainly way better than other phones in its price range. It’s a Super AMOLED display, so there’s decent detail and reasonably good colour reproduction as well—a joy when you’re viewing HD content on it.

Dual-core CPU performance

More cores means more performance, at least theoretically. The Galaxy Nexus comes with a rather speedy 1.2GHz processor, which means very good, smooth performance. Google’s Project Butter on Jelly Bean only makes the experience better.

Decent camera, with full HD video recording

Panorama shooting takes seconds

The camera on the Galaxy Nexus might only be 5MP as compared to some of the other phones, but in broad daylight, it’s able to click some very impressive photos. The camera lets you choose panorama by simply moving the phone from side to side. The phone not only lets you view full HD 1080p content on it, but even record it.

1 GB of memory

For most of us, the processor is the most important part of the phone but the amount of memory is what lets you run multiple applications simultaneously with negligible drop in performance. The Galaxy Nexus comes with 1GB of RAM. When it comes to storage, the phone doesn’t have any microSD slot, but there’s 16GB of internal memory.

NFC support

NFC can be very convenient

NFC used to be advertised as one of the biggest changes to come to mobile phones. In the case of the Galaxy Nexus, you don’t pay a premium for it. Although NFC isn’t widespread in India yet, it’s still a neat little feature that lets you quickly share apps, Youtube videos, links and contacts by simply touching the phone to the back of another NFC-enabled device.

It looks great

Simple, solid attractive design will attract eyeballs

While most mainstream devices have a boring design, Samsung and Google have ensured that the Galaxy Nexus is an attractive phone to hold in your hand. The front has no buttons on it and all the basic controls are carried out through the screen itself. The only physical controls are the power and volume control buttons. The back has a thin textured grip that only makes the device look even slicker.

It’s exclusive

People love bragging rights, and owning the Galaxy Nexus means that it’s not like the Galaxy Note or the S III; phones that every other person on the street has. The Galaxy Nexus isn’t as popular as it should have been here in India. If you own it, you’re one of the few people to have one. Hurry, because it’s one of the few phones also to run Jelly Bean as of now.

It’s pretty darn good value for money

Price is a key part of any purchase and it’s no different for the Galaxy Nexus. Rs. 23,000 might seem like a lot of money, but in fact, this phone offers way better value money than the more expensive options. For all practical purposes, superphones such as the HTC One X and the Samsung Galaxy S III only have a faster processor and a slightly better quality screen. For the money you’ve spent on them, you still don’t get the latest Android updates. Take any other phone priced around the Rs. 23,000 mark and you’ll begin to appreciate the kind of hardware you get for the price. Most of the phones in this price range come with a single core processor and won’t have a screen with this resolution, let alone its several other extras.

So if you’re willing to sacrifice the warranty and are looking for a good value for money Android phone, then look no further. The Galaxy Nexus is THE phone for you.

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The Nexus 7/Play Store catch-22

The Google Nexus 7 tablet has seemingly already become a success even though it hasn't officially hit store shelves. As we've heard, Nexus 7 pre-orders have already sold out, but of course as we also know, Google isn't making much if any money on the tablet. Of course, just like the Amazon Kindle Fire, the Google Nexus 7 isn't supposed to make any money on the hardware; the point is to get more and more people hooked in to the Google Play Store and to push media and app sales. The trouble is that the Google Play Store still doesn't quite match up to the competition, so we have to look into how well this gambit will play out. 

The new Nexus

People tend to assume that everything that Google does is a way to maximize advertising revenue, which is often true, but this time we can't say that it is. Sure, getting an inexpensive Android tablet into the hands of millions will help Google get more ad revenue, because of the increase in eyeballs, but this time, we think Google is looking past ad revenue at the entire Android tablet ecosystem. Ultimately, that has always been the point of Nexus devices. Nexus devices have historically been designed to be reference devices that not only show off the abilities of stock Android, but also to show hardware manufacturers ways to best take advantage of the platform. To that point, Google seems to want Android manufacturers to build more inexpensive tablets, but there is also a new aim for this Nexus device: consumer activity. 

Google obviously wants the Nexus 7 to get into as many hands as possible, and immediately it is clear that the focus of the tablet is the Play Store. It even says right on the box that this tablet was designed for the Play Store. Advertising revenue is one thing, but having a viable content store that users frequently purchase from is a proven way to not only bring in revenue, but also to push hardware. Both Apple and Amazon have proven that, and Google wants to push forward the entire Android tablet ecosystem, not just its own ad revenues. 

Content and relationships

Both Apple and Amazon put in a lot of work building up their respective content stores before putting out a tablet. iTunes and Amazon each had huge amounts of music, video, and books before launching their tablets. Apple had a ton of apps available for the launch of the iPad, and although Amazon didn't have that many apps, its Appstore was carefully curated to make it easier on users to find what they wanted. More importantly, each company had a history built up with users, so each company already had the payment information for users. Even Barnes & Noble already had payment information, so users didn't have any barriers to purchase. Google still doesn't really have that relationship with a lot of users. 

The hope obviously is that the Nexus 7 will sell well because of its price point (and we've already seen that plan appears to be working), then people will put their information into Google Wallet for use in the Play Store. The first thing you'll notice on starting up your new Nexus 7 are the big new widgets used to showcase the Play Store and its content. But, at the end of the day, this is a proper Google Android tablet, and not a customized experience, which actually is problem for Google. 

Because this is a proper Android tablet with the entire Play Store available, that means users can simply install services that they already use and pay for like Amazon for books, Netflix and/or Hulu for video, Spotify, Pandora, or MOG for music. So, even though those same apps were available to iPad or Kindle Fire users, Apple and Amazon already had user payment info. This made it just as easy for users to get content directly from Apple or Amazon, while 3rd party services have a bit of an edge on Google. 

Catch-22

If you'll indulge us a minute of conspiracy theory, one could make a case that Google is holding more Nexus 7 stock itself, or is at least giving itself priority with Nexus 7 stock, even though there may be more demand through Staples or Walmart. This would drive people to purchase the tablet in the Google Play Store, which would force a new user to add payment information. Of course, we have no way real reason to believe this is true, other than the fact that the Play Store is the only one around that hasn't sold out of the tablet. And, that could just as easily be explained by the fact that there are likely to be fewer people purchasing through the Play Store simply because they don't have their payment info set up with the service, which is exactly the problem Google wants to fix.

All that to finally bring us to the catch-22 of it all. Google can't get user payment info data into the Play Store if the tablet is purchased anywhere but the Play Store itself, but users will be less likely to purchase from the Play Store because they don't have payment options set up, and even after purchasing, 3rd party options take away the need for payment in the Play Store. The Google Play Store has a lot of good content, maybe not as much as the competition in many areas, but there is a lot of good content, especially in the app market, and if you like to discover more independently produced music. 

Those of us already invested in the Play Store are the ones most likely to purchase a Nexus 7 from the Play Store itself, so that doesn't give Google any new information that it didn't have before. The real challenge is to get those who buy the tablet at Walmart and Sam's Club to set up a Play Store account. The new widgets will most likely do a fairly good job of doing just that. Even if people have their information with Amazon doesn't mean that they are invested in the Amazon Kindle store, and may not bother to really download many apps. These kinds of people are the prime candidates for consuming media via the Play Store. So, if our silly conspiracy theory is right, it may work against Google by not getting the Nexus 7 in the hands of those who don't have Play Store accounts. 

Conclusion

Either way, the tablet seems to have enough buzz that if Google can keep up with demand, the whole equation may not matter because Google's plan will succeed just by sheer numbers. If successful, this could represent a sea change for the Android ecosystem. More people will viable payment options in the Play Store means more people purchasing apps; and, more people buying apps will mean developers will put in more effort to build up the tablet selection in for Android, which still needs more attention from devs. It's a move that Google had to make, even if just to kickstart the entire Android tablet ecosystem. 

The plan is off to a good start, and pushing demand is always helpful for a new launch. But, Google has to make sure that there are enough tablets coming out fast enough that demand doesn't turn into exasperation, because that's when people walk away. 

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Google Nexus 7 Tablet Weighed with the 4 Limitations that you can't ignore!

Google Nexus 7  has taken the competition in the segment to a New level where Google sees itself in great position with its first ever hand in the Android powered Tablet market. The low-cost, exclusive features, Android 4.1 Jelly bean, etc. all contribute to the attraction towards this beauty? But wait we all know there is not a Back-side (rear) camera, No Micro SD card support, No Flash support. So what to do? Buy or not? Well here are some points that are worth discussing to consider before giving a final verdict of the tablet.

Cons

No back Camera - Yes there is no back camera present in the device. Those who see it competing with iPad would really consider this as the biggest failure point, So do we. Android lovers have always looked on to the Google play for apps such as Instagram, but with no rear camera these becomes useless. Absence of a rear camera is really a big factor for those looking to buy a complete tablet in this price. The front facing 1.2MP camera is good for video calling and other purposes, but yet how many of you can see it beating the utility of a rear camera ?

Flash Support -  Sadly Adobe, soon after the announcement of Jelly Bean, revealed that it will not provide support for the latest Android version.


Lack of Micro SD Card Slot - What if you want to put the contents of micro-sd card to play in your device? Google has clearly not provided any support here as well which many of us believe would not have come in between the cost cutting, rest only Google knows. If you are a complete fun loving person loving to take out movies, songs, your own stuff everywhere you go you might miss out. Those who say the 8GB internal storage is enough, well there is hell lot of space available for Android applications and other things to acquire.


No 3G network - That's really why i won't buy it. Leave the camera, flash support, micro sd card slot, But you can not always find a wi-fi network around you.

Supportive Arguments

Well enough of cons, now let's take a look at other side of coin, considering there are 2 aspects of every thing. The first and foremost thing which comes to defend the Tablet is its Price. If you want to get a quality tablet at low price well nothing can beat it. The 8GB version costs $199 and the 16GB is worth $249. So this gives a definite reason to say Bye,Bye! to those tablets which are of less quality, low performance and of course does not have the name Google associated with it.

Well what next, you forgot the Quad-core Tegra 3 processor. You could not have imagined to see it such a low end device. The inclusion of this processor itself is in high cost range but remarkably Google managed to get this in. 12 core ultra-low voltage nVidia GeForce GPU is not a JOKE. This makes the device to play some heavy games, apps at amazing speed with great graphics.

Wait, there is a Jelly Bean waiting in as well. Yes the device is the first to run the latest version of Android release by Google at I/O 2012. This makes a perfect choice for users wanting to be on the latest version .

 Now coming back to the topic, If you are making a mind NOT to buy it, wait we have to say something? How many of you really happen to take pictures with your Tablets? Don't you associate a Tablet with your professional needs? If so there is a well placed 1.2MP front camera waiting for you.
Space issues? Well 8GB is not a small amount and if you keep the real utility of a tablet in mind i doubt if that might cause an issue.

A device with such amazing features at only USD 199 is a Must go. Google Nexus 7 is really a wonder piece created by Google and that's why we say it is a Must buy Tablet.

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Google Announces Android 4.1 Jelly Bean At I/O Conference

Last night, Google took the wraps off its latest version of theAndroid OS, in the form of Jelly Bean. The update was announced at the Google I/O 2012 developers' conference, which is currently underway at San Francisco. The company explained some of the core features of the new OS in detail, and though it's not a major upgrade, it is still something to look forward to. Apparently, the purpose is to make Android faster and smoother, as explained in the keynote address.

The Project Butter, as it is known, brings in greater responsiveness and fluidity to the new OS. Touchscreen usability has been improved as well, with quicker app transition animations.

 

Google has also brought forth some cosmetic changes with Jelly Bean. Widgets will now resize on their own when placed in a crowded homescreen. Here are a few other features of the OS.

Keyboard - The existing keyboard has been improved, offering better autocorrect functions, similar to the Swiftkey. One major addition is the offline voice-to-text feature, which previously required a working data connection. New input languages such as Hindi, Persian, Arabic, and Thai among others have been added to the system.

Camera - Some neat tweaks have been made to the camera app. Users can see a new transition effect after a picture is taken, along with a quick preview. Additionally, pinching the display will give a short preview of all the images in a vertical layout. This looks very similar to Windows Phone 7.

Notifications - The notifications bar has received a huge bump, making it more accessible. It will show previews of social network notifications (including thumbnails of photos) and even mails, instead of just a plain message like with previous iterations of Android. Users can call back or text a contact right from the notifications bar, which is another neat addition.

Voice Search - While, there's no Siri-like voice integration built into Android yet, a similar feature has been introduced. The native Google Voice Search on Android goes a step ahead with interactive responses to offer better search results. I'm not sure if it's as witty as Siri, but it's an interesting addition nonetheless.

Google Now - Google Now integrates with Google Maps to figure out your daily commuting routes. It will also give you suggestions for new routes, just in case there's heavy traffic. This means you'll have to let Google know where you're going at all times, which can be an issue for some people. It will also tell you when the next bus or the next flight is expected, and can even provide sports updates with scores. To enable this, Google Now will go through the user's search history to know which team he \ she is rooting for. Again, privacy-concious user may not appreciate this feature.

The update will be made available mid-July for the GALAXY Nexus, Nexus S, and Motorola XOOM tablets. It will take a while for other OEMs to announce the update, though.
 

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