Category: App Update

Fitbit has released an updated version of the app for Android phone that, while mostly focused on fixes and improvements, also brings a new look to the exercise tracking of the app.  The updated build is version 2.15 for those keeping score at home and it is out in the Google Play Store now.  If you have the app installed you can expect the OTA update at any point over the next couple of days.

The Fitbit app has always had a exercise log where from the main page you could enter in exercise (or sync it from another app if you log elsewhere (I log in MyFitnessPal personally and have it sync)) and see in a calendar form how you did for a particular week.  That information along with minutes exercised and calories burned is still there, but now you have a weekly challenge that you configure to help you stay on task of getting and staying healthy through exercise and a sensible diet.

Fitbit for Android – Free – Download Now

Over on the Chrome Releases Blog, the announcement has come that an updated version of the browser is coming to Android.  The update should be hitting the Google Play Store over the course of the next few hours which means it will start coming to devices via an OTA update soon thereafter. The updated version is 47.0.2526.27 for those keeping score at home and it falls in line with the announcement on Monday of version 47 for the desktop version of Chrome and Tuesday of ChromeOS.

As for what has been updated or changed in this update, it is as Google describes “a barge load of performance and stability fixes”.  If you really want to dig into the GIT information you can see all the fixes in the release but it is a long, long list.

Chrome for Android – Free – Download Now

Google Play Music has been update for Android devices and it brings a new feature for subscribers to the services unlimited plan.  Now you have a new Sound Search feature that allows you to have the app listen to music that is playing and it will identify it and take you to that song in the service so you can add it to your library. Because subscribers can add and download music to their library without actually owning the content (it is digitally locked to your account), the search feature is a quick way to add music to your library on-the-fly without having to make anything more than the $9.99 monthly subscription.

If this new Sound Search feature sounds familiar, the concept has been around quite some time.  Shazam is probably the best known of these types of services and they still are around.  With the inclusion of this type of feature in Google Play Music and other premium services, a stand alone app is starting to make less sense.

The update to the app is version 6.1.2116T for those who are keeping score at home and it is in the Google Play Store now.  If you have the app installed, it could be a day or two before you see the OTA update.

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

When I posted my review of Google Fit several months ago, I pointed out that while it was a good app that had a nice, clean interface, it lacked some of the features that would make it a true must-have fitness app.  The latest update to the app, which is rolling out to the Google Play Store now, closes a lot of those gaps by bringing a much tighter integration with other fitness and nutrition apps.  The result is that Google Fit becomes a portal for all your nutrition and exercise information.

The update is version 1.55.44-000 for those keeping score at home and while it has been released to the Play Store, it could be a day or two before you see the OTA update if you have it installed.  The first thing that is new in this build is the real-time tracking of exercises.  If you go on walks, runs or bike rides, you can now have Google Fit track that exercise for you and it will integrate with Google Maps so you can see where you went on your activity.  To do this, there is a new Start Activity option in the app’s menu.

Google Fit for Android – Free – Download Now

I am an unapologetic fan of Google+.  It is a great source of information, tips, new ideas and communicating with other Android users who share a passion for the platform. But, as we all know, Google+ hasn’t exactly gained huge grounds in terms of users (the joke is that only Googlers use Google+) but that doesn’t mean it is completely dead in the eyes of Mountain View.  Today the company announced a wide range of changes that are coming to the social platform including a completely revamped user experience that focuses more on communities and collections.  If you remember back to my first post on how I use Google+, I pointed out that Communities was one of the key draws to the platform.  It would seem that I’m not alone.

Google+ for Android – Free – Download Now

Google’s efforts to continue to improve the suite of Google Docs apps continues as the inch ever closer to being on par with Microsoft Office.  The latest update is to Google Slides, the presentation app for Android, with the addition of some more advanced editing features as well as bug fixes and improvements. The update is build 1.2.452.11.30 for those keeping score at home and is rolling out now to the Google Play Store. If you have Google Slides installed already, you should see the OTA update for it in the next few days.

If you missed it, I did a four part series on my migration from Microsoft Office to Google Docs for my day-to-day work. At the time of those posts, Google Slides was already powerful and very close to being on par with PowerPoint.  That gap is now closed further with this update.

My Migration to Google Docs Part 1 – The Setup

My Migration to Google Docs Part 2 – Google Docs on All The Toys

My Migration to Google Docs Part 3 – Between the Google Sheets

My Migration to Google Docs Part 4 – Sliding to Google Slides

While I said in the first part of this series that this migration isn’t for everyone, I do encourage to give the Google Docs suite a try. I think you will find that they can accomplish 95% of everything you need in these apps (save you power Excel types).

Google Slides for Android – Free – Download Now