google play

Nexus 4 comes back in stock for ordering today

Google has been a cruel mistress to Android fans looking to get their hands on a new Nexus 4 lately. After the latest Google-designed phone sold out in what felt like nanoseconds -- perhaps better described from now on as 'nexi-seconds' -- it's been two weeks of living in "out of stock" limbo.

Until today. At noon ET (9 a.m. PT), Google says, the Nexus 4 will be back on sale via the Google Play store.

The Nexus 4 is available unlocked and contract-free for $299, a price that led to a run on the phones … Read more

Google Play bids adieu to anonymous reviews

It used to be that if you wanted to post a review of a book, game, or app in the Google Play store, you could do so as an anonymous user. Now, however, any review you write will be publicly linked to your Google+ name and picture.

Google Play users need to sign in -- or join up -- with a Google+ account to post a review. Of course, this can't be done retrospectively, so your name on previous reviews appears as "A Google User."

The integration of Google+ profiles and Google Play means that users can … Read more

Google adds 5.5 million songs to its collection in Europe

The Google Play store has expanded its reach, adding 5.5 million musical works to its store in Europe.

The deal, which was signed November 1 and made public today, brings new music to 35 countries. It comes via a first-of-its-kind agreement with Armonia, an alliance of licensing groups from France, Italy, and Spain. It also includes music from Sony's Latin division and Universal Music Publishing's British and American repertoire.

"We're thrilled to have reached an agreement with the Armonia societies," Sami Valkonen, head of licensing at Google, said in a statement (PDF link). "… Read more

Google Play exec says big media can't ignore service (Q&A)

Look at Google go.

Not only are the new Android-powered Nexus devices here but Google has loaded the gadgets with more movies and music. For the first time, Google Play, the new name given to the old Android Market, can boast licensing deals with all the major music labels and film studios. That must have taken some doing.

Big entertainment companies have long complained about what they perceived as Google's reluctance to help protect copyrighted works from online pirates. But Android devices are everywhere and the popularity of the operating system makes it difficult for music and film companies … Read more

Find Android apps you don't use to free up space

Are you always looking for an app that does exactly what you want for a particular service? Like a Twitter client that displays everything the way you wish it would, or a specific kind of live wallpaper? You may install many of the options available, but then forget which ones you want to get rid of later.

For times like these, Useless Apps Remover is the only additional app you'll want to download -- until you make more room, that is.

Grab a copy of the app for your Android device and then open it after it finishes installing. … Read more

Google ties Apple with 700,000 Android apps

Google has hit another milestone for Android apps, and this one is pretty big news for Apple too.

The number of apps available for Android now totals about 700,000, a Google spokesman confirmed to CNET. That's up from the 675,000 the company said it had a month ago.

And it equals the figure Apple most recently touted. The Cupertino, Calif., company first revealed it had about 700,000 apps available in its store last month, and Apple reiterated that amount during the iPad Mini launch last week.

The number of apps offered for an operating system is … Read more

Google Play, Android becoming entertainment powerhouses

Google Play's position among the top destinations for entertainment content, right there alongside Apple and Amazon, can no longer be denied.

Google announced today that it now has the licenses to offer movies and TV shows from News Corp.'s Twentieth Century Fox, which means Google Play can rent and sell material from all the major Hollywood studios. Google also locked up a deal with Time Inc. to distribute the media company's top magazine titles such as People, InStyle, and Time.

Perhaps most telling for Google is the deal it struck with Warner Music Group, one of the … Read more

Google announces new Nexus tablets, smartphone

Google announced lots of new hardware today via blog post, after an event in New York was canceled in anticipation of Hurricane Sandy. The big items:

The Nexus 4 smartphone, developed with LG. It features a quad-core processor, a 4.2-inch display, and a wireless charging feature that lets you power the phone by setting it down on a charging service. It runs Android 4.2 (Jelly Bean) and a feature called Photo Sphere for creating 360-degree panoramas. The phone goes on sale Nov. 13 for $299.

The Nexus 7 now comes in new Wi-Fi models that are 16GB (… Read more

Nexus 7 out of stock at Google Play; 16GB spotted at $199

Google could be clearing the way for a new 32GB Nexus 7 tablet as it takes its current models offline.

The $199 8GB and the $249 16GB versions are both out of stock on the Google Play site. The page lists the status of both models as "coming soon." A text field prompts you to enter your e-mail address to be notified when they're available.

Google is reportedly prepping a 32GB version of the Nexus 7 that would replace the 16GB as the high-end model. The 32GB model would adopt the same $249 price tag as the … Read more