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In case you missed it, today was a big day for Google news. The company unveiled its new Nexus 7 tablet, which we kind of already knew everything about anyway. But Google also introduced a $35 device called Chromecast which you can plug into a TV and use to stream videos, music, and web content from your phone, tablet, or PC to your TV.
But that’s not all. Google also launched Android 4.3, announced that Android tablet activations are continuing to grow, as are the number of apps in the Play Store, and much more.
Here’s a roundup of tech news from around the web — with a heavy emphasis on Google.
- Google Play has over a million apps, saw 50 billion downloads
The Google Play Store is a one-stop shop for apps, music, movies, books, and even devices. But apps are still its bread and butter, and there are now more apps available than ever — and developers are earning more money from those apps. - Android tablet activations are on a rapid upswing
In other chart-related news, I don’t know if you noticed, but tablets are apparently a thing — as are Android tablets. The number of Android tablet activations skyrocketed in the past year. Google, by the way, says that the original Nexus 7 accounted for about 10 percent of Android tablet sales globally. - Google Play Games app is now available form the Play Store
Google’s social gaming platform now has an app of its own, which you can use to keep up on achievements and other information from your friends/nemeses. [Google Play] - Why Google and Apple are bringing (some) manufacturing back to the US
Motorola’s building the Moto X in the US. Apple is building its new Mac Pro in the States. Here’s a look at some of the reasons big tech companies are bringing some manufacturing jobs back to the United States.[The Verge] - WSJ reports BlackBerry Exec in charge of the PlayBook is leaving the company
He left for “personal reasons.” [WSJ] - Upcoming Xiaomi ZiMi tablet may have Tegra 3 chip, 7 inch screen, multi-lingual support
Chinese software (and recently hardware) company Xiaomi is working on its first tablet. Details are scarce, but the rumor mill suggests it’ll be an affordable 7 inch device with an NVIDIA Tegra 3 chip. What’ll set it apart from the competition is Xiaomi’s MIUI software. [GizChina] - Hoopla could give public library users free access to streaming movies, TV shows, music, and audiobooks
I never cease to be amazed at the fact that you can treat most local libraries as video rental stores… with no rental fees. Soon you may be able to treat them as fee-free Netflix instant video streaming services too… albeit with a more limited selection of content. [GigaOm]
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