100 new Pokemon could be coming soon to Pokemon Go

Second generation Pokemon could be on their way to Pokemon Go soon. Some folks from Pokemon Go fansite The Silph Road have been poking around the code of the latest Pokemon Go APK file, which has revealed a few clues about what's coming up next in the hit augmented reality title.

The biggest news is that 100 new Pokemon have been referenced, number 152 (Chikorita) to number 251 (Celebi), as well as 52 new Pokemon families. This would be the first influx of new Pokemon since the game's July launch. Additionally, a new quick move, 'Transform' is mentioned – a move associated with Ditto, the only non-legendary Pokemon of the original 151 yet to be seen in the game.

See also:

Pokémon Go to add daily bonuses 'soon' to get you even more addicted (Update: rolling out now)

2 days ago

Rounding things off, the code also suggests that an anti-gym-lockout system – to prevent players who weren't active in a gym takeover reaping the rewards – is on its way.

There's no indication as to when these additions will appear in Pokemon Go but their presence in the code implies that they aren't far off.

Are you excited to catch 100 new Pokemon? Let us know in the comments.

 

from Android Authority http://www.androidauthority.com/pokemon-go-100-new-pokemon-727735/
via IFTTT

Google demands standard in-line headphone controls for Nougat devices

Google gives Android away to OEMs for free. But gaining access to Google's suite of apps – especially the Google Play Store – comes at a cost. That cost is met by satisfying the demands of the Android Compatibility Definition Document (CCD), the latest of which has just been released for Android 7.0 Nougat, a full two and a half months after Nougat was released.

The CCD has a lot of interesting tidbits in it, but some are likely to be of greater concern than others. For example, Google has hinted that it may start forcing OEMs to support fast charging via USB Power Delivery (which the Pixel phones use) in future Android versions. In many ways, this is a good thing: universal fast charger compatibility across all Android devices. So far, so good.

The same goes for audio standards and in-line headphone controls. The CCD has a couple of sections on audio, the first of which dictates that devices claiming "professional audio" playback must satisfy the standards laid out in the OpenSL ES for Android reference document. Again, a little consistency never hurt anyone.

Google is clearly trying to minimize the amount of arbitrary differentiation in audio standards on Android Nougat devices.

Next up are analog audio ports, which, as you know, are slowly becoming an endangered species. According to the CCD, if a device has a 3.5 mm audio jack, the system must support three basic in-line headphone controls: volume up, volume down and headsethook (which allows you to answer and hang up calls).

Just to be clear, the CCD demands that "if a device implementation includes one or more analog audio ports, at least one of the audio port(s) SHOULD be a 4 conductor 3.5mm audio jack." This means including a 3.5 mm port is entirely optional, but if a device does have a 3.5 mm port, it must meet Google's parameters for in-line controls.

7.8.2.1. Analog Audio Ports

If a device implementation has a 4 conductor 3.5mm audio jack, it:

• MUST support the detection and mapping to the keycodes for the following 3 ranges of equivalent impedance between the microphone and ground conductors on the audio plug:

70 ohm or less : KEYCODE_HEADSETHOOK

210-290 Ohm : KEYCODE_VOLUME_UP

360-680 Ohm : KEYCODE_VOLUME_DOWN

• STRONGLY RECOMMENDED to detect and map to the keycode for the following range of equivalent impedance between the microphone and ground conductors on the audio plug:

110-180 Ohm: KEYCODE_VOICE_ASSIST

It must be said that a lot of OEMs already support in-line headphone controls and volume up, down and pickup/hang up are pretty standard. But by laying out the specific impedance values for each setting, Google is enforcing a degree of consistency on what has previously been left up to OEMs. The result of this has been headphones whose in-line controls don't work on all phones.

Standardized headphone controls, combined with the prospect of uniform fast charger adaptor compatibility in future, are definitely steps in the right direction. While Android is and should continue to be a free and open platform, reducing the amount of arbitrary differentiation on Android devices makes a lot of sense. And Google is the only one that can make it happen.

What other compatibility issues would you like to see addressed in Android?

from Android Authority http://www.androidauthority.com/google-in-line-headphone-controls-android-nougat-devices-727734/
via IFTTT

It sounds like Google is tweaking the way it updates Android

New language found in Google's Android documentation points to potential changes coming to the way updates work on Android devices.

The new language was spotted by Ars Technica's Ron Amadeo in the latest version of the Android Compatibility Definition Document (CDD).

The CDD is the list of requirements and recommendations that must be followed by manufacturers who want to put Android – and Google's crucial apps – on their devices. This document covers both hardware (e.g. display resolution, audio features) and software (covering every aspect of the Android user experience). Think of the CDD as the checklist that device makers must go through before they ship a Google-approved Android device.

The Android 7.0 version of the CDD was published yesterday, and among many small changes, the document contains a brand new section dedicated to a feature called "Android Extensions."

See also:

Google could ban third-party fast charging hardware in upcoming Android phones

14 hours ago

Section 3.1.1 of the CDD reads:

Android includes the support of extending the managed APIs while keeping the same API level version. Android device implementations MUST preload the AOSP implementation of both the shared library ExtShared and services ExtServices with versions higher than or equal to the minimum versions allowed per each API level

Based on this, Amadeo theorized that Android Extensions are the AOSP equivalent of Google's Play Services.

In other words, Google would be able to use Android Extensions to extend Android APIs, without actually pushing out a full operating system update. The main difference between Play Services and Android Extensions, Amadeo argues, is that the latter would be open source.

Android Extensions files are already present on the Google Pixel and the LG V20, though right now they are just empty shells. But their presence on all Android 7.0 Nougat devices means that Google would be able to roll out certain new features or patches simply by updating the files through the Play Store.

In theory, that could decrease fragmentation, improve security, and make the Android ecosystem more consistent. Full OS updates would still be needed, but many small changes could be rolled out without the involvement of manufacturers or carriers.

Make sure to read the Ron Amadeo's full post on Ars Technica and keep in mind that this theory is still an educated guess, at least for now. Let us know your thoughts!

from Android Authority http://www.androidauthority.com/sounds-like-google-tweaking-way-updates-android-727726/
via IFTTT

Samsung increasing Galaxy S8 display size to attract Galaxy Note 7 fans?

The Samsung Galaxy S8 may arrive with a large screen to attract fans of its canceled Galaxy Note 7, a report from The Investor suggests. The upcoming flagship, expected to launch at MWC 2017 in February, is said to come in two variants: one with a 5.7-inch display and one with a 6.2-inch display.

Samsung's last Galaxy S devices, the Galaxy S7 and Galaxy S7 Edge, house 5.1-inch and 5.5-inch respective displays, while its abandoned Galaxy Note 7's screen was larger at 5.7 inches.

It's speculated that Samsung's Galaxy S8 would also feature a bezel-less design with a more than 90% screen-to-body ratio. With an end-to-end display, the S8's dimensions may not have to change significantly from its predecessor to accommodate the larger screen.

See also:

New Galaxy S8 leaks detail advanced AI, delayed launch, new display tech and more

2 days ago

It's possible, however, that Samsung had intended to pursue a bezel-less design before canceling the Note 7, which would have inherently allowed for a larger display on a similar sized device to the S7.

The Galaxy S8 would also likely lose its characteristic physical home button/fingerprint scanner if it was to feature an edge-to-edge screen – though Samsung may have an on-screen solution for that – and could arrive in curved-display variations only.

from Android Authority http://www.androidauthority.com/samsung-galaxy-s8-display-size-rumor-727717/
via IFTTT

Square Enix reports $1.02 billion in sales, largely thanks to mobile games

Square Enix continues making some of the most popular RPG games in the industry, and their numbers sure don't disappoint. The renown game developer has just published its FY17 earnings report, which ends on September 30th, and it seems they are making some mad sales.

According to this report, Square Enix has reached $1.02 billion in sales, a 23% over last year. Not everything is good news, though, as profits did drop by 25%. Square Enix mentions this is due to poor mobile game performance from titles released during this fiscal year, as well as their high expenses on console games.

See also:

15 best RPGs for Android

February 24, 2016

Regardless, things seem to be looking up for the mobile segment (Digital Entertainment). This section saw a 30.1% increase year-over-year, with sales reaching $748.5 million. This is said to be in big part thanks to mobile games such as Mobius Final Fantasy, Final Fantasy Brave Exvius, Hoshi no Dragon Quest and Grimms Notes

Square Enix is placing its bets on large console games to come, as well as some mobile titles like Guardian Codex, Dissidia Final Fantasy Opera Omnia and Star Ocean: anamnesis. We will have to wait and see if those can bring profits up, though.

 

from Android Authority http://www.androidauthority.com/square-enix-reports-1-02-billion-sales-mobile-games-727701/
via IFTTT

Google goes after websites that are ‘repeat offenders’ with its new Safe Browsing efforts

Google wants to make the Internet a safer place to surf, and now it will be taking those efforts in a slightly different direction. The company has revealed that the Safe Browsing warnings that it puts in front of sites that it considers malicious will expand to sites that it calls "repeat offenders".

See also:

10 best Android browsers of 2016

June 4, 2016

What does "repeat offenders" mean in this context? Google says that the label is used for websites that were found to be malicious at first but then seem to "reform". They no longer seemed to pose a threat to the web surfing public, so Google removed the site warnings, only to have those same websites begin their malicious ways once again.

Google says that activity will now be flagged by Safe Browsing, and the site will be labeled as a "Repeat Offender".  It adds:

Once Safe Browsing has determined that a site is a Repeat Offender, the webmaster will be unable to request additional reviews via the Search Console for 30 days, and warnings will continue to show to users. When a site is established as a Repeat Offender, the webmaster will be notified via email to their registered Search Console email address.

Google adds that the label will not be used for websites that are hacked and then get turned into malicious pages, via a third-party hacker, before being restored. It will only be used for sites which are designed specifically to attack web users.

from Android Authority http://www.androidauthority.com/google-repeat-offenders-safe-browsing-727687/
via IFTTT

Google Map Maker to be retired, but its features will be added to Google Maps

Google Map Maker, the online tool that allowed anyone to add or edit in Google Maps, is closing its doors. The company stated that it will be retired sometime in March 2017. However, its map editing features will be integrated in future versions of Google Maps.

See also:

How to use your Google Maps offline

August 10, 2016

In a forum post, Google stated:

This update will enable us to focus on providing the best editing and moderation experience within Google Maps on both desktop and on mobile. We'll continue to roll out new features to make sure you're able to do most of the things you've grown accustomed to doing in Map Maker – like edit roads – leading up to March 2017 and after.

The posted added that starting today, any edits made on Google Maps won't be available for moderation on Google Map Maker, in an effort to speed up the time for edits to be published.

Google Map Maker launched in 2008, with the idea of giving anyone a chance to edit and suggest fixes for items like roads, places and more in Google Maps. Unfortunately, the service got a bit of a black eye in 2015, when it was discovered that someone used Google Map Maker to post an image of the Android mascot urinating on an Apple logo in Google Maps, Google apologized and quickly shut down Map Makers's auto-approval and user moderation features. It brought back the service later that year, but with more curated moderation on approvals.

from Android Authority http://www.androidauthority.com/google-map-maker-retired-727681/
via IFTTT