Well, we started the week with the Easter Monday public holiday but we all got back to work and that means it was busy, busy, busy. To make sure you didn’t miss out on anything important, here’s the best bits of the week that was Android in Australia.
Reviews
The Asus Zenwatch 2 has been on the market for a while now, and while there’s two different sizes – 1.63″ and 1.45″ – they’re essentially the same under the hood. Not a lot has changed, but there is a speaker on-board now. The Zenwatch 2 is available for sale from the ASUS eShop and select Harvey Norman Stores, but before you dive in, read the review to see if it’s what you want:
http://ausdroid.net/2016/03/28/asus-zenwatch-2-review/
ZTE Blade D/Chat 4G – two names, same phone in different coloured guises. This is the real budget end of the ZTE range, where there’s still a lot of competition but ZTE does a prety good job with an extremely well priced phone. The phones are locked to Telstra, but check out what Alex thinks of the ZTE Blade D/Chat 4G in his review here:
http://ausdroid.net/2016/03/28/zte-blade-dchat-4g-review/
Samsung’s Gear VR launched as a freebie to those pre-ordering the Galaxy S7 and Galaxy S7 Edge, and that’s going to mean that there’s a LOT of them out there. With a big jump in the amount of them in the market place, should you get one for your older Samsung? Should you get one for your Galaxy S7/S7 Edge you just picked up? Check out Chris’ look at the Gear VR:
http://ausdroid.net/2016/03/28/samsung-gear-vr-2015-review/
One of Google’s favourite events of the year happened this week, with April Fools day coming around on Friday. We rounded up as many of the Google and tech April Fools Pranks we could find and you can experience them all here:
http://ausdroid.net/2016/04/01/google-april-fools-pranks-2016/
Google is getting serious on VR and 360 degree images and video with VR View. The new format will allow easy embedding of 360 degree content on the web and in apps, so we can finally look forward to the new crop of 360 degree cameras like the LG 360 Camera and the Ricoh Theta S finally making more sense.
http://ausdroid.net/2016/03/31/google-announces-vr-view-way-embed-360-degree-images-mobile-web/
Android Wear
Not much happening in Android Wear, but there are some lovely new wooden watch bands about to be available with Ottm launching their IndieGoGo campaign. They look gorgeous and fit a range of watches, check them out if you want something a little bit unique:
http://ausdroid.net/2016/04/01/add-gorgeous-hardwood-band-android-wear-pebble-watch-ottm/
Services
Samsung started notifying their customers that the Milk Music streaming service was shutting down this month. Users get 3 months of Google Play Music access to make up for it, but it’s still a bit of a bummer to see it close.
http://ausdroid.net/2016/03/29/samsung-shuttering-milk-music-australia-next-month/
Hardware
No, there’s no news on the LG G5 launch, but we do have a media event later this month. There’s also a launch event for the LG Stylus DAB+ coming up a week after that, so keep an eye out for that.
Australian importer Kogan launched their next Agora phone, with the Agora 6 which is available to order for just $179 – yes, you will have to pay for delivery as well. The phone has decentish specs for the price and even though it’s launching with Lollipop, they have advised a Marshmallow update is in the works.
http://ausdroid.net/2016/03/30/kogan-announces-overly-large-6-kogan-agora-6-179/
Amazon did start the process of getting rid of dodgy USB-C cables from their store, changing their list of prohibited products to include USB-C cables and adapters that don’t adhere to the USB-C standard.
http://ausdroid.net/2016/03/30/get-lot-safer-buying-usb-c-cables-amazon/
Android Apps
The Australian Bureau of Statistics launched an Android app this week. The app is beautifully designed with Material Design front and centre and the access to the ABS statistics is a bonus as well. Definitely check this app out for sure.
Google’s Creative Labs also released a virtual tour of the famous Abbey Road Studios in London. You can check it out on the web or on Google Cardboard for a better experience.
http://ausdroid.net/2016/03/31/google-creative-labs-releases-virtual-step-abbey-road-studios/
Google released their Calculator App to Google Play this week as a standalone app. As a standalone app, it is now able to be updated outside of the usual OS updates, so hopefully we can expect some updates. Google did launch an Android Wear app companion so you can perform tiny calculations on your wrist. The app is only available for Nexus and Android One devices, so most people won’t be able to install it.
http://ausdroid.net/2016/03/31/google-releases-stock-calculator-app-google-play-android-wear-app/
After a protracted launch, Nintendo’s Miitomo app has finally launched here in Australia. It didn’t quite make the 31st of March deadline they announced but it’s here now, so get started making your Mii:
http://ausdroid.net/2016/03/30/nintendos-miitomo-and-my-nintendo-service-launch-tomorrow-in-australia/
Deals
The usual Google Play App and Game Deal of the week has been updated. Don’t forget to get in on that action with Sky Gamblers and Map My Walk currently available for just 20c each.
http://ausdroid.net/2016/03/30/google-play-deals-week-live-sky-gamblers-map-walk-now-available-just-20c/
