More than 82 billion apps were installed from Google Play in 2016

Google has revealed that over 82 billion apps were installed from its Play Store last year, up from the 65 billion figure that was reported for the year 2015. The revelation was made by the VP of Engineering for Android, Dave Burke, at the company's ongoing I/O conference. In addition, Burke discussed about Android Wear, noting that a total of 24 manufactures have committed to the company's wearable platform. He also revealed that Android Auto - search giant's in-car infotainment platform - will soon be available in Audi cars as well. Via

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/more_than_82_billion_apps_were_installed_from_google_play_in_2016-news-25090.php

May security update starts hitting Samsung Galaxy S7

Samsung has started pushing out a new update to its Galaxy S7 smartphone. Arriving as version G930FXXU1DQE7 and weighing in at around 345MB, it's a security update that brings Android fixes for the month of May. Aside from the latest security patch, the update - which is currently hitting unlocked units in Europe (the Netherlands to be specific) - also includes some stability and performance related improvements as well as usual bug fixes. There's currently no information on when the 'edge' variant will get the update, although we expect that to happen sooner than later. Via 1 2

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/may_security_update_starts_hitting_samsung_galaxy_s7-news-25089.php

YouTube now allows anyone to live stream using its mobile app

Looks like the ability to live stream using YouTube's mobile app has been made more accessible. According to latest reports, the company has dropped the 1k subscriber limit altogether. This means that now you can live stream even if you don't have a single subscriber. However, there are still a couple of requirements: the channel should be verified and should not have faced any live stream restrictions in the last 90 days. The change has already started rolling out, although Google/YouTube is yet to officially confirm it. Via

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/youtube_now_allows_anyone_to_live_stream_using_its_mobile_app-news-25087.php

Here's a recap of what's coming in Android O, as the OS reaches 2 billion active devices

During its IO keynote today, Google reiterated the main new features coming in the Android O release later this year, but also unveiled a couple of new things. Do note that most of what follows has initially been announced back in March when the first Developer Preview of Android O became available. Speaking of pre-release software, the Android O Beta Program is now live if you're interested in giving the new version a spin (and happen to own one of six supported Nexus and Pixel devices). Android O comes with the recently detailed Project Treble, which means some of its base has been...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/heres_a_recap_of_whats_coming_in_android_o_as_the_os_reaches_2_billion_active_devices-news-25086.php

Google Home learns to make phone calls and show you things on your phone or TV

While Google Assistant got a lot of love at Google IO today, the Google Home smart speaker that is in fact one of the ways in which you can use the Assistant hasn't been forgotten either. Not only that, but many new features are headed to the device in the coming months. Google Home will support all the things we've already discussed in our post about the Assistant's newfound powers. You should also expect it to become available in more countries, finally. The new markets it will enter are Canada, Australia, Germany, France, and Japan. As of now, you can only buy one in the US and UK, so...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/google_home_learns_to_make_phone_calls_and_show_you_things_on_your_phone_or_tv-news-25085.php

LG V30 will have Daydream VR support when it launches, Galaxy S8 to get it this summer

Among many announcements, Google took the time to do something out of the ordinary at its IO developer conference today too. Namely, spoil one spec detail about an upcoming smartphone. We're talking about the LG V30 and its rumored OLED touchscreen, which is now pretty much a given. That's because Google unveiled the fact that "LG's next flagship smartphone" will have support for Daydream VR. And while the Daydream VR spec says nothing about display technology directly, the maximum latency it allows basically means that no phone with an LCD panel can be certified as Daydream...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/lg_v30_will_have_daydream_vr_support_when_it_launches_galaxy_s8_to_get_it_this_summer-news-25084.php