SoftMaker Office Mobile for Android reaches Beta 3 with support for Evernote.

If you missed the previous beta of SotMaker's Office for Android, just go here to download the third beta of the app which comes with three applications: TextMaker, PlanMaker and SoftMaker Presentations. By following the above link, you'll get a free product key. If you already have the previous beta, just download the new release using these links:


TextMaker


PlanMaker


SoftMaker Presentations


According to SoftMaker's changelog, this third beta supports Evernote and some bug fixes. I haven't tried it yet  to learn more about the Evernote support. I will past back about this later.

Skype update brings start up speed and restyled messaging.

Skype latest update to its Android app some nice features. Three are actually list in the change log. Skype for Android now starts faster. I confirm that there is indeed a change in speed at start up. The second new feature is support for rotation on more devices. The change log does not specify the devices which will benefit this feature. The last change is a matter of taste. The instant messaging view has been restyled. Get the update to see for yourself.


If you haven't got Skype on your phone yet, download it on Google Play. 

Expansys-USA sells Galaxy Nexus and ships worldwide.

The online retailer, Expansys USA is also selling the Galaxy Nexus. Remember yesterday I blogged about Google selling the device on Google Play in the U.S. only. Now you have an alternative through Expansys, which not only sells the device at the same $399 as Google, but also ships worldwide.
For my fellow Mauritians reading this post, this is still a great deal. Add up shipping and customs tax you're still far below the price tag of about $800 imposed by Orange if you were to buy it locally. 
Anyway, recall that email you sent to your neglected American friend yesterday and order the Galaxy Nexus here.

Google sells Galaxy Nexus for $399 directly in Google Play.

$399 is a big deal. Like it did with the Nexus One, Google has opened a new device section in Google Play where it's selling it's flagship device, the Galaxy Nexus or Nexus three as I like to call it. Of course the device is unlocked. Unfortunately, Google is selling it in the United States only. But there is a glimmer of hope for the rest of us though as per the blog post of Google's blog:


"First available in the U.S., Galaxy Nexus costs $399 and arrives at your door unlocked...".


If you really crave for this super Google phone, either you get back in touch with that American friend you long neglected or patiently wait for Google to make the phone available worldwide.


Source: Google blog

Share your thoughts on Google+ via SMS.

It is now possible to share your thoughts on Google+ via SMS. At least for the countries listed in the link below. Sorry, Mauritius is not among them.

Click on the link to learn more and hope that Mauritius will join that list too.

http://googleindia.blogspot.in/2012/04/g-sms.html?m=1

Chrome beta for Android Updated.

An update for Chrome for Android has been published to Google Play for phones and tablets running Android 4.0 (Ice Cream Sandwich). The update supports 31 more languages. Since Chrome for Android is a Beta, Google has been listening to feedback from users and added the following features:

• You can now request the desktop version of a website, in case you would rather not view the mobile version.
• You can now add bookmarks as shortcuts on your home screen, so you can get to your favorite sites faster.
• Choose your favorite apps to handle links opened in Chrome.
• Have a proxy setup for Wi-Fi access? You can now use Chrome with the system proxy configured in Android settings.

Install Chrome for Android Beta from Google Play.

Source: http://chrome.blogspot.com/2012/04/chrome-for-android-update.html

Google+ updated to support hashtags & improved sharing.

Seems like Mountain View is in an update frenzy these days. After Google Current and Google Goggles, it is now to Google+ to receive an update that brings support for hashtags. But most importantly, the app got an improved sharing support from third party apps. As usual, Google also made some bug fixes and performance improvements.


Download Google+ on Google Play 

Google Goggles updated.

Google Goggles was updated to version 1.8 and the changelog lists the following new features:

• In Continuous Mode, the recognized objects that you tap on are now saved to your Search history.
• Barcode recognition in Continuous Mode is now twice as fast.

Don't know what Google Goggles is? Simply put, it lets you use your camera to capture an image of an object and make a search on the internet and return relevant results. You may, for example, scan the barcode of a book and get product information online. Google Goggles can do more. Check out the list of features below:

Features:

- Scan barcodes using Goggles to get product information

- Scan QR codes using Goggles to extract information

- Recognize famous landmarks

- Translate by taking a picture of foreign language text

- Add Contacts by scanning business cards or QR codes

- Scan text using Optical Character Recognition (OCR)

- Recognize paintings, books, dvd, cds, and just about any 2D image

- Solve Sudoku puzzles

If you do not use Goggles yet, download it for free on Google Play, else check out your notification bar on your phone.

Google Currents opens itself to the world.

Released in December last year in the U.S. only, Google Currents is now available internationally for Android and iOS devices. The updated version now supports 38 languages and integrates Google Translate so you can automatically translate the magazine you're reading by just pressing the globe icon.

"With our new dynamic sync feature, you’ll always have fresh content to read. As you open each edition, new content is dynamically delivered, using a minimum of your phone or tablet's battery, bandwidth and storage. Those of you who travel on planes and trains can choose which editions you would like fully packaged for offline reading, including images."


Google Currents is available free for download on Google Play and the App Store.


Source: Google Mobile Blog

SoftMaker Office Mobile 2012 beta for Android available.

I blogged about the upcoming release of SoftMaker Office Mobile Beta last month. Less than a month later, the beta version of the product is available for free download on SoftMaker's website. Don't look for it on Google Play, you won't find it. SoftMaker Office 2012 Mobile consist of three separate products in the form of  apk files:

• TextMaker 2012
• PlanMaker 2012
• SoftMaker Presentations 2012

Chrome 19 Beta: Access your tabs everywhere.

Google has announced that they will soon deploy Chrome 19 Beta. This new version includes a functionality that's really cool. Basically, you start a browsing session on a computer at work or home. You now have to attend a meeting at another location and on the way there you would like to go back to that website you visited on your computer. The problem is that you don't remember the URL. With Chrome 19 beta, it's not a problem as these links will be available to you an another computer and phone.

"With a click, you can find and open the tab with your directions and be on your way. The tab’s back and forward navigation history is also included, so you can pick up browsing right where you left off. If you use Chrome for Android Beta, the tab will also be available on your phone, right there in your pocket when you hit the road.".


Read more here

Adobe reader update brings comments, ink, forms to Android and iOS.

Adobe released a major update for its reader software on Android, iPads, iPhones and ipods. Among the functionalities that are noteworthy are form filling, comments etc.

Sticky Notes

It is now possible to create sticky note comments and place them anywhere on the document. The notes can then be edited and moved to another location on the document.

Text Markups

The update also supports creation, modification, and deletion of text markup annotations including highlights, strikeouts and underlines.

Free-hand drawing tool

Free hand annotation is one cool feature that will enable you to scribble on your phone and tablet. 

Other listed features include:

- Ink Signature

- Acrobat forms

- Adobe EchoSign Integration

- PDF links

- Document security

- Search files in File Browser

- Thumbnails in File Browser

Read more @ http://blogs.adobe.com/readermobile/

Google Play download link: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.adobe.reader

iTunes download link: iTunes.apple.com/us/app/adobe-reader/id469337564

Google+ Hangout with the UN Secretary-General

Blog post from Google blog announcing a conversation with UN Secretary General.

We're passionate about changing the world Google+ Hangout with the UN Secretary-General. But there's another organization that's equally passionate—and has been doing it a lot longer. For more than 60 years, the United Nations has worked to advance a global agenda on ending war and poverty, promoting human rights, protecting the environment and dealing with humanitarian crises—critical issues that will determine the quality of life for future generations to come.

So we're delighted that on Tuesday, April 10, some of the voices of the next generation will have the chance to participate in an exclusive global conversation with UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon via a Google+ Hangout from the United Nations headquarters in New York. Six young people, selected in consultation with partners in civil society, academia and United Nations offices in the field, will join from the United States, Europe, Asia, Africa, the Middle East and Latin America, and have the opportunity to ask questions on the issues that matter to them.

The Google+ Hangout with the UN Secretary-General will be streamed live at 3:30pm ET on April 10 at youtube.com/unitednations. David C. Drummond, Google's SVP of Corporate Development and Chief Legal Officer, will moderate.

Technology has given us the chance to advance the important work of the UN, while ensuring that global politics is made more accountable to citizens. We're thrilled that Google can help play a small part in this.

Posted by Dex Torricke-Barton, Global Communications & Public Affairs

Source: http://googleblog.blogspot.com/2012/04/google-hangout-with-un-secretary.html?m=1

Facebook Messenger update makes app faster; better UI.

Facebook Messenger for Android has been updated to version 1.6.003. Besides the usual bug fixes, the developers made some modifications to the UI and made the app noticeably faster. Another addition is the ability to easily start a group conversation by tapping the button at the top right corner. What's new: Faster way to start conversations. Easier way to start group conversations. Updated visual design. Better support Ice Cream Sandwich. Bug fixes. Performance and battery life improvements. Download here