Phandroid
Chromecast update brings custom wallpapers, news, weather backdrops, and more
It’s been awhile since we’ve seen a good Chromecast update, but today, one of the most long requested features is finally being addressed. New for Android and iOS are backdrops, custom backgrounds the user can configure to display everything from custom wallpapers, to news and weather.
Setup is a breeze and gives users a robust set of options like displaying their own photos (off by default), art (from Google Open Gallery and Google Cultural Institute), weather in your location, satellite images, featured Google+ photos, or news from your Google Play Newsstand account. Although social networks or sites like Tumblr aren’t supported quite yet, it’s pretty easy to see where Google can take this.
If you’re ever curious to learn more about whatever is being displayed (like some sort of the art), at any point you can either open the Chromecast app and tap on what’s being displayed (backdrop tab), or open up the Google app on your phone and speak the command “What’s on my Chromecast?” Doesn’t get much easier than that.
The Chromecast 1.8.22 is rolling out in stages right now on Google Play, so either wait around until it’s available for your device, or sideload the app by downloading the updated apk here. You can learn more about backdrops by visiting Google’s all new landing page.
Galaxy Nexus gets updated GPU drivers, may lead to Android L support
There’s something about Nexus phones that other phones don’t quite have. It’s that 9 lives factor, knowing that any given device from the Nexus line probably won’t die as long as there was ever a strong development community behind it. We’ve seen it time and time again, and now the same is ringing true for the Galaxy Nexus.
With Texas Instruments out of the mobile space and the Galaxy Nexus well past end-of-life, you’d probably think it’s crazy to expect to be able to get Android L loaded up onto it. Thankfully that isn’t the case as developer heroes MWisBest and Ziyan’s work with the Galaxy Nexus’ OMAP chipset has ensured that the device won’t be left by the wayside anytime soon.
A recent update for the chipset’s Ducati cores now allows for more stable video encoding and decoding, as well as proper communication with the device’s camera drivers. KitKat was but an ugly duckling of a port before now, but this update makes it just as stable as it is on nearly any phone you’d find, and the same stands to be true for Android L once that finally arrives.
Many have already upgraded to more contemporary devices such as the Nexus 4 and Nexus 5 (and soon to be Nexus 6), but if you’re still clinging to your Galaxy Nexus then you can pop a cork and celebrate a little. Keep your ear to the development scene as we head to the closing moments of the year.
[via XDA]
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