google play | KitGuru https://www.kitguru.net KitGuru.net - Tech News | Hardware News | Hardware Reviews | IOS | Mobile | Gaming | Graphics Cards Wed, 28 Sep 2022 15:08:29 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.4.3 https://www.kitguru.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/cropped-KITGURU-Light-Background-SQUARE2-32x32.png google play | KitGuru https://www.kitguru.net 32 32 Google Play Games PC beta goes live in limited region test https://www.kitguru.net/gaming/joao-silva/google-play-games-pc-beta-goes-live-in-limited-region-test/ https://www.kitguru.net/gaming/joao-silva/google-play-games-pc-beta-goes-live-in-limited-region-test/#respond Tue, 27 Sep 2022 15:00:33 +0000 https://www.kitguru.net/?p=575884 Back in March, Google announced the Google Play Games PC beta, a new app to bring Android games to PC. The beta is now finally going live, but access is limited to just a handful of countries.  With Google Play Games, PC gamers have an official way to access Android titles, without the need for …

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Back in March, Google announced the Google Play Games PC beta, a new app to bring Android games to PC. The beta is now finally going live, but access is limited to just a handful of countries. 

With Google Play Games, PC gamers have an official way to access Android titles, without the need for an emulator like Blue Stacks. Unfortunately, the beta is quite limited right now, with only those in Australia, Hong Kong, South Korea, Taiwan and Thailand getting access. Additionally, the set of games available in beta is fairly small, so some of the biggest mobile titles are not yet available.

Before installing the app, ensure virtualisation is enabled (Hypervisor or HAXM) on your system. It's also worth noting that only one user on your system can use the app. If you have multiple accounts set up on a PC, you'll only be able to use the app on the account that installed it.

To see if your PC can run the app, check the system requirements below:

Minimum system requirements:

  • OS: Windows 10 (v2004)
  • Storage: Solid state drive (SSD) with 10 GB of available storage space
  • Memory: 8 GB of RAM
  • Graphics: Intel UHD Graphics 630 GPU or comparable
  • Processor: 4 CPU physical cores
  • Other requirements: Windows admin account, Hardware virtualisation must be turned on

Recommended system requirements:

  • OS: Windows 10 (v2004)
  • Storage: Solid state drive (SSD) with 10 GB of available storage space
  • Memory: 8 GB of RAM
  • Graphics: Gaming-class GPU, like Nvidia GeForce MX450
  • Processor: 8 CPU physical cores
  • Other requirements: Windows admin account, Hardware virtualisation must be turned on.

Users in the regions where the app is available can download it HERE (you can sign up to receive a notification when it becomes available in your country). Then, install the app on your PC and follow the on-screen instructions to finish the process. Lastly, you'll need a Google account set in a supported country or region.

Discuss on our Facebook page, HERE.

KitGuru says: Even if you don't live in one of the regions where the Google Play Games beta is available, there are workarounds if you really want to try it out. Which Android games would you like to try on PC?

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South Korea passes law to force Apple and Google to allow third-party app payment systems https://www.kitguru.net/channel/generaltech/matthew-wilson/south-korea-passes-law-to-force-apple-and-google-to-allow-third-party-app-payment-systems/ https://www.kitguru.net/channel/generaltech/matthew-wilson/south-korea-passes-law-to-force-apple-and-google-to-allow-third-party-app-payment-systems/#respond Tue, 31 Aug 2021 14:42:31 +0000 https://www.kitguru.net/?p=529836 Currently, Apple and Google have rules in place to force developers to use their own first-party App Store and Play Store payment systems. This is something that developers have been protesting recently, sparking further scrutiny from regulators and anti-trust organisations. Now, South Korea has passed a bill to address this very problem.  In South Korea, …

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Currently, Apple and Google have rules in place to force developers to use their own first-party App Store and Play Store payment systems. This is something that developers have been protesting recently, sparking further scrutiny from regulators and anti-trust organisations. Now, South Korea has passed a bill to address this very problem. 

In South Korea, a new bill has passed to prevent platform holders, like Apple and Google, from locking developers into their own payment systems. This means developers should be allowed to implement their own payment systems of choice, which in turn could mean fairer revenue splits for sales made within apps.

Currently, both Apple and Google take a 30 percent cut of App Store and Play Store transactions made using their own first-party payment systems. This is something that has been repeatedly challenged and has become the core focus of a lawsuit brought on by Epic Games.

As reported by The Verge, Apple and Google are not pleased with South Korea's new Telecommunications Business Act. On Google's end, the company says that its revenue split “helps keep Android free” and allows the company to give developers “the tools and global platform to access billions of consumers”. Meanwhile, Apple says that the move “will put users who purchase digital goods from other sources at risk of fraud”, and undermines Apple's privacy protections.

As noted by The Wall Street Journal, South Korea's new bill could be referenced by regulators in other countries. Currently, there are investigations into Apple and Google's mobile app store practices in several regions, including the EU, UK and US.

Discuss on our Facebook page, HERE.

KitGuru Says: Apple and Google are unlikely to back down from their positions straight away, but if more countries adopt similar rules in the future, they'll have no choice but to make some big changes to their app store ecosystems and business model. 

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Crash Bandicoot: On the Run downloaded over 8 million times at launch https://www.kitguru.net/gaming/matthew-wilson/crash-bandicoot-on-the-run-downloaded-over-8-million-times-at-launch/ https://www.kitguru.net/gaming/matthew-wilson/crash-bandicoot-on-the-run-downloaded-over-8-million-times-at-launch/#respond Sat, 27 Mar 2021 11:28:38 +0000 https://www.kitguru.net/?p=509401 March has been a big month for Crash Bandicoot, not only have we seen Crash Bandicoot 4 launch for next-gen consoles, Nintendo Switch and PC, but a mobile spin-off has also come out, which garnered over 8 million downloads on its first day.  Crash Bandicoot: On the Run launched on the iOS App Store and …

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March has been a big month for Crash Bandicoot, not only have we seen Crash Bandicoot 4 launch for next-gen consoles, Nintendo Switch and PC, but a mobile spin-off has also come out, which garnered over 8 million downloads on its first day. 

Crash Bandicoot: On the Run launched on the iOS App Store and Google Play this week. According to the data trackers at Sensor Tower (via Eurogamer), the game was downloaded over 8 million times on launch day, which has grown to 11.4 million downloads in total as the week progressed.

As we already know, the mobile market is big for Activision, with King's Candy Crush games often being the big hitters. Crash Bandicoot: On The Run turned out to be much more popular than King's latest release, with Candy Crush Friends Saga garnering 1.4 million downloads on its own launch day.

Activision's core gaming IP, like Call of Duty and Crash Bandicoot are swiftly becoming dominant forces in the mobile market now. At launch, Call of Duty Mobile garnered over 18 million players. Activision has more mobile games based on core IP planned in the future too, with Blizzard experimenting with Diablo Immortal and spin-offs for WoW and Overwatch, although Diablo Immortal is the only announced Blizzard mobile title so far.

Discuss on our Facebook page, HERE.

KitGuru Says: We're entering a period where it is expected that core gaming IP will have some form of mobile version of spin-off. Given the stats shown, it is easy to see why. Have any of you played Crash Bandicoot: On the Run this week? Is it worth a download? 

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The Steam Link app has launched for Android https://www.kitguru.net/gaming/apps-software/matthew-wilson/the-steam-link-app-has-launched-for-android/ https://www.kitguru.net/gaming/apps-software/matthew-wilson/the-steam-link-app-has-launched-for-android/#respond Fri, 18 May 2018 14:47:19 +0000 https://www.kitguru.net/?p=373734 Last week, Valve announced the next step for the Steam Link, opting to release it as an app for iOS and Android. The app will allow you to stream your Steam library to more devices than ever before, ranging from smartphones and tablets, to Android TV boxes or the Apple TV. The final version of …

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Last week, Valve announced the next step for the Steam Link, opting to release it as an app for iOS and Android. The app will allow you to stream your Steam library to more devices than ever before, ranging from smartphones and tablets, to Android TV boxes or the Apple TV. The final version of the app doesn't have a final release date yet, but if you're on Android, then you can download the beta now.

The original Steam Link was a dedicated streaming box that you would plug into your TV and connect a controller to. Eventually, Valve released a Steam Link app for select Smart TVs and now, that same functionality is heading to iOS and Android.

Valve still recommends a 5GHz wireless connection, or an ethernet connection for optimal performance. The app will support the Steam controller, in addition to other gamepads.

The Steam Link Android beta is live on the Google Play Store starting from today. Currently, the app is limited to streaming over WiFi or Ethernet, so if you happen to have an insane LTE data plan, you won't be able to use it for game streaming just yet.

The app will support up to 4K/60fps streaming, but Valve expects 1080p/60 to be the best performing option and the standard quality you should expect from most games.

KitGuru Says: I currently use an iPhone and an Apple TV, so I won't be able to try out the Steam Link app just yet. However, I know most of our readers are on Android, so give the app a try and let us know how you get on!

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Google is restricting access to its Play Store on unverified devices https://www.kitguru.net/lifestyle/mobile/android/damien-cox/google-is-restricting-access-to-its-play-store-on-unverified-devices/ https://www.kitguru.net/lifestyle/mobile/android/damien-cox/google-is-restricting-access-to-its-play-store-on-unverified-devices/#respond Tue, 27 Mar 2018 14:15:02 +0000 https://www.kitguru.net/?p=368518 Since it debuted, Android has been known for its open platform approach, a unique stance within a market that often remains closed. In a slight change of pace, Google has announced that it wants to put a stop to unverified devices using its Play Store applications. Despite its open Android stance, Google has always been …

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Since it debuted, Android has been known for its open platform approach, a unique stance within a market that often remains closed. In a slight change of pace, Google has announced that it wants to put a stop to unverified devices using its Play Store applications.

Despite its open Android stance, Google has always been stern against unverified devices making use of its operating system and subsequent applications. Unverified devices have always had to side-load the applications, meaning that official access to the Play Store wasn’t granted straight out of the box.

Those sourcing off-brand devices, such as those that come from China, will now have to proceed with extra caution, as Google will no longer allow the side-loading of its Play Store, revoking access to its plethora of applications in the process. Instead, these users will have to resort to other third-party stores with are mostly responsible for distributing the large amount of malware on the platform.

This poses limitations on official users of the Play Store, too, as users will no longer be able to install a custom ROM with a certainty that it will work despite the device meeting all requirements beforehand.

Fortunately for those testing devices that might not have yet been given the stamp of approval, Google has put in place a white-listing system alongside its customer services, enabling testers and reviewers to ensure their device is compatible with the official store before use. This might, however, take more time than it previously used to.

Overall, Google's Play Store isn't immune to malware, as 500,000 users have recently been revealed to have been exposed to dodgy QR code applications. SophosLabs reports that at least 7 applications were ridden with an adware-producing virus known as Andr/HiddnAd-AJ.

Needless to say, this isn’t the first time Google’s Play Store on Android has experienced such a debacle, given its open platform nature. This particular malware proved a pain to the affected, lying dormant for approximately 6 hours before springing into action, pushing adverts at any given opportunity.

Discuss on our Facebook page, HERE.

KitGuru Says: Despite this, Google’s Play Store is still the most secure place to get a hold of applications on Android, so it’s unusual that Google would want to deny access to anyone at all. Either way, it has posed questions surrounding just how long the platform will remain as open as it has done. Would you like to see a little more regulation on Android or do you think it is important to stay open source?

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The French government plans to take Apple and Google to court over app store developer contracts https://www.kitguru.net/lifestyle/mobile/apple/matthew-wilson/the-french-government-plans-to-take-apple-and-google-to-court-over-app-store-developer-contracts/ https://www.kitguru.net/lifestyle/mobile/apple/matthew-wilson/the-french-government-plans-to-take-apple-and-google-to-court-over-app-store-developer-contracts/#respond Thu, 15 Mar 2018 15:10:49 +0000 https://www.kitguru.net/?p=367334 This week it was revealed that the French government has plans to sue both Google and Apple over their developer contracts. According to French finance minister, Bruno Le Maire, both companies use “abusive” contractual terms for developers on the iOS App Store and Google Play store. Speaking on RTL Radio, the French minister said that …

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This week it was revealed that the French government has plans to sue both Google and Apple over their developer contracts. According to French finance minister, Bruno Le Maire, both companies use “abusive” contractual terms for developers on the iOS App Store and Google Play store.

Speaking on RTL Radio, the French minister said that he had recently been made aware of unilaterally imposed prices and contract changes on developers using Google and Apple's app stores to reach customers. As reported by Reuters, he said:

“I believe in an economy based on justice and I will take Google and Apple before the Paris Commercial Court for abusive business practices. As powerful as they are, Google and Apple should not be able to treat our startups and our developers the way they currently do.”

France's consumer fraud watchdog later confirmed in its own statement that the wheels were already turning and that legal action would begin soon.

Naturally, a Google spokesperson stated that the company believes its terms comply with French laws. Apple has yet to respond, but I'd imagine they will be taking a similarly opposing stance to this latest European legal spat.

Discuss on our Facebook page, HERE.

KitGuru Says: Google and Apple always seem to be running into legal issues here in Europe, so this isn't anything particularly new. That said, it isn't often we see governments take issue with Apple of Google's respective developer terms and conditions for their app stores.

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Netflix confirms plans to block rooted Android devices, users resort to 3rd-party installers https://www.kitguru.net/tech-news/paul-taylor/netflix-confirms-plans-to-block-rooted-android-devices-users-resort-to-3rd-party-installers/ https://www.kitguru.net/tech-news/paul-taylor/netflix-confirms-plans-to-block-rooted-android-devices-users-resort-to-3rd-party-installers/#comments Tue, 16 May 2017 07:28:38 +0000 http://www.kitguru.net/?p=334415 If you want to (re)watch *that* episode of Stranger Things, or are just Netflix and chilling with the bae, you might come across some trouble with using the Netflix app. Google Play might want to tell you your device is not compatible, even though it was working last week. After looking into the situation, AndroidPolice got a …

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If you want to (re)watch *that* episode of Stranger Things, or are just Netflix and chilling with the bae, you might come across some trouble with using the Netflix app. Google Play might want to tell you your device is not compatible, even though it was working last week.

After looking into the situation, AndroidPolice got a reply back from Netflix stating that it uses Google's own Widevine DRM system to rate devices and validate installation. Widevine classifies devices as Level 1 or Level 3, depending on their security status and whether the device is provisioned by the manufacturer (i.e. it's not illegitimately unlocked or otherwise rooted). But this does not seem to explain the reports of Level 1 devices (highest security rating on Widevine), being refused installation, they said.

(c) Android Police

While Netflix officially argues installation of the app is blocked on devices which are rooted or unlocked, it seems there is another aspect to Google Play validation: as a paid service, Netflix relies on SafetyNet, Google's payment API used on Google Pay. To put it plainly, if the device looks dodgy for making transactions, then it's a plain “no” on installation. But just on Google Play. Even stranger is that if you already had the Netflix app installed, you won't be barred from using it.

All is not lost, though. Until Netflix changes its mind on this level of security you can still install Netflix if you're using a 3rd party APK market (just be careful it's not from a dodgy source), or simply by using APKMirror to get the installation file, including Netflix 5.0.5 build 16199,  the latest one. You'll have to allow Android to install it by changing your system settings, though.

KitGuru Says: There are so many ways to circumvent this sort of blocking that it's not even funny. By blocking installation of the Netflix app, this will lead to users seeking out the app from other sources, some of which may be potentially harmful.

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Dodgy app developers are finding new ways to boost their ratings on Google Play https://www.kitguru.net/lifestyle/mobile/android/matthew-wilson/dodgy-app-developers-are-finding-new-ways-to-boost-their-ratings-on-google-play/ https://www.kitguru.net/lifestyle/mobile/android/matthew-wilson/dodgy-app-developers-are-finding-new-ways-to-boost-their-ratings-on-google-play/#respond Thu, 09 Mar 2017 16:17:44 +0000 http://www.kitguru.net/?p=324674 It looks like Google needs to come up with a few more tricks to clamp down on the amount of app developers scamming their way to positive reviews as research published this week has revealed several new tactics currently being used to nab higher star ratings. You are all likely already familiar with the constant ‘rate …

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It looks like Google needs to come up with a few more tricks to clamp down on the amount of app developers scamming their way to positive reviews as research published this week has revealed several new tactics currently being used to nab higher star ratings. You are all likely already familiar with the constant ‘rate our app' pop-ups but it seems false promises of unlocked content and the removal of ads are also inflating app ratings.

This is all according to the researchers over at ESET, who have observed an increase in the number of apps on Google Play using social engineering to boost ratings. These sour tactics are mainly being used to boost the appearance of fake/malicious apps on the store, which can then sit on your phone and generate advertising revenue.

Image source: ESET

In particular, the report singles out an app known as ‘Music Mania' which actually contains a threat known as Android/Hiddad.BZ. There are seven apps that appear as ‘Music Mania' once installed on the phone but actually masquerade as YouTube downloaders on the Play Store itself.

Digging deeper into these apps reveal why these malicious applications got so many high ratings in the first place. It turns out once installed, the app itself will eventually start claiming that you need to leave a five star rating to access full functionality, while others claim leaving a high rating will remove ads entirely. These are of course fake promises, which perpetuates the cycle. Higher ratings means more installs, more installs means more false high ratings.

These fake apps will eventually begin just showing pop-up ads on your phone itself, infecting the entire device. In order to remove these pop-ups, not only will you need to remove ‘Music Mania' but you will also need to look for something called ‘plugin android', which is actually the part responsible for the ads.

KitGuru Says: Chances are, if there is an app out there claiming to offer you free downloads of YouTube videos, music or something along those lines, then it is too good to be true. Still, these high-rating scams really blur the lines between what's good and what's not on the Play Store, which is how so many people end up getting caught out. Hopefully research like this will prompt Google into changing its policies a bit to combat this. 

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Android facing more anti-trust complaints https://www.kitguru.net/lifestyle/mobile/android/matthew-wilson/android-facing-more-anti-trust-complaints/ https://www.kitguru.net/lifestyle/mobile/android/matthew-wilson/android-facing-more-anti-trust-complaints/#comments Sat, 06 Jun 2015 16:05:10 +0000 http://www.kitguru.net/?p=253079 Google is facing more anti-trust complaints regarding Android. The European Commission is already investigating Google over its mobile operating system due to concerns that it promotes its own apps over its competitors and now, complaints have arisen suggesting that Google is abusing its dominance in the market. This particular complaint was made by a start-up …

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Google is facing more anti-trust complaints regarding Android. The European Commission is already investigating Google over its mobile operating system due to concerns that it promotes its own apps over its competitors and now, complaints have arisen suggesting that Google is abusing its dominance in the market.

This particular complaint was made by a start-up company, Disconnect, founded by former Google employees in order to develop software to block out advertisements along with third-party data trackers. Disconnect's app was recently ejected from the Google Play Store some time in 2014, at the time Google claimed that it was interfering with other apps.

android_logo-600x400

In a statement sent to Tech Crunch, Disconnect said:”Disconnect charges Google with abusing its dominant market position by banning Disconnect's app, a revolutionary technology that protects users from invisible tracking and malvertising, malware served through advertisements”.

Google doesn't often comment on anti-trust matters but it did comment on this particular complaints, saying: “This reported claim is baseless. Our Google Play policies (specifically clause 4.4) have long prohibited apps that interfere with other apps (such as by altering their functionality, or removing their way of making money). We apply this policy uniformly, and Android developers strongly support it. All apps must comply with these policies and there are over 200 privacy apps available in Google Play that do.”

Disconnect's app has been thrown out of the Play Store twice and as you can probably tell, the company isn't too happy about it and is now hitting back at Google by adding to its anti-trust woes in the EU.

Discuss on our Facebook page, HERE.

KitGuru Says: Google has been under investigation in the EU over anti-trust concerns for some time now, although this complaint will add to the company's troubles.

Via: The Inquirer

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Google is going to stop selling the Nexus 7 https://www.kitguru.net/channel/generaltech/matthew-wilson/google-is-going-to-stop-selling-the-nexus-7/ https://www.kitguru.net/channel/generaltech/matthew-wilson/google-is-going-to-stop-selling-the-nexus-7/#respond Mon, 27 Apr 2015 15:22:00 +0000 http://www.kitguru.net/?p=246890 Well the tablet had a good run but it looks like Google is no longer going to sell the Nexus 7 tablet. Since the first iteration back in 2012, the Nexus 7 has been the ‘go to' tablet for Android users, thanks to its low price but very capable specifications. However, Google has not updated …

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Well the tablet had a good run but it looks like Google is no longer going to sell the Nexus 7 tablet. Since the first iteration back in 2012, the Nexus 7 has been the ‘go to' tablet for Android users, thanks to its low price but very capable specifications.

However, Google has not updated the Nexus 7 since the 2013 edition and now it is handing things over to the Nexus 9, the more expensive of Google's tablets. This isn't entirely unexpected, Google abandoned the price-performance approach to the Nexus line with the Nexus 6 smartphone, which may have been a bad move as sales have been dwindling ever since.

The-new-nexus-7

While the Nexus 7 will no longer be sold directly through Google- Amazon, eBay and some other retailers will probably continue to have stock for a bit longer. If you were looking to get one, you might want to shop around now to avoid missing out completely.

The HTC made Nexus 9 will now be Google's only tablet, featuring an Nvidia Tegra K1 processor, 2GB of RAM and 16GB of storage for £299 here in the UK. Amazon still have the Nexus 7 in stock for £165 with Prime shipping available.

Discuss on our Facebook page, HERE.

KitGuru Says: Google had an excellent product on its hands with the Nexus 7 but for whatever reason, the company seems to want to bury the low-cost reputation that the Nexus brand carries with it. Opting instead to build more expensive, competitive products for the mainstream market, rather than just Android enthusiasts.  

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Google Play now uses PEGI ratings for apps https://www.kitguru.net/channel/generaltech/matthew-wilson/google-play-now-uses-pegi-ratings-for-apps/ https://www.kitguru.net/channel/generaltech/matthew-wilson/google-play-now-uses-pegi-ratings-for-apps/#respond Wed, 18 Mar 2015 13:43:57 +0000 http://www.kitguru.net/?p=240729 The Google Play store is going to begin using the PEGI rating system for its games in Europe, it has been announced. This comes as part of a coalition between PEGI and other age rating systems across the world, known as the International Age Rating Coalition (IARC). The group of rating board will now let …

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The Google Play store is going to begin using the PEGI rating system for its games in Europe, it has been announced. This comes as part of a coalition between PEGI and other age rating systems across the world, known as the International Age Rating Coalition (IARC).

The group of rating board will now let game developers and publishers secure an age rating for their game with a single questionnaire, simplifying the whole process.

how_iarc_works_en-v6
Image source: UKIE

Publishers and developers that use this new scheme can do so for free, according to UKIE:

“We are pleased to see major mobile platforms adopting the new IARC system, making it easy and, importantly, free for businesses that publish games to get age ratings across a number of major games markets”.

“Having PEGI ratings on more mobile platforms across Europe also means that we have a more consistent and clear rating process to help consumers understand which games are appropriate for all ages.”

The IARC is made up of five rating organizations, including PEGI, ESRB, Classlnd, USK and the Australian Classification Board.

Google Play is one of the first digital stores to adopt the new rating process. Xbox Live, the PSN Store and Nintendo’s eShop are all expected to follow suit sometime in the future.

Discuss on our Facebook page, HERE.

KitGuru Says: This new simplified rating process should help publishers and developers save some time as now one form can get a game classified in multiple regions, rather than having to go to each rating board individually.

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Sponsored search results coming to Google Play store https://www.kitguru.net/gaming/apps-software/matthew-wilson/sponsored-search-results-coming-to-google-play-store/ https://www.kitguru.net/gaming/apps-software/matthew-wilson/sponsored-search-results-coming-to-google-play-store/#respond Thu, 26 Feb 2015 16:37:17 +0000 http://www.kitguru.net/?p=237794 Google has announced that it will soon be adding sponsor spots to search results in the Google Play app store on Android. The ‘pilot program' will work similarly to how ads work on the traditional Google Search page, allowing developers to have their apps highlighted. This means that those looking to advertise will be bidding …

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Google has announced that it will soon be adding sponsor spots to search results in the Google Play app store on Android. The ‘pilot program' will work similarly to how ads work on the traditional Google Search page, allowing developers to have their apps highlighted.

This means that those looking to advertise will be bidding on individual search terms, and will come with a small tag on them to indicate that it is an advertisement. Google plans to keep the program limited at first, accessible only to a chosen set of advertisers, known as the ‘pilot group'.

Google Play

It is likely that Google will begin including more and more app makers over the next few months.

Aside from this news, Google has also announced that it has paid out a total of $7 billion to app developers within the last year alone. The number is slowly getting higher and may soon rival Apple, which shelled out $10 billion to app developers in 2014, as previously reported.

Discuss on our Facebook page, HERE.

KitGuru Says: This is similar to how Google sells spots on the main Google Search page. What do you guys think of sponsored spots coming to app search results?

Source: The Verge

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Hearthstone is now available on Android tablets, but… https://www.kitguru.net/gaming/apps-software/brendan-morgan/hearthstone-is-now-available-on-android-tablets-but/ https://www.kitguru.net/gaming/apps-software/brendan-morgan/hearthstone-is-now-available-on-android-tablets-but/#comments Tue, 16 Dec 2014 09:47:35 +0000 http://www.kitguru.net/?p=226501 Good news Hearthstone players with Android tablets! Blizzard has just released the game you love for the tablet you own, allowing you to play  wherever you desire. But there is a temporary problem for some of us… Unfortunately for the first few days, you will only be able to download the game if you are in Australia, …

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Good news Hearthstone players with Android tablets! Blizzard has just released the game you love for the tablet you own, allowing you to play  wherever you desire. But there is a temporary problem for some of us…

Hearthstone on Android

Unfortunately for the first few days, you will only be able to download the game if you are in Australia, Canada, and New Zealand. If you are not so lucky, then you will have to wait a little while. As Blizzard explains:

“In the coming days, we'll be fully rolling out Hearthstone worldwide on the Amazon Appstore for Android and Google Play”. Obviously this also opens the game up to new players as well, so be sure to let any of your friends with Android tablets know.”

As a bonus for giving the game a go on your tablet, you will receive a free pack of Classic cards, so when it is finally released in your region there's no reason not to give it a go. Of course any cards you own on the desktop version are synced across platforms, as well as decks and any progress.

If you do happen to be in one of those vastly geographically separated regions, you can download the app here.

Discuss on our Facebook page, HERE.

KitGuru Says: While I have never felt the need to play Hearthstone anywhere but sitting at my PC I guess this could be useful when travelling. Where would you like to play Hearthstone?

Source: Battle.net

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Asus Android Wear smartwatch now available on Google Play Store https://www.kitguru.net/channel/generaltech/matthew-wilson/asus-android-wear-smartwatch-now-available-on-google-play-store/ https://www.kitguru.net/channel/generaltech/matthew-wilson/asus-android-wear-smartwatch-now-available-on-google-play-store/#respond Fri, 14 Nov 2014 20:00:11 +0000 http://www.kitguru.net/?p=221959 The Asus Zenwatch, powered by Google's smartwatch optimized Android Wear operating system,  is now available on the Google Play Store in the US. The wearable features a 1.63 Inch AMOLED display with a 320×320 resolution, a Qualcomm Snapdragon 400 1.2GHz CPU and 512MB of RAM. It has an IP55 water resistance rating and a bio-sensor for …

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The Asus Zenwatch, powered by Google's smartwatch optimized Android Wear operating system,  is now available on the Google Play Store in the US. The wearable features a 1.63 Inch AMOLED display with a 320×320 resolution, a Qualcomm Snapdragon 400 1.2GHz CPU and 512MB of RAM.

It has an IP55 water resistance rating and a bio-sensor for health tracking. Unlike the Moto 360, the Zenwatch uses a square display, which is rather typical of smartwatches these days, It will come with a $199 price tag as well.

Zenwatch

For those of you who are wondering about Android Wear, it looks a lot like Google Now, with information cards appearing on the main display, which you can swipe through for different bits of information. So far, there is only a handful of Android Wear smartwatches on the market, including options from Asus, Samsung, LG and Motorola.

In order to use an Android Wear watch, users will need a phone running Android 4.3 or higher, it is also likely that users will need to charge their watches at the end of every day, just like their phones.

You can view the Asus Zenwatch on the Google Play store, HERE

Discuss on our Facebook page, HERE.

KitGuru Says: The Asus Zenwatch is one of the nicer looking options so far, although personally, I think I still prefer the circular face of the Moto 360. What do you guys think of the Zenwatch? Are you interested in wearable tech at all? 

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You can play DOOM and Minecraft on a smartwatch https://www.kitguru.net/lifestyle/mobile/android/matthew-wilson/you-can-play-doom-and-minecraft-on-a-smartwatch/ https://www.kitguru.net/lifestyle/mobile/android/matthew-wilson/you-can-play-doom-and-minecraft-on-a-smartwatch/#comments Thu, 02 Oct 2014 10:04:46 +0000 http://www.kitguru.net/?p=214797 Smartwatches can already do a lot of things we don't really need them to do but we've never seen them running games before. YouTube user, Corbin Davenport, has managed to get the original DOOM app and Minecraft pocket edition running on his Samsung Gear Live watch, running Android Wear. Yes, gaming on a smart watch …

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Smartwatches can already do a lot of things we don't really need them to do but we've never seen them running games before. YouTube user, Corbin Davenport, has managed to get the original DOOM app and Minecraft pocket edition running on his Samsung Gear Live watch, running Android Wear.

Yes, gaming on a smart watch may seem like the most pointless thing in the world but it is still pretty cool to see. These games weren't modified at all, the APK files were just manually installed and due to the broad range of screen resolutions and sizes Android devices have to support, things seemed to work straight away.

[yframe url='http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ul6y0yOKthI&index=1&list=PLwPYWyYQzoKcdW-NUKceRfIdJaf1FbRMZ'] [yframe url='http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1ei2-jBGGYk&list=UU_c_u7S24rU23He0CWOANHg']

Minecraft Smartwatch

The Original DOOM app has since been removed from the Google Play store due to copyright issues but like with most Android apps, there's probably an APK floating around somewhere. If you're going to be fishing for an APK file, install at your own risk, we won't be providing any links.

Discuss on our Facebook page, HERE.

KitGuru Says: Gaming on a smart watch might be a bit silly but its also pretty interesting to see it happen. However, I imagine watches will start to overheat eventually as they are not designed to run demanding applications. Do any of you guys happen to own an Android Wear smart watch? 

 

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Apple and Google are battling over mobile exclusives https://www.kitguru.net/lifestyle/mobile/matthew-wilson/apple-and-google-battling-over-mobile-exclusives/ https://www.kitguru.net/lifestyle/mobile/matthew-wilson/apple-and-google-battling-over-mobile-exclusives/#respond Mon, 21 Apr 2014 11:35:06 +0000 http://www.kitguru.net/?p=188295 Gamers are pretty used to the idea of platform exclusives on consoles and PC but it isn't something we've really had to deal with on mobile devices until recently, as now Apple and Google are battling over exclusivity deals with App developers more aggressively than ever. With gaming apps being amongst the top grossing on …

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Gamers are pretty used to the idea of platform exclusives on consoles and PC but it isn't something we've really had to deal with on mobile devices until recently, as now Apple and Google are battling over exclusivity deals with App developers more aggressively than ever.

With gaming apps being amongst the top grossing on both Google's Play store and Apple's App Store, it makes sense that both companies want a bigger piece of the pie. Google and Apple have been offering increased advertisement across the store as well as highlight placement to App Developers in exchange for platform exclusivity or at the very least, a timed exclusive.

plants-vs-zombies-2-review-3

Two early examples of this include Plants VS Zombies 2 as well as Cut the Rope 2. Both titles signed a deal with Apple to release on IOS several months before hitting Android. We already know that exclusive games impact our choices when it comes to buying consoles but will it have the same effect on smartphones and tablets? Especially considering that most people don't buy a new phone or tablet with games specifically in mind.

Discuss on our Facebook page, HERE.

KitGuru Says: I don't think Apple and Google should start fighting for exclusive apps, especially since mobile devices aren't intended to be pure gaming platforms. It just seems a bit pointless, if I had an Android phone, I wouldn't rush out to get an IOS device just so I could play a casual game once in a while to kill some time. What do you guys think? Do you think exclusives on mobile makes sense?

Source: WSJ

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CyanogenMod hits 10 million users mark https://www.kitguru.net/lifestyle/mobile/matthew-wilson/cyanogenmod-hits-10-million-users-mark/ Mon, 23 Dec 2013 19:36:08 +0000 http://www.kitguru.net/?p=168959 CyanogenMod has just surpassed the 10 million user mark, further proving that Android users want the barebones operating system, free of ugly skins coupled with fast updates. The custom rom has certainly set itself out from the crowd too, with its over the air updates as well nightly and stable install options. CyanogenMod has actually …

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CyanogenMod has just surpassed the 10 million user mark, further proving that Android users want the barebones operating system, free of ugly skins coupled with fast updates. The custom rom has certainly set itself out from the crowd too, with its over the air updates as well nightly and stable install options.

CyanogenMod has actually got so popular that it can now directly content with Android itself as CM has partnered up with phone maker, Oppo, to bring the Oppo N1 with the custom ROM pre-installed. To top it off, Google has even given the phone its blessing as the phone had passed the compatibility test suite meaning it will officially get the Google Play store support as well as all of the official Google apps. The CM equipped Oppo N1 will release on the 24th of December incase you need a last minute christmas present.

cyanogenmod

For those users looking for a stock Android experience, Nexus, Google Play editions and to some extent, Motorola devices aren't the only phone's to be looking at anymore. We'll likely see more CM supported phones come to market after the Oppo N1.

KitGuru Says: The CyanogenMod team has certainly worked hard for its popularity, it provides old and abandoned phones with updates as well as keeping all popular non-Nexus devices up to date with Android's yearly updates. The Oppo N1 isn't a bad phone either.

Source: Endgadget

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No Google Play for Blackberry afterall https://www.kitguru.net/lifestyle/mobile/matthew-wilson/no-google-play-for-blackberry-afterall/ https://www.kitguru.net/lifestyle/mobile/matthew-wilson/no-google-play-for-blackberry-afterall/#respond Tue, 12 Nov 2013 16:08:14 +0000 http://www.kitguru.net/?p=162033 Yesterday we posted an article on Google Play running on a couple of Blackberry devices, at the time the images looked pretty convincing and led us to believe that Google and Blackberry might be forming a partnership. Well it turns out it was just a rumour as Blackberry has come out to debunk it. Talking …

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Yesterday we posted an article on Google Play running on a couple of Blackberry devices, at the time the images looked pretty convincing and led us to believe that Google and Blackberry might be forming a partnership. Well it turns out it was just a rumour as Blackberry has come out to debunk it.

Talking to CNET, a Blackberry representative said: “I can confirm that there is no planned support for Google Play on BlackBerry.”

“BlackBerry World remains the primary source for trusted and curated BlackBerry applications and we continue to support open standards and open source tools so BlackBerry developers can continue to create apps on any of the development platforms we support.”

So thats it, Blackberry has officially denied rumours of a Google partnership to help improve the number of apps available on its platform. Blackberry users can still side load Android apps but the average user probably doesn't want the hassle and will go somewhere else, especially since BBM recently went multi-platform.

google-play-store-blackberry-1

Making the Google Play store available would've helped Blackberry become competitive again, you can't really have a smartphone with no apps these days, especially when the competition has plenty. As far as the images go, we don't know how Google Play was running on that particular device or how the images were faked.

Kitguru Says: Things still aren't looking good for Blackberry but do you guys think a comeback is still possible?

Sources: CNET, Techradar

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Google Play on a Blackberry? https://www.kitguru.net/lifestyle/mobile/matthew-wilson/google-play-on-a-blackberry/ https://www.kitguru.net/lifestyle/mobile/matthew-wilson/google-play-on-a-blackberry/#respond Mon, 11 Nov 2013 15:14:36 +0000 http://www.kitguru.net/?p=161821 Over the weekend some leaked images of an upcoming Blackberry 10 update showed off Google's Play Store running on the device. Blackberry 10.2.1 might reveal a partnership with Google, bringing the Play Store to the Blackberry Z10 and Q10 smartphones. Blackberry has always struggled with its App store, Blackberry App World, which surpassed 120,000 apps …

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Over the weekend some leaked images of an upcoming Blackberry 10 update showed off Google's Play Store running on the device. Blackberry 10.2.1 might reveal a partnership with Google, bringing the Play Store to the Blackberry Z10 and Q10 smartphones.

google-play-store-blackberry-1

Blackberry has always struggled with its App store, Blackberry App World, which surpassed 120,000 apps earlier this year, but the numbers pale in comparison to IOS and Android with more than 1 million apps available for download on both platforms. It was possible to side load Android apps on to Blackberry handsets before, but this new partnership could offer greater compatibility and remove all of the hassle that comes with side loading.

Google Play won't be the only addition to Blackberry, the 10.2.1 update is said to also enhance the quick settings menu and call screen. For the few of you that still own Blackberry's, there's no word on when the update will come so you could be waiting a while.

Take this news with a grain of salt though, as we all know how realistic photoshopped images can be. Someone out there could have us all fooled, but for now it all seems real enough. The Canadian phone maker has yet to comment on the leaks.

Kitguru Says: I don't know if this will turn the company's fortunes around but it will make the phone a bit more attractive to buyers. Rewind a few years and almost everyone I knew had a Blackberry but nowadays I know more people with Windows Phones.  Do you guys think the company can ever return to its former glory? 

Source: The Inquirer 

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A wild MadCatz Android console appears https://www.kitguru.net/gaming/console-desktop-pc/jon-martindale/a-wild-madcatz-android-console-appears/ https://www.kitguru.net/gaming/console-desktop-pc/jon-martindale/a-wild-madcatz-android-console-appears/#respond Mon, 10 Jun 2013 14:10:07 +0000 http://www.kitguru.net/?p=137992 As if the lacklustre selling Wii U, upcoming next-gen systems from Microsoft and Sony, a very competitive PC market, the Ouya, Nvidia Shield and Gamer Stick consoles weren't enough, Mad Catz is set to debut its own Android console in the coming few days, at the E3 conference. Announced to investors during a call earlier …

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As if the lacklustre selling Wii U, upcoming next-gen systems from Microsoft and Sony, a very competitive PC market, the Ouya, Nvidia Shield and Gamer Stick consoles weren't enough, Mad Catz is set to debut its own Android console in the coming few days, at the E3 conference.

Announced to investors during a call earlier this year, the little machine will be part of the GameSmart series of mobile accessories and will be compatible with a variety of other products produced by the peripheral maker.

“With our long history in the gaming industry, Mad Catz has the technical capability, product breadth, global distribution, and developer and publisher relationships that uniquely position our company to embark on this ambitious initiative,” company president and CEO Darren Richardson said while speaking with  GI International.

madcatz
The console is said to be currently in the prototype state.

No word on what the internal hardware is, what the price point is, or when it will be released, though we do know it's codenamed project M.O.J.O. It's also been said that it should be able to make use of the Google Play store, which automatically gives it a much bigger and more impressive game library than rival Ouya.

KitGuru Says: The extra games could make the difference here. What do you guys think? 

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A quick peak at the Google Nexus 7 https://www.kitguru.net/lifestyle/mobile/android/jules/androids-attack-apple-nexus-7-in-action/ https://www.kitguru.net/lifestyle/mobile/android/jules/androids-attack-apple-nexus-7-in-action/#respond Fri, 03 Aug 2012 09:00:47 +0000 http://www.kitguru.net/?p=102318 While the debate about whether Samsung copied Apple or Apple copied Samsung rages away in California, Google has decided to put its paw in the water with a low cost tablet of its own. Before our mobile expert Blair McClelland publishes a full, indepth analysis of the tablet within the next couple of weeks let …

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While the debate about whether Samsung copied Apple or Apple copied Samsung rages away in California, Google has decided to put its paw in the water with a low cost tablet of its own. Before our mobile expert Blair McClelland publishes a full, indepth analysis of the tablet within the next couple of weeks let us take an early peak at the Nexus 7.

Putting the App Store to one side, Apple's killer sales tactic with the iPad was Steve Jobs' total lack of fear when it comes to putting a high price on a product. The initial iPad was quite good, but when prices averaged around £500, the Chinese-Taiwanese army of me-to-manufacturers set to work creating a variety of similar products for a lot less cash.

Around the time these new tablets were being manufactured in volume, at the start of 2011, Apple launched the iPad 2 and that was all she wrote. “Nine times faster and three times thinner”, said Jobs. The fat lady sang several lullabies and warehouses across the world had stock sitting in them which would not possibly compete with Apple's new gizmo. The companies that had produced the tablets set about marketing in the only way they know how – price cutting. But Apple's model is not built on price – it's built on quality, reputation and the complete Apple eco-system.

That begs the question, “Does any other company have the brand, reputation for quality, vision of the future and huge bundles of cash with which to fight Apple ?”

The answer is ‘yes' if your name is Samsung or, in this case, Google – and so the Nexus 7 was born. Before we go into detail about the new product, our experience with it and our gut feel as to whether it can succeed, here are some shots that set the scene around what could be Tegra 3's finest hour to date.

Order Monday afternoon and it arrives Tuesday morning. Packaging is simple and attractive - while the whole unpacking experience says 'quality'. Given that Asus had 4 months to turn Nexus 7 from dream to production reality - it's an impressive offer.

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Size-wise, Google's Nexus 7 is in a completely different class to the iPad. Much more 'pocket-size-portable'.

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Edge on, design has been kept to a minimum - with fewer buttons than many phones. The outside rim is brushed metal and the reverse has an appealing 'textured plastic' feel with Asus and Nexus embossing.

Having moved from zero to hero in around 4 months, Google have gone on record to say that no other manufacturer could have delivered this level of result in the time available.

Asus' chairman, Jonney Shih, claims that his engineering teams felt ‘tortured' and, to help ensure success, Asus deployed top engineers at Google sites around the globe. This integrated the design process between the two companies and allowed them to have a genuine 24-hour design process.

Taken at face value, we'd assume that Asus engineers in Asia Pacific (APAC) would hand over to Europe (EMEA) and then the Americas – before another 8 hours passed and APAC was back on the case. Impressive stuff.

While there is no doubting Apple's power in the market, Google's operating system is now close to 1 million activations a day across the globe. It's hard to imagine any business engaging with new customers at that rate and, with the liquid flux development available to open source projects, you have to wonder if new products like the Nexus 7 are more ‘there to cash in on software sales' or ‘to provide direction on what's possible and where Apple might be weak'.

The familiar connectivity of these devices will alienate less people that Apple's traditionally proprietary approach

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Booting your Nexus 7 brings one tiny moment of doubt - when you see the cross for the first time and wonder whether something might have gone wrong with your new toy - but the actual experience was silky smooth for a first time user

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It's all about fast connectivity - so you hit up a router almost immediately upon booting

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The interface is simple and obvious, the touch screen Apple-like in its responsiveness

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We only hit a snag when accessing the web. While access speed is fast and the screen is clear and bright - the unit does not seem to automatically change orientation for web browsing - which was a big surprise given its Invensense MPU-6050

.Given that the electronics which understand movement and orientation etc are experiencing a huge boom – it was a surprise to turn the Nexus 7 sideways and for it not to spin the screen into the much more useful landscape mode. a little research on this subject (carried out on the Nexus 7, naturally), revealed that you can install an app to force orientations.

Ultimate Rotation Control is available on Google Play for just 99c (around 65p in old money), which begs the question “Why not simply pre-install it?”

The answer probably lies in Google's pricing for the Nexus 7. At just £159, it's hard to understand how they have managed to make this tablet possible at all. Here's a quick look at the technology you get for your money:-

  • ARM Cortex A9 Quad Core Processor kicking along at 1.2GHz
  • nVidia GeForce ULP running at 416MHz with its 12 core architecture
  • 1GB of DDR3 Memory
  • 8GB Flash Memory
  • 7″ backlit IPS display with scratch resistant glass and a 1280×800 resolution that refreshed at a rock solid 60Hz
  • You get b/g/n compatible Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 4.0
  • There is a front facing 1.2 mega pixel camera
  • The unit comes pre-installed with Jelly Bean (4.1 version of Google's Android operating system)

The device is available now for just £159 on the Google Play store, but you can't get around the shipping charge – so don't expect much change from £170.

The only question remaining for us was, “Can Microsoft mount any kind of sensible challenge to this new generation of well made, well supported, well priced portable computing solution?”

Keep your eyes peeled on Kitguru, our mobile expert Blair McClelland has the Nexus 7 in hand and a full, indepth analysis will be forthcoming within the next couple of weeks.

KitGuru says: Buy a really cool phone and the price is often subsidised by your connectivity contract. The Nexus 7 works straight out of the box, so you can only assume that there is no profit in the product. On that basis alone, it's got to be worth considering. The sub-£200 end of the tablet PC market has, until now, contained some very questionable products – which the Nexus 7 will blow comfortably out of the water. If you can get your hands on one – we'd recommend you give it a spin. This is quite possibly the most useful device the Asus mobile team has produced to date.

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Magazines and audiobooks coming soon to Google Play https://www.kitguru.net/channel/blair-mcclelland/magazines-and-audiobooks-coming-soon-to-google-play/ https://www.kitguru.net/channel/blair-mcclelland/magazines-and-audiobooks-coming-soon-to-google-play/#respond Thu, 08 Mar 2012 09:30:58 +0000 http://www.kitguru.net/?p=82212 Yesterday Google announced its new Google Play brand which integrates Android applications, music, movies and books all into one service. Now magazines and audiobooks may be on the way to help turn Google Play into a more developed and expansive ecosystem. This development came about as an audiobooks page was found within Google Play's help …

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Yesterday Google announced its new Google Play brand which integrates Android applications, music, movies and books all into one service. Now magazines and audiobooks may be on the way to help turn Google Play into a more developed and expansive ecosystem.

Google Play will soon welcome in magazines and audiobooks

This development came about as an audiobooks page was found within Google Play's help pages. These help pages have empty sections for “Audio books” and “Magazines and journals.”

The addition of audiobooks and magazines would also put it up on the save level of Apple and Amazon who currently offer similar kinds of content. Unfortunately it is not yet clear when and who will be able to access magazines and audiobooks through Google Play.

Google's move to the Play service suggests that there is the intention to expand and streamline its content. While dropping the Market label shows at least an attempt to get away from the view of being a application-only store.

Kitguru says: Google Play seems a bit odd from a marketing point of view but if the content is there the end consumer won't mind.

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Google integrates music, apps and more into Google Play https://www.kitguru.net/channel/blair-mcclelland/google-integrates-music-movies-books-and-apps-into-google-play/ https://www.kitguru.net/channel/blair-mcclelland/google-integrates-music-movies-books-and-apps-into-google-play/#respond Wed, 07 Mar 2012 08:15:58 +0000 http://www.kitguru.net/?p=81966 Last week Google's new privacy policy came into effect and today Google has announced Google Play. Play is an integration of several services and is the “digital entertainment destination where you can find, enjoy and share your favorite music, movies, books and apps on the web and on your Android phone or tablet.” Play will …

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Last week Google's new privacy policy came into effect and today Google has announced Google Play. Play is an integration of several services and is the “digital entertainment destination where you can find, enjoy and share your favorite music, movies, books and apps on the web and on your Android phone or tablet.” Play will also be entirely cloud-based so you will never lose your data, although it does mean you're doomed if you find yourself with no internet connection and wanting to watch a movie.

The Android Market, Google Music, and the eBookstore will all become part of Google Play. As part of this process the Android Market app will be updated to a new Google Play one over the next few days if you are running Android 2.2 or higher on your Android smartphone or tablet.

To celebrate the launch of Play there is a sale on some popular applications over at the Android Market errr.. Google Play store.

As usual with Google's product roll outs some countries get it luckier than others. The USA draws the lucky straw and gets access to all aspects of Google Play. Canada and UK will get their hands on movies and books. Australia and Japan will get their hands on books and movies respectively. All markets will get access to Android applications through the Play store.

You can check out Google Play here and find out more about the new service here.

Kitguru says: Google Play is here and offers some nice improvements, now we can all look forward to their cloud storage solution, Google Drive.

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