Google’s Eric Schmidt Writes Handy Guide for People Switching From iPhone to Android

by Eric on Nov 25, 2013November 25, 2013 News

Google chairman Eric Schmidt took to his Google+ page this weekend, laying out the basic guidelines for any iOS user making the switch to Android. The process might seem daunting at first, given a certain level of investment one might have in an ecosystem, but Schmidt relates the switch to the same people that went from PC to Mac years ago – once you go Mac, you don’t go back. As a little poke at Apple, Schmidt also references the latest data, that Google’s Android OS controls 80% of the world’s smartphone market. It’s quite the stat, so he wants to make sure that converts are in for a smooth transition to Android. (more…)

Nexus 5 Review

by Kellex on Nov 25, 2013November 25, 2013 Featured News Phones Reviews

The Nexus 5 and Moto X are without a doubt the most hyped phones of 2013 for us. We certainly covered the HTC One and Galaxy S4 aplenty, but as we inched close to the launch of both Google and Motorola’s new phones, it’s all anyone could talk or think about. We were often greeted on unrelated stories in the comments with, “Not about the Nexus 5, not news.”

So as I received my Nexus 5 (white “panda” with 32GB of storage), it seemed only fitting that I had to put down my Moto X for a bit. As painful as that was, I told you months ago that this would happen. As good as a phone may be, including the Moto X, our job is to bring you Google’s view of Android, and nothing does that better than a Nexus. (more…)

HTC One Google Play Edition Gets Android 4.4 Kit Kat, Galaxy S4 GPE Shouldn’t be Far Behind

by Kellex on Nov 25, 2013November 25, 2013 News

When Google announced their two Google Play Edition devices, the HTC One and Galaxy S4, they told us to expect timely updates. People questioned them because the updates potentially needed an extra set of eyes or two before being released, but Google said to us directly that they would be working “very closely” with both HTC and Samsung to make things happen. So far, they have delivered on that promise. Android 4.3 showed up within a week of being announced. Today, we’re less than a month out from the unveiling of Android 4.4 “Kit Kat” and the HTC One GPE is already seeing the update. (more…)

Android 4.4 Kit Kat Update Rolling Out to AT&T Moto X Now

by Kellex on Nov 22, 2013November 25, 2013 News

AT&T Moto X owners, here we go! The Android 4.4 “Kit Kat” update has been approved and is now rolling out to all devices. We had initially expected a soak test to begin and marinate for a few days, but Motorola and AT&T appear to be happy with their work. Our AT&T unit is not a part of the soak and we were able to pull the update with a single check.

(more…)

Facebook to Receive Flat-tastic Facelift in Version 4.0 Update

by Tim-o-tato on Nov 22, 2013November 24, 2013 Apps News

Users of Facebook could see an update available for the world’s largest social network sometime soon, bringing the app to version 4.0. Inside the update are a number of changes, the largest being a completely new UI, one that will remind everyone of a similar look that Twitter implemented to their application recently and an overall iOS 7 look. Flat flat flat.

(more…)

Download: Android 4.4 (KRT16S) Official Update for Nexus 10

by Kellex on Nov 22, 2013November 24, 2013 News

To round out our coverage of the official Android 4.4 (KRT16S) updates for the Nexus line, we’ve now got Nexus 10 files for you. Should your device not have received the device over-the-air, you can always sideload it. With that said, I just turned mine on for the first time in quite a while and it automatically pulled the update. I’d say we are pretty close to a full rollout. To check, head into Setttings>About tablet>System updates.

(more…)

Motorola Connect and Assist Land on Google Play, Connect Adds Hangouts SMS Support

by Kellex on Nov 22, 2013November 22, 2013 Apps News

Motorola continued its quest of separating major apps from its 2013 flagship devices by putting them on Google Play. This move is similar to what Google has done over the last couple of years with its services, as it makes updating them much easier. Motorola can bring new features to their best phones now by updating them through Google Play instead of having to push out an entire OTA update that would require carrier approval. (more…)

Google Wallet Update Adds Support for Wallet Card, Lets You Add New Cards by Taking Their Picture

by Kellex on Nov 21, 2013November 21, 2013 Apps News

Yesterday, we first spotted signs of the arrival of a physical Google Wallet card, even providing you instructions on how to order you own a few hours before Google made it official. This morning, they pushed out a Google Wallet app update (build 2.0-R141-v14) to support those cards that we all ordered, making it easy to spend your Wallet cash balance in the more traditional sense without your phone or app. The update also makes it easy to add new credit cards by scanning them with your camera. You could argue that this is the best part of the update, as there is nothing more tedious than manually typing in credit card info.

We’d imagine that this update also brings Tap & pay powers to Kit Kat devices, but most of you had that thanks to the Nexus 5 Google Wallet .apk. (more…)