Brazil, China, India, Indonesia, Mexico and Russia will account for the next 1.2 billion smartphone users in the next two years, says Google. CNET/James Martin Google’s biggest opportunity for the future is in just a handful of countries. The world’s largest search company on Thursday reiterated its push for more affordable smartphones to better cater …

HBO Now lets members watch the network’s movies, documentaries and original series like “Silicon Valley” as soon as they air for a $14.99 monthly subscription. HBO HBO Now gives you the premium cable network’s shows without a pay-TV subscription. Soon, you can get it without an iPhone. HBO Now, the network’s purely online TV service, will be available on Google …

The next version of Android knows what you want, before you know you want it. Google’s upcoming Android M operating system is sporting new predictive powers with ” Now on Tap,” a way to get assistance based on the context of what you’re looking at on the screen. Google is also pushing back against Apple Pay with a new system …

Google announced a new photo app separate from its social network. James Martin/CNET SAN FRANCISCO — For everyone who’s been on Google+ deathwatch, the search giant says that’s not necessary. Google’s embattled social network is alive and well, the product’s boss said at a press event Thursday. But the team behind the product — which has had trouble gaining traction …

Nicole Cozma/CNET If you’ve switched to using Inbox by Gmail, then you’re probably painfully aware that some basic — but nearly necessary — features are missing. Fortunately, Google updated the app today with five new features. Among these are Trip bundles, Keep reminders appearing in the app, Swipe to delete, Signatures and Undo send. Trip bundles and Keep reminders work …

Path, a social network designed for mobile devices, has agreed to be acquired by Daum Kakao, the South Korean maker of the popular Kakao Talk messaging app. The acquisition of Path and the Path Talk app was announced Thursday in a blog post by Path CEO Dave Morin. The company’s two main apps will continue to operate under the new …

Google’s Inbox looks to make email more efficient by, for example, bundling messages about a specific trip into a convenient-to-access package. Google Google wants more people to rethink their email software, so it’s opening its Inbox email service to anyone. The software, previously available only if Google fulfilled your request to use it, is a significantly different way of handling …

James Martin/CNET What did you miss by not being at this year’s Google developer’s conference, I/O 2015? A milling-around period with a wraparound screen on which attendees played Pong, a whale swam, and Matrix-like binary rain fell. And oh, yeah — some cool stuff! But don’t despair; we’re here to fill you in on the good, bad, and ugly. Google …

Android TV is Google’s operating system that powers televisions that connect with the Internet. CNET Android TV will start to feel a little more like a screen you can channel surf. The search giant Thursday introduced a feature called “Channels” for its Internet-connected-television operating system. The feature lets anyone developing apps or producing content for Android TV deliver video in …

The Detroit Zoo is turning into the lands of Westeros and Essos, with cute little warthog piglets vying to win the Iron Throne. Related Links Jon Snow and Ygritte reunite in Coldplay’s ‘Game of Thrones: The Musical’ See Peter Dinklage sing about ‘Game of Thrones’ with Coldplay Geeky cake pan will turn you into a Mother of Dragons Five new …