Archive for category: Tech News

Google used their Android and Chrome event this morning to announce the 2013 version of the Nexus 7, a wildly updated version of its popular tablet first released last year.

The new tablet will keep its 7-inch display, run on the latest Android 4.3 Jelly Bean, and include a 1080p resolution, a large upgrade.

Under the hood is a 1.5GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 Pro, 2GB RAM, and Adreno 320 GPU, NFC, dual cameras 1.2/5MP, dual-band 802.11 a/b/g/n Wi-Fi and wireless charging support if you have a Qi-compatible charger. Additionally, the Nexus 7 supports OpenGL ES: 3.0, which supports higher-quality reflections, lens flares and other shading during gameplay.

Google thinned down the device somewhat, by 50 grams and 2mm, and the ugly bezel from the original is slightly reduced, as well. The rubber, gripped back from the original is gone, as well, replaced by a softer-touch finish.

The tablet will be available July 30th, starting at $229 for 16GB/Wi-Fi-only and moving up to $349 for a 32GB/LTE model.

Pre-order through Google here (if stock comes back): Google Nexus 7 via Google Play

Thanks to a new leak, we have a strong idea of what will entail the upcoming Android 4.3 operating system update.

4.3, which is still part of Jelly Bean, will be a minor update ahead of Android 5.0 Key Lime Pie, which is still expected for later this year.

A welcome update (as all Nexus users can attest too) is the update to the dialer. The phone will now automatically suggest your contacts as you dial numbers, like it used to before 4.2. You currently have to type out the full number or head to contacts to search.

It is important to note that the new dialer autofill will not be turned on by default.

Additionally, the camera application will come with new minor updates. Another cool update is a setting that you can allow your Wi-Fi to be turned on to get a lock on your location before it is automatically turned off again. Apps will not send you push notifications asking you to try to hop on a Wi-Fi network anymore if you have that setting enabled.

In a move that was likely spurred by the launch of Google Glass, 4.3 devices can now utilize Bluetooth Low Energy to save battery when linked to Glass or smartwatches (for example).

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Speaking during the company’s quarterly earnings conference call, Google CEO Larry Page revealed some strong figures for Android.

Page says 1.5 million Android devices are activated daily, extremely strong growth from last year’s similar report.

Additionally, the company says 900 million Android devices have been activated since the operating system launched in 2008, with 1 billion expected in the very near future.

At last year’s I/O conference, Page noted that 400 million devices had been activated.

Although the company delivered very strong earnings, Google missed analyst estimates by a large margin, and the company’s stock is currently down over 4 percent as a result.

For the Q2 2013, Google reported revenue of $14.1 billion and net income of $3.23 billion. Analysts had been expecting $3.6 billion in profits and $14.6 billion in sales.

Despite missing estimates, revenue was up 19 percent year-over-year, extremely strong growth for a company worth over $300 billion.

Looking into the numbers, total ad revenue jumped 15 percent and paid clicks were up 23 percent year-over-year.

Google’s hardware division, which includes Motorola Mobility, accounted for a measly $998 million in revenue. That figure is expected to grow with this year’s launch of the Moto X.