Change to come for Google Play Store for Android tablets

Google will be revamping its Play Store for tablet users starting November 21. Tablet owners will first see “Designed for tablets” apps when they browse the top lists on their devices and those apps and games that do not meet this criteria will be labeled as “Designed for phones.”

Google is announcing this change a few weeks in advance to give developers a chance to optimize their apps for tablets. If you’re an Android developer, you can check the Tablet App Quality Checklist to see if you meet the criteria.

Instagram update takes out option to disable auto video playback

Photo: engadget.com

Seems like those Instagram videos will keep playing in the background now. The latest update for Instagram iOS and Android have taken out the option to disable automatic video playback. Instead, the clips can now play muted and be limited to preloading on Wi-Fi. Another update for Android adds photo straightening capabilities.

Canadian Reviewer Weekly Roundup 10/05-10/11

Review: Philips Saeco Poemia Espresso Machine

Remembering Steve Jobs on the second anniversary of his death

32GB Google Nexus 7 with unlocked 4G-LTE now available for $350

Leaked manual reveals Nexus 5 details

Review: Samsung Galaxy Note 3

iTunes Radio reportedly coming to Canada in early 2014

iPad-focused Apple event geared for October 22

BlackBerry to lay off 300 Waterloo-based employees

Samsung introduces the curved smartphone with the Galaxy Round

Nikon goes to the extreme with 1 AW1 camera

Is an 18k smartphone golding too far?

Nokia World is happening in Abu Dhabi on October 22

Twitter outs tablet-optimized Android app, first roll out to Samsung slates

Google Canada launches nationwide ‘Doodle 4 Google’ contest for students

Canadian K-12 students are invited to join the first “Doodle 4 Google Canada” competition with the theme “If I could invent anything, I would invent…” The national winner will have their doodle featured for a day on Google.ca homepage, be part of a Doodle exhibit at the Royal Ontario Museum in March 2014, and receive a $10,000 scholarship plus a $10,000 grant for their school.

Entries are now being accepted until Dec. 31. Regional finalists will be picked and will receive a trip to Toronto where the top five regional winners and overall winner will be announced at the special Doodle exhibition. For more information about the contest, check out the Doodle 4 Google Canada site.