Everything new at Google: The big Google I/O Preview

Android 4.3 and the new Nexus 7, Updates of the Nexus 4, Chrome and Google Glass will be in focus of the conference. Originally Google I/O was intended as developer conference but quickly became one of the biggest and most important IT events of the year. We can hardly remember the time where Google was purely a search engine provider. With products such as Android, Chrome (OS) and Google Glass the company is more and more targeting consumer markets.

Expectations are high for this yeas events, which will take place between 15. - 17. May in San Francisco. Like Apple before its WWDC event Google likes to avoid rumours about their latest innovations. These kind of events will have an important include for stock markets and wealth can be increased and decreased dramatically.

Here there is an overview about some pre-released facts and expeditions:

Android

Certainly Android will play a central role during the Google I/O, in the same way as the last few years. Everything else would be a big surprise. As last year there will be a new Android-Versions launched for Nexus devices. Some weeks ago everyone was speaking about a new major updates called Android 5.0 "Key Lime Pie". Now the majority is expecting a support update for "Jelly Bean" called Android 4.3. This version does not mean that it will be a small update, without significant changes and improvements. Concrete hints about improvements are not well known yet. but it seems to include a new Gaming Platform, new Camera Software (Google bought the software company Snapseed), new versions of some core applications such as Google Maps (Google Earth and Google Maps will become one application), Gmail and Google Docs and Google Drive. In addition the multi user support from Android 4.2 will be enhanced and improved.

Google Phone X (Motorola):

Motorola Mobility can play a central role for the Google concern. If we will see a big surprise one this year I/O in form of a new mobile phone we will see mid of may. The Google Motorola cooperation could bring a new device of the Nexus series, but it should not expected too much.

Nexus:

It is very likely that there is a upgraded version of the Nexus 7. The current version was introduced during the last I/O and a refresh would fit in the upgrade cycle for the tablet. The upgrade will properly include a high resolution display, a new processor and a camera.
In addition the Nexus 4 could get new hardware features as well. During the I/O users expect clarifications about the proudly presented Nexus Q which can be deprecated. Instead of Nexus Q Google TV and Android@Home could be continued within another form.

Chrome:

It is not very likely that Android and Chrome will be merged to one product, even though the Chrome main manager moved to Android. Latest developments on the Chrome platform shows so called "Packaged Apps" which is a HTML, CSS and JavaScript based platform for Chrome applications, which are able to run offline as well. It can be assumed that "Packaged Apps" will be supported by Android as well. Chrome is seen as a hobby from Google but there are not less than 37 (!) sessions related to Chrome this year.
One of the big goals of Google is the so called "Star-Trek-Computer" which will be able to understand human spoken questions and answer them immediately and meaningful. Google Now is the driving product behind this idea. Users can expect a new version of Google now within this years I/O, which can become the new home screen of Android. The new home screen will automatically change according the interests and needs of the user.

Google Glass

Within Google Glass Google Now is the main interface. Currently Google is working on internationalisation to make the product available for masses. To make Google Glass a hit Google needs to launch further applications which inspire developers and shows users the benefit of the product. Messaging applications like Google Talk, Google+ and Google Voice will be combined with new interfaces.

Google Maps

Since some days a new web version of Google Maps was seen. I expect that Google Maps and Google Earth will be merged into one product which is purely web based.

The conference will begin Wednesday evening European time with a keynote talk. There will be a lot of live sessions which will be streamed via YouTube.

Link Google I/O 2013

Google Glass + Google Maps - Launch of a new Google Service?

In the source code of Google+ shows some evidence of a new Google Service which could combine Street View, Google Glass and the social network Google+. The name for this service could be YouTour.

Tours can be enriched with Audio and Video comments and shared with friends or other contacts. Capabilities of the service are completely vague, but the name can be read out from several hints in the source code and by several graphic items stored on the server.

Users of Google Glass could record their walks and upload directly on Google Servers. There these walks or tours could be shared with others, which can see and follow the walks. Several technologies could be combined within this Service including GPS data from Google Glass and Street view Information from Google Maps.

If Google wants to improve its StreetView data with this technique is not sure yet, but might be a possible option. A uploaded Tour can be soon under the URL: http://youtour.google.com/tours/38dd573b8bcd5464/watch.html

The final Tour can look similar to Hyperlapse which is another service. YouTour could be one of the first Killer-Apps for Glass, introducing places and tours to other people, with a new level of quality and realism.

If you have further commands or information to this service please leave a comment.

Overflow of OpenStreetMap Node IDs

Openstreetmap node IDs were implemented as a 32-bit variable. Since 9 February 2013 the variable container is too small to store unique IDs. Therefore users and developers are invited to update their software and use tools which are capable to store 64 bit identifiers.
Currently the project counts more than 2147438647 node identifiers, which are too much for a 32-bit integer variable.
Now more than 2 billion nodes, single points with latitude and longitude information are used to describe certain parts of the earth. The for the basis for geographic objects like the path of a road and other geographic features.

The majority of tools related to the OSM project was already updated to prevent problems with this limitation. Currently only a few tools left have problems with OpenStreetMap. The node IDs are continually increasing. If you want to know how many nodes IDs the project currently has you can have a look under textual.ru/64. There are already more than 6.5 million IDs longer than 32bits.


Link: www.openstreetmap.org

Downgrade Android Nexus Devices

Many people are very keen on update Android devices to the latest version. Some also use custom ROMs like Cyanongen Mod ROMs, but are not happy with the performace or anyoing bugs.
There is a way to get your original factory image back on your Device.

Googles Factory Images for Nexus Devices

This page contains binary image files that are provided for use in restoring your Nexus device's original factory firmware. These files are for use only on your personal Nexus devices and may not be disassembled, decompiled, reverse engineered, modified or redistributed by you or used in any way except as specifically set forth in the license terms that came with your device.

The site contains Images for following devices:

• Nexus 10
• Nexus 7 (WiFi or UMTS)
• Nexus Q
• Galaxy Nexus
• Nexus S

So if you wanna downgrade or reset to default you can visit this site and download your binaries.

Android 4.2.1 for HTC One Series in Q2 2013?

Currently there is no official statement from HTC for the next Android update for the HTC One Service (HTC One X, HTC One S, HTC One V), but it is very likely that Android version 4.2.1 Jelly Bean will also run on One Series.

Samsung is not the fastest company updating their Android Tables and Smartphones. But Samsung Galaxy Note 2 and the Galaxy S3 will be updated during April, May or June. Therefore it can be expacted HTC will be updating their flagship devices also in the 2nd quater of this year.

Until mid of the year 2012 it is expected that Google itself will also announce a new major version of Android. Unfortunately you are always one version late if you don't have a Nexus device.

About Android Jelly Bean version 4.2 (API level 17):

Google was expected to announce Jelly Bean 4.2 at an event in New York City on 29 October 2012, but the event was cancelled due to Hurricane Sandy. Instead of rescheduling the live event, Google announced the new version with a press release, under the slogan "A new flavor of Jelly Bean". The first devices to run Android 4.2 were LG's Nexus 4 and Samsung's Nexus 10, which were released on 13 November 2012.
HTC ONe Schutzfolie