If you are unfamiliar with Samsung TecTiles, allow us to introduce you to these cool programmable tiles. TecTiles are small, programmable tiles that can be programmed via your smartphone to perform a variety of simple tasks, from turning on your WiFi to making sure your phone’s alarm goes off. You can even stick them on the back of your business card, so that you can easily easily transfer your contact information onto a colleague's or friends Samsung NFC-enabled device.

So what can you expect from this new version? Much the same stuff that you could find with the original, with some additional tasks. You can now program tiles to change your phone’s settings such as brightening your screen or turning up/down the volume of your handset among others. This can be helpful if you have specific modes you want for your phone in various situations. You may want the ringer on vibrate while at work, you may want it to be on full volume at home. When in the car, you’ll want it paired with your Bluetooth earpiece. Instead of rifling through the various settings each time, just hover over a tile and you’re good to go.

Restaurants and Hotels can also take advantage of TecTiles by placing them at the hostess stand, or the front desk, and guests can just wave their phone over it to check-in, whether on Foursquare or Facebook. Following a business on Twitter was never easier either. TecTiles are available in packs of five for about $15 each, and are currently only available on Samsung.com. The tiles will roll out to other retailers starting next month.

Via: Samsung

Not only is Samsung gobbling up 95 percent of the global profits from Android, they are well on their way to setting an all time high sales record with their Galaxy S4. Despite having been on sale for less than a month, CEO JK Shin reports that the handset will reach the 10 million mark very soon. Speaking at a conference in Seoul, South Korea, Shin told reporters, “We are confident that we will pass more than 10 million sales of the S4 next week. It is selling much faster than the Galaxy S3." This is quite astounding seeing that it took the Galaxy S3 two (2) months to reach 10 million sales (which is very impressive), and the Galaxy S2 took almost five (5) months to do the same.

A report earlier this year showed Samsung had ordered enough components to build 10 million Galaxy S4 phones per month. Perhaps they may have knew a thing or two about the popularity of this device before it hit consumers hands , or it just all may be coincidence. Regardless, the early success is quite a feat. Congratulations Samsung on a job well done.

Via: Digital Trends

If you thought nothing about Google TV was going on at Google I/O this year you are mistaken. Although they didn't mention anything specific to Google TV during the keynote, since then they announced some cool new things for the service. First, Google is now sending out the latest Android 4.2.2/Jelly Bean to Google TV. This is a welcome upgrade and should get GTV users excited. Additionally, they are also sending out the latest version of Chrome as well. Now browsing on your Google TV should be even faster than before.

That's not all. Google also announced they plan to bring updates to Google TV on a much more timely basis, specifically stating “weeks rather than months.” Here's a quote below from the Google TV developer's blog G+ account with all the details,

Over the past few months Google TV has gathered momentum by launching powerful features for our users such as the highest quality voice search of any TV product and strong manufacturer adoption of the platform. At Google I/O, it’s time to talk about developers and enabling them to bring more great experiences to TV.

Today, Google TV is moving to the latest version of Android (Jelly Bean, 4.2.2), and we’ve refactored Google TV so that our TV OEM partners can update to future versions of Android in a matter of weeks rather than months. For developers, this means you can build TV experiences using the latest Android APIs, including the NDK.

Today Google TV is also moving to the latest version of Chrome, and from now on Google TV benefits from Chrome updates on the same six week cycle that you’ve come to expect from Chrome. In Chrome on Google TV, we’ve added support for hardware-based content protection, enabling developers to provide premium TV content in HD within their web apps.

Google TV-powered devices in market will start to receive updates in the coming months, and we expect to see new devices launched later this year. If you are attending Google IO, please check out the “Android: As seen on TV!” session and stop by the Google TV Developer Sandbox area.
https://developers.google.com/tv/

LG has already updated some of their new Google TV equipped LG HDTVs with the newest Android 4.2.2 version. Above is a video of the TV with the new update.

Source: Google TV Developer's Blog Google+

For some, the Google I/O 2013 Keynote was as remarkable for what was not included as what was included. Many were hoping to catch a glimpse of a new Nexus 7 product, or maybe Android 4.3 which we have been hearing rumors about. Sadly, that didn't happen, (unless you indirectly consider the new SGS4 GE to be a pseudo-Nexus device release). However, there is some new info suggesting we will still see both a Nexus 7 and Android 4.3 before the end of the summer.

The latest "rumint" indicates a July time-frame for the launch of both of these. Obviously, these launches will be designed to coincide because Android 4.3 will be the OS debuted on the new Nexus 7 model refresh. There is not really much known about Android 4.3 at this time. No real features or functions have been leaked during the time we have caught glimpses of its nomenclature. The only hint we have is the next iteration of Android is likely to include the new Bluetooth 4.0 Smart Ready (also known as Bluetooth Low Energy or BLE). This will be a new Bluetooth standard which uses less power than the current standard, which will be much appreciated in the mobile world.

This hint of a feature also leads into why the speculation suggests a July time-frame for the release of Android 4.3. Google sent out a press release about the new standard, and supposedly someone at let slip during a Google I/O 2013 developer session that the new BLE will be launched in a couple of months. If you put two and two together, this indirectly confirms a July launch of a feature that will most likely be given in an incremental update like Android 4.3 would be. Of course, it's just speculation at this point, but we will keep you informed if more details emerge.

Source: AndroidAuthority

Here's a Google Glass double story for you this morning.

First, we have some intriguing intel for Google Glass developers. It looks like Google plans to subtly tempt developers to hack Glass on purpose. According to insider sources, one of Google I/O's sessions this week will be dedicated specifically to giving developers root access to Glass, with the intent of encouraging them to create experimental applications. Despite the fact that your warranty will be voided if you gain root access to the device, Google actively wants developers to pursue this, just to see how far they can take their creative energies. ~ Technology Review

Second, we wanted to take a moment and gauge interest in Google's newest "outside the box" product. Google Glass has become a polarizing device in the media. Almost everyday we hear stories of people & groups who hate it or love it. Of course, there are also some folks who are cautiously skeptical and sitting firmly in the middle on this device. This gives us the perfect opportunity for a Thursday morning poll. Here's the gist of it below,

Are you excited by the prospect of Google Glass and think it could be a highly successful new gadget in the future?
Do you think Google Glass is a silly toy that will flop as badly as the Segway?
Or, are you not quite sure what to make of this creature yet, and want to wait until the final retail launch to offer your judgement?

Share your perspective in the poll and the thread.

It's always appreciated when a company actually pays attention to the concerns of its customers. Samsung's first response to user complaints regarding the small amount of storage space available on the Galaxy S4 was practical but a bit lackluster. Being reminded that we can always just add more storage via the microSD slot basically felt like Samsung was "passing the buck." However, it looks like Samsung still listened to these complaints and were actually working to address them in a less passive aggressive manor. Apparently they are trying to develop "further optimizations" for all the Samsung software on their device to help free up more storage space. Here's a quote with their reply,

"As one of the most advanced smartphones on the market, the Samsung Galaxy S4 uses part of its internal memory to bring our customers its innovative and unique features. We appreciate this issue being raised and we will improve our communications. Also, we are reviewing the possibility to secure more memory space through further software optimisation. Samsung is committed to listening to our customers and responding to their needs as part of our innovation process."

The other option (if you are on AT&T or T-Mobile) is to get the new $650 dollar Nexus-style Pure Android SGS4 GE. Of course, that is an expensive solution as well. Regardless, at least Samsung is working on alternatives. What do you guys think of this second response?

Source: Engadget

Amongst the plethora of new stuff Google announced at the Google I/O 2013 Keynote yesterday, one of the new services they will be offering is actually pretty exciting because of how mundane, yet useful it will be. Google plans to offer a new service soon in which you can send and/or receive money to friends directly through Google Wallet or even just through Gmail! What's really amazing about it is that if you are sending money via Google Wallet, there will be no fees at all, the transaction will be completely free. Sending through Gmail will incur a small fee, but for the added convenience it is to be expected. Here's a video above demoing the service, and a full quote from Google's blog below for more of the details,

Paying back your friends is now as simple as sending an email, whether you’re chipping in for lunch or reimbursing your roommate for your share of the rent.

Google Wallet is now integrated with Gmail, so you can quickly and securely send money to friends and family directly within Gmail -- even if they don’t have a Gmail address. It's free to send money if your bank account is linked to Google Wallet or using your Google Wallet Balance, and low fees apply to send money using your linked credit or debit card.

To send money in Gmail, hover over the attachment paperclip, click the $ icon to attach money to your message, enter the amount you wish to send, and press send.

While sending money in Gmail is currently only available on desktop, you can send money from Google Wallet at wallet.google.com from your phone or laptop. You will need to have set up Google Wallet to send and receive money, and Google Wallet Purchase Protection covers you 100% against eligible unauthorized payments.

We’re rolling out this feature over the coming months to all U.S. Gmail users over 18 years old, so keep an eye out for the $ icon in the attachment options. You can also get earlier access if your friends have the feature and send money to you.

To learn more, visit our website.

Source: GMail Blog

For any of our members who had to miss the Google I/O 2013 keynote, they made the entire 4 hour event available on YouTube. Here it is above if you have half a workday to spare now. Enjoy!

Here's an HTC on Verizon double-header. Verizon just yesterday made the HTC Droid DNA free until May 21st. To take advantage of this deal you just need to enter your email address on the promotion page, here. Verizon will then send you a promotional code to that e-mail address. After you get the code go to Verizon's website, and use the code at checkout. You will need to sign up for a new two-year activation to take advantage of the free HTC Droid DNA.

This segues into our next story, as the rumor popped up again that the HTC One will be coming to Verizon. The conclusion that this is now happening comes from putting several details together. The first piece of the puzzle is the above mentioned price change for the HTC Droid DNA, as well as the date that the promotion ends, May 21st. The second piece of the puzzle is that Verizon has a "big announcement" event they are holding on May 22nd. The third piece which finally starts to create a cohesive vision is that a new HTC device with the model ID PNO73XX just received WiFi certification on it's way to Verizon. Supposedly, the internal model number which corresponds with this ID is M7_WLV. Additionally, the model number for the AT&T HTC One is PN07120, which is very similar to this one.

All these signs together seem to suggest the rumored HTC One is finally happening. Of course, we can't be absolutely sure about this because we could all be jumping to conclusions. It's entirely possible the speculation is way off base and these puzzle pieces were not designed to fit in the same box. We will watch this closely to find out.

Source: AndroidAuthority

A few days ago, we shared a rumor that an alternate colored version of the Samsung Galaxy S4 was coming to Japan. It turns out this rumor was dead-on as someone caught the device on video "in the wild." The phone will be coming to Japan's NTT DoCoMo, although a time-frame is unknown at this time. In the video, the "bluish" SGS4 is compared to the traditional black version. Other than the altered appearance, the device is identical in features and functions to its black and white brethren.

This got us to wondering about what other colors you guys might like to see show up in your "neck of the" globe. Sound off in the forums and share your ideal color for the SGS4.

Source: PhoneArena

For weeks now we have been hearing rumors about a new Hangouts unified messaging service from Google. Today at Google I/O they made it official and shared the details,

• Hangouts combines all Google messaging services including Google Talk, Google+ Hangouts and Google Messenger
• It will be available starting Wednesday on Google Chrome OS, Android and iOS
• It can also be accessed through desktop versions of Google+ and Gmail
• Hangouts will also allow users to save text, images and videos from any of their chats conducted across all platforms
• It will also allow you to access them through Google’s cloud storage service
• Hangouts will also let users start video calls with up to 10 people at the same time

Even though Google hasn't really announced any cool new gadgets (other than the unlocked pure Android SGS4), it is obvious they have been focusing hardcore on developing better software experiences. It's sometimes easy to forget that not all major technological advances are physical objects. Software is what drives our devices to do so much, and it's developers that make this amazing stuff possible.

Source: Google I/O

Be sure to request an invite to experience the new Google Maps folks! You will receive the invite first thing in the morning according to Google.