No Android Update Or New Nexus At Google I/O - A Good Move by Google

I/O is admittedly Google’s biggest event every year for the past 6 years now. It is during these 3 days that Google shows of the future of Google and its products. These three days in the past have seen some of the biggest announcements from the Mountain View Company - from the Nexus 7 to Google TV, Chrome to Glass and everything in between.

The Google I/O 2013 began yesterday, and the opening keynote stretched for more than three hours (it began at 10 PM IST). The earlier rumors were pointing for a refurbished Nexus 7, Android 4.3, maybe a Nexus 5 or the Motorola X phone. But as the keynote progressed, with new features and updates dropping left and right, it became more and more evident what this year’s I/O was all about: Google services and apps. And that does not make the I/O a failure, rather this move was a good thing by Google.

For the past few year’s Google has been giving its OS an upgrade nearly every 6 months. This has led to an already fragmented market getting worse. As a developer, for your apps to reach the majority – one has to support devices from Android v2.1 and up. If Google shifts to an annual cycle, by releasing new Android versions in December along with the updated tablets and mobile. It will not only help reduce the fragmentation on Android, but also launches during the holiday season could be beneficial to the OEM’s (If they can keep up with the demand).

This also makes the I/O event more for the developers and a bit less for the consumers, which in my eyes is exactly what this 3 days event is about. For me Google I/O has been about new services from Google and how a developer can use them. The few new hardware/software launches that I appreciated were revolutionary (Chrome, Glass, even the first Nexus 7), rather than being just evolutionary. The launches (of upgrades in products) should occur at press conferences and not at a developer conference.

The focus of this year’s I/O was on all the kinds of things Google is doing for developers so that they can write better things. It showed how Google services are doing amazing things on top of Android (and also Chrome). For a complete round-up of this year’s I/O – Click Here (Android Police) or Here (The Verge).

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[UPDATE] Google Play Store 4.0 - Rolling out to Phones & Tablets Today - Download Now

A redesigned Google Play Store has been making a buzz for some time now, with Android Police getting their hands on a leaked apk. A YouTube employee also posted a screenshot. The whole world was geared up for its launch at the Google I/O next month, but it seems that the Mountain View company did not have it in its mega event plans, as a blog post on the Android Blog has confirmed that the new Play Store will roll out to phones and tablets today itself!

The new cards based look definitely looks cleaner and aesthetically more beautiful. According to the blog, the new UI focuses on bigger images, grouping similar content and offering recommendations as you scroll down. All devices running Android 2.2 or higher will get the update.

Although the rollout starts worldwide today, with millions of devices the load on Google’s servers, it may be a few weeks till the update comes to your phone. Side loading the apk is an option, although no apk file is available yet (Update: Scroll to bottom for the link).

It is quite interesting to watch the UI changes Matias Duarte has brought into Android after joining the team (earlier he worked for – WebOS). He made the stock Google experience lovable with ICS (Android 4.0), brought out the aesthetic Google Cards with JB (Android 4.1/4.2) and now the clean Play Store UI. One can only wait with eager anticipation for Key Lime Pie (Android 5.0).

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Update: Android Police have once again provided us all with the apk. The app is signed by Google and upgrades your existing Play Store. The new version of the Play Store is 4.0.25. DOWNLOAD HERE.

Source: Android Blog, Android Police

White Nexus 4 Pops Up

The LG Nexus 4 is undoubtedly the best Android phone currently in the market, assuming you can get your hands on one. Right now, everyone wants one and its easy to spot why. It's cheap, super fast, runs on the latest Android OS (what else does one need). the only thing disappointing so far was that we had only a single color model in black. Turns out all this is set to change with the release of an even more attractive white Nexus 4.

Yesterday PhoneArena gave us the first look of the rumored white Nexus 4 device. The quality is not fantastic, but what it certainly looked like an authentic photo in my eye.

Today the Vietnamese site Tinh te' managed a hell of a job by uploading a whole collection of photos of the Nexus 4 from every possible angle.

Will Google unveil this device in the Mobile World Congress next month or maybe in May at the Google I/O? Hard to call. Maybe it will be a limited edition only for employees or for the Google I/O attendees. In short, I haven't got the slightest clue and wont bore you with speculations.

But given that there have been white versions of the Nexus S and the Galaxy Nexus, it seems quite likely that Google will come out with a white Nexus 4.  

Source: Tinh Te, PhoneArena

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