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Google Go can now read any website out loud
Google Go, the tech giant's search app optimized for emerging markets, can now read this article out loud. In fact, the company has updated its browser with the ability to read web pages in 28 different languages using a natural sounding voice that works even on a 2G connection. The tech giant has announced the new feature at its annual event in India, which is one of the markets Android Go was created for. According to Google, the app's new ability uses AI to determine the most important parts of a web page -- it will only read those sections and leave out everything else. For instance, if it's reading a cooking blog, users don't have to listen to it drone on and on about a writer's life story before reaching the recipe itself.
Samsung launches its first Android Go smartphone
Samsung has revealed its first smartphone created specifically for Android Go, Google's stripped-down mobile OS. The Korean manufacturer has been making affordable phones for a long time, and they've been doing quite well in developing markets where they're being sold. It's really no surprise that it has conjured up a Go phone of its own -- this could even be the first of many. The Samsung Galaxy J2 Core comes pre-loaded with apps tweaked for the platform. It's not entirely clear which apps those are, but Google already released several Go-optimized applications, including scaled-down versions of the Google app, Assistant, YouTube, Gboard, Chrome, Maps, Files, Gmail and Google Play.
Lenovo's latest tablets include a $70 Android Go model
Android Go isn't just for entry-level smartphones. Lenovo is refreshing its Android tablet line, and the centerpiece is arguably the Tab E7 (above), an ultra-low-end model for anyone who just wants the basics. The 7-inch slate won't wow people with its 1,024 x 600 screen, 1.3GHz MediaTek processor, 1GB of RAM, 16GB of expandable storage and 5-hour video playback time. However, Android Oreo Go edition should help it perform more gracefully than other tablets in that class -- and the $70 starting price makes it a tempting option if you just want a no-frills e-book or Netflix viewer. It'll be a Walmart exclusive when it ships in October, and a 10-inch Tab E10 counterpart will arrive at the same time offering a faster Snapdragon 210 and a 1,280 x 800 panel for $130.
ASUS' Android Go phone comes to the US for $110
The first Android Go phone to reach the US, the Alcatel 1X, was frankly lackluster between its not-even-720p screen and mediocre processing power. ASUS, however, is hoping to spice things up by launching the ZenFone Live (L1) in the US as a Best Buy exclusive. The unlocked handset costs slightly more than its rival at $110, but you're getting a lot more for your extra Hamilton. The ZenFone carries an 18:9 ratio, 5.5-inch 1,440 x 720 LCD screen, a speedier Snapdragon 425 processor and a heftier 3,000mAh battery, not to mention dual nano-SIM slots and a place for your microSD cards. This might be an ideal phone if you're a traveler who'd rather not risk their main device on a trip.
With new updates, Yahoo bets big on Mail’s mobile future
Few things are a uniquely annoying as having to use your email service's mobile interfaces — they're basic, they're kind of ugly, and they rarely provide the niceties you'd normally be used to. Yahoo wants to change that. The brand (which, like Engadget, is own by Verizon's Oath) today announced a new mobile web interface that looks and feels more like Yahoo's full-blown Mail app.
Alcatel's first Android Go phone reaches the US next week
ZTE's Android Go phone might be hard to get in the US thanks to its trade debacle, but don't worry -- there's another option on the way. As teased in March, Alcatel is releasing its Go-equipped 1X phone in the US sometime next week (the first full week of June) in a carrier-unlocked form for $100. It'll be available through Amazon at first, but should be available through Best Buy and Walmart's online store in the weeks ahead. As with other Go devices, the hardware isn't really the highlight here -- it's all about the software.
ZTE brings the first Android Go phone to the US for $80
Today, handset maker ZTE made the first Android Go phone available in the US. The Tempo Go retails for $80 and is available for purchase at the company's website.
Alcatel’s Android Go phone is headed to the US
Two of the phones Alcatel revealed last month at MWC will be coming to the US, the company confirmed. One is the affordable Alcatel 1X is the brand's first to feature Android Go, a version of the OS customized for lower-performing hardware, while the other is its dual-camera 3V smartphone. Both models will be GSM-unlocked and available in the coming months.
The first Android Go phones blend low prices with lots of promise
The world's first Android Go phones debuted here at Mobile World Congress, and they just might change the way Android works for the developing world. We took some time to get acquainted with some of these new devices, but in case you're not entirely up to speed on Go itself, we've prepared this handy primer.
Nokia's new affordable smartphones prioritize design
Generating hype around the Nokia brand with retro-inspired feature phones is all well and good, but that doesn't necessarily result in people opening their wallets. And to best cash in on any interest, you need a little something for everyone. To that end, HMD Global has announced a number of new Android smartphones at MWC beyond its pricey flagship. There's the Nokia 1, the company's cheapest entry-level device to date; the second-gen Nokia 6, which is going global after debuting in China last month and the Nokia 7 Plus, a bigger version of the China-exclusive 7, which was released last fall.
Android Go phones will be available soon
Android Oreo had quite the interesting feature lurking in its software: Go Edition, which was designed for smartphones with 1 GB of RAM or less. Today, the company announced that the first set of Android Oreo (Go Edition) phones will be unveiled next week and be available for purchase soon after that.
Google gives Gmail the Android Go treatment to save data and storage
Last December, Google launched Android Go, a lightweight operating system for less capable phones typically used in places like India and Indonesia. The company has also been creating apps for these less-capable phones, too, including YouTube Go and a Go-enabled Assistant. Now Google has Gmail Go, a Gmail client made to use less data and storage space for lower end Android phones.
Data-friendly YouTube Go app is available in 130 more countries
Lately, Google has been putting a lot of focus on its lightweight "Go" Android apps that are meant for countries where good cellular coverage and bandwidth in general is difficult to come by. YouTube Go started out in only one country -- sure, it was India, but there were still plenty of other places where the app would be useful. As of today, many more countries will be able to use YouTube Go. More than 130, in fact.
Google launches lightweight Assistant app for slower phones
Android Go is Google's streamlined OS that is designed to work on entry-level mobile devices. Apps are designed to use less memory and storage space, as well as be less data hungry. Today, Google released a version of its Assistant that is optimized for the Go platform. It's available for download at the Play Store.
Android 8.1 starts rolling out to Nexus and Pixel devices
As promised, Android 8.1 is ready to reach the masses. Google has started pushing the new mobile operating system to Nexus and Pixel devices, and expects to complete the rollout over the next week. Naturally, it's also posting the source code. The biggest tangible improvement should be for low-cost Android Go phones aimed at developing markets, but there are plenty of important improvements -- particularly if you have a Pixel 2.
Android Oreo for low-powered phones launches today
Google is finally releasing the bare bones version of Android it showed off at I/O 2017 back in May. The tech titan is making Android Oreo Go available to manufacturers with Android 8.1, which is scheduled to drop anytime within the next 24 hours. This optimized version of Google's mobile OS was created specifically for devices with only 512MB to 1GB of memory. It was built to be lighter and to run faster on phones that don't come with big ROMs and the most advanced components money can buy, with core apps that are 50 percent smaller and 15 percent faster than their full-sized counterparts.
Google extends Files Go offline sharing app beta to more users
A few days ago, Google briefly published a new app called Files Go on the Play Store. It was quickly removed, but it looked to be a file-transfer app focused on the Android Go initiative that Google announced back at I/O earlier this year. Today, Google made things official -- Caesar Sengupta, VP of Google's "Next Billion Users" team, tweeted that the app was again available "for a few more" users.
Android 8.1 preview unlocks your Pixel 2 camera's AI potential
Remember how Google said the Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL both have a custom imaging chip that's just laying idle? Well, you can finally use it... in a manner of speaking. Google has released its first Developer Preview for Android 8.1, and the highlight is arguably Pixel Visual Core support for third-party apps. Companies will have to write support into their apps before you notice the difference, but this should bring the Pixel 2 line's HDR+ photography to any app, not just Google's own camera software. You might not have to jump between apps just to get the best possible picture quality when you're sharing photos through your favorite social service.
Android Go could help make Android O a runaway success
Android O might not seem like the most thrilling software update at first, but it just might be one of the most important. Google has been on a quest to capture and delight billions of new Android users for years with various initiatives. So far, scaling hasn't been a problem -- there are now 2 billion monthly active devices, and with Android Go, Google's hell-bent on picking up even more in developing and underserved markets.
Android Go is streamlined for cheap phones
It's no secret that Google has been working on improving its apps and operating system for those using less-powerful devices or unreliable connections. It's optimized its apps to use less data and memory, but now it's expanding its focus across the OS. At its developer conference today, Google previewed a version of something the company has been calling Android Go, and it's supposed to work well even on devices with less than 1GB of onboard memory. Google says Go will ship "as an experience" in 2018, which means manufacturers will potentially start making handsets with the lighter OS after that.
