Hasta La Gadget!

Are you a bit rusty on your trivia? Now you can brush up on your movie knowledge more easily before you make a fool out of yourself at parties, thanks to new info cards that are now being integrated into Google Play Movies. When you pause the cinematic masterpiece you’re currently watching, you’ll notice some Google Now-like cards pop up on the side of the screen that are filled with information about the actors, actresses, the movie itself or even the soundtrack. To access these fancy chunks of cognitive enhancement, you’ll need to live in the US, use a tablet running Android 4.0 or higher and be updated to the most recent version of the Google Play Movies & TV app. Since Google is just rolling the feature out, the cards may not be available for all of your favorite titles at first; fortunately, the company’s adding them to more movies every day, so hopefully you won’t need to wait too long. As for other countries and devices, Google’s working on expanding its reach sometime soon.

Filed under: Cellphones, Software, Mobile, Google

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Source: Official Android blog

Perhaps the second screen experience for HBO megahit show A Game of Thrones provided through Xbox 360’s SmartGlass functionality and HBO Go’s iPad app isn’t enough for you? And maybe you want a bit more of a George R. R. Martin touch to your Game of Thrones book companions? This week’s release of “A Game of Ice and Fire” for Android — the previously iOS-only Game of Thrones app that acts as an “official guide” to the series and its myriad characters / relationships / political struggles / etc. — is clearly for you. And yes, it goes beyond what just the show covers; it can even be customized for spoilers based around how far you are.

The initial cost to download is nothing and comes with several characters as well as a companion for the first book, but for books two through five you’ll need to grab the upgrades: $1 apiece, or $5 for those four plus an additional “InfoPack” which would otherwise cost $2 by itself. Those $2 “InfoPacks” include, “new characters and places and additional data and background info” (whatever that means), and more are expected in the future. The third season of A Game of Thrones kicks off on March 31st, and wouldn’t you know it, this app is perfectly timed to accompany it. That’s what we call synergy. Head to the Google Play link in the source link and grab it for free, or risk *paying the iron price.

*Thankfully, in this case, that price is just potentially looking ignorant about A Game of Thrones. So … not that big of a thing, actually.

Filed under: Cellphones, Handhelds, Home Entertainment, Tablets, Software, Mobile

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Via: Mashable

Source: Google Play

More than a few of us were surprised when Facebook tried pushing Android app updates outside of Google Play. Was it switching app distribution models? Not quite. We’ve since learned that Facebook was trialling a program that lets social networkers volunteer for beta tests, and the same update is now available in Google Play for everyone. The update isn’t special in itself, mostly adding profile photo changes (also seen on iOS) as well as ways to hide or report posts. However, it also includes the beta version’s request for permission to download files without notification when on WiFi, which may let testers receive future pre-release updates even when they haven’t explicitly approved non-Google Play installations — we’ve reached out to Facebook to verify that this is the case. No matter how much Facebook expands the beta pool, prospective Guinea pigs and cover shot seekers just need to visit the source link.

Filed under: Cellphones, Internet, Facebook

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Via: TechCrunch

Source: Google Play

You know how it goes — “rules” are only “rules” if someone bothers to enforce them. And enforce Google has. While programs such as AdBlock, AdAway, AdFree and the like have been running unabated for quite some time now, Google has evidently buckled down and yanked the lot of ’em overnight. Of course, the company’s Play Store developer agreement already makes clear that apps designed specifically to hinder the natural course of advertising won’t be allowed, but it’s certainly interesting to see the company finally making good on its words. Specifically, the agreement states:

“You agree that you will not engage in any activity with the Market, including the development or distribution of Products, that interferes with, disrupts, damages, or accesses in an unauthorized manner the devices, servers, networks, or other properties or services of any third party including, but not limited to, Android users, Google or any mobile network operator.”

See that bit about third-party clients’ services? We’re guessing that it’s in reference to implementations of advertising code. Looks like the wild, wild west has a sheriff in town.

Filed under: Cellphones, Mobile, Google

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Via: ZDNet, CNET

Source: Google, Phandroid

It’s already been a year since the Android Market was renamed Google Play, and the folks in Mountain View are offering up a boatload of free party favors throughout the week to celebrate. Technically, the store’s birthday is March 6th (yes, it’s a Pisces), but Page and Co. have already begun serving up free music downloads, in-game content, TV shows, books, discounts and more. Though the selections vary by country, folks in the US can currently pick up a free tune from LCD Soundsystem, $20 in free gift cards through Gyft and a gratis download of Breaking Bad’s pilot episode among other things. Hit the bordering source link to partake in the festivities or head past the jump to catch a video of how some games on the digital storefront are celebrating the occasion.

Filed under: Mobile, Google

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Via: Android Central

Source: Google Play