Google outs new version of Play Services

Google recently unveiled Google Play Services 4.1 version with new features designed to help users and developers. The major update is the promise of improved battery life when using location services. Another includes better integration of Google+ sharing with improved autocomplete and suggested contacts when sharing from a Play Services app to the social network.

Google also improved turn-based multiplayer support to allow developers to develop games that supports two to eight players. The turn data of the players will be uploaded to Play Services and shared with other players. The tech company also added an optional “Connecting to Play Games” animation when signing in to help contextualize the pop-up permission dialog that will appear after. There is also a new developer preview of Google Drive API that lets developers read and write files on Google Drive and access common UI components such as save dialog and file picker. 

Microsoft partners with GoDaddy to offer Office 365 plans to small businesses

Microsoft just announced a new deal with GoDaddy to offer three different Office 365 plans geared towards small business owners. The first tier is priced at $3.99 per user each month for 2GB space on SkyDrive and 5GB email storage. The second tier is priced at $8.99 per user each month for 25GB storage on SkyDrive and 50GB email storage. And the third tier is priced at $12.49 per user each month for complete access to Office 365 and its desktop apps for up to five PCs and Macs as well as access to mobile apps for Windows Phone, iOS, and Android.

While the first tier is only $1 cheaper than Microsoft’s plans, the difference of the mid-level and top-level plans of GoDaddy’s plans against Microsoft’s are evident at $12.50 for the second tier and $15 for the third tier per user each month. GoDaddy users in Canada and the US will be the ones who gain first access to the plans, while other countries will be offered the new plans within the next three months. The plans all come with live customer support.

Source: The Verge

Review: Asus MeMO Pad 8

Text and photos by Gadjo Cardenas Sevilla

The 8-inch tablet market is exploding right now with various Android and Windows 8 models competing with the iPad mini. Asus has been successful with its 7-inch Android tablets, specially its Nexus 7 device which has been a huge hit. How does their 8-inch Asus MeMO Pad device fare? We take a look.

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SlideShow: Asus VivoTab Note 8 from CES 2014

We expect to see more Intel Atom-powered 8-inch Windows 8.1 tablets coming to market this year. Here's Asus' take on this new genre of tablet plus some of the accessories that set it apart from the competition. How do you like it? Is a Windows 8.1 tablet in your future?

Photos by Alex Davies