Google Search and Newsstand now has real-time NBA and NHL updates

Google is making it easier for you to keep up with your favorite NBA and NHL teams with the latest update to its Google Play Newsstand and Google Search apps. From Newsstand, you’ll be able to see dedicated NBA and Stanley Cup Playoffs sections. There you’ll get play-by-play information as well as other local and national news about the sports. Now if you don’t want to use Newsstand, you can simply go to Google Search. The updates will be displayed in Google’s “Knowledge Panels” so you can check everything there.

Source: Android Authority

Google cuts down on bloatware on Android

Never used Google+? Now you don’t have to see that on your phone if you don’t have to. New partner guidelines from Google have taken out Google Play Games, Google Play Books, Google+, and Google Newsstand as mandatory apps to be included in all Android phones. This move helps free up more space for the apps you do want on your phone. If you, however, do use those apps, well, you can still download them on the Google Play Store.

Source: Android Central | Via: Engadget

Google shutters Currents, replaces with Newsstand

Google has decided to kill its Currents newsreader to replace it with Google Play Newsstand. While it has a similar name to Apple’s magazine and newspaper store, Google claims it is a different experience. The tech company approaches the new magazine, blog, news site and newsreader app with a Flipboard-like experience and takes on smart curation as content comes in from different sources based on user interest.

Google will add subscription-only providers such as Wall Street Journal and New York Times on top of the usual magazine partners Currents had. Existing users of Currents and Google Magazines just need to update their apps to access Newsstand. You can view more information here.