Google Glass Can Now Be Used To Book A Stay At Starwood Hotels

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Yet another instance of Google Glass being used to enhance the experience for users/consumers makes a debut with the Starwood Hotels SPG for Glass app. While the app is currently in a beta stage, it is fully functional and already available for users who own glass and will be visiting or looking to book a room with Starwood Hotels. As you would expect, you can do Hotel searches by voice, which is the general and really only way you search for stuff with Google Glass. You can search for hotels by a number of ways, including destination, airport code, and surrounding area. Once you have your hotel choice locked down, you can book the room and you’re good to go.

The cool thing about the SPG app, perhaps more so for those who might actually get some use out of it, is that they have integrated the ability to use maps and get directions to the hotel just in case you needed assistance finding your way there. The SPG for Glass app also has the ability to let users explore the hotel and share images, and access any information about your booking and related account information regarding the stay. Since the app is in beta form we would expect that there will be some updates down the line based off user feedback that will ultimately make the user experience of the app better.

This is quite a bit different than seeing doctors using this in a hospital setting to assist in saving lives, but it’s great to see Glass getting some more real world use and positive attention. Although apps are meant for the user than for the business, any expansion on Glass is good for furthering its development and makes it a more useful piece of technology to consumers since there will be more to do with it. If you’re currently a Glass explorer or will be receiving your unit shortly after yesterdays purchase, you’ll be able to use the app the next time you need to find a room to stay in. Now all the app needs is the ability to place room service orders and it’ll be complete.

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Google+ for Android Redesign Leaks out on Google+

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Kind of ironic right? We’ve seen some screenshots of a new version of Gmail and Google Calendar already. Now we’re looking at a leak of the Google+ for Android app which showed up on Google+ thanks to +Yoel Kasub. The user claims that this is a test build of Google+, that we’re thinking is going to be coming out at Google I/O, since we know I/O is going to be all about design for Google. It appears to be on a Google Nexus 7, so you can see how it looks on a tablet. The design of this leaked Google+ app looks a lot like the leaked versions of the Google Calendar and Gmail apps we’ve seen already. And I really like how it looks actually. It doesn’t appear that the functionality has changed much. Although it does look like Google has added the new settings panel to the left side slide-out drawer, which we’ve seen in various other Google apps including Google Play and Google Play Music. That actually renders the menu button useless, if you have a phone that has a menu button like the Samsung Galaxy S5, or the LG G2.

As you can see, Google is really going all in on the flat UI. Which is what Apple and Samsung have done with their OS and skin, respectively. We talked about their icons that leaked out last week, and they look really nice to me, although there are some that are going to hate it, but that’s the beauty of icon packs. Now the Google+ app, not much you can do to change the design. For those that use Google+ a lot, what do you think of this redesign? Would it keep you from using Google+ on your smartphone or tablet? Be sure to let us know in the comments. We’re always interested in your opinion.

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LG G3 Packaging Leaks Out, Name Confirmed

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It seems like it’s time to start hype beasting the LG G3, which isn’t hard to do anyways. We’re seeing more and more leaks and rumors of the LG G3 lately. Earlier today it was confirmed that LG is working with TSMC to build their own in-house processors. Which might be in the LG G3. Now we’re seeing the packaging for the LG G3. Android Authority got their hands on some exclusive images of the LG G3 packaging. They say that this source is a good one and familiar with the situation. Looking at the pictures, the box is gray with a shiny LG G3 logo on the front, and it says the Global Mobile Awards 2014 at the bottom.

The LG G3 is going to be replacing the LG G2 which was announced late last year and has been a huge hit for LG. The LG G2 featured a 5.2-inch 1080p IPS display, Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 processor, 2GB of RAM, 3000mAh battery and Android 4.4.2. Even at this point, it’s still a beast of a smartphone. So what can the LG G3 provide us? Well we’re seeing leaks of a QHD display, that’s 2560×1440, which is going to be 5.5-inches and only slightly larger than the current LG G2. Then either the Odin processor they are developing, or the Qualcomm Snapdragon 805 processor. It’s going to be a complete beast as well. We’re looking at the LG G2 being announced in June or July and available in August. Although I’d love for LG to act like HTC and make it available at the time of announcing it.

The LG G2 is available in black, white, red, and gold. The LG G3 is likely to be available in those colors as well. Android Authority is saying that we’re looking at the box for the gold G3 here. I’m not sold on a Gold G3, but I’d definitely take a black one. How many of you are interested in picking up the LG G3 soon?

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30 Tips and Tricks for the HTC One (M8)

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One of our many jobs as a premiere Android website is to educate you on these new smartphones like the HTC One (M8). That includes showing you all kinds of tips and tricks, and new features, tutorials, and much more for these Android phones. Now obviously we can’t do this for every single Android device out there, as we’d publish a thousand articles per day. But we can do it for each flagship, and we are still working on the HTC One (M8) a bit more right now. Now I put together a 30+ Tips and Tricks video for the HTC One (M8) which is going to help those out that just bought the HTC One (M8). I did this last year with the LG G2, and it became obvious that our readers loved the idea. So we are going to do this for every flagship – watch out the Tips and Tricks video for the Galaxy S5 is coming soon!

In this video we show you all the gestures on the lock screen, everything about blinkfeed, the camera, the home screen, and so much more. I’m pretty sure we forgot a few things. But there’s just so much to go over in Sense 6, that’s its impossible to get everything. So if there are some other tips and tricks you think we should include, be sure to let us know in the comments below.

The HTC One (M8) is available now on Sprint, Verizon and AT&T for $199 on a new contract. Or $149 from Amazon, which it’s really easy to grab it from Amazon, you’ll typically get your device within a day or two, which is amazing. It’s also available at T-Mobile for $0 down and about $27/month.

Click here to view the embedded video.

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OnePlus One Heading to At Least 16 Countries – Costing Less than $400

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OnePlus One has been hype beasting their phone for quite a while. OnePlus is made up of a bunch of former OPPO executives. They are basically only responsible for the hardware, as Cyanogen Inc., is responsible for the software. And we’ve already seen some leaks of their custom build for the OnePlus One, and it’s pretty colorful to say the least. As far as specs go for the OnePlus One, we’re looking at a Qualcomm Snapdragon 801 processor, 5.5-inch IPS display with really small bezels. It’ll also have 3GB of RAM and 16 or 64GB of internal storage. The battery is also pretty massive too at 3100mAh. The phone is a beast spec-wise, but we haven’t really seen the device yet, which makes it a bit hard to form an opinion on the device before launch.

The OnePlus One is going to be coming to the US and a few other countries. The price in the US will be under $400. Which is a great price point, but I’m still thinking that it’ll only available unlocked and not on contract from a carrier. But we’ll see what happens. Here’s the full list:

“Localized sales and after sales experience in 16 countries:Austria, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Italy, Netherlands, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Taiwan, United Kingdom, United States”

The prices are varying in these countries, based on currency, and such, but you can head to OnePlus One’s Google+ page for more information on the prices. April 23rd is coming real soon. That is when the OnePlus One is expected to be unveiled officially and available. Anyone still excited to see the “Never Settle” smartphone from former OPPO executives and the new Cyanogen Inc? I’m definitely excited, but not sure if I’m going to buy one or not. Let us know in the comments below if you’re going to throw your money at OnePlus for the OnePlus One.

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LG Working with TSMC To Produce their own SoC’s

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It’s been rumored for quite a while, and now it’s confirmed. LG is indeed working on their own processors. They have partnered with TSMC to create their own system on a chip (SoC). A spokesperson for LG confirmed this morning, that the company is working on their first line of processors, code-named Odin. Now this isn’t the first time we’ve heard of this. These rumors date back to the LG G2 hype beasting last summer. The SoC will actually be made by Taiwan’s TSMC, or at least manufactured by them. It will be featuring an original LG-made ARM design. There’s not much known about the processor at this time, but we’re looking at four 2.2GHz Cortex-A15 cores, and four 1.7GHz Cortex-A7 cores. So it looks like LG is following in Samsung’s footsteps with the Exynos 5 Octa. Which is kind of a controversial chip from Samsung. Seeing as it doesn’t have LTE, most of us in the US have never really used the Exynos 5 Octa, except for on their tablets. And there are a few issues, at least at launch – seeing as that’s when I check out and review these tablets.

Additionally, the Korea Herald is now claiming that the LG G3 could be sporting this Odin chip inside when it launches later this summer. The LG G3 is one of the more anticipated devices of the year, it’s right up there with the Samsung Galaxy S5 and the HTC One (M8). It’s going to be tough for LG to follow up on the G2, as it was a fantastic device, and six months later it still is. Hopefully this Odin processor doesn’t disappoint, as many of us were hoping for the Qualcomm Snapdragon 805 in the LG G3, but it’s also important to note that the part of this story about the LG G3 having this Odin processor inside is not confirmed. Only the part that LG is working on their own line of processors.

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Android How To: Update your HTC One (M8)

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While updating your HTC One (M8) may seem like an easy task for most people. Remember that not everyone has been using Android for years and years. Some are just now hoping on the open source bandwagon with the HTC One (M8). And as an Android website, it’s our job to teach everyone, everything they need to know about their phone. So today we’re going to walk you through updating your HTC One (M8). It’s really quite easy.

How to Check for a new Update

1. Go into settings


2. Tap on About Phone


3. Tap on Software Updates


4. Now your device is going to check in and see if there are any updates this could take a moment or two.


5. If there’s a new update, you’ll be prompted to download and install. If not, just tap Okay in the pop up box.

And that’s all there is too it. Easy as can be, right? Now if there’s already an update waiting for you, your phone will download it in the background – typically this only happens if you are on WiFi. Then you’ll be able to install it straight from the notification tray, as it’ll let you know that you have a shiny new update available. As always, if you have any issues, be sure to leave a comment down below and we’ll do our best to assist you.

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