Google wants to expand your horizons with Explore button in Maps

Google wants you to be a bit more adventurous the next time you travel or you’re out about town. Google Maps is getting an “Explore” button that shows up at the bottom right corner of the app (perhaps beside the location/compass button). This feature will show you new places to check out in the area. Aside from your location, it also takes the time of day in consideration when recommending places to you (so you won’t get a new bar’s location in the middle of the day).

Explore can also be used when you’re planning a trip to another city or country to find spots worthy of checking out. To get this feature, you would need to be signed in with location reporting and history. You just have to wait a bit for Google to throw the update to you.

 Source: Droid Life  

A 5.9-inch Google- and Motorola-made Nexus is on its way?

If this new rumour is to be believed, it would seem we would be getting something Google fans have been waiting for: a bigger Nexus device made by Google and Motorola. Codenamed “Shamu” the 5.9-inch device will reportedly come with a fingerprint sensor and have a November release. It is tipped to be carried by several US carriers and other unspecified carriers around the world. Shamu is said to be running on a Google-based kernel, which is typically only used by Nexus devices. We’re not sure about the veracity of the rumour but it’s something we would want to hear more about if it is true.

Source: Android Headlines

Windows Phone to support bigger devices and smart cases

Windows Phone 8.1 is on its way to add more functionality and features to its platform with an upcoming update. Microsoft has posted developer documents for Windows Phone 8.1 GDR1, a tweak that fills in the gaps for any hardware or software discrepancies. The new update will let manufacturers produce devices with larger screens as it will support 1280x768 resolution for screens as large as 7 inches or 1280x800 for bigger devices with software navigation buttons. The upgrade will also let manufacturers create smart cases ala HTC’s Dot View or LG’s QuickCircle cases.

Other minor updates include higher-quality Bluetooth music with aptX, manufacturer-defined custom lock screens, and high-quality voice over LTE. There is no word yet when this update will arrive but we’d keep an eye out for any updates.

Source: Engadget

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