Audio streaming app gets new Google account capabilities

The Android (and iOS) version of popular streaming and music discovery app SoundCloud has been updated with new Google account features. The new version lets you log in with any Google account credentials on your phone, in addition to the ever-present Facebook login. What's more, you can now share directly to Google+ through the app, allowing you to send your favorite tracks directly to people in your circles. It's a relatively minor update, but both could be important changes if your big on Google's ecosystem. Google account login in particular makes signing up extremely painless on Android devices, as you just need to tap once to confirm the account you want to use.

SoundCloud users can head to the Google Play Store app to update to the latest version. Alternatively, hit the Google Play link above to view the full listing.

Budget tablet with a focus on cookery

If you've ever wanted a tablet designed especially for your kitchen, Archos has a product that might be worth a look. The newly-announced Archos ChefPad is a budget-level Android tablet with a 9.7-inch XGA screen, an adjustable stand and silicone case to protect against splashes. Archos also has also loaded it up with a selection of cooking apps and suitably foody wallpaper.

The ChefPad is powered by an unnamed dual-core 1.6GHz CPU and Mali 400MP GPU, with 1GB of RAM and 8GB of internal storage, expandable via microSD slot. On the software side it's running a pretty vanilla-looking Android 4.1 Jelly Bean UI with Google Play.

The food-centric tablet is due to become available from June, with prices starting at $209.99 from the company's online store.

Source: Archos

Google won't deliver a re-vamped streaming sphere at this year's conference, writes AllThingsD

Overpriced and under-featured, Google's Nexus Q was mothballed shortly after its introduction at least year's Google I/O developer conference. Officially, Google is still working on improving the phone-controlled streaming sphere -- the last update from January indicated that the company was still "hard at work" improving the Q.

But today there's news that a re-vamped Nexus Q might not be on the cards for this year's Google I/O conference. AllThingsD reports via "sourced familiar with the matter" that Google "won't have any news on the Nexus Q this week."

The Nexus Q won praise for its distinctive design and build quality, but was roundly criticized over its limited feature set and high price tag -- the orb cost $300 from Google Play, required an Android device to act as a remote, and could only stream content from Google Play or YouTube.

The Nexus Q still holds a special place in our heart. Hopefully we haven't seen the last of its rhythmic, colored glow.

Source: AllThingsD

T-Mo's Galaxy S3 gets full-screen multi-tasking in latest update

Looks like there's a new over-the-air update heading out to T-Mobile's Samsung Galaxy S3 today. Reports from XDA and TmoNews point to an official Android 4.1.2 update, which brings with it Samsung's "multi-window" feature. Multi-window, which we recently demonstrated on the Galaxy S4, allows the screen to be split between two concurrently-running applications. The new "Paper Artist" app, lock screen changes and a new "4G" logo are also among the reported changes.

The over-the-air update package weighs in at more than 186MB, so you might want to wait until you're on Wifi before hitting the download button. To see if your update is ready, head to Settings > About phone > Software updates.

T-Mo GS3 owners, be sure to hit the comments and let us know how you're getting on with this latest firmware version.

Source: TmoNews, XDA

New Android head says 'It’s not a time when we have much in the way of launches of new products or a new operating system'

Newly-appointed Android head Sundar Pichai says the company will focus on "all of the kinds of things we’re doing for developers" at this year's Google I/O conference, due to begin this Wednesday. In an interview with Wired, Pichai, who also heads up Google Chrome, says that it isn't a time when the company has "much in the way of launches of new products or a new operating system," suggesting major device launches won't be the focus of the conference.

Having recently taken over from Android co-founder Andy Rubin, Pichai offered his thoughts on a variety of subjects, including Android updates, Google's relationship with Samsung, Facebook Home and the challenges of managing two operating systems.

Some bite-size snippets --

• On the relationship between Chrome and Android: "Android and Chrome are both large, open platforms, growing very fast. I think that they will play a strong role, not merely exist. I see this as part of friendly innovation and choice for both users and developers."
• On Facebook Home: "It’s exciting that Facebook thought of Android first in this case. Android was intended to be very customizable. And we welcome innovations. As for the specific product, my personal take on it is that time will tell."
• On Samsung's Android dominance: "The relationship is very strong on a day-to-day basis and on a tactical basis. So I’m not that concerned. Historically the industry has had long stable structures. Look at Microsoft and Intel. They were very codependent on one another, but it served both of them well."
• On future Nexus hardware: "You will see a continuation of what we have tried to do with Nexus and Chromebooks. Any hardware projects we do will be to push the ecosystem forward."
• On slow Android updates: "We are thinking about how to make Android handle updates better. We see ways we can do this. It’s early days. We’re talking with our partners and working our way through it. We need time to figure out the mechanics, but it’s definitely an area of focus for me and for the team."
• On what to expect from I/O this year: "Both on Android and Chrome, we’re going to focus this I/O on all of the kinds of things we’re doing for developers, so that they can write better things. We will show how Google services are doing amazing things on top of these two platforms."

Hit the source link to check out the interview in full.

Source: Wired

Docomo could carry dark blue variant of Samsung's new handset

So far the Samsung Galaxy S4 has only been available in "white frost" and "black mist" color options, but it seems a third option may be about to join them. Japanese blog Rbmen has spotted the new "blue arctic" color option on a promotional leaflet from Japanese carrier Docomo, and it looks a lot like the old "pebble blue" Galaxy S3.

There's no word on whether this color option might be offered outside of Japan, but Samsung has a history of offering its phones and tablets in all kinds of weird and wonderful colors, so we wouldn't be surprised to see a wider release at some point.

Aside from new color options, the spec sheet also mentions a couple of Japanese-specific features, like FeliCa support for use with electronic payment cards, and a retractable TV antenna.

Docomo reportedly has a presentation scheduled for May 15, so Japanese buyers shouldn't be too long to learn more about their Galaxy S4 variant.

Source: Rbmen; via: SamMobile

... And it still looks like a Nexus 4 in white

Remember that white Nexus 4 that cropped up in Vietnam a few months back? Well it's back, this time in the Philippines. Google+ user Ervin Sue has posted photos of the white-backed Nexus 4 which he says he bought from "a local buy and sell site." Like the white Nexus 4 we've seen in earlier leaks, this one has a white Crystal Reflective Process back and white sides, but a black trim around the display.

There's also no indication that this is anything other than an isolated appearance for the elusive white Nexus, which was rumored to have been given to some Google employees last year. It's not impossible that Google might opt for a more widespread launch in this color, especially if a new N4 variant is to be unveiled at Google I/O, but there's nothing here to suggest that'll happen.  So for the moment we'll have to make do with a few slightly blurry pics.

You'll find a couple more photos over at the source link.

Source: +Ervin Sue; via: CNET Asia

Basically a shrunken down, mid-level Xperia Z

Update: A Sony Mobile spokesperson tells Android Central that the company has "nothing to announce" at this stage with regards to UK availability for the Xperia ZR.

Original story: Sony has expanded its Xperia Z family today with the new, 4.55-inch Xperia ZR. Packing many of the same internal components -- and Xperia Z-like waterproof capabilities, (rated IP55 and IP58) the ZR will represent Sony in the mid to high-end space. In fact, Sony's touting its higher IP rating (the Xperia Z is rated IP55 and IP57) as making the ZR ideal for underwater HD video recording, if that's your thing.

Under the hood it's running a 1.5GHz quad-core CPU -- the same Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 Pro that's powering Xperias Z and ZL -- with 2GB of RAM, 8GB of internal storage and a microSD slot. On the front there's a 4.55-inch 720p display (in places described as a 4.6-inch panel, so go figure), and around the back is a 13-megapixel Sony Exmor RS camera with LED flash. All in all, a respectable set of components, and the ZR's curved back should make it a good deal more comfortable to hold than its brick-like sibling.

Sony's press release says the Xperia ZR includes LTE support, but the official spec sheet only mentions HSPA+, so it's possible this may depend on which market you're in. As far as HSPA+ connectivity is concerned, it seems there'll be one version supporting 900 and 2100MHz (for Europe) and another with 850, 1700, 1900 and 2100MHz support, likely for North America.

The Xperia ZR will land in "various global markets" during Q2, so make of that what you will.

Source: Sony Mobile, Press Release (PDF)

We'll keep things short this week as it's Mother's Day (call your mom already, will ya?!?!) and it's a travel weekend. We've got not one but two developer events to both cover and keep an eye on. The most important, obviously, is Google I/O in San Francisco. The event kicks off with the lone (extended) keynote address Wednesday morning, but expect to see news start to roll out Tuesday afternoon or so.

I'll be in San Francisco along with Jerry Hildenbrand. There's nothing like actually being there, but Google should be commended for its "I/O Extended" events and for streaming so many of the sessions live.

The news will be flowing into the home page, of course, and you can get it all directly from our dedicated Google I/O page here. (And don't forget you can get it all on the go better than ever before with our new app.)

Also this week is BlackBerry Live in Orlando. CrackBerry.com has about 274 people (more or less) covering it by last count. Why do we care? It'll be important to see if and when BB10 supports the Android framework 4+ framework. That would mean more Android applications can run on it. (Including ours.)

So, yeah. Kind of a busy week. A few more thoughts, after the break.