Phandroid
Report: Tony Fadell, the ‘father’ of the iPod, is the new head of Google’s hardware division
When Google bought Nest for $3.2 billion, they didn’t just acquire some fancy new thermostat, they got their hands on something far greater: the brilliant mind behind the world’s most advanced thermostat, CEO and co-founder Tony Fadell. It’s Fadell who many accredit with being the “father of the iPod” and arguably, one of the most well designed pieces of consumer technology of our modern era. It’s this reason why, back in January, it was believed that Google wanted Nest and its team of ex-Apple engineers to come play ball for them.
Unsurprisingly, sources from The Information are now confirming that Google has unofficially made Tony Fadell the new head of Google’s consumer hardware business. A relatively small portfolio at present (Chromecast, Chrombook Pixel, Google Glass), Android head Sundar Pichai has apparently “dismantled” the Android team’s current hardware initiatives to help facilitate Fadell’s creative freedom. While that may not sound like much, there’s no telling what Google had plans for down the pipeline.
Exactly where this will take Google (and Android) is anyone’s guess. A Nexus Q revival? Android game console? We can’t ignore Nests’ recent Dropcam purchase. With Android Silver around the corner, we’re not expecting much in terms of smartphones or tablets, but given Fadell’s track record, it seems we could be in good hands.
Yahoo Aviate Launcher no longer in beta, now available for free with a few new features
It wasn’t too long ago the folks at Yahoo! acquired Thumbs Up Labs, makers of Aviate, an intelligent launcher for Android devices. Unlike your traditional, static homescreen, Aviate learns your app habits, intelligently organizing your favorite apps and contacts for you right on your homescreen with no fuss.
While initially only available in a closed, invite-only beta, it seems the folks at Yahoo are now finally comfortable with making Aviate available to all via Google Play. Aviate has even learned a few new tricks in the process. Aviate will alert you if the current weather is significantly different from the previous day, connect to conference calls without having to enter in the meeting code, email colleagues if you’re running late for a meeting, and estimate your commute time for you when you’re heading to work. Aviate also has a new favorite contacts menu accessible by swiping up from the launcher. There you’ll find your most frequently contacted friends
Yahoo says this is only the beginning for Aviate, with them only scratching the surface of all the things an “intelligent” home screen can add to your life. While we can’t guarantee Android power users will take to the new launcher, I can definitely seeing this being useful for my parents who never get around to adding more than a few shortcuts to their homescreen. Check out the new video trailer below, and let us know how you’re liking it.
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