Category: Google (Android)

Google changing the smartphone game

The Telegraph in the UK have reported that Google are looking in producing their own smartphone. This is different to what we have been used to as the Android creators previously left the manufacturing to other huge names like Samsung, HTC and so on. We also have the Google …

Five reasons to buy a Chromecast (or another one)

Unbelievably, I’ve had my Chromecast for a couple of years now. Despite my TV and a set-top box having the ability to show stuff from my phone, I still default to the Chromecast. It sits wedged into a random HDMI port on the back of my TV and …

It’s the random next Nexus maker guessing game

Wow. That’s a headline isn’t it. As I sit back and re-read it, it almost hurts my head. Anyhow, rumour has it (#Adele) that HTC will be making a couple of Nexus handsets which are currently known as the M1 and S1. They’ll run Google N. The rumour …

Nexus 6P now £70 off

OK, weird one this. If you want to get yourself a brand new Google Nexus 6P, just head to the Google Play Store. It’s easy. It’s marked up at £449 for the 32GB version, £499 for the 64GB one and £579 for the 128GB version. Trouble is, all …

Over 2.1 million Android devices downloaded malware in 2015

Quite a shocking headline in many ways, though it ought to be borne in mind that there are somewhere in the region of 1.5 billion Android devices registered for use around the globe.  The information comes from Google’s second annual security report.  Despite this figure, Google are quick …

Android Pay arriving in the UK at the end of next month

After what feels like an age it appears that Android Pay is finally making the journey across the pond to the UK. The Telegraph is reporting that Google will launch the mobile payments system in the UK at the end of March. Since Apple Pay’s debut in the …

Google Hangouts losing SMS

Remember Google Talk? Well all those years ago when Android first launched it was the simply the instant messaging app. To be honest I don’t think take-up was that big, but over the years Google Talk was replaced with “Hangouts”, and we all got used to calling and …

Google updates its Now Weather app

To be honest, Google Now just sits in the background of my phone, and it’s one of those features I forget is even there sometimes. Until I get a notification that is, and realise what a really useful app it is. Well, Google has announced that the company has …

Nexus 6P now in gold

Cast your mind back dear reader to last year. To a time when the pre-release leaks of Google’s next flagship device(s) were hitting the interwebs. Included in those pictures was a Nexus 6P in an awful gold option. Luckily though it wasn’t among the colour options offered when …

Nexus 6P – Review

Google’s latest handset has been garnering a lot of interest from the tech world over the last few weeks. In between all the reports of people not getting their orders delivered on time and Google delaying the launch, I managed to secure one for this review. With the …

Google Nexus 9, now crazy cheap at Argos

If you’re out buying Christmas gifts then why not get yourself something? The Nexus 9 has just had a whacking £149 lopped off the usual £299 price – it’s now only £149.99 at Argos. The offer appears to be just on the white 16GB version – the black …

Nexus 6P – Unboxing

Have you ever wanted to have an exquisitely made Android phone that will make those “friends” that have been drinking from the iPhone lake for so many years a little bit envious? Good news then, as you can now get one. The phone I am talking about does …

Android 6 Marshmallow OTA rolling out.

Have you got a Nexus 6, 5 , 7, 9, or Nexus Player? If you have, it looks like now is the time for mashing the “check for updates” button. It appears that the latest version of Android is being sent out as an OTA update to those …

Google Nexus 9 (16GB) now £179.99 at Argos

Argos have dropped the price of the HTC made Nexus 9 16GB to £179.99 online. The Nexus 9 32GB has had its price cut to £299.99 as well. The Nexus 9 is last year’s Nexus tablet which brought the 4:3 aspect ratio to Google’s Nexus range. As of …

Nexus 5X preorders at Carphone Warehouse

Whilst perusing my favourite deals site earlier today, I spied this link which will take you into the land of Keith Lemon. No seriously though, head to Carphone Warehouse and you will find that they’re taking pre-orders for the Nexus 5X. Not only that, but they are cheaper …

Nexus, Nexus… 5X and 6P finally land

The Chocolate factory went all-in on one of their more interesting annual events. The speakers were tight, and the announcements flew by. We were expecting two Nexuses and boy did Google deliver. First up, there was the Nexus 5X. This was the second 5 inch phone made by …

This years Nexus 6 up to 128 GB

Last years Nexus 6 was the first Nexus handset to have a maximum storage capacity of 64 GB. Before that, the maximum storage space that Google offered in a Nexus device was a measly 32 GB. As apps grow in size, (I remember when I though that 12 …

Google Event announcement set for 29th September

It looks like the wait is over. Google have sent out invites for their ‘Google Event’ on September 29th, at 9 a.m. PT (Pacific Time – that’s 5 p.m for us folks in Blighty and CSP Towers). We are expected to finally get a good look at the …

Project Ara delayed.

Back in 2013 Google revealed it’s plans for a modular smartphone Project Ara. We spoke a lot about the project on our fantastic podcast and universally loved the idea. Imagine you’re happy with most of the aspects of your current smartphone apart from the camera. Well no problem, …

Nexus 9 tumbles in price

Get down your local Argos if you’re after a 16GB tablet – in particular the Nexus 9 8.9″ model. It was £319.99, but is now £120 cheaper at £199.99. We’ve got a review of the Nexus 9 online and it’s got some pretty decent specifications, including that 2048×1536 …

Google Nexus 6 – Get it cheaper

Fancy yourself a Google Nexus 6? We’ve already posted a full review of the Nexus 6 but now it’s available in both blue and white for a mere £303.99. This is a phone that was £499 when we reviewed it in December last year, so that’s a substantial …

Google close Glass Explorer Programme

News is coming out that Google are closing down their  ‘Glass Explorer Programme’ and will stop selling the devices next week. Details are still rather limited but Rory Cellan-Jones who is a technology journalist for the BBC has said the following More information over on the BBC website confirms …

Nexus 6 availability update

The Nexus 6 has been plagued with availability issues both in the UK and on the other side of the pond. However upon checking the Play store today I saw that this is about to change. If you are wanting to get the Nexus 6 from Google direct …

Google pushes Android 5.0.2 factory images for 2012 Nexus 7

If you’re a listener to our fantastic podcast (if not you should be) this week you will hear me stating that the Android 5.0 lollipop update had ruined my 2012 Nexus 7. Performance-wise the device became really laggy. Well, it appears that Google has acknowledged the issues as …

Quad-core 1.5GHz for less than £94

Remember my review of the Rocomo GT-I9500? well, I’ve been on the hunt for cheap Android kit again and this time the 5″ Elephone P6000 has caught my eye. It’s on presale at the moment but will cost you just $169.99, which works out at around £108.60. This …

Production of the Nexus 5 finished

Google has confirmed that the Nexus 5 production has stopped, and… once they are gone, they’re gone, so we’d suggest people get them while they can. It was only yesterday that Google removed the listing of the the Red and White variants of the Nexus 5 from Google Play. The …

Latest update to Hangouts brings new features.

Today Google revealed the latest update to their own messaging app, Hangouts. The update sees the addition of 16 sticker packs, new video filters for calls, the ability to add contacts with their phone number, smart location suggestions and a “last seen” timestamp that shows you when your contact …

Gaming on the Nexus 6

We’ve got a Nexus 6 into the testbed here at Coolsmartphone and whilst the review is ongoing we thought we would let you have a sneak peak. Well, it is the season of giving and all that jazz. 🙂 The game we have chosen is the old classic …

Deal – Reconditioned Google Nexus 4

My kitchen ceiling is falling in because the bath is leaking. It’s a mess I can tell you and I’m well narked off because it’s about the fourth thing to go wrong this week. But no, I’m not leaving you my friends. I’m hear to tell you about …

Nexus 6 available with several networks

Fancy yourself a Nexus 6 dear reader? It seems to be popping up all over the place. Made by Motorola it runs Android Lollipop, has a 2.7GHz Snapdragon 805 quad-core CPU (with an Adreno 420 GPU) 3GB RAM, 13 megapixel rear camera, 2 megapixel front, 6″ 1440×2560 AMOLED …

Google wallet to cease third party digital purchases.

Google have announced that they will shut down the Google Wallet API for third-party digital goods purchases from March 2nd 2015. Google Wallet will continue to function, however, for Google Play purchases. Google Wallet will still exist and consumers will be able to make purchases for goods in …

Nexus 6 cases pop up on Google Play

If you’ve got a Nexus 6 then, well, I’m amazed. It’s not available yet but we do at least know prices. You can’t even pre-order it on the Google Play store. To be honest, if I’m getting on my soap-box for a bit, putting a phone up for …

Nexus 9 Unboxing

It’s here my very own brand new Nexus 9 32gb Wifi. I have been looking forward to this day for a wee while as I loved my Nexus 7 (2013) edition and it was in desperate need of a successor. I have been reviewing a lot of tablets …

Gmail gets to update to Material design

This morning Android owners will have awoken to the news of Nexus 9’s being unboxed around the world (ours is here). Even if you don’t have a Nexus device you will be pleased to hear that you too can enjoy the new Gmail app from Lollipop as it’s …

Nexus 7 no longer available on UK Play Store

Well that didn’t take long! A quick search for some details on the Nexus 7 (to be honest I was looking to compare the battery size with the Lenovo Yoga 8 tablet due to the cheap price that Argos are selling it for as reported earlier this week) …

Motorola & Google announce the Nexus 6

Its big, its very big and now its official. The long rumoured and multi leaked Nexus 6 does exist and it is the 5.9″ monster that has long been touted. It’s the first device to launch with Android 5.0 Lollipop and it packs a pretty hefty punch specs …

EE now also do a cheap 4G tablet as well

Yesterday we heard that Vodafone were offering a cheap 4G tablet for pay as you go customers, today not to be outdone EE have announced that they’ll be selling the slightly cheaper and slightly smaller Alcatel One Touch Pop S. Which can be yours for £99.99 and it …

Android 5.0 Confirmed in new “Sweet Treats” video

The name of the new release of Google’s Android mobile operating system has long been something for conjecture. Guesses range from Lemon meringue pie to Lollipop to Liquorice taking in Lion Bar and Lava cake along the way. Well in typical Google fashion a video has been released …

Take a look at the Nexus 6

Retirement is supposed to be a time where you down tools, put your feet up and relax. Clearly this message has not got through to serial leaker Evan Blass who retired from leaking earlier this year as he has taken to Twitter to post a render of what …

Friday afternoon impulse buy?

It’s that time of the week when you’re hopefully thinking of spending a bit of cash on yourself. Expansys are kicking out the 2012 model of the Google Nexus 7. The reconditioned Asus-built device comes with a free dark grey travel cover. It’s the one we first reviewed …