Tag: Google

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Android 4.3 Update for Nexus 7

My Nexus 7 finally got the Android 4.3 update, just about one week after Google said it was released.

From AnandTech:

One of the common complaints late in the life of the original Nexus 7 was slow storage I/O performance, leading to an inconsistent user experience. After a fresh flash, the Nexus 7 was speedy and performant, but after months of installing applications and using the tablet, things began slowing down. This was a friction point that many hoped would be fixed in the new Nexus 7 (2013) model, which it was. There’s even more to the story though, it turns out Google has fixed that storage I/O aging problem on all Nexus devices with the Android 4.3 update.

You dont’ have to read between the lines that prior to Android 4.3 Nexus 7 had a serious flaw.

Android 4.3 update for Nexus 7

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Starbucks Team Up With Google For Wi-Fi Hotspot

It is official, Starbucks team up with Google to provide Wi-Fi hotspot.

The good news is that Google should be able to provide better Wi-Fi hotspot, especially in cities where Google Fiber are available; that’s Kansas City for now, Austin, Texas and Provo, Utah are next.

The other good news is that Google gets to collect more info on the users.

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Amazon changed Chromecast-Netflix Promotion Cut-off Time

Amazon now says that customer who purchased Google Chromecast before 5:30 p.m. on July 25, 2013 are eligible for the Netflix Promotion.

Amazon-Chromecast-Google-Blunder-Update

Initially Amazon said:

Netflix Promotion No Longer Available
Please note that the Netflix promotional offer (which was available in limited supply) has now ended. Customers who ordered their Chromecast prior to 5:31 PM PST on July 24, 2013 will receive a Netflix gift code via email within 5 days of their product’s ship date.

Initially Amazon customers who purchased Google Chromecast after 5:31 p.m. on July 24, 2013 were told that they were not eligible for the Netflix Promotion. Disappointed Amazon customers were reportedly cancelled their orders citing that the Netflix Promotion influenced their decision in purchasing Google Chromecast.

Amazon is reportedly sending emails to customers who already cancelled their Chromecast orders that they qualified to receive the Netflix promotion.

Amazon-Chromecast-Netflix-Update

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Google Abruptly Ends Chromecast-Netflix Promo

Chromecast-no-Netflix-Promo

UPDATE:

From Chromecast page at Google Play:

Please note that the Netflix promotional offer (which was available in limited supply) has now ended. Orders placed before 1PM PST on 7/25 will receive their promotion code once their order ships.

Does anyone remember what Google Play said before regarding the Netflix Promo? Did it say “limited”?

From Amazon.com:

Netflix Promotion No Longer Available
Please note that the Netflix promotional offer (which was available in limited supply) has now ended. Customers who ordered their Chromecast prior to 5:31 PM PST on July 24, 2013 will receive a Netflix gift code via email within 5 days of their product’s ship date.

Why do Amazon.com and Google have different cut-off time?

How many customers bought Chromecast because of the Netflix deal?
I certainly am one of them.

Another question regarding this shortlived Chromecast-Netflix promotion:
Is it Google who fronted all the bills for the promotion, Netflix or both?

My guess is that Google is the one paying Netflix for the Promotion and was surprised with the amount of orders. If only Google would release the sales figure of Chromecast from before and after the Netflix promo ended.

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From Google Chromecast Offer page:

Please note that the Netflix promotional offer (which was available in limited supply) has now ended.

Google-terminates-Chromecast-Netflix-Promo

Los Angeles Times reports:

[Update 4:30 p.m. July 25: Google clarified that users who purchased Chromecast before the promotion ran out will still be able to redeem their Netflix promotion code for three free months of the video streaming service.]

Does that include all users who purchased Chromecast but were put on back-orders on Thursday July 24, 2013? Amazon was still taking orders on late Thursday and wouldn’t be shipping the unit to customers until later date.

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Google Maps 2.0 for iPhone, iPod touch and iPad.

Google Maps 2.0 is now available for download, it now natively supports iPad in addition to iPhone and iPod touch.

What’s New in Version 2.0

  • New design for iPad
  • Enhanced navigation including live traffic updates and incident reports
  • Explore: A new way to browse and discover popular local places to eat, drink, shop, play and sleep
  • Simple 5-star ratings and reviews from friends, plus expert Zagat content
  • Great deals from your favorite brands with Google Offers
  • Indoor maps with walking directions for malls, transit stations, airports and more

One thing that’s still missing from this version of Google Maps is Street View, which is alco available in Google Earth App for iOS.

UPDATE:
To access Street View, a location must be defined by entering an address or dropping a pin, only then the option becomes available. On iPhone and iPod touch, swipe the address panel on the bottom up to bring the Street View option up.

Gogole-Maps-2.0-for-iOS

Google-Maps-on-iPad

P.S. Don’t ask me anything about iOS 7. It happens to be the only iPad available in the office to grab screenshot from.