Are you looking at the new UI of a redesigned Gmail app for Android? Possibly. The slide above appeared at the “Structure in Android App Design” session at Google I/O, which was focused on teaching developers how to choose which navigation techniques to use in their complex apps. This was the only look at what could potentially be the new Gmail, but if this is indeed it, there are some things worth talking about. 

But before we do that, understand that this was a single slide in a 40-minute presentation that included all sorts of mock-ups for a variety of apps. In fact, shortly after this slide appeared, the presenter showed three different examples of what navigation could look like in the native Android gallery app, only one of which is actually the real deal. So this could be the new Gmail that we were supposed to have seen at I/O, or it could be a mock-up that was used as an example.

Mock-up from Google I/O

With that said, this new Gmail includes a navigation drawer, or what you may know as a slideout menu. It forfeits the top drop down menu for account or label switching, something the iOS version has had for a long time, and appears to allow you to do all of that with a swipe from the left. We have seen the navigation drawer implemented into a number of Google apps recently, like Drive and the new Google Music. The bottom navigation/action bar also appears to be gone in favor of a set of top buttons for new message, search, and the action overflow. It looks, OK.

One thing I’m confused about, is that there is no way in the screenshot above to either add a new account or switch to another. See, in the iOS version of the app (pictured below), you have a navigation drawer that lists your account along with an arrow button that can be tapped to take you to a screen that allows you to add a new account or switch to another. That is clearly missing in this Gmail for Android mock-up. It also lacks any sort of new polish that we have seen from apps like Google Music and Drive and really looks like nothing more than a boring step up from the old.

I hope that is not the new Gmail. It would almost surprise me if it is the new Gmail. Seems like there should be more to it.

Gmail app on iOS

Here is the clip (jump to the 23:00 mark):

Click here to view the embedded video.

Via:  YouTube | Android Police

New Gmail App for Android Possibly Spotted in Google I/O Session, Assuming It’s Not Just an Ugly Mock-up is a post from: Droid Life

Click here to view the embedded video.

Did you miss the entire 3-hour Google I/O keynote from yesterday? Since Google decided not to do a day 2 keynote, they packed everything into day 1, with topics ranging from Google+ to Chrome to Android (barely) and even Google Maps. The entire thing ended with a 30-40 minute crowd Q&A with Larry Page that is at least worth a watch in and of itself. Overall, though, it was long…really long.

To see all of our coverage from Google I/O 2013, hit up this link.

Video: Entire Google I/O 2013 Keynote Replay Available is a post from: Droid Life

To say that readers were disappointed at the lack of SMS support in Google’s new Hangouts application is probably somewhat of an understatement. People are 100% ready to make Hangouts their number one way of communicating via phone, but if SMS (text message) support isn’t there, it becomes difficult, because not everyone you know is going to be up for switching their life over to Hangouts. We had heard through sources of ours that Google Voice support was eventually coming, but that it wouldn’t be a part of the service at launch – something that ended up being true.

Now, according to Google’s G+ community manager of Hangouts and Chat, Dori Storbeck,  SMS is one of their most requested features and will be “coming soon.” 

On a related note, if you stop by your Google account settings page, you’ll see an area labeled “SMS for Hangouts.” Tough to tell if this is new or not, but it does appear to be a way “to receive messages from Google+ Hangouts as SMS, when you are idle.” Unfortunately, the U.S. is not one of the countries listed.

So it is coming, we just don’t know when. Hang in there, folks.

Via:  +Dori Storbeck

Cheers Adam, Justin, and Miguel!

SMS is Indeed Coming to Google Hangouts, According to Google+ Community Manager is a post from: Droid Life

Today’s keynote at Google I/O was an overwhelming amount of product and feature announcements. Amongst the barrage of information was some updates to the Android Developer Console. This is the interface that developers use to deliver apps to devices. Google has made some key improvements which should translate to aiding developers with providing better experiences for users. 

Google is adding optimization tips for developers, in a way to guide them towards better app experiences. The two tips they are offering right now are related to tablet support and translations. Translations is a professional service which will, for a fee, take all the text from an app and translate it to the desired language for the developer. This streamlined service should enable more apps to provide localized strings as they’ve made the process easy for developers to take advantage of. The tablet optimization tips are aimed to make the apps more compatible with Android big screen devices.

They’ve also added a new way for developers to visualize their revenue stream, including in-app purchases. This should allow developers to understand how users are using their apps and tailor the experience. Additionally, Google has added a new method for developers to test out new features. They’ve added the ability for developers to create a beta test utilizing G+ communities. Once they are ready to release an app to production, developers can now roll it out to a percentage of users and adjust that over time. This is some really cool stuff.

Another HUGE improvement is going to be the addition of Analytics. As it stands, developers have no idea about app usage unless they’ve included the Analytics API into their apps. And even if they have, it still requires them to leave the Developer Console and use Analytics Console. Google will now be including analytics for all developers, coming this summer, allowing them to see what devices are being used or even what countries are a large percentage of their users. This added knowledge should allow developers to improve upon their apps with new features and/or localization specific changes.

All of these features and enhancements are developer facing, but as consumers we’re sure to see the benefits of developers having access to all of these new tools.

Google Updates Developer Console – Beta Tests, Analytics and More is a post from: Droid Life

There are around 6,000 people in attendance at this year’s Google I/O in San Francisco, CA. We know that is a very small portion of Google’s large fan base, so we went ahead and snapped a few pictures of the grounds. The Moscone Center here in downtown has several floors, full of Google’s work. 

The third floor houses your dedicated Android and Chrome playground, full of bugdroids and other goodies. The second floor takes care of all the other Google services, such as YouTube, Google Wallet, Cloud services and others. There is always a very positive buzz floating around the Moscone Center, so go take a peek at what is taking place this year.

We Wish You Could Join Us, So Here’s a Photo Tour of Google I/O 2013 is a post from: Droid Life

Google I/O day 1 has essentially come to a close now that the 3-hour long keynote has been completed. Developers are off in small sessions learning ways to make better apps, and the media is trying to wrap their brains around everything that went down. But we aren’t the important ones – we want to know what you thought of this morning’s festivities.

Was there something in particular that stood out? Were you disappointed that no new hardware was announced (Nexus 7) and Android 4.3 was missing? Or were the new Music apps and services, Google Now update, and Galaxy S4 “Nexus experience” edition enough to please you?

Wednesday Poll: Favorite Announcement From Google I/O Day 1? is a post from: Droid Life

Click here to view the embedded video.

Have you ever thought about sending money to someone through a Gmail message? Even if you haven’t, you’ll soon be able to. Shortly after the Google I/O keynote today, the Gmail team announced Google Wallet integration into Gmail messages. In the coming months, as they rollout the service, you’ll be able to send cash to someone in an email thanks to Google Wallet. 

Google Wallet is now integrated with Gmail, so you can quickly and securely send money to friends and family directly within Gmail — even if they don’t have a Gmail address. It’s free to send money if your bank account is linked to Google Wallet or using your Google Wallet Balance, and low fees apply to send money using your linked credit or debit card.

It’s like sending an attachment of cash to your friends. Kind of a neat idea that I had no idea I would ever need. Can’t wait to try it.

Via:  Gmail Blog

You’ll Soon be Able to Send Money to People Through Gmail is a post from: Droid Life

Google Hangouts, the new unified and cross-platform messaging service announced by Google at I/O, is now live on all platforms. For most of us, we care about Chrome and Android, but if you are an iOS user, you can find it in the App Store as well. Go grab it!

To install to your phone, you’ll need to install through the web Play store for the time being. This replaces Google Talk. Screenshots after the break! 

Via:  Hangouts [Play Link] [Chrome Link]

Hangouts for Android and Chrome is Live! is a post from: Droid Life

Google tipped us off early this morning, aside from the leaks we saw previously, that Google Maps might be getting some love at this year’s I/O.  A preview build of the new Maps was shown on iOS and Android. It featured a new slimmed down look with a search bar that took you into a revamped reviews section that has a 5 star scale instead of the previous 4. Google Offers was also worked into this same space to make finding food and deals easy. 

A whole new tablet-based Maps application was shown off as well with the emphasis on “exploring” the world around you. Ratings of restaurants, places of interest and other things are tightly integrated into this new Maps for mobile. We didn’t get a specific release date, but it was said to be coming to Android and iOS “this summer.”

Google Maps for Mobile Gets Reworked, Coming to Android and iOS “This Summer” is a post from: Droid Life

The update for Google Music which includes a new UI, their new All Access streaming service, and Listen Now feature is live! Once you update, don’t forget to check out All Access with the 30-day free trial. 

Here is the full changelog:

• Brand new user interface for phone, tablet, and TV
• Support for All Access subscription service in the US
• Key All Access features: Explore section to discover new music, Radio with unlimited skips, Add albums to My Library, Share and subscribe to playlists
• New Listen Now page that makes it easy to find something to play
• Swipe to remove from playlist or queue
• Swipe to switch songs on the now playing screen or now playing bar
• Go to album or artist from any song

Play Link

Google Music Update With All Access and New UI is Live! is a post from: Droid Life

Google Search received an update moments ago during the Google I/O keynote, and it includes a number of new cards for Google Now. You’ll now be able to set reminders, see upcoming releases for your favorite media types (books, music albums, movies, tv shows, and video games), and view real time public transit updates. 

- Reminders (e.g. say “remind me to buy milk this evening”, “remind me to take out the trash when I get home”)
- Upcoming books, music albums, tv shows and video games you may like
- Real time public transit updates (select cities)
- Last train home (Japan only)

Play Link

Google Search Update on Android Introduces Google Now Cards for Music, Movies, TV Shows, and Games is a post from: Droid Life

During today’s Google I/O keynote, Google and Vic Gundotra announced Hangouts, their new messaging service (previously codenamed Babel). It works across platforms, meaning it works on Chrome, Android, and iOS. It also utilizes cross-device notifications, which allows you to check one device and have the notifications on others clear away. This is the unified chat that has been rumored for weeks now.

The service should go live some time today.

Update:  Hangouts in live in Google Play!  

Google Announces Hangouts, Their New Cross-platform Messaging Service is a post from: Droid Life

We have heard rumors up until this point, but today during their keynote, Google made their new streaming music service official. Google Play  Music “All Access” gives users the ability to search through Google’s huge amount of songs and the ability to play them instantly. An all new UI allows you to swipe away songs if you don’t want them and the ability to make radio stations instantly based on one song. The price of this new streaming service is $9.99 per month, but everyone gets a 30 free trial. If you are an early adopter and sign up before June 30 however, your price is only $7.99.

The I/O keynote is still going on, come and join us!

Update:  The service is now live! Get to it here. 

Google Announces Google Play Music “All Access” for $9.99 Per Month (Updated: It’s Live) is a post from: Droid Life

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. 

Be sure to watch along as they unveil more during today’s keynote!

Google Announces Samsung Galaxy S4 With “Nexus User Experience” is a post from: Droid Life

We’re at the Google I/O keynote and Google just announced their new Google Play game services which include cloud save, achievements, and leaderboards. They also announced that it will be cross platform, so that iOS users can take advantage. As if those new, awesome features weren’t enough, Google+ sign-in has been integrated into this service and once games are installed with this API you can invite friends from your circles on G+ and they will receive notifications to join directly into your game. We’ll be sure to keep you updated as we learn more about this new awesome service.

If you are not there already, join us in our liveblog to watch the event!

Google Announces Google Play Game Services With Cloud Save, Achievements, and Leaderboards Across Platforms is a post from: Droid Life