News hit the web today that Matias Duarte, the one and only Android design chief at Google, expressed his feelings on Facebook’s Home application, saying the app shows, “an incredible amount of polish.” 

Yesterday afternoon, Matias Duarte – the UX master of Android – took to Google+ to field your questions on all things Nexus and Jelly Bean. A number of people responded, prompting Duarte to answer two questions thus far. He tackled the idea of the new tablet UI in Jelly Bean, plus the lack of SD card slots in Nexus devices. 

Matias Duarte coming to Google to head up Android’s user interface was a huge acquisition for all us Android fanboys. Not only has he helped Android to grow up and into its own, but he has influenced many things about the OS since he arrived to help with Ice Cream Sandwich. His former job at Palm has never been more evident before today with Google’s new Charging Orb for the Nexus 4, which looks eerily similar to the Touchstone Charger.

Using the Qi charging standard, Google has created a half-orb that magnetizes to the back of the Nexus 4 for easy charging by just setting your phone on it. The new feature in Android 4.2 named “Daydream” will be activated when set on this dock and the phone will display information from Google Currents and Google Now. There has been absolutely no word on pricing or availability for this accessory but if you’re like us, you are waiting impatiently until it is announced.

Ready to move to wireless charging yet with your Nexus 4?

Via: The Verge

Since Google had to cancel their winter Android event due to Hurricane Sandy, they went ahead and sat down with the folks at The Verge to walk through everything that they had planned to show. In the 15-minute video below, you’ll see the Nexus 4 and Nexus 10, but you’ll also see all of the new Android 4.2 features that we wish we could get a hold of, right now. The new lockscreen functionality with widgets, updated camera software, new notification panel, Google Now, and more, all have us in full fanboy mode today. 

Last week, Google’s Senior Director of Android User Experience, Matias Duarte was named one of the Top 50 designers that is shaping our world’s future. Up there with the creative director from Apple, designers from Twitter, Facebook, and other major companies, Duarte is one of the best.

He posted a ‘thank you’ on his Google+ page and someone decided that it would be a good time to remind him that Android still isn’t perfect. Being a classy man whom we’ve had the privilege to stand next to and share a beer with at Google I/O, replied to the comment on his page, stating that there is always more work to be done and he’s only one third of where he would like to be with Android as a whole. 

Been waiting for someone to pick the brain of the popular Googler, Matias Duarte?  Today at 4:30 PM EST (1:30 PM PST), on The Daily Beast’s Google+ page, you can watch a live hang out where they will be going back and forth with the man behind many of the Ice Cream Sandwich looks we know and love.  In addition, the entire event will be recorded for all those that can’t make it.

When:

December / 7 / 2011 (Today) – 4:30 PM EST (1:30 PM PST)

Where:

Daily Beast Google+ Page

If you are not able to catch the live action but still want to go back and watch, The Daily Beast will also be recording the event for later viewing on their G+ page.  Don’t know if they’ll be taking viewer questions, but that would be an added bonus.

Via: Android And Me