Google Search will now show you cocktail recipes when searching for them

Google wants their search engine to become a resource for nearly everything, from health information to song lyrics. And now they’re adding another element we didn’t think we’d need (but probably will appreciate): cocktail recipes.

So the next time you decide on the perfect drink you want to feature at a social gathering you can simply search “how to make a dark and stormy” on Google, and the quick recipe will be smack dab at the top of the page for you to take a look at.

We should note it’s a very barebones implementation for a recipe, so specific measurements for different serving sizes, mixing instructions and more are absent. That still gives you plenty of reason to explore the other dozens of recipe sites that will show up in your search results. Have at it, and try not to have too many before you have to go back to work today!

[via Google]

Google Search will now show a download link for indexed apps that aren’t on your phone

Google’s app indexing feature for Android apps is a great way for content creators to make their goods more accessible. If you don’t know what it does, it allows Google’s Search engine to index articles within a news app, so that if a user searches for something and happens to come across a link from one of their favorite websites, they can open that article within that app.

Google’s improving the feature with a new tweak to Google Search results that will now let you know if a search result is indexed in an Android app, and will prompt you to download that app if it isn’t already on your phone. It’s a great way for publications to get new readers, and for users to learn about an app that they may not have known of otherwise.

Over 30 billion links have been indexed to date, and with how big mobile has become a part of our lives that number is only going to grow. Good on Google for figuring out a way for apps to become relevant search results instead of the typical blue link parade we’re used to.

[via Google]

Upcoming API will allow any developer to show Google Now cards

Google’s already shown hints of expanded Google Now functionality through the use of third-party apps, but not everyone was invited to the party. A select group of developers were let in on the fun this past January, but what about the little guys who might not be recognized as a “top developer” and couldn’t build this functionality into their apps?

According to a Google rep speaking at South by Southwest (SXSW) this morning, that will soon change. Aparna Chennapragada, Google’s director of product manager for Google Now, told of an upcoming open API that developers would be able to tap into in order to provide Google Now cards where and if they make sense.

Unfortunately that’s the extent of any known details. There’s no word on how soon this will be available or what sort of freedom developers would have in supporting Google Now cards. We did get a morsel of information about a forthcoming Google Now card that might show queue times for your favorite attractions at a theme park, though, so there’s that.

If Google Now wasn’t already one of the most informative, useful and fun tools baked into Android, then it’s sure to become all of that and more once developers can make their own cards.

[via NextWeb]

Show off your phandom with this Android collectibles bundle from AndroidArea.com

Are you a true phandroid? Display your Android pride with this awesome collectibles bundle available from AndroidArea.com. For only .99 you will score a collection of three 3” vinyl bugdroid figurines plus a 6” plush toy.

Kick off your collection with a random selection of three vinyl figures from the popular Dead Zebra lineup. These Big Box Edition lineup features six characters all sealed in display-ready packaging. Possibilities include a classic green droid, Business Man, Taxi Bot, Yeti, Pinkey, Bear Tag, or Ruby Red. The figures alone are worth the price of the bundle, but you will also get a 6” Ganndroid plush to round out your budding collection.

All told, the entire set equates to a value, but you can get them all for only .99, a perfect gift for your or the Android fan in your life.

Google retrofits Nexus 5 with a fingerprint scanner to show off Android Pay [VIDEO]

One of Android M’s key features is its native support for fingerprint scanning hardware. Given there’s no actual Nexus device with a fingerprint reader for Google to test out their latest software APIs, they had to get creative. What they somehow managed to do was retrofit a Nexus 5 with fingerprint reader to show off some of the new Android M features in their new developer video.

Now we’re not going to go as far as saying this could be some sort of hint that a revamped Nexus 5 with a fingerprint reader will launch later this year… but it might. Okay, it probably wont. Not in its current state anyway. But we have heard rumors that Google could be planning both a 5.2-inch and 5.7-inch Nexus models this year.

Have a look for yourself at Google’s retrofitted Nexus 5 in their latest video down below (fast forward to 2:26) and tell us how excited you’d be for a reasonably compact Nexus smartphone that wouldn’t strain your thumbs. Oh, a fingerprint scanner would be a nice addition too.

Photos of alleged Motorola Moto X 3rd Gen frame show possible fingerprint reader

Like most OEMs, Motorola has had a really hard time keeping their flagships under wraps. Whether it was the first gen Moto X or the Moto X 2nd Gen, we got glimpses of these devices months before their official unveilings. As we approach the year anniversary of last year’s Moto X 2014, we know it’s just a matter of time before things start popping up around the net. Sure enough, blogs overseas are already churning, revealing a few images of what could be this year’s Motorola Moto X 2015.

Chinese site MyDrivers is back once again, showing what they believe are a few images of the next-gen Moto X, well, its chassis anyway. Other than giving us a look at the basic outline of the device, the frame has a peculiar cut out just below the camera hole. It’s rather square in shape, leading some to believe that the phone’s “M” logo will act as a fingerprint scanner. Other than that, not much else was revealed from this leak.

Current rumors point to Motorola delivering 2 flagship models — a 5.2-inch and 5.7-inch Moto X — both with quad HD displays. Other specs are more iffy with Motorola’s CMO talking about how the Moto X 3rd Gen will “bring it” in terms of camera quality and even says more manual controls are on the way. With Google ready to embrace USB Type C, we hope this — along with a much larger battery — will be included on the device.

Hopefully we’ll learn more about the 3rd Gen Moto X in the coming days/weeks. What would you guys like to see on the phone for you to consider purchasing?

Nest has something new to show off June 17th, but what?

Nest is gearing up to make their first big announcement since being acquired by Google (and since snapping up Dropcam). It happens June 17th, which is only a short week and a half from now. So what is it?

They didn’t go into detail on their official invitation, of course, but trusted sources close to the situation have revealed to us the company’s likely plans. Nest will apparently look to refresh their current product line — which includes the Learning Thermostat, the Protect Fire + CO2 Alarm, as well as Dropcam — with new hardware.

The details are scarce, but we’ve at least heard that the thermostat will be a few millimeters thinner than the current model. But the refresh isn’t just to usher in a new good look. The company will build the three products in a way that makes sure they all harmonize with each other, so the Thermostat, Dropcam and Protect can work under the same umbrella.

This functionality will be driven by a new app that combines the functionality of all three into one nice package, though details on how they would work together weren’t shared. We also know that the Nest Thermostat will have a faster processor which will naturally make for a smoother user interface.

One interesting thing to stay on the lookout for is some sort of voice control. If you didn’t know, Nest recently sought to hire audio engineers, which we’re hoping was to facilitate development of some sort of Amazon Echo-like competitor. Of course, it’s just as likely that they could be looking to beef up Dropcam audio. All will be told June 17th so be sure to circle back to make sure you’re kept in the loop.