Category: App Update

In the latest update to their Android app, Netflix has brought users a unique but handy feature.  If you need support with the app or your service, you can talk to a support representative directly from within the app.  No more switching to your phone app or calling on another phone to get help.  It is something that Netflix teased back in October as a way to differentiate their support over other streaming media services.  Given the somewhat lackluster support that many apps seemingly have today, it is good to see at least one take customer service seriously enough to make it easy for you to make a phone call to them.

Netflix for Android – Free (In-App Purchases) – Download Now

If you are an Android user then you probably already know about the Androidify app.  For those new to the platform or if you haven’t heard of it, the Androidify app allows you to build your own Android character that is befitting to you. Think of it as your Android avatar where you can change the character to a more fitting version of you to share with others.  To the right you can see mine

Clinton Androidify Character

it all its glory.

With the holiday season upon us, Google has released an update to the app that allows you to add some festive cheer to your character.  Through the additions of accessories and of course a very ugly holiday sweater, you can get your Android character ready for the holidays.

The update has brought several new things like sweaters, hockey skates, ski goggles, Google Cardboard, a new stocking hat, a new leave scarf, a hot cocoa accessory to hold and of course the new Nexus 5X, Nexus 6P and a Chromebook to hold.  This isn’t the whole list, there are a lot more, so get the app and explore it while having some fun.  So yes, you can make a very personal, it’s-like-me character or you can make your alter ego.  Either way, it’s a bit of fun.

I read a lot, especially at night, on my Nexus 7 tablet, so eye strain and fatigue is always a concern for me.  I’ve found ways around this to a large extent by enabling sepia tone mode in Google Play Books but it only goes so far.  Google seems to agree and with the latest update to the eBook reader app, they have created a Night Light mode.  Using information based on the amount of sunlight available, the app will gradually change the temperature and brightness based on that information.

When turned on, Night Light gradually filters blue light from your screen, replacing it with a warm, amber light as the sun sets. Night Light automatically adapts to the amount of natural sunlight outside based on the time of day, giving you just the right temperature and brightness. The color adjustment is more comfortable on your eyes and greatly improves low-light night reading.

Essentially, if you have been using the Sepia mode like I have in Google Play Books, this is an automatic version of making this change plus it adjusts the brightness.  It is a bit genius.

Google Play Books – Free (In-App Purchases) – Download Now

The Weather Channel app for Android has received another major makeover in the latest update, bringing a clean and more material design look to the popular weather app.  The updated version is build 6.0.0 for those keeping score at home and it has rolled out to the Google Play Store.  In the new user experience, information is far easier to get to as it is now a simple swipe up and down in the app to get information about current conditions, what you can expect for the day and forecasts.  Radar images have seemingly improved dramatically as well in this update as they are far less jittery than in previous builds.  If there is a weather advisory in your area and you have signed up with the service, the Weather Channel app can send you a notification and it will be highlighted in the app itself when you first open it.  Tap that banner and you can get more information about that weather event.

Weather Channel – Free – Download Now

For subscribers to Project Fi, there is a new version of the app for Android available.  The update is version G.1.7.12 for those keeping score at home and while it brings some bug fixes and stability improvements, it also adds a key feature:  Notifications of service outages.

I have been using Project Fi on my Nexus 6 for a couple of months now and while I have not been impacted by an outage, there have been issues in the past like any other carrier (especially a new one like Fi).  To this point, in order to find out about an issue, you can to email, call or chat with the Fi team which can be a bit more time consuming.  Now that requirement is gone as you will get notifications of any outages right within the app.

If you are curious about Project Fi, you can read my review of the service to see what my experience has been like with it.

One of the few non-Material Design apps from Google, Google Authenticator, has finally been updated to reflect a more modern design.  The app has been bumped up to version 4.44 for those keeping score at home and also brings support for Android Wear so you can perform authentications for your 2-factor enabled accounts from your wrist and not just your phone or tablet.

For those who may not know what the app does, it provides you a six digit PIN for you to authenticate your identity on accounts such as Google, Evernote and Dropbox where you have enabled 2-factor authentication.  2-factor authentication is a more secure way of keeping your accounts secure by requiring not only a username or password but also this PIN to prove you are you.  It is always a best security practice to enable 2-factor on your accounts to prevent hacking of your accounts.

Google Authenticator for Android – Free – Download Now