We have been questioning if native Android apps from Google were a thing of the past, but it looks like the company is willing to give its services more mobile love now that they will be pushing their own phone. Recent apps like Listen and Goggles came with little warning and were a nice surprise to find in the Android Market.
What is the next Google Service to get the Android treatment? That would be Google News.
Notice the cool 3D effects at the bottom.
I was browsing Twitter tonight when I found the above picture of the Nexus One which someone posted for Reddit. We can see the app drawer and some of the standard apps that came loaded with the phone. At the bottom of the phone we can see some of the new UI tweaks for Android 2.1 being used. Most of the apps we have known about, but I spotted something new on the bottom row.
Click to enlarge.
Right between Music and Pandora we have an icon that looks like a little newspaper. When you zoom in you can see it reads Google News. The apps are displayed in alphabetical order so it fits in line with Music, News, then Pandora.
The mobile site for Google News just got an update so it is a little surprising to see this app already. I’m not sure what extra features they could include in a native app, but I welcome it hoping for a an improved UI and desktop widget.
What features would you like to see in the Google News app?
Update: So I have been told this is the same app as the genie.apk widget that leaked out. Screens upcoming…
Gallery
[Thank you Jacob for the tip]
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Taylor Wimberly
Taylor is the founder of Android and Me. He loves playing with all kinds of gadgets, but most importantly cell phones. His other hobbies include cooking (BBQ hero!), politics, football, and watching every MMA event possible.
12 Comments
It’s actually pretty cool, I’m using it on my G1. You can choose what categories you want, it shows the weather, but my favorite is that you can add your own category. You put in Android, and everything that related to Android News in the Google News site will show up.
Taylor, this app is in the 2.1 dump. It’s being ported to 1.5 right. now.
Here’s the thread (and APK) on XDA-Dev
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=600959
This app is frickin awesome. Seriously, google knows it’s shit.
Is it working for 1.5 right now?
Here’s hoping a Google Reader app is on the way too!
Wow — looks awesome. Android is getting rounded out so well now. Looks like I’ll be able to ditch the Weather Channel app after that…
Are all those new icons in 2.0? I’m liking a lot!
Been checking out that Widget since the release of 2.0.1 and 2.1 based ROMs for the G1.
Taylor, You have a rooted MT3G, right? You could check out this Widget/App and Android 2.0.1 here (XDA Thread, Danger SPL required) – http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=598973
Android 2.1 on the Nexus One looks pretty impressive, some UI tweaking, new market place, and therefore I hope that the new update will be available for the Motorola Droid soon.
i love the roll effect how can this on my moto droid?
Does anybody have the non xda hosted apk? I can’t login from my phone anymore
Been loving the news and weather app on my G1. Put the widget on my homescreen for weather and then another widget just for android news items. Been working perfectly. Wonder what other goodies will be on the Nexus.