Android Police

Out with the old and in with the new. That's just about the best way to describe the latest update to the Google app for Android TV. Version 2.0 doesn't seem to bring much in the way of features, but what it lacks in functional changes is more than made up for with visuals. Basically everything having to do with a search interface looks at least a little different, if not completely. If you're eager to try it out for yourself, there's an APK Mirror link at the bottom. Otherwise, take a gander at a few screenshots below. What's New New microphone –  Left:  old version,  Right:  new version. Say goodbye to the floating blue microphone icon – it has been replaced by the multi-color microphone from Google's recent rebranding. New keyboard icon to replace the search bar. If you arrow up to the microphone, a keyboard icon now appears next to it. Select it and you can use a keyboard to perform a search. This is functionally identical to the ol...

It seemed a little odd that Google's first-party extended warranty program, Nexus Protect, didn't work with Google's own MVNO effort, Project Fi, when it was announced. New buyers of the Nexus 5X and Nexus 6P could apply the Nexus Protect warranty to their phones if they bought them from the Google Store, but not through the Project Fi site. Now it looks like that lack of synergy has been rectified: Nexus Protect is available with new phone purchases from Fi. The terms are a bit different for the Fi version of Nexus Protect. Device protection covering accidental damage (including broken screens) and mechanical breakdowns past the standard manufacturer warranty costs $5 a month. If you need a repair or a replacement, the deductible is $99 for the Nexus 6P and $69 for the Nexus 5X. Nexus Protect from the Google Store costs $69/89 for the two phones and includes coverage for two years, but since the Fi version is a monthly charge, presumably it will continue to c...

Apple and Sonos aren't BFFs just yet, but they're working on it. Today is December 15th, and as promised, beta Apple Music support has arrived. The news is visible in black and white in the changelog that accompanies the latest app update. What's New: Be among the first to enjoy Apple Music on Sonos. This update introduces support for the beta of Apple Music on Sonos. In addition to Apple Music support, this update includes performance enhancements for various music services. Before you get too excited, you don't get to just use Apple Music with Sonos. You have to ask nicely first. You can do that by  going to the Sonos website  and letting the folks know you're interested.

Google bundles Chrome with Android, but what about that  other  browser? Firefox has gotten pretty good these days, assuming you don't need deep integration with your Google stuff. The stable version of Firefox is getting an update today with the usual collection of tweaks and additions. Maybe it's time to give it another look.     Here's the changelog for v43. NEW-  Users can now mark read/unread state of items in  reading list panel NEW-  Tab audio indicator  displays in tab list NEW-  Accessibility improvements  for scrolling, zooming, braille, and context menus in Talkback screen reader NEW-  New split pane styling for History panel on tablets in landscape mode NEW-  Updated toolbar menu to match latest Android UI designs NEW-  Improved  API support for m4v  video playback NEW-  Include URL when sharing selected text  from web page FIXED-  Various  security fixes ...

Google Play Books is one of the best apps available on Android for reading books, but sometimes the app can be annoying to use late at night. This is why Google today introducedan update to Play Books that brings along with it a new Night Light feature, which will make reading your favorite stories at night much easier on the eyes. When the Night Light feature is turned on, the app will gradually filter blue light from your screen and replace it with a warm, amber light as the sun sets. The feature will automatically adapt to the amount of natural sunlight outside based on the time of day, which will allow you to read the text on your screen in just the right brightness and temperature. 4 Turning on the feature is easy, too. Just update your Google Play Books app to the latest version, open a book, and enable Night Light by tapping on the pop up. After it’s been turned on, Night Light will stay on and continue to adjust for the perfect setting. Night Light is...

Google is giving Android Pay users a little extra spending cash for the holidays. From now until Thursday, December 31st, Google will send you a $20 Best Buy e-gift card when you use Android Pay on your Nexus device. To be eligible for the promotion, all you need to do is use Android Pay to buy something with your Nexus 4, Nexus 5, Nexus 6, Nexus 5X, Nexus 6P, Nexus 7 or Nexus 9. It doesn’t matter how much you spend or where you spend it, just that you go out in the wild and use Android Pay. Pretty great, right? Google says the promotion is valid until the 31st of December, or while supplies last, whichever occurs first. It’s also only available in the United States. After using Android Pay, Google will add a $20 Best Buy e-gift card into your Android Pay application sometime before January 31st, 2016, so be on the lookout for that to arrive. Normally when we see promotions like this it’s extremely limited and only available to a small subset of people. But...