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Omate Rise is a circular Android 3G smartwatch for just $200
Omate probably isn't the first brand that comes to mind when you think of smartwatches, but the truth is it was one of the first to launch a 3G-enabled smartwatch. It's been over two years since then but such devices have yet to fully take off, not to mention that LG has recently canned its latest LTE watch. But that's good news for Omate who is launching the Rise, a $200 fully circular smartwatch, via Indiegogo on December 7th. Much like its predecessor, the Rise runs on full Android 5.1 (customized with Omate's new OUI 4.0) instead of Android Wear, meaning you can side load any regular Android app -- including all the missing Google Play services -- onto it. But of course, you'll have to get used to poking around on that 1.3-inch, 360 x 360 round LCD. Additionally, the Rise also works as a notification watch with phones running on either iOS 9 or Android 4.4 and above.
Google won't force Android encryption by default (update)
Not too long ago, Mountain View was trumpeting that new gadgets with Lollipop would have encryption turned on by default, but, as Ars Technica reports, that isn't the case. The Nexus 6 handset and Nexus 9 tablet offer it, but third-party devices aren't cropping up with the feature turned on out of the box. Specifically? The new Moto E, with Ars saying that Samsung's Galaxy S6 demo units at Mobile World Congress lack it, as well. Update: Google has issued a statement about the change, confirming to us that it is the result of "performance issues" on some hardware. The full statement is included after the break.
Android TV's rise is bad news for (most of) Google TV
The writing has been on the wall since Android TV appeared last summer, but now it's official -- Google TV (and all the hardware that used it) is yesterday's news. Google gave developers confirmation that "most Google TV devices won't support the new platform," although a small subset of devices will be upgraded to the new Android 5.0 software. There's no word on exactly which ones are covered, but the team at Google will be focusing their efforts on Android TV and the Cast ecosystem. Old Google TV boxes will still work of course, but you can pretty much cancel any hope of further updates or continued support from future apps.
Opera Max can now save Android mobile data in 16 more regions
Over the last few months, Opera's been slowly rolling out Max across the world to save mobile data -- apparently by up to 50 percent, including images and videos -- on Android devices, and its recent collaboration with MediaTek is no doubt a big boost to the service's street cred. But the Norwegian company isn't done yet. While Opera Max is already available to users based in most parts of the Americas, all European Union countries, Russia and others, today Opera added 16 more regions to the list. Just to name a few, these include Australia, Cambodia, Hong Kong, Japan, Myanmar, New Zealand, Singapore, South Korea and Taiwan. You can see Opera's full list after the break, and then head to Google's Play Store to grab the Android Lollipop-ready data compression app.
Google's Android 5.0 is called Lollipop
Google has just revealed that the next major version of Android, 5.0, will be known as Lollipop. After months of teasing the OS, the search giant is finally taking what was previously known as Android "L" into the mainstream, with the first set of the devices expected to arrive early next month. Speaking of which, Android Lollipop will make its debut on the new Nexus 6, a big-screen smartphone from Motorola; the Nexus 9, an 8.9-inch tablet made by HTC; and the Nexus Player, a $99 media-streaming box with Android TV, the first one with Google's novel home entertainment platform. What's more, the company confirmed that Lollipop is coming to the Nexus 5, Nexus 7 and Nexus 10, as well as Google Play edition devices, in the coming weeks.
Google's Nexus 9 available early next month with Android 5.0, starts at $399
Today's the day Google fans have been waiting for: the announcement of this fall's Nexus lineup. It's essentially an annual tradition at this point, since the last few Nexus devices have arrived at the same time of year. Along with a 6-inch smartphone and a media streamer called the Nexus Player, Google's introduced an 8.9-inch tablet built by HTC aptly called the Nexus 9. This slate, which is available for pre-order this Friday and in stores on November 9th, starts at $399 for the base 16GB WiFi model; $479 for the 32GB WiFi; and $599 for a 32GB LTE variant that comes packed with penta-band HSPA+, quad-band GSM/EDGE and CDMA. As is often the case with brand-new Nexus phones and tablets, the 9 is among the first to get the latest version of Android -- in this case, it's Android 5.0 Lollipop. The Nexus 9 will be the first in the lineup to come with 64-bit support, thanks to the dual-core 2.3GHz NVIDIA K1 chipset inside. You'll also get 2GB of RAM; an 8MP rear-facing camera with autofocus, BSI and f/2.4 aperture; a 1.6MP selfie camera; dual-band WiFi 802.11a/b/g/n/ac; and a 6,700mAh battery. HTC was also able to slide in its signature BoomSound stereo speakers, which have been impressive on its flagship devices. Sadly, wireless charging isn't included. The 7.9mm-thick slate will be available in black and white and weighs in at 425g (436g for LTE).
Google taunts Android fans with mascot audition teaser
There's been a bit of speculation as to what moniker version 5.0 of Google's mobile OS would take on when it arrives this fall. In a new promo video, the Android faithful are taunted with possibilities like Lemon Meringue Pie, Lemon Drop, Lady Finger and Lava Cake. Oreo is mentioned as a dark horse candidate, and it could be an option if Google decided to stick with the branded snack theme (and skips a few letters). A couple of rumored names are noticeably absent, too: Lollipop and Licorice. Of course, we'll know soon enough when a new statue is installed in Mountain View.
Here's what Google's giant Nexus 6 phone (probably) looks like
You may have already seen concepts and sketchy photos of Google's long-fabled 6-inch Nexus, but it now looks like the final veil of secrecy has been removed from this future Android flagship. Evan Blass (aka @evleaks) has posted an apparent leaked press image for the new smartphone that supports many of the existing rumors. The massive screen full of Android L imagery is likely the biggest giveaway, but the device also has the Moto X-style grilles and side trim that many have been expecting from the reportedly Motorola-made device. There aren't any new hints as to when this supersized hardware would arrive, and it's still not completely certain that this is what you'll eventually hold in your hands. However, Google's tendency to unveil new Nexus gear around October or November suggests that you won't have very long to wait.
Google's latest ads show off the fresh new face of Android
If you happened to be watching The Walking Dead last night like everybody else, you may have noticed some clever new Android ads. One showed several Droid-looking characters checking their devices, with the smallest pulling out a cartoonishly-huge Android L smartphone. The others flaunted Android Wear and a tablet, while the "Be Together, Not the Same" tagline pointed viewers to a (currently dead) link. Naturally, that's led to speculation -- many think the device shown is the rumored Nexus 6 or X. That's a stretch, but we do know that Google has a surprisingly great new ad campaign hyping Android L on multiple devices, along with that mysterious link. With that, we do expect to see new stuff soon -- very soon.
Google Play on Android has its flattest design yet
With how many of Google's core apps are getting updated to the new, flatter Material Design, the release of Android L can't be too much further away. While we wait for that, however, the Google Play redesign leaked not too long ago is available for sideloading right now, as spotted by Droid Life. With it, the "What's New" section's been moved back to the top of the store and you'll now be able to create device-specific profiles (like one for phones and another for tablets) for restoring a custom set of apps per gizmo-type. If you'd rather not wait your turn for the update from Mountain View, DL has the APK, while Android Police has a smattering of screenshots if you want an advance look of what you're getting into. If you haven't started a betting pool for when Android L will hit, now just might be the time.
Google's Android emulator is ready to help developers make 64-bit apps
There's a lot to look forward to in Android's next major update, but hardware nerds are focusing in one one key feature: official support for 64-bit mobile chips. It's the mobile OS' inevitable future, and chip-makers have been preparing for it for quite awhile. Now app developers can jump in, too: Google announced today that a x86 64-bit Android L developer preview emulator image is available for developers that want to take their apps to the next generation. Not every dev will need to rebuild, however -- apps built in Java will automatically benefit from the 64-bit release's increased accessibility to memory and registers. Choose another language? Well, you'll need to recompile: head over to the source to start testing your apps in 64-bit.
Samsung's take on Android L looks very familiar
You've probably seen plenty of Google's stock Android L interface by now, but custom interfaces are another story. What will the OS look like when device makers get hold of it? If SamMobile's experience with an early, leaked version of Samsung's TouchWiz software is any indication, it will be... remarkably familiar. At least on the Galaxy S5, it looks like the current front-end with splashes of Google's Material Design philosophy thrown in. Core apps and notifications are now full of card-like, colorful elements, but the home screen, app tray and many other elements resemble what you've seen on existing Samsung hardware.
You can hot-swap nearly all Project Ara modules on the fly
Back in April, Project Ara's Module Developers Kit revealed that the phone's battery will be hot-swappable; in other words, you can replace it without having to switch the phone off. Nifty trick, right? Well, the feature's apparently not limited to the device's battery. Project director Paul Eremenko has recently divulged in a keynote that you'll be able to swap the phone's other modules around, save for the CPU and display, even if you're in the middle of typing out a message or of a phone call. You've got the modified version of Android L that the team developed with non-profit org Linaro to thank for that, as it was the key ingredient Team Ara needed to make most of the phone's components hot-swappable.
Android L's newest security feature: out-of-the-box encryption
Apple isn't the only one that's making its software a lot more secure, and erm, fed-proof -- Google's upcoming Android platform will apparently be encrypted by default, according to The Washington Post. The publication didn't clarify whether it's Android's full-disk encryption, which Google first rolled out in 2011, but it did say that nobody can access the encrypted device (not even the company), unless they know its four-digit pin. Does that mean users will be forced to nominate a passcode upon setup? We don't know for sure, but with encryption in place, Mountain View (just like Apple) won't be able to assist authorities in searching your phone, so long as you keep your passcode a secret.
NVIDIA hints at an HTC Nexus 9 tablet coming within weeks
Remember those hints of HTC returning to tablets? Yeah, the cat's out of the bag. As part of its patent lawsuit against Qualcomm and Samsung, NVIDIA has revealed that it expects a Tegra K1-powered "HTC Nexus 9" sometime within the third calendar quarter of the year. That would theoretically put the launch sometime before the end of September. However, don't get your hopes up for a release that soon. HTC just sent out invitations for a "double exposure" media event on October 8th, and there's still no guarantee that the Nexus 9 will surface at that gathering. Given that the slate is supposed to be running Android L, any unveiling will likely hinge as much on Google's progress as it does HTC's.
Chrome on Android is the latest Google app to get a flatter design
Google's "Material Design" was a major part of this year's I/O conference and now it's rolling out to an Android app you probably use a lot more than the Play Store: Chrome. The browser's stable version is the latest recipient of the not-quite-flat façade and fancy animations. Lest you think the mobile web-surfing tool's new tricks are only skin deep, however, Mountain View has added a bit more functionality, surely. Signing into the application with your Google account now logs you into the search giant's websites, like Groups, as well. It's pretty easy to see where Page and co. see the hierarchy of importance for their apps, given the sequence of what's getting the Material Design threads and when. Should Gmail be next in line, it likely wouldn't surprise too many people. The odds of Google Voice getting these new duds anytime soon? Slim -- but that's just a guess.
HTC's first tablet in years pops up in a trade group filing
HTC hinted that it would get back into tablets this year, and there have been detailed rumors covering the effort. However, tangible evidence of that hardware has been hard to come by -- until now, that is. The Wi-Fi Alliance has certified the "Flounder," a tablet that would run Google's upcoming Android L. While the listing doesn't say much by itself, the model numbers match those in an @upleaks post mentioning that there would be a WiFi-only model as well as LTE variants for both the world at large and American CDMA carriers (think Sprint or Verizon). These tidbits don't confirm many of the other rumored aspects of the slate, such as the 8.9-inch display, Tegra K1 processor or Nexus badging. However, they at least suggest that HTC is close to releasing its first tablet since 2011's Flyer and Jetstream -- if you've spent years hoping for a follow-up device, you may well get your wish.
Android smartphones are about to get multi-user support
If you have an Android tablet and kids, you're probably a fan of the OS' multi-user feature: it lets you add passwords and lock specific apps based on who is using the device. The feature launched exclusively on tablets last year, coupled with the explanation that Google hadn't quite figured out how to handle incoming phone calls with multiple users. Now the company seems to have figured it out, explaining in a response in the Android issue tracker that multiple user support will be available "as a part of the next public build."
Early Android L tests show serious battery life improvement
One of the big reveals for Android 4.4 KitKat's successor, Android L, was Project Volta -- new tweaks to improve battery life. Those include a new API that schedules minor tasks better, a "battery historian" to track battery-sapping activities and ART, a more efficient runtime. There's also a "battery saver" mode that kicks in aggressively when only 15 percent of the battery remains. Now that the developer preview has been in the wild, Ars Technica has put it through its paces, along with a number of users on the XDA developer forums. The results? So far so good, with some caveats. Under tightly controlled conditions, Ars Technica managed a whopping 36 percent better battery than KitKat, without even using the battery saver mode. Many XDA users saw comparable results, though battery life was actually worse than on Android 4.4 for some. However, that was likely influenced by apps and other factors -- one user noticed WhatsApp sucking 15 percent of his battery life, likely a beta bug. We'll be running our own battery of tests, as it were, but the takeaway for now? Hey, it's still a developer preview -- but we're optimistic.
Weekends with Engadget: Google I/O 2014, Aereo loses and more!
This week, we went hands-on with Google's Android L developer preview and Android wear, watched the US Supreme Court rule against Aereo, learned how to escape the clutches of the internet and more! Read on for Engadget's news highlights from the last seven days. Oh, and be sure to subscribe to our Flipboard magazine!
