As with many gamers, I enjoy watching recorded gameplay to learn how to get past difficult levels or just listen to funny commentary. Who doesn�t love a good �Leeroy Jenkins� battle cry or a come from behind win? It�s a growing phenomenon. Every month, more than 144 billion minutes of gaming videos and live streams are watched on YouTube. Channels like VanossGaming and TobyGames are already part of mainstream culture, generating millions of views � numbers typical of famous Hollywood personalities and musicians.
Today, we�re launching a new feature on the Google Play Games app that lets you easily record and share with others your own best gaming moments from your favorite mobile games.
It�s simple. In the Play Games app, select any game you want to play, then tap the record button. You can capture your gameplay in 720p or 480p, and choose to add video of yourself and commentary via your device�s front facing camera and microphone. When you�re done recording, you can quickly edit and upload your video to YouTube.
So whether you are leading your clan to victory in Clash of Clans, munching amoebas in Agar.io, or building new worlds in Minecraft: Pocket Edition, it's never been easier to record your favorite gaming moments and share them with your friends. Gameplay recording will first rollout to US and UK users over the coming days and will be available in more countries soon after, and who knows, you might even become the next big thing on YouTube Gaming.
Posted by Duncan Curtis, Product Manager, Google Play Games
Google Play Music helps connect people with the perfect soundtrack for whatever they�re doing�whether they�re stuck in rush hour traffic, staying up late with friends or lifting weights at the gym. But what if that same technology and curation could help connect people with great podcasts based on their mood or interest�something to make them laugh, get lost in a story or learn something new? We thought that would be awesome, so we plan to start offering podcasts on Google Play Music, giving podcasters access to millions of new listeners on Android phones and tablets.
To that end, today we�re launching a portal for podcasters to start uploading their shows to Google Play Music before we open up the service to listeners. Along with direct searches and browsing for podcasts, the service will connect new listeners with podcasts based on what they�re doing, how they�re feeling, or what they�re interested in. Similar to our contextual playlists for music, this will give podcast fans and new listeners a way of finding and listening to content that�s unique to Google Play Music. Podcasters in the US can start uploading shows now at g.co/podcastportal.
We�re already working with more than a dozen of the most popular podcasters and networks to offer their shows when we open the service, including:
5by5
Dan Carlin
Dave Ramsey
Earwolf
Feral Audio
Gimlet Media
HBO
Head Gum
HowStuffWorks
Loud Speakers Network
Nerdist / Legendary
Public Radio International
Radiotopia / PRX
Sideshow Network
Slate / Panoply
StarTalk Radio
This Week in Tech
Tim Ferriss
With more than one billion people using Google Play every month, there�s always something to watch, read, listen or play. And soon, you can add podcasts to that list. We�ll have more details to share in the coming months. For now, start uploading your podcasts at g.co/podcastportal.
Posted by Elias Roman, Product Manager, Google Play Music
Today we�re starting to roll out Android 6.0 Marshmallow to Nexus users. Of course, the new Nexus 5X and 6P will ship with Android 6.0, straight from the factory. Android Marshmallow is the sweetest, smartest Android version yet: Now on Tap serves up assistance when you need it, battery-smart features keep your device going longer, and new app permissions give you even more control.
Assistance in the moment
Get help with what you need no matter which app you�re in. Now on Tap � a feature unique to Android Marshmallow � stays on task alongside you, instantly pulling up relevant info and helping you get more done. Say you receive an email about meeting a friend at the Central Park Zoo. Just tap and hold on the home button, and Now on Tap will assist you by providing links to information about the zoo, shortcuts to relevant apps and even suggest a calendar entry for the date, time and location.
A longer lasting device thanks to a smarter, more efficient battery
Improving battery life isn�t just about building a bigger battery. It�s also about improving the way your device uses the charge it has. With Android Marshmallow, we�ve added two new features which dramatically decrease your device�s thirst for power.
With Doze, Android recognizes when your device is idle and automatically goes into a deep sleep state to conserve power. To see how well it works, we took a bunch of Nexus 5s and Nexus 6s, put Lollipop on half of them and Marshmallow on the other half, and measured standby battery life. The screen-off time of these devices running Marshmallow lasted 30%* longer on average! So even if you forget to plug in your phone before bed, your phone�s alarm clock will still ring. The other new battery-conserving feature is called App Standby. This puts your seldom used apps into a reduced activity state to conserve battery for the apps you use more frequently.
More choice and control to protect your privacy
Android Marshmallow gives you the ability to customize and control which capabilities you give apps. With the new app permissions model, you pick and choose which permissions to grant apps at the time of use. Apps designed for Android Marshmallow only ask for a permission at the time it�s needed to use a feature. You can deny any permission and still continue to use the app. In addition, we�ve added new settings for permissions that allow you to turn on and off any permission, for any app, at any time.
Simplified security with your fingerprint
For fingerprint sensor enabled devices, Android Marshmallow gives you a new way to protect your device. On Marshmallow, your fingerprint is the gatekeeper to unlocking your device, authorizing transactions in the Google Play Store, signing into 3rd party apps, and zipping through checkout with Android Pay.
Set up your new device lickety-split
On Lollipop, Android made it easier to set up your new phone from your old one, migrating your apps and app data. With Android Marshmallow, you can breeze through setup on your Android TV or tablet too. Say "OK Google, set up my device" from your phone and you�ll quickly be up and running. For TV, we'll even transfer over your Wi-Fi passwords.
Coming to a device near you, starting today
Nexus 5, Nexus 6, Nexus 7 (2013), Nexus 9 and Nexus Player will get an over the air software update** to Android 6.0 Marshmallow. In addition to the new Nexus 5X and 6P, keep your eyes peeled for other new devices shipping with Android 6.0. Finally, we know many of you take your devices to work. To learn more about security and other work features in Android Marshmallow, register for the Android for Work Live online event on Nov. 4th. This is just a taste of Marshmallow but you can learn s�more on android.com/marshmallow!
Posted by Brian Rakowski, VP of Product Management, Android
*Actual battery performance will vary and depends on many factors including signal strength, network configuration, battery age, operating temperature, features selected, device settings, and voice, data, and other application usage patterns.
**The Nexus update to Android 6.0 Marshmallow occurs in stages and some carriers will receive the update later than others.
More apps for you to enjoy We can't guarantee Carrie Mathison will capture Haqqani. We�re not sure what groundbreaking global issues VICE will cover. And we can�t tell you if Sheldon and Amy will get back together.
What we do know is that you can find out for yourself with SHOWTIME�*, HBO NOW*, and CBS All Access, now available on Android TV. So go ahead and catch up on Homeland, VICE, The Big Bang Theory and hundreds of other shows from your favorite apps. Disney fans, we�ve also got you covered. Disney Movies Anywhere is now available on Android TV so you can watch your favorite Disney movies on the big screen and anywhere you go. Disney princesses not your thing? Well, with EPIX now available, you can choose from thousands of movies, concerts and comedy specials to stream right from your living room.
Fight lovers, we didn�t forget about you. Tune in to WWE and UFC, now both available on Android TV, and never miss a battle in the ring.
In addition to these apps, you can always check out the full list of over 50 premium Android TV apps available for download.
More partners joining the Android TV ecosystem Android TV is all about choice. Whether you�re looking for a new shiny Smart TV or an amazing gaming console experience, you have an abundance of options to choose from - Sony, Sharp, Razer, Nvidia. And today, we�re adding to your list of options by welcoming Hisense, TCL, and several other smart TV manufacturers to the Android TV family.
Pay TV operators can also be powered by Android TV, letting you seamlessly watch your TV service alongside all the great apps and games on Android TV. With that, we�re also excited to announce Pace, Sagemcom, Technicolor as set-top box manufacturers and KDDI and Telecom Italia as partners who will bring you their Pay TV services powered by Android TV. Now you can enjoy more ways to watch your favorite entertainment.
So, as the nights get longer and colder, you now have another reason to stay in and binge on your favorite TV shows, movies, and sports content right from your Android TV screen.
The end of summer isn't too bad after all.
Note that you may need to sign in with a subscription or participating TV provider account to access some content.
Posted by George Audi, Business Development Manager, Google Play
*SHOWTIME and HBO NOW currently supported on select Android TV devices
Mobile messaging has never been more central to people�s lives, and there is an incredible amount of innovation happening with chat applications across the mobile ecosystem. SMS carrier messaging is used by billions of people every day and enables people to reach anyone around the world, regardless of their device, carrier, app or location. However, the features available in SMS haven�t kept up with modern messaging apps. Rich Communications Services (RCS) is a new standard for carrier messaging and brings many of the features that people now expect from mobile messaging, such as group chats, high res photos and more.
Many leaders in the wireless industry have already put great work into laying the foundation for RCS, and we�ve heard from many of them that there are ways Android can help. We�re excited to team up with mobile operators, device makers and the rest of the Android ecosystem to support RCS standards and help accelerate their deployment in a more consistent way. We�re already working closely with many of our partners on implementing RCS, and look forward to growing the RCS ecosystem together.
As part of this commitment, we�re also very excited to announce that the Jibe Mobile team is joining Google to help us bring RCS to a global audience. Jibe is a leading provider of RCS services and they�ll continue helping carriers easily deploy RCS to their users. We can�t wait to work with them and build on the great work that they�ve already done.
Deploying RCS to create an even better messaging experience on Android will take time and collaboration throughout the wireless industry, but we�re excited to get started.
Posted by Mike Dodd, Android RCS Software Engineer and Minister of Messaging
From your watch to your phone to your TV, we want to help you stay connected, entertained and informed across all your screens. Today we�re introducing a few new things that do just that: two Nexus phones, a tablet for work and play, updates to Chromecast and features for some of your favorite apps�all working together to make your day a little bit easier and more fun.
New Nexus phones
We made Android to be an open platform that anyone can build on, and today there are 4,000+ Android devices in all shapes and sizes. Android�s diversity is why it�s become the most popular mobile platform in the world, and the latest version, Marshmallow, takes Android to a new level of performance.
While we love all the Android devices out there, every year we build Nexus devices to show off the latest and greatest, directly from the people who built Android. Today we�re introducing the latest Nexus treats, both running Marshmallow, sweetened by amazing apps and sandwiched by some cutting-edge hardware (see what we did there?):
Nexus 6P is the first all-metal-body Nexus phone. Built in collaboration with Huawei, this 5.7� phone is crafted from aeronautical-grade aluminum, with a USB Type-C port for fast charging, a powerful 64-bit processor, and a 12.3 MP camera sensor with massive 1.55�m pixels (hello, better photos!). The Nexus 6P starts at $499.
You�re not the only one who misses your Nexus 5. We�ve joined forces with LG to bring it back with the new Nexus 5X, which gives you great performance in a compact and light package, with a beautiful 5.2� screen and the same 12.3 MP camera and Type-C port as the Nexus 6P. Nexus 5X starts at $379.
Both phones include a new fingerprint sensor, Nexus Imprint, which gives you quick and secure access to your phone, as well as use of Android Pay (in the U.S.). They are available for pre-order on the Google Store from a number of countries, including the U.S., U.K., Ireland and Japan, and come with a free 90-day subscription to Google Play Music. In the U.S., pre-orders include a $50 Play credit to help you stock up your favorite music, apps, games and shows. And, finally, for you Project Fi fans out there, you'll be happy to know Nexus 6P and Nexus 5X will work on your favorite network. Request an invite to our Early Access Program at fi.google.com.
Pixel C
We�re expanding the Pixel family by introducing the first Android tablet built end-to-end by Google. The Pixel C brings together the benefits of a full-size keyboard with the portability of a tablet. The tablet and keyboard attach magnetically (no docking mechanism FTW), so it�s easy to switch between typing and using the touch screen. And if you�re familiar with the Chromebook Pixel, you�ll immediately see the family resemblance: the Pixel C has the same beautiful aluminum design, great display and USB Type-C port. The Pixel C will be available in time for the holidays on the Google Store.
Cast ALL the things
Today we�re introducing two new Chromecast devices. The new Chromecast has a fresh design, and is easier to plug into TVs with crowded ports. It supports the latest Wi-Fi standards and adapts more easily to changing Wi-Fi conditions in your home, so you get higher quality video with less buffering. Most importantly, we added two new colors. ;)
Chromecast Audio is a small device that plugs into your existing speakers, so you can stream your favorite music, radio and podcasts over Wi-Fi, similar to Chromecast. It works with tons of apps, including Spotify, Pandora and Google Play Music. Just like Chromecast, it works from anywhere in your home with your favorite devices, including Android, iOS, and laptops. And it�s available on the Google Store and other online retailers for just $35�way less than most Wi-Fi speakers today.
We�ve also updated the Chromecast app to make it easier for you to find great things to watch or to play, across the thousands of apps that work with Chromecast�whether you feel like browsing or want to search for a specific TV show or movie. For Cast-enabled apps that aren�t already on your phone, we�ll suggest one for you. The updated Chromecast app is rolling out on Android and iOS over the next few weeks.
Your favorite apps... for the whole family
All your shiny devices get even better when you have great apps to go with them. So we�re making a few updates to Google Play Music and Google Photos.
First, Google Play Music will offer a new family plan later this year. Up to six people will be able to use one account for a shared fee of $14.99 a month (instead of $9.99 per person). Get the dance party ready.
Sharing is a theme of today�s Google Photos updates, too. We�re adding Chromecast support to give you that old-school slideshow experience�dimmed lights optional. In the U.S., you can now add private labels to your photos to make it easier to search for specific pics of people with things, places or other people�say, that photo of Mom at the Grand Canyon, or of your daughter with her pet bunny. And soon you�ll be able to pool all your photos and videos with friends and family in one place, and get updates as soon as new photos are added. Best of all, there�s no setup involved, and you can use any device. So that dance party we mentioned earlier? Now it�s easier to gather all the memories from everyone who was there.
More to love, for more people
From Nexus to Chromecast to Pixel C to Photos, these updates are more than the sum of their parts�they unite great apps with devices that are designed to support them. They�re built to work together, so they do�seamlessly, across all your screens.
Posted by Hiroshi Lockheimer, VP Android, Chromecast and Chrome OS at Google
Last week, we announced the US rollout of Android Pay. To celebrate our launch, we�re giving one lucky winner plus three of their friends a VIP trip to Mexico City that includes four seats at the premiere of the thrilling new James Bond film, Spectre from Sony Pictures.
To qualify, just tap and pay at any of the over one million locations where Android Pay is accepted across the US between September 28 and October 15, 2015. Each day that you use Android Pay earns you one entry, and you can earn up to 18 entries during the promotional period. The grand prize winner will be drawn at random on October 19, 2015, and you can find more information by visiting the official promotional page.
To start tapping your way to the red carpet, make sure you have Android Pay on your phone. If you don't have it yet, you can download Android Pay on Google Play. Good luck, and we hope to see you on the red carpet.
Posted by Sherice Torres, Marketing Director, Android Pay
For official rules, how to enter, prize restrictions, and details, click here.
