Google, on stage during the I/O keynote, just announced that they will sell a Samsung Galaxy S4 directly through Google Play with an unlocked bootloader, stock Android experience, LTE support, connectivity on AT&T and T-Mobile, with a “Nexus experience,” and as a device that will receive updates promptly.

The device will launch June 26 on Google Play for $649.

If you wanted the Galaxy S4 as the clean phone you always envisioned, this is your chance to get it. 

Well, Google Play Games has been confirmed by a number of app updates before the Google I/O keynote has even started. As you can see in the changelog for the update to TripleTown (and Modern Combat 4 below), we’re getting “Google Play game services” that include leaderboards and achievements as long as you sign into the game with your Google+ account. 

A new version of Google Maps for the desktop was leaked last week showing a new look that provided a more full-screen experience while matching up to the Google Now-esque card style of other Google services. A release of this version seemed imminent, but most of us figured it would wait for a Google I/O unveiling. Tonight (the night before I/O), the sign-up for this new Google Maps was live briefly, giving us a glimpse at what we can expect when it officially goes live. 

A day ahead of the Google I/O keynote, an update is rolling out to Google Play, version number 4.1.6. Inside the update is a new look for the home buttons (Apps, Games, Movies, etc.), giving them a more colorful appearance. On top of that, it appears that each application page is laid out better, with the  ”open” and “install” buttons being separated a bit more. In the previous version, they were a bit cramped and I know we voiced our minor frustrations about that during one of our DL Shows. 

Following some public outings and financial calls, questions arose concerning Larry Page’s health. When listening to Page, he sounded terrible; his voice was raspy and coarse, pausing for breath between each sentence. To sum it up, the tech world was sincerely worried about Google’s CEO. 

Are you ready for it? It’s our favorite week of the year – yes, it’s time for Google I/O. This week, Google will take the stage at the Moscone Center in San Francisco and unveil all sorts of new projects. Some will be software-focused, others may include hardware, but no matter what, there will be plenty to talk about. If you are an Android fanatic or Google product lover, there is no better week than this. 

Thanks to a display unit hanging around the Qualcomm booth at a tech event in Dubai, the white version of the Nexus 4 is getting all sorts of play this week. While this new sighting gives us an up-close-and-personal view of the paler brother to the original N4, this still doesn’t mean that we are guaranteed to see it at Google I/O this week. We would certainly love to, as the white Nexus 4 has been on our radar since first appearing back in January, but there is no indication that this version will ever see a broad retail release. 

Joining the likes of Provo (UT), Austin (TX), Shawnee (KS), and Raytown (MO) on the list of luckiest towns in the world is Gladstone (MO). Why is it lucky? Because it has been added to the list of official locales to receive Google Fiber in the future. Even with their city council voting in the service last night, Google notes that it will be some time before Gladstone sees the ultra-fast fiber internet, but that doesn’t make us any less jealous.

Anyone live in Gladstone?

Via:  Google Fiber