New additions to the Android TV and Google Cast family

More Android TV devices and features on the way with Android N release
Android TV delivers thousands of your favorite movies, shows, games and apps to your living room. We’ve extended Android TV to millions of users globally with support from hardware partners and TV service providers. Today, we’re excited to welcome even more TVs and set-top boxes to the lineup.

Sony and Sharp are adding to their Android TV product lines with Sony’s 2016 BRAVIA and Sharp’s Net Player. New devices are also on the way with RCA’s first Android TV, and Xiaomi’s sleek 4K set-top box. And in Europe, Android TV will be available from Beko, Grundig and Vestel starting in June.

Hardware is only half of the picture. In addition to the hundreds of apps currently available, many new apps are coming to Android TV such as CNN, Comedy Central, MTV, Freeform, Nickelodeon, Spotify, STARZ, WATCH ABC, WATCH Disney Channel, WATCH Disney Junior, ESPN and many more. Plus, new features available in Android N will make it easier to watch your favorite programs. Here’s a look at what’s coming:

• Picture-in-Picture: lets users play video while browsing other content. 
• Recording APIs: brings recording functionality to live TV.
• High Dynamic Range: supports the next frontier in 4K UHD video.

Google Cast scales to more TVs and displays

Google Cast, which is built into all Android TV devices, is also expanding. In March, we introduced the first displays with Google Cast from Vizio. Those are now joined by a lineup of TVs from Magnavox, Philips, Polaroid, Toshiba, Westinghouse and more. All Google Cast devices–TVs, displays, speakers, Chromecast, and Chromecast Audio–will be supported by the Google Cast app. You can use the app to discover 1000+ Cast-enabled apps, set up almost any Cast device, and receive the latest content recommendations.

Posted by Sascha Prueter, Program Manager, Android TV

Suggested Summer Reading

Hello friends! 

This will be a quick post as I have a full day ahead of me prepping for some PD I'll be doing in OK later this week.  

As I was going through some files to share, I came across these lists I created to send home with my kids last year.  I compiled a list of different books parents can buy/check out from the library that reach their independent reading levels.  I also included books that would be great for fluency!  Parent notes are attached to the top of each list.  I sent these home in my kids' portfolios at the end of the year.  I also gave the parents a copy and explained it to them at our last parent/teacher conference of the school year.  I made sure to only send home the list that was applicable to each student so that they weren't independently reading text that was too difficult.  

The suggested book lists are geared towards independent reading levels C-H / 3-14.  If you have any other suggestions, I'd love to hear them!!!  

Have a great day!

Android Pay now in the UK, new countries on the way

Starting today, Android Pay is now available in the UK, one of the most advanced contactless nations in the world. Android Pay helps people pay for things simply and securely with their Android smartphones. This builds on the launch of Android Pay in the US last year, with new countries coming soon.

So, where does Android Pay work in the UK?
You will be able to use Android Pay everywhere contactless payments are accepted including your favourite high street stores like Boots, Starbucks and Waitrose and pay for the Tube, bus and train with Transport for London. Just tap with your phone as you would with your card. It’s that simple. And businesses across the country with contactless terminals won’t need to do anything else to be able to accept Android Pay in store.

Android Pay will also speed up checkout in your favourite apps including JD Sports, Deliveroo, YPlan, and many more.

Also, we will be launching Android Pay Day, bringing special offers each month to brighten the last week before pay day. Starbucks UK and Deliveroo will be among the first to reward Android Pay users in the UK. Stay tuned for more offers which will roll out in the months to come.

To start using Android Pay you’ll need to download the Android Pay app on Google Play and have an eligible MasterCard or Visa credit or debit card from one of our supported banks, such as Bank of Scotland, First Direct, Halifax, HSBC, Lloyds Bank, M&S Bank, MBNA and Nationwide Building Society, with new banks being added all the time.

Security is at the centre of Android Pay. With industry standard tokenisation, Android Pay doesn’t send merchants your real card number when you purchase. Android Pay also makes it convenient to keep track of payments and to lock your device if it becomes lost or stolen.

What’s next?

Android Pay will soon be available in Singapore and Australia. And we will continue to add more countries, features, banks and stores in the coming months—making it even easier to pay with your Android phone around the globe.

Get started with Android Pay in the UK today: download the app on Google Play, add your card and start shopping. It’s as easy as Tap. Pay. Done.

Posted by Pali Bhat, Senior Director, Product Management

Snag It Saturday (EOY Freebies!)

Happy Saturday!!!  Did y'all survive Friday the 13th?!  I honestly had NO clue that was the date until my brother mentioned it last night.  Then I came across this meme and laughed WAY harder than I'm proud to admit.....

DYING.

Okay...so my Friday the 13th was filled with celebration.  My college BFF recently had her third baby and I got some snuggle time with him.  It didn't send my ovaries into a tizzy which was wonderful...I mean, we really are finished having babies.  Ha!  And then we went to a little gender reveal for my brother and his wife.  We were all certain they would be having a girl, but it looks like my boys get another boy cousin to play with!  We're all SO excited!!!!!  

Okay...now let's move on with a few things you might want to snag for the end of the year craziness.  

Here's a little idea I think you'll love. 

When I taught first grade, I loved having my kids write letters to the kindergartners. Their letters included (hilarious) advice, what to expect, and a few encouraging words.  We'd invite one of our kinder classrooms to our first grade classrooms, pair up the kids, and then have my first graders read their letters to their K partner.  Then their K friend got to take the letter home with him/her.    I'm sure you already do something similar in your class.  Great way to get the incoming kids excited about the next school year. 

Well...I think it would be equally as fun to have your kids write a "survival booklet" of sorts for incoming kids, but instead of sending the booklets home at the end of the year, save them for your Meet the Teacher night and have your new class of parents and kids read the booklets as they familiarize themselves with the classroom.  Here's what I'm talking about....

Your kids will essentially be writing a letter to your future class, but in a booklet form.  And these really would be a great addition to add to the reading material you place on student desks for Meet the Teacher.  I love the idea of parents AND kids reading these together.  And hearing about their new class from a former student's perspective?!  Priceless!

You can use as many...or as few...booklet pages as needed.  Here's a sample of a few of them...

Click on the pic to download your copy...

Speaking of end-of-year activities, here's another one your kids are sure to love!  Find-a-Friend Bingo!

Instructions are simple.  Just print and go!  Prompt your kids to get up, move around the room, and find at least one person under each letter (B.I.N.G.O) who matches the statement in one of the boxes.  The kids can use a crayon or bingo dotter to mark the spaces and even write the matching name of their friend in the box, too!  

  

Hope you can use these activities in the next few crazy days/weeks to come!!!  Have a great weekend!

End of Year Keepsakes & Such

If you're anything like me, then you probably wait 'til the ninth hour to not only organize and prep your end-of-year student keepsakes, but you also wait 'til that point to plan them, too.  #guiltyascharged

No??  Am I the only one?!?!  

Well I got to thinking the other day (scary) and wanted to compile some ideas for you just in case you're in the same boat as me :)  Thought it would be handy to have some of my favorite ideas all in one place for easy reference.  

I love keepsakes.  Now that my boys are in school, I seem to cherish them even more!  Of course, the keepsakes I usually send home with my students are more for the parents than for the kids, but my hope is that one day when my students are all grown up they'll look back through their keepsakes and smile thinking about what an awesome time they had in my class.  That's my hope anyway ;)  So let's get started!

First up, the coveted end of year slideshow DVD.  Aaaaah.  The one project that gives me so much unwarranted stress and anxiety.  Will the sound work??  Will the slideshow burn to the DVD?  WHY WON'T THE SOUND WORK?!?!?!  LOL!!!!  Can I get an amen?!

This is how I send home our end of year DVDs.  Cute, right?!  I know there are darling labels I could create and adhere to the actual DVD itself, but since these are usually not ready 'til the night before the last day, I'm honestly doing good just to tie the printed label with a cute ribbon.  Ha!  Speaking of the label, you can grab this exact printable gift tag at Bits of Everything (free).

I compiled a huge list of DVD slideshow songs....perfect for the tear factor ;)  They make me cry whenever I hear them!  HA!!!  Just click on the pic to take you to that list.  And be sure to read through the comments because there are some GREAT suggestions for more songs there, too!

Of course, memory books are a MUST!   Typically at the end of the year, I have to turn in EVERYTHING to library several weeks before the last day.  I don't want my guided reading time to be wasted, so when the kids come up for "reading", we work on pages in their memory books and then they get to "free read" (good fit books of their choosing) or work on fluency activities.  

Because I wanted to update my files to be more current, I went ahead and created an entirely new format for our EOY memory books.  This one includes a ton and even has a little Instagram theme...hashtags and all!  My 2nd grader couldn't start his soon enough!!!! 

If you're interested in adding this little memory book to your stash of keepsakes, you can check it out HERE.  Click the pic for a closer look!

One of my most FAVORITE end of year keepsakes is our student portfolios we send home.  This is definitely one of those projects that can't wait 'til the end of the year to start however.  But let me tell y'all...as crazy as this sounds, I look at my boys' portfolios all the dang time!!!!  I seriously LOVE these!!!

These little portfolios go home with my kids on the last day of school and they're chock full of their work from the year.  Not worksheets or anything like that, but writing samples, craftivities, etc.  These seriously make the BEST keepsakes!!!  They're also great for self reflection for the kids.  They love looking through their portfolios and when they see their early-in-the-year work, they always say things like, "WHO DID THIS?!?!", or "THAT'S NOT MINE!!!!", and "WOW!  MY HANDWRITING IS SO MUCH BETTER NOW!!!"  Love that!

You can read more about what goes into those portfolios HERE.

Another thing I like to add to the portfolios is the most PRECIOUS keepsake idea I got from Katie Mense at Little Warriors.  Such a GREAT idea!!!

Parents and students BOTH absolutely LOVE these!!!!  I laminated ours for safe keeping and then popped it into the front of the portfolio.  You could also secure it in a protective plastic sleeve!

Summertime Fun Packet is also sent home with a box of crayons and you can find that HERE.

Now I want to know what you send home as a keepsake for the end of the year!!!  Anything??  Nothing at all??  I love adding to my big ol' vault of ideas!!!!  DO share!!!!

Block wisely with Impression charts in the Ad review center

Today we’ve launched impression charts in the Ad review center. Impression charts provide you with insights into the frequency at which individual ad creatives are shown on your site.

Based on feedback from our publishers, we’ve replaced the previous interface with an impression chart that shows the absolute number of impressions and its distribution over time. When you’re considering blocking an ad, the impression chart can help you make a more informed decision by highlighting the potential revenue impact it may have. 

To learn more, please visit our Help Center.

We'd love to hear your feedback in the comments section below and on G+ and Twitter.

 

Posted by Liyuan Lu

Software Engineer

Get your limited-edition Jeff Koons Live Case today

Today, the latest artist collaboration for Google Editions launches a limited-edition Live Case created by world-renowned artist, Jeff Koons, exclusively for Nexus.

Start your Koons collection
From balloon animals to classic figures, Koons’ art often challenges the perception of scale, weight and even the laws of physics. The Jeff Koons Live Case features three sculptures inspired by his “Gazing Ball” series. Each Jeff Koons Live Case is individually numbered and available for a limited time for Nexus 5X and 6P in the U.S.

Three designs: “Bust,” “Mailbox,” and “Diana”

His first piece of live-action video artwork
For the case’s live wallpaper, Koons created his first ever live-action video artwork – the “Gazing Ball Ballet.” Double-tap the screen and watch the dancers come to life, recreating twenty-eight moments from the classic “Swan Lake.” Each day, your wallpaper is updated with a new vignette.

Jeff teaches you how to create his famous balloon animals

Original art, delivered to your phone
Live Case owners will receive exclusive Koons-created artwork sent directly to their phone through the Live Case Editions app. The collection will include digital art and glimpses into what inspires him, including his favorite art shows or discoveries.

Customize the shortcut button on the back of the case to discover museums around you, open the digital art collection, or open one of your favorite apps.

The Gazing Ball Tour

To celebrate the collaboration, Koons also created his first social media art piece. In the “Gazing Ball Tour,” Koons invited people he admired to photograph their own poses with his Gazing Ball. See creations by searching for #KoonsXGoogle.

Exclusively on the Google Store
Get yours at the Google Store today in the U.S. through the end of June while supplies last.

Posted by Kari Clark, Senior Manager, Live Cases