Google Assistant to land on iOS

Android Police has published that Google will soon introduce its Assistant to the iOS platform.

Google Assistant will be limited to the United State at launch and while other regions would have to water for few days or weeks.

Currently, the only root (apart from Google Search app) for iOS users to access Google Assistant was via Allo.

Availability of the Assistant functionality as part of the Search app was not clearly stated for not or may be it would be a different app on its own.

Google is expected to launch the Assistant feature very soon and it could even be this week at the Google I/O as speculated.

Source: www.gsmarena.com

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Microsoft Releases Skype Lite for India

Most Skype users have always complaining about its Android version, it’s not too good. It's often somewhat slow, very terrible call quality and occasionally crash.

Recall in December, Microsoft released what it called Skype Mingo in beta version, it was a new lightweight Skype client meant for almost same purpose as the main app. Now the same Skype Mingo is out of beta, and named Skype Lite.

Skype Lite is well armed to handle poor network conditions and opens faster than the normal app. The app can receive and send both SMS and Skype messages, and it can also be used as default SMS app which has the ability to filter promotional messages to deliver a clutter-free inbox and also allow use of emojis and bots. The sidebar includes a chart displaying data usage.

According to Eugene Ho, Director, Product Management, Skype: “Although, 4G penetration has increased in India, network speeds still drop to 2G and 3G levels often. Skype Lite will be beneficial for users in areas with low data connectivity.”

High-end smartphone users can also install Skype Lite and enjoy it. The app automatically switches to HD calling when the device connects to high-speed WiFi networks. It also possesses a feature that compresses pictures to aid reduction in data usage. The compression feature also reduce call quality based on the data speeds available.

Skype Lite can also replace the default dialler aside that of messaging app function on your phone. It can fetch contacts from your phonebook.

Skype Lite is meant for only Indian languages, including Bengali, Hindi, Gujarati, Marathi, Telugu, Tamil and Urdu. Microsoft has no plan to release Skype Lite in other regions.

The app is officially available for Indians alone on the Play Store.

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Google Executive indirectly confirms Android Oreo name

The name for next Android version has been indirectly confirmed by Google executive.

But come to think of it, Android Nougat was just officially launched few days ago, in fact was first announced few days before Google I/O in March 2016. Now, Google I/O for 2017 is almost at our doorsteps, which means we should be expecting next developer preview of the new Android version.

Of course new features would be on their way to our phones if they are among those listed for the new update, but the most exciting thing is the name. Obviously, the next alphabet is O which would have thrown a alot Android fans into game of chess.

However, it's like Google does not want people to develop headache by releasing the name of the next Android name which is 'Android Oreo'.

A GIF tweeted of Oreo cake by a Google executive, Hiroshi Lockheimer, SVP of Android, Chrome OS and Play, appears to have given us a hint of what the next Android version might be called. A name after the famous cookies, Oreo.

All these suspense will end by the beginning of March if Google wish maintain its regular schedule.

Recall that Lockheimer has leaked some names that were eventually not officially used for some reasons. This is saying, we should not conclude that Oreo is the name.

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Google ditches unskippable 30-second ads on YouTube

Remember those adverts that must finished playing before you watch your movie or music video. Though, those ads plays for just 30 seconds but honestly, most people hates to see them.

Google has officially announced that, from 2018, it would stop showing those unescapable 30-second ads on YouTube.

A Google spokesperson issued a statement while speaking to BBC on Saturday, confirming the company's plans to eliminate this infuriating feature from the YouTube, and stated that the attention will shift into formats that are more pleasing for viewers and advertisers alike.

We should remember that Ads generally are the main source of proceeds for YouTube and video content makers. They more an ad gets viewed, the more cash the advertisers pay.

Though, the most suitable and lucrative format for such online advertisements is considered to be a subject of strong debates.

The head of media at marketing and advertising agency, Agenda 21, Will Smyth, approves this Google's decision as he suggested that this make the advertisers to be more creative in the use of the platform.

He said, "The 30-second ad is a legacy from TV times," said Will Smyth, head of media at the Agenda21 agency.

"It's a standard TV unit which has been put online, but it's not the most effective way to advertise.”

"This will encourage advertisers to be more creative about the way they use the platform."

"Demand from advertisers for video content is high, but there's a shortage of quality content.”

"It's good business for everyone to focus on 'skippables' - people aren't forced to sit through ads, and advertisers don't need to pay if their ad is skipped," He added.

This is definitely a great news for viewer but an unwanted news for the advertisers and media makers. However, we are waiting for the proposed format as claimed by google.

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Google App v6.13 MAY bring Google Assistant to non-Pixels

Google smartphones phones, Pixel and Pixel XL has so far officially been enjoying the app Google called Google Assistant (GA).

However, report from android police says the new alpha release of the Google app (v6.13) seems to be working on devices that aren't supposed to have Google Assistant yet. The screenshots below were taken on a Nexus 6P (running Android 7.1.1) and a Samsung Galaxy Note5 (running Android 6.0.1).

Features: According to Android Police report, the version enables some features that had previously been seen in testing like a page of recent search topics and lite mode. There is also a process to add payment information for use with Google Assistant.

Process of Activating the GA app: After installing v6.13, the Google Assistant can be enabled by holding the Home button as if to launch Now on Tap. A dialog will be displayed with the message "New! You just got the Google Assistant" and begin the setup process for voice training.

 Then again, another Nexus 6P refuses to behave this way, so it's only down to speculation what set of conditions need to be met.

You can click on the source link below to download the APK, but be sure to read the warnings first.

Source

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Google Now Launcher to be phased out in coming weeks

Recall that Google currently has two launcher apps in android Play Store; Google Now Launcher (GNL) and Pixel Launcher.

Maybe by end this quarter (coming weeks), Pixel

Launcher would be the only baby with Google in terms of launcher.

According to an email forwarded to Android Police,  Google has notify Google Mobile Services Partner, GMS partners, of its intention to delete Google Now Launcher from the Play Store in the coming weeks.

This simply means everybody using GNL will have to go for other options.

GNL will be phased out by March 1st, 2017 according to Google's plan. This means the launcher will now be allowed to be pre-installed, existing devices can continue using it, though. This applies people who just installed GNL on their device.

It is still uncleared if Google will released Pixel Launchers for everybody, that leaving it opened up for other devices.

This is not nice.

Source.

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Google begins live testing of Instant Apps.

Last Year, Google revealed the idea of something called “Android Instant Apps” at Google I/O. It is a new way to run Android apps without requiring installation of the full app. “Instant Apps is an important part of our effort to help users discover and run apps with minimal friction” says Google.

Google has been at work with a set of developers to improve both the user and developer experiences.

Google says “Today, a few of these Instant Apps will be available to Android users for the first time in a limited test, including apps from BuzzFeed, Wish, Periscope, and Viki. By collecting user feedback and iterating on the product, we’ll be able to expand the experience to more apps and more users.”

As a developer that wants to get an instant app, you’ll need to upgrade your current Android app to take advantage of Instant Apps functionality and then modularize your app so part of it can be downloaded from play store.

While waiting for the Instant Apps SDK as it is not yet publicly available, developers can start by taking some significant steps to be ready to implement Instant Apps for new, existing, and potential users of your application.

To register for instant app as a developer, please click.

Source.

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