How To Use Google Voice Search On Your Pebble Smartwatch

    Have a Pebble smartwatch and feel a little left out as all the Android Wear folks rock the cutting edge?  Sure, Android Wear smartwatches look awesome & have touchscreens.  Some even have a built in microphone, which allows you to perform various voice tasks such as a Google search or tell your mobile device to play some Korn.  But what if I told you that you can have nearly the same thing using your Pebble & an app called AppLauncher?  Although Pebble doesn't have a built in mic, as long as your mobile device is nearby (which it most likely is), you can easily do this and here's how...

First, go to Google Play Store and install AppLauncher.

Next, under Pebble settings tap Install Watch App on Pebble.

Allow it to install the Pebble app onto your Pebble watch...

Go back into the main app on your mobile device and select Applications.

Choose Google Voice Search.

On your Pebble watch go into Settings and select Quick Launch.

Here is where you can preset the top or bottom button on your Pebble watch to trigger any installed Pebble app.  Select either top or bottom button and then choose AppLauncher as the preset app.

Now, just long press the button you selected to trigger AppLauncher.  When it pops up on your Pebble watch, select Google Voice Search (microphone icon).  This will trigger the app on your mobile device.

When you hear that distinctive "chirp", speak your command.  

Example:  "Play Korn."

I've been using this method for quite awhile now and it works almost flawlessly.  To be honest, it's going to depend on the proximity of your mobile device and background noise, as normal.  I find it comes in very handy.  I don't have to pull out my phone so often and am able to more fully utilize the abilities of my Pebble watch.  

Best of luck.  Also, let me know how you would use this.  Give me some ideas!

Links:

Pebble

AppLauncher

[APP] Scan Documents With Google Drive App | PDF

Google Drive:  Eliminate Clutter and Scan Documents With Your Phone


Perhaps one of the easiest way to cut down on clutter and excessive apps installed on your devices is to consolidate.  What I'm referring to is discovering apps that do more than one thing.  Recently, I used an app called "Camscanner" to scan documents to PDF & save to Google Drive.  What I discovered is that Google Drive does this, too... and very well.  Simply follow the directions below...

From the app:
Just open the Google Drive app (Android) and hit Menu > Add New > Scan > Snap photo > Save to Drive

From the widget:
Tap the camera icon > Snap photo of document > Save to Drive

Can be done using the camera icon on Google Drive widget

Choose Add New

Choose Scan

Snap a photo of the document

Automatically saves document to Google Drive as a PDF

Direct Link: Google Drive

[Tip] Receive All Messages In One App | Hangouts, Google Voice, SMS, MMS

  

+  SMS, MMS

    Hangouts, Google's answer to unifying all of their various messaging services/apps has been updated recently.  To date, it merges Google Talk and G+ Messenger into one app.  It's a great beginning to what will most probably become the defacto messaging app across multiple platforms including, but not limited to Android, Chrome, and Apple's iOS.  

    Although it doesn't support SMS at the moment, there is a workaround to receive Hangouts messages as SMS when idle.  Below are instructions for setting this up as well as how to route your Google Voice messages to the same app as well, if you are one of the many Google Voice users like me.

How To Route All Messages To One Place

1. On your device, open the Google Voice app > Settings > Sync and Notifications > Receive text messages: (choose Messaging App).
2. Next, go HERE 
3. Look for SMS for Hangouts > Edit Settings > Enter your standard carrier phone # and hit SAVE.  (Don't worry about the country drop-down box above the phone number field; it doesn't show USA, but it works regardless.)
4. On your device, you should be able to receive all your text messages from carrier number, Google Voice number, and Hangouts as well as MMS from both carrier # and Hangouts.  Remember, Google Voice still doesn't support MMS at this time (5/17/2013) unless you're on Sprint.
5. (Optional)  Add the Messaging widget to one of your homescreens.  From here, you'll be able to view your messages at a glance, scroll through them, place a phone call, and even attach a file.

This is confirmed to work, although messages sent from the Messaging app on Android didn't always appear correctly on the iOS Hangouts app.  Not sure why, but be aware of this glitch up front.  

Be sure to comment and +1 this post.  Thanks guys!

Edit:  Don't want to route Hangouts messages to the Messaging app?  Simply substitute your carrier number with your Google Voice number in Step 3.  Be advised, by doing this, you will not be able to send MMS, as GV doesn't currently support MMS unless you are on Sprint.
Also, remember that this is merely a workaround until Google fully implements everything.  So do the above at your own risk or sit tight & wait it out.  Either way, at least they're working on it now;-)
-Dan

UPDATE:  As Google has integrated SMS into Hangouts, the link in Step 2 no longer available.  It links to a page that cannot be found.  
This is a good thing, however, as it means this work around is no longer needed=D

[Tip] Great Google Reader Alternative- Feedly | Get On With Your Life

So Google's decided to pull the plug on Google Reader.  If you're like me, this was about like being splashed in the face with cold water; it came as quite a shock.  I'm sure there are reasons why they did it, and I'm also sure that life will go on without it.

The truth is, there are alternatives.  One in particular, that works extremely well is called Feedly.  Feedly does a great job of offering all your RSS subscriptions to you in various ways that I believe will satisfy users across the board.  

To sync with your existing Google Reader RSS subs, simply login by connecting to  Google Reader and Feedly will immediately sync everything over.  In the meantime, any changes you make in Feedly will show up on Google Reader, as well. After July 1st, Feedly will continue to deliver your RSS subscriptions to you without any interruption. 

As previously mentioned, Feedly offers several display options designed to suit a variety of users.  To change views and make it look like your old Google Reader layout, go into Settings and choose "Titles".

Feedly is available on your PC/Mac, as well as Chrome, Android, and iOS and will sync across all of your devices, no matter where you are.  It has both, an app and an extension for Chrome.  

If you're looking for a great, reliable Google Reader alternative be sure to try it out.

Desktop

Chrome

Android

Apple iOS

[Accessory] Poetic Slimline Case | Nexus 7

If you're like me, then you probably have a few cases/covers for your devices.  I probably have 3 or 4 just for my Nexus 7.  I recently grabbed the Poetic Slimline case and I couldn't be happier.  It's the perfect combination of sexy, slim, and functional.  I got mine from Amazon for $15.

If you're looking for a great case for your slate, I highly recommend this one.  Despite some early reviews on Amazon reporting poor build quality, I kept checking in noticed how Poetic was not only trying to make it up to their customers, but they were also upgrading the design on this model.

They've done a great job and I'm really impressed with the attention to detail that's gone into it, to date.

Hit the links below for the all the details on the awesome case by Poetic and maybe even pick one up for yourself:-)

Link:  Poetic Slimline case- Nexus 7 (Official Site)

Source:  DroidHorizon

[App] Music Remote - Control Your Stereo With Your Android Device | WITHOUT Wifi or Bluetooth

    One of the great things about Android is the ever evolving, open, and increasingly easy ways to connect everything we use on a daily basis.  This has become a major selling point for the platform, and there are so many apps that lend to this.  Some apps shine and actually make our lives a bit simpler; the way it should be.

For example, have you ever wished you could use your Android device as a remote control with your stereo?  Music Remote by Ubergrund, is a free app that lets you do this, easily and best of all - without the need of a wifi or bluetooth connection.

    I have personally been using this app for a few months and I highly recommend it.  It's reliable and fairly simple to set up and use.  It's also an easy and cheap way to breathe new life back into those old Android devices you may still have lying around or in a drawer.

The premise is simple:  

1. Install the app on your old Android device, enable the app in Settings, then connect it to your stereo.  This can be done via the headphone jack.
2. Next, install the app on your other Android device, as well.  Set it up same way you did the first one and choose which device to use as the server (the device connected to the stereo).
3. Choose a playlist/tracks and remotely control playback, as well as volume, with your other device.  Simple. 

Via the Browser Interface URL (mobile)

Another great feature if you don't want to install the app on the other device or don't have a second/spare Android device to use, is the ability to control it with your Mac/PC/Chromebook via the web.  

Operating this way is just as simple:

1. On the connected Android device, go to Settings > Browser Interface > Enable.
2. Then tap Share Browser Interface URL.
3. Send the link to your email, open it in your web browser, use the on screen controls to operate your connected device remotely.  Be sure to bookmark it, baby...

Via the Browser Interface URL (pc)

So, head on over to the Google Play Store and grab it.  It's easy to use and it's free!  Don't forget to rate the app after you try it for a bit.  Devs need love, too...

Link: Music Remote  (Google Play Store)

Nexus 4 Factory Image Is Back

If you own a Nexus 4 and need/want the factory image, you'll be pleased to know that it is now back online and available for download here.

For whatever reason, Google pulled the Nexus 4 image from the site shortly after releasing the device.  Unless you were one of the few that grabbed it before it disappeared, access to it was a bit tricky.  Fortunately, it has been restored to the site... for now. 

Source: Droid Life

Airdroid 2 Beta Brings New Features

    Those of you that already use Airdroid will be happy to know that Airdroid 2 is now available.  It's still in beta, however, from my own personal experience so far, it works extremely well.  With this new, enhanced version come a variety of great, new features that make it even easier to use.

    For starters, now you can connect to your devices over a mobile network as well.  This is great because now you aren't limited to a wifi network. Just sign in by creating an Airdroid account, if you haven't already, then link your Google account for quicker sign-ins next time.  I can now access my devices from anywhere.

Tip:  You don't have to use a pc.  You can also use your tablet or smartphone as well.

Another new feature the Airdroid team has added is the ability to locate/track your lost devices.  It's simply called "Find Phone" and it's built in to the application. 

Finally, a couple things that I believe current users will love or even convince you to try it out, is the ability to remotely control your device's camera.  Once connected, you can access the camera on your tablet or smartphone to take photos. 

You can now add shortcuts to files and folders as well.

These are just a handful of really useful features Airdroid offers up.  It's extremely reliable, has an intuitive UI, and best of all- it's free.  

I highly recommend this app/utility to any Android user interested in enhancing their experience.  Go check it out;-)

Airdroid (web)

Airdroid (Google Play Store)

Ditch iTunes Once and For All

UPDATE: Use any cloud storage service you wish, including Google Drive.
So, I just achieved Super Dad status with my 9yr old daughter;-)

She has both, an iPod Touch and iPad Mini, and putting music onto them is a complete P.I.T.A. due to the fact you have to use iTunes.  For over a year, it's been hit or miss trying to sync the kid some stinking tunes onto her iPod but I vowed to figure out a solution to this B.S.  I use Google Play Music exclusively on all my stuff (Android user) and everything's so much easier to do on an Android device; why does everything have to be so complicated & require a workaround on iOS??

It came to me recently, while browsing through the Appstore on her iPad that there were generic Google Play Music apps available. So after a bit of dwelling on the issue, I figured out a way to beat the system...

HOW TO SET UP GOOGLE PLAY MUSIC ON iPAD / iPOD / iPHONE

1. Create a google account for my daughter. (which I had done prior...)
2. Open Google Music Manager on my PC, click Advanced, sign out and sign in under her email and password.
3. Move all the tunes/artists she likes into a folder named "Google Play Music-PC-<insert name here>.
4. In Google Music Manager, click Add Folder and select the folder created in Step 3, click Apply then Upload.
5. Go to the Appstore and install gMusic: A Google Music Player ($1.99) and sign in to her Google account.
6. To stream, merely tap Play. To sync (make available offline), choose Offline for each desired Artist/Track.

Hope this helps anyone who has been trying to figure out an easy workaround to this issue. Anybody who already uses Google Play Music is familiar with this process.

iPhone 5 better bring it...

To my surprise, I've been hearing the same comment more & more lately, from iPhone users & diehards. That comment goes much like this: "If Apple doesn't impress me with this new iPhone, I'm seriously considering switching to Android."
This is a bit shocking to me in some ways because most of my friends who own iPhones say they prefer them over Android phones because of the quality familiar interface. Until Android 4.0 (Ice Cream Sandwich), I didn't dare push back too hard, frankly because they were right about the build quality, no doubt. Interface-wise, well, that's more of a user preference. Not everybody's going to like the same thing, obviously. But with ICS, the whole thing changed. It literally put the user experience between the two operating systems on par (i.e.: slickness, ease of use, uniform controls & look across apps menus). Then, of course, Android released version 4.1 (Jellybean). This has now pushed Android past iOS in the same categories previously mentioned. So now, you better believe I push back. There's no reason not to. Every argument iPhone users have used against Android are now null & void.
Bottom line is, iOS on both the iPhone & iPad (yes, the iPad as well...) are at least a generation or two behind Android. Apple began copying many features from Android & now seems to take sort of a wait and see approach on everything. Not to mention suing everybody that remotely looks or sounds like it could ever compete with them. Pathetic.
So, this all brings me to my point: Are you in the "Apple better bring it" group, too? Do you want Apple to implement into iOS what Android users have been enjoying? Most, if not all, the reasons for choosing an iPhone or iPad over a top-tier Android device with 4.0+ are no longer valid. The Samsung Galaxy S III, Galaxy Note, Asus Transformer series, and Google Nexus 7 are proving this. Android is consistent, reliable, innovative, and fun.
Apple will announce their newest iDevice today. No doubt, the geek in me is excited because I love tech. But with Google expected to announce the next generation of Nexus phones very soon, do you think Apple will be able to maintain their user base after today & moving forward?

Upcoming Devices and What I Want (Need...)

    This is the time of year when the tech world becomes a prism of ideas, rumors, speculation, wishes, & demands. The heavyweights of the world- your Apples, Googles, etc. - all converge numerous times in convention centers around the globe to launch or announce their newest, baddest, most glorious devices & innovations to the mass public. This is the season I enjoy most=)
    Google i|o was a great day for Android purists as Google announced the Nexus 7 & Nexus Q.  The 7 has taken off & doing really well. It could possibly be the best selling Android tablet on the market. I was reluctant about grabbing the N7 at first, because I've seen & used several other Android tablets over the last couple of years & figured this would be no different.  Why buck for another tablet that would be more of the same. As it turns out, I was very surprised & more than pleased with the performance so I got one. I've hardly put it down...  The Q hasn't done nearly as well, mainly due to Google's pulling it from the Google Play Store to "enhance" it.
    Motorola announced, today, that it was releasing 3 new RAZR models on Verizon. I'm sure they're gonna be really good but my question is why are they making all the new models look so similar?  Even the new Atrix HD looks like a RAZR?!  I'm not sure if this is to distance itself from Apple's trigger-happiness or they just really, really like the top-heavy design.  I'm on the fence...
    Apple should be having their lil get-together pretty soon, as well.  From what I gather, they're giving their faithful some things Android users have been enjoying for awhile, now.
    Personally, I'm holding out for a new Nexus phone.  This is going to be a bit interesting this time, as there will be 3 dropping this time, rather than only 1, as usual.  3 different manufacturers. I'm giddy=)

So what device(s) have caught your eye so far? 

Google Buys Motorola- THE GAME JUST CHANGED

This one was music to my ears & candy to my eyes:

Google just kicked Apple, threw them into the ropes, & speared'em by purchasing Motorola:)

As I noted a few weeks ago, if Google could/would buy a manufacturer then almost all their troubles as far as fragmentation would go bye-bye & Apple wouldn't be as much of a dominant force in the smartphone world any longer. I am extremely happy about this, especially since I myself own a Motorola device. Hopefully this will mean more & better updates & a better, wholesome Android experience from here on out.

I've read that Moto was seemingly hinting around to going after Samsung & other manufacturers to collect royalties: I didn't understand this until now. As part of Google, it makes sense to an extent.

Anyway, to learn more about this acquisition click the link below for more details...

Official Google Blog: Supercharging Android: Google to Acquire Motorola Mobility

Why I Hate Apple (One Of Many Reasons...)

This whole patent violation thing has gotten out of hand. If the US courts keeps siding with Apple, nobody's going to be able to compete with them. It's abuse of a hole in the system on Apple's part. Since when can you patent "the internal wiring" of a device? It's horsecrap.
You see, Apple is & has been submitting patents on every minuscule piece of their devices, including the colors, wiring, etc.  Doesn't sound like a big deal at first, at least until you dive deeper & see that in order for Samsung, HTC, Moto, etc. to be able to compete with a device of their own, they can't use the color white. Or run/connect the internal wiring a certain way. Can't even have a similar form factor (which is almost impossible mind you, but will need to be done). And lately, as a company is set to launch a new device,  Apple has even had the audacity to try to get a court's ruling that they must first let Apple see it & disect it... BEFORE it can be launched?! Hmmm... That didn't fly with the courts (thank goodness) but you can see the abusive nature of this situation.
To put this in perspective, imagine if the company that invented the automobile or any car manufacturer throughout the last 100yrs had patented every minute detail of the machine including 4 wheels, a steering wheel, bucket seats, etc.? Then sued every other car manufacturer for patent infringement each time they installed a bucket seat or a seat that RESEMBLED a bucket seat, a muffler configuration (they're usually snaked over & around components under the vehicle to exit out the rear). Wouldn't you say it would be extremely difficult if not close to impossible to effectively compete in that environment? I would.
In order to foster competition, companies should be able to patent certain aspects of the device, however abusing the priviledge only destroys competition & eventually drives up prices for the consumer. The less competition around, the more I can charge you for this or that- where else are you gonna go?
Just another reason why I hate Apple, folks...

Why Google Buying RIM (Blackberry) Would Rock!

  Heard any new rumors lately?  If you follow tech news at all, then of course you have.  However, the rumor that has me most excited right now is about the possibility of Google purchasing Research In Motion (RIM).  RIM makes Blackberry devices.  RIM is having an increasingly tough time competing with Google Android & Apple iOS (iPhone).  Lately, the question is being asked more & more:  Should Google Buy RIM?
 I personally would love to see this happen.  Why?  Because unlike Apple, which owns iOS as well as their own hardware for it (the iPhone), Google only has an operating system- Android.  The problem with this scenario is that while Android is an awesome platform, it's used on many different devices, made by many different manufacturers, whom of which seem to love to tweak Android each time they release a new device, which in turn interferes with consistent updates & the overall uniformity of the operating system.  I've thought this over & I can't see any downside to the acquisition.  It would make Google a manufacturer.  Now, they would not only own their operating system (Android) but they would also have way more control of  how Android would be used on their devices.  It would put a stop to the bleeding called "fragmentation", which is what happens when Android is spread out across so many different devices & tainted, changed, & modified to death on each one.  For example: Your Android phone isn't the same as my Android phone.  Yours acts a bit different than mine because, say, yours was built by Samsung & mine was built by Motorola.  Google building their own devices would eliminate this, moving forward.
So what do you think?  Any other ideas why Google should or shouldn't take over RIM?  Share your thoughts.

Android Apps Coming With Option To Zoom For Larger Screens

Here's a little tidbit I came across recently. Apparently in an upcoming version of Android, users will be able to choose how they'd prefer their device to scale an app to their Android device's screen (rather than Google sifting through thousands of apps in the Android Market, retrofiting each one to fit a larger tablet), which makes some sense.

Cool, I suppose. Anyway, click the link to learn more...

Apps getting option to zoom in to fill larger Honeycomb tablet screens | Android Central

Will You Switch To Google+ ?

Hey guys, so now Google has (sorta) unveiled Google+, their all new social networking site (beast) that may very well be the most competition Facebook has seen in at least 2 years.  My question is do you plan on making the leap over?

It's something of an understatement to say that Google doesn't have what it takes to (eventually) overtake rival Facebook, being as how they've built up a very healthy & productive portfolio of services over the last 10+ years & now seem poised & determined to pull all of these "weapons" together to concoct a super-social networking site.  Only time will tell.  But, till the site actually opens for business (it's still in invitation-only beta stage) to all potential users, let's take a look at one other shell in the barrel that no serious social networking site considering going head-to-head with the Great Facebook should forget: the mobile app.

Can you guess which mobile platform will receive the app first?? Yup... ANDROID:)

Surely you didn't think the iPhone was gonna win yet another app rolled out for it first, did you?  Yes, Android has this app exclusively but I suspect that Google will eventually roll out more apps for the "other" guys very shortly.  They will if they wanna compete, that is.

Click the link to check out the details thus far about Google+ for Android.

Gingerbread Coming To Motorola Atrix 4G- JULY

Motorola Atrix 4G users may be excited to hear that they may be receiving the Android 2.3 Gingerbread update sometime next month. Test builds have been sent out, and users can expect the update to hit through an over the air update.

The Tegra 2-toting handset will be updated to version 2.3.3 of the Android OS, and will receive the latest version of the Motoblur UI, which attempts to smooth out some of the mess that it is. When you’re dealing with a heavily customized user interface like Motoblur, sometimes you may not even notice that you’re on the new version of the OS, as the skin itself hides it. Luckily, Motorola has implemented some of the nice touches found in Gingerbread, and you’ll find things like the overscroll glowing effect you’d find on stock Gingerbread. The updated version of Motoblur should bring a handful of enhancements as well, including a redone keyboard, tweaked applications and icons, enhanced camera software, and more.

While it’s still unknown, it may be a bit too soon to expect that the Gingerbread update will unlock the bootloader of the handset. Motorola has made promises that it will begin to unlock the bootloaders of its phones sometime in late 2011, and July is just barely past the mid-way point, so to expect an unlocked bootloader may be wishful thinking. Still, we certainly can’t say it’s not a possibility.

The first dual-core phone in the US is definitely a powerhouse, but we’re beginning to see devices that best it in specs, and come with Android Gingerbread out of the box. Hopefully the Gingerbread bump will help the Atrix maintain its allure once the hordes of dual-core competition make it to market.

Here’s to an Android phone getting an update in a (somewhat) timely fashion! Now if it was only the latest version, we’d be even more exited.

[Via: GSMArena]