Android 4.4 KitKat lets you say 'OK Google' to activate touchless search

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2013/10/31/android-kitkat-nexus-5-Google-Now-Search/

"Okay Google." Those Touchless Controls aren't just for the Moto X anymore -- they're now part and parcel of the Nexus 5. With today's unveiling of Google's (terribly leaked) Nexus 5, we're getting a first look at Android 4.4 KitKat on the handset, and that OS update comes with some significant tweaks to Search and Now. For starters, Nexus 5 users will have the ability to set hot keywords as a means of activating or "waking up" Now voice search. So, presumably, this means you'll be able to link any word you'd like to start barking voice commands at Now. Just don't be surprised if Now talks back to you: KitKat also apparently allows for a dialogue of sorts between users and the handset to refine search queries. This could be especially useful when directing Now to access contacts by first name. For example, saying "Text Jennifer" could result in it asking you to specify, "Which Jennifer?" It's smart control made smarter.

But that's just the tip of the improvements Google's made to its Now and Search product. Overall, speech recognition is said to have been made 25% more accurate and manual access to Now can be triggered by a swipe to the left (Nexus 5-only, for now) -- no longer a swipe from the bottom of the screen up. Now has also been outfitted with a wider array of "contextual cards." It's yet another step in making Google's digital assistant even more prescient, as it will now display information based on a user's current activity, like Fandango for ticket listings if you're at a theatre, or even updates on a favorite TV show you've searched for previously. And going even further, Google Now will also provide "deep links" to applications you've installed on the handset. In the use case Google provided, this means that a recipe search won't just display link results, but will also ping up the AllRecipes app or even OpenTable, if you're on the hunt for a restaurant. Though all of these Search tweaks are bundled into the Nexus 5 for now, they should soon rollout to other Nexus devices as Android 4.4 KitKat is made more widely available.

Filed under: Cellphones, Software, Mobile, Google

Comments

Read More...

Summary only...

Google debuts new wireless charging pad with support for Nexus 5 and 7

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2013/10/31/google-wireless-charging-pad/

Last year, Google unveiled a new wireless charging pad alongside the Nexus 4 and Nexus 10, and the company has taken advantage of 2013 to come up with another one. This new charging pad has been announced in tandem with the Nexus 5, and will include support for it and the Nexus 7. It's supposed to go on sale in the Play Store today, though pricing is still an unknown. So what's different this time around? The new pad, which should work with any device that offers Qi compatibility, has been completely redesigned (it's shaped like a square instead of a hockey puck) and now features magnets that will make it easier for devices to stick on it -- provided those phones and tablets in question have magnets built in as well. We'll have more information about the chargers as we get it, so stay tuned!

Nicole Lee contributed to this post.

Filed under: Cellphones, Wireless, Mobile, Google

Comments

Read More...

Summary only...

HTC: Android 4.4 KitKat coming to the One within 90 days, Google Play edition within 15 days

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2013/10/31/htc-one-android-kitkat/

Now that we know which of Google's Nexus devices will be eligible for an update to Android 4.4 KitKat, other manufacturers are starting to speak up about their rollout plans as well. Jason Mackenzie, president of HTC America, confirmed to us in an interview that the company is going to aggressively push out the latest version of Android to the HTC One. The Google Play edition will be updated within the next 15 days, the Developer edition and unlocked versions will get it within 30 days, and the remaining SKUs in North America (including all carrier variants) will have it in 90 days or less. With the exception of the Google Play edition, HTC plans to keep its signature Sense UI at version 5.5 (which has been available on global devices running Android 4.3); and although Mackenzie couldn't go into details on how the new KitKat features will be implented in Sense, we expect to see plenty of them make an appearance in the update in some way.

HTC is still working on a rollout plan for the other devices in its portfolio, such as the One max and One mini, but Mackenzie assures us that the company will have a statement concerning those other phones in the near future. He also reiterated HTC's commitment to rapidly pushing out updates, telling us that "we're not going to [roll out updates] in a lazy fashion. We're going to make it a priority to have every dot release out on the One within 90 days."

Since Mackenzie spoke to us on behalf of the company's North American branch, we're still awaiting word on HTC's plans for its global devices. Given the fact that US operators are set to push out updates in the next 90 days, we'd be surprised if it doesn't arrive sooner on One units around the world.

Filed under: Cellphones, Wireless, Mobile, HTC, Google

Comments

Read More...

Summary only...

A Future Internet Might Not Use Servers

Source: http://gizmodo.com/a-future-internet-might-not-use-servers-1455828554

You'd think that given how pervasive the internet is, we'd be stuck with the fundamental architecture it uses: servers that many devices connect to for their information fix. But a team of Cambridge University scientists wants to shake things up—and remove servers altogether.

Read More...

Summary only...

Intel's first modem with 2G, 3G and LTE is ready to roll in tablets, phones and laptops

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2013/10/31/intel-lte-modem-xmm-7160-ships/

You might see more (good) phones and tablets with Intel inside, now that the company has started shipping its new LTE-capable XMM 7160 chip to manufacturers. We say "new," but it's actually been a long time coming -- the company first revealed the radio in early 2012 and officially announced it in February this year. Since the modem supports not only 15 global LTE bands, but also 2G, 3G and voice-over-LTE services, it could potentially give Intel the boost it needs to start fulfilling its mobile ambitions. The chip's already begun its journey within the Samsung Galaxy Tab 3 in Europe and Asia, and it'll come with other Bay Trail tablets in the future.

Filed under: Mobile

Comments

Source: GigaOm

Read More...

Summary only...