Android One arrives in the Philippines!

Google has officially made the Android One available in the Philippines! First launched in India, Android One is Google's answer to the question of how to make the world connected to the internet. Google is partnering with local phone makers in the names of Cherry Mobile and My phone to bring affordable smartphone in the country. These smartphones are called Cherry One and My Phone Uno which will be running the latest version of Android 5.0 Lollipop out of the box. The Philippines is the 6th country to get Android One. For more information about Android One click here.

The Google Nexus 9 by HTC

Google, has also announced their next flagship tablet. The Google Nexus 9 by HTC. Yes, you heard that right, this tablet is made by HTC and yes the rumors are correct. Like the Nexus 6, this tablet will also be running on Android 5.0 Lollipop out of the box. The Nexus 9 will be available on pre-order starting today (October 17) starting at $399. It sports HTC's BoomSound front speakers to make it really an HTC experience and a soft grip rear panel with metallic sides.

The Google Nexus 6 by Motorola

Together with the announcement of Android 5.0 Lollipop, Google has announced their next flagship Nexus smartphone. Made by Motorola, the Google Nexus 6. Apparently, it will be the first phone to run Android 5.0 Lollipop out of the box. Motorola has taken this category (phablet for Samsung fans) to a whole new level by basically spitting out a 6-inch smartphone. That I believe is a huge phone and huge is probably still an understatement. Anyway, for those dying to get their hands on the device, Google will be accepting pre-orders of the device in late October and should start shipping by November. Nexus devices are always available via the Nexus website and the Play Store.

Android 5.0 Lollipop

Google has officially revealed the name of the next major release of Android. Android 5.0 will be, from now on, known as Android Lollipop. At the time it was being announced, my Google Plus feed was filled with Lollipops, Androids dancing, People dancing (GIF) and whatnots. Most of us already know what Android 5.0 has to offer. It is a major update and according to Google, the sweetest Android yet. It has a revamped UI which they named as Material Design. This version of the platform will also brought to not just smartphones or tablets but it extends to Android Wear, Android TV, and Android Auto. Everything I have said here were already previewed in this year's Google I/O so if you missed that, click here.

Smart offers Acer Chromebook with their internet bundles!

This is one of those news that I have been waiting! The arrival of Google's Chromebooks to the Philippines! Although the OS or the platform can still be used even without internet connection, Smart together with Acer have created a very wise tandem here by offering the first Chromebook (officially) in the Philippines with internet bundles. No matter how unindependent the platform is to the internet it will still use the world wide web to do everything Google has promised it would do.

[Updated] Google promotes Chrome 37 to stable version!

Google has promoted Chrome 37 to the Stable world and is now available for download and update. For those who are expecting the 64-bit version of the browser, then be discouraged since the update still does not have 64-bit support which means Google Chrome 37 is stil a 32-bit browser. Anyway, get the update for those who are already using the browser or you can download it here.

Update: Well, the Chrome 37 for windows actually comes with a 64-bit version. Now wonder my Chrome acts way more smoothly than Chrome 36. For those who wants to get the 64-bit Chrome click here.

Android 4.4.4 KitKat released for Nexus devices

Android 4.4.4 KitKat has been released to Google's Nexus devices. For those who owns these Nexus devices should get a notification regarding a software update. The devices included on this rollout are the, Nexus 5, Nexus 7 (WiFi) 2013, nexus 10 (WiFi), Nexus 4, Nexus 3, Nexus 7 (WiFi) 2012, Nexus 7 (Mobile) 2012). If you own those and don't have the notification, you might want to manually check for yourself via the device's settings. Cheers!

Google announces Android Wear

Google has announced their take on Wearables. Well this is not hardware, apparently, this is the software that wearables will be running on when OEMs will be making. Think of it as the Tizen OS Samsung used in their Gear 2, Gear 2 Neo, and the Gear Fit. But unlike Samsung's Tizen OS, Android Wear is still Android, only that it is optimized (or redesigned, if you may) to work seamlessly to Wearables. I should say, Google nailed this. With Google Now and their brilliance? This will definitely make Samsung's wearables look dumb. But then again, this is just a "concept" again, if you may. There is still no hardware for this. Motorola and LG might have announced their own smartwatches but they still can't actually demo them because Android Wear is still being developed. Nonetheless, this is awesome. Wait until you watch the video Google made to intro the said OS.

Google Chrome 32 released to the world of stables!

Google has finally given its browser a new version in the form of the Chrome 32's release as a stable version. It is now available for download via google.com/chrome or you can simply do an update right on your Chromes. Click though Settings > About Google Chrome and it should update. What are the things included on this update? With every major update comes with major security and performance upgrades. Aside from that, Chrome 32 has these new features.

Sony intros Xperia Z Ultra Google Play Edition

Just like the Galaxy S IV and the HTC One, Sony has jumped into the bandwagon by introducing to the world their first Google Play Edition device. Ladies ad gentlemen, for those who loves their Android flavored with nothing else than just Vanilla seeds then here is another offering of that in the form of the Sony Xperia Z Ultra Google Play Edition. Like the Galaxy S IV and the HTC One this device is still the Xperia Z Ultra with all its goodness sans the Sony Timescape UI (overlay). The device is now available in the US via the Google Play Store.

Motorola announced the Moto G a budget friendly Android smartphone

Motorola, in Brazil, has announced the Moto G. By where and how the device looks the Moto G is aimed for those who wants to own a smartphone that can give great performance sans the hefty price. In fact, Motorola will be selling it at just $199 for the 16GB version and just $179 for the 8GB version. The Moto G will be sold in Brazil and Latin America this week while other countries/regions like the US, Europe, India, and the Middle East will get it next year in January. For other regions, the Moto G will be sold in 30 countries with 60 partners by 2014.

The Google Nexus 5 with Android 4.4 KitKat

Finally! One of the most waited devices for this year, the Google Nexus 5! Officially made official by Google, of  course, the LG-made Nexus 5 is the first and currently the only smartphone to run on Android 4.4 KitKat. The Nexus 5 is also Google's first smartphone to sport a Full HD display which will go head to head with most, if not all, other flagship Android smartphones currently selling in the market. For the first time, I believe, Google has made something that will truly compete, specs-wise, in the Android world unlike the other Nexus smartphones prior to this which had not-so-at-par specs when put beside a competing flagship smartphone from a different OEM. 

Google announces Android 4.4 KitKat

Google timed it for Halloween! They have at least two treats for all of us. One is what you see above, yup! Android 4.4 KitKat is now officially official. It has been but today we now know what the latest version of Android has to offer. If Android Jelly Bean is about a smooth platform, Android KitKat is all about memory optimization. That means that KitKat is expected and is built to run on a hardware with just 512MB of RAM. But it is not just that. We all know what Googlers can give us right? They stuffed Android KitKat with as much features as they can like Wallpapers are now in fullscreen which means that your wallpapers will extend through the notification bar and system buttons and whatnot.

Google releases Chrome 30 to the stable world!

Google has released Chrome 30 to the world and if we follow how they name their major version of the browser, this will be the world's most popular browser's 30th major release. For those who have been following the developments of Chrome, they know that a "new" chrome came out with Chrome 29 with a new UI and lots of things changed here and there including a very integrated Google Plus. Anyway, Chrome 30 is out which is joined by its mobile version. 

Google officially announces the next name, version, and mascot of Android - Android 4.4 KitKat

Google has officially unveiled the next icon, name, and version of the world's most popular mobile operating system. The photo above is real, it was taken by one of the people over at Google Developers and uploaded it to Google Plus making everything official. I do not think Google has the version of the OS in detailed announcement yet only that the next version will be named KitKat. After this photo, Android's official Google Plus profile has shared the unveiling of the statue with a video but it is set to private which is a total bummer. Anyway, the good thing is we now know that the next major version of Android is not Android 5.0 and is not named as Key Lime Pie, which was the rumored name of the OS but it is Android 4.4 KitKat.

Chrome 29 now available

Google has now released Chrome 29 to the stable world and is now available for download. Chrome 29 is available on Windows, Mac, Chrome Frame, and Linux platforms. The features that is tagged along this update are; an improved omnibox suggestions based on recency of sites visited, the ability to reset your Chrome profiles back to its original state, new apps and extensions, and of course stability and performance improvements. You can download Chrome 29 via the official Chrome download page here. Or you can also update your existing Chromes by clicking through Settings > About Chrome > and wait for it to update.

Android Device Manager goes live!

I am pretty sure most if not all of you heard or have read about Google's Android Device Manager feature right? The feature was announced by Google during their announcement of Android 4.3 Jelly Bean. Today though, the feature goes live and kicking! I got to use it already and it's neat! You actually do not need to do anything. Well, as far as I can remember I did nothing to actually get the feature. Just make sure all your apps especially those by Google are up to date and you pretty much should have Android Device Manager. One way of checking if you do have it is to fire up the Google Settings app on your device it should have Android Device Manager as one of the options.

The Motorola Moto X unveiled

Yesterday, in New York, Motorola/Google has finally unveiled their newest flagship Android smartphone, the Motorola Moto X. This device has been running around the rumor mill for months and has finally become a reality. A blog article I have read said that this is the ultimate Anti-iPhone device because not only does it run on the most customizable OS there is the phone itself can be custom made by you via Motorola's online studio. "Through our online studio, Moto Maker, you choose the colors, and decide on the details: front, back, accents, memory, wallpapers, even add a name or a short message. " The Moto X is expected to to start selling in late August/early September in the US, Canada, and Latin America. Priced at $199.99 (SRP) with a 2-year agreement in the US via AT&T, Verizon, US Cellular, Sprint, and Best Buy. For T-Mobile, you can head over at Motorola.com and get yours there.

The new Nexus 7

Google has finally announced the New Nexus 7 (Nexus 7 2) together with Android 4.3 Jelly Bean sometime yesterday. The tablet, which still sports the original 7" screen like that of the first Nexus 7 but is now slimmer and has now a full HD display. The largest screen resolution on a 7-incher for that matter. The device is still made by Asus and will be available starting July 30th. You can also sign-up on the Google Nexus page to get notified if the device has become available. It runs on the latest Android 4.3 Jelly Bean and this tablet is much better when compared to the original Nexus 7, as it should be. Head over the break for the tablet's specs.

LG's Nexus 4 and the Asus' Nexus 7 gets Android 4.3 Jelly Bean

This will be very short and you might be wondering why this post only has those two Nexus devices contained in it. I will be blogging about the Samsung-made devices over Samsung City. Anyway, this does not come as news since everybody knows that when Google announces or releases a new version of Android the Nexus devices will always get it immediately. When Android 4.3 Jelly Bean was announced, Google is already busy pushing the OTA update to there 4 Nexus devices including the LG made Nexus 4 and the Asus-made Nexus 7 (original). So for those who own these devices can manually check if they have the update ready and waiting if your device did not notify you of one yet.