Google Android discussion - Page 25

Google announced yesterday that it has added Chromecast support of YouTube live streams, allowing users of the dongle to cast content such as live concerts and sporting events from their mobile devices onto the big screen. Until recently, users could cast live streams to their televisions only via PC, but the expanded functionality removes the need for that workaround.

Google's wearables push is about to get a big boost.

Samsung plans to introduce its first Android Wear device at Google's developer conference next week, people familiar with the matter told CNET. The wearable will be a smartwatch, much like the Gear devices Samsung has released in the past year, the people said.

Samsung has been working on an Android Wear smartwatch that uses Samsung's own chips, as well as another model built off of processors from Qualcomm, one person said. It's unclear which version Samsung will show at Google I/O. Android Wear is Google's operating system for smartwatches and other wearable devices.

Google's Chromecast may be getting some competition from Mozilla. According to GigaOm, Mozilla is creating a Firefox OS-powered streaming stick that is similar to Google's offering in both size and functionality.



GigaOm obtained a prototype of the alleged device, which is currently being shared with a small group of developers. At this point, it is unknown what the streaming stick will be called, how much it will cost, or who will handle manufacturing duties.

What is known at this point is some of its functionality. The Firefox stick was able to duplicate Chromecast's casting capabilities from the Android YouTube app to a television, although its not entirely known what it will be fully capable of if or when it launches.

In an interview with Sundar Pichai, head of Chrome and Android at Google, Businessweek managed to extract a truly exciting tidbit: the next major version of Android will be demoed at Google I/O ahead of its fall release.

Earlier today, Bloomberg published a profile of Android head Sundar Pichai in which it was stated that Google has several Android TV announcements slated for its I/O developer conference tomorrow. The WSJ has now published another report corroborating the earlier profile. According to the report, Google on Wednesday will unveil at least one “small set-top box” running its new Android TV operating system.

The set-top box will be aimed as a competitor to devices like the Apple TV, Roku, and Amazon Fire TV. Google’s set-top box will carry another company’s brand, much like Android, but will be powered by Google’s OS. The set-top box will be able to be controlled by Android smartphones or tablets, and potentially other devices.

Following a report that Samsung was preparing to launch one of the first smartwatch products running Google’s new Android Wear platform, another report today follows up with what it says its branding and full specs for the device. A translated report from alt1040.com claims the Samsung Android Wear product will be dubbed “Gear Live” and begin selling on July 7 following an unveiling sometime this week at the Google I/O developer conference.

On June 26 2014 03:19 SixStrings wrote:
Well, I don't know why I figured this i/o thing would be interesting to the general public.

They didn't talk about anything of interest for anyone who isn't a software developer.
No Project Loon, no Google X, no AI, no self driving cars, none of the fancy and futuristic stuff I thought they would talk about.

Major letdown...

Chromecast might not be the most dramatic of Google's products on stage at I/O 2014, but it's getting just as much love. Rishi Chandra, product manager for Chromecast, demonstrated a lot of new features in his presentation. The low-cost streaming device will get newer and more advanced capabilities soon, including the ability to stream the screen contents of your phone or tablet directly to the television. We've seen this done with various third-party hacks, not to mention a peek or two on some people's active devices.