NFC Expands its Reach, Google Wallet Now Accepted at Bay Area Gap Stores

A pair of fresh chinos? V-neck sweater? Paying for them with a single tap of your smartphone? Yuppies of the world with NFC-enabled handsets and Google Wallet now have the luxury thanks to Gap Inc. signing on as the latest partner in Google’s push for widespread adoption of mobile payments. More than 65 Gap, Old Navy, and Banana Republic stores (including outlet locations) in the San Francisco Bay Area are now equipped to start processing payments through Google Wallet.
Google’s efforts have mostly been centered around the tech-centric region near their home base as they continue to roll out single-tap payments in conjunction with merchants. The hope is that these test markets will show enough promise to warrant rolling out the technology on a more widespread basis. You can check out a map of Gap stores accepting Google Wallet and more at the announcement link below.
[via Gap]

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Google may tests out cable TV service in Kansas City

Google’s no stranger to disruptive technology, but so far, Google TV has failed to make a dent in the set-top box market. Google may be aiming to change that with a new approach: don’t replace the cable box, replace the cable company. The Wall Street Journal is reporting that the search giant is investigating the possibility of bringing cable TV services to customers of its upcoming fiber service in Kansas City, Missouri, bringing both super-fast Internet and Google-branded TV to its lucky residents.

You’ll remember that Kansas City was selected as the recipient of Google Fiber, an experimental fiber network that will deliver blazing broadband speeds at a fraction of the cost of current providers. Very little has been heard about the service since Kansas City was announced as the recipient. Cable services, either via an IPTV system or traditional methods, would not be beyond Google’s reach. And with Kansas City already serving as a testing area for Google-branded services, rolling out cable TV would be a very easy addition.
Part of the reason for this could be Google’s frustration over the Google TV platform. Just last week Logitech announced plans to abandon its Revue device after staggering profit losses, and there are still a large amount of cable providers that will not support Google TV. Perhaps Google is tired of trying to change things from the bottom and is hoping to compete directly with cable and satellite providers, many of which also provide “high speed” Internet. With YouTube adding movie rentals and original content, a delivery system than consumers are already comfortable with would seem like a nice fit.
A Google representative would not comment on television plans when contacted. Google’s fiber service is set to go live in Kansas City next year. We’ll be keeping an eye out for the possibility of a new kind of Google TV.
[via GTV Source]
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T-Mobile joins the Google Music Event Wednesday, Live music and more

We’ve just learned that a few invites are going around to join what appears to be an after-party of the Google Music event set for Wednesday. As if the title “These Go to Eleven” from Spinal Tap didn’t give anything away, the invite from T-Mobile does. Mentioning live performances from Drake, Maroon 5, Busta Rhymes and more. If you weren’t convinced this was a musical event, you should be now.

This instantly makes me wonder a few things. Why would T-Mobile be so involved with a Google Music event, wouldn’t that be all Google? Unless maybe they are pushing it to T-Mobile devices first but I can’t see that happening when this should be a Android wide release. Google did this with Google Wallet, so it’s possible, but doubtful. Second if you look the event is actually being pushed by BNC and not T-Mobile. I was immediately hoping that Google would announce their new Google Music Store that we saw earlier today, and then T-Mobile would pop on stage and show off the T-Mobile Galaxy Nexus. Sadly that doesn’t appear to be the case. We can dream right?
While many are thinking we may see some sort of product announcement from T-Mobile, I don’t think this is the case. Instead T-Mobile appears to be sponsoring the after party. Either way we now know this is indeed an event all about music and the Google Music Store is about to get very real. Stay tuned for more details as we’ll have all the information as the event unfolds.

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Google Music Store Market screenshots leak, Free song of the Day and more

Users in the world of Android have been waiting for a full on music solution for what seems like ages, but come this Wednesday that might be exactly what we all finally get. We’ve just received some leaked screenshots showing a Google Music store in the Android Market, just like Movies and Books. The screenshots appear to be an early build or at least similar to what we can expect Google to announce at the “These Go to Eleven” press event this Wednesday.

Looking at the provided screenshots the store might not be fully functional yet but most likely it will be soon, or even launch on Wednesday to go along with the Google event. A few things worth nothing is the Free Song of the Day screenshots. It appears they’ll be taking a similar approach as Amazon has done with Apps for Music in hopes to boost action. This could also be an amazing way for new artists to be seen by the millions and millions of Android phone users. We are also seeing a recommended artist list as well as similar artists. So far I really like what we’ve just seen.
Earlier we heard a few reports that Google was struggling to get all record labels on board, just as iTunes did during the early stages and that it will launch without all four major record labels. Sony and Warner being two big ones missing. Glancing over the screenshots Google might have actually secured deals with all four. Giving the Google Music store an even better position to succeed. Looking at the screenshots we see plenty of Shakira who is signed to Sony (among others), and even Green Day who is signed with Reprise, a subsidiary of Warner Music. Maybe these deals are still being worked out, and the possibility of those song not being available from Sony or Warner is still possible until a deal is made. We won’t know until Google Music is officially launched. Stay tuned on Wednesday for full details.
[via Androinica]

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Google butts heads with the RIAA over MP3 Music Download Pro

MP3 Music Download Pro, currently sitting pretty at #4 in the US Android Market’s Free Apps sales list. This is a bit of a thorn on the side of the Reichstag Recording Industry Association of America, because in the right light, taking all things into account, calling a spade a spade and generally telling it like it is… it’s a piracy app. When asked to remove it from the Market, Google refused, stating that the application could be used to download legal music as well.

The defense is often used for controversial technologies, most notably BitTorrent listings and clients. The app does a modified Google search for an artist, song or album, then downloads MP3 files it finds sitting in mostly abandoned or unpublished directories across the web. The app itself is free, but developer Yu Liu makes money off of the ads served therein. And considering that MP3 Music Download Pro has amassed over ten million downloads so far, there’s a considerable amount of profit being made on what is technically, for the most part at least, illegal activity.
Google’s position on the matter is interesting. Google tends to be in favor of users’ rights, and from a legal standpoint, MP3 Download Pro is only providing tools, not actually instigating theft. But on the other hand, Google has been steadfast in booting classic video game emulators and ROM search apps off of the Android Market – software that would seem to fall under the same legal loophole. Considering Google’s musical aspirations at the Spinal Tap event later this week, not to mention rumors of a seriously deficient music store launch, they may want to reconsider their position.

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Google Music set to launch without Sony or Warner songs

The long-awaited Google Music service should arrive later this week at Google’s Spinal Tap-inspired event, but if Cnet is to be believed, it’ll launch without two of the biggest players in the US music industry. Sony and Warner will not be posting any of their artists on the new MP3 store, putting it at a major disadvantage to iTunes and other digital music vendors. The other two major labels, EMI and Universal, will be selling music through Google.
















According to anonymous insiders, the music labels want Google’s store to be an open experience available to anyone, whereas Google wants to make it an Android-only experience, likely rolling it into their existing Google Music app and selling songs through the Android Market. There are obviously some conflicting agendas here – music companies want as many customers on as many devices as possible, while Google is looking for a competitive advantage, or at least an alternative. Apparently the difference was too much for Warner and Sony.
Music contracts, particularly when it comes to digital sales, are known to be a long and drawn-out affair. Even Apple didn’t have all the major labels available when it launched iTunes, though they joined up eventually. If Google Music or whatever the name ends up being takes off, expect large and small distributors to jump on board. But without a comprehensive library, it’s hard to see why music shoppers wouldn’t simply go somewhere else and buy MP3s from all the major labels, then load them up on an SD card. Google will have to show some impressive features, like a well-thought-out cloud strategy, to put their best foot forward.
[via SlashGear]

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Google X: What Are They Working On In Google’s Top Secret Lab?

Everyone in the tech world develops products several years out. When the products they’ve been working on so hard are about to launch, they stay incredibly secretive in hopes to bolster excitement for their unveiling. It’s a the process with which we’re all familiar. But what if you extend “several years out” to forward thinking ideas that could change the world and increase “incredibly secretive” by a magnitude of 1,000?

Then you’d have Google X.

Google X is a secret Google lab working on ultra secret projects. Nobody knows where it is. Nobody knows what’s inside. Nobody knows what they’re working on. Except the people involved, of course, otherwise that would just be weird.

The point is that Google has already revolutionized the way we live, work, and play, and they’re hard at work trying to hit their next big home run. Perhaps the difference now is that they’ve got a lot more resources with which to work. Many of the ideas are thought to be in the “conceptual” stage and they’re supposedly tackling a list of 100 “shoot for the stars” ideas. I’m betting one of them we DO know: Driveless Cars.

So YOU tell US: what projects do you think Google is working on in Google X?

[Via NYTimes]

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Galaxy Nexus Launch Dates: Nov 17th (O2 UK), Early December (Virgin Mobile / Bell)

It often seems our readers want to know one thing: when will the Samsung Galaxy Nexus launch? The sky is falling! Who cares, when does the Galaxy Nexus launch? That guy has a machine gun and is about to kill us! Okay, I’ll start running once you tell me when the Galaxy Nexus launches!
We already knew that O2 in the UK would be launching the Galaxy Nexus on November 17th, but retailers throwing their own dates into the mix sparked confusion. O2 killed that confusion over the weekend by publishing a picture of the Galaxy Nexus on G+ and then answering a launch date question with, well:


Meanwhile, Virgin Mobile (Canada) has announced to it’s customers – and everyone else’s customers craving Ice Cream Sandwich – that they’ll be able to obtain the Holy Grail get the Galaxy Nexus in early December. They’ve even got a signup page on their website:

Here is the quote directly from Virgin Mobile:

"The new Galaxy Nexus™ will be available from Virgin Mobile when it arrives in Canada in early December. Plus, only Virgin Mobile Members can get this smartphone with a no-term contract on the Virgin Mobile SuperTab™. Whether it’s with talk and text plans or the hottest data plans, Galaxy Nexus™ can be hooked up to Virgin Mobile’s full range of plans - just pick the Virgin Mobile SuperTab™ amount and plan that’s perfect for you!
"Samsung’s ongoing collaboration with Google has resulted in a next generation smartphone that has both superior functionality and a stunning user-experience," said Paul Brannen, Vice President, Mobile Communications at Samsung Electronics Canada. "The large, responsive HD SuperAMOLED screen offers users full 720p video playback on the device, and accommodates the new Android 4.0 user interface that is based on soft keys."

UPDATE: Bell didn’t want to miss out on the action and has offered their promise and sign-up page too.

Don’t you wish American carriers were as forthcoming? Looking back on the Nexus One disaster that promised the device would be “Coming Soon” to Verizon but saw it get lost in the wilderness and left to perish, I won’t be satisfied until I hear a date cemented into a press release.
Lastly, a Notion Ink support thread indicates that Android 4.0 Source Code, aka Ice Cream Sandwich, will be published on November 17th. This makes sense since it would coincide with the date of the first ICS device launches.
It’s already November 14th… the Galaxy Nexus is almost here.

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Nexus Twitter contest begins: 10 Galaxy Nexus phone giveaways in 10 days

If you want to get yourself a free Galaxy Nexus via Google, here’s your chance. The Twitter contest mentioned earlier has now been detailed by the official @GoogleNexus Twitter account, and they’ll be giving away one phone every day for ten days. You must be following the Twitter account, reply with “@googlenexus,” and live in the US, Canada, UK, Australia, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Japan, Netherlands, Singapore, Spain, or South Korea to be eligible.

As in previous Nexus competitions, entrants will have to answer either a puzzle, a photo challenge or an essay question. Puzzles should be answered as soon as possible if you want to win, since they’re first-come, first-served, but other winners will be chosen by Google judges. You may only enter once for each day, and multiple entries may disqualify you. The first question will be posted tomorrow at 9:00 AM Pacific Standard Time, with the following days at these times, also PST:
November 12, 2011 9:00 AM
November 13, 2011 3:00 AM
November 14, 2011 3:00 PM
November 15, 2011 12:01 AM
November 16, 2011 9:00 PM
November 17, 2011 12:01 PM
November 18, 2011 6:00 AM
November 19, 2011 9:00 AM
November 20, 2011 6:00 PM
November 21, 2011 3:00 PM
Google didn’t mention whether they’d be sending out Verizon phones only in the US, or whether international unlocked or HSPA+ versions would be available. OF course, since we still don’t know when Verizon is planning the Galaxy Nexus launch, winners might get their phones well before anyone else in the US. Puzzle answers should be awarded fairly quickly, but essay and photo challenges may take some time – a full list of winners will be announced on December 5th. You can read the full rules here.

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Google set to start the next Google Nexus giveaway

In case you’ve missed it or aren’t following along, today is a great day for Android fans to start following @GoogleNexus and @Android on Twitter. It appears Google is about to start the next giveaway for the Galaxy Nexus. While you’re at it you might as well follow @Androids too. They have just tweeted that we should all stay tuned to learn how we can win our own tasty treat.

If you’ve ever followed @GoogleNexus you’ll know they’ve done this for every Nexus device released starting with the Nexus One. With puzzles and all sorts of different tasks the world of Twitter (and now Google+) can win their very own Samsung Galaxy Nexus.
No details just yet, but I must warn you guys that Google makes us work and work hard for their giveaways. Like I mentioned above we can expect to see some riddles, math equations and a few different puzzles that surely wont be easy. At least we have a chance to win though right? Again, make sure you’re following @GoogleNexus for the latest tweets.

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Schmidt: we’ll support Android partners in lawsuits

Google exec Eric Schmidt has been partying hard (and presumably doing some work too) in Asia this week. We’ve had some great quotes, including the claim that Motorola won’t be favoured, the assertion that Android preceded the iPhone (technically sort of true), and some waffle about Siri affecting the way we searchonline.

Now, during a stint in Taiwan, Schmidt has been reiterating Google’s support for its Android partners in the war against Apple.

Of course, Taiwan is home to one of the most prolific Android handset manufacturers, namely HTC. It’s well into double figures this year alone. Encroyable.

"We tell our partners, including the ones here in Taiwan, we will support them," Schmidt revealed. "For example, we have been supporting HTC in its dispute with Apple because we think that the Apple thing is not correct."

Earlier this week, Schmidt responded to the late Steve Jobs’ claim (via his biography) that Google had “f**king ripped off the iPhone”, saying: “I think most people would agree that Google is a great innovator and I would also point out that the Android effort started before the iPhone effort."

Yeah, it might’ve started before, but it’s a question of how Android evolved to compete with iOS. There’s no denying the similarities.

Anyway, that’s for a series of judges across the globe to decide; I'm merely a lowly commentator.

via: PC Pro

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Google talks Roboto design decisions for ICS

Along with the talks of the new Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich OS came chats about the devices that would get the update, such as the Galaxy Nexus, and chats about a new typeface of all things. Google opted for a new typeface with ICS that is dubbed Roboto. The name left geeks everywhere with Styx running through their heads, but Google had a reason for the new typeface. Google’s Matias Duarte talked a bit about the Roboto typeface recently.

Duarte says that the Droid font face that Android has traditionally used was designed for screens with a lower pixel density than the HD screens that are common in devices today. He says that the Droid typeface struggled to give the openness and information density needed in ICS. The Google typeface gang set out to create a new typeface that would be visually appealing and take advantage of high-density screens like the Galaxy Nexus offers, and then still be legible on lower density screens like the Galaxy S.
Roboto sprang from the straight-sided grotesk fonts, though circular fonts like future were considered. The lower case letters were softened up to make them easier to read with the “e” and “g” opened up and the “a”, “c”, and “s” characters remaining closed. It’s a bit surprising to me how much effort was put into the typeface alone. The team working on the typeface is still at work extending the font to work on computers. I hope the OS is as polished as the typeface.

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Schmidt commits to “open Android”, says iPhone started late

In a visit to South Korea, Reuters reports that Google boss Eric Schmidt wanted to reassure the native home of Samsung that the company’s upcoming acquisition of Motorola wouldn’t impact its relationship with other Android manufacturers. “The Motorola deal will close and we will run it sufficiently and independently,” he said,”it will not violate the openness of Android.” Schmidt also took a moment to comment on the late Steve Jobs, whose official biography is causing much speculation on the early days of Android and the iPhone.

This isn’t the first time Google has reassured its OEM partners of its continuing neutrality in the Motorola Mobility purchase, but considering Schmidt’s audience, the repetition is understandable. Google has also committed to protecting its partners from Android-based litigation, though Motorola is the only manufacturer that has yet to sign a patent licensing agreement with Microsoft. Apple doesn’t want to deal with anyone: they’re suing Samsung, HTC and others over design patents all over the world.
Speaking on Steve Jobs’ biography, Schmidt had nothing but good things to say about the late Apple CEO. He did take a moment to get in a quick dig at the iPhone, though, noting that development on the original Android system (before Google bought the start-up company) pre-dates all known development on the iPhone. “I would also point out that the Android effort started before the iPhone effort,” said Schmidt. Technically this is true: even though the first commercial Android device wasn’t available until 2008, Andy Rubin founded the original Android, Inc. company way back in 2003. Schmidt refused to comment on the biography itself, and it’s worth noting that Schmidt served on the Board of Directors for Apple from 2006-2009, and had considerable personal interaction with Steve Jobs.
[via SlashGear]

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Google lawyer says Microsoft sues because Windows Phone 7 is failing

The war of words between Google and Microsoft has reached into the media once again, as SFGate has interviewed Google’s patent lawyer Tim Porter. Refuting the claims made by his Redmond counterpart in an earlier interview, Porter said that Microsoft is attacking Android because they feel their own product (Windows Phone 7) is marginalized and threatened. He said that while the meteoric rise of Android hasn’t been halted by Microsoft’s tactics, companies that have to worry about patent litigation can’t focus on innovation.

Harkening back to Microsoft’s previous patent litigation against Linux, Porter accused Microsoft of gaining revenue from other company’s successful products by means of the courts. That’s certainly true: estimates put Microsoft’s Android earnings at more than 400 million dollars a year, and with more than half of all Android devices made paying Microsoft in some way, that’s not likely to end soon. Porter notes that Microsoft didn’t earn a single software patent until the late 80s, after both DOS and Word were already smash hits.
Here’s the full quote:

[Aggressively chasing licensing] is a tactic that Microsoft has used in the past, with Linux, for example. When their products stop succeeding in the marketplace, when they get marginalized, as is happening now with Android, they use the large patent portfolio they’ve built up to get revenue from the success of other companies’ products

Porter stopped short of saying that software shouldn’t be patentable, a view that many are taking in response to current patent wars, but did say that the current system is broken and needs serious attention. In speaking on Microsoft’s assertion that Google doesn’t stand behind its OEM partners and left them vulnerable to IP attack (yeesh, Microsoft, ever heard of a self-fulfilling prophecy?) Porter repeated the company line that they stand behind their partners. Unfortunately, it looks like the multi-sided pantent battle between Google, Microsoft, Apple and dozens of others isn’t going to end any time soon.
[via SlashGear]

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Samsung Galaxy Nexus hidden notification LED [Video]

Who knew the Samsung Galaxy Nexus featured a multicolored notification LED hidden on the bottom chin area? We mentioned this feature back in October before the big unveiling of the Galaxy Nexus but it seems many still don’t know about it. Most hands-on coverage doesn’t mention it either so we figured a little video preview showing you what to expect would be worth a quick 25-30 second glance.

Shown in the image above is the completely hidden multicolored notification LED that is present on the Samsung Galaxy Nexus. It resides where the capacitive buttons previously called home and is completely hidden until it lights up and notifies the world. The original G1 had one, and the Nexus One featured the same idea with a multicolored notification light in the Blackberry style direction cursor ball. Sadly that notification light never received its full potential from Google but third party apps and ROM’s like CyanogenMod made it completely customizable. I had blue for texts, green for emails, red for Gmail, cyan for twitter, and white for missed calls. A few early Android phones had this feature and I wish ALL still had it, but sadly they do not.
I’m happy to report that Google is bringing back the notification LED with the Galaxy Nexus, just like we mentioned above. Below we have a very short video demonstrating just how it works (Thanks anonymous). I’m sure it will be highly customizable from Google themselves in Ice Cream Sandwich — or from third party apps and ROM’s.
Galaxy Nexus Notification LED




If you look close you can see it at 13 seconds, and again around 22. It pulses for a second or so and appears to be a nice cyan blue color similar to everything else with Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich. If this truly is completely customizable I will be one very happy camper, why turn on and check your device for that pesky Twitter notification when a simple and low power LED light can tell you instead. I truly loved having this feature on my Nexus One and would love it if more phones came with a similar option.
I don’t know about you guys but I just want this phone already. Latest rumors are saying around November 17th, or maybe the 21st so we’ll just have to wait and see. Hurry it up Verizon!

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Google Offers expands with new Android app

Google’s home-grown deal engine Google Offers is getting a mobile makeover. Google released its first official app for the service in the Android Market today, and you can download it now for free. The local-driven deal finder has been available for a while on the web and via an email list, but now you can get live updates sent directly to your phone. Keen-eyed readers will note that yet again the Ice Cream Sandwich interface makes an appearance, just like in recent updates to Google Reader and Google+.

Probably the most useful feature is the live update that appears in your status bar. It’s basically an alternative to Google Offers’ daily email, and should help some of us cut down on the volume in our Gmail accounts. Featured Offers and Recent offers are available, though it has to be said that the local listings aren’t nearly as comprehensive as Groupon or Living Social, which both offer their own local deal apps.
Upon installing, Google Offers immediately uses your location to recommend local deals. An integrated QR code reader will let you see if there’s a better price available online, and thankfully, you can disable the notifications if you want to browse deals passively. The app automatically keeps track of the offers you’ve redeemed in the “My Offers” section. Initial reviews are overwhelmingly positive, so why not give it a try – you’ve got nothing to lose but retail prices.

Related articles

• Google+ app gets an official update with ICS user interface enhancements (goandroid.co.in)

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Google Reader update brings ICS user inte

We saw a few leaked screenshots of what was claimed to be an updated Google Reader application last night that turned out to be either fake, or a bit old. Today Google has officially pushed the brand new Google Reader v1.1.1 to the Android Market complete with a new user interface and widgets that resemble 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich, and plenty of other navigation and usage improvements. While the actual interface hasn’t changed a lot, they have added swipe navigation and it works extremely well.

Along with Google Reader, Google Docs also received a very similar update that has a slightly more noticeable change to the user interface — one that closely resembles Google +. Both Google apps have received a slight makeover giving them a closer appearance to that of Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich and we have the slide to navigate through stories or documents both, as well as enhanced share options that are closer to the web versions. Then the widgets, the new widgets look great and I’m loving my Google Reader unread ticker although I still feel it moves a bit fast. We've got a few screenshots below for you guys to see what your missing if you’re not yet a Google Reader user.

Like mentioned above, the slide to navigate feature is now present in Reader v1.1.1 and it works great. It marks the stories as read and the entire swipe gesture is simple, smooth, and very fast. You get an annoying notification below (shown in the picture) but you can quickly hide that as the feature is one you wont be forgetting any time soon. A few comments on the market said stories aren’t getting checked as “read” when swiping, but everything works great for me here and so far I’m loving the new improvements.
You’ll quickly notice all of the sharing and following type options that were present before have been removed, as those features are now offered by Google+. Instead we have the familiar share icon in the top right just like recently updated Android apps and the market have featured for some time.
The widget improvements are also quite nice and work great. I’ve thrown a few on my homescreen and took a screenshot for everyone to see them in action. Like mentioned above, the new unread ticker works great but still is a bit fast and I wouldn’t mind being able to manually set the refresh time myself.
You can see all of the screenshots in the gallery below for a better idea of what to expect with the new Google Reader v1.1.1 that was just updated today. Feel free to head to the market and try both of these new apps (links below). Interesting enough, Google Docs received plenty of changes yet the change-log remains untouched in the market, but I’m sure you can see the differences yourself if you’re a daily user.
Google Reader
Google Docs

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• Google+ app gets an official update with ICS user interface enhancements (goandroid.co.in)
• Official Ice Cream Sandwich for the Nexus One won't happen, Google says (tech-gadget.co.in)
• Google TV 2.0 update coming to Sony next week, Logitech Revue later (goandroid.co.in)

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Google Wallet teams up with Sprint and Samsung to showcase service in-store

The GoAndroid first got a peek at Google Wallet back in May, and the NFC-driven wallet went live in September. And in a blog post earlier today, Keren Michelson, Product Marketing at Google Wallet, announced it was teaming up with Sprint and Samsung to embark on a roadshow to help consumers get to grips with Google Wallet ‘in situ’.
From now until January, Google will be visiting stores in the five key cities where Google Wallet is live – New York, Chicago, Washington DC, San Francisco and Los Angeles. It will set-up half-day events to demo Google Wallet and actually help customers pay for goods with the service. Participants will be motivated to take part too, as they’ll receive $10 towards their purchase when they pay using one of Samsung’s Nexus S demo phones.

Stores on the radar include Duane Reade, Jamba Juice, Walgreens, Peet’s Coffee & Tea, Foot Locker and Fat Witch Bakery, among others. Google Wallet will be in each city on the following dates:
New York: Oct. 17 – Nov. 13
Chicago: Oct. 17 – Nov. 13
Washington, DC: Nov. 15 – Dec. 12
San Francisco: Nov. 15 – Dec. 12
Los Angeles: Dec. 14 – Jan. 12
The series of events follow hot on the heels of another promo initiative Google held a few weeks back, as we reported when employees decked out in Google Wallet gear headed into stores such as Duane Reade, Toyrs R Us and Macy’s, approached customers with Android phones and pitch the Google Wallet experience whilst offering to pay for their purchases in full.

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Google TV 2.0 (Android 3.1) Reaching Sony Hardware Today

Somedays I feel like I am the only person in this world who loves Google TV. But not today. Today I can pretend everyone loves Google TV, and indeed everyone gets a second chance to fall in love. And second chances at falling in love don’t come frequently. So take advantage. If only one thing could spoil news that the Google TV 2.0 update (otherwise known as Android 3.1 for Google TV) is already arriving for some lucky owners of GTV hardware, it would be that Logitech Revue owners like me will still have to wait a few more days. Lucky dogs owning Sony’s hardware (including internet-connected TV sets and the GTV Blu-Ray player) should start seeing the update any time now, and some already have. God bless.
[via AndroidCentral]

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• Google TV 2.0 update coming to Sony next week, Logitech Revue later (goandroid.co.in)
• Google TV apps already showing up in the Android Market (goandroid.co.in)
• YouTube TV channels may appear next week (tech-gadget.co.in)

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Google TV apps already showing up in the Android Market

That didn’t take long. Just a few hours after Google’s official announcement of Google TV 2.0, apps specifically designed for integrated TVs and set-top boxes have started appearing in the web version of the Android Market. You can use this URL to check them out for yourself. There’s just 28 results when you specifically search “for Google TV”, and not all of them are true Google TV apps. The generic “Google TV” search shows thousands, most of which are just ordinary Android apps matching the search terms.

Among the confirmed Google TV apps are Twitter, CNBC, Pandora, Fox News, CNN Money, and Motor Trend. We’re expecting a version of Angry Birds designed specifically for Google TV in approximately 20-30 seconds. Naturally these apps won’t show up on the Market if you search from a phone or tablet, and likewise, Market searches made from Google TV are probably not going to show standard smartphone apps, though it’s possible that some apps could work for both platforms eventually. Google TV apps must be coded using the resources in the expanded Android SDK.

Google TV’s Honeycomb update has been officially announced, and Sony set-top boxes and TVs will be the first to get in on the action next week. The Logitech Revue will get the update “shortly” after that, though retail units are already popping up with the new software prominently featured in the packaging. We’ll have more in-depth news as the long-awaited update begins rolling out.

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