Deal: Try Google Play Music and YouTube Red free for four months

Normally, a premium subscription to Google Play Music is $9.99 per month. If you haven't tried it yet, Google is offering you the chance to access it free for four months. The better news that this also comes with access to the YouTube Red service as well.

See also:

Best music player apps for Android

June 4, 2016

Here's the breakdown for what you get with this deal. In addition to the already free features on Google Play Music, such as listening to tunes, uploading up to 50,000 of your own songs and access to podcasts and radio stations, the normally $9.99 a month subscription fee offers access to 35 million songs, ad-free, along with downloading songs to play them offline. The YouTube Red service that comes with it eliminates all ads from the video service, along with background audio support, a way to play videos offline and access to original video content available nowhere else.

Again, this four-month free trial offer is for new customers only. After the trial is over, you can continue to access both services for $9.99 per month (plus tax), or you can simply cancel ahead of time and you will still get that free four months of premium music and video. It's pretty much a "win-win", especially if you want to eliminate all those annoying video ads at the beginning of most YouTube videos.

Get the offer at Google Play Music

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(Update: Final 7.1 preview rolls out) Android Nougat update: when will you get it?

Update, November 22: The second and final Android 7.1 developer preview has now rolled out for supported Nexus devices, which this time includes the Nexus 9. Meanwhile, multiple Nougat betas have been announced while some lucky device owners have already received the official Nougat update.

Google gave itself a couple of months head start on getting Nougat ready by releasing the first beta release on March 9. But it also gave app developers and manufacturers an even earlier look at what to expect from Android 7.0 Nougat and additional time to get the update ball rolling.

When Android 7.0 landed in its final form on August 22, it was actually slightly ahead of schedule. But that now leaves us with the question: when will Nougat hit our devices? The answer to this varies wildly depending on the OEM in question, so head to your OEM section below for our estimated arrival date.

Latest Android Nougat news

On November 22, the second and final Android 7.1 Nougat developer preview rolled out for the Nexus 6P, Nexus 5X, Pixel C and Nexus 9. There was nothing really new in the builds other than "near-final system behaviors and UI". The public release of Android 7.1 Nougat is due in early December.

As always, you can find factory images and over-the-air (OTA) images on the Android Developers blog:

• Android 7.1 Developer Preview factory images
• Android 7.1 Developer Preview OTA images

If you've never flashed a factory image, you can follow our guide here.

See also:

Android Nougat: all the features you need to know

October 21, 2016

On November 20, the Sprint LG G5 became the first major flagship to receive the official update to Android 7.0 Nougat.

On October 19, the first developer preview of Android 7.1 Nougat went out for the Nexus 6P, Nexus 5X and Pixel C, after being teased on the Android Developer's blog in early October.

Android 7.0 Nougat formally arrived on August 22nd. The first official version of Nougat didn't bring anything notably different from the final Android 7.0 developer preview, although a ton of bugs were squashed in order to bring the most stable experience possible.

Nexus Nougat update situation

While the new Google Pixel phones ran Android 7.1 out of the box – along with several Pixel-only features – Android 7.1 will be coming to supported devices in its final version in "early December".

The phones getting the Android 7.1 update at that time include the Nexus 6, Nexus 5X, Nexus 6P, Nexus 9, Nexus Player, Pixel C and supported Android One devices. Developer preview builds of Android 7.1 began rolling out on October 19 with the final preview arriving on November 22.

As always, the beta program is the easiest method for getting the latest and greatest Android version as quickly as possible via OTA, but you can also flash the factory images if you're not in the beta program (see links above).

On August 22nd, Android 7.0 OTAs began for the Nexus 6, Nexus 5X, Nexus 6P, Nexus 9, Nexus Player, Pixel C and General Mobile 4G (Android One). The Nexus 5 did not join in on the fun, though that's of little surprise considering Google's usual device update support patterns. The factory images can be found here.

Android 7.0 update: when will I get it?

Samsung Android 7.0 update

Even though Samsung isn't exactly speedy when it comes to rolling out Android updates, there's at least some good news where the Samsung Android 7.0 update is concerned.

The first Galaxy beta Nougat firmware arrived for the Galaxy S7 and S7 Edge on November 9 for U.S., UK and South Korean participants, with a second build coming soon. When the final release will arrive we can't yet say but Samsung has said the program will run until mid-December.

For reference, there was a five-month timeframe between the Android 6.0 launch on September 29, 2015 and the first U.S. update to Marshmallow with the Verizon Galaxy Note 5 on March 3, 2016. Using that as a benchmark, Galaxy owners could easily be waiting until some time in January 2017 for the first Samsung Android 7.0 update.

Following the Note 7 recall, however, Samsung might try to get Nougat out for the Galaxy S7 and S7 Edge before the end of the year with the Note 5, Galaxy Tab S2, Galaxy S6, S6 Edge and S6 Edge+ after them. The Note 5 and Tab S2 update is currently underway and an S6 running Nougat appeared on GFXBench recently.

The Galaxy S8 will arrive in early 2017 running at least Android 7.0 and maybe even Android 7.1 out of the box.

Best case scenario: 5 months after Android 7.0 launch (January 2017)

LG Android 7.0 update

With Android Nougat, LG took just 78 days to update its first device to Android 7.0 (the South Korean LG G5 on November 8) – the fastest of all OEMs. In the U.S., the Sprint LG G5 got Nougat on November 20, making the LG G5 the first major U.S. flagship to receive the official Android Nougat update as well.

LG was pretty good with its update speed for Marshmallow too, with less than two months separating the release of Android 6.0 and the first LG handset to receive it (the Sprint LG G4 on December 21, 2015).

In fact, LG was the first OEM to get a carrier-based Marshmallow update out after Google. The LG V10 eventually got the update internationally in early March 2016, after the LG G3 and LG G Stylo already had Marshmallow in the U.S..

Of course, the LG V20 had the honor of being the first phone to arrive with Android 7.0 out of the box, beating even the Nexus range to the punch (much to the irritation of Nexus owners everywhere).

Best case scenario: 2 months after Android 7.0 release (November 2016) – CONFIRMED

Sony Android 7.0 update

This year, certain Sony Xperia owners were treated to an Android N preview build just as they were last year with Android M. Sony's Nougat Concept rolled out on November 1 for the Xperia X Performance. Then, on November 21, the Xperia X assumed the top spot for future Sony Concept builds, and received the latest beta from Sony on that date.

However, for those of you not interested in installing a non-final developer version, the official Sony Android 7.0 update has already been confirmed for the Xperia X, XA, XA Ultra, X Performance, XZ, X Compact, Z5, Z5 Compact, Z5 Premium, Z3+ and Z4 Tablet.

The exact date for the first Sony Nougat update is less certain though. If we look at Sony's efforts with Marshmallow last year, our predictions aren't very optimistic.

Based on the Xperia Z5 series, Z4 Tablet and Xperia Z3+ all getting the Marshmallow update five months after Google first pushed it out, we wouldn't expect any Xperias to see Nougat until mid-January 2017. Sony has undergone some pretty serious changes internally in the last year though, so let's just hope Sony is aiming to up its game with the Nougat rollout.

Best case scenario: 5 months after Android 7.0 release (January 2017)

Motorola Android 7.0 update

For a little while it looked like Motorola had toppled LG as the first OEM to get a new Android version out, but reports of an October 21 release for the Moto G4 and Moto G4 Plus in India turned out not to be the case.

Moto owners had to wait almost another whole month to see the first official Nougat update, with the Verizon Moto Z and Moto Z Force getting the update on November 18. Motorola ultimately took 88 days to get Nougat out for its first devices.

Looking at Moto's past efforts, the Moto X Style got Marshmallow first, on November 12, 2015 and the Moto X Pure Edition got the first U.S. Moto update to Marshmallow on December 7, 2015. Marshmallow arrived from Google on October 5, 2015, but most Moto devices had to wait at least two months to get Marshmallow.

Lenovo has confirmed a list of devices confirmed to get Android Nougat and we know the new near-stock Moto devices will receive both the Android N and Android O releases.

Best case scenario: 2 months after Android 7.0 arrives (October 2016) – DELAYED

HTC Android 7.0 update

HTC developer @LlabTooFeR has claimed the HTC Nougat update is scheduled for late-November for the HTC 10. The developer later posted screenshots of Nougat on the HTC 10, claiming it was stable and almost ready.

As you may recall, HTC did pretty well with its first update to Marshmallow. The unlocked Developer Edition HTC One M9 and all variants of the HTC One A9 got the Marshmallow update in December 2015. The HTC 10 arrived in April running Android Marshmallow out of the box and will be the first HTC device to receive Nougat.

HTC's next flagship, presumably the HTC 11, should arrive with Android 7.0 at launch (if not Android 7.1). HTC has already confirmed several devices (10, M9, A9) to be on the update train and T-Mobile has the HTC 10 and HTC One M9 on its own update list.

Best case scenario: 3 months after Android 7.0 unveiling (November 2016)

Huawei Android 7.0 update

The Huawei Mate 9 arrived recently running Android 7.0 Nougat out of the box. Huawei pulled the same "latest version" rabbit out of its hat with the Mate 8 in November 2015, which ran Marshmallow out of the box just weeks after Google released it.

Meanwhile, a beta preview of Nougat for the Huawei P9 appeared as far back as July, a whole month before Google officially released it for Nexus devices. Update news for the P9 has been suspiciously quiet ever since though, even if the P9 series along with the Nova and Nova Plus are likely to be the first Huawei phones to get updated (as opposed to arriving with Nougat).

As far as honor devices are concerned, last year, the honor 7 Enhanced Edition arrived on December 14, 2015 with Android Marshmallow on board and the honor 5X and honor 7 followed with the Marshmallow update at the end of February. The honor 8 has a Nougat beta available, but we've no information on when the official update will arrive.

Best case scenario: Mate 9 running Android 7.0 at launch (November 2016), honor updates in January 2017

OnePlus Android 7.0 update

OnePlus has promised to have a Nougat "community build" for the OnePlus 3 out by the end of November. Both the OnePlus 3 and newer OnePlus 3T are due for the official OnePlus Nougat update in December. Furthermore, OnePlus has confirmed that the OnePlus 3 will get every Android update the OnePlus 3T gets, effectively adding an extra six months to its support shelf life.

OnePlus isn't exactly renowned for its software updates, seriously dropping the ball on the OnePlus 2 and taking forever to deliver Marshmallow to the OnePlus X. With those updates coming June 5 and September 28 respectively, that equates to a full 245 days and 360 days after Google first made Marshmallow available on October 5, 2015.

Nevertheless, OnePlus has promised to get its update game in shape and has combined its software teams to streamline Android updates from here on out. Even if the Nougat update arrives on the last day of 2016, OnePlus will have shaved more than 100 days off its Marshmallow effort.

Best case scenario: 4 months after Google (December 2017)

Xiaomi Android 7.0 update

Xiaomi had a pretty bad case of the hiccups when it came to the Marshmallow update, so it may not be entirely representative to base assumptions about the Xiaomi Android 7.0 update based on its most recent update performance.

As you may remember, despite announcing Marshmallow was in the final stages of testing back in December 2015, it wasn't until early April that the Mi 4, Mi 3 and Mi Note finally got Android 6.0.

Perhaps learning from this mistake, Xiaomi hasn't made any Nougat promises this time around, but began looking for Mi 5 Nougat beta testers on November 18. With a Nougat beta starting just now, it will likely be a few months before we see the Xiaomi Nougat update rolling out.

In the worst case scenario, Xiaomi suffers similar problems with Android 7.0 and users won't see it until six months after Google releases it. In the best case scenario, Xiaomi has a successful public beta and has the update out in December 2016 or January 2017. But no matter when the update comes, we'll likely see a Xiaomi device launch with Nougat out of the box first.

Best case scenario: 4-5 months after Google (December 2016/January 2017)

Android One Android 7.0 update

Android One devices occupy a particular sweet spot when it comes to Android updates. Because they run stock Android, Google handles firmware updates, meaning the Android One Android 7.0 update will always arrive at the same time as it does for Nexus devices with both OTA and flashable factory image options.

OTAs will likely take at least a few weeks or more to reach all Android One devices getting the upgrade, and as always, the factory images will be right around the corner. Note that not all Android One devices make the initial rollout alongside Nexus devices though.

When do you expect your manufacturer and carrier to get Android 7.0 into your hands?

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Microsoft Solitaire Collection will now become a time sink on Android

If you have ever used a Windows desktop or notebook, you know that the included Solitaire game can become a massive time sink. One minute you start playing just to take your mind off things, and the next thing you know you have spent hours playing for just "one more game". Today, the Microsoft Solitaire Collection has officially made its way over to Android devices (along with iOS) for even more time wasting temptations.

See also:

Best free Android games of 2016!

2 weeks ago

Now, this new game is not the Solitaire version you may have installed on your PC if you have Windows 7 or earlier. Beginning with Windows 8, Microsoft decided to launch a free-to-play version of the game that includes ads and in-game purchases for premium features. So if you are put off by that, Microsoft Solitaire Collection may not be for you.

However, if you can get past that, the game does offer five different versions of  Solitaire to check out: Spider, Freecell, Klondike, Pyramid and Tripeaks. There are also new daily challenges to play in the game and, if you have an Xbox Live account, you can unlock new achievements and compare your score with friends on a online leaderboard. You can also continue playing a game in the middle if you switch devices and play on an iOS or Windows 10 device.

To help celebrate the launch of Microsoft Solitaire Collection on Android, the company is offering users a way to get one free month of the game's premium mode that normally costs $1.99. That will get rid of the in-game ads, along with the addition of double coin amounts for completing daily challenges and in-game boosts. The free offer will end on December 31.

Get it at Google Play

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5 things Nokia, and HMD Global, need to do for a successful 2017 Android phone launch

In September 2010, Nokia announced it had hired Stephen Elop, formerly of Microsoft. In a surprise move, he became the new CEO for the Finland-based mobile phone company. Then in February 2011, Elop announced that Nokia had signed a partnership with Microsoft to make Windows Phone its primary smartphone operating system, ahead of Nokia's own Symbian OS.

At the time, Nokia was still the biggest maker of mobile phones, but with the launch of the iPhone and the Android OS a few years earlier, the company knew that it needed to make some changes to stay competitive. Unfortunately, it hooked its saddle onto the wrong horse in this race with Windows Phone. Indeed, many people at the time questioned why Elop and Nokia didn't start creating Android phones instead.

• Nokia's new Android-powered smartphones might arrive at MWC 2017
• Nokia will rise again, says newly-appointed marketing chief

Whole books will likely be written about Nokia's fall from the mobile phone market in the future

Whole books will likely be written about Nokia's fall from the mobile phone market in the future. In short, the gamble with Windows Phone ultimately didn't work, and in September of 2013, it was announced that the company's Devices and Services division was being sold to Microsoft, which was then being run by CEO Steve Ballmer. That deal was completed in 2014, but Microsoft failed to use the resources it bought from Nokia to make a dent against the iPhone and Android phones in the smartphone market. Under its current CEO Satya Nadella, Microsoft has since laid off nearly every former Nokia employee it brought in with the company in 2014 and shut down all of its phone manufacturing facilities. As part of its deal with Microsoft, Nokia could not launch any new smartphones until at least the fourth quarter of 2016.

Just a few months before the deal for Microsoft to buy Nokia's phone division closed, Nokia did in fact launch three Android-based phones as its swan song in the phone business in early 2014: the Nokia X, X+ and XL. However, after the deal closed, Microsoft quickly shut down the Android phone lineup. In 2015, the company launched the Android-based N1 tablet, as its agreement with Microsoft did not cover tablet products.

See also:

HMD global gearing up for release of its Nokia Android phones

3 weeks ago

The name 'Nokia' continues to be one of the most well known properties in mobile phones worldwide

The Nokia brand name continues to be one of the most well known properties in mobile phones worldwide, and the company clearly wants to go back and compete with Apple, Samsung and others in the industry. Earlier this year, the company announced that it is offering its brand name and IP to a new company called HMD Global. This new company is based in Nokia's home country of Finland, and has a number of former Nokia team members on board. It will design new smartphones and tablets, and yes, they will use Android as the OS. Nokia will not be a direct investor in HMD, but it will be setting "mandatory brand requirements and performance related provisions" for the company to follow as it creates its new mobile devices. There are already some rumors about what those first phones will be like in terms of hardware, but at the moment nothing is confirmed yet, so take any of those reports with a big grain of salt.

Android-powered Nokia phones are coming in 2017

A few days ago, Nokia confirmed that smartphones with its branding will launch sometime in 2017.  It's possible that the official announcement will come at the Mobile World Congress trade show in Barcelona, Spain in February. While the name is still well known, it will take a lot of effort, and ultimately time, to take market share away from the companies that have been working on Android phones for the past few years. However, it is not impossible. Here are five things that I personally think HMD will need to do to have a successful smartphone launch in 2017.

Don't be afraid to innovate

Even though Nokia saddled itself with Windows Phone as its OS for a few years, it still made big strides in smartphone hardware and software. The Lumia 1020, with its 41MP rear camera, launched in 2013, and has yet to be surpassed in terms of megapixels for smartphones. The company also released a number of apps that were ahead of its time, including AR apps before it became a trend, and more. In short, HMD needs to offer things that no other smartphone company has yet to release, yet still make those features attractive to consumers as well. That won't be easy, but if Nokia could do it with Windows Phone, then HMD can with Android.

Release smartphones for every audience

Nokia launched Windows Phone devices that reached large audiences, ranging from the 6-inch Lumia 1520 for high-end users, to the budget-priced 4-inch Lumia 520. HMD must also offer a range of devices that will be embraced by people who just need a cheap phone all the way to customers who want to get all of the latest in hardware and software.

Ignore the tablet industry for now

The tablet industry is in a bit of a slowdown

In its announcement, HMD said it would also be designing tablets as well as phones. However, it might be a mistake to begin a launch of products with a tablet device. Frankly, the tablet industry itself is in a bit of a slowdown, as more people are embracing 2-in-1 devices like the Surface lineup from Microsoft. While we think HMD could make a great 2-in-1 tablet or notebook in the future, it's perhaps best if they hold off and concentrate on the smartphone market for its product launches in 2017.

Keep the nostalgia factor of the Nokia brand

Many people have fond memories of using a Nokia mobile phone, including listening to its classic ringtone. HMD needs to use that song and other items from the history of its partner company in new and clever ways to help promote and market its new smartphones. It will certainly help to break the Nokia name away from its Windows Phone days.

Don't even mention Microsoft or Windows Phone

There's likely still a lot of bad blood at the current incarnation of Nokia about the decision to partner with Microsoft and go all in with Windows Phone. There might be a temptation for HMD to take a few pot shots at Elop and Windows Phone when they launch their smartphone products with the Nokia brand. However, we think that would be in poor taste. It's best not to mention that part of Nokia's past at all, except to perhaps highlight some of the company's smartphone innovations that it had with its Lumia family. The names "Microsoft", "Windows Phone" and Elop should be ignored completely in the relaunch.

---

Conclusions: High hopes and expectations

The return of the Nokia name to the smartphone market will likely be one of the most anticipated in 2017, and there will likely be some high expectations from HMD to delivery. We think that it can do just that, if it can combine innovative features and a wide range of devices with the Android OS backing it up.

What do you think of the Nokia name returning to smartphones next year? Can HMD launch a series of devices that can compete with the major companies? What do you think it should do to ensure a successful rebirth of the company brand in the smartphone market? Let us know your thoughts and ideas in the comments!

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Best Black Friday Android game deals

It's Black Friday week and the deals are flooding in ahead of the big event on November 25. We've already outlined the best Black Friday tech bargains for you to throw your bucks at, but now we've rounded up some of the biggest Android games on sale too.

Below you'll find a list of currently discounted games in the Google Play Store, broken down into a number of (fairly broad) categories; we'll try to keep the list updated over the next few days as deals come and go. If you've got a Nvidia Shield, just head straight to the bottom of the page to find a bunch of discounts on Geforce NOW titles.

Adventure

• Never Alone: Ki Edition $0.99 – 80%
• LEGO Jurassic World $0.99 – 80%
• Oddworld: Munch's Oddysee $0.99 – 50%
• LEGO Harry Potter: years 1-4 $0.49 – 90%
• LEGO Harry Potter: years 5-7 $0.49 – 90%
• Lifeline: Crisis Line $0.99 – 66%
• Lifeline: Flatline $1.99 – 33%
• Anodyne $2.49 – 50%
• Chariot $2.99 – 50%
• Limbo $0.99 – 80%
• Contrast $7.99 – 20%

First-person shooter

• Modern Combat 4: Zero hour $0.99 – 85%
• DOOM 3: BFG Edition $4.99 – 50%
• Half-Life 2 $4.99 – 50%
• Half-Life 2: Episode 1 $3.99 – 50%
• Hitman: Sniper $0.99 – 80%
• Half-Life 2: Episode 2 $3.99 – 50%

Action

• République $0.99 – 66%
• Oddworld: Stranger's Wrath $0.99 – 50%
• Not a Hero $3.49 – 73%
• Mercenary Kings $4.99 – 50%
• ChargeShot $3.99 – 50%
• Gunslugs $0.99 – 50%
• Gunslugs 2 $0.99 – 50%
• Groundskeeper2 $0.99 – 50%

Sports

• Need for Speed Most Wanted $0.99 – 80%
• Riptide GP: Renegade $0.99 – 66%
• OlliOlli $3.49 – 73%
• OlliOlli 2: Welcome to Olliwood $3.99 – 73%
• Skateboard Party 3 ft. Greg Lutzka $0.99 – 50%
• Snowboard Party $0.99 – 50%
• Snowboard Party 2 $0.99 – 50%

Puzzle

• The Room Three: $0.99 – 80%
• Machinarium $2.49 – 50%
• Botanicula $2.49 – 50%
• Portal $4.99 – 50%
• Monument Valley $0.99 – 75%
• Deus Ex GO $0.99 – 80%
• Laura Croft GO $0.99 – 80%
• Hitman GO  $0.99 – 80%
• Q.U.B.E.: Directors Cut $2.99 – 50%

RPG

• Star Wars: KOTOR $2.99 – 70%
• Symphony of Eternity $0.99 – 66%
• Rusted Emeth $0.99 – 75%
• Blood of Calamity $0.99 – 75%
• Titan Souls $3.99 – 73%
• Heroes of Loot 2 $0.99 – 20%
• Blood of the Zombies $0.99 – 80%

Strategy

• Cosmonautica $1.99 – 55%
• Final Fantasy Tactics: WotL $3.99 – 71%
• Door Kickers $0.99 – 75%
• This War of Mine $2.99 – 80%
• Battlefleet Gothic: Leviathan $3.99 – 33%
• 1941 Frozen Front TV $0.99 – 50%
• HISTORY Great Battles Medieval $4.99 – 50%
• Zombie Tycoon 2: Brainhov's Revenge $1.99 – 50%
• Space Grunts $0.99 – 75%

Arcade

• PAC-MAN CE DX $2.99 – 40%
• Fist of Awesome $0.99 – 75%
• Fruit Ninja $0.99 – 50%
• Rayman Fiesta Run $0.99 – 66%
• Rayman Jungle Run $0.10 – 96%
• Luftrausers $9.99 – 50%
• Alpha Wave $1.00 – 25%
• The Jackbox Party Pack $11.99 – 50%
• The Jackbox Party Pack 2 $15.99 – 35%
• metaBall $1.00 – 25%
• Mimic Arena $3.99 – 50%
• Sky Gamblers: Storm Raiders $0.99 – 67%
• Q*Bert Rebooted: SHIELD Edition $2.49 – 60%

GeForce NOW (on sale until Nov 28)

• Day of the Tentacle Remastered $7.49 – 50%
• Dead Island Riptide: Definitive Edition $11.99 – 40%
• Dead Island: Definitive Edition $11.99 – 40%
• Deadlight: Director's Cut $9.99 – 50%
• F1 2015 $16.49 – 70%
• Grim Fandango Remastered $3.75 – 75%
• LEGO Batman 3: Beyond Gotham $14.99 – 75%
• LEGO Jurassic World $14.99 – 50%
• Homefront: The Revolution $23.99- 40%
• LEGO Marvel Super Heroes $4.99 – 75%
• LEGO Marvel's Avengers $19.99 – 50%
• Massive Chalice $4.99 – 75%
• LEGO The Hobbit $4.99 – 75%
• LEGO The Lord of the Rings $4.99 – 75%
• Mad Max $17.99 – 40%
• LEGO Star Wars: The Force Awakens $23.99 – 40%
• Metro 2033 Redux $4.99 – 75%
• Metro Last light Redux $4.99 – 75%
• Risen 3: Titan Lords $3.75 – 75%
• Sacred 3 $3.75 – 75%
• Saints Row: Gat out of Hell $3.75 – 75%

Have we missed any other great Black Friday app deals? Let us know in the comments.

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Telegram adds Instant View feature and more with latest app update

Fans of the Telegram messaging app can download a new version, 3.14, for Android in the Google Play Store. It includes a number of new features, including one that will be helpful, at least in time, for people who like to send website links to others.

See also:

10 best security apps for Android

April 19, 2016

The new feature is called Instant View, and it allows users to share links to web pages in Telegram that, when clicked or tapped, immediately show up inside the app. While that's a helpful feature, the downside is that it only works with Medium and TechCrunch links at the moment, but more support will be added soon.

In addition, the Android version got some special attention from the Telegram team. It says the new 3.14 version has a bunch of improvements that include a new interface for creating groups and selecting users in privacy settings, along with another new interface for notification settings. The app also has some improvements for passcode locks, faster camera speeds and a improved photo viewer. There's also some better video compression, and there's now an easier way to edit messages and add photo captions with the app.

In addition to the app improvements, Telegram has launched a new publishing platform called Telegraph. You can go to its official website and create articles with embedded photos and markdown, and share them with other in the Telegram app. All Telegraph links support Telegram's new Instant View feature.

Get it at Google Play

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Google Cast branding is being ditched for ‘Chromecast built-in’

Google Cast is going away, at least as a brand name.

Google has been quietly removing the term 'Google Cast' for TVs and connected speakers that work with the Chromecast streaming media device family. Instead, Google will now refer to Google Cast as "Chromecast built-in". Why the name change? It appears that Google simply wants to consolidate its streaming media branding under a more familiar name, and that might be the best thing to do. The name 'Google Cast' might cause some confusion among consumers who want to buy a TV or speaker that works with a Chromecast.

See also:

Chromecast Ultra announced: 4K video streaming, HDR and more for $69

October 4, 2016

The news was announced Tuesday on the official Google Cast Twitter account:

From Google Cast ➡ @Chromecast. New name on Twitter, same device you know, stream from and love. http://pic.twitter.com/MnWEj39GuG

— Google Chromecast (@Chromecast) November 22, 2016

This name change shouldn't come as a huge shock, as the official Google Cast app already got a name change to Google Home a few weeks ago, just before the connected speaker with the same name was first announced. All of these name changes might be a bit difficult to keep up with for now, but it'll likely cause much less confusion in the future for consumers.

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