News

iPhones now have 'OK Google' support...if you say 'Hey Siri' first

TL;DR The latest version of the iOS Google Assistant app now creates Siri Shortcuts for you. Using this new feature, you can use the “OK Google” hotword on the iPhone — but you have to say “Hey Siri” first. You can also set up other custom Google Assistant routines. Android users have been able to use the “OK Google” hotword to launch Google Assistant for a while now. However, iPhone users have had to open up the Google Assistant app manually and then issue voice commands to get things done.

Kodi 18 will have Google Assistant integration

TL;DR Personal media streaming app Kodi saw its latest alpha release, codenamed “Leia.” Kodi apps connected to Android TV systems will have Google Assistant baked in. Using Assistant, you can make voice commands to Kodi as well as receive suggested content based on your library. With Google Assistant baked in, watching media on your Android TV will be a snap. Using the familiar “OK Google” or “Hey Google” commands, you can tell Kodi what you want to watch and it will play it for you.

Master Android's sensors: hardware, software and multidimensional

Today, most modern Android devices are kitted out with a bunch of sensors. You can use this information in lots of different ways – whether it’s monitoring light levels so your application can automatically adjust its brightness or color scheme; allowing the user to interact with your mobile game using gestures such as tilting their device; or using the proximity sensor to automatically disable touch events whenever the user holds their device to their ear.

Chrome 56 for Android brings new download section and more

In an official blog post, Google announced that Chrome 56 for Android devices has been released and should make its way to the Google Play Store over the course of the next week. The new version of the browser brings a few new features to the table that will improve the user experience. The update adds a new tab page with easy access to downloaded files and saved web pages and allows you to long press an article suggestion to download it to your device for offline use.

Moko Phone/Tablet Stand review: Amazingly affordable and functional

Moko Moko Phone/Tablet StandThis is a functional stand for small and medium devices. Its super thin, small, and light body makes it amazingly portable. And though it's made of cheap plastic, it works and replacing it won't hurt so much. There are much better stands out there, but not at this price. Looking for the right smartphone or tablet stand? A quick Amazon search will present you with an onslaught of options made of different materials, offering varying features, and at a plethora of price points.

Scramble With Friends By Zynga Hits Play Store

Zynga’s Words With Friends took both the Android Market and the App Store by storm just last year. And now, the gaming giant has brought Scramble With Friends to the Google Play store. The gameplay of Scramble With Friends is very similar to that of Boggle. Simply slide your finger over adjacent letters to form words in all directions. In addition, in the later rounds, Zynga has thrown in word and letter bonuses (Triple Letter, Double Word, etc.

What to expect from its first gaming SoC?

Update, July 30, 2019 (8:08AM ET): Following the MediaTek Helio G90 series launch, Xiaomi has revealed that it will launch a smartphone powered by this chipset family. Xiaomi India chief Manu Kumar Jain said the company will launch a phone powered by the Helio G90T rather than the standard G90. We don’t know anything else about this upcoming phone, but Xiaomi already offers the Black Shark gaming phones. These phones traditionally retail for $400 or more, offering flagship Qualcomm silicon, so we’d expect a G90-powered gaming handset to have a much lower price tag.

Global chip shortage will be around for a 'couple of years'

Andy Walker / Android Authority TL;DR The global chip shortage may continue for “a couple of years,” Intel’s CEO said on Monday. The US firm believes that it will take some time for the supply chain to smooth out current supply issues. Intel’s statement comes after Qualcomm’s report that the shortage could end later this year. If you thought the great global chip shortage was just a minor blip in the global supply chain, Intel’s here to bring you some bad news.

How to create a group call in Google Duo

The app makes video chatting with up to 11 other friends or family members dead simple. Here is what Google Duo’s group chat feature is capable of and everything you need to know about how to use it. Groups are super easy to create in Google Duo. Here’s how to do it: Open the Google Duo app and permit it to access your microphone, camera, and contacts if you haven’t already.

NFL highlights are coming to YouTube and Google

The National Football League (NFL) has announced a new partnership with YouTube and Google to create an official NFL channel that provides weekly programming of NFL content. Specifically, Google’s search results will push official NFL video and news to users searching for “NFL-related content.” The results will be shown in a box at the top of the search engine along with extensive information about a team’s scores, background, and upcoming games. Although the NFL currently has an official NFL channel on YouTube, this agreement will allow for people to see in-game highlights during a game.