Fixes: Opera Browser beta & Chrome Beta for Android.

Both browsers for Android have the Beta moniker but not for the same purpose. Chrome beta is the app Google uses to test new features with the help of users like you and me before pushing them out to the official Chrome browser for Android. A treat for early adopters and developers. I'm not sure about why Opera still is in beta version though. I must admit that despite having installed on my Nexus, I never use it. Yes I'm a Chrome boy.

Both browsers have received a bunch of fixes and performance enhancements in the last updates. See the change logs for both browsers below:

Chrome Beta for Android:

• 263870: History search textbox disappears when search term is deleted
• 273763: auto complete in Omnibox not functioning properly with gesture based keyboards
• 283616: After Chrome update, Swype enters double words when touching space bar, delete with backspace word reappears
• 280717: Chrome on Android should only enable accessibility for "real" accessibility services

Known issues:  

• 274432: [Tablets] First suggestion is auto selected when we scroll the window upward
• 289768: [Android] Mobile Gmail compose page email fields do not work with Swype 3.26.*
• 276550: A bit of first letter of an URL in omnibox is cut.
  
  

Source: Google Play Store

Opera browser beta

- Chromium upgrade to version 29

- Compression method change in Off-road mode

- Improvements in download manager

- Improved NFC communication

- Various stability and performance fixes

Source: Google Play Store

Pocket Casts gets Chromecast support, pending Google approval.

I received my Chromecast this week after almost a month wait. We all remember how fast the $35 dongle sold out shortly after its announcement during Google IO. It was well worth the wait anyway. It's so much fun to instantly launch a karaoke from my phone or watch whatever YouTube has to offer. As of now only Youtube, Netflix and Chrome browser supports Chromecast. It should not take long to see other apps take advantage of it.

Coincidentally one of the first to add Chromecast suport to its app is ShiftyJelly's Pocket Casts, an app I use for my podcast consumption and one that I recommend. Pocket Casts published an update that adds Chromecast support. The thing is, the new feature is not activated yet as it seems it has not got Google's blessing. I don't know how that works, but it seems that the folks at Mountain View have to have their say into which app gets to support Chromecast or not. No matter what, I hope this is not one of these long corporate procedures.

Besides announcing the Chrome cast support into Pocket Casts, the update also contains a bunch of new features. See the change log:

What's New

v4.3

- Need for Speed 5, Android Drift: faster podcast grid, faster playlists, faster everything

- Auto download added for podcasts :)

- Quickly blow away boring episodes with our bulk delete feature (long press on an episode to enter)

- Fancy Pants Official Google side menu thing

- Bug fixes. Didn't see that one coming, did you!

- Chrome Cast support: we can't ship it until Google lets us. Residents of Mountain View: go poke some Googlers for us.

Source: Google Play Store

Accept LinkedIn endorsements right on your Android.

LinkedIn for Android was updated today with the ability for users to accept endorsements and endorse others right on the device. This feature was much needed as now users are not required to access the professional network website to process skills endorsements they have pending.  

LinkedIn, just in case you ignore it, is a social network for professionals. If you're on the lookout for a job, create a profile on LinkedIn and post your CV or any details that can help put you under the radar of the recruiters who roam the network. And this update makes it easier for you to apply for select jobs with just one tap by using your LinkedIn profile.

The app is a free download on the Play Store.