One week ago, Microsoft came out with a really nice overhaul for its Windows Phone YouTube app. It wasn't long after that when we learned of a possibly big problem for this new release, as some of its behavior appeared to conflict with YouTube API terms and conditions. We wondered if Google might go so far as to take steps to disable the app. Sure enough, Google has sent Microsoft a cease-and-desist letter, insisting that Microsoft kill the app. Just as expected, Google takes issue with Microsoft pulling an end-run on content producers that rely on advertising for income, as the Windows ...

Yesterday's Google I/O keynote may not have brought us the rumored Google Babel - at least not with that name, anyway - but we did learn of work towards a unified messaging system, only adopting the old Google+ name of Hangouts. The company announced Hangouts for web, Android, and even iOS, giving users a consistent experience across disparate devices. It all sounded quite interesting, but it wasn't quite the comprehensive messaging experience we dreamed of, missing one key feature: connection with your phone's SMS messages. Luckily, it looks like that's essentially confirmed, and should ...

For a Google I/O with not much to offer in the way of big Android announcements, there sure were a lot of smaller improvements Google had to share. After telling us about new Android APIs and the AOSP Galaxy S 4, the I/O keynote switched gears to Chrome and some other Google services. A lot of changes were revealed, so let's hit on some of the more notable ones. Some of the most impressive news was about the Google search experience. Voice-based search sees a number of improvements enhancing its ability to parse common language queries, letting you have a bit of a conversation with Google; ...

One of the last Google I/O rumors to arrive before things got started was word of a Nexus-like version of the Galaxy S 4, the GS4 Google Edition. We've been lowering our expectations when it comes to Google I/O device announcements this year, but this one actually ended up happening, with Google announcing the phone today. This GS4 runs stock Android, just like the Nexus 4. Updates will come from Google, quick and speedy, just like with regular Nexus devices. You'll be able to buy the phone right through Google from the Play Store when it start selling next month. This version of the GS4 ...

As promised, last-minute Google I/O rumors continue to hit our desk, and the latest we want to share with you is some talk about the idea of Google introducing a new streaming music service. Unlike the locker-like system currently used by Google Music to let you stream your own library, this would be a subscription-based system more in line with what you get from a company like Spotify. Supposedly, Google has secured deals with both Universal and Sony that would allow it to feature the companies' music in this service. It looks like there could be multiple ways Google intends to use such ...

We're now only hours away from Google I/O bringing us the latest announcements concerning Android, but that gives us just enough time to check out some last-minute rumors. It may be too early still for news of a Nexus 5, but could we learn of something a little different but up that same alley? One rumor claims that Samsung could bring word of a Nexus-like pure Android version of its flagship Galaxy S 4. Supposedly envisioned to address demand for a higher-end premium phone that offers a Nexus-like software experience, Samsung and Google would announce a Galaxy S 4 Google Edition running ...

With Nokia's latest product announcement now behind us, attentions are rapidly turning to this week's other big circle on the smartphone calendar: Google I/O 2013. The event kicks-off tomorrow, but Google's already hard at work getting San Francisco's Moscone Center ready for the the crowds. Some photos of the team's progress gives us a little preview of what to expect. Unfortunately, it doesn't look like this photoset is going to deliver in quite the same way as some staging photos from a big expo like MWC or an Apple event where a product announcement is due, as we're not seeing any ...

Last month's discovery of the framework for a new Google Play Android gaming service made it look like this project was just about to launch. Many of the pieces seemed to be in place, and all we needed was for Google to go official with it all (possibly at Google I/O). Since then we've heard some less-than-convincing stabs at a name for the system, but today it looks like we can finally confirm that it will arrive, simply, as Google Play Games. Sure enough, it looks like the missing pieces to Play Games will arrive with the next big Google Play Services update. Android Police managed to ...