Google Now Open API for Developers to Make Android Smarter

Google Now is a card based dashboard allowing Android users to get a personalized overview of everything they are doing, have done and will be doing based on their activity on their Android device. Things like alerting you when you should leave for an event you have in your calendar based on current traffic or showing parking and restaurants you might like near you. As powerful as Google Now is they are about to make it a lot more useful.

Google Now Developer API downloadCurrently Google Now gets its information from services on your Android phone like Gmail, Chrome, Maps and your calendar. This is great for getting weather reports where you are, directions to places you have in your calendar, estimated arrival times for meetings and events, and even suggested articles and stocks based on your history. It is however restricted to those services that Google can access and while a great personal assistant of sorts can be greatly improved.

At SXSW the Director of Product Management, Aparna Chennapragada announced that they will be opening their API to all Android app developers to allow all of your phone’s apps to feed information to Google Now. This would make it an all inclusive personal assistant for all services you choose to show. There are currently 40 apps in their pilot program testing the integrations. A few examples are location based rewards like ticket codes from Fandango and activity and deals from Kayak and Airbnb. As it opens up to the public this could improve Google Now ten fold. Imagine being able to see some of the information within apps on your Google Now screen without ever opening the app itself.

This opens up a much easier experience for users in the way that many apps that you use the most may be able to give you everything you need from your Google Now dashboard removing the need to open the associated apps ever.

Google has given no time frame for releasing the API to developers although they did state that the plan on adding more cards and options to the API over time as they release it. They also mentioned that after developers get the API it could still take a little time to test and work out the bugs before the apps are released. This could easily put everything you want and care about on one screen instead of having to open several apps a day to see it all.

Runtastic Pro Amazon App Store Version Not Working (Wrong Version)

There has been a lot of talk about developers not updating their apps on the Amazon App Store as often as they are on Google Play and Runtastic is one of those developers. At the time of this article the Runtastic Pro app on Google Play is at version 5.4 while on the Amazon App Store Runtastic Pro is still lagging behind on version 4.4.2. This said the free version seems to have more functionality than the paid on when it comes to Amazon’s version.

When asking Runtastic about the inconsistency they replied with “We don’t believe we will continue to update this version of the app, check your phones store for the latest version :)”. Of course this does not help those that already purchased the app from Amazon being asked to purchase it again for a working version.

Runtastic Pro Amazon App Update

At this point you may be frustrated if you have purchased the Runtastic Pro app from Amazon but don’t stress quite yet just keep reading and we will help alleviate a little bit of that stress.

Amazon listed several apps that they were giving away for free on their app store over the Valentines Day weekend and one of those apps was Runtastic Pro. This is where users started to really voice their outrage that they were not getting what they thought they were. To be honest this is when we noticed the inconsistency ourselves. In talks with Runtastic about this issue we got the following response:

Response will be available once we are completely done speaking with them to be sure we give you everything

How to Get the Google Play version of Runtastic Pro Free
Of course we are assuming that you already purchased Runtastic Pro from the Amazon App Store and need the updated version that will never come. This is to avoid re-purchasing the Pro version of the app from Google Play but more transferring your Amazon purchase to Google thanks to Runtastic.

  1. Login to your Runtastic Account in a web browser
  2. Contact Runtastic Support at https://help.runtastic.com/hc/en-us/requests/new (must be logged in to get to the page)
  3. Select the appropriate Category, Topic, OS and App
  4. Tell them you purchased Runtastic Pro from Amazon and give them your order number from the Amazon App purchase
  5. Submit and be patient as it takes them some time to respond.

While this is an issue that should not have happened in the first place Runtastic seems to be doing what they can to correct the issue by helping those who already purchased the app get what they paid for. Again they do not plan on updating the Amazon App Store version of Runtastic Pro in the future but you can still get the Pro version if you previously purchased the outdated non-updated version.

Additional 2GB of Cloud Storage for Google Drive FREE

If you want more cloud storage than Google offers without buying it they are currently rewarding those that take their “Security Checkup” with an additional 2GB of Drive storage free. This 2GB of free storage is a permanent bump that you keep forever not just a limited time like most promotions. Having extra cloud storage is never a bad thing.

Free Storage with Security CheckupGoogle is running this promotion for Safer Internet Day giving people an incentive to participate in something that they should be doing anyway. In most cases people don’t even realize the Security Checkup is available to them and for those people you learn about a great free tool and get free cloud storage all at once.

Google assures us every chance they get that Drive is as safe as possible with its “encrypted on transit” system although you can never be too secure. Even with Google’s massive data servers they recommend taking advantage of the 24/7 protection from Google Drive. Completing the checkup process literally takes 2 minutes and allows you to verify your recovery options and current account activity and connections. This makes sure your account is always up to date. You can do things like update and verify your phone number and when switching phones you can remove the old phone from access.

The process is complete when you get to a screen that shows three green check marks and will be your verification that you are eligible for the upgrade to your storage space.

If you complete the Security Checkup on or before February 17th you will get the free permanent bump up of 2GB of cloud storage. Keep in mind that you will not get the free cloud storage right away after completing the checkup. Google has stated that the additional space will be added on February 28th with a follow up email letting you know that you received it.

Spigen Slim Armor Nexus 6 Case Review

The Google Nexus 6 is a very large phone and its hard to find a case that keeps it protected without making it too big to carry and the Spigen Slim Armor case is one of those cases. You want protection against dropping without the added bulk most protective cases add including not only size but weight. While the Slim Armor case isn’t as protective as say an Otterbox case it does add medium protection and keeps the slim form of the Nexus 6.

Spigen Slim Armor Nexus 6 CaseNexus 6 Slim Armor Case Design
The Spigen Slim Armor case matches the Nexus 6 curves and fits the device with its rounded corners almost as a hard skin. The design effectively keeps the Nexus 6 dimensions without the added weight or size you might assume with any level of protection. This case as always with Spigen cases is a two part case with the interior matte TPU layer that adds the protection against drops with its shock absorption and its outer hard polycarbonate shell for additional protections and solid build. The raised front bevel the case adds around the Nexus 6 allows the device to sit face down without the risk of scratching the screen although we still recommend a screen protector and even more so tempered glass for best protection.

Based on the two part build the case has a rather nice two toned design coming in a few different colors. The cutouts are also precise and give easy access to the headphone jack and microUSB ports. One con to this case is the way the power button and volume rocker coverings are designed. With the Nexus 6 having the buttons in the middle of the right side of the device they are hard enough to find without the cases flush button design. One added benefit to the case though is the fact that unlike most other protective cases it has a built in kickstand. Since the Nexus 6 is a larger phone its nice to be able to set the phone upright with a kickstand when watching videos.

Nexus 6 Slim Armor Case Protection
As mentioned earlier in the design of the case the two layer design is what gives the case its mid range protection. The outer polycarbonate shell protects against scratches and the inner TPU layer gives it mid to high level impact resistance. We historically have been Spigen users and with numerous drops the cases have proven themselves to be as protective as they state them to be.

Slim Armor Case Final Thoughts
While we have historically been partial to Spigen cases the Nexus 6 is a very large phone and this case while offering good protection against drops has a very smooth polycarbonate shell that makes it harder to grip than most cases. This means that you will likely be testing the protection at least once in the life of the phone. The kickstand also feels a little flimsy to us. These cons said the case is perfect for anyone looking for protection but aren’t normally inclined to put a case on your phone. We love the look of the case and the added protection is more of a bonus than a feature.  Its also worth noting that at $25 its hard to find any protection let alone a case for the Nexus 6 of this caliber. This is still one of the top 5 Nexus 6 cases currently and is worth looking at when making a decision.

Urban Armor Gear Nexus 6 Case Review

We have been running through cases trying to find the best rugged case for such a large phone as the Nexus 6 and have settled on the Urban Armor Gear Maverick case. This is the first time we have used let alone reviewed any UAG case as we are usually partial to Spigen products. In this case the UAG Maverick beat out all of our previous expectations of a rugged protective case. That said you can go ahead and read on knowing that the end result is approved by Android Advice.

Nexus 6 Rugged CaseWith a smartphone the size of the Nexus 6 we wanted the rugged protection of a case but weren’t sure we would be able to find one that does it justice while keeping the device as light and thin as possible. We rarely drop our phones especially with most of them just sitting on a desk for reviews and modding but just the same rugged is important for high end high priced devices just to be safe.

Nexus 6 Urban Armor Gear Maverick Case Design
The case itself consists of a hardshell plastic with all impact points made of a TPU plastic material. The raised bevel on the front of the case allows you to set the phone face down without risk of scratching. That with the included standard screen protecter keeps the screen clean and clear. One great feature of the case is the fact that the power and volume buttons are raised and covered in away that keeps the buttons easily pressed without added pressure over uncovered buttons.

All said the case is first and foremost a protective case although the design makes it feel as though you bought it for style and not protection. The clear plastic has a honeycomb look with the plastic raised in six sections making it easier to grip your Nexus 6 from any angle. These raised areas also have a rubber rivet styled fake screw to make the case look a little more like a tough case. The camera, headphone and microUSB ports are cut precisely allowing easy access as well as clean style.

Nexus 6 Urban Armor Gear Maverick Case Protection
The UAG case for the Nexus 6 offers some of the best protection of any case you can get for the smartphone with its military standard drop tests, shock absorption and complete covering of the device. As stated earlier the raised edges around the screen help protect against flat face drops as well as the TPU on all edges protecting the rest of the device. While there is an included screen protector it is just a standard thin flimsy plastic and we still recommend a tempered glass to completely protect the device. With the textured raised back and rubber rivets holding the device is easier as well which reduces the chances of dropping your Nexus 6 in the first place which lets be honest is the overall goal.

UAG Maverick Case Final Thoughts
This case offers some of the best protection available as well as style that is a no brainer when comparing to other rugged cases for the Nexus 6. This is and will be the only case on my daily used Nexus 6 and I have already had many people as where to get this case simply because of its stylish design. You can get the UAG Maverick Nexus 6 cases for around $40 which is another reason to think hard about this case over the more expensive alternatives.

How to Remove Forced Encryption on the Nexus 6

Many Nexus 6 users have reported that the forced encryption feature is negatively affecting the smartphones performance. Forced Encryption has been a feature of Android since version 3.0 Honeycomb although has not been active by default until the release of Android 5.0 Lollipop which is of course what the Nexus 6 is running.

how to remove Nexus 6 forced encryptionWhat is Android Forced Encryption?
When you have forced encryption enabled on your Android device it will encrypt all information as it is written to disk. What this also creates is a need to decrypt that same information every time you read it as well. This creates the need for added tasks on your Nexus 6 when installing, opening, closing app and just about every action you complete. In turn it takes away from the performance and creates added processing time that you can get away from.

Motorola has however released a build on Android to disable the forced encryption feature. If your Nexus 6 is showing signs of lag and slow transitions then you may be in need of removing the feature. The following instructions will show you how to disable forced encryption but be sure to follow each step in order and to the word.

Pre-requisites: Make sure you have at least 75% battery although personally I would take the additional few minutes and fully charge your phone to be safe. Also be sure to backup any data that you are worried about losing (process wipes the phone clean).

How to Disable Nexus 6 Forced Encryption

  1. Unlock the Nexus 6 Bootloader (Nexus 6 Bootloader Unlock Instructions)
  2. Turn off your Nexus 6
  3. Hold the power and volume down buttons simultaneously to boot into bootloader mode
  4. plug your Nexus 6 into your PC via USB
  5. Download the boot_noforceencrypt.img file for your build (find build from phone “settings -> about phone” at the bottom)
  6. Put the boot_noforceencrypt.img file into your fastboot folder (was setup for bootloader unlock in step 1)
  7. Open a command prompt and navigate to your fastboot directory
  8. Type “fastboot flash boot boot_noforceencryption.img”, press enter
  9. Wait for your phone to flash the boot_noforceencrypt.img
  10. Once the process is complete you can restart your phone
  11. When in Android navigate to your “settings -> backup & reset” to perform a factory reset (required to remove the encryption)
  12. Congrats your Nexus 6 no longer has forced encryption enabled!

While this process will remove the encryption please keep in mind that when running an OTA update on the device forced encryption will turn itself back on and you will need to complete the process again. If you have any issues with the process I first recommend trying to complete it again to be sure no steps were missed then you can always flash the Nexus 6 back to its stock ROM following the instructions here (available shortly).

If you have any questions about the process or run into issues feel free to leave us a comment below and we will do our best to walk you through it. This said we are giving you the tools but aren’t responsible in the event something goes wrong.

Poetic Turtle Skin Nexus 9 Case Review

The Turtle Skin case for the Nexus 9 tablet has the best impact protection of any case we have tested for any tablet. This is a larger case made by Poetic and isn’t their most stylish case although we can all but guarantee if you have a child using the Nexus 9 this will keep it safe even if dropped numerous times. There is no screen protection on the Turtle Skin case although its corners are so raised that its still protected from every angle. As always choosing a case is based on your needs and therefore this review will be focused more on this as the perfect case for children.

Turtle Skin Nexus 9 Case ReviewNexus 9 Poetic Turtle Skin Case Design
The Turtle Skin case design is rather bulky but in doing so Poetic has created a case that can take serious impact. There is a silicone tube all the way around the case that makes it easy to grip with all cutouts precise for the micro USB, headphones and speakers. Even with the protective tube all the way around you can easily press the power and volume rocker without much effort. Both the power button and volume rocker are raised so you can easily find them without looking. The case fits the Nexus 9 very snug and even with the bendable silicone feels solid in your hands. The tube design also allows for great sound channeling that actually improves the Nexus 9 front stereo speakers sound with a slight amplification.

The Turtle Skin case comes in several colors including black, blue, green, purple, and red to match your style. We also have to note that the Turtle Skin case is easily cleaned since you just need to remove it and rinse it off.

Nexus 9 Poetic Turtle Skin Case Protection
This is a highly protective case against drops as the silicone tube surrounding the case is thick and absorbs all of the shock. The case provides protection all the way around with its design as stated earlier allowing it to fall face down, up, diagonally from any normal use height. We still recommend using a tempered glass screen protector in the unlikely event its dropped face down on a raised surface like a rock or something.

Final Thoughts
When putting the Turtle Skin case on my Nexus 9 I can hand it to my daughter without a second thought and she can easily hold it with the large edges. I know it will be safe no matter what even when she is watching a movie on a bunk bed. This said I personally would not carry the tablet around in this case out and about because it is not as stylish as some of the other Poetic cases. I wasn’t willing to do drop tests because the Nexus 9 is a rather expensive tablet although I mentioned the bunk bed because it did take a dive and survived without a scratch.

You can get the Poetic Turtle Skin case for $22.95 at Amazon but you can also find out more at Poetic Cases official Nexus 9 Turtle Skin Case page.

How to Unlock the Nexus 6 Bootloader

When you purchase your brand new Nexus 6 you will likely be fine with the power and features you get with the device as it is.  This said if you are one of those that wants to squeeze every ounce of power and be able to customize everything you will first need to unlock the Nexus 6 bootloader to accomplish this.  Unlocking the bootloader is a pre-requisite for just about any out of the box modification you want including rooting it.

Nexus 6 Unlock InstructionsUnlocking the bootloader of your Nexus 6 allows you the opportunity to do things like flash a ROM, root it, or put on a custom recovery. It opens up your device to all sorts of access and features like power management that you wouldn’t typically have using the stock ROM. It doesn’t immediately provide you with any new features, but with an unlocked bootloader you have the freedom to do just about anything you want to the device.

How to Unlock the Nexus 6 Bootloader

  1. Navigate to the settings app from quick menu or app drawer
  2. go to “About Phone” and enable developer options by tapping “Build Number” repeatedly 7 times.
  3. You should now see “Developer Options” under the “About Phone” menu
  4. Tap the Developer option to enable it and select “Enable OEM unlock”
  5. Next enable “USB Debugging”
  6. Download and extract “adb-fastboot.zip” where you can find it on your PC
  7. Connect your Nexus 6 to your PC via USB (If phone is not recognized see Step 1 above)
  8. If all is well at this point you may see a popup asking you to “Allow USB debugging on Nexus 6”, Press “OK” to accept.
  9. Open a command prompt window and navigate to the fast boot files you extracted earlier.
  10. Reboot the Nexus 6 into Bootloader mode by typing “adb reboot bootloader” and pressing enter
  11. if it does not reboot then Power down the Nexus 6 and then turn it on by holding the Volume down + power buttons for a few seconds.
  12. From the Fastboot menu use the volume buttons to navigate to “Fastboot Mode” and the power button to select it
  13. Once you are in Fastboot Mode go back to your command prompt and type “fastboot oem unlock and press enter
  14. On the Nexus 6 press the power up button to continue with bootloader unlock
  15. Once complete the Nexus 6 will reboot on its own automatically.

Now that you have your Nexus 6 Bootloader unlocked you are free to flash any files you like on the device like including rooting the device.  If you have any issues with the process feel free to drop us a comment below or reach out via any social network to the right of the page.  Should be a pretty straight forward process no matter which Nexus 6 build you have (LRX210 or LRX22C).

Poetic Graph Grip Nexus 9 Case Review

The Poetic Graph Grip Case for the Nexus 9 Tablet is a perfect case for protecting your tablet from drops although there is no screen protection besides the raised bevel of the case itself. The case is solid even though the case doesn’t have a hard shell for protection and relies solely on the impact resistant silicone rubber. This case will protect against drops when traveling and give you the peace of mind you need when walking around with it. With all of the cases out there how do you pick the best one for you? Honestly its all about how you will use the case and the amount of protection you think you will need.

Poetic Graph Grip Case ReviewNexus 9 Poetic Graph Grip Case Design
The design of the Graph Grip case has a nice feel to it with its rigid raised grip. The Graph Grip case also comes in several different colors including black, lavender, and blue. As stated earlier it has a rubberized impact resistant silicone skin that covers the entire back of the tablet with a raised bevel in the front to allow you to place your Nexus 9 face down on surfaces without scratching the screen. There are clean cutouts for all areas you will need to get to i.e. micro USB and headphone jack. The power and volume rocker are covered with raised rubber to easily be able to find and click them. additionally you will notice that all cutouts including the camera are precise. We would like to mention again that the graph style of the case itself makes it very easy to hold and will likely keep you from ever having to test its drop protection.

Nexus 9 Poetic Graph Grip Case Protection
This Nexus 9 case offers moderate protection against drops and scratches without adding a lot of bulk or weight to the Nexus 9. The impact resistant silicone rubber absorbs most if not all of the shock in the event of a drop. This will only allow for a slight vibration to hit the actual tablet itself and will in most cases keep your tablet working like new even after several drops. Without a built in screen protector we recommend a Tempered Glass screen protector to keep the screen as safe as the rest of the tablet. This will protect against scratches and leave your screen looking new forever. Like any other tough case that adds this level of protection it does add a little thickness to the tablet as well as added weight although not near as much as most protective cases.

Conclusion
The Graph Grip Nexus 9 case is a stylish looking and very protective case for the Nexus 9 and allows you to put your tablet through moderately rough situations without risk of damage. It feels like a premium case in your hand and its name does explain it all when it comes to the feel. If you are interested in this case you can find out more at Poetic Cases. The Graph Grip Case by Poetic will cost you $17.95 which we have to admit is quite low for the protection it gives to a new device.

Poetic Revolution Nexus 9 Case Review

The Poetic Revolution Case for the Nexus 9 Tablet is a perfect case for protecting your tablet from drops and even spills. The case itself combines a tough polycarbonate shell with a hybrid TPU skin making it solid in look and feel. Many of us travel with our tablets and don’t want a small drop to result in a $400+ paper weight. With all of the cases out there how do you pick the best one for you? Honestly its all about how you will use the case and the amount of protection your think you need.

Nexus 9 Protective CaseNexus 9 Poetic Revolution Case Design
The design of the Revolution case is rather nice since it covers your Nexus 9 all the way around including the screen itself with the built in screen protector. The Revolution case also comes in several different colors including black, white, pink, and blue. As stated earlier it has a hybrid TPU skin with a hard shell polycarbonate snapping around it. Everything seals up quite nice allowing protection from splash and dust as well as drops on hard surfaces. There are covers for all areas you will need to get to i.e. micro USB and headphone jack. The only negative aspect that we see is the power and volume rocker being solid buttons that are a little tight. What this means is you have to put a little more pressure on them to make them click. Other than that you will notice that all cutouts including the camera are precise. You may also notice that on the back of the case there are rubber pads so you can set the tablet down without risk of it sliding off of any surface.

Nexus 9 Poetic Revolution Case Protection
This is a case you will want on your Nexus 9 if you think it will ever be dropped as it offers superior protection against drops. The polycarbonate shell takes the hit and protects against scratches while the TPU absorbed most of the shock. Together these will only allow for a slight vibration to hit the actual tablet itself and will in most cases keep your tablet working like new even after several drops. Another part that adds to protection is the fact that it has a built in screen protector that is thicker and more durable than your standard aftermarket screen protectors for the Nexus 9. This will protect against scratches and leave your screen looking new forever. The only negatives we see here are the scratches that the built in screen protector will get unlike say a tempered glass. This said scratches will only show if you actually drop or slide something rough across it thus performing its duty. Like any other tough case that adds this level of protection it does add a little bulk to the tablet as well as added weight.

Conclusion
The Revolution Nexus 9 case is the nicest looking and most protective case for this tablet to date and allows you to put your tablet through extreme situations without risk of damage. It feels solid in your hand and is quite stylish. If you are interested in this case you can find out more at Poetic Cases.  The Poetic Revolution Case for the Nexus 9 will set you back $34.95.