Yesterday, Google quietly started letting users apply to beta test their Google Maps application via the Play Store. All you have to do is apply to be a tester and then you can update to the beta version. This beta update has a splash screen for Android Wear and there are new notification settings for “Show pending contributions notification” and “Driving notifications.”
Mobile VR is about to get a major push thanks to Google’s Daydream platform, and Huawei wants to be one of the first (if not the first) company to have a phone available for it. In an interview with The Wall Street Journal, Huawei CEO Richard Yu said they want to expand into VR and they’ll have a Daydream compatible smartphone ready in the fall.
We knew Samsung was working on wireless earbuds called the Gear IconX, and we have seen live photos of them, along with their unannounced Gear Fit2 as well. This week, the company has made both products official and provided some additional details. Both will be geared toward fitness as both will be able to track data like distance, speed, duration, heart rate and calories burned.
Last week we told you that the Nexus Player was removed from the Google Store and it was presumed to be discontinued for possibly a new model. Now, Liliputing has spotted a new Nexus Player model on its visit to the FCC. This new version has an updated WiFi antenna layout, system power circuit & layout, RF circuit & layout, system circuit components for USB, HDMI and a Power button.
The Pebble Core’s crowdfunding campaign still hasn’t been completed, but the campaign (including the Pebble 2 and Time 2) has already amassed $10 million in funding. Yesterday, the company announced the Pebble Core will launch with Amazon Alexa support using its 3G cellular connection. Pebble says the Core will start shipping “in early 2017”, but no specific date has been announced yet.
Evan Blass’ sources are telling him that Samsung will launch the next Galaxy Note smartphone in the first half of August. He also uses the words “Galaxy Note 6/7,” which seem to add some credibility to the rumors that Samsung will skip the name Galaxy Note 6. It’s assumed this is so the Note series will match up with the company’s S series numbering scheme.
