Droid Life

VLC for Android Beta Now Available in US and Canada Through Google Play

Kyle — Wed, 02 Jul 2014 09:42:46 +0000

The Android port of VLC, the venerable multimedia player for mobile, suffered from an odd limitation until recently: North American users were blocked from installing the app through Google Play. The VideoLAN team, which is based across the pond, explained the restriction was put in place because they didn't have access to enough devices from the United States and Canada. Things have apparently changed for the better, though, because VideoLAN today announced that VLC is downloadable globally. As far as media players go, you could do worse than VLC. Like its PC counterpart, VLC for Android plays nearly every file you care to throw at it. Plus, it's almost finished, as the team said the next update should drop the beta moniker that has stubbornly clung to the app since 2012, and will bring Chromecast support. If manually downloading installing through their website was too much for you, go grab it off of Google Play now. Play Link

Via: @VideoLAN | Reddit

More HTC Volantis Details Leak (Updated)

Tim — Wed, 02 Jul 2014 09:14:10 +0000

Update: Ignore. This was fake; @evleaks got "hoaxed." Talk of Google's next Nexus tablet, codenamed Volantis, has been heating up over the past month. Back in June, the world received what it thought was an early render and specifications for the device, aka the Nexus 9, but according to sources of @evleaks, that initial report was inaccurate. From what @evleaks states, Google is currently testing an HTC-made super tablet, which could be released with ridiculous specifications. According to the newest leak, the Volantis is being tested with a Snapdragon 810 processor with 5GB of RAM, but will release running an NVIDIA Tegra K1 64-bit chipset. The tablet will also feature an 8.9" display with a resolution of 2560 x 1600, 8MP rear-facing camera, BoomSound (thanks, HTC), aluminum unibody design, and may actually come running a version of Android Silver. From a photo that was coupled with the leak, a "macro" photo of the tablet was taken, with the words "Android Silver OS Alpha 1.4" printed on it. From what we thought we knew, Android Silver was to be a platform, much like Nexus, where it was not a standalone OS, as Android is. Does this leak tip that Silver is more than just a hardware platform? Google has yet to officially comment on Android Silver, but has stated that the Nexus program is not going anywhere. We could still be months away from any type of release or announcement, but as it stands right now, how excited are you for a new Nexus tablet? In our opinion, it has been way too long since the last one.

Via: @evleaks

Leaked Screenshot Points to Upcoming OnePlus Tab (Updated)

Tim — Wed, 02 Jul 2014 08:32:32 +0000

Update: Ignore. This was fake; @evleaks got "hoaxed." Could it be? Will OnePlus, in the midst of their current PR nightmare with the release (can we even call it a release?) of the One, even attempt to announce a new product? Let alone a OnePlus tablet? According to a leaked screenshot from @evleaks, the company may in fact have those exact plans. Spotted on an Alpha build of their website, it clearly shows mention of a OnePlus Tab, right next to the OnePlus One. This is the first murmur of any type of new product from the company, and now that a ton of people are continuously spewing hate in their forums over the company's inability to launch their Flagship Killer device to the general public without the need of an invite system, who knows how the public would react to a OnePlus Tab. There is no rumor for specifications or when OnePlus may decide to drop the news, but you can bet that we will keep you posted if we hear for information. As for the release of the One, we would like to remind everyone that OnePlus is a new company, who was bound to have a few hiccups with the launch of their first product. We have had a One in house for a week now, and if I may speak for Kellen, I am pretty sure he has been enjoying his time with the device. Sometimes, you just have to be patient. We need your thoughts on a possible OnePlus Tab below.

Via: @evleaks

FTC Accuses T-Mobile of Pocketing Millions From Fraudulent Premium SMS Services

Kyle — Wed, 02 Jul 2014 08:20:01 +0000

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) yesterday, filed a complaint against T-Mobile, accusing the wireless carrier of practicing "cramming," or obscuring third-party premium SMS fees in hard-to-understand monthly bills. The motion alleges that T-Mobile took a 30% to 40% cut of many fees and pocketed millions of dollars beginning in 2012, often failing or refusing to refund affected subscribers until last year in 2013. Unsurprisingly, T-Mobile CEO John Legere responded with a few choice words. Calling the FTC complaint "unfounded" and "misdirected." He asserted that T-Mobile ceased billing premium SMS services last year and has been providing full refunds to customers. Legere placed much of the blame on bad actors, maintaining a few premium SMS providers acted irresponsibly. Whoever is truly at fault, the proceedings are definitely a win for consumers hit by exorbitant and unexpected SMS fees. Here's hoping the matter is swiftly resolved.

Via: T-Mobile | Phone Scoop

Android L Preview Hits AOSP for Nexus 4, 5, 7 and 10 (Updated)

Kellen — Wed, 02 Jul 2014 07:50:41 +0000

When Google released the Android L Developer Preview last week to the Nexus 5 and Nexus 7 (2013), I can imagine that a number of you were disappointed - namely those with a Nexus 4, Nexus 7 (2012) or Nexus 10. While Google still hasn't released flashable images for any of those devices today, they have pushed Android L code for each to the Android Open Source Project (AOSP), ~~which means that your favorite developer will likely having something for you shortly in the form of a ROM~~. Once that happens and you get to flashing, you may want to cruise through the substantial list of Android L features we have already covered in a number of posts. You will find overviews of goodies like the new Quick Settings Panel, multi-tasking, managing notifications, Heads-Up notifications, an improved Android Beam, Do Not Disturb mode, and more. To catch the full list, you will want to start here. AOSP Links: Nexus 5 | Nexus 4 | Nexus 10 | Nexus 7 (2013) | Nexus 7 (2013) LTE | Nexus 7 (2012) | Nexus 7 (2012) 3G Update: As has been noted in the comments, this is not full source, so no ROMs just yet. Meh.

Hangouts Debug Activates "Migrate" to Google Voice Menu, Doesn't Work

Kellen — Tue, 01 Jul 2014 16:08:53 +0000

What happens when you root your phone and tell it to "DebugAllTheThings?" You find interesting debugging menus in apps like Google Hangouts that activate never-before-seen pop-ups that mention things like migrating to Google Voice, so that you can receive voicemails in Hangouts. Wait, that feature isn't live yet, is it? No it isn't. It still doesn't appear to be live either, even if you debugged all the things to find this hidden gem. Thanks to a user on reddit who discovered this pop-up (the one included above), the Google Voice-to-Hangouts enthusiasts are running wild hoping that the integration has finally arrived. Unfortunately, this menu that shows "Not now" and "Turn it on!" does not seem to be working for anyone willing to test it. It could be that Google added this menu in a recent update and has yet to activate it or maybe no one debugged all the things up until now and simply hasn't found this menu until today. We do not know. Hopes crushed. Apologies. Go USA! Err... If you want to open up debugging fun in Hangouts, you need to root your current phone and then head to this XDA thread to sideload an .apk. Let us know how it goes.

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Via: reddit

Koush Whips Up Clear Notifications App for Android L Preview Users

Tim — Tue, 01 Jul 2014 15:05:17 +0000

As we came to realize only a few minutes into our time with the Android L developer preview build, it seems that Google has removed the clear all notifications button found in the notification bar. Whether this is a permanent change to Android by Google, we still don't know (since this is a preview build), but well-known developer Koush wasn't having it. After seeing the community's cries, Koush has quickly whipped up an app, which brings a clear all button into the pulldown section of the notification bar. To say that it is nice to have this button back would be an understatement. If you are running the Android L preview, download the apk by following the link below. Thanks, Koush. Download Link

Via: +Koushik Dutta

Google Docs and Sheets Updated with Android L and Microsoft Office Compatibility

Kyle — Tue, 01 Jul 2014 14:30:50 +0000

As QuickOffice quietly moves towards obsoletion, Google is doing its darnedest to integrate all of the deprecated app's features into its office suite. If today's massive updates to Docs and Sheets are any indication, the team is nearly finished. The biggest addition to both apps - native support for Microsoft Office file formats like .docx and .pptx - was announced at Google I/O, and it seems to work as demonstrated - apart from minor formatting inconsistencies, Docs and Sheets interpret Office documents fairly well. They can be created or imported - Office files opened in Drive/Sheets are fully editable, of course - and uploaded to Google Drive without limitation. Helpfully, the Docs and Sheets file list differentiate between Docs and Office filetypes. Both Docs and Sheets are now compatible with Android L, and appropriately have UIs more in line with the developer preview. They're rather conservatively redesigned - it's abundantly clear Google is carefully strutting the line between Holo and Material Design - but cleaner and more colorful. A blue titlebar and highlights adorn the Docs app, green for the Sheets app. A floating "new document" button makes an appearance in both. The features of the update extend way beyond Office compatibility and a tweaked interface. Some of the highlights include a new editing UI and better spellcheck in Docs, charts, formula lists, and autofill in Sheets, and the ability to send files as PDFs or Word or Excel documents. We're waiting on official changelogs from Google, but we'll update this post as we notice any other notable changes. Play Links: Google Docs | Google Sheets | Google Slides

Via: Android Police

Google Acquires Songza to Make Google Music Better, Other Products Too

Kellen — Tue, 01 Jul 2014 13:23:08 +0000

Google announced this afternoon - oddly at the same time that the USA's World Cup match started - that they had acquired Songza, a music service that uses "contextual expert-curated playlists to give you the right music at the right time." The goal for the future is to find ways to bring Songza tech to Google Play Music, YouTube, and other Google Products. For now, Songza remains the same and is available on Google Play and iOS. Fans of Songza? Tell me why you love it.

Via: +Google Play | Songza

Wave Wave for Android, a Twitch Game That Will Piss You Off

Tim — Tue, 01 Jul 2014 13:08:30 +0000

Are you easily frustrated with mobile games? Then you should probably move on to the next article. Recently released to Google Play, Wave Wave is a twitch game that will leave even the most patient of gamers shaking their fists and cursing the gods. In the game, you direct a single black line through fast-moving and rotating triangles. At first, when you look at the game, it appears to be impossible. The game is a serious test of timing, and once the levels begin to rotate, you are in for serious anger issues. At least, that's what I experienced. The game is frustrating enough to make you wish you didn't pay the $1.99 price tag (there is a 15 minute refund window on Google Play), but once you get the hang of the rotations, it kind of grows on you. Try it out! Play Link ($1.99)

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Android L Features: New Quick Settings Panel is Mostly Improved

Kellen — Tue, 01 Jul 2014 12:46:53 +0000

Our coverage of Android L features continues this afternoon with a look at the newly restyled Quick Settings Panel (QSP). For those not familiar, the Quick Settings Panel was previously accessed as a secondary pulldown from the notification shade that gave you quick shortcuts for toggling off things like WiFi, Bluetooth, Airplane mode, or your data connection. It also gave you battery status, let you view your contact card, and jump into the full list of Android settings. In Android L, it still functions much of the same way, but you now access and interact with it somewhat differently. First, to access the Quick Settings Panel, you either swipe down once from the notification bar when on the lock screen, or swipe down twice when the device is unlocked. You can also swipe down the notification shade once, then tap the status bar to expand the panel. The two-finger swipe-down is completely gone. The overall layout of the QSP has changed quite significantly. Gone is the big, unattractive black grid of buttons for each setting - in is a multi-layered yet minimal Material Design-styled setup. You have an area with a dedicated adaptive brightness slider, date and time, plus a settings shortcut next to a useless battery icon and contact pop-up shortcut. Below that, you have a secondary layer that includes your quick toggles for things like WiFi and Bluetooth, though they act much differently this time around. The toggles for WiFi and Bluetooth are split buttons, with the top portion acting as the toggle to turn them on or off, while the bottom half lets you enter each setting with a single tap. There are no more long-presses in the QSP on Android L. (Thank you!) As you probably noticed, the battery percentage shortcut is gone, but you do have a new shortcut for "Notifications." We already showed you how this item works in another Android L feature write-up about Do Not Disturb mode. Rounding out the setup are toggles for Auto-rotate, data, location, and screen casting. Again, the concept of a Quick Settings Panel hasn't changed in Android L, but it has been given a full make-over with improvements for the most part. See it in action below.

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Telltale's The Wolf Among Us Comes to Android, Amazon App Store Exclusive For Now

Eric — Tue, 01 Jul 2014 11:28:13 +0000

As if it wasn't awesome enough for Telltale Games to start releasing its great The Walking Dead games on Android, we have now been blessed with the launch of The Wolf Among Us, as well. The game, based on the comic series Fables, only launched on PC eight months ago, but we are getting to play it on our Android devices today. As long as you have the Amazon Appstore installed, of course. If you aren't familiar with the series, it plays in very much the same way that The Walking Dead games do. Point and click, maneuvering through a story that changes with every moral choice that you make. You play as Bigsby Wolf, the human representation of the Big Bad Wolf in Fabletown, a place where the fables and stories that you heard as a kid have grown up; lying, stealing and killing. It looks as if Telltale is sticking to the same plan that it had for The Walking Dead. The first episode of The Wolf Among Us is free, then once you are nice and hooked, the other episodes will cost you money through in-app purchases. If you haven't played the series yet, plus have the Amazon Appstore installed, this is a game that you have to try. Amazon Link (Free)

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OUYA Testing Annual Subscription Model, $60 Nabs You Almost Everything

Eric — Tue, 01 Jul 2014 11:00:51 +0000

The retail packaging for OUYA states that the little Android-powered console "has big dreams." Unfortunately, dreams don't move sales numbers, so OUYA is trying something new to get their little-console-that-could up and running in today's market. In an effort to encourage OUYA owners to try more of the games they worked so hard to cultivate on their platform, a new annual subscription model has been announced this week. OUYA opened up a small batch of invites to owners and developers of the console to sign up for a subscription model, which for $59.99, buys you a year's worth of games on the platform. Although, there are a few rules you need to follow. Games over $30 will not be knocked down to the free price, and the $0.00 purchase price doesn't cover in-app purchases, something that mobile games have hung their profits on in the past few years. This first round of invites was not only to see if there was enough interest in this kind of model to justify going public with it, but also to see if OUYA can make money while still helping the game developers on their new system. If it takes off, you can be sure that we will see this subscription model become something a bit more permanent. The only question is, if you have or had an OUYA, would $5 a month be worth having access to that many games?

Via: Engadget | OUYA

Android L Features: New Multi-tasking

Kyle — Tue, 01 Jul 2014 10:31:17 +0000

Android's current implementation of multitasking is serviceable, but hasn't substantially changed since Honeycomb. With the Android L release, the team at Google has radically redesigned the Recents menu's UI and framework to make switching between apps faster and easier. They've succeeded. The new interface is by far the biggest difference between multitasking in Android 4.4 and L. Accessed by tapping the square-shaped soft key, apps' states are captured in stacked "cards," rather than squares. Like the tab interface in Chrome for Android, the "deck" is scrollable, and each app can be swiped away or opened by a tap. Nowhere is Material Design more evident than in the new Recents: the cards have depth and shadows, and the titlebar at the top changes colors depending on the app's theme. Beyond the obvious, behind-the-scenes changes allow apps to tap into Recents and provide faster access to ongoing activities. At I/O, Google demonstrated individual Chrome tabs appearing within Recents rather than a single card for the entire app. It isn't hard to imagine how the functionality might extend to other programs - we could see cards for Gmail drafts, Facebook timelines, Twitter pages, office documents, and music albums. The possibilities are virtually endless.

Recents sorely needed an overhaul, and Android L delivers that and then some. We're excited to see how apps use the new framework to make jumping between tasks more efficient.

The Moto 360 is the Only Android Wear Device I Want

Kellen — Tue, 01 Jul 2014 09:39:38 +0000

Tim and I were seated in the press section during Google I/O's keynote last week as director of Android engineering David Singleton announced to all attendees that the first Android Wear smartwatches would be available later in the day. He started with the LG G Watch. A small golf clap followed. He then thought he was surprising us all by announcing that Samsung had created the Gear Live, which would also be available within a few hours. Another small golf clap followed. You could then feel the building about to explode with joy as he moved on to the Moto 360, a watch that is without a doubt the most anticipated smartwatch of all time on Android. And then came the news - it wouldn't be available until "later this summer." The entire crowd of around 6,000 booed and moaned and sighed simultaneously. While I'm a member of the press and technically not allowed to join in on that outcry, deep inside, I did. The Moto 360 is the only Android Wear smartwatch I want. Why is it the only smartwatch I want, you ask? For one major reason - it doesn't look like a smartwatch. When I wear a watch, I do so because it's a fashion item that is also useful. Actually, to tell you the truth, at this point, it is really all about the fashion. I have a phone that can tell me the time if I really need it to. A watch has become an accessory first that also happens to tell the time. And since the Moto 360 has been beautifully crafted with stainless steel and leather to look like a watch first, smartwatch second, it wins in my book. I don't want people to ask "What is that blocky, glowing, robotic thing on your wrist that resembles a watch?" I want a smartwatch that shocks people when they realize that the classic timepiece on my wrist is more than they initially realized. Keep in mind that I own almost all of the major smartwatches that were released within the last couple of years. I have both Pebble models, Qualcomm Toq, some random Kickstarter thing called Omate that I haven't opened because it's 4 inches thick, Galaxy Gears, Gear Fits, you name it. Because all of them look like futuristic square-faced wannabe watches, I don't use any of them, even the cheaply built Pebble Steel can't make the cut. They look cool for a minute, but the size or appearance or lack of functionality eventually becomes a turn-off. I even have the LG G Watch now, thanks to Google. It runs Android Wear just like the 360, yet I find myself completely bored by it. It is by all means the most uninspired smartwatch design I have ever seen. I will be reviewing it shortly, but the general feel for the G Watch I have is this - since Android Wear is still in its infancy, the watch design better at least blow my mind or this thing isn't going to stay on my wrist.

Normal watches, at least the good ones, carry a classic, round look for a reason - because it's a beautiful design. Big, bulky square watches come and go, the classics stick around. I think it is clear that Motorola realized this. They didn't want their watch to be a fad - they wanted it to be a timeless design that wasn't going to be boxed into the futuristic design trend of today's smartwatches. With the 360, they absolutely nailed it. We were able to spend some quality time with the Moto 360 last week and came away in love. While the watch isn't small by any means, it looks like a gorgeous watch on anyone's wrist. The combination of the brown leather strap matched with the stainless steel exterior makes for one classy, almost retro, very subtle, but "holy sh*t that thing is beautiful" watch. The black version with black strap isn't bad either, I just prefer the stainless/brown leather combo. The display, at least in our time with it, is so good that analog watch faces look like real analog watch faces. You almost can't tell that this is a smartwatch until a notification pops up or you see someone interact with it. It has this beautiful chamfered edge that leaves the display looking almost infinity pool-like. Finally, it has a single button on the side, just like a typical round watch would, which helps the overall theme here - a smartwatch that looks like a watch first. To wrap up, I'll come back to my point above about the G Watch and say this - the Moto 360 has the design that will allow it to hang around as I watch Android Wear turn into (what we can only hope becomes) the best vision for a smartwatch UI to date. It should be exciting, especially knowing that if Android Wear and app developers take their sweet time, at least I will have a beautiful new accessory on my wrist.

Samsung Galaxy S5 Mini Specs

Kellen — Tue, 01 Jul 2014 08:28:58 +0000

The Samsung Galaxy S5 Mini was made official today as the unsurprisingly little brother to this year's flagship, Galaxy S5. It matches up to big brother in a number of ways, like appearance, connectivity, version of Android, water and dust resistance, and inclusion of a heart rate sensor and fingerprint scanner. The similarities stop there, though. Mini has often been swapped for "cheap" over the last couple of years, with manufacturers taking flagship devices, cutting top-of-the-line features out, and then selling them as lower-cost versions through carriers and in emerging markets. The Galaxy S5 Mini is really no different. Gone is the 1080p display in favor of a 720p panel, the processor is likely not top tier (it is listed as a mystery here), RAM has been reduced, and the camera has dropped to 8MP and could be questionable if Samsung was looking to lower overall costs. At this time, there are no carrier partners announced for the US, but that will likely change over the coming months. Specs

Network: LTE Category4 : 150 Mbps DL, 50 Mbps UL; HSDPA 42.2Mbps, HSUPA 5.76 Mbps
Display: 4.5” HD (720 x 1280) Super AMOLED
Processor: Quad Core 1.4 GHz
OS: Android 4.4 (KitKat)
Camera: Main (Rear): 8.0 MP AF with LED Flash ; Sub (Front): 2.1MP (FHD)
Camera Features: Shot & More, Virtual Tour Shot, S Studio
Video: FHD@30fps
Video Codec: H.263, H264(AVC), MPEG4, VC-1, Sorenson Spark, MP43, WMV7, WMV8, VP8
Video Format: MP4, M4V, 3GP, 3G2, WMV, ASF, AVI, FLV, MKV, WEBM
Audio Codec: MP3, AMR-NB/WB, AAC/ AAC+/ eAAC+, WMA, Vorbis, FLAC
Audio Format: MP3, M4A, 3GA, AAC, OGG, OGA, WAV, WMA, AMR, AWB, FLAC, MID, MIDI, XMF, MXMF, IMY, RTTTL, RTX, OTA
Value-Added Features: IP67 Dust and Water Resistant; Ultra Power Saving mode; S Health; Private Mode/Kids Mode
Connectivity: Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n, NFC (LTE ver. only), Bluetooth® v4.0 LE, USB 2.0, A-GPS + GLONASS, IR Remote
Sensor: Accelerometer, Digital compass, Gyro, Proximity, Hall, Ambient light, Fingerprint, Heart rate sensor
Memory: 1.5 GB RAM + 16GB Internal memory, microSD Slot (up to 64 GB)
Dimension: 131.1 x 64.8 x 9.1mm, 120g
Battery: 2,100mAh

Gallery

Samsung Announces the Galaxy S5 Mini

Kyle — Tue, 01 Jul 2014 08:03:21 +0000

The industry may be trending towards smartphones with larger and larger displays, but Samsung and others thankfully understand that 5.5-inch-and-up devices aren't for everyone. Today, the Korea-based company announced the Galaxy S5 mini, a cheaper and smaller version of the flagship Galaxy S5. The Galaxy S5 mini skimps in the areas you'd expect - it sports a 4.5-inch 720p AMOLED panel, 1.4Ghz quad-core CPU, 1.5GB of RAM, a 8MP rear-facing camera and 2.1MP front shooter, and 16GB internal storage expandable via microSD slot. Impressively, though, the mini doesn't omit many of its higher-end counterpart's features, like the heart rate monitor and IP67 dust and water resistance. Samsung even managed to squeeze in a fingerprint sensor. The Galaxy S5 mini isn't available stateside yet - it's launching first in Russia - but it'll likely land on a familiar carrier in the coming months. It will be available in Charcoal Black, Shimmery White, Electric Blue, and Copper Gold.

Via: Samsung

Brazilian Retailer Posts Moto X+1 Specs Early, Maybe...Sort Of? (Updated)

Kellen — Mon, 30 Jun 2014 16:25:43 +0000

A Brazilian retailer called Livraria Logos, who just so happened to post Moto E specs two days before the phone was announced, has created a working page for the yet-to-be-announced Moto X+1, with a full list of specs. Outside of those, there are no real images of the phone or other marketing materials like we saw when the Moto E leaked early. We aren't fully sure what to make of this site since all we know about it is a Moto E premature posting, but since they were spot on with the Moto E, we might as well give them a second look. Before we move on, though, we should point out that there ~~are~~ were specific notes at the bottom of the listing this morning, when a reader first sent this in, that seemed to suggest that whoever created the page, was waiting for official confirmation from Motorola or another source on the details. To be precise, it said "confirm the veracity of the information from the documents provided by the manufacturer" when translated. That note is now gone, so Livraria Logos either thinks they have confirmation or is in full hypebeasting mode to get their store some early pageviews. With all of that in mind, here are the purported Moto X+1 Specs:

Display: 5.2" Full HD (1920x1080)
Operating System: Android 4.4.4 "KitKat"
Processor: 2.26GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon 800
Cameras: 12MP rear, 5MP front
RAM: 2GB
Connectivity: WiFi, 4G/3G/2G, Bluetooth, NFC
Storage: 32GB, micro SD support up to 128GB
Battery: 2,900mAh

Thoughts? Sound like a worthy successor that you could get behind? Update: The page featuring purported Moto X+1 info has now been wiped clean.

Via: Livraria Logos

Cheers Neemias!

Android L Features: Notification Manager Introduced in "Sound & Notifications"

Kellen — Mon, 30 Jun 2014 15:31:28 +0000

In the past, if you didn't want an app showing notifications on your Android device, you had to either long-press on a notification from the app, then head into the app's specific info page, and disable notifications or take the longer route to unchecking its notifications powers through Settings>App manager. Either process wasn't a bad one by any means, but Google appears to want to give you more specific notification control in Android L with the introduction of notification management through the Sound section in Settings which has been renamed "Sound & Notifications." In this renamed section you will find the typical sound settings, including the new Do Not Disturb mode we highlighted last week, but you will also see an option for "Showing notifications." In this section you have specific control over the notification light, along with control over what happens with notifications when your phone is in DND mode or locked. But maybe more importantly, you now have a dedicated area for toggling notifications on or off for apps. By tapping the "App notifications" option, you will see a list of all apps. If you tap on a specific app, a menu pops up with a box that can be checked to allow that app to show notifications or unchecked to take that power away. If you choose to take notification power away, the app will show "Blocked" under its name.

Again, this isn't exactly the speediest of controls when compared to the old solution (which still works by the way), but it does leave open the possibility for even more power over the way your device handles notifications.

Android L Features: Heads-Up Notifications Will Eventually be Awesome

Kellen — Mon, 30 Jun 2014 15:06:04 +0000

One of the more iOS-like features introduced by Google for Android L during last week's I/O, were Heads-Up notifications. Think of them as floating notifications that appear at the top of the screen no matter what you are up to. Not only do they allow you to quickly glance at things like incoming messages or calls, but should a developer build in actionable buttons, you can interact with them as well, without ever having to pull down your notification shade. At this time, we are still waiting for most developers to build in support for Heads-Up notifications. For now, the stock Android L alarm app, dialer, and low battery indicator all take advantage of this new feature, but I am not finding many other apps that do. Facebook Messenger randomly does, though. Going forward, developers will need to set their set their notifications under priority "High" in order for a Heads-Up notification to display. At least that is my understanding without being an actual developer. Actually, according to the Android L developer preview documentation on notifications, it says that all notifications flagged as High, Max or during a full-screen takeover will be presented as Heads-Up. This is one of those Android L features that is going to be awesome down the road, once developers make their apps ready for it. Thanks to the Android L preview, it should start to happen quickly. Of course, for those not running Android L, there is already an app that tries to mimic the experience.

Google Music Update 5.6.1608P Moves "Downloaded Only" Toggle to Slideout Menu

Kellen — Mon, 30 Jun 2014 14:00:46 +0000

A new update to Google Music is rolling out today as build 5.6.1608P. The update isn't massive by any means, but does include a couple of tweaks here and there to the layout. First, in the slideout navigation menu, you will see a new toggle for "Downloaded Only" music, which is a way for Google Music to only show the music that you have stored on-device. This option used to be tucked inside of a drop-down menu at the top of the app, a menu that is now gone completely. The app now shows a "Downloaded Only" text bar when the option has been toggled, as well. Finally, in playlists, the "pin" button seems to have been swapped out for a "download" icon. As we find more, we will update this post. Update: They also made account switching easier through the slideout navigation and are attempting to organize the devices screen. You can grab the apk below if you aren't seeing the update through Google Play yet. Play Link | Download Link

Cheers Nazim!

Blek Finally Hits Google Play After Becoming Highly-celebrated Puzzler on iOS

Tim — Mon, 30 Jun 2014 13:02:53 +0000

I can't talk about Blek without telling a brief story. Thanks to a few of my friends who exclusively run iOS devices, who are always showing off the latest games they have, I am continuously left feeling jealous of their access to certain titles. Heck, Tiny Wings still hasn't made its way to Android, and at this point, I doubt it ever will. Blek was the latest game that my friends showed off, then they joked that Android would never see it. Well, I am happy to report that the game is now available for Android through Google Play. Blek is an minimal puzzler game, which forces players to use their imagination to solve puzzles. The goal is to create a gesture with your finger, which will then make its way through a level, hitting colored bubbles. But be careful, you don't want to hit black bubbles. Obstacles are in your way through the harder levels, so you will find yourself going through a trial and error process throughout almost every level. But again, this is a puzzler, and it's okay to get it wrong a few times. As for performance, the app is very smooth and polished. It also features a soft soundtrack, which should help ease your frustration of countless gesture deaths. The game costs $2.99 on Google Play, so go check it out. Play Link ($2.99)

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Android L Features: Android Beam Now a Part of Share Menu

Kellen — Mon, 30 Jun 2014 12:59:57 +0000

In Android L, Google has included Android Beam in the sharing menu, making it arguably easier to share items using NFC. When you go to share an item now in the L version of Android, you will see an icon for Android Beam, along with your icons for Drive or Box or Dropbox or any other app capable of sharing. Once Android Beam has been tapped, your device will tell you to "Tap another device to complete," which then sends the item as soon as the second device is touched. Previously, Beam sharing had to be initiated by tapping two devices together, which then prompts the user to tap the screen to send. While this new method isn't all that much different from that, I often found the old method awkward to tap two devices together, then press the screen to send. With this slight tweak, you now initiate the Beam by yourself, then tap devices together to complete the share, so there isn't a last minute finger press on the screen with devices touching, if that makes sense. If you are running Android L, give it a shot and tell us if this method is easier than the original or not.

Heads Up! App Brings Android L-like Pop-up Notifications to Your Android Device

Tim — Mon, 30 Jun 2014 12:28:49 +0000

At Google I/O last week, Google introduced Heads Up notifications in Android L, which are essentially pop up notifications for applications. No matter which app you are in, at any given time, you can see notifications on your display, which also have the ability to perform actions right from the notification pop up. Unless you have a Nexus 5 or Nexus 7 running the Android L developer preview, you are probably going to be waiting a very long time until this feature hits your device, but thanks to a developer, Heads Up! brings this functionality to any Android device running Android 4.3+. Basically, the app takes notifications from your phone, then turns them into pop up messages. As you can see in the picture above, if you receive an email, you can double tap to open up the application, swipe to the right to dismiss it, or even reply and delete the email all from whatever app you are in. To put it simply, it's a pop up notification bar. To check it out for yourself, grab it off of Google Play for just $0.99. Play Link ($0.99)

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Tip: SIM Tray Stuck on Nexus 5, You Should do This

Kellen — Mon, 30 Jun 2014 11:55:39 +0000

This is somewhat of a random tip, but since the issue just happened to the DL crew last week at Google I/O, we wanted to share to hopefully save as many of you as possible from doing something crazy should this situation occur. If you missed the titled, yes, this is a tip on how to remove a stuck SIM tray in your Nexus 5. In brief, a nameless member of the DL staff stuck a SIM adapter (sans SIM) inside of a Nexus 5 and shut the tray for safe keeping in case he needed it at a later date. Since there are pins involved in SIM insertion that depress, this is not a good idea. Without a SIM included in that SIM adapter, pins become depressed before popping back up again, which then causes the SIM tray to be stuck. There is a longer explanation in the video below, but those are the basics. To remove a SIM tray that is stuck in your Nexus 5, the simplest of measures can be taken. First, you will need the screen protector that is included on your Nexus 5 out of the box. You will also need a pair of scissors, so that you can cut a skinny slice of that protector to use as the tool to help you remove your SIM tray. Once you have that skinny slice, use your SIM removal tool to pop open the tray as far as it will go, then slide that skinny piece of plastic behind the tray to depress the pins that are keeping you from removing it. If done correctly, you can slide your SIM tray right out. Since those directions were brief and included very little details, you will want to watch the video below to see the full instructions.

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T-Mobile LG G2 Receiving Update, Brings KnockOn Security

Tim — Mon, 30 Jun 2014 10:56:22 +0000

KnockOn, a security feature introduced on the LG G Pro 2 back at MWC, is making its way to older devices. Announced this morning by T-Mobile, current LG G2 owners on the network will receive an update this week, bringing the KnockOn feature to their devices. With KnockOn, users can set a user-created pattern on their lockscreen, allowing them to stay away from the usual PIN or circular pattern unlock software that is used on all Android devices. In addition to KnockOn, improvements for Google Wallet, battery life, Google security fixes, auto brightness, WiFi calling, and Visual Voicemail are also in tow. It's a nice little update, for sure. G2 owners on T-Mobile, be on the lookout for the update.

Via: T-Mobile

Android-based, "Privacy-Optimized" Blackphone Begins Shipping to Buyers

Kyle — Mon, 30 Jun 2014 09:59:42 +0000

Paranoid that any number of government agencies are recording and collating your every move, building a detailed profile of your interests, friends, and tendencies? The Android-based, "privacy-optimized" Blackphone may finally provide you peace of mind. Designed by cryptography Silent Circle and manufactured by Geeksphone, the smartphone's skin atop Android - PrivatOS - builds in a number of security features, aimed at making your smartphone activities less conspicuous. Buyers who ordered the Blackphone shortly after Mobile World Congress should receive theirs soon. Geeksphone will begin accepting new orders on July 14. The hardware isn't anything to write home about, though. The phone features an NVIDIA Tegra 4i, 4.7-inch 720p display, 8MP camera, and a 2000mAh battery. Given this phone's main focus of privacy, specifications took a bit of a backseat. A litany of built-in apps make Blackphone "more secure" than your average Android handset. Silent Phone and Silent Text allow users to route calls and SMS, respectively, through secure servers. Kismet Smarter Wi-Fi Manager prevents Wi-Fi hotspots from retaining sensitive information like your connection history and location data. And Security Center lets you revoke app permissions on an individual basis. The Silent Circle team swapped out Google search for Disconnect, a security-conscious provider which does not store any identifying information (e.g., IP addresses, cookies). Disconnect also hosts a VPN, which the Blackphone makes easily accessible. Also in tow with Blackphone is remote wipe, along with encrypted cloud storage by SpiderOak. Anyone still interested in Blackphone?

Blackphone Shipping World’s First Privacy-Optimized Smartphone

Handsets now shipping to customers; Web store re-opens July 14 for new orders
GENEVA, SWITZERLAND: June 30, 2014 - SGP Technologies SA, the Switzerland-based joint venture of Silent Circle behind Blackphone, today announced that Blackphone handsets have started shipping to the device’s first pre-order customers. SGP Technologies formally launched Blackphone earlier this year at Mobile World Congress (MWC). There is overwhelming demand for the phone’s focus on user privacy and the unmatched array of integrated features for private communications, browsing, and cloud storage that make Blackphone a category-defining leader in privacy phones. Most recently, *MIT Technology Review* recognized Blackphone on its prestigious list of the “10 Breakthrough Technologies” of 2014. In addition, Blackphone has won two other awards since its media launch: “The 10 Best Products at MWC 2014” and 2014 Red Herring Europe Top 100 Winner. “We are excited to achieve this key milestone on schedule and ship a remarkable device to customers that is the result of an unprecedented combination of privacy and mobile innovations and visionaries,” said Toby Weir-Jones, CEO of SGP Technologies. “Blackphone’s arrival puts mobile privacy directly in the hands of professionals and consumers everywhere. In a world where devices and apps increasingly offer features only in return for users’ personal or sensitive information, the pent-up demand for Blackphone shows there is strong, international demand for our brand’s devices and services that stand apart by placing privacy before all else.” Blackphone is the world’s first smartphone built from the ground up to maximize user privacy. Blackphone’s security-enhanced operating system, PrivatOS, built on Android™ KitKat, provides users protection and control over security issues without the usual compromises. The unique advantages include: *Private **communications:* Blackphone features private encrypted voice and video calls and text messaging with attachments via Silent Circle, Silent Phone and Silent Text apps created by Phil Zimmermann and Jon Callas, giving users the freedom to communicate securely anywhere they find cellular or Wi-Fi connections. *Wi-Fi security: *The included Kismet Smarter Wi-Fi Manager prevents Wi-Fi hotspots from capturing Blackphone users’ wireless connection history and other information that could be used to track users’ locations or patterns of activity and information about sensitive office or home networks. *Security Center:* Gives owners complete control over application permissions, allowing immediate changes without rebooting or reinstalling. *Remote wipe and protect:* A powerful remote wipe tool gives Blackphone owners further peace of mind in having the ability to control their phone’s data from anywhere in the world. *Anonymous Web browsing and VPN: *Disconnect Search is the default search provider for Blackphone, offering private browsing protection from invasive Web monitoring by hiding users’ IP address, browser cookies and personal information. Blackphone also features Disconnect’s Secure Wireless app, which is a smart VPN designed to prevent eavesdropping over Wi-Fi and cellular networks. *Private cloud storage: *Blackphone owners can access files in SpiderOak’s private encrypted cloud service right from their mobile device, knowing only they have the means to decrypt and access their private files. Blackphone’s initial inventory sold out quickly in the months following Mobile World Congress and SGP Technologies will re-open the Blackphone Web store at on July 14 to begin accepting new orders. Customers in certain countries will be able to order Blackphone handsets through the device’s carrier partners, such as KPN N.V.

Moto 360 May Launch Alongside the Moto X+1, Use Moto Maker for Customization

Kyle — Mon, 30 Jun 2014 09:28:38 +0000

It seems Motorola was not kidding when it gave a launch timeframe of "late summer" for the show-stopping Moto 360. According to PhoneArena, the company plans to coincide the smartwatch's release with the unveiling of the Moto X+1. If history is any indication, that could place a retail date squarely in August. Motorola reportedly plans to sell the device through Moto Maker, with the choice of either a black or steel-colored watch body, and a variety of wrist straps. The choice of bands may unfortunately be limited at launch - while colored leather and rubber wristbands will almost certainly be available, metal bands are apparently facing delays. According to our recent Android Wear device poll, an overwhelming majority of readers favor the Moto 360 over other offerings from Samsung and LG. Now that it may not debut for a couple of months, are you still willing to wait?

Via: PhoneArena

Google Aims for Consistent UX With Android Wear, TV, and Auto

Tim — Mon, 30 Jun 2014 08:38:02 +0000

Last week at Google I/O in San Francisco, Google laid out plans for three new and separate platforms; Android Wear, Android TV, and Android Auto. What differentiates these platforms from past iterations we have seen, such as Google TV or any smartwatch currently available on the market powered by Android, is pretty major though. From what we have seen in the past from Android-powered smartwatches, the company that creates the watch, creates the overall experience. For example, Samsung's Galaxy Gear ran Android, but the company limited its use to only Samsung devices, plus had entire control over the way consumers interacted with the watch, which essentially hindered most basic functionality. Android Wear is Google's vision for a smartwatch, and according to an Arstechnica interview with David Burke, an engineering director at Google, the company will now have complete control over user interfaces and underlying software.

The UI is more part of the product [Android TV] in this case. We want to just have a very consistent user experience, so if you have one TV in one room and another TV in another room and they both say Android TV, we want them to work the same and look the same. The device manufacturers can brand it, and they might have services that they want to include with it, but otherwise it should be the same.

Google will invest heavily on consistency, making sure that consumers experience the same thing across multiple devices, which leads consumers to focus more intensely on the hardware they purchase. As another example, both the LG G Watch and Samsung Gear Live feature almost identical software, and when the Moto 360 is launched, you can expect it to behave exactly the same, too. It will be entirely up to the consumer which piece of hardware they want to invest in, not which device features the most software gimmicks. Are you a fan of Google's new consistency approach? I feel like it has been a very long time coming, with a great number of OEMs working on and tweaking Android for their own benefit, it's about time Google began tugging on the reins.

Via: Arstechnica

Android L Features: Battery Saver Tries to Extend Battery Life

Kellen — Mon, 30 Jun 2014 08:31:55 +0000

One of the many new features introduced with Android L is Battery Saver, a setting that attempts to lengthen the single-charge life of your phone when a charger or outlet is nowhere near. Other manufacturers like Samsung and HTC (Extreme Power Saving Mode) have built battery saver-like features into their phones for quite some time now, but this is the first time Google has done it with stock Android. The basic idea is this - as your battery life drains, Battery Saver can automatically turn on and then disable features on your phone that drain the most battery to try and extend life. With Google's, you are getting a pretty bare-bone experience, with the feature only stating that Battery Saver will "reduce your device's performance" to improve battery life. With OEM options like this, you can control all sorts of settings, but hey, at least Google is getting started. With Android L's Battery Saver, you can either toggle it on or off manually or tell it to turn on at a certain battery percentage. The default is to turn Battery Saver on at 15%, but you can also tell it to never turn on or jump between 5% increments up to 20%. Without time to full test Battery Saver or know exactly what it is turning off or on, it's tough to tell how much life it can get you. To turn on Battery Saver in Android L, head into Settings>Battery, then tap the top-right Menu button>Battery saver.

Google Voice Transcriptions to Improve With Your Help

Kellen — Mon, 30 Jun 2014 07:22:01 +0000

Google I/O may have come and gone without a single mention of the status of Hangouts and Google Voice merging together, but on Friday, we learned from a Google Voice team member that the service isn't dead just yet. In fact, Google plans on improving it, at least on a voicemail transcription front. For those new, voicemail transcription is the automated service that attempts to transcribe voicemails into text so that you can read them at anytime without actually having to play the message aloud. Google Voice has been notoriously average with its transcription, so this move to improve it makes a lot of sense, even if the product's life seems to be up in the air. If you use the Google Voice web interface at all, you should see a pop-up the next time you refresh that asks if you are interested in helping improve voicemail transcription. You can either say "yes" or "no," so we aren't talking about an opt-out program here. If you do opt-in, Google reminds you that automated systems remove account information before analyzing voicemails and that no human will ever read or listen to your messages.

You can learn more about Google Voice transcriptions at this support page. To opt-in or out of transcription improvement, head into the Gear icon>Settings>Voicemail & Text and then check or uncheck the box for "Allow automated Google systems to analyze your voicemail messages to help improve transcription quality."

T-Mobile LG G3 Arrives July 16, Available for Pre-order Today

Kellen — Mon, 30 Jun 2014 06:47:17 +0000

The LG G3 was announced back on May 27 and went on-sale the following day in Korea. Since then, we have been watching closely for any news out of a US carrier related to a potential launch date, since the G3 is easily one of the most anticipated Android devices of 2014. Today, we have something concrete from T-Mobile. The LG G3 will arrive in T-Mobile stores on July 16 and can be pre-ordered today. You can pre-order the T-Mobile LG G3 here. Don't forget to check out our hands-on time with the device as well.

Via: T-Mobile

Android L Features: Keyboard Switching Now Happens in the Navigation Bar

Kellen — Mon, 30 Jun 2014 06:41:35 +0000

If you have ever installed a third party keyboard on an Android device, like the new Android L keyboard, then you have probably seen the input menu that appears in the notification area that allows you to change keyboards on the fly. This menu shows as a notification that when tapped, will let you quickly choose a different keyboard than the one you are currently using. Thankfully, this menu only shows when you have activated or tapped inside of an input box. It is a handy shortcut, though probably not the best location for it. Guess what? It has moved in Android L - for the better too. The keyboard switcher or "choose input method" menu is now located in the navigation bar. Should you install a third party keyboard on Android L and tap inside an input box, you will now see a mini keyboard appear in the navigation bar next to your task-switching button. A simple tap on this button pops-up the input method menu, which then allows you to toggle between keyboards. This new location completely makes sense. Having to swipe down your notification bar in previous version of Android required just that, an extra swipe before tapping to change. With this new location, all you need to do is tap the keyboard button, then choose. It removes an entire step that makes keyboard switching quicker than ever. It is also in plain site, just below the keyboard that you may be interested in switching.

Android L Developer Preview Keyboard Available on Google Play

Kellen — Mon, 30 Jun 2014 06:23:38 +0000

Don't own a Nexus 5 or Nexus 7 (2013) but still want to taste some of the Android L Developer Preview? Feel free to start with the keyboard that has been pulled from the preview and repackaged as a stand-alone app that can be installed via Google Play. This is the newly skinned version of the Google Keyboard that I would imagine will see an update for all from Google through Google Play at some point soon any way, but this is your chance to test it now. I have been using Android L and this new keyboard on the Nexus 5 all weekend and wouldn't necessarily say that it is substantially different from the current version available from Google, it just looks prettier. In fact, the Google Keyboard on Google Play currently sits at version 3.0.19423 and the version in Android L is 3.1.20003. It is newly skinned, though, as I just mentioned. It's pretty. It is simple. It works well. The Google Keyboard has grown into one of my favorites over the last couple of years thanks to its predictions, swipe-style input, and ability to understand your blind-typing. Go give it a shot! To get the keyboard up and running on your device, install via the link below, find the app in your app drawer, tap on it and follow the instructions. Play Link

Verizon XLTE Network Now Covers 300+ Markets

Kellen — Fri, 27 Jun 2014 14:16:55 +0000

Verizon announced yesterday that it has already expanded its XLTE coverage to over 300 markets, just over a month after it launched the original 250. We reached out to Verizon to try and get a hold of a list of the new markets, but have not yet received one back. They did tell us that over 70 new markets are seeing the increased speeds, thanks to XLTE. To see the whole list of markets, hit up this Verizon page.

Via: Verizon

Amazon Giving Away $100 Worth of Free Apps Through Appstore Today and Tomorrow

Tim — Fri, 27 Jun 2014 09:57:02 +0000

For today and tomorrow only, Amazon is hosting a massive app sale (more like app giveaway) through the Amazon Appstore. As of right now, the value of the free apps totals a little over $100, with a few of the titles being pretty popular. To list only a few games, since there is a serious list of apps available for free, Amazon currently has Sonic the Hedgehog 2, The Room Two (Kindle edition), Root Explorer, Ravensword: Shadowland, Loco Motors, Splashtop Remote Desktop, Plex, and many others all listed as free. You better go get on these deals before they're gone. And of course, you will need to have the Amazon Appstore installed on your Android device.

Via: Amazon

Google Play Games Update Coming, Quests and Saved Games in Tow

Kyle — Fri, 27 Jun 2014 09:39:25 +0000

On Wednesday morning, during the Google I/O keynote, Google revealed a few hotly anticipated features rolling out to Play Games users over the next few weeks. User-facing improvements include Game Profile, which you can think of as Xbox Gamertags for Android. Points you earn, as well as achievements you unlock from games played, will add to a total which is attached to your profile. Quests and saved games are two other notable features coming down the development pipeline. Quests enable developers to create time-based community challenges on the server side of the game, saving the need to issue app updates for the purpose. A huge addition is saved games. Games that take advantage will sync your progress across all of your devices, over the cloud. Cover images and descriptions will represent your progress graphically. The new version of Play Games will also support Android TV at launch, for what that's worth. Look for the updates in the coming weeks. To see exactly what Google said about Google Play Games during the keynote, skip ahead to the 2:22:00 mark in the video for the details.

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Via: Google Developers Blog

YouTube Intros Creator Studio, Announces 60 FPS Video, Viewer Donation, and More

Kyle — Fri, 27 Jun 2014 09:10:34 +0000

YouTube chose VidCon as the venue to drop a few bombshells. In addition to a Creator Studio app for video makers to manage their content and view analytics, the Google-owned company also announced a few big additions to the website: high-framerate video, fan funding, and an expanded Audio Library, among others. Creator Studio essentially brings the YouTube Dashboard's graphs and settings to a more manageable mobile interface. Available on Android starting today (iOS in the coming weeks), it provides an overview of stats - recent uploads, notable comments, subscriber numbers, etc. - plus organizational tools like a video manager for editing metadata and a built-in commenting system. In addition to Creator Studio, YouTube gave a sneak peak at new features coming to the broader viewing audience over the next few months. Perhaps the highlight was support for 48 and 60 FPS video, which should be a boon for videogamers who upload footage to YouTube. Fan funding was another welcome announcement - viewers will be able to donate to Channels through KickStarter, IngieGogo, Patreon, and more. Other improvements mentioned were an expanded selection of royalty-free songs through Audio Library, Creator Credits , fan-contributed subtitles, info cards, and revamped playlists. YouTube Creator Studio is available as a free download in the Google Play Store. Play Link

Via: YouTube Creator

Deal: Sony Class 10 Micro SD Cards and Other Flash Memory 70% Off

Kellen — Fri, 27 Jun 2014 08:53:53 +0000

Amazon is hosting one of their regular flash memory sales today, where they have slashed prices on micro SD cards, regular SD cards, and flash drives by up to 70% off. Sony is featured in today's deal, which is a little different than normal, since we typically just see SanDisk and Samsung. So you can grab 16GB, 32GB, or 64GB Class 10 UHS-1 cards $8.99, $15.99, and $32.99, respectively. Those are insanely low prices. Amazon Link

Google Maps Update Brings Android Wear Support

Kellen — Fri, 27 Jun 2014 08:28:56 +0000

Google Maps received an update yesterday to bring support for Google's brand new Android Wear platform, along with bug fixes. The update doesn't specifically say what "support for Android Wear devices" means, but we are able to initiate turn-by-turn navigation from the G Watch and Gear Live that we have in house. The update should be available now on Google Play for all. Play Link

Google Won't Kill Its Nexus Program in Favor of Android Silver

Kyle — Fri, 27 Jun 2014 08:03:59 +0000

Despite numerous reports to the contrary, Google evidently won't kill its Nexus line of smartphones and tablets in favor of Android Silver devices. That's according to the company's own David Burke, head of Android engineering and the Nexus program. Android Silver will reportedly be marketed as the "premiere" Android experience - manufacturers will build smartphones to Google's specifications, pre-load them with minimal bloatware, and sell them through major carriers like T-Mobile and Verizon. Trained staff will purportedly be on hand at retail locations to explain features, and handsets designated as "Silver" devices would be guaranteed faster updates and perks like 24x7 support, a loaner phone program, and an anti-theft suite of apps. Some publications took this to mean Silver would replace the Nexus line entirely, but Burke says that isn't so. He explained to ReadWrite that the Android team develops new versions of Android with a device in mind to highlight specific functionality. History proves as much: the Galaxy Nexus included NFC to support Android Beam, while the Nexus 7 (2012) showcased Android 4.1's reworked tablet UI. We can safely assume, then, that the HTC Volantis won't be the last Nexus device after all. Anyone else relieved?

Via: ReadWrite

Google Makes "Ok Google" System-wide Hotword Detection Official

Tim — Thu, 26 Jun 2014 18:11:44 +0000

Yesterday, after downloading the newest version of Google Search (3.5.14), we discovered that a new setting for system-wide "Ok Google" hotword detection had been placed inside of the application. Previously, users would need to be on the home screen of their compatible Android device to use the hotword, but with this new feature enabled, users can say "Ok Google" within any app to initiate a Google search, and even on the lockscreen. As it was, even if people updated their Google Search app yesterday, the setting was not appearing. Now that Google has made the feature official, it looks like the company has server-side enabled this for all users, so if you have already updated the app, go check your Settings menu inside of Google Search once again. If it's still not there, Google states that it will be rolling out over the course of this week. Check out our video below to see this feature in action. Play Link

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Via: Google

Hands-on With the Moto 360 Smartwatch

Tim — Thu, 26 Jun 2014 16:08:29 +0000

To say the Moto 360 is in a league of its own, with regard to just smartwatches, is an understatement. Pictures don't do Motorola's hardware justice, and after finally spending time with the device at this year's Google I/O, it's safe to say that this is the smartwatch we have all been waiting for. Powered by Google's Android Wear, which was showcased heavily at Google I/O in yesterday's keynote, the Moto 360 is the first of its kind with a completely circular display. All other Android Wear-powered devices, like the G Watch and Gear Live, feature your typical rectangular and square displays. Since we were able to hold the smartwatch and put it on our wrists, all doubt about its weight and feel have flown out the window. The Moto 360 is light, built with premium materials, and whatever price Motorola decides to place on the watch will more than likely be justified. After having the G Watch and Gear Live watches on our wrists for the day, it was clear that Motorola has put a ton of time into the 360's display and design. One word they continue to throw around is "authentic." They want the device to look like a premium watch. They want you to want to wear it. In person, the display gives off an Infinity Pool effect. The glass is raised on the edges, which somehow makes every shot of the display look somewhat fake and photoshopped. When we say the display looks good, believe us. Many in our community have been scared of the size, but from our time, we think it's a good size. It's right around the size of the G Watch, but since the display is circular, it doesn't take up as much space on your arm. Without going into too much detail about the size, our previous worries over its apparent size have been dismissed. After viewing the results of our poll, we think everyone waiting for the Moto 360 won't be disappointed at all. Got questions? Shoot them below in the comments section. Gallery

Android L Features: Interacting With the New Lock Screen

Kellen — Thu, 26 Jun 2014 15:46:20 +0000

Up next in our tour of new features in Android L is a detailed, on-video look at the revamped lock screen experience. If you have used Android at all over the years, a lot of the new concepts will make sense once you see them in action. There are quick swipes to launch into the camera or dialer, ways to expand out notifications, and access to your settings toggles should you need to adjust brightness or get on a WiFi network. With that said, things have changed around quite substantially. Notifications are no longer hidden away in a notification drawer - they are presented on the lock screen without the need to swipe anywhere. There is no longer an unlock circle - a swipe up anywhere on the screen gets you unlocked and to your home screen. If you want to access the camera, you will find a similar swipe on the screen to the left, but Google has also added a swipe to the right to get directly into the dialer. And that's not all. To see the full tour of the new lock screen setup, hit up the video below.

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Android L Features: Do Not Disturb Mode

Kellen — Thu, 26 Jun 2014 12:54:39 +0000

Our series on new Android L features kicked off moments ago with Battery Predictor, but now it's time to move on to an addition that probably should have been built into Android long ago. This is Do Not Disturb mode. For those not familiar with a feature like DND, think of it as a way to shut off phone calls and notifications during the night or other times where you would rather not have a "ding" or buzz go off. We are talking during meetings, funerals (whoa!), or anything else in life that would require some quiet time. To enable or find Do Not Disturb mode, you have a number of options. The first way is to adjust the volume on your phone, which then gives you a pop-up with a volume slider next to a "DND" icon (circle with slash through it) that can be tapped to turn DND mode on or off. Turning it on will also give you a drop-down with a series of options, like duration of the DND or whether or not it lasts until you turn it back off.

The other quick way to turn DND on or off is by pulling down the quick toggles in the notification area and then tapping on the "Notifications" option. This will pop-up the notification volume slider that includes the DND button mentioned above. The third and final way to access DND settings, which also happens to give you the most control over this new settings, is through Settings>Sound & Notifications>Do not disturb. Once in this area, you can turn the mode on or off, decide if you want it to block calls or messages or both, decide if sets of contacts can overpower DND (anyone, starred contacts, contacts), and then decide if you want DND to automatically turn itself on during certain hours or days (every night, weeknights, never).

On to the next one.

Android L Features: Battery Predictor Tells You How Long Until Your Phone is Charged

Kellen — Thu, 26 Jun 2014 12:31:50 +0000

The Android L Developer Preview has only been available for a little over an hour, yet we have already gone hands-on with it. But after whipping through a quick preview, it's time to start really looking at the newest version of Android. What's new? What has changed? Are there any awesome little tweaks that Google has made that you can't live without? The first we want to talk about is Battery Predictor. As the name suggests, your phone can now predict how long it is going to take to fully charge if it is running Android L. There isn't much else to say, other than once you plug your phone in, the estimate will show up on the lock screen. You can also head into Settings>Battery to see the estimate as well. The days of wondering about and stressing over how much longer you need to stick to a charger. Pretty sweet, right?

Android "L" Preview Hands-on

Tim — Thu, 26 Jun 2014 11:45:07 +0000

The Android "L" preview is now live for all to try, as long as you own a Nexus 5 or Nexus 7 WiFi (2013). After flashing the system images to the Nexus 5, then spending 10 minutes with it, we have gone ahead and posted up a hands-on video to show all of you what to expect upon a broader release of the software. From what we know so far, this is a very early preview build, just as Google stated at yesterday's keynote. With that said, while the Settings menu, lockscreen, notification tray, navigation bar, keyboard, and dialer app have been completely re-skinned, you won't find too much else going on. So far, the system does feel very smooth, but until we throw on our daily-used apps and start putting it through the paces, it's hard to give a complete assessment of Android "L." Check out our hands-on video below. If you have any questions about Android "L," drop them below in the comments section. Better yet, do you own a Nexus 5? Have you flashed it yet? Tell us your thoughts so far. Gallery

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Gmail API Available for Developers in Beta

Kyle — Thu, 26 Jun 2014 10:32:57 +0000

The Gmail app for Android doesn't always keep up with the pace of innovation - third-party mail clients like K-9 mail and MailDroid introduce features faster, and are infinitely more customizable. Until now, though, that meant compromise - IMAP was the only way for those apps to retrieve mail from Gmail, meaning you lost out on editable labels and server-side search. Yesterday, Google unveiled its answer to that problem in the form of a beta API for Gmail. Available to developers immediately, the API lets apps tap into the more powerful features of Gmail, like drafts and threading. Google says it's also a lot faster than IMAP. Expect your favorite mail client developer to implement it soon. [responsive_vid]

Via: Gmail API

Android L Developer Preview Now Available!

Kellen — Thu, 26 Jun 2014 10:25:47 +0000

The Android L Developer Preview is now available. Get it by hitting up the link below! Both Nexus 5 and Nexus 7 (2013) WiFi preview factory images have been posted. To get instructions on how to flash a factory image, hit up this post. PREVIEW LINK

AT&T Samsung Galaxy Note 2 Gains Kit Kat

Kyle — Thu, 26 Jun 2014 10:17:24 +0000

An update to Android 4.4.2 "Kit Kat" began rolling out for the AT&T variant of the Galaxy Note II yesterday, curiously on the first day of Google I/O. We're sure that's just a happy coincidence. Anyway, the upgrade is a big one. We're looking at a host of new "Kit Kat" features - here's a list of them.

What's New

Media Controls - full-screen album art and media controls when listening to music
Camera Shortcut - access the Camera application right from the lock screen
Improved user experience when multiple messaging apps are installed - All SMS and MMS messages are together in the same app, alongside other conversations and video calls.
Visual content such as photos, videos, maps, books, and games are even better with full-screen immersive mode. The UI stays hidden while interacting with the content.
Restyled Status and Navigation Bars - status and navigation bars are translucent and can sit on top of apps, along with simplified status bar icons
New storage access framework - Simple for users to browse and open documents, images, and other files, across most customer preferred document storage providers.
Consolidated Location Settings - location services are integrated and more detailed by new Location menu
Expanded Emoji Icons
Wireless Printing – supports printing over Wi-Fi and Bluetooth
Prevention Information pop-up message is suppressed.
New platform support for secure NFC-based transactions through Host Card Emulation (HCE).
Beats Music is Preloaded
Video player closed captioning Settings > My device > Accessibility > Google subtitles (CC) and Samsung subtitles (CC)
Can be set sound for Samsung apps (call/message/email/calendar) Setting > my Device > Sound > Samsung applications

The new firmware, version I317UCUCNE5, is rolling out to devices now. To check for it manually, go to Settings > More > System Update, tap "Update Samsung Software," and select "Check now."

Via: Samsung

LG G Watch and Samsung Gear Live Unboxing

Tim — Thu, 26 Jun 2014 09:24:08 +0000

We now have our goodies from Google I/O, LG G Watch and Samsung Gear Live smartwatches. Before we get into the review process and really diving into what these devices do, we love to unbox and do hardware tours, just so you all know what to expect if you have ordered yours through Google Play already. Both devices feature very similar specifications, with the G Watch sporting a 1.65-inch LCD (280×280) versus the Gear Live’s 1.63-inch AMOLED (320 x 320). The only real difference buyers should consider is battery life, the Gear Live's built-in heart rate monitor, and overall design. The G Watch comes with a 400mAh battery, said to last a "full day," while the Gear Live features a 300mAh battery, which should also last a day. Both will need to be charged every night if you plan on wearing them consistently. Other than that, both run the same version of Android Wear, and both are compatible with all Android 4.3+ devices. Check out our full unboxing and hands-on video below for more G Watch and Gear Live action. Have questions about the smartwatches? Throw them below.

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Motorola Gives 2-minute Official "Sneak Peek" of Moto 360

Kellen — Thu, 26 Jun 2014 08:53:25 +0000

Want to see the Moto 360 in action through an "official" demo video? Motorola was on hand with their Android Wear watch this week at Google I/O and gave us just that. In the clip below, Motorola's Cathay Bi takes us on a tour of the most anticipated of all the Android Wear products. From its beautiful aluminum and leather design to interacting with the card-like UI and using your voice to perform searches, this is what you have been waiting for. Even though the watch looks quite large, I am 100% ready to make this a part of my life. We still don't know when Motorola will sell the Moto 360, but we get the feeling that it is going to be soon, very soon.

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The Walking Dead: Season Two Released Through Google Play

Kyle — Thu, 26 Jun 2014 08:47:31 +0000

What would life be like in the aftermath of a zombie apocalypse? Harrowing, if Telltale Games's The Walking Dead is anything to go by. The tragic series, now in its second season, was released through Google Play yesterday after a period of exclusivity on Kindle Fire devices. The game is choice-driven, and nearly every decision you make - some innocuous, some heartbreaking - has repercussions. While the overarching plot can only be tailored to an extent, the fate of some characters will depend on how you handle certain situations. A word of advice: don't get too attached to anyone - zombies are unforgiving little monsters. The Walking Dead: Season Two is available as a free download, but you will have to pony up $15 for the full season, which will eventually include five episodes. If you're interested in fully immersing yourself in The Walking Dead universe, I recommend playing the first season - your decisions carry over, and you'll be introduced to characters that appear in this season. Play Link

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Google Seems to Think the Nexus 5 Comes in Yellow

Tim — Thu, 26 Jun 2014 08:17:01 +0000

While cruising the official Android website, one of our readers happened upon what looks to be an early slip up, or complete mistake, from Google itself. When describing the options available when purchasing the Nexus 5 on Google Play, Google states that the device comes in four colors; Black, White, Red, and Yellow. However, as you may all know, the Nexus 5 is not available in a Yellow variant. Did Google simply slip up, or should we expect a Yellow Nexus 5 to hit Google Play at anytime? While the introduction of a new color for the Nexus 5 wouldn't disappoint us, it seems rather late in the device's life to be still pumping out new colors. We shall see. If the Nexus 5 does get announced in a Yellow colorway, would you pick up a Bumblebee model?

Via: Android

Cheers Tony!

Rewatch the Entire 3-hour Google I/O 2014 Keynote

Kellen — Thu, 26 Jun 2014 08:13:11 +0000

The entire 3-hour Google I/O 2014 keynote is up and ready for your consumption. In case you missed our ridiculous live blog that featured talk of Android L and all of its redesigned goodness through Material Design, Android Auto, Google Fit, Android TV, and of course, Android Wear, then I would suggest at least taking a look at the first two hours. Oh, Tim and I also make a couple of appearances, so you have that to look forward to. Should sitting down for 2-3 hours not sound like something you want to do, here is a list of stories to help catch you up on Google I/O day 1.

Themer Gains New Features, Tweaked UI

Kyle — Thu, 26 Jun 2014 06:48:01 +0000

Sometimes, stock icons just won't do. You yearn for a little more excitement in your life, and what better way to satisfy that need than downloading colorful and stylish third-party icons? Themer helps you do just that, and it is getting even better. Enhancements in the update rolling out this week include a more usable UI - the Themer team has made switching between icon packs much easier. The app will also now leverage translucency on devices running Android 4.4. and Samsung device running 4.3, meaning the navigation bar will become transparent while you're navigating the menus of Themer - a nice touch. If the icons seem a little small to you, you're not the only one. Don't worry - the Themer team says they will be made resizable shortly. Themer is free in the Google Play Store. Play Link

Via: Themer

Pebble Partners with Misfit, Gains True Fitness App

Kyle — Thu, 26 Jun 2014 06:44:41 +0000

Health tracking has long been touted as the perfect function to fit the smartwatch form, which makes it all the more surprising that Pebble lacked a true pedometer. Luckily, that shortcoming was remedied this week through a partnership with fitness company Misfit, makers of the Shine. As part of the agreement, Misfit has released an app on the Pebble store. It is pretty barebones at the moment - it merely displays your activity and steps - but Misfit hinted that capabilities like sleep tracking would come in future updates. As you'd expect, any information recorded by Misfit can be synced with the companion app, letting you to set workout goals and track your progress. Pebble has ambitions that extend beyond the app - it said this is just the beginning "in an ongoing partnership and collaboration between Pebble and Misfit." For fitness enthusiasts, that is great news.

Via: Pebble

I/O Poll: Buying the G Watch or Gear Live?

Kellen — Wed, 25 Jun 2014 17:12:42 +0000

The first Android Wear watches are now available, so what do you think - are you buying one? As of today, you can pre-order the LG G Watch or Samsung Gear Live and have them at your front door within a couple of weeks. Or are you holding out for the Moto 360, which Google would only continue to confirm is "coming this summer"? Or are you not interested at all? It's time for some I/O-related polls. First up - are you buying either the G Watch or Gear Live? [poll id="308"]

Here are Android "L" App Design Screenshots for Maps, Settings, Music, Keyboard, and More

Tim — Wed, 25 Jun 2014 16:25:42 +0000

Everyone is waiting patiently for Google to release the Android L preview build tomorrow, but hopefully these screenshots can help ease the impatience. Android L, from what we can see so far, is a major redesign for the OS. App color schemes and various layouts are changing considerably inside of system applications, which might have Android L as one of the most distinguishable updates the OS has ever received. For example, colors for system volumes are now going to be a bright yellow instead of Holo Blue, and many other apps and lists seem to be much more vibrant. Google Keyboard will also see a nice update at some point, more than likely through Google Play, which looks to bring a very minimal and flat appearance. Google has posted an entire walkthrough of their new design language, so take a peek if you want to dive deeper into Android L. Below, we have posted a few of the big UI update screenshots we have seen on the site. Share your thoughts below.

Gallery

Via: Google Design

G Watch and Gear Live Now Available for Pre-order on Google Play

Kellen — Wed, 25 Jun 2014 16:11:15 +0000

The world's first Android Wear smartwatches, the LG G Watch and Samsung Gear Live, are now available for pre-order through Google Play. Thankfully, they should both ship within a week or two. The LG G Watch is priced at $229 and comes in either Black Titan or White Gold. It has an expected ship date of July 3 and is available in the following countries: Australia, Canada, France, Germany, India, Ireland, Italy, Japan, South Korea, Spain, United Kingdom, and United States. The Samsung Gear Live is priced at $199 and comes in only one color for now, black. It is expected to ship by July 8 and is available in the following countries: Canada, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Spain, United Kingdom, and United States. Full specs and details for each watch can be found here. Play Link

Download: New Roboto for Android L and Material Design

Kellen — Wed, 25 Jun 2014 16:01:07 +0000

During today's Google I/O keynote, guru-of-the-pixel-and-wild-shirt Matias Duarte, talked a lot about the company's new design direction called Material Design. He also noted that they had given their Roboto font a major overhaul, which the Material Design site says has been "refined extensively to work across the wider set of supported platforms. It is slightly wider and rounder, giving it greater clarity and making it more optimistic." The new version is already available for download if you would like to give it some run. Download Link

Via: Google Design

Winner of Motorola's Moto 360 Design Competition Announced

Kyle — Wed, 25 Jun 2014 15:28:43 +0000

At least one person's getting the Moto 360 before too long: the winner of Motorola's design competition, David Pascual. His watch face is classic, but manages to expertly blend the requisite elements of a smartwatch. White numerals sit on a black background with blue accents, but also present are wireless, power, and Bluetooth indicators, along with a space for notifications. Motorola says Pascual's design has a chance of appearing on the Moto 360, but that will probably depend on whether or not developers can faithfully recreate it within the confines of Android Wear. If it does come pre-installed, it may look a bit different. Still, it is pretty nice.

Via: Motorola

Google Search 3.5.14 Adds "OK, Google" Hotword Everywhere, Plus Audio History

Kellen — Wed, 25 Jun 2014 15:00:54 +0000

Google Search 3.5.14 is beginning to rollout with a couple of major enhancements. First, Google is allowing users to enable the "OK, Google" hotword to be said from anywhere on the phone to prompt a voice search. So rather than having to be on your home screen, you can now be in Chrome or looking at photos and quickly kick off a voice search. The update even allows you to trigger an "OK, Google" from the lock screen. It works quite well so far in our testing. To turn on the new hotword detection, head into Google Now, then scroll to the very bottom, tap Menu>Settings>Voice>"Ok Google" Detection, and then toggle on the options you desire. The app doesn't just bring new hotword glory, though, it also introduces Audio History. As the name suggests, Google is using your voice searches to create a history that it can use to make your searches more accurate. It learns the sound of your voice, how you pronounce words, etc. In case that scares you on a privacy level, Google is letting you opt-out if you'd like. You can read more about this new Audio History at this support page.

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AT&T Expands 4G LTE Network to Four New Markets

Kyle — Wed, 25 Jun 2014 14:51:39 +0000

The rapidity of Verizon and AT&T's 4G LTE rollout may have given the impression that the carriers had long ago blanketed the entire US in glorious 4G, but that is not exactly the case. There are still towns out there that need LTE connectivity. AT&T's announcement this morning of new 4G markets may placate a few. As per the press release, AT&T is flipping on 4G LTE in four new towns.

Olean, N.Y.
Greenville and Mansfield, Ohio
Fredericksburg, Texas

If you live in one of these areas, rejoice. Otherwise, feel free to express your disappointment in the comments below.

Via: AT&T

What's New in Google Play Services 5.0?

Kellen — Wed, 25 Jun 2014 14:36:46 +0000

Not only did announce the new version of Android that is currently dubbed "Android L" (list of features) but they also gave us a massive Google Play Services update to 5.0. The Play Services update allows apps to "more easily communicate" with wearables, which makes sense since Android Wear was a big part of today's festivities. It lets developers build in game saving, Quests, and new game profiles to Play Games. There are new Wallet, Drive, Google Cast, Analytics, and Mobile Ads features as well. The full list can be seen below.

Services for Android wearables — Your apps can more easily communicate and sync with code running on Android wearables through an automatically synchronized, persistent data store and a reliable messaging interface.
Play Games services — Build a great gaming experience with Quests, which allow event-based challenges for players to complete for rewards, Saved Games (a snapshot API allow synchronization of game data along with a cover-image and description), and Game Profile (providing experience points for players).
App Indexing API — Surface deep content in your native mobile applications on Google search and drive additional user engagement.
Google Cast — Use media tracks to enable closed-caption support for Chromecast.
Drive — Sort query results, create offline folders, and select any mime type in the file picker by default.
Wallet — Build a "Save to Wallet" button for offers directly into your app; use geo-fenced in-store notifications to prompt the user to show and scan digital cards. Split tender allows payment to be split between Wallet Balance and a credit/debit card in Google Wallet.
Analytics — Get insights into the full user journey and understand how different user acquisition campaigns are performing with Enhanced Ecommerce, letting you measure product impressions, product clicks, and more.
Mobile Ads — Use improved in-app purchase ads and integrations for the Play store in-app purchase API client.
Dynamic Security Provider — Offers an alternative to the platform's secure networking APIs that can be updated more frequently, for faster delivery of security patches.

Via: Android Developers

Google Runs Through Initial List of Android L Features Before Tomorrow's Launch

Kellen — Wed, 25 Jun 2014 14:16:36 +0000

Google may have announced the Android L Developer Preview today, but they aren't letting any of us get our hands on it until tomorrow morning. Until then, they have put together a list of most of the features announced during this morning's keynote, along with a couple that didn't have a chance to shine on stage. Things like the new advanced camera API that were confirmed to be in the works back in November are a part of Android L. There is also a mention of multi-networking, mixed into recaps on Material Design, Project Volta, BLE Peripheral Mode, and enhanced notifications. To make sure you are ready for tomorrow morning, be sure to read up. We have included their whole list below.

Material design for the multiscreen world — We’ve been working on a new design language at Google that takes a comprehensive approach to visual, motion, and interaction design across a number of platforms and form factors. Material design is a new aesthetic for designing apps in today’s multi-device world. The L Developer Preview brings material design to Android, with a full set of tools for your apps. The system is incredibly flexible, allowing your app to express its individual character and brand with bold colors and a variety of responsive UI patterns and themeable elements.
Enhanced notifications — New lockscreen notifications let you surface content, updates, and actions to users at a glance, without unlocking. Visibility controls let you manage the types of information shown on the lockscreen. Heads-up notifications display content and actions in a small floating window that’s managed by the system, no matter which app is in the foreground. Notifications are material themed and you can express your brand through accent colors and more.
Document-centric Recents — Now you can organize your app by tasks and present these concurrently as individual “documents” in the Recents screen. Users can flip through Recents to find the specific task they want and then jump deep into your app with a single tap.
Project Volta — New tools and APIs help your app run efficiently and conserve power. Battery Historian is a new tool that lets you visualize power events over time and understand how your app is using battery. A job scheduler API lets you set the conditions under which your background tasks and other jobs should run, such as when the device is idle or connected to an unmetered to a charger, to minimize battery impact.
BLE Peripheral Mode — Android devices can now function in Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) peripheral mode. Apps can use this capability to broadcast their presence to nearby devices — for example, you can now build apps that let a device to function as a pedometer or health monitor and transmit data to another BLE device.
Multi-networking — Apps can work with the system to dynamically scan for available networks with specific capabilities and then automatically connect. This is useful when you want to manage handoffs or connect to a specialized network, such as a carrier-billing network.
Advanced camera capabilities — A new camera API gives you new capabilities for image capture and processing. On supported devices, your app can capture uncompressed YUV capture at full 8 megapixel resolution at 30 FPS. The API also lets you capture raw sensor data and control parameters such as exposure time, ISO sensitivity, and frame duration, on a per-frame basis.
New features for game developers — Support for OpenGL ES 3.1, gives you capabilities such as compute shaders, stencil textures, and texture gather for your games. Android Extension Pack (AEP) is a new set of extensions to OpenGL ES that bring desktop-class graphics to Android. Games will be able to take advantage of tessellation and geometry shaders, and use ASTC texture compression across multiple GPU techonolgies.
Android Runtime (ART) — The L Developer Preview introduces the Android Runtime (ART) as the system default. ART offers ahead-of-time (AOT) compilation, more efficient garbage collection, and improved development and debugging features. In many cases it improves performance of the device with no action required by the developer.
64-bit support — The L Developer Preview adds support for 64-bit ABIs, for additional address space and improved performance with certain compute workloads. Apps written in the Java language can run immediately on 64-bit architectures with no modifications required. To support apps using native code, we’re also releasing an updated NDK that includes 64-bit support.

To catch up on some of the SDK announcements, hit up the preview site.

Via: Android Developers

Razer Announces Android TV-powered Micro Console, Focused on Gaming

Tim — Wed, 25 Jun 2014 14:13:06 +0000

Does Android TV excite you? Do you need it now? Well, it doesn't officially launch until this Fall, but Razer has gone ahead and announced that they will be ready for when that day comes. The company has introduced a Razer-branded micro console, powered by Android TV, with Android gaming being its main selling point. Technically there is no official name it seems, but the set-top box is an all-black cube, complete with neon lighting. Nice touch. No specifications have been announced yet, but Razer claims the box can handle casual games, as well as more hardcore titles for seasoned gamers. On top of gaming, the box can handle your standard Android TV features, such as movie and TV streaming, content searches, and much more. No exact availability or pricing is available yet, but at least we know it's coming.

Via: Wired

AT&T Will Sell The LG G Watch "In the Coming Weeks"

Kyle — Wed, 25 Jun 2014 13:40:25 +0000

Wearables are big, so it's hardly a surprise wireless carriers want in on the action. (Insert joke about mobile payments and ISIS here.) AT&T announced today that it will begin offering the LG G Watch as an "accessory" in the coming weeks, presumably when the device launches in brick-and-mortar stores early next month. Strangely, AT&T made no mention of the Samsung Gear Live - LG may have signed some sort of exclusivity deal. And the carrier isn't taking preorders. Still, it's possible a presence on the shelves of AT&T stores will help persuade people to buy G Watches. Picking one up?

Via: AT&T

Android TV Made Official at Google I/O, Hopes to Put Google TV's Bad Past to Rest

Tim — Wed, 25 Jun 2014 13:29:04 +0000

While Google TV and its many iterations built into TVs and set-top boxes never quite flourished as Eric Schmidt once intended, Google announced the new Android TV platform this morning at Google I/O. With Android TV, which is essentially a rebranded and retooled version of Google TV, users can play games, watch shows and TV, and speak directly to their TVs to find what they are looking for. Users can control Android TV with either a remote, gaming controller, or by using an Android TV app on their Android devices. For now, Android TV has a very healthy list of content providers, given that you have full access to Google Play. With that access, you can download your favorite content apps, such as Netflix, Hulu Plus, YouTube, and plenty more. With the gaming controller, which Google is showcasing here at Google I/O, gamers can have plenty of fun on Android TV. With access to Google Play, you can play any title you currently play on your Android device, right on your TV. While not all apps are completely optimized for the platform, developers will surely begin work on making sure Android TV owners can take full advantage of this. Android TV is set to be built into TVs and set-top boxes, which will launch later this year, some time in the Fall. Do you think Android TV has a brighter future than that of Google TV?

Via: Android TV

Full Specs for Samsung Gear Live and LG G Watch, the First Android Wear Devices

Kyle — Wed, 25 Jun 2014 13:20:45 +0000

The Moto 360 may have been depressingly absent from the I/O keynote this morning, but two other smartwatches have the honor of being the first devices to run Android Wear - the LG G Watch and the Samsung Gear Live. While both devices share the same rectangular form factor, that's where the similarities end. The G Watch's display compromises resolution for slightly more screen real estate - a 1.65-inch LCD (280x280) versus the Gear Live's 1.63-inch AMOLED (320 x 320). But the G Watch trumps the Gear Live in another area - battery capacity. It has a 400mAh, greater than the Gear Live's 300mAh. The dimensions of each device are quite different (the G Watch is 37.9 x 46.5 x 9.95mm and the Gear Live 37.9 x 56.4 x 8.9 mm), as are the sensors packed into each smartwatch: LG omitted a heart rate monitor, Samsung added one. But the rest of the hardware is fairly standard - Snapdragon 400 processors, Bluetooth 4.0 LE, 512MB of RAM, 4GB of storage, and IP67 dust and water resistant designs.

Sadly, neither will launch with metal wrist straps as an option - you'll have to settle for colored plastic on both. The G Watch comes in White Gold and Black Titan, while the Gear Live comes in Black and Wine Red. Both the Gear Live and G Watch will be available for pre-order on Google Play starting later today. The Gear Live will retail for $199 and ship July 7. The G Watch will retail for $229.

Specs

G Watch

Chipset: Qualcomm®Snapdragon™ 400 processor
Display: 1.65-inch LCD IPS (280 x 280)
Memory: 4GB eMMC / 512MB RAM
Battery: 400mAh
Operating System: Android Wear (compatible with smartphones running Android 4.3 and above)
Size: 37.9 x 46.5 x 9.95mm
Weight: 63g
Connectivity: Bluetooth 4.0
Sensors: 9-Axis (Gyro / Accelerometer / Compass)
Color: White Gold/ Black Titan
Others: Dust and Water Resistant (IP67)

Gear Live

Display: 1.63” Super AMOLED (320 x 320)
OS: Android Wear
Processor: 1.2 GHz Processor
Google Services: Google Now, Google Voice, Google Maps & Navigation, Gmail, Hangouts
Additional Features: Notification (SMS, E-mail, etc.); Heart Rate Monitor; IP67 Dust and Water Resistant; Changeable Strap, Color Options: Black and Wine Red
Connectivity: Bluetooth® v4.0 LE
Sensor: Accelerometer, Gyroscope, Compass, Heart Rate
Memory: RAM: 512MB; Storage: 4GB Internal Memory
Dimension /Weight: 37.9 x 56.4 x 8.9 mm, 59g
Battery: Standard Battery, Li-ion 300mAh

Via: LG | Samsung

Chromecast Getting Android Device Mirroring And More

Kyle — Wed, 25 Jun 2014 12:59:45 +0000

Chromecast may be the weird stepchild of the new Android TV, but seeing as it's sold incredibly well globally, Google would be remiss if it didn't pay it some much-needed attention during this morning's keynote. One of the most exciting features demoed onstage was Android mirroring. A long time coming, the service - which is in beta and will be incorporated into Google Play Services in a few weeks - lets you to cast your device's display and audio to Chromecast. That, of course, allows you to play games or navigate around Google Earth on your TV. Mirroring seemed quite responsive - Google built a new protocol explicitly targeting low latency - and everything seemed to work without a hitch, including switching between landscape and portrait and using the phone's camera. Unfortunately, mirroring is a hardware-dependent feature - only HTC, Samsung, LG, and Nexus devices will be able to take advantage, at least initially. Bummer.

Another welcome addition to Chromecast is the ability to cast from a different network. Using WiFi and cellular to approximate location, devices will now automatically detect and be able to use a Chromecast without having to connect to a local network. PIN security can be enabled, of course, if that prospect frightens you. Finally, the familiar backdrops that display when Chromecast is idle are becoming customizable. An updated version of the Chromecast app for Android and iOS has a toggle to stream photos from either your Google+ library, or from category-specific web galleries like Art, Places, Lifestyle, and Weather. Each backdrop will now be accompanied by more information, too - just ask Google Now "what's on my Chromecast" to be presented with details about image on screen. Don't expect these features anytime soon - Google is projecting they'll roll out gradually over the next few weeks. Chromecast owners, you certainly have things to look forward to.

HTC Commits to Android L Release, Will Update Flagship Devices "As Fast As Possible"

Kyle — Wed, 25 Jun 2014 12:41:05 +0000

If there was any doubt, know that OEMs are on board with the newest Android L release from Google. Updates like these always come with a caveat, however: devices receive the new version of Android entirely at the respective makers' discretion. Thankfully, HTC is stepping up to the plate. HTC committed on the company's blog to bringing the Android L release to its flagship smartphones - the HTC One (M8) and HTC One (M7) - as quickly as possible. Other "select HTC devices" will receive the update as well, but HTC was mum on that front. The company says it will begin the update process within 90 days of receiving final software from Google. That likely won't be until sometime this fall.

Via: HTC Blog

Android L Developer Preview: New Material Design, Features, and Performance

Kyle — Wed, 25 Jun 2014 11:09:49 +0000

As expected, Google previewed the next major release of Android at today's I/O keynote. Dubbed the "L" release, it's a fundamental redesign of Android brimming with new features. Let's take a look at some of the announcements below.

Material Design

The big buzzword was "material design." In theory, that means new transition animations within and between apps, virtual light sources that cast realtime shadows behind objects, and colorized UI elements. In practice, it means a much more polished aesthetic that feels light years ahead of even KitKat. If extendability were a word, it would describe L's design language perfectly. Part of the goal, Google design guru Matias Duarte explained, was to enable developers to easily and logically bring apps to multiple platforms. "Grid," one of the pedestals of the new aesthetic, will automate much of that process, appropriately adapting the UI for the form factor. Ideally, apps across mobile, desktop, and tablet will look and function consistently.

New Features

The changes don't stop at the ecosystem level. The new Recents UI is card-like, using the L release's shadowing and depth to great effect. The new functionality is impressive - Chrome tabs automagically slot into the list of recent activities. Notifications also received some much-needed love. All notifications are now actionable on the lockscreen - you can interact with them without unlocking your phone or tablet - and can be manipulated with a double tap. Some notifications can now interrupt you. Taking a cue from Apple's playbook, notifications designated as "urgent" slide down from the top of the screen, and can be dismissed with a swipe. Personal unlocking, part of Google's bid to eliminate barriers to content, unlocks your phone when in a "secure" state. If you're wearing a Bluetooth smartwatch that's paired to your device, for example, your phone will unlock without the need for a PIN or password. Disabling Bluetooth or leaving the watch at home will re-enable security. But personal unlocking's intelligence apparently extends beyond Bluetooth - it'll leverage wireless and even things like voiceprint to make unlocking your device less of a hassle. Other additions in the Android L release include a more refined Roboto font, awesome new animations, and a bunch of little enhancements like redesigned navigation keys, a new keyboard UI, and quick settings menu.

Performance

Big fluidity improvements are in tow with the Android L release. As rumored, a finalized version of ART will become the default runtime, which translates to fewer app stutters and 2x performance in some cases. Android is now 64-bit, which means support of new ARM instruction sets and RAM amounts of 4GB and greater - basically, all things that will help make future devices running Android faster and more responsive. Project Volta is an initiative aimed at improving battery life across the board. It's more than rhetoric - with a new battery saver setting, Google was apparently able to extend the Nexus 5's life by 90 minutes. Volta also introduces Battery Historian, a tool for developers that sheds greater light on how apps are using sensors and hardware. Google said the Android L release is their "biggest to date," and they weren't kidding - we're still sifting through the many new features introduced onstage at I/O. Preview software will be made available to the Nexus 5 and Nexus 7 tomorrow morning, so we'll be diving deeper into L very soon.

Video: This is Google's New Material Design

Kellen — Wed, 25 Jun 2014 10:30:00 +0000

Google announced a massive change to their design philosophy in something they are calling Material Design, which uses "tactile surfaces, bold graphic design, and fluid motion to create beautiful, intuitive experiences." For the "L" version of Android, we will see this new design idea in action, but Material Design wasn't built just for specific use cases, it is a new set of guidelines that Google wants to use to make beautiful design on all screen sizes To learn all there is to learn about Material Design, head over to Google's new design site. Update: For some reason, Google pulled their Material Design post. I have included it below, so that you can read the full announcement.

This is material design By Nicholas Jitkoff, Designer When we started building for the first mobile devices, mobile meant less: less screen space, slower connection, fewer features. A mobile experience was often a lesser experience. But mobile devices have evolved—they have become more powerful, faster, and more intuitive—so must our approach to design. And as Google, including the Android platform, expands into new form factors, we’re introducing one consistent design that spans devices across mobile, desktop, and beyond. Today at Google I/O, we introduced material design, which uses tactile surfaces, bold graphic design, and fluid motion to create beautiful, intuitive experiences. In material design, surface and shadow establish a physical structure to explain what can be touched and what can move. Content is front and center, using principles of modern print design. Motion is meaningful, clarifying relationships and teaching with delightful details. We needed something that felt at home on the smallest watch, the largest TV, and every screen in between. We used it for Android Wear, our project to extend Android wearables, as well as Android TV, and Android Auto. So as you create applications and services for this expansive new range of devices, we’ve created one unified set of style guidelines that works across any platform. We’re releasing the first version of these guidelines as part of our preview today. You can find them on google.com/design. Material design, in L Bringing material design to Android is a big part of the L-Release of Android, the version we previewed today. We’ve added the new Material theme, which you can apply to your apps for a new style: it lets you easily infuse your own color palette into your app, and offers new system widgets, screen transitions and animated touch feedback. We’ve also added the ability to specify a view’s elevation, allowing you to raise UI elements and cast dynamic, real-time shadows in your apps. Bringing material design to the web, with Polymer Last year at I/O we announced Polymer, an ambitious UI toolkit for the web. As a developer, you’ll now have access to all the capabilities of material design via Polymer, bringing tangibility, bold graphics, and animations to your applications on the web, all at 60fps. If you’d like to learn more about material design, please take a look at our guidelines. Join us as we continue to design and iterate at +Google Design.

Via: Google Developers

LG G Watch and Samsung Gear Live Available Today on Google Play

Kellen — Wed, 25 Jun 2014 10:19:44 +0000

We are only an hour into the keynote for Google I/O 2014 and have already seen a number of massive announcements. We'll have more on all of that soon, but wanted to quickly point out the first hardware announcement of the day - Android Wear watches will be available later today on Google Play. Google didn't announce pricing just yet, but the LG G Watch and Samsung Gear Live can be purchased this afternoon. The Moto 360, unfortunately, will not be available until later this summer. That news, as you can imagine, drew all sorts of sighs from the crowd. But hey, Android Wear today! More coming!

Live: Google I/O 2014 Keynote!

Kellen — Wed, 25 Jun 2014 07:00:06 +0000

The day has arrived! Google I/O 2014 officially kicks off today with the conference's 2-hour keynote before heading into all sorts of developer sessions. As is always the case at I/O, we are live blogging the keynote from inside San Francisco's Moscone Center to add our own commentary to the announcements as they break. It's going to be a fun couple of hours, with a new version of Android expected to be previewed, along with Android Wear, TV talk, and more. I get the feeling that Google is going to overwhelm us with awesomeness, if that is even possible. The keynote kicks off at 9:00AM Pacific (12:00PM Eastern). Keep in mind that Google will livestream everything as well, so you can watch along with us. Once we have a video to embed, we will do that below, just above the live blog widget. Ready? [responsive_vid]

Netflix Receives Updated UI on Google Play, White Icon Included

Tim — Wed, 25 Jun 2014 06:42:49 +0000

Folks are waking up to a Netflix update this morning, one which includes a fancy new white icon and UI enhancements. The changelog posted on Google Play is rather bare, stating "UI enhancements and bug fixes," but it would seem this update is just a tad more important than that. Performance definitely appears to be more smooth throughout the application, and video playback still seems rather good over 4G LTE. Netflix is also continuing its trend of making the app darker on Android, with the UI showing much more shadowy tones than it previously did. If you want to check out the update for yourself, and that awesome new icon, download it on Google Play by following the link below. Play Link

WSJ Says Android TV Set Top Box is Coming Today, Riptide GP2 Changelog Agrees

Kellen — Wed, 25 Jun 2014 06:39:38 +0000

Google I/O kicks off in a couple of hours, but already, the Wall Street Journal and Riptide GP2 have confirmed that Android TV will be a big part of the show. We expected it to be, but a WSJ report from last night suggests that a set top box will be on hand, one that may come off like a mix between a Roku and Fire TV. Also, an update pushed to Riptide GP2 says emphatically in its changelog that it will support Android TV and its split screen playing mode. The WSJ report talks about Android TV allowing you to play movies, games, and other media, which makes sense. They also note that you will be able to control that content on your TV through a tablet or phone. There may be better save/resume features built-in as well for gaming, meaning you could be on the road playing a game and then quickly resume where you left off as you return home through your Android TV. The set top box that will be shown off today is said to not be Google-branded. Google will more than likely take the Google TV approach to Android TV in terms of hardware, which would be by allowing manufacturers to install Android TV software on their own hardware, rather than having Google create it, like they have done with the Chromecast. Only a couple of hours away!

Via: WSJ

Cheers Justin!

Google Offering $150 Gift Cards to Chromebook Pixel Owners Robbed of Free Verizon Data

Kellen — Tue, 24 Jun 2014 17:45:57 +0000

If you bought a Chromebook Pixel with LTE within the last year, there is a chance that you were supposed to receive free data from Verizon for two years to the tune of 100MB per month. According to a number of Pixel users, that promotion stopped out of no where recently, even though the Pixel is only about a year old. In other words, Pixel owners aren't receiving the 2nd year of free data. So what's the deal? Well, apparently, Verizon cut off the deal without notice to anyone, which as you can imagine, pissed some people off. 100MB of free data isn't much, but a deal is a deal. A stink was made over the situation over the last couple of days, prompting Google to come to the rescue even though this problem was created by someone else. Computerworld's JR Raphael got in touch with Google PR who told him that they would be offering users $150 credits for users who purchased a Pixel during the 2-year data deal. The spokesperson said, while this was "outside of our control, we appreciate that this issue has inconvenienced some of our users." Good on you, Google. Verizon, meanwhile, is still looking into the situation. The $150 credits will come in the form of a Visa gift card that can be spent on just about anything. To initiate the process, Pixel owners will need to get in contact with Google Play support. You can reach them here.

Via: Computerworld

Cyanogen Brings On New Executives to "Build a Global Phenomenon"

Tim — Tue, 24 Jun 2014 17:43:59 +0000

Cyanogen Inc. announced three new executive hires today, filling new roles for VP of Product, VP of Engineering, and VP of Global Partnerships and Distribution. Cyanogen's new VP of Product is Dave Herman, who previously held roles at Amazon, Hulu, as well as Microsoft. According to the press release, he helped to pioneer many "loved" products. Tyler Carper was appointed to VP of Engineering, with his past work experience being Director of Engineering for HTC, where he led the team that "built many software innovations." Finally, Vik Natarajan from MediaTek, will take over as VP of Global Partnerships and Distribution. He has vast experience working with SOCs, as well as managing global ecosystem partnerships. Each new hire has big experience in the industry, and should be able to help Cyanogen towards their goal of global domination.

New Hires

VP of Product is Dave Herman, a talented consumer services veteran who previously held leadership roles at Hulu, Amazon and Microsoft where he pioneered a number of loved products.
VP of Engineering Tyler Carper, most recently Director of Engineering at HTC responsible for the team that built many of their software innovations. He also ran a tour of duty at MSFT focused on Xbox.
VP Global Partnerships & Distribution, Vik Natarajan who joins us from MediaTek where he was VP Corporate Marketing, managing ecosystem partnerships globally for one of the worlds leading makers of SOCs. Prior to that he spent a number of years at Broadcom.

Via: Cyanogen

Verizon Announces Galaxy Tab 4 8.0, Calls it The "Family Tablet"

Tim — Tue, 24 Jun 2014 14:35:35 +0000

Verizon made the Galaxy Tab 4 8.0 for its 4G LTE network official this afternoon, announcing that the Samsung-made tablet would be available online and in stores starting June 26 for $379.99. For a limited time, the tablet will be available for $279.99 with a new two-year activation, for those of you who need constant LTE connectivity on your tablet devices. The tablet's ability to allow for multiple profiles on the one device is Verizon's main sell, a feature that has been available for Android devices for quite a while. With multiuser capability, Verizon touts the Galaxy Tab 4 as the perfect family tablet. Not only can you all have separate application and wallpapers, but you can also have fun together with apps such as WatchON and built-in games. For specs, the Galaxy Tab 4 features a 8" HD display (1280 x 800), a 3MP rear-facing camera, 1.3MP front-facing camera, 4,450mAh battery, 16GB of internal storage, microSD card support for up to 64GB, and runs Android 4.4 out of the box. As for a processor and RAM amount, Verizon does not list these specifics. However, it's safe to assume it's packing a Snapdragon chip and roughly 1.5-2GB of RAM. You can grab the Galaxy Tab 4 starting June 26 for $380, and for a limited time, you can pick it up on-contract for $280.

Via: Verizon

Google Glass Now Shipping With 2GB RAM, All Sorts of New Apps Announced

Kellen — Tue, 24 Jun 2014 14:16:19 +0000

We aren't even to Google I/O yet and announcements are already flooding out of the Google Glass team, through interviews with Sundar Pichai, and from the crew over at Cyanogen. In this quick post, we are focusing on all of the new Glass announcements, which include 12 new apps ("Glassware"), camera framing when taking pictures, new Google now cards, and maybe most importantly, the jump in new models of Glass to 2GB of RAM. The new Glassware includes app integration with popular titles like Runtastic, Duolingo, Zombies, Run!, Shazam, and Livestream. To find out how these new apps will work with Glass, jump below to Google's descriptions. In terms of picture framing, the Glass team is finally adding brackets to the corners of the camera, which can be accessed by saying "OK Glass, show the viewfinder." From there, you can take a picture in frame. The two new Google Now cards are for car parking and letting you know when packages are headed your way. Finally, the Glass team has announced that new shipments of Glass will include 2GB RAM. I would imagine we are getting more details than that over the next couple of days, but for now, I feel bad for anyone who ordered Glass before today. Google will reportedly not be swapping out older units for the new model with all of this RAM.

On the new amount of RAM, photo framing, and Now cards:

an easier way to frame your shots, so we bring you viewfinder. When you say “ok glass, show the viewfinder” you’ll see white L’s in the four corners of your Glass screen. You can then either take a photo by saying “ok glass, take a picture,” with a wink, or by pushing the camera button. more Google Now cards, so we launched two new ones to remind you where you parked your car and let you know when packages are coming your way. Stay tuned for more to come. better performance, so Glass will now start shipping with 2GB of RAM.

And here is the entire list of new apps, plus details:

Runtastic is your personal trainer. You’ll have a collection of workouts to help whip you into shape or push you to reach your fitness goals. 94Fifty Basketball works with the 94Fifty Smart Sensor Basketball to help you with your game. It measures muscle memory that the human eye can’t see. You’ll get feedback after each shot to help you shoot like Ray Allen. (ok, maybe not Ray Allen but maybe it’ll help you make varsity.) The Guardian keeps you up to date on breaking news alerts and lets you save the articles you want to read later. Duolingo makes learning a new language feel more like a game and less like high school Spanish class. GuidiGO is your personal tour guide. Choose from 27 destinations and over 250 guided tours. Relive the Impressionist history of Montmartre, the magic of the Hagia Sofia in Istanbul, or the hidden secrets of San Francisco! Allthecooks is no stranger to Glass, but they’ve added some new features to keep your hands free while cooking. You can now use voice commands to switch between recipes and directions. Zombies, Run! Because let’s face it, running is more fun when you’re being chased by zombies. Star Chart lets you look up at the sky and explore the stars, planets and constellations above. Shazam on Glass can tell you the name of the track and artist of a song that’s playing around you. Just say “OK Glass, Recognize this song.” Goal.com lets you keep up with everything happening in the world of football. (World Cup fans, we’re looking at you.) Livestream let’s you broadcast live video, read chat messages from your audience and share your point of view via social networks. musiXmatch picks up on the music playing around you and shows you the song lyrics for songs in any language.

Via: +Google Glass [2]

Cheers John!

Nexus 7 (2013) LTE Finally Gets Android 4.4.3 Update

Kellen — Tue, 24 Jun 2014 13:59:44 +0000

Google published the Android 4.4.3 (KTU84L) factory image and binaries for the Nexus 7 (2013) LTE today, weeks after making the same update available to the WiFi model and all other current Nexus devices. Google will probably never reveal why there was a delay, but I would imagine it has to do with proprietary binaries or being allowed to publicly give post related files. This wouldn't be the first time that we have seen factory image and binary delays with the Nexus 7 (2013), that's for sure. It may not be the last. In fact, you will notice that this is only Android 4.4.3, whereas the rest of the Nexus line almost all already has Android 4.4.4. Anyways, you can flash the files now through adb or hang tight as we wait for the OTA .zip file to arrive. Factory Image | Binaries

Sundar Pichai: We are Previewing the Next Version of Android at Google I/O

Kellen — Tue, 24 Jun 2014 10:50:15 +0000

Bloomberg published a massive story on Android/Chrome boss Sundar Pichai this morning that we have barely had a chance to peek at, since we are traveling to Google I/O at the moment. But as you can imagine, I/O was one of the topics highlighted, and boy did Sundar have something exciting to say in terms of Android. According to Bloomberg, Pichai and crew will show off the next version of Android at the show tomorrow to be more transparent (probably with developers and manufacturers). In other words, this gives everyone in the Android ecosystem a better chance to prepare for the next version of Android. Pichai wouldn't elaborate as to the name of the version, which most assume will start with an "L" and carry some sort of candy reference in the name. We also don't know if this will be Android 4.5 or 5.0 or something else altogether. Here is the excerpt from the story:

This year, Pichai will preview the next release (Lollipop? Lemonhead?) for the first time at I/O rather than waiting until the fall. It’s a significant shift toward greater transparency. “I want the world to understand what we are doing sooner,” he says.

We may have already had a brief preview of the "L" version last night, thanks to the Chromium bug tracker. Let the hypebeasting begin.

Via: Bloomberg | Image

Minuum Working on a Circular Keyboard for Smartwatches Like the Moto 360

Kyle — Tue, 24 Jun 2014 09:40:54 +0000

If it wasn't already exceedingly apparent, the team behind Minuum wants to slap a keyboard on everything. Not content to fiddle with Google Glass or the Samsung Gear 2, the developers behind the predictive keyboard for Android revealed a new project today - a keyboard designed for circular smartwatches like the Moto 360. The keyboard, as demonstrated by the GIF below, moves letter keys along the bottom half of the screen and places word suggestions at the top. A backspace and shift key are the only other adornments, which is good because space is at a premium on screens of this size. While the keyboard is still in development, the folks behind Minuum believe it could be perfect for situations where voice input is not viable or appropriate. Whether typing on a smartwatch is much of an improvement, however, remains to be seen.

Via: Minuum

Source of Yesterday's Encased Moto X+1 Render Outed as Incipio Hard Shell Case for Verizon's Motorola "Victara"

Tim — Tue, 24 Jun 2014 09:10:00 +0000

Yesterday, a reported render of an encased Moto X+1 made the rounds, but no one could help but poke at the fact that the phone does not look all that good. For starters, there appears to be no front-facing camera, the phone features a massive chin on its front side, and this now-known Incipio case covers up any LED the device may have. These things led most people to believe that there is no way we were looking at Motorola's next flagship device. This morning, thanks to another leak from @evleaks, the exact source of yesterday's render is now known. As we can see in the full image below, this case is designed for Verizon's Motorola "Victara," which has been a standing codename for the Moto X+1. This leads to two, if not a few more possible outcomes for Moto fans. Either the Moto X+1 is just a very cheap phone, similar to a Moto G or Moto E, or if this is Motorola's next flagship, it does not look all that promising. Still, we have to remain somewhat hopeful, given that the hard shell case pictured takes a lot away from the actual design of the device. Under that case could be a beauty. Full render down below, and give us your thoughts in the comments below.

Via: @evleaks

5 Questions for Google I/O 2014

Kellen — Tue, 24 Jun 2014 08:52:34 +0000

Google I/O 2014 kicks off tomorrow morning with one massive keynote before moving on to dozens of developer sessions that will talk everything from what is new in Android to wearables to gaming to design. It will be a glorious couple of days for Google fans, as it has been every single year since Android began to take off. Google almost always has a number of surprises in store, which really seems to be the case this year. Sure, there have been little details slipping out here and there, but it feels like Google has much more in-store for us than we can even imagine. Android TV could show up. Sneak peeks of the new version of Android are almost guaranteed, even if it won't be announced. And the Moto 360? Well, we hope to have one on our wrist at some point. If anything, we should be able to fondle an LG G Watch. But before all of that happens, it's time to ask some questions. Since there is so much mystery surrounding this year's I/O, we aren't about to make predictions.

1. Will Android Wear be any good?

In March, Google announced Android Wear, their Android-based platform built for wearables, like smartwatches and other computing devices that you could potentially place somewhere on your body. At the time, LG and Motorola both unveiled their own Android Wear watches, but there are plenty of other partners to keep an eye on, like Samsung and HTC. Since March was really just Google telling everyone, "Here is this new platform for you to build products for!" without giving us much else, Google I/O is going to be our first chance to really see what Wear is all about. I just want to know if it's going to be any good. Current and previous generations of smartwatches, to put it bluntly, have all been terrible. No one has gotten it right. With Android Wear, we now get to see if Google has done what no one else has before them. We played with the emulator early on to see what Google was trying to do, but with it being so bare bones, it really only gave us a look at how it will handle notifications. And who knows, maybe that's the goal - to keep it ultra simple. We know there will be plenty of talking-to-watches going on, since voice actions on a device without a keyboard are incredibly important, but does anyone want to talk to their watch all day? I guess we will find out. We also know there will be Google Now-like integration, which is awesome, assuming it can really bring you information as you need it. But what else will Android Wear do? Do we need it to do anything else? How deep do you want other app integrations to go? And let's not forget that things like battery life on a smartwatch will be something to keep an eye on. In other smartwatches that don't run Android Wear, battery life has not been a bragging point. Can Google change that? Finally, will the Moto 360 be all that we hoped it would be? Or will the LG G Watch be the star of I/O since it is rumored to be the watch that Google used to further developer Wear on? No one knows the answers to any of those questions at this point. Thankfully, we will know in one day if Android Wear has changed everything.

2. Will we see a new version of Android?

If you asked me two days ago if I thought we would see a new version of Android at Google I/O, I would have told you emphatically, "No." Actually, I still believe that Google isn't going to introduce a new version. But thanks to a leak from yesterday where we saw what appears to be the "L" version of Android stop off in a Chromium bug issue thread running on a Nexus 4, a new version could be in attendance on some level. While we couldn't tell how polished or stable the build was from a couple of simple screenshots, it does show you that Google has it up and running. There have been plenty of rumors surrounding the next version of Android, including talk of new design language for the entire ecosystem, but is there any chance it is ready for tomorrow? I would say it is still unlikely. All rumors thus far have pointed towards a late 2014 release. But maybe we will continue to see glimpses of it throughout the week. With so many developers in one spot and so many Android team members with hardware in pockets, we are bound to get a peek here and there of what's to come. Plus, there could be countless announcements, APIs, and SDKs that will be introduced to get things kicked into gear for that next Android release, which may not be until this fall.

3. What kind of hardware will be introduced, if any?

Last year, Google changed up I/O a bit from previous years by trying to take it back to the basics, meaning it wasn't a consumer-focused conference at all - it really was about developers. There were no flashy hardware announcements, outside of a quick intro for the Google Play Edition program. There weren't a bunch of freebies given away, outside of the Chromebook Pixel. Will that change this year? Android Wear, along with the LG G Watch and Moto 360 should be in attendance. There are recent rumors that have helped out a new HTC-made Nexus 9 tablet as well, though it is unclear if that device is even close to being ready for retail. What about phones? Will Android Silver see an official announcement after being rumored for months? Maybe, but that also seems like it falls under a Q4 timeline. Could we finally see Google introduce the Android TV box known as Molly? What about a Chromecast follow-up? Or will Google stick to last year's formula and continue to make I/O about code, SDKs, new services, APIs, apps, design, cross-platform everything, etc.? I would lean toward that.

4. Does anyone really want to see Android return to the TV?

Google attempted to invade your living room a few years back with Google TV. They did not succeed, yet are rumored to be returning at I/O with Android TV, a fresher, more simplified take on smart interaction with your television. Think Amazon and their Fire TV, only pure Android with big cards and a side-scrolling UI. I don't know if I personally need Android TV, since I have Chromecast and a smart TV, but since this is Google taking another attempt at my television experience, I am willing to give them a shot. But I'm thinking I need universal search that can look between all apps for content, accurate and responsive remote controls using voice from phones or tablets, some sort of dual-viewing experience from TV to handheld, and a real tie-in to cable that will let me forever ditch the terribleness of a UI experience that is Comcast (or any other cable provider). If I don't get any of that, then let's all just move on.

5. What else?

Gaming: If you look through the I/O schedule, there are a number of gaming related sessions planned. Google knows that gaming is an enormous piece of the mobile industry, so expect to be bombarded with new gaming announces from new Play Games features to cross-platform goodness to how developers can make even more money. Also, both NVIDIA and Qualcomm are in attendance, both of which have gaming-focused sessions planned to help developers take advantage of their platforms.
Design: Like gaming, the I/O schedule is filled with talk of advanced UIs, cross-platform design, responsive apps, and taking developers' work to all screen sizes. And that makes sense, since the motto for this year's conference is "Design. Develop. Distribute." Just be prepared for a new Android design language that will prompt all Android enthusiasts to get excited for the next year about apps receiving their long-awaited make-over.
Nexus and Google Play Edition future: There are all sorts of questions to be answered about the future of the Nexus and Google Play Edition programs. With a new Android Silver program reportedly in the works, both of those lines of devices could be on the outs. I don't know (or really expect) to hear news from Google at I/O about Silver, but then again, what better time than with the tech world's attention planted on you for two days.
Fitness: With wearables taking over I/O, along with a focus on fitness from the tech industry, don't be surprised if Google unveils a new fitness platform of some sort. A recent report called the program "Google Fit" and said that Google will have multiple partners to introduce at their developer conference. Think heart rate monitoring, step tracking, and integration with your favorite fitness apps.
Google+: Google+ is rumored to be on the outs or at least scheduled to have its importance downgraded. We noticed when the I/O schedule was first released that G+ was missing from the entire conference, which one could look at as a sign that those rumors were somewhat true. Google has denied that Google+'s role will be diminished within the company, but there is a pretty good chance we will find out this week. Will it be rebranded to something like Google Identity or will it live on without a stutter?

Now of course, that doesn't even touch on half of what we will see over the next couple of days. Google has a 2-hour keynote planned for tomorrow morning that we will be at, so you will want to keep it locked here to see everything as it unfolds. Something tells me that this is going to be one of the biggest I/O conferences to date. Anything in particular you are looking forward to?

Deal: Nexus 5 16GB for $334 and Free Shipping From eBay

Kellen — Tue, 24 Jun 2014 08:06:12 +0000

The Nexus 5 deal we have seen on numerous occasions is back today through eBay. For those who haven't seen this one before, you are looking at a brand new 16GB model for $334.99, which includes free shipping. The 16GB model of the Nexus 5 currently retails for $349 through Google Play, but Google's cheapest shipping option stands at $9.99. So basically, you are looking at a discount of around $25 should you go with this eBay deal. While that isn't a substantial discount, it is a discount. It looks like only the white version is left. eBay Link

"OK, Google. Set the Temperature" is Coming Soon to Nest, Other Services too Thanks to Developer Program

Kellen — Mon, 23 Jun 2014 22:11:23 +0000

Nest announced its new developer program this evening, just two days before Google kicks off its annual developer conference. The Google-owned smart home company has worked with a number of companies behind the scenes to get to this day, which means they are already showing off some of the potential of opening up their API and giving developers tools to get products a "Works with Nest" badge of honor, if you will. Think of having a more "conscious and thoughtful home," that is more aware because of Nest's interaction with the products you use every day. Companies like Mercedes-Benz, Whirlpool, IFTTT and Jawbone are all on-board with the Nest developer program. With Mercedes working alongside your thermostat, Nest could know as you drive you car home that it should turn the temperature to 70-degrees. With Jawbone interaction, your Nest Thermostat would know the moment you wake up or go to bed, so your temperature could automatically be set. With a service like IFTTT, you could do something like, "If my Nest Protect detects smoke, then send a text message to my neighbors." Starting to see the possibilities? Oh, and of course, Google integration is coming. The example that Nest gives is the most obvious - through Google Now you could say, "OK, Google. Set the temperature to 75." Nest has announced that this action is "coming this Fall." If you are a developer and would like to look into the Nest developer program, hit up the links below.

[responsive_vid]

Via: Nest | Nest Developer Program

LG G3 Global Rollout Starts on June 27, US not Included

Kellen — Mon, 23 Jun 2014 19:29:46 +0000

LG announced this evening that the global rollout of their new flagship G3 will begin on June 27. Unfortunately, that date does not include the US unless a carrier comes forward and surprises us. LG said that the next in line to receive the G3 outside of Korea are Hong Kong, Indonesia, Singapore, and the Philippines, followed by the rest of Asia, Europe, and the Middle East in July. As you can tell, the US was not even included in the press release we received. On a related note, LG confirmed that the G3 sold in European and Asian markets will include wireless charging, but that this additional feature created for "convenience" is not in all variants. In other words, the US is more than likely never going to see built-in wireless charging because carriers like to charge extra for cases. That shouldn't surprise you, since carriers have been doing this for decades. Should you happen to live in a wireless charging market, here is a brief highlight video of LG's new charging stand that actually seems all sorts of American.

[responsive_vid]

So yeah, the LG G3 is coming to all sorts of new markets on June 27, you likely just don't live in one.

Via: LG

Is This the First "L" Android Version Appearance and a New Chrome App UI?

Kellen — Mon, 23 Jun 2014 17:19:21 +0000

The crew over at reddit found an interesting set of screenshots in an Android related issue over at the Chromium bug tracker. Are you seeing the goodies in the image above? There are a couple of things that should immediately stand out. If not, there are more below. Note: Before I could even get this posted, Google removed the issue thread for this bug. First, is that an "L" in the notification bar showing that the phone is plugged in with USB debugging enabled? If it is, then this would be the first time we are seeing a device running the "L" version of Android, which has not yet been announced by Google. If you'll remember, Kit Kat devices showed a "K" or a key lime pie for USB debugging up until Android 4.4 was officially announced, which then caused the switch over to the Kit Kat bar icon. So is that an "L" icon? It's so simple, that you really can't tell. It could be an icon from another app that we just haven't seen before. I'll let you decide. If that isn't an "L," which could be the case, then at least we have a potential new version of Chrome to talk about. As you can see, in the screenshot at the top of this post, along with the comparison shot below of the current Chrome Beta (right) to this potential new build (left), there are a number of differences. First, Chrome seems to be floating on the home screen, rather than being forced to be full-screen. You can see the background or wallpaper in the notification bar and on the sides of the Chrome browser. Is that happening because of this sign-in pop-up? All I know is that the current version of Chrome takes me to a sign-in page in Chrome when I click "Sign in," it doesn't pop-up a box like this while making Chrome appear to float. All of that aside, there are some new UI elements going on here as well. The lock icon has changed in the URL bar, as has the action overflow or "menu" button next to the tab toggle. In the new action overflow button, we are seeing rounded dots, like we have in Google Play. The top navigation bar seems to be less dark to me as well, maybe lightened slightly.

Finally, here is one last look at this build of Chrome on a tablet that appears to be running Kit Kat. You will notice it isn't floating and the debugging icon has changed to the one found on Kit Kat. So what was that whole floating thing about? You got me. Update: In the screenshot showing Chrome on the "L" version of Android, Chrome is taking advantage of Android's translucent navigation feature, which can't be said on the tablet that is still running Kit Kat. Also, there is a new icon in the notification bar that looks a lot like the bell from Google+.

Interesting stuff indeed. Any thoughts? Anything we are missing?

Via: reddit | Chromium

It Seems Odd That Most of the Google Play Edition Devices are Out of Inventory

Kellen — Mon, 23 Jun 2014 15:59:13 +0000

Within the last month, four of the six Google Play Edition devices have been flipped to "We are out of inventory. Please check back soon." The only two that remain available for purchase are the Moto G and HTC One (M8), though it has gone in and out of inventory since it was first released back in March. Does that seem odd to anyone else? I should point out that Google is constantly tweaking or refreshing or trolling people with the inventory status of its Google Play devices. Some times these things change for minutes at a time before being flipped back to being fully available with a "Add to cart" button. In fact, we have been following these listings all month expecting that to happen, yet it hasn't. So what's up? On June 2, the HTC One (2013) went out of stock and has yet to return. On June 17, both the Sony Z Ultra and LG G Pad 8.3 ran out of inventory. On June 20, the Galaxy S4 joined them. The Moto G and One (M8) are the newest additions to the GPE line, so maybe they are only still around because Google has plenty of them in inventory. Tough to tell. I guess what I am really wondering is a couple of things - first, it could just be that Google has run out of inventory of each and is waiting for their partners to produce more. Maybe by tomorrow, all of them will be back in stock. On the other hand, maybe these devices in particular are gone for good. Many are quite old and could easily be replaced. If that is the case, then hopefully you bought the ones you were interested in. If we want to go semi-wild conspiracy theory, you have to start thinking about the future, as in, if Google is working on an "Android Silver" program that will kill off the Nexus line, it wouldn't make sense to also keep around the GPE line, would it? Android Silver sounds a lot like Google Play Edition, only with more visibility thanks to supposed Google marketing efforts. And let's not forget that we saw a Galaxy S5 Google Play Edition appear briefly back at the end of April, yet here we are two months later without one available for purchase. Did Google say "Forget about it, Samsung"? Will it still show up some day? Maybe this will all be cleared up at Google I/O in two days.

Is This the Moto X+1 in a Case?

Tim — Mon, 23 Jun 2014 15:23:10 +0000

According to one well-known leaker, the above image is of Motorola's upcoming rumored device, the Moto X+1. However, what we are seeing is the device wrapped inside of a protective case, meaning any real grasp on the device's design is still mostly unknown. As it stands, the device reminds us of a Moto E, with its rectangular bottom grille, but has a mix of the Moto G Google Play Edition as well. Plus, with the case on, there is no visible LED flash on the backside. With that said, it's still pretty early to start calling this "confirmed" or validated as being the Moto X+1. Give us your take on the image below in the comments section. Is this the X+1 in your eyes? Just a retooled Moto E? Opinions are always welcome.

Via: @evleaks

Moto 360 Charger Hits FCC, Confirms Qi Wireless Charging

Kellen — Mon, 23 Jun 2014 13:52:56 +0000

A recent accessory filing at the FCC is giving us details on Motorola's Moto 360 smartwatch that weren't previously made public. According to a listing for a wireless charger that showed up days ago, it certainly would appear to confirm that Motorola will use Qi wireless charging to bring power to the 360. The charger is called "wireless charger" throughout the FCC documents, but the dead giveaway is the handful of references to the "Moto 360" being used to help test it. As you can see below, the test setup included the "wireless charger," a "smart watch" that is also referred to as a "Moto 360," and an AC adapter. Actually, the real dead giveaway is the mention in the cover letter that specifically says "This device is a wireless charging device, implementing the Wireless Power Consortium (WPC) protocol, and is intended for use with the Moto 360 wrist-worn device." The note on this charger implementing the "Wireless Power Consortium" is noteworthy as well, for the simple fact that we are talking about Qi wireless charging. Most of today's chargers and phones follow this standard, so we can't help but acknowledge our approval of Motorola's decision. There is a chance (though it might be small) that you may already have a charger that will work with the Moto 360. I am personally hoping that Motorola has built the Moto 360 to be set on top of a charger to have it charged. Most wearables these days require an extra adapter to be attached to them before they can charge, which if I'm being honest, is a complete pain in the rear. If we are going to have to charge an additional device each night along with our smartphones, making the process as simple as possible should be an area of focus. Motorola may have realized that, something that can't be said for Samsung and LG. Good news?

Via: FCC | Liliputing

Monday Poll: What's the Perfect Smartphone Display Size?

Tim — Mon, 23 Jun 2014 13:41:21 +0000

Manufacturers are showing no signs of slowing the trend that is increasing display size, with companies like Huawei now releasing phones that are blowing past the 6-inch mark. Current flagships from LG, Samsung, and HTC are all 5-inches and over. We touched on this a few weeks back. If there is any consolation, we can at least be thankful that companies are finding ways to decrease bezel size, meaning that even though displays are getting bigger, sizes of the phones are not changing too much. In the end, though, do people actually need that much display? Well, you tell us. For this poll, select your preferred display size range, then comment below with your perfect size. If you see your size posted already in the comments, vote it up.

[poll id="307"]

Aviate Launcher Becomes "Yahoo Aviate," Receives Update and Goes Open to All

Kellen — Mon, 23 Jun 2014 12:57:51 +0000

Aviate is alive and well, in case you were wondering. The third party launcher that was acquired by Yahoo at the beginning of the year, became open to all while receiving a new name and major update today, to show the world that Yahoo plans to keep the app around for the foreseeable future. For those new to Aviate - which is officially called Yahoo Aviate going forward - this is indeed a third party launcher, but it's different than most in that it tries to provide you with smart setups to simplify your life. It automatically and "intelligently" organizes your phone by trying to give you the information you need when you need it most. It puts together apps by type, recommends other apps you might like, shows things like dinner tips when you are out, brings up music apps if you plug in headphones, and has all of your work stuff available when you arrive at the office. Thanks to this newest update, Aviate will now tell you how to dress should the weather change dramatically from one day to the next, track your sleep, give you shortcuts for things like conference calls, and estimate commute times. It also pulls in your favorite contacts into a fancy new, hidden screen that is accessed via swipe up on the home screen. But maybe most importantly, Aviate is now open to all. Up until today, Aviate was in closed beta, so the only way you could play with it was if you had an invite. If you have yet to give Aviate some run, now is your chance. Play Link

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Via: Yahoo

Civilization Revolution 2 Coming to Android "Soon," After iOS

Kyle — Mon, 23 Jun 2014 11:59:28 +0000

Fans of the venerable Sid Meier's Civilization series felt understandably cheated when spin-off title Revolution failed to reach Android, but publisher 2K Games seems to have learned its lesson. The company said a version for Android is "coming soon," presumably after the iOS launch on July 2. The aphorism "if it ain't broke, don't fix it" seems to have been the guiding design principle for Revolution 2, but with an interface designed for touch screens. In the game, players are tasked with creating forces, making allegiances, and destroying enemies. A unique addition to Revolution 2 are two new historical leaders, Winston Churchill and John F. Kennedy. That makes for a total of 16 characters. 2K also declined to reveal pricing, but if the original Revolution is anything to go by, we expect somewhere north of $2.99.

2K Announces Sid Meier’s Civilization® Revolution™ 2 Coming to iOS July 2

Lead your civilization to greatness in sequel to one of the most popular turn-based strategy games exclusively for mobile devices.
New York, NY – June 23, 2014 – 2K today announced that Sid Meier’s Civilization® Revolution™ 2, the sequel to one of the most popular and award-winning, turn-based strategy games to hit the App Store*, is launching as a premium title on July 2 for iOS devices, including the iPhone, iPad, iPad Mini and iPod Touch. The title will be coming soon to Android devices. Civilization Revolution 2 is the first Civilization game to be developed exclusively for mobile platforms, delivering high-impact graphics and new gameplay and controls that capitalize on the mobile technology advancements since the original Sid Meier’s Civilization Revolution launched more than five years ago. The game will combine the core tactical elements of the series with intuitive controls and a friendly user interface - designed specifically for mobile gamers on touch-pad devices. Civilization fans will also recognize the 16 historical leaders found in the first game, including Abraham Lincoln, Gandhi and Napoleon, alongside leaders such as Churchill and Kennedy, who are making their appearance in the series for the first time. The original Civilization Revolution, designed by Firaxis Games in 2008, was a watershed game for console and handheld systems and brought to iPhone in 2009. In 2010, the title was optimized for Apple’s high-definition iPad and has since achieved an average rating of 4/5 stars among iOS users. Staying true to the series, Civilization Revolution 2 will allow players to lead a civilization from the dawn of man to the modern age, and go head-to-head with history’s most intrepid leaders as they wage war, conduct diplomacy, discover new technologies, and build the most powerful empire the world has ever known in a race for ultimate supremacy. For more information on Sid Meier’s Civilization Revolution 2, please visit www.civilization.com, become a fan on Facebook, follow Civilization on Twitter and subscribe to 2K on YouTube. All trademarks and copyrights contained herein are the property of their respective holders. *Sid Meier’s Civilization Revolution was heralded as one of Apple’s Top 10 best-selling games for the iPhone in 2009, as well as named one of the 25 Best iPad Games by TIME Techland.

Sprint Announces the Galaxy S5 Sport, the Now Network's Own Ruggedized Smartphone

Tim — Mon, 23 Jun 2014 10:37:49 +0000

This morning at Sprint's press event in Chicago, the Now Network announced the Galaxy S5 Sport alongside Samsung. The GS5 Sport is essentially a Galaxy S5 Active, but for Sprint's network. The main difference we are seeing are color options, but customers will still see a ruggedized exterior, good specifications, plus the touted water and dust resistance. For specs, we are looking at a 5.1" 1080p Super AMOLED display, Snapdragon 801 processor, 2GB of RAM, 13MP rear-facing camera, 2MP front-facing camera, heart rate monitor, NFC, Bluetooth 4.0, 2,800mAh battery, 16GB of memory with access to microSD slot, and runs Android 4.4.2. In addition to these specs, Sprint and Samsung teamed up to throw in a bit of fitness apps and software, claiming the device is "like having a personal trainer" in your pocket. As mentioned, the main difference you will see between the Sport and the Active is that the Sport comes in only Red and Blue color options. AT&T's Active comes in a Camo print option, priced at $199 on contract. The Sport, on the other hand, is being offered at $0 money-down with the network's Easy Pay option, which allows customers to pay 24 monthly payments of $27.09 for the phone. Interested? You can sign up for information on when the device will launch right here on Sprint's site.

Via: Sprint | Samsung

Sprint Announces Nationwide HD Voice, 28 New LTE Markets, More Spark, and 30-day Service Trial

Kellen — Mon, 23 Jun 2014 10:22:03 +0000

Sprint dropped a batch of announcements today, at a press event in Chicago. While it didn't include their CEO referring to competitors as "greedy bastards" or Macklemore, it did feature a new Galaxy S5 Sport variant, along with all sorts of network expansion news. Sprint unveiled a new 30-day trial program as well, so that customers can check out their network and then receive a refund of everything if not satisfied. In terms of network announcements, Sprint announced that HD Voice is now available nationwide, with 28 postpaid phones already in position to take advantage of it. They also gave us 28 new LTE markets (Seattle, Cleveland, San Jose, and more) and three new Spark markets (St. Louis, Winston-Salem, and Greensboro, NC). As for the 30-day service trial, this does not sound anything like T-Mobile's new Test Drive program. Sprint is simply telling new customers that they have 30 days to try their network. If they aren't satisfied after those 30 days, they can receive refunds for the device they purchased, plus Sprint will waive all service and activation charges. More details on the announcements, including the full list of Spark markets can be found below. The full list of LTE cities can be found here.

Nationwide availability of Sprint HD Voice, a new Sprint standard for crystal-clear voice calls. Sprint’s HD Voice provides a fuller, more natural-sounding voice, plus noise-cancelling technology that virtually eliminates background noise from places like busy roads or crowded restaurants.1 Sprint currently supports 28 HD Voice-capable postpaid smartphones and 33 prepaid phones. The company estimates approximately 16 million customers are currently using an HD Voice enabled device.
4G LTE in 28 new markets, including Seattle, Cleveland, and San Jose, bringing Sprint’s nationwide 4G LTE footprint to 471 cities covering more than 225 million people. Sprint expects to reach 250 million with 4G LTE coverage by mid-year.
Sprint Spark in three new markets (St. Louis, Winston-Salem and Greensboro, N.C.). Sprint Spark is an enhanced LTE service that’s built for data and designed to deliver average wireless speeds of 6-15Mbps and peak wireless speeds of 50-60Mbps today on capable devices, with increasing speed potential over time. Sprint plans to reach 100 million people by year-end with the service. The capability is available in the following 27 cities: Austin, Texas; Baltimore; Chicago; Dallas; Fort Lauderdale, Fla.; Fort Worth, Texas; Houston; Jacksonville, Fla.; Kansas City, Kan./Mo.; Los Angeles; Miami; New York; Newark, N.J.; Oakland, Calif.; Orlando, Fla.; Philadelphia; Provo, Utah; Salt Lake City; San Antonio; St. Louis; Tacoma, Wash.; Tampa, Fla.; Trenton, N.J; Waukegan, Ill.; Winston-Salem and Greensboro, N.C., and West Palm Beach, Fla.
8T8R radios will soon be deployed for improved coverage and signal strength. The new 8T8R radios transmit more data and boost network reliability, giving Sprint Spark customers better coverage and higher data speeds at 2.5GHz. Sprint is currently field testing its 8T8R equipment and expects to begin commercial deployment this summer.
International WiFi calling, slated to be available in the coming weeks, will enable customers to make calls and send texts via WiFi in more than 100 countries. The service makes mobile communications possible virtually anywhere in the world and in nearly any network situation.

Via: Sprint

Google Hangouts was Temporarily Down

Kellen — Mon, 23 Jun 2014 10:03:12 +0000

Google Hangouts was down, but seems to be back, at least for us. Others on Twitter were reporting that other Google services were inaccessible, though I was able to access everything but Hangouts for a brief time. Still experiencing an outage on any of Google's services? We will update this post as we have more.

Google Glass Frames by Diane von Furstenberg Now Available

Kyle — Mon, 23 Jun 2014 09:45:28 +0000

Many gurus of fashion have tried their hand at making Google Glass a little less "dorkish," but in our humble opinion, no one has succeeded quite yet - after all, it isn't easy making a face computer look attractive. The latest attempt is from American designer Diane von Furstenberg, whose DVF design studio launched a line of Glass frames under the moniker "DVF | Made for Glass." Starting today, five frames and eight sunglasses are available for purchase. They admittedly do a better job than a few others at camouflaging the bulkiest components of Glass, but the price isn't exactly palatable. Package deals, which includes either frames or shades (coupled with Google Glass), are listed starting at $1725, going all the way up to $1800. Individually, frames are priced around $225, while shades are listed around $125. If you can justify the expense, the products are available for purchase from Google and Net-a-porter.com.

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Deal: Refurbished Nexus 7 (2013) 16GB for $129 From eBay, 32GB for $169

Kellen — Mon, 23 Jun 2014 09:21:29 +0000

We are quickly approaching the 1-year anniversary of the launch of the Nexus 7 (2013). We have no idea if a new 2014 model will replace it, so if you don't feel like waiting for Google to make that decision or announcement, take a look at today's deal on the current model through eBay. For $129.99, you can pick-up the 16GB version in "manufacturer refurbished" condition. That is actually a pretty substantial discount, since the unit retails for $229 in "new" condition. If you want more storage, the 32GB model in "manufacturer refurbished" condition can be had for $169.99. eBay Links: Nexus 7 (2013) 16GB ($129.99) | Nexus 7 (2013) 32GB ($169.99)

Samsung May Reveal Android Wear Smartwatch at Google I/O

Kyle — Mon, 23 Jun 2014 08:58:51 +0000

We previously knew that Samsung was working on an Android Wear alternative to the company's insipid Gear smartwatches, but we never imagined the device was this far along in the development pipeline. According to a CNET source familiar with Samsung's plans, the company will introduce its first Android Wear-powered watch at Google I/O this week in San Francisco. Samsung has reportedly been prototyping two smartwatch models; one packing a Qualcomm chip and the other powered by a processor of Samsung's own design. CNET was unable to glean any other technical details, or even verify which variant the company intends to unveil this week. Beyond Samsung's plans, CNET confirmed reports that LG will launch its Android Wear device, the G Watch, at I/O. Google I/O attendees will allegedly receive a free Android Wear device following the keynote. The last rumor pegged the G Watch as the gift of choice, but Samsung's smartwatch isn't outside the realm of possibility. All should become clear in only a couple of days.

Via: CNET

Google Play Device Page Says Google Glass is Available in the UK, Except It Isn't (Updated: It Is Now)

Kellen — Mon, 23 Jun 2014 08:31:50 +0000

Google Play's country availability page for countries was updated this morning to include a listing for Google Glass, showing that the wearable was available in the UK. Of course, we know that Google Glass isn't available in the UK, so what's the story? Well, this page is typically pretty accurate. It lists all devices available on Google Play and which countries those devices are available in. When Nest showed up on this list prematurely, Google made it available on Google Play shortly after. When the Nest Protect landed on Google Play last week, it made it to this list first. So this list, is legit. I wouldn't expect Google to put something on it without meaning to do so. The listing links to this support page, which doesn't mention anything else related to Google Play. This could have happened prematurely, but if anything, this is a sign that Glass is expanding to the rest of the world, probably in the near future. We will keep an eye on it.

Update: Glass is now available in the UK. (Cheers Canard!) Here is the Google Play link and also the UK Glass site. Update 2: Glass in the UK will run £1,000.

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Via: Google Support

Nest Bought Dropcam Over the Weekend for $555 Million

Kellen — Mon, 23 Jun 2014 08:20:25 +0000

As we got ready to cruise into the weekend, Nest went ahead and announced that they are acquiring Dropcam, the popular IP cam company, for $555 million. Nest noted that they did a lot of research on camera companies, finding that Dropcam "without a doubt, has the best products, services, and customer experience in the business." If you own Dropcam products, Nest wants you to know that nothing is changing at this point. You can still buy them online or in some stores and that your Dropcam account will still work for the time being. Eventually, though, they will fold in Dropcam services in to Nest, which I would imagine means you will use a Nest account and see Dropcam activity in the Nest app. In terms of privacy, since Nest is owned by Google and everyone hates Google these days, know that Dropcam "will come under Nest’s privacy policy, which explains that data won’t be shared with anyone (including Google) without a customer’s permission. Nest has a paid-for business model and ads are not part of our strategy. In acquiring Dropcam, we’ll apply that same policy to Dropcam too." So what are we going to see from this acquisition? Nest wouldn't say, but their vision of the home now has vision. If you were looking for a one-stop home automation shop that involves Nest, this puts them in position to become that.

Via: Nest

HTC Nexus 9 Tablet May Have Leaked, It Sounds Amazing

Kellen — Mon, 23 Jun 2014 07:18:19 +0000

Back in May, Google code revealed a possible HTC Nexus device in works, one that most figured would be a tablet since it ran NVIDIA's Tegra K1. We weren't sure if the device would be called Nexus 9 or Nexus 8, but did know at the time that it would carry two code names of "flounder" and "volantis" that everyone should be on the lookout for. Thanks to a new report that surfaced over the weekend, we may have a better grasp on the name, a full set of specs, and price points depending on the amount of storage. So what do we know now? Well, the image above is nothing more than a mock-up based off of a render that may or may not be the actual device, since the description doesn't match-up to the device pictured. Because according to this report, the device has an 8.9-inch (2048x1440, 281ppi) display, NVDIA Tegra K1 64-bit processor, 2GB RAM, 16/32GB storage options, WiFi or LTE models, 8MP OIS camera on the back, 3MP camera on the front, front-facing speakers, and an aluminum zero-gap body. See, it's that "aluminum zero-gap" reference that would lead us to believe that the image isn't fully resembling an HTC Nexus. The device pictured looks like a Nexus 5 mixed with a Nexus 7, which means no metal or front facing speakers. Then again, an HTC-made Nexus device could carry similar styling to the current Nexus line, so we'll try to keep an open mind with the potential appearance of the Nexus 9. Speaking of Nexus 9, that is the name currently being used internally. We are also hearing of a starting price point of $399 for 16GB of storage and WiFi-only connectivity, followed by $499 for the 32GB model. LTE models could run north of $600. This most recent report suggest that this device isn't arriving until Q4 with the release of the "L" version of Android, so it doesn't sound like Google I/O will be the place for your next Nexus. That matches up to a report we heard back in March. Here are those specs one last time:

8.9" Display at 2048x1440 (281ppi)
NVIDIA Logan 64-bit processor (Tegra K1)
2GB RAM
16/32GB internal storage
8MP OIS main camera, 3MP front facing camera
Aluminum zero-gap construction
Stereo front-facing speakers
8.91"x5.98"x0.31" body (that's 22.63x15.19x0.79cm)
418g (or 427g with LTE) (that's 14.74/15.1 ounces)

Is this your dream device? HTC back in the Nexus game make you smile? General thoughts?

Via: Android Police

This Week in the Life of DROID: 6/20/2014

Kellen — Fri, 20 Jun 2014 14:30:36 +0000

As we wrap up another week here at Droid Life, we are officially less than one week from Google I/O 2014! Next week is going to be awesome. Google has done a great job at keeping things hidden for the most part, so we may actually be in for some surprises. Surprises are awesome, by the way. While we love a good leak, we would also love to have our jaw hit the floor with some out-of-left-field announcement. But before we get there, we encourage you all to catch up on the week that was. We weren't expecting this week to be busy due to the fact that I/O is right around the corner, but there were all sorts of big stories. From Amazon's new Fire Phone to T-Mobile's John Legere apologizing for going H.A.M. on AT&T and Verizon during Uncarrier 5.0. We also saw Samsung bring us the Galaxy S5 LTE-A, which is the oft-rumored Galaxy S5 "Prime," Android 4.4.4 go live, and all sorts of Kit Kat updates. It was a big week - catch all of the best of it below!

Unboxing: OnePlus One retail version (Sandstone black)
Galaxy S5 on AT&T and Verizon rooted, many other phones too.
Samsung announced the Galaxy S5 "Prime" with a QHD display, 3GB RAM, and Snapdragon 805.
Android 4.4.4 is already out, with a security fix | Nexus downloads.
DROID series will get it, but not for 3-5 weeks.
Future of Android: Dalvik is out, ART is in | "Kill switch" coming too.
T-Mobile makes Uncarrer 5 and Uncarrier 6 announcements | New LTE markets.
John Legere's apology for insensitive comments.
HTC shareholders are pissed that they didn't get free phones.
Apps: Slingshot | Nokia Z Launcher | Terrain Home | Garmin viago | Life Time Alarm
Kit Kat updates: AT&T Galaxy S4 mini | Mega | Galaxy S3 | Verizon Galaxy S3 & S4 mini.
Amazon announced the Fire Phone | It has one massive flaw | Few of you are interested anyway.
Moto 360: Vote on the 10 best Moto 360 designs!
LG isn't making the next Nexus, if there even is one.
Hell froze over: Nike release a FuelBand app on Android.
250 new emoji are coming soon to a keyboard near you.

Enjoy the weekend! Rest up for I/O - it should be wild.

Friday App Sales: All About Sonic Games for $0.99, Action Launcher Pro and Others Too

Kellen — Fri, 20 Jun 2014 12:12:41 +0000

Can you think of a better way to put a dent in that freshly cashed Friday paycheck than through some app sales? Outside of happy hour and sneakers, I can't! In this week's list of app sales, we are looking at the ultimate Sonic The Hedgehog deal-o-rama. As far as I can tell, all Sonic games have been slashed to $0.99 from $2.99. If the little spiny blue hedgehog isn't interesting enough, there are other apps worth looking at. Chris Lacey's Action Launcher Pro and Link Bubble Pro are both discounted, bringing them down $2.99 and $2.49, respectively. If you were holding out from purchasing Link Bubble due to its price, now would be your chance to give it some real run for 50% of the original price. There are also some games towards the end of the list.

Sonic The Hedgehog ($0.99)
Sonic The Hedgehog 2 ($0.99)
Sonic & SEGA All-Stars Racing ($0.99)
Sonic 4 Episode I ($0.99)
Sonic 4 Episode II ($0.99)
Sonic Jump ($0.99)
Sonic CD ($0.99)
GO Locker VIP ($9.99)
Action Launcher Pro ($2.99)
Link Bubble Pro ($2.49)
Spirit HD ($0.99)
Juggle! ($0.99)
Out There ($1.99)
Waking Mars ($.199)

Benchmarks Claim to Out Samsung Galaxy Note 4 Specs

Kellen — Fri, 20 Jun 2014 11:45:05 +0000

It's probably safe to say that the Samsung Galaxy Note 4 is one of the most anticipated smartphones of the entire year. I can tell you right now that this phone won't be for me, but there is no denying that people love their super-sized phones. The tech media thought the original Galaxy Note would never catch on; boy were they wrong. Samsung has sold millions upon millions of Note variants each year, proving that our world lives by a "bigger is always better" mantra. The popularity of the Note series has led to a wave of rumors and speculation about future versions, because well, people can't seem to get enough Note talk. We even dubbed Note owners "cult" members during the early Note 2 and Note 3 days. They are a serious and passionate bunch, to put it nicely. And that leads us to today, where purported specs have been spotted for a device that could be a Galaxy Note 4. The specs come to us via AnTuTu benchmark, a site that has been pretty hit or miss over the years when it comes to providing us information early. But hey, hypebeast, right? This is the Note 4 we are talking about. So what are we looking at? Two models showed up that match the model number expected to be of the Note 4 - SM-910S and SM-910C. Each benchmark under these models numbers lists fairly similar specs, though one has an Exynos chipset while the other sports a Qualcomm Snapdragon processor. According to these benchmarks, these are the Note 4 specs:

Display: QHD 2560x1440; no mention of size
Processor: 2.5GHz Snapdragon 805 or Exynos 5433 Octa; likely depending on the market
GPU: Adreno 420 or ARM Mali-T760
Cameras: 16MP rear; 3.68MP front
RAM: 3GB
Storage: 32GB

Sound like your dream device?

Via: GforGames | AnTuTu

Popup Widget 2 Turns Icons Into Floating Widgets on Your Home Screen

Kellen — Fri, 20 Jun 2014 11:22:47 +0000

My home screen setups tend to be ultra minimal. The normal setup for all of my phones consists of a main page with a clock widget that shows weather, coupled with a set of six icon shortcuts to my most used apps. I then tend to create at least one other page with a calendar widget set on top of a Google Search bar. That's pretty much it. I just never could get into setting up or wanting to flip through five or six or seven pages of home screen stuff. That just seemed like home screen overkill and a waste of time. For the most part, everything I need to do can be done from 1-2 screens. But what if I wanted to keep that same minimal setup, yet still have an option to add additional widgets that could come in handy, like Hangouts or Gmail? This sweet little app called Popup Widget 2 is exactly what I was looking for. Popup Widget 2 lets you turn home screen icons into widgets that pop-up on top of your home screen. So rather than looking for an additional page to add widgets to, you can simply create an app shortcut that will launch them. It gets even more powerful when you create a single shortcut that can launch multiple widgets. For example, I could have a shortcut that pops up both Gmail and Hangouts widgets on a single screen, so that I wouldn't have to open each app individually. You can set custom icons for each shortcut, set dim levels, change background colors, set their size, tell them when to auto-close, give them animations and effects, and even tell the system to hide the status bar when widgets are popped up. This is a pretty impressive app. Play Link ($1.65)

Cheers Bryant!

Path Introduces Path Talk, Their Own Stand-alone Messenger App

Kellen — Fri, 20 Jun 2014 10:30:55 +0000

Path, the "private" social network that has evolved substantially over the years from its early beginnings as a life tracker, released a companion app called Path Talk, today. As the name suggests, it's a new messenger app. Well, it is the messenger portion of Path pulled out as a stand-alone messenger app with loads of new features. Path Talk has this neat feature called "Ambient Status" that automatically tells your friends when you are in transit, nearby, or low on battery, so that they know if they should contact you or leave you be. It also makes sending music, maps, and photos easy, allows you to quickly reply to people with a single swipe, and can do voice messages (hear that, Hangouts?). It looks and sounds great, but of course, it would take an enormous amount of work to get you and all of your friends onto Path Talk and away from the other 18-dozen messenger apps they are probably using. Here are some of the key features:

Ambient Status: Path Talk can automatically tell your friends when you're in transit, in the neighborhood, or even low on battery so your availability is always understood—removing the headache of misunderstandings in conversation.
Message Music, Maps, and more: Easily send movies, music, books, maps, locations, and high quality photos and videos—all with a single tap.
Quick Replies: Save time by nudging a friend or acknowledging a message directly from your message list with just a swipe.
Handmade Stickers: We've hired some of the best artists in the industry to imagine and draw characters for you to use when emoji just isn't enough.
Voice Messaging: Quickly send and receive high quality voice messages 1-on-1 with a friend or back and forth with a group of people.

Play Link

Via: Path

Dalvik Virtual Machine to be Replaced By ART in Next Version of Android

Kyle — Fri, 20 Jun 2014 09:25:50 +0000

It's (almost) official: Google will eschew the Dalvik virtual machine for ART in the next release of Android. Commits in the AOSP master branch point to the removal of Dalvik entirely. What does that mean, exactly? Dalvik was a useful stop-gap for Google in the early days of Android, when the team had to formulate a solution for running apps on a myriad of hardware. The virtual machine essentially acted as a translator of sorts, interpreting code to run on different architectures. ART, or Android Runtime, is a much more efficient solution. Instead of "translating" code, it compiles it natively for each device. That comes with the disadvantages of slower install times and larger install files, but the benefits of slightly increased battery life and more responsive apps. ART was integrated into Android last year with the release of Android 4.4 "Kit Kat." It can be enabled on devices running that firmware and above, but many apps aren't completely compatible with it yet. Hopefully developers will update their apps by the time ART becomes the new standard.

Via: XDA Developers

Next Version of Android Will Include "Kill Switch" Functionality

Kyle — Fri, 20 Jun 2014 09:00:15 +0000

Google is becoming more serious about security on Android. The search giant issued a statement yesterday confirming it will introduce a so-called kill switch into the next version of Android, a feature that will enable owners to prevent thieves from factory resetting stolen phones. That follows Apple's implementation of a similar technology in iOS 7, which one consumer advocacy group said helped to reduce iPhone thefts in San Francisco by 38 percent. The company spokesperson was vague about how the feature will be implemented, but it's a safe bet the functionality will be rolled into an Android Device Manager update down the line. Unfortunately, it's unlikely Google will be able to introduce it through Google Play Services - a "kill switch" would require low-level access only accessible to baked-in firmware code. Devices that don't receive an update to the next version of Android, then, may ultimately be left without. Should a "kill switch" be priority for the Android team? Sound off in the comments.

Via: Bloomberg

Sprint Moto X Receiving Update to Android 4.4.3 "Kit Kat"

Kyle — Fri, 20 Jun 2014 08:23:59 +0000

It isn't the very latest version of Android - that'd be "Kit Kat" 4.4.4, released to everyone's surprise yesterday - but Motorola Moto X users on Sprint are getting the next best thing. An OTA upgrade to 4.4.3 began rolling out today, with camera improvements, an updated phone dialer, and bug fixes in tow. Most of Android 4.4.3's changes aren't user facing, but include "stability, framework and security fixes." The OTA additionally introduces a few new camera tweaks that ostensibly improve image quality, like "more realistic flash coloring" and better settings for low light conditions. The redesigned 4.4.3 phone dialer is also present, as presumably is the new People app. Here's an unabridged list of changes:

What's New

Android™ 4.4.3, KitKat® - Android 4.4.3, KitKat, is the latest release of the Android platform. This release includes several stability, framework and security fixes in addition to accuracy improvements to the power profile.

Camera - Improved image quality - Improved camera image quality including better consistency of exposure, more realistic flash coloring, improved photos in low light conditions using front camera.

Camera - Pause video recording - Added the ability to pause video recording with a convenient pause/resume button on the viewfinder.

Updated Phone dialer - Updated Phone dialer with a new graphical layout and colors to improve consistency and usability.

The new software is KXA21.12-L1.22. It's rolling out gradually, so if you own an applicable device, expect to receive a notification to download it soon.

Via: Sprint

DROID MAXX, ULTRA, and Mini Updates Another 3-5 Weeks Out Now That 4.4.4 is Available

Kellen — Fri, 20 Jun 2014 08:07:37 +0000

Shortly after Google released Android 4.4.3 to the world, Motorola updated the Moto X through various carriers to the new build quicker than Google could to some of its own Nexus devices. The same couldn't be said for the DROID line, though, which includes the MAXX, ULTRA, and Mini. Thankfully, Motorola's David Schuster gave us an update on the situation, stating that all of those devices would be upgraded to Android 4.4.3 shortly, bypassing the 4.4.2 update they had yet to receive. And then Google released Android 4.4.4 yesterday with an important security fix. So what is the DROID situation now? Well, Schuster took to G+ again last night to talk about the new update. In short, the security fix has indeed pushed the timeline out a bit, but because the security fix is that important, Motorola had to resubmit updates to carriers again for testing. Moto is hoping for technical approval on the new updates within 3 to 5 weeks. Here is his comment:

Sorry for the delay in giving an update on the 4.4.3 upgrades but I had to wait unit Google announced KitKat 4.4.4 today (I am bound by a NDA). A significant security vulnerability was discovered by OpenSSL (https://www.openssl.org/news/secadv_20140605.txt) and is fixed in KitKat 4.4.4. We had to wait until KitKat 4.4.4 became available. Consequently, all of our 4.4.3 upgrades that were in carrier labs worldwide (including the 2013 Droid's) had to be respun, tested and resubmitted again. This was a significant unplanned effort that we had to undertake. We should be re-entering labs next week and hopefully getting TA (technical approval) in 3 to 5 weeks later depending on the carrier.

I know that isn't the news DROID owners were hoping to hear, but it is what it is. Security fixes are security fixes and Motorola and Verizon want to make sure their devices are not vulnerable.

Via: +David Schuster

Cheers Loren!

Download: Android 4.4.4 KTU84P OTA Update for Nexus 5, Nexus 7, Nexus 10, and Nexus 4

Kellen — Fri, 20 Jun 2014 07:21:51 +0000

Google surprised us yesterday with an update to Android 4.4.4 for almost all current Nexus devices, including the Nexus 5, Nexus 7 (2013) WiFi, Nexus 4, Nexus 10, and both Nexus 7 (2012) models. The update is a security fix, so don't expect it to change the game or the way you use your phone. We didn't get a new dialer app, that's for sure. But hey, updates are updates. So as has become customary around these parts whenever a new update arrives for Nexus devices, we have created a 1-stop shop to get you updated. Since the over-the-air (OTA) process takes time to hit all devices, we go ahead and list all of the links as they come in, so that you can update as early as possible. All you have do is download the correct .zip for your specific Nexus device and then flash the file with a quick adb command to get officially updated. Below, the list has already begun for Android 4.4.4 files. Note: We will update this post as more update zip files are made available. Continue to check back.

Download

Nexus 5 - [KTU84P from KTU84M, 2.5MB]
Nexus 4 - [KTU84P from KTU84L, 2.4MB]
Nexus 10 - [KTU84P from KTU84L, 2.1MB]
Nexus 7 WiFi (2013) - [KTU84P from KTU84L, 2.4MB]
Nexus 7 WiFi (2012) - [KTU84P from KTU84L, 1.9MB]
Nexus 7 WiFi+3G (2012)
HTC One (M8) Google Play Edition
HTC One (M7) Google Play Edition
Samsung Galaxy S4 Google Play Edition

For instructions to sideload using adb, check here. For instructions on how to grab an OTA file, check here.

Tip: Do a Google Search for Artists, Tap Quick Links to Apps to Listen to Them

Kellen — Thu, 19 Jun 2014 15:43:43 +0000

If you are looking for one of the quickest ways to listen to your favorite artists, Google has you covered. A simple Google Search for the artist name will bring up not only information, images, and news for that artist, but there will also be a list of apps on your device capable of playing that artist immediately. Tap your favorite music service, and bam, you are taken to the artist page or list of results within the app to get you listening away. As you can see from my screenshots, apps like YouTube and Google Music were both listed, but other services like iHeartRadio, Spotify, and Rdio should also be supported. Give it a try, if you are in the US.

Via: @Google

Whoa: Android 4.4.4 Factory Images Posted as Build KTU84P (Updated)

Kellen — Thu, 19 Jun 2014 15:02:30 +0000

Umm, so yeah, Google just posted Android 4.4.4 factory images as build KTU84P. We are seeing files for the Nexus 5, Nexus 7 (2013) WiFi, Nexus 10, Nexus 4, Nexus 7 (2012) WiFi, and Nexus 7 (2012) Mobile. The new 4.4.4 binaries are there too. I would be lying if I said that this move wasn't surprising. We just got an OTA update on almost all Nexus devices to Android 4.4.3 a couple of weeks ago. I would imagine that another OTA update is imminent. Any guesses as to what it will fix? If you are interested in flashing Android 4.4.4 factory images, hit up these instructions. Update: My Nexus 4 is now running Android 4.4.4. So far, not seeing anything new in particular. Update 2: According to Sprint, the update is nothing but a security fix. Update 3: If you are prompted with an OTA file, don't forget to grab the URL of the file.

Via: Factory Images | Binaries

Thursday Poll: What's Keeping You With Your Current Wireless Carrier?

Kellen — Thu, 19 Jun 2014 14:49:02 +0000

Back in late 2012, we asked the community what the reason was for sticking with their current carrier. At the time, LTE networks and coverage dominated the vote, with a growing percentage suggesting that nothing was keeping them with their current carrier, and that they would be moving on as soon as their contract expired. Here we are almost two years later, T-Mobile has gone all Uncarrier on us, smartphone payment plans are taking over, 2-year contracts are dying, and almost everyone claims to have a massive LTE network. So let's ask again, to see if anything has changed. Why are you with your current carrier? [poll id="306"]

T-Mobile's John Legere Apologies After Last Night's Lambasting of AT&T and Verizon

Kellen — Thu, 19 Jun 2014 13:21:39 +0000

Throughout T-Mobile's Uncarrer event last night, CEO John Legere acted as he typically does during his company's press events - like the renegade leader of a scrappy wireless company who holds nothing back when it comes to talking about the practices of his competitors. He can be vulgar and borderline offensive, but up until now, his act has mostly just generated chuckles from media and consumers. Last night, though, some would argue that he took things a little too far. Actually, even he is admitting it. Legere tossed out references to doobies, called Verizon and AT&T "greedy bastards," talked about being "sick and tired" of coverage maps, laughed at Sprint's Spark network, hated all over Pharrell's "Happy," decided he was his own best friend, and even dropped a "What the f*ck do I care about all that?" None of that was caused his apology today on Twitter. It wasn't until Legere made reference to AT&T and Verizon "raping you for every penny you have" and also noting that "the f*ckers hate you" that things were pushed over the edge. While I personally am not easily offended by much, I could see how those couple of lines could offend people. So because people were offended, Legere issued this apology.

If you want to watch Legere's highlights from last night, including everything we just mentioned, hit up The Verge's video below. It is indeed R-rated, so we will have to label this NSFW. Did he take it too far?

[responsive_vid]

Via: @JohnLegere | The Verge

Facebook Explains the Future of Its Android App is Through Efficiency and Performance

Eric — Thu, 19 Jun 2014 12:15:52 +0000

In a post on their engineering blog today, Facebook said that it was about two years ago when they became a "mobile-first" company. The struggle with that outlook is the definition of mobile is not the same all around the world. To make sure that its application will give the same Facebook experience to people around the world, Facebook traveled to Africa to study what "mobile" is in emerging markets to help define its strategy going forward. Facebook's engineers made this trip because when you stack the basic "mobile" devices that we see here in North America, Europe or Asia. They found that in emerging markets, data is very hard to come by to start with and buying more when you need it is even more expensive. Facebook came back from this trip with a list of ideas and ways that it wants to make sure to implement to ensure that its app will function well. The entire post is a very good read about Facebook's thought process and intentions for its application going forward. Facebook said that from now on it would be testing any updates in low-signal areas to see how the app responded among other factors. All-in-all Facebook intends to make their application better in all situations going forward; that's something we can always get behind. We have included the main bullet points for this new strategy, but feel free to hit the link below to read the whole post.

In terms of performance, Facebook wanted to improve slow start times on old devices. The changes they were able to make reduced start times by more than 50 percent in the six months following the trip to Africa.

Realizing that data is extremely expensive in emerging markets and purchasing more data is often a laborious process, they decided there needed to be a concerted effort to reduce data consumption within the FB app (with photos specifically taking up a sizable amount of data to download). The work on data efficiency resulted in a 50 percent reduction in data use compared with earlier last year.

They also invested heavily in improving efficiency/reliability of the networking stack – realized it was important to implement more modern networking concepts in emerging markets because stacks struggled to perform in regions with intermittent networks. In combination with better data usage for images, reports of slow or failed image loads dropped by almost 90 percent over the past year.

With most popular mobile devices in Africa having little disk space available (a significant barrier to installing app upgrades), people in developing countries often use older versions of the app that don’t have up-to-date features or take advantage of other improvements. The team focused on improving app size efficiency, and in the end, app size has been reduced by 65 percent compared with the beginning of the year.

Via: Facebook

T-Mobile on a Roll, Updating Galaxy Note 3 and G Flex for All VoLTE Markets, Galaxy S5 as Well

Eric — Thu, 19 Jun 2014 11:10:26 +0000

If you thought that T-Mobile was done making moves after its event last night, you would be wrong. T-Mobile is looking to continue to impress people with the roll-out of their VoLTE service to more markets around the country, assuming those people have devices that are ready to take advantage of it. Starting today, updates are coming to devices like the G Flex, Note 3, and Galaxy S5 with support for all of the new markets. Previous to today's updates, the LG G Flex and Samsung Galaxy Note 3 already had VoLTE functionality, but it was limited to the Seattle and San Francisco markets. Those two phones will be receiving new updates to enable VoLTE in all markets where it is already live. As if that wasn't good enough news, the Samsung Galaxy S5 will be receiving an update today as well to bring its VoLTE capabilities online in all of the markets. If you need a refresher on what markets T-Mobile has covered in VoLTE, they're listed below and at this post:

Atlanta, GA
Austin, TX
Chicago, IL
Dallas, TX
Houston, TX
Long Island
Los Angeles, CA
Minneapolis, MN
New England
New Jersey
New York, NY
Philadelphia, PA
San Francisco, CA
Seattle, WA
Washington D.C.

Impressed by the moves that T-Mobile has been making these past 24 hours?

Via: T-Mobile [2] [3]

UpTo Calendar Gets Fancy New Widgets, Interface Sprucing, and Improved Date Pickers

Kellen — Thu, 19 Jun 2014 11:03:49 +0000

Upto Calendar, one of our staff favorites for calendar alternatives on Android, received an update today that introduces all new widgets. These widgets can be customized by color theme, visible calendars, size, opacity, and more. The update also brought with it a spruced up interface, so that you can quickly toggle between agenda or day views. There are updated date and time pickers, as well, that look much more like Google's. What's New

All new UpTo widgets! Mix and match beautiful agenda and month widgets to see UpTo right on your home screen. Customize color theme, visible calendars, size, opacity, and much more!
Spruced up calendar interface. Quickly toggle between the agenda and day view, and easily swipe between the week and month.
Better date and time pickers. UpTo now supports Google's new date, time, and event repeat pickers. Try 'em out!

Play Link

[responsive_vid]

Thousands of HTC Shareholders Show Up to Annual Meeting, Grow Frustrated When They Don't Receive Free Phones

Eric — Thu, 19 Jun 2014 10:30:01 +0000

After a few quarters of disappointing sales numbers and returns, HTC is in the middle of a pretty big slump right now. For this year's annual investment meeting, I'm sure HTC wasn't expecting a warm welcome, but they certainly were not expecting to be bombarded with the question: where is my free phone? The Wall Street Journal is reporting that nearly three hours into the meeting of nearly 2,000 HTC shareholders, the crowd was still pestering them about whether or not they would be receiving a free phone like they did at last year's meeting. Instead, this year they were given a thermos, fruit juice and bread, but there was a raffle to win one of 200 phones for everyone in attendance. The rest of the meeting still went off fine, with HTC's projections predicting a profit for next quarter in hopes to quell some of the stockholders's fears. That being said, stories like this show the magnitude of the situation that HTC is in currently. The company has gone from one of the top Android manufacturers in the world a few years ago to stockholders arguing with the company management about whether or not they would be getting freebies at their investment meetings. If you were one of the HTC investors at this meeting, would a free phone be the first thing on your mind?

Via: WSJ

Verizon's Samsung Galaxy S3 Gets Kit Kat Update Today, Galaxy S4 Mini Too

Kellen — Thu, 19 Jun 2014 09:23:01 +0000

Today, is apparently Samsung Kit Kat update day for a couple of carriers. Joining Sprint, Verizon has now approved Android 4.4.2 updates for both the Galaxy S3 and Galaxy S4 mini. Both updates bring that Kit Kat fire, which includes a revamped lock screen, restyled notification areas, expanded emoji support, wireless printing, default SMS chooser, and Samsung KNOX 2.0. Isis Wallet is also now pre-loaded on the Galaxy S3 and a bunch of bugs have hopefully been squashed for both phones. You can find the full changelogs for both below. If your device does not see the update today, be patient, these things typically rollout over the course of a week or so.

Galaxy S3

Galaxy S4 Mini

Via: Verizon [2]

Samsung Galaxy Tab S Available in the U.S. Starting Next Week

Kyle — Thu, 19 Jun 2014 09:10:18 +0000

Strangely absent from Samsung's Galaxy Tab S press conference was a concrete US release date. Thankfully, if you are eager to get your hands on one of the company's new high-end tablets, you won't have to wait much longer. The Korea-based company announced that the Wi-Fi variants of the tablets will go on sale next week, starting June 27. The Tab S 8.4 and Tab S 10.5 will retail at $399.99 and $499.99, respectively. They will come in two colors: dazzling white and titanium bronze. As with the Galaxy S5 and Gear 2, both are available to test drive in select Best Buy stores - after which, of course, they can be preordered. Full specs for each tablet can be found here, along with our hands-on here. Samsung was mum on when to expect the cellular models of the Galaxy Tab S, but did reaffirm they will be compatible with LTE on all four major carriers (AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile, and Verizon).

[responsive_vid]

Via: Samsung

Nokia Launches Z Launcher, an App That Surfaces the "Stuff You Use Often"

Kellen — Thu, 19 Jun 2014 08:50:00 +0000

Nokia - yes that Nokia - released an app today called Z Launcher that hopes to make your life simpler by predicting or learning from your patterns. The app is only in beta right now, and not through Google Play, but most of you can give it a shot by following a quick sign-up procedure. So what does it do to make it worth that shot? Well, like many other launchers of today, it tries to learn from your patterns to help bring you apps or contacts or suggestions as you need them before you realize you need them. By using your phone as you always do, Z Launcher takes the information gathered from that and then presents you with the apps you may need to use right now. If prediction doesn't sound like something you care for, the other main feature of Z Launcher might interest you. By simply drawing out the first letter of an app you are looking on the screen, Z Launcher will bring up a list of apps that begin with that letter. So rather than scrolling through your massive list of apps, hoping to find the one you need, you can quickly search for it with a simple scribble. The pre-beta download is available for Android users running 4.1 or higher, but has been optimized for the Galaxy S5, S4, S3 and Nexus 5. To sign-up and give Z Launcher a shot, head over to this site.

[responsive_vid]

Sprints' Galaxy S4 Mini Also Receiving Kit Kat Today

Kellen — Thu, 19 Jun 2014 08:05:05 +0000

Sprint's variant of the Samsung Galaxy S4 mini is joining the Galaxy Mega today at the Android 4.4.2 "Kit Kat" party. According to both Sprint and Samsung, the device is due for the update, as build L520VPUABNE3. The update, like all of the other Samsung updates that have been released over the last couple of months, introduces an updated lock screen, default SMS chooser, restyled notification bar, expanded emoji support, wireless printing, and more.

New Lock Screen Access
- Media Controls - full-screen album art and media controls when listening to music
- Camera Shortcut - access the Camera application right from the lock screen
SMS App Chooser - select a default application for sending and receiving SMS text messages
Restyled Status and Navigation Bars - status and navigation bars are translucent and can sit on top of apps, along with simplified status bar icons
Consolidated Location Settings - location services are integrated and more detailed by new Location menu
Expanded Emoji Icons
Wireless Printing – supports printing over Wi-Fi and Bluetooth
Prevention Information pop-up message is suppressed.

To check for the update, head into Menu>Settings>More>System update>Update.

Via: Sprint | Samsung

Sprint's Galaxy Mega Gets Updated to Android 4.4.2

Kellen — Thu, 19 Jun 2014 07:51:53 +0000

Samsung's Galaxy Mega on Sprint is the latest device to receive Android 4.4.2 "Kit Kat," software version L600VPUANE4. AT&T's was the first Mega variant to see the love, but Sprint has been leading the charge for the most part when it comes to Kit Kat and Samsung devices. The fact that they were a step slow on a device that is probably a little lower on the importance meter is OK. Sprint didn't list a changelog, but they are all the same for Samsung devices at this point. The changelog from AT&T's Mega update will probably give us a pretty good feel for it.

On-device memory status and profiling
Camera shortcut in Lock screen
Unified Location Menu
User can set preferred Network & Automatic in security policy update
Home and Message application default option
GMS applications update (GMS 4.4.2_r2).
Wireless Printing enabled
Video player closed captioning
Additional application and settings options

To check for the update, head into Menu>Settings>More>System update>Update. Be sure to keep up-to-date on all the latest Kit Kat updates.

Via: Sprint

Stock Android Email App Makes Its Debut on Google Play

Kellen — Wed, 18 Jun 2014 20:46:59 +0000

The stock Email app for Android made its way to Google Play tonight, showing as an update for those who own a Nexus device and select Google Play Edition devices too. The will show as unavailable to the rest of you. In the update, Google has increased security for Gmail accounts, made the account setup flow easier, and added in printing. And that's pretty much it. If anything, the news is that the official stock Email app is now on Google Play. I wonder what took Google so long? Play Link

T-Mobile Surprises With Uncarrier 6.0 - Unlimited Music Streaming, New Rhapsody unRadio

Kellen — Wed, 18 Jun 2014 18:57:36 +0000

T-Mobile started off the night with Uncarrier 5.0, an event that included announcements for their new Test Drive plan and new VoLTE and Wideband LTE markets. If you thought they were done there, you were wrong. They kicked off Uncarrier 6.0 before the show ended, a new "Music Freedom" movement that focuses on the music streaming you do from your phone. In short, they are making streaming from some of the biggest services not count against your data plan. Stream all you want, folks. The services that are a part of "Music Freedom" are Pandora, iHeart Radio, iTunes Radio, Rhapsody, Spotify, Slacker, and Milk Music. You will notice that Google Play Music is missing. If you don't like those services, T-Mobile is letting customers vote on additional services that could make the cut down the road. You can vote here. "Music Freedom" is available to T-Mobile Simple Choice customers. If you can believe it, there is more. Along with "Music Freedom," T-Mobile announced Rhapsody unRadio in partnership with Rhapsody. The service is free for Simple Choice members and runs $4 per month for other T-Mobile customers. Edit: To clarify on unRadio pricing, here is a direct quote from T-Mobile's website -

For T-Mobile customers on our newest Simple Choice plan with unlimited 4G LTE data, Rhapsody unRadio will be included at no extra charge. All other Simple Choice customers, including those on grandfathered unlimited 4G LTE plans, will get Rhapsody unRadio at a special discounted price of $4 per month.

The service features ad-free listening, unlimited skips, streaming of the songs you want, stations, live radio, and song ID match from a song playing around you. Rhapsody unRadio will be available on iOS, Android, and the web on June 23.

Via: T-Mobile [2]

Here are T-Mobile's 16 Wideband LTE Markets and 15 VoLTE Markets

Kellen — Wed, 18 Jun 2014 18:28:54 +0000

As of today, thanks to new Uncarrier announcements by T-Mobile, their VoLTE and Wideband LTE network has expanded into all sorts of new markets. According to a blog post by Chief Technology Officer Neville Ray, VoLTE is now in 15 markets after having launched in Seattle only weeks ago, plus Wideband LTE is now in 16 markets. Below, you will find a list of the new markets.

Wideband LTE

Atlanta, GA
Birmingham, AL
Columbus, OH
Dallas, TX
Detroit, MI
Honolulu, HI
Houston, TX
Jacksonville, FL
Los Angeles, CA
Minneapolis, MN
Mobile, AL
Orlando, FL
Portland, OR
Seattle, WA
Tampa, FL
Upstate, NY

VoLTE

Atlanta, GA
Austin, TX
Boston, MA
Chicago, IL
Dallas, TX
Houston, TX
Long Island, NY
Los Angeles, CA
Minneapolis, MN
New Jersey
New York, NY
Philadelphia, PA
San Francisco, CA
Seattle, WA
Washington, D.C.

Via: T-Mobile

T-Mobile Uncarrier 5.0 - Test Drive Phones and Service Free for 7 Days, Wideband and VoLTE to More Markets

Kellen — Wed, 18 Jun 2014 18:19:58 +0000

During T-Mobile's newest Uncarrier event, titled 5.0, the company is making its latest, potentially industry-changing moves that start by offering customers a 7-day free test drive of their network with an iPhone 5s. They also announced that their Wideband LTE is now in 16 markets and VoLTE is in 15 total (here is the full list). The Test Drive kicks off June 23. The basics are this - you cruise over to T-Mobile.com/testdrive and sign-up. Within a few days, customers receive an iPhone 5s that is "fully loaded and ready to go." After seven days of testing, that customer can then drop the phone off at a store and walk away with "absolutely no money down" and "no obligation" or "strings attached." As far as their LTE network goes, T-Mo's Wideband LTE is now in 16 total markets, bringing a speed boost with peak speeds up to 150Mbps. VoLTE (voice-over-LTE) is also moving into new markets, bringing the total to 15, which means HD voice calls over data. Update: T-Mobile went a step further by announcing Uncarrier 6.0, which is music freedom or data streaming that doesn't count against your data plan. Read all about it here.

T-Mobile Transforms the Way Americans Buy Wireless … Again

T-Mobile Test Drive offers every American an iPhone 5s with unlimited service on T-Mobile’s network for a full seven days – completely free.

As the Un-carrier puts its network’s data muscle on show, T-Mobile expands Wideband LTE to 16 total markets and VoLTE technology to 15 total markets reaching over 100 million people
SEATTLE, WA, June 18, 2014 – In another of its signature moves, T-Mobile US, Inc. (NYSE: TMUS) today introduced “T-Mobile Test Drive” and pioneered a new way to buy wireless in this country. With T-Mobile Test Drive, people can receive an iPhone 5s and unlimited nationwide service to take T-Mobile’s network for a data-intensive, seven-day spin at no cost whatsoever. The new initiative puts T-Mobile’s data-strong network in the spotlight, as the Un-carrier rolls out yet another major network expansion ahead of the competition. No More “Buying Blind” The Un-carrier’s latest initiative takes aim at the painful process of buying wireless in America today. People must decide on a wireless provider without knowing how the network will really work for them – where they live, go to school, work, and play. As a result, the U.S. wireless industry has one of the highest “remorse rates” of any out there. Nearly half (46%) of wireless customers say they’ve signed up with a carrier and then wanted to leave, and one in 10 have actually left within the first 30 days of making a switch.1 It’s a pain point ripe for an Un-carrier solution. “The way this industry forces Americans to buy wireless is completely, utterly broken. I’m here to tell you there’s a better way,” declared John Legere, T-Mobile CEO and President. “While the carriers ask you to buy blind, the Un-carrier gives you transparency. Our network kicks ass, and now people can experience for themselves what a data-strong network can do with T-Mobile Test Drive.” Starting this Monday, June 23, people can sign up for T-Mobile Test Drive at www.t-mobile.com/testdrive. A few days later, they’ll receive an iPhone 5s fully loaded and ready to go, and they can put T-Mobile’s data-strong network to the test for seven full days on the “most forward-thinking” smartphone. After the test drive, just drop it off at any T-Mobile store. That’s it. Absolutely no money down. No obligation. No strings attached. T-Mobile Test Drive is a first-of-its-kind nationwide initiative from a major carrier that the Un-carrier is rolling out at scale. During the first year of the program alone, T-Mobile expects at least one million people to take a test drive. Network Designed Data-Strong T-Mobile Test Drive marks a new campaign to let consumers experience first-hand how the Un-carrier’s network is different, even as the company today announced two massive network expansions. T-Mobile has expanded Wideband LTE into 16 total markets, giving all T-Mobile LTE devices a speed boost with capable peak network download speeds up to nearly150 Mbps – that comes out to a 90-minute HD movie download in under three minutes or an 11-song music album in seven seconds. Building on its data DNA, the Un-carrier also expanded Voice over LTE (VoLTE) to more than 100 million people in 15 total markets. T-Mobile was the first major provider to launch VoLTE, and now, because its network has been designed for data, is nearly doubling the amount of data dedicated to voice calls for highest fidelity, crystal-clear HD Voice and faster call setup times than ever before. The Un-carrier expects to deploy VoLTE nationwide by the end of the year. “The old telecoms designed their networks for a time when your phone’s only app was a phone call—and they haven’t shaken that dial-tone mind-set,” said Neville Ray, Chief Technology Officer for T-Mobile. “Our 4G LTE network was built in the last year and a half, so naturally we built it differently. We built it for the way people use smartphones and tablets today, and we built it with a mobile Internet architecture, so we could roll out new technologies faster.” Now, as mobile broadband usage skyrockets, Un-carrier customers are reaping the rewards of a network designed to be data-strong and concentrated where people use data the most – unlike older carrier networks built by phone company utilities. T-Mobile customers are using more wireless data on average than the major national carrier customers – 61% more than Sprint, 69% more than Verizon, and 100% more than AT&T. T-Mobile customers also have more network capacity per customer than with any other major national wireless company, a full 70% more network spectrum per customer than Verizon, and they’re streaming, tweeting, using FaceTime and more at lightening speeds on America’s fastest nationwide 4G LTE network. “We’re a mobile Internet company competing against utilities, so it’s no wonder we’re faster than they are,” added Legere. “We’re out there doing it while the other guys are still scheduling a meeting to talk about doing it. And, there’s one more thing you can bank on. We won’t stop.” Learn more about T-Mobile’s network expansion and data-strong network design in this blog post. For more information on iPhone, please visit www.apple.com/iphone. For more information about T-Mobile Test Drive, visit t-mobile.com/testdrive or the T-Mobile Newsroom.

Animated GIFs Come to Twitter!

Kellen — Wed, 18 Jun 2014 14:59:51 +0000

According to Twitter's official support account, animated GIFs are now supported through the web, Android, and iPhone. I'm not sure anything else needs to be said.

Via: Twitter Support

Here is the Amazon Fire Phone's Biggest Flaw Presented Perfectly in a Single Image

Kellen — Wed, 18 Jun 2014 13:52:07 +0000

The Amazon Fire Phone will be talked about for the rest of the day ad nauseam. From "top 5 features" lists to people referring to it as the "world's most exciting phone," there will be plenty to take in with regard to Amazon's first attempt at a smartphone. There are things to like and loathe, others to debate about, but one thing is clear - this is an Amazon product through and through. So I'll just say this - if you are an Android fan who also happens to love Google's services, there is no better way to show you that the Fire Phone should not be your next phone than through Amazon's own Fire Phone listing. Take a look at the image at the top of this post and tell me what's missing. Are you seeing it? I would imagine that you figured it out. Amazon points out that the Fire Phone has access to the Amazon Appstore, along with a bunch of apps like Instagram, Netflix, and Facebook. What it doesn't have, is access to any of Google's apps. You will notice that Gmail, Google Maps, Hangouts, Google+, Google Calendar, Chrome, Drive, and YouTube are no where to be found. You also won't see Google Play, meaning you won't have access to Google's own growing app ecosystem or media library through apps like Play Movies and TV, Books, Newsstand, or Music. And that, my friends, is the biggest problem with the Fire Phone or Fire tablets or the Fire TV, for that matter. If you want the Google experience, which means access to all of Google's native apps, you won't get it here.

Open Thread: Your Thoughts on the Amazon Fire Phone?

Kellen — Wed, 18 Jun 2014 12:27:50 +0000

Amazon has officially unveiled its first phone, the Fire Phone. The device sports decent specs (4.7-inch HD display, 2.2GHz quad-core Qualcomm processor, 2GB RAM, 13MP OIS camera, etc.) and runs $199 or $299 on-contract with AT&T (exclusively) depending on how much storage you jump at. It launches July 25 and can be pre-ordered already. The Fire Phone relies on features like "Dynamic Perspective" to stand out from the crowd, which is a 3D-like experience that utilizes front facing cameras to follow your every head-move. There is a feature called Firefly that can take text, audio, or video and present you with results for it on the phone, in hopes that you will buy them, more than likely. It uses Mayday for live support like Amazon's tablets do, forces you into Amazon's ecosystem, and even includes 12 months of Prime for free should you buy one. But is it all just one giant gimmick to get you to buy more stuff from Amazon? The phone doesn't scream "high-end" by today's standards if you look at the specs, unless you consider a 4-camera 3D trick to be high-end. The price is insanely high if you compare it to what true Android or iOS devices have to offer (like the HTC One (M8), Galaxy S5, or iPhone 5s). The Amazon ecosystem isn't great by any means in terms of apps or music. So what's the play here? Why would you want one? It's time to sound off in the comments.

Pre-order the Amazon Fire Phone Right Here

Kellen — Wed, 18 Jun 2014 11:55:08 +0000

If you are interested in Amazon's new Fire Phone, you can pre-order starting right now. You can buy the phone with 32GB or 64GB of storage. The 32GB model runs $199 on 2-year contract or $649 at full retail. The 64GB model is $299 on 2-year contract or $749 at full retail. Keep in mind that the phone is an exclusive to AT&T. Amazon Links: Fire Phone (32GB, $199) | Fire Phone (64GB, $299)

Amazon Announces the Fire Phone

Kellen — Wed, 18 Jun 2014 11:49:33 +0000

Amazon just unveiled their first phone, the Fire Phone. It is as expected. There is a 3D like UI thanks to a bunch of front facing cameras, with an effect that Amazon is calling "Dynamic Perspective." The phone itself sports a 4.7-inch HD display, 2.2GHz quad-core Qualcomm processor, 2GB RAM, 13MP rear camera with OIS, and of course, runs Amazon's custom Android interface that tries as hard as it can to hide Android. The Fire Phone uses a technology called Firefly to recognize text, audio, and images, basically so that you can buy products from Amazon. The device will be exclusive to AT&T, but you already knew that. It arrives July 25 in 32GB ($199) or 64GB ($299) variants. We will have more as it unfolds, but Amazon is still taking their sweet time announcing everything in a press event that has run well over an hour. Update: You can pre-order the Fire Phone here.

Gallery

Press Release

Introducing Fire, the First Smartphone Designed by Amazon

New breakthrough innovations—Dynamic Perspective, Firefly button, and more

Seamless integration with Amazon’s vast ecosystem—over 33 million songs, apps, games, movies, TV shows, books, and more

Only smartphone with Mayday, ASAP, X-Ray, and Second Screen

Dynamic Perspective SDK and Firefly SDK now available

Fire is available exclusively on AT&T, the nation’s most reliable 4G LTE network

Limited time, introductory offer—12 months of Prime included

SEATTLE--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jun. 18, 2014-- (NASDAQ: AMZN)—Amazon today unveiled Fire, the first smartphone designed by Amazon. Fire is the only smartphone with Dynamic Perspective and Firefly, two new breakthrough technologies that allow you to see and interact with the world through a whole new lens. Dynamic Perspective uses a new sensor system to respond to the way you hold, view, and move Fire, enabling experiences not possible on other smartphones. Firefly quickly recognizes things in the real world—web and email addresses, phone numbers, QR and bar codes, movies, music, and millions of products, and lets you take action in seconds—all with the simple press of the Firefly button. See what people are already saying about Fire at www.amazon.com/Fire-Phone-Customers. “Fire Phone puts everything you love about Amazon in the palm of your hand—instant access to Amazon’s vast content ecosystem and exclusive features like the Mayday button, ASAP, Second Screen, X-Ray, free unlimited photo storage, and more,” said Jeff Bezos, Amazon.com Founder and CEO. “The Firefly button lets you identify printed web and email addresses, phone numbers, QR and bar codes, artwork, and over 100 million items, including songs, movies, TV shows, and products—and take action in seconds. We invented a new sensor system called Dynamic Perspective that recognizes where a user’s head is relative to the device—we use it to offer customers a more immersive experience, one-handed navigation, and gestures that actually work. And this is only the beginning—the most powerful inventions are the ones that empower others to unleash their creativity—that’s why today we are launching the Dynamic Perspective SDK and the Firefly SDK—we can’t wait to see how developers surprise us.” Dynamic Perspective—Immersive Smartphone Experience Dynamic Perspective uses four ultra-low power specialized cameras and four infrared LEDs built into the front face of Fire, a dedicated custom processor, sophisticated real-time computer vision algorithms, and a new high-performing and power-efficient graphics rendering engine. Dynamic Perspective features include:

One-handed gestures: Auto-scroll, tilt, swivel and peek for quicker, easier navigation and a better media and entertainment experience. For example, with auto-scroll, customers can read a long web page or a book without ever having to touch the screen; tilt in Amazon Music shows song lyrics; swivel instantly reveals quick actions; peek in Maps shows layered information like Yelp ratings and reviews.

Immersive apps and games: Dynamic Perspective enables a new class of apps and games that are more immersive, and make it quicker and easier for the user to access information. For example, peek to instantly see close-up front and back views of a dress in the new Amazon Shopping app for Fire. In games like Lili, take on the character’s viewpoint and move your head to look around corners, obstacles, and other objects.

Enhanced Carousel: Stay productive with real-time updates and take action right from the home screen—triage email, find recent photos, access most visited websites, return missed calls, view appointments, and more. Developers can customize the contents of their dynamic app and how it responds to user actions. For example, Zillow’s app in the carousel shows property information based on the location, so customers can access search results on nearby homes from the carousel without having to launch the Zillow app. USA TODAY shows headlines most relevant to customer’s interest—someone who frequents football in the Sports section will see those related headlines appear in the carousel.

Starting today, Amazon is introducing the Dynamic Perspective SDK that enables developers to build new experiences with this groundbreaking technology. Learn more about the SDK at . Firefly Technology–Illuminate Your World Firefly combines Amazon’s deep catalog of physical and digital content with multiple image, text and audio recognition technologies to quickly identify web and email addresses, phone numbers, QR and bar codes, plus over 100 million items, including movies, TV episodes, songs, and products. Simply press and hold the dedicated Firefly button to discover helpful information and take action in seconds.

Printed phone numbers, email, web addresses, QR, and bar codes: Firefly identifies printed text on signs, posters, magazines and business cards—make a call, send an email, save as a contact, or go to the website without typing out long URLs or email addresses.

245,000 movies and TV episodes, and 160 live TV channels: Firefly recognizes movies and TV episodes, and uses IMDb for X-Ray to show actors, plot synopses, and related content—add titles to Watch List or download and start watching immediately.

35 million songs: Firefly recognizes music and uses Amazon Music’s rich catalog to show information about the artist—play more songs, add them to your Wish List, or download instantly to your Fire. Developers, such as iHeartRadio and StubHub, used the SDK to build Firefly-enabled apps, so customers can create a new radio station based on the song or find concert tickets for the artist.

70 million products, including household items, books, DVDs, CDs, video games, and more: Access product details, add items to your Wish List, or order on Amazon.com.

The Firefly SDK is available starting today so developers can invent new ways to use this advanced technology. Later this year, Firefly will include artwork recognition, foreign language translation, and wine label recognition powered by Vivino. Learn more about the SDK at . Amazon Exclusive Features and Vast Digital Ecosystem—All Deeply Integrated Fire seamlessly integrates Amazon’s vast digital ecosystem for instant access to over 33 million songs, apps, games, movies, TV shows, books, audiobooks, and magazines, including thousands of exclusives. Plus, Prime members get unlimited streaming of tens of thousands of movies and TV episodes at no additional cost with Prime Instant Video, over 500,000 books to borrow with the Kindle Owners’ Lending Library, and the all-new Prime Music—unlimited streaming and download of more than a million songs and hundreds of expert-programmed playlists—all at no additional cost. Fire deeply integrates Amazon exclusive services:

Mayday is now available over 3G and 4G, in addition to Wi-Fi—simply hit the Mayday button in quick actions and an Amazon expert will appear via live video to co-pilot you through any feature on the device. Amazon experts are able to draw on the screen, talk you through how to do a task, or do it for you—whatever works best. Mayday is available 24x7, 365 days a year, and it’s free. Amazon’s response time goal for Mayday is 15 seconds or less—since launch, the average response time has been 9.75 seconds.

ASAP (Advanced Streaming and Prediction) predicts which movies and TV episodes you’ll want to watch and prepares them for instant playback before you even hit play.

X-Ray helps you get more from books, music, movies, and TV shows. Explore the bones of a book, including characters, ideas and background with a single tap on the screen; bring the power of IMDb right to Fire for trivia on movies and TV shows; plus, with X-Ray for Music, see synchronized lyrics display while you listen to your favorite song.

Second Screen lets you fling TV shows and movies from Fire phone to your Fire TV, PlayStation or any other Miracast-enabled device. Second Screen turns your TV into the primary screen and frees up Fire phone to provide playback controls and a customized display for X-Ray, all without leaving the TV show or movie you’re watching.

Free unlimited cloud storage of photos taken with Fire, automatically backed-up wirelessly and available across Amazon devices and Cloud Drive apps so you have access anywhere.

Beautiful Industrial Design & Powerful Hardware Built using premium materials, including Gorilla Glass 3 for the rear and front, aluminum buttons, stainless steel details and a rubberized polyurethane grip area, Fire is optimized for beauty, hand comfort and powerful performance:

Quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 2.2 GHz processor and 2GB RAM for excellent fluidity and image rendering.

4.7-inch HD display with an ambient light sensor and Dynamic Image Contrast that delivers better outdoor viewing.

Global LTE and connectivity with nine bands of LTE, four bands of GSM, five bands of UMTS for better voice coverage and faster data speeds, 802.11ac support, Wi-Fi channel bonding, NFC, and Bluetooth.

Dual stereo speakers with Dolby Digital Plus for a virtual surround sound experience.

Advanced imaging system with custom-tuned 13MP rear-facing camera with backside illumination, LED flash, 5-element f/2.0 lens, Optical Image Stabilization (OIS), and high dynamic range (HDR) capabilities for beautiful, crisp photos, even in low-light conditions. Fire also includes a 2.1MP front-facing camera. Both front and rear-facing cameras record smooth 1080p HD videos.

Reliable backup and restore leveraging the experience and operational excellence of Amazon Web Services and its cloud technology. Fire customers can automatically back up device settings, notes, bookmarks, messages, and installed applications—no need to manually configure or connect to a computer.

Availability & Exclusive Network Partner Fire ships on July 25 and is available exclusively on AT&T—the nation’s most reliable 4G LTE network. Starting today, customers can pre-order Fire at www.amazon.com/Fire-Phone, www.att.com and in AT&T retail locations nationwide. Fire with 32GB is available for $199 with a two-year contract—that’s an extra 16GB of memory for the same price as many other premium smartphones—or zero money down for as little as $27.09 a month from AT&T on Next 18. Fire is also available with 64GB for $299 with a two-year contract or starting at $31.25/month from AT&T on Next 18. Limited Time, Introductory Offer Starting today, customers can take advantage of an introductory, limited time offer—buy Fire and get 12 months of Amazon Prime included—FREE Two-Day Shipping on millions of items, unlimited streaming of movies and TV shows with Prime Instant Video, unlimited, ad-free streaming and downloading of over a million songs and hundreds of playlists, and over 500,000 books to borrow from the Kindle Owners’ Lending Library. Existing Prime members get an additional 12 months added to their account. About Amazon.com Amazon opened on the World Wide Web in July 1995. The company is guided by three principles: customer obsession rather than competitor focus, passion for invention, and long-term thinking. Customer reviews, 1-Click shopping, personalized recommendations, Prime, Fulfillment by Amazon, AWS, Kindle Direct Publishing, Kindle, Fire phone, Fire tablets, and Fire TV are some of the products and services pioneered by Amazon.

Samsung Gear 2, Gear 2 Neo, and Gear Fit Update Improves All Sorts of Fitness Issues

Kellen — Wed, 18 Jun 2014 11:38:35 +0000

We weren't exactly kind to the Samsung Gear Fit in our review of it, because well, as a fitness tracker it completely failed in many of our tests over the simplest of things. But, that hasn't kept Samsung from doing its best to try and improve the Fit, along with the Gear 2 and Gear 2 Neo. Today, the company announced that a new update will begin to rollout that improves the overall experience. Things like a more accurate pedometer, improved heart rate accuracy, and an updated sleep mode that disables the screen-wake gesture are all included. Here is the full list of changes:

Pedometer is more accurate and starts counting steps automatically
Higher pedometer goals
An easier pedometer data transfer process
Improved heart rate monitor accuracy
Updated Sleep Mode that disables the screen wake-up feature, so you can wear it while sleeping without being disturbed
More options for messages sent to rejected calls and the ability to create custom messages

The update's availability begins today. When your device is ready to update, you should receive a notification on your paired Galaxy smartphone or tablet.

Via: Samsung

Google Play Books Comes to 11 New Countries: Bolivia, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Panama, and More

Kellen — Wed, 18 Jun 2014 11:12:08 +0000

Googe Play Books is now supported in 11 new countries, according to Google. The new countries seeing love this morning are Bolivia, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, and Uruguay. Google accidentally announced this list of countries last week prematurely, so it may look familiar. It is now official, though. Go get some. Play Link

Via: Google Support

Motorola Announces Top 10 Moto 360 Design Finalists, Here They Are!

Kellen — Wed, 18 Jun 2014 10:35:12 +0000

A few weeks back, Motorola launched a contest that asked developers and designers to put together designs for its upcoming Moto 360 smartwatch. The idea was to have as many people as possible submit designs, then cut the field down to 10 which would be voted on by you and I to declare a winner. That winner would receive a free Moto 360. Today, the field was cut down to the 10 finalists. Early on in the contest, we picked 12 of our favorites and highlighted them, but unfortunately, none of them made the cut. As sad as we find that, the finalists are all still great designs. We included all 10 below, which you now need to vote on. Voting closes on June 24. Here are the top 10:

Vote for your favorite here, by pressing the +1 button.

Via: +Motorola

Cheers ckeegan!

Fleksy Debuts Messenger Keyboard for the Gear 2

Kyle — Wed, 18 Jun 2014 10:22:27 +0000

I'm not convinced that typing on your smartwatch will ever be a pleasant experience, but you could do worse than Fleksy's Messenger. The makers of the third-party keyboard, who had us enamored when they first debuted, have moved beyond the smartphone form factor for their latest project, a Tizen-compatible SMS app for the Galaxy Gear 2 smartwatch. Despite the shrunken-down size and simplified layout, make no mistake - Fleksy's Messenger is replete with the features you'd expect from Fleksy, including gestures and intelligent prediction. It won't work miracles, but you can bet it'll make pecking out words on your wrist computer a little less painful. The Messenger app will be available later today in Samsung Apps.

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Via: Fleksy

Sprint Samsung Galaxy S5 Gains Wi-Fi Calling

Kyle — Wed, 18 Jun 2014 08:54:19 +0000

Folks who still use their smartphone to talk to people, take note: if you have the Sprint variant of the Samsung Galaxy S5, you can expect Wi-Fi calling in an update. Wi-Fi calling grants you unlimited minutes and texts by switching to VoIP and internet-based messaging when you're connected to a wireless access point. Sprint has remained committed to bringing the feature out to as many devices as possible, adding it to the Note 3 in April and the Galaxy Mega and S4 Mini in March. The OTA (G900PVPU1ANE5) is scheduled for rollout today. To download it manually, navigate to Settings > System > System Update > Update now.

Via: Sprint

AT&T's Galaxy S3 is Getting Android 4.4.2 "Kit Kat" Today

Kellen — Wed, 18 Jun 2014 08:32:18 +0000

According to Samsung, the Galaxy S3 on AT&T is receiving its update to Android 4.4.2 "Kit Kat" starting today as build I747UCUFNE4. The update is quite large, bringing with it a restyled lock screen with new media controls and camera shortcut, updated notification bar, Beats Music, expanded emoji support, wireless printing, Bluetooth enhancements, Immersive mode, and all sorts of other little goodies. AT&T joins Sprint as the first to bring Kit Kat to the Galaxy S3. To check on the Kit Kat status of your device, check out our ongoing list. To initiate the update, head into Menu>Settings>More>About device>Software update>Check for updates. Here is the list of changes:

Android OS Version upgraded to 4.4.2
New Lock Screen Access
- Media Controls - full-screen album art and media controls when listening to music
- Camera Shortcut - access the Camera application right from the lock screen
SMS App Chooser - select a default application for sending and receiving SMS text messages
Restyled Status and Navigation Bars - status and navigation bars are translucent and can sit on top of apps, along with simplified status bar icons
AT&T Drive Mode is changed to DriveMode
“Beat Music” Pre-loaded
Video player closed captioning Settings > My device > Accessibility > Google subtitles (CC) and Samsung subtitles (CC)
Unified Location Menu: Settings > More > Location Location Settings is same as Location service in JBP. User can set the Locating method and check the recent location requests
Expanded Emoji Icons
Wireless Printing is added. You can add printing support to your apps or develop print services to support specific types of printers. Apps > Settings > Connections > More networks > Printing
Prevention Information pop-up message is suppressed.
Copy & paste improvements
Email allows inline editing
Phone/Dialer user interface enhancements
Settings changes
Bluetooth enhancements
Immersive mode addition
Keyboard enhancements
HCE (Host card emulation) Enabled
UICC (Universal Integrated Circuit Card ) is set as default
GMS apps update (GMS 4.4.2_r2).

Via: Samsung

LG Doesn't Think It is Making the Next Nexus Phone

Kellen — Wed, 18 Jun 2014 07:57:32 +0000

According to LG's director of communications Ken Hong, his company is not making the next Nexus phone from Google, "at least not yet." In what appears to be a brief interview with Hong on a Dutch outlet, he states that normally, his company would have heard something from Google by now if they were going to be a part of another phone. Hong joked that maybe he "got ignored" or they are indeed not making it. LG has made the last two Nexus phones - Nexus 4 and Nexus 5 - and we have yet to see a company make three in a row. HTC made the original (Nexus One), then Samsung got two in a row (Nexus S and Galaxy Nexus) before LG took over. That doesn't necessarily mean that someone else is due for a turn or anything, it's just an interesting note. Also, keep in mind that there rumors of the Nexus program coming to an end - we may not see another Nexus at all. I know that there was some disappointment initially at times over LG making the last two Nexus phones, but after seeing how much love most have for the Nexus 5, G2, and G3, I would guess that you wouldn't mind if LG made another? Or is it time for someone new to step up? Assuming there will even be another Nexus.

Via: Draadbreuk | PhoneArena

Samsung Announces Galaxy S5 LTE-A for Korea - Features QHD Display, Snapdragon 805, and 3GB RAM

Kellen — Tue, 17 Jun 2014 21:30:04 +0000

Samsung took the wraps off a brand new variant of the Galaxy S5 this evening in Korea, one that will surely disappoint and excite many of you at the same time. The new variant is the Galaxy S5 LTE-A, which means it supports LTE-Advanced and incredible data speeds. But that's not all that is different. No sir, this is the model that you have all been dreaming of. The Galaxy S5 LTE-A sports a QHD Super AMOLED display (2560x1440), 2.5GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon 805 processor, 3GB RAM, 16MP camera, 2,800mAh battery, and runs Android 4.4 "Kit Kat." It is waterproof, dustrproof (IP67) and supports LTE speeds up to 225Mbps. I don't know if we should assume this is the "Galaxy S5 Prime" that headlined rumors for months, but it sure sounds like it is. The regular Galaxy S5 sports a FHD Super AMOLED display (1080p), 2GB RAM, and Snapdragon 801 processor, so you can see how this new model has been upgraded substantially. Again, this was announced for Korea, so we have no idea if it will ever come to the US. The device comes in Black, White, Blue, Gold, Pink, and Red (pictured).

Specs

Display: 129.2mm (5.08-inches) WQHD Super AMOLED (2560x1440)
Processor: 2.5GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon 805 (quad-core)
RAM: 3GB LPDDR3
Dimensions: 142.0 x 72.5 x 8.1mm; 145g
Platform: Android 4.4 "Kit Kat"
Camera: 16MP rear, 2MP front
Battery: 2,800mAh
Network: LTE-A
Key Features: Geo News, anniversary reminder, waterproof, dustrpoof, heart rate measurement, health care, deep sleep, fingerprint scanner
Colors: Charcoal Black, Shimmering White, Electric Blue, Copper Gold, Sweet Pink, Glam Red

Press Release (translated)

Top of existing specifications seonboyida broadband LTE-A smart phone Samsung Galaxy S5 broadband LTE-A 'release

The world's first smart phone broadband LTE-A supports the implementation of new technologies

Up to three times faster than LTE download speeds to 225Mbps

For best viewing experience ◇ 'Super AMOLED WQHD' display with

Excellent color reproduction and four times clearer than conventional HD resolution (2,560 × 1,440) Implementation

innovation from the consumer to maximize ease of use and is equipped with the latest technology

Strong performance of the 16 million high-resolution camera, a quick autofocus, such as waterproof and dustproof function

Samsung Electronics is the world's first smartphone 'broadband LTE-A' to implement new technologies Galaxy S5 broadband LTE-A 'and announces authentic. Galaxy S5 broadband LTE-A 'is the highest specification of existing LTE smartphone smartphone more than three times faster than traditional' broadband LTE-A 'and world's first support for mobile service. In other words, the existing theory, consumers 'LTE' 225Mbps speeds three times faster compared to 10MB one side of the music video can be downloaded in just about 0.4 seconds to showcase at an alarming rate. Samsung Electronics in 2011 for the first time in Korea LTE smartphone Galaxy S Ⅱ LTE ', 2013, there nation's first LTE-A smart phone' Galaxy S4 LTE-A 'releases and this time the Galaxy S5 broadband LTE-A' to launch a global To further consolidate its position as the leading brand was. In addition, Samsung is looking eyes express more surprises "Super AMOLED WQHD 'and' Galaxy S5 broadband LTE-A 'is equipped with a viewing experience that always makes the best. 'Super AMOLED' Adobe RGB color standard to represent more than 90% of the color gamut (Color Gamut) 0.01ms excellent by 20% of the LCD response time, 100,000:1 contrast ratio to provide a display of color, expressive presence It is the most outstanding feature, HD resolution four times clearer than WQHD (2,560 × 1,440) by applying a smart phone boasts the highest quality. Galaxy S5 broadband LTE-A 'from the consumer for innovation and the latest technology to maximize ease of use was also inherited. AP with 2.5GHz Quad-Core 3GB RAM, powerful features industry-leading 16 million acclaimed high-resolution camera, a waterproof and dustproof IP67-rated summer useful functions and exercise the heart rate check, and you can manage for themselves, such as heart rate monitor existing S5 Galaxy as they applied to the innovative new features. Samsung Galaxy S5 broadband LTE-A 'smart buyer targeting for Life offers a variety of premium global app package, and 10 films every month until the end of September benefits. Galaxy S5 broadband LTE-A 'is 19 days, SKT launched the first through to the next through KT and LGU + will be released. Cooper is a luxurious gold color (Cooper Gold) Color Charcoal Black Borders on existing (Charcoal Black), Shimmer White (Shimmery White), Electric Blue (Electric Blue), Copper Gold (Cooper Gold) including four suites with a pink back Color is added to a glam red color through SKT will be added. Chulgoga is 940,500 won. Samsung Electronics said, "the world's first LTE-A phone broadband era product leadership, Samsung's mobile market once again proved to the world" and "will continue to reflect the needs of a variety of consumer products, serves a global market leader out plan, "he said.

Tuesday Poll: What is Your Favorite Phone Series?

Kellen — Tue, 17 Jun 2014 16:33:06 +0000

Over the years, our favorite phone manufacturers have created specific lines or brands of devices that we continue to see new iterations of. Samsung has its Galaxy S and Galaxy Note lines. HTC has the One series. LG has the G series. Motorola has the DROID and recently created Moto lines. Sony has its Xperia devices. And Google has Nexus. We know when new versions of each should be released each year, what they should look and perform like (for the most part), and which carriers will likely sell them. Branding and familiarity has been a big part of the smartphone game. These lines have helped define not only our coverage of the industry, but also how we all feel about phone makers. So, we want to know which is your favorite of all time. Forget for a second the phone you are holding right now and think about which line out of them all has been your favorite over the years. Have you been a long-time fan of all things Galaxy? Is HTC doing things with the One that have caught your eye? Do you wish Sony would bring its Xperia line over to the US? Or are you a Nexus fanboy, even though carriers like Verizon refuse to support them? Feel free to backup your response in the comments.

[poll id="305"]

Motorola Updates Moto Devices With Boot Animation to Celebrate World Cup

Kellen — Tue, 17 Jun 2014 14:48:26 +0000

Motorola is updating the boot animation on its Moto devices this week - including the Moto X - to a World Cup theme. Since we have a solid month of soccer to celebrate, watch, and become temporary fans of (I kid, I kid), why not? The update will come through a Motorola Boot Services update, so be on the lookout. Play Link

Via: +Motorola Mobility

LG G Watch Makes Brief Appearance on German Google Play Store

Kellen — Tue, 17 Jun 2014 14:40:02 +0000

According to a couple of German-based Android sites, Google updated the German Play store's devices page at some point today with information suggesting that the LG G Watch is imminent or will at least be sold through Google Play at some point in the near future. I can't see the text that is referencing the G Watch here in the States, but a couple of screenshots - one of which we included above - show what was likely a premature edit by Google. In case you need help with your German translation, the few G Watch references mention that the device will have a "constantly active display" that is never asleep. With a constantly active display, you can view the time at any time, plus new information just when you need it. Finally, the listing talks about the 400mAh battery packed in the Android Wear watch which was previously leaked. We should point out that an actual G Watch device page was not found, only the text mentions on the Google Play devices page. So really the only new information we are getting from this error is the idea that Google will likely sell the G Watch directly through Google Play. The G Watch is thought to be the reference device for Android Wear, so that certainly makes sense. We still do not know a price, though rumors suggest it should land below $200. Is it out of line to mark a Google I/O release on our calendars? No mention of the Moto 360 was found.

Via: AndroidPit | Android Next

Cyanogen Theme Showcase Makes Customizing Your Phone Easy

Eric — Tue, 17 Jun 2014 13:18:14 +0000

Being able to customize your phone just the way you like it is a double-edged sword. Android offers a lot of ways to change your phone's appearance to your liking, but that also means that there is a lot of options out there for you to choose from. For me personally, whenever I sit down and decide to personalize things it can take a long time. Cyanogen Theme Showcase is looking to make that process much shorter, assuming you are running a CyanogenMod ROM. If you are looking to make your phone look fresh from top to bottom, there are so many different parts that you need to customize. Starting with the lockscreen, you have a wallpaper, icons, fonts, sounds boot animations and the list keeps going. This can all be very hard and time consuming to track down and even then, one piece might not look good with the other after you install it. Cyanogen's Theme Showcase brings all of that into one application so you can pick and choose from a library of customizations quickly and easily. True to Cyanogen history, the app is designed almost exactly to Google's app guidelines, so it looks clean and fresh. Icon packs for all of the biggest home replacement apps like Nova, LauncherPro, Trebuchet and more are compatible as well. All the developer has to do is submit their creations to the Theme Showcase app and it can be featured. If you are looking to start your customization, hit the link below for the download. Play Link

Terrain Home Launches for Android, a Home Screen Add-On to Keep Your Life Organized

Eric — Tue, 17 Jun 2014 12:58:55 +0000

Android personalization took to a new level when home launcher replacements became popular. The ability to change the launcher that you interact with gives each user so much control over what they see and when. The newest home replacement comes to us courtesy of Samsung Accelerator that is helping high-quality developers to make even higher-quality applications. Terrain Home is the closest thing that you will find to Google Now this side of Mountain View. Google loves their hamburger menus that slide out from the side. They love them so much that Google Now is accessible by swiping to the left on many updated Nexus devices. Terrain is accessed the same way, by swiping to the left you pull out a fully customizable sidebar that works with you to know what you want and when you want it. Terrain also offers more organization through their smart search and new app drawer which keeps tabs on the actions you take on your phone so it can predict when you will expect things to show up. If all that prediction sounds scary, fear not. Terrain has also been optimized to not drain your battery while you are not using your phone. The last thing that Terrain wants to do is spend your phone's battery while the screen is off. The app has been released today on Google Play and is still considered to be in beta, but is still very polished. Hit the link below if you want to give it a try. Play Link

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T-Mobile's John Legere Isn't Exactly Excited About a Potential AT&T Exclusive on Amazon's Phone

Kellen — Tue, 17 Jun 2014 12:48:40 +0000

When Amazon unveils their first phone tomorrow, at a press event in Seattle, don't expect their neighbor, T-Mobile, to be in attendance. AT&T has reportedly been given an exclusive on the phone, something T-Mo CEO John Legere voiced his displeasure with this morning. In a series of Tweets sent by Legere, he made it clear that he thinks it "sucks" for both consumers and the industry, but also warns Amazon that another mega-company tried something similar with AT&T and failed miserably. Yes, he is talking about the HTC First, also known as the Facebook phone. We included a couple of the Tweets below, which will give you a feel for where Legere was headed almost immediately. He talked about exclusivity being terrible for the industry, something I think that we all would agree with. He also questioned Amazon about lacking "home-town pride" since both are based in Seattle, mentioned how the industry feels "a whole lot smaller" when two companies like this get in bed together, and even moved beyond the failure of the Facebook phone, calling out AT&T for the multi-year exclusive on the iPhone that haunted everyone. So again, I think it is safe to assume that T-Mobile will not be carrying the Amazon phone any time soon.

Via: @JohnLegere

Garmin Releases viago Navigation App For $0.99, Pay In-App to Unlock Features that Google Maps Does for Free

Eric — Tue, 17 Jun 2014 12:09:05 +0000

Besides Gmail and Search, the other service that has become synonymous with Google has got to be Google Maps. Since it comes pre-installed on almost all Android phones, it has become the go-to mapping and navigation service not only because it is convenient, but because it is also very good. If for some reason you do not want to opt-in to Google's great maps service, though, there are other options out there. A new option with a brand name attached to it has launched today in the form of Garmin's viago. Unfortunately for viago, as previously mentioned, Google Maps does a lot of things, and does them very well. Viago costs $0.99 just to download from Google Play, but if you want to unlock some of its "premium features" you must pay to unlock them through in-app purchases. These premium features include downloading maps to your device so you don't need a data connection to access them. Or Live Traffic updates which shows you how the roads are ahead of you in real time. Or the Sound and Buildings purchase which unlocks spoken street names and 3D buildings on your map. Is this all sounding familiar? Because they are all things that Google Maps does for free. It wouldn't be so egregious if you paid once to unlock all of these features, but paying $0.99 up front to download the app and then having 17 (yes, seventeen) different in-app purchases to make a complete app is completely ludicrous. Unless you work for Garmin or are heavily invested in their ecosystem already, there is absolutely no reason to install this application over Google Maps unless you are keeping your information out of Google's hands. But then, why would you have an Android phone in the first place? Follow the link below if you are still interested in this app. Play Link

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Facebook Introduces Slingshot, a Snapchat Competitor Based on an Odd Idea

Kellen — Tue, 17 Jun 2014 11:13:18 +0000

Facebook Creative Labs introduced their new app today, called Slingshot. This app has been rumored for some time as a Snapchat competitor, in that you can send short videos or images to friends that will disappear shortly after they view them. Slingshot is different in a way, though. In order to view images or videos received, you have to first "sling" something to the friend who just sent something to you. Wow, that was as odd to type as it sounds. Let me try to explain. If a friend "slings" a photo or video to you, you can't view it. In order to view it, you have to first send something back to them, even though you haven't seen what they just sent you. So you aren't reacting to whatever they just sent, you are are simply sending some random thing that you happen to be doing at the same time without knowing what they are doing. How does that make any sense? I do not know. But that's how it works! You can react to items received, comment on them, share new images or videos with a few people or a bunch, draw on things, type on things, etc. Once you receive an item and swipe it away, it is gone forever. And that is Slingshot. Ready to try it? Play Link

Via: Sling.me

OnePlus Opens New Contest to Give Away 2,500 Invites, Plus a Free 64GB One

Eric — Tue, 17 Jun 2014 10:27:22 +0000

Since the only way to get your hands on the OnePlus One is to be invited to buy one, today's news might come as excitement to some of you. OnePlus is hosting a contest, allowing everyone to enter to earn a chance to win a free 64GB Black OnePlus One (just like we unboxed yesterday) or win a chance to purchase one for yourself. How exciting! OnePlus is running their giveaway not unlike how we do here at Droid Life. Sign in with either your Facebook account or email and you will be entered in the running. There are 2,500 spots open for invitation so if you are trying to get yours, completing their tasks will earn you extra chances. OnePlus is also giving away a Black Sandstone One to a lucky contestant, so if you are feeling lucky you might want to enter. If you are on the fence and need some convincing, be sure to check out our hands-on video from yesterday before putting your name in the hat. Sign Up

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Something Just Froze Over: Nike Releases FuelBand App on Android

Kellen — Tue, 17 Jun 2014 10:00:20 +0000

I am speechless. Too speechless to type. Installing now. Yes, this is the Nike FuelBand app for Android. Edit: Alright, finally believing that this is real, so here is the deal. You have to own the newest Nike FuelBand SE - this does not work with the original FuelBand. It has been "optimized" for the Galaxy S5, Galaxy S4, Galaxy S3, Moto X, Nexus 5, and HTC One. However, my massive list of phones through Google Play are almost all showing as working, which makes sense, because the other requirement is that your phone is running Android 4.3. With the FuelBand app, you can track your goals, save up-to-date information throughout the day, tweak settings for your FuelBand, track NikeFuel and intensity for activities through Sessions, get Move reminders, compete with friends, and stay connected all day long through Bluetooth 4.0. I'm charging my FuelBand SE now and will report back shortly. So far though, this sounds just like the iOS version. Play Link

Cheers Tony!

Sunrise Calendar Gets Apps - Works With SongKick, Evernote, and Other Services

Kellen — Tue, 17 Jun 2014 09:54:49 +0000

Sunrise, a popular iOS calendar app that made its way to Android (and the web) a few weeks back, received a solid update today that features support for other apps. Those apps include SongKick, Evernote, Github, Asana, and Tripit, so that you can add concerts directly into your calendar, receive reminders, synchronize travel plans, and see changes in real-time to projects. Other apps will be introduced in the feature. The update is live on Google Play. Play Link

Via: Sunrise

Cheers Jason!

Keeper for Android Announces New FastFill Feature to Help You With Those Long Passwords

Eric — Tue, 17 Jun 2014 09:43:22 +0000

Hot on the heels of our story on a few Android apps to help strengthen your passwords and keep yourself safe, Keeper for Android has announced a new feature that is coming to their service soon. Starting later this month, the Keeper app will be able to fill in your passwords for you on your device, great for those long string and unintelligible passwords that you have stored in their vault. Keeper is another great password protection service that Android users have access to that we didn't get to cover in our earlier story. The premise remains the same: add all of your websites to their vault and overhaul your short and insecure passwords for longer and more safe ones. Starting later this month, as long as you are logged into your Keeper Vault, your username and passwords for sites that you have stored will be automatically filled in for you so you don't have to go through the trouble of copy and pasting the passwords from your vault each time you head to a website. One of the best parts about Keeper is that most of the core features of the app come at the price of free. If you want to get their Premium features, Keeper is supported by in-app purchases that range from $9.99 per year to $29.99 per year. A decent amount of money, but for the protection that you are receiving it might be worth it in the long run. To give Keeper a look, head on over to Google Play and download it for free. Play Link [responsive_vid]

Nest Protect Now Available on Google Play

Kellen — Tue, 17 Jun 2014 09:28:24 +0000

Nest, makers of smart home products like the Nest Thermostat, announced late last night that their previously recalled smoke detector, the Nest Protect, had returned with a removed feature and a new $99 price tag. It was previously available at shops like Best Buy and Amazon, but had for some reason never found its way onto Google Play, even though Google owns the company and has been selling Nest's Thermostat for months. That changes today, as the Nest Protect is now available for $99 in either "wired" or "battery" models on Google Play (US, UK, and Canada). Go get it. Play Link

eBook Subscription Service Oyster Launches on Android

Kyle — Tue, 17 Jun 2014 09:18:52 +0000

For $10 a month, Oyster grants you unlimited access to a catalog of over 500,000 eBooks, but reading platforms were previously limited to iOS, Kindle Fire, and Nook devices. Today, the service is expanding to more devices with a native app for Android. The app has a responsive layout, which should mean a consistent experience across smartphones and tablets. It also includes a feature unique to Android - page turning with the volume button! Slick. Oyster said that more platform-exclusive functionality is in the pipeline. Oyster is available for download through Google Play. A 30-day trial is available at signup. Play Link

Via: Oyster

Nest Protect Returns at a Lower $99 Price

Kyle — Tue, 17 Jun 2014 08:50:33 +0000

It wasn't too long ago that Nest halted sales of the Protect smoke and carbon monoxide alarm and recalled hundreds of thousands of units for safety reasons. At the time, the Google-owned company said the unit's Wave feature, which allowed users to turn off the unit with a hand motion, was at fault - given "a unique combination of circumstances," it could be triggered unintentionally. After nearly a month, it seems the team at Nest has developed a blanket fix: disabling Wave altogether. The updated Nest Protect, which is available again starting today and on sale for $99 ($30 off), may be updated to support Wave in the future. However, CEO of Nest Tony Fadell was adamant that the development team would only implement the feature after it had undergone testing from safety agencies in the U.S., Canada, and U.K. In other words, don't expect it for a while. Nest Protect is available from Amazon, the Nest store and other fine retailers. Update: Available on Google Play now as well.

Via: Nest

Cheers Jason!

Deal: Refurbished Nexus 7 (2013) 32GB for $159.99 on eBay

Kellen — Tue, 17 Jun 2014 08:23:54 +0000

A brand new Nexus 7 (2013) with 32GB of storage will run you $269 through Google Play, plus an arm and a leg for shipping. Today, through an eBay deal, you can have the same tablet for $159.99. The deal is for a "manufacturer refurbished" model, but as we have noted time and time again, that isn't necessarily a bad thing. Often times, refurbishing a product brings it back to a "like new" state with known issues addressed that may not have been addressed yet in a brand new unit. As a refresher, the Nexus 7 (2013) features a 7-inch high-resolution display (1920x1200), 2GB RAM, 3,950mAh battery, Snapdragon S4 Pro (quad-core) processor, 5MP rear camera, and the newest version of Android (which currently is 4.4.3). The deal includes free standard shipping. eBay Link

AT&T Will Reportedly Be the Exclusive Carrier of Amazon's New Smartphone

Kyle — Tue, 17 Jun 2014 08:05:34 +0000

Amazon is widely expected to unveil a new smartphone tomorrow, potentially equipped with sensors that track your eyes and shift the display's perspective in three-dimensional ways. That may sound like an out-of-the-box approach to the handset space, but the retail giant is reportedly playing it safe in other ways. According to the Wall Street Journal, the phone's availability may be initially limited to AT&T when it launches in September. If Amazon were to agree to carrier exclusivity with anyone, AT&T would make the most sense. The two already have a relationship, with AT&T currently providing connectivity to Amazon's Kindle devices. Any deal regarding the smartphone would be seen as an extension of the existing agreement. As always, take the rumor with a grain of salt. It won't be long before we have official confirmation.

Via: Wall Street Journal

Pressy is Actually Shipping, App Hits Google Play

Kellen — Tue, 17 Jun 2014 07:38:09 +0000

Everyone remember Pressy? That would be the Kickstarter funded button that plugs in to your phone via headphone jack, so that it can then be used to trigger actions on your phone. It is yet another Kickstarter project that sounded amazing at inception, but its creators have struggled with the manufacturing portion. There have been delays if you think about the original ship date which was slated for March. Companies like Xiaomi thought the idea was awesome, so they copied Pressy to a T and have already released their version which costs a fraction of Pressy's $17-20 price tag. There are other knock-offs of the project filling eBay by the day, leaving Pressy fans a little more than frustrated. It's a mess. But hey, they told backers (me included) that Pressy is actually shipping! Over 15,000 orders were processed and shipped yesterday, with estimated arrival times of this Wednesday. The rest will arrive within 5-14 days, though some may slip to 21 days depending on your location. Also, the Pressy app is now live on Google Play. You can install it if you would like to, but you won't be able to use it until you receive your Pressy. In the package with your button, you will receive an activation code for the app that unlocks it. Anyone receive shipment notification on their Pressy? Have you already moved on? Do you hate Kickstarter as much as I do at this point? Play Link

Via: Kickstarter

Get Ready for 250 New Emoji

Kellen — Mon, 16 Jun 2014 20:51:56 +0000

Version 7.0 of the Unicode Standard was published today, bringing with it over 2,800 characters that Google, Apple, and Microsoft will have begin to include in their keyboards, fonts, etc. This new version adds things like the new currency symbols for the Russian ruble and 23 lesser-used scripts. However, the important piece to 7.0 (at least to most of us) is the addition of 250 new emoji. Emoji, that would be the cute little characters that your iPhone friends were spamming long before your Android phone ever could, only you didn't know that's what they were spamming because your phone couldn't even interpret it until Android 4.4, I believe (or maybe it was Jelly bean - it took too long, that's all you need to know). In the new 250 emoji, that again, will have to be adopted and then themed by companies like Google, you will see symbols for items such as a golfer, stadium, chipmunk, joystick, printer, trackball, or the "reversed hand with middle finger extended."

To view the full list, head over to Emojipedia.

Via: Unicode | The Verge

Koush's AllCast Receives Update With Flashy New Tablet Interface Included

Eric — Mon, 16 Jun 2014 15:15:21 +0000

You know what's better than watching media on your big screen TV through the AllCast application? Watching your media and deciding what you're going to watch next at the same time. The latest update to AllCast has landed in Google Play and brings a nifty split-view tablet interface that allows you to do just that. AllCast has been around almost as long as the Chromecast itself has, so seeing it still being updated with new features like the split-view UI is a good sign. The changelog doesn't stop there however:

New tablet UX
Full screen swiping UI for photos
Photo slideshow mode
Auto-pause on incoming call
Tons of bug fixes

To top the changelog off, Koush casts his vote in the Game of Thrones debate, "Hodor for King, 2016." This is a nice update to an already great application. If you haven't picked up AllCast to compliment your Chromecast, the app is free in Google Play, but if you really intend to get full use out of it, the Premium version will run you $4.99. Play Link

Sprint Reaches New Deal with Regional Carriers to Expand Roaming 4G LTE Coverage Across the Country

Eric — Mon, 16 Jun 2014 15:03:28 +0000

In an effort to provide more 4G LTE coverage to more people around the country, Sprint has inked a deal with several regional providers to help give them the spectrum they need. These new carriers will now be able to offer their customers new areas of 4G signal in places where it is hard to build out. This new deal will expand over a population of 34 million people, now able to pull down those great 4G speeds. This announcement comes as a part of the Rural Roaming Preferred Program and includes 23 different states. The list of carriers that are on board with Sprint is pretty long:

SouthernLINC Wireless
nTelos
C Spire Wireless
Nex-Tech Wireless
Flat Wireless
SI Wireless dba MobileNation
Inland Cellular
Carolina West Wireless
James Valley Telecommunications
VTel Wireless
Phoenix Wireless

Customers in the areas covered by these regional carriers will soon be able to access the more robust Sprint network in areas that were not covered so well before. This deal lets the regional carriers have a taste of 4G LTE and gives them an opportunity to see how their market uses it should they want to make their own 4G road map down the line.

Via: Sprint

Deal: Grab the Moto Stream for $25 With Coupon Code (50% Off)

Kellen — Mon, 16 Jun 2014 14:05:24 +0000

Motorola's new Bluetooth music streaming device, the Moto Stream, can be had through their own shop today for 50% off, which brings its $50 price down to $25. For those new to the Moto Stream, think of it as a discount-Nexus Q. You can team up with friends to all stream your favorite tunes through it, but it only does music, whereas the Nexus Q connected to your TV to let you stream movies, music, and other media. That doesn't mean it isn't a solid little gadget, it just isn't anything more than a Bluetooth music, dongly, thing that connects to speakers. On that note, the Moto Stream is not a speaker; it connects to speakers you already own, so don't buy this expecting it to produce sound for you as well. Hit up the link below, then plug-in in code "PC7!3!RAK" at checkout. Motorola Link

Via: Slickdeals

Cheers Scott and thebeeobee!

Google Certifies the First Companies for "Glass at Work" Program

Eric — Mon, 16 Jun 2014 13:31:55 +0000

After our poll last week, we got a good sense that a lot of you were not really interested in Google Glass anymore. Everyone has their reasons, but almost 3,000 of you said that Glass was not something you would be interested in going forward. Google is looking to give glass a professional makeover by announcing that Glass is now being tested in workplaces around the country through a set of certified partners. Which workplaces you ask? The companies that are on the approved list are APX, Augmedix, Crowdoptic, GuidiGO and Wearable Intelligence. Some of the companies sound like they are going to be using Glass for interesting and new purposes. APX is a company that is going to work with Glass to provide access to database and enterprise data through Google's new peripheral. Crowdoptic is making software that detects broadcast streams from wearable devices that can then be funneled into entertainment channels to bring new views into live events. Other uses might tap into some of the privacy concerns that people have always had with Glass. Augmedix is a company that is using Glass with physicians around the country. Doctors put on Glass, turn on the program and a live stream of the patient's conversation is sent to another site so the information can be added into the patient records in real time. You can be sure that Augmedix is working within legal rights and has patient consent to do this, since the public perception of Glass right now isn't in the best place. Would using Google Glass help you at your work at all? Or do you want to keep it as far away as possible?

Via: +Google Glass | Tech Crunch

OnePlus One (Retail) Unboxing and Hands-on

Kellen — Mon, 16 Jun 2014 12:34:21 +0000

A few weeks back, Tim had a chance to go hands-on with the OnePlus One, the incredibly affordable yet high-end phone from a Chinese semi-startup. The phones he played with, along with those used in countless reviews over the last month, were pre-production models of the white 16GB variant that probably weren't ready for prime time. The device we just received today (thanks to an invite), which is an official retail version of the 64GB Sandstone Black variant, is probably much more ready to be shown off to the world. So, let's unbox it! There was a lot controversy surrounding its size, spec changes, invite system, delays due to software changes, and countless other things. I don't know if all of that has been fully settled yet, but the company is indeed shipping phones to its early invitees. Up until today, I had not had my hands on the OnePlus One. I had heard that it was big (maybe too big), buggy, and a phone that people will either love or hate, without much room to fall in-between those two extremes. After just a few minutes with it, even though it is huge, something about it is drawing me in. The textured back feels great, with the phone switched to on-screen buttons, it feels usable, and I am sort of excited to see where CyanogenMod has grown to after not having used it in quite some time. Here is a quick unboxing and mini tour of my initial thoughts. Don't forget to drop any questions you have in the comments. We can test anything you would like to see tested at this point. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TP7Xps9-uSU&ab_channel=DroidLife

Deal: Brand New, Unlocked LG G2 for $349 From eBay

Kellen — Mon, 16 Jun 2014 12:06:41 +0000

We aren't seeing many good tech deals floating around today, but if you need an unlocked phone that will work with GSM carriers at an affordable price, you can grab a brand new LG G2 from eBay for $349.99. The phone supports AT&T's HSPA bands, but does not appear to be ready for any LTE in the US. So yeah, a decent price on the phone, but limited connectivity. The LG G2 was one of our favorite phones from last year (our review). We absolutely loved the camera experience it brought, along with its big beautiful edge-to-edge 1080p display, insanely long battery life, and incredible performance. The G2 is probably the most underrated phone of the last few years. Readers who own a variant are passionate about the G2. eBay Link

Life Time Alarm Clock Provides Everything You Want in an Alarm Clock and Then Some

Eric — Mon, 16 Jun 2014 11:01:58 +0000

For most of the world, waking up in the morning is not an enjoyable experience. Luckily for us, our smartphones provide a bit more intelligence over the loud and annoying standard alarm clocks. Life Time Alarm Clock is looking to make a dent in this new app market by offering all the features and customization you could ever need right on your nightstand. Not since the launch of a Timely, another very well designed alarm clock app, have we realized the possibilities that can come from an Android morning alarm. At its core, Life Time allows you to set your alarms through a dragging user interface that makes it easy to see where you are on the clock. You can set a pre-alarm as well, which makes the sound start off quiet and slowly grow rather than going from silence to panic-inducing noise levels. That is just the start of Life Time's features. Snooze is important to all of us, so Life Time allows us to play around with it as much as we need. You can flip your phone to snooze, but if you find yourself doing it too often, you can set a time limit on when your phone will stop snoozing the alarm. When you eventually do decide to get up out of bed, Life Time offers alarm challenges that only turn off the alarm after you pass a test. The only downside that we could find to Life Time is when we compare it to Timely. Timely offers alarms that you can save in the cloud and sync to multiple devices, something that Life Time does not do. But if you keep one phone designated for alarms, then that might not be a deal breaker for you. For the low price of free, Life Time Alarm Clock offers a lot all in a minimalist and bright UI. Head over to its page on Google Play if you need some help getting up in the morning. Play Link

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Angry Birds Transformers Game and Telepods Set To Debut Soon

Kyle — Mon, 16 Jun 2014 09:52:01 +0000

If the prospect of trudging through yet another Angry Birds game doesn't utterly exhaust you, Rovio's announcement today might brighten your day. Angry Birds Transformers, the fruit of a cross-licensing agreement between Rovio and Hasbro, will bring iconic characters from the Transformers universe to life across mobile platforms. The announcement, surely timed to coincide with the release of the film Transformers: Age of Extinction, gave precious little detail about the game, but did mention that Telepods featuring Angry Birds Transformers characters will go on sale later this year. Shelling out money for those figures will grant your in-game characters unique powers, of course. The Telepods are set for release in September, although specific dates were conspicuously absent from the press release. My guess? We'll hear more as we approach the end of summer.

Via: Rovio

OnePlus One Available for Purchase, But There's a Catch (Updated)

Kyle — Mon, 16 Jun 2014 09:27:36 +0000

It seems like an eternity since the OnePlus One was released, but the mythical smartphone has finally begun to make it into the hands of buyers worldwide. That is to say, people lucky enough to get their hands on a coveted invite. If you are one among the thousands of other less fortunate, there is another way to obtain a One, but it will cost you. OppoMart, a third-party retailer, is selling the 16GB One for $399, marked up $100 from MSRP. Consolatory free shipping and a 30-day return policy may not be enough to make up for that. Also, there's another caveat: the phone ships with Oppo's Android skin, Color OS, because the version of Cyanogenmod bound for the device isn't quite ready. The One will be upgradeable to Cyanogenmod, but early buyers will have to settle with Oppo's firmware for now. If none of that deters you, the One is available for purchase at the source link. Update: As reader Brian points out, OnePlus has addressed scalper sites like this, noting that if you buy this phone for use outside of China, your experience may not be optimal. Here is what they had to say via their forums:

1. You won’t have warranty. If your phone was intended to be used in the Chinese market, you still have a one-year warranty, but only in China. Only the global versions are covered by the international warranty. Your attempt to communicate with scalpers could be ignored, and even if they do agree to take back your phone, you’ll face significant delays due to shipping and customs. 2. Incompatible LTE bands outside of China. The Chinese version of the One is prepared to work on China Mobile, which uses TD-SCDMA/TD-LTE technology that can’t be found anywhere else in the world. Additionally, the Chinese version lacks WCDMA band 4 and LTE bands 4 and 17. So depending on your carrier, connectivity will be limited. 3. Risk of bricking your phone. While you can install CynanogenMod yourself, flashing through fastboot mode is not for everyone and requires installing specific software and writing code in your command terminal. If you brick your Chinese One, please refer to point 1. 4. You pay more. The scalpers charge a higher price outright. Including shipping and customs duties, expect the price to exceed $400. This goes against our philosophy of creating an amazing product with a price that can disrupt. Help us create an efficient market by not rewarding the scalpers. 5. Miss out on the OnePlus experience. Since the beginning, our goal was to fuse superior product with unparalleled customer experience. By buying from a scalper, you are missing out on dedicated services available only for OnePlus Global users.

Via: OppoMart | Lets Talk Tech

Cheers BN!

Xperia Z2 Reportedly Headed to Verizon in Q4 as the Sony Sirius Viv, Certification Cited as Reason for Delay

Kyle — Mon, 16 Jun 2014 09:20:39 +0000

The US market may not be Sony's priority, but mounting evidence suggests the Xperia Z2 may make its way to at least one stateside carrier in Q4. Press images of a Verizon-branded variant of the Z2 showed up twice on Sony's website last month, and despite vehement denials by company spokespeople, @evleaks revealed yesterday that the Z2 may launch on Big Red as the Sony Sirius Viv (D6503). What's the holdup? According to the source, the Verizon Z2 supports LTE-Advanced, and so has been undergoing a more rigorous certification and testing process than most of the carrier's smartphones. Frustrating as that may sound, Verizon may simply be doing all that it can to ensure one of the first LTE-Advanced phones on its network works without a hitch. Then again, Big Red is notorious for arbitrary delays. Whatever the reason, don't hold your breath for a sooner launch than the aforementioned quarter. Verizon subscribers, is the Z2 still appealing in the face of new competition like the LG G3?

Via: @evleaks

Monday Poll: Do You Use the Amazon Appstore?

Kellen — Mon, 16 Jun 2014 08:28:34 +0000

Amazon announced today that its selection of apps in the Appstore has tripled in the past year and that "developers continue to report strong monetization" thanks to the apps they sell there. Rather than simply pass along that news, we thought we would instead see if any of you care. Because well, Amazon used to grab our attention with free apps of the day, but even that train seems to have run out of steam over the last couple of years. In other words, we rarely talk about the Amazon Appstore unless they are bundling a whole bunch of apps together for free for a special occasion. In fact, I had to install the store this morning in order to take the picture at the top of this post. So I'm curious - do you use the Amazon Appstore to download apps? [poll id="304"]

Thanks to New Root Method, Bootloaders on RAZR HD and RAZR M can be Unlocked Again

Kellen — Mon, 16 Jun 2014 07:28:45 +0000

Thanks to this weekend's new root exploit/method/pile-of-awesomeness from geohot, we are hearing from a number of readers who own older Motorola phones (like the RAZR HD and RAZR M), that once rooted using towelroot, the previous bootloader unlock tool from djrbliss is working again. You may remember "Motopocalypse" from April of last year, an .apk file that really did finally end Motorola's run at keeping their bootloaders locked. It was a glorious time, that's for sure. But since then, if you failed to unlock the bootloader on your RAZR HD (MAXX HD too) or RAZR M and have taken updates, you have been stuck with a locked bootloader. While we aren't recommending that you run to towelroot and Motopocalypse to unlock before it's too late, we had to make sure that you at least knew that your chance has arrived once again. I have not tested this myself, but if you head over to XDA, there are dozens of success stories from users who own this line of phones. The method looks something like this - install towelroot and Motopocalypse, run towelroot, verify root, run Motopocalypse, profit. Again, we are not recommending that you run out and unlock your bootloader, since this is something you cannot come back from and it voids your warranty and all that fun stuff, but if you were pissed at yourself from missing out the first time around, you may have struck gold twice. Or won the lottery twice. Or...you get the point. Full instructions at the thread below, along with support should you run into issues. Motorola Unlock Thread

Cheers Tim!

Galaxy S5 on AT&T and Verizon Rooted, Potentially Many Other Phones as Well

Kellen — Mon, 16 Jun 2014 07:03:31 +0000

Famed developer, geohot (with help from some friends), has done it. The Samsung Galaxy S5 on AT&T and Verizon has been rooted. So before we dive into this, I'll just note that the bounty for achieving this task was well over $18,000. If you pledged some cash, it is time to pay up. With that said, yep, root has come, my friends. The long wait is over. Freedom on some level is now a part of your Galaxy S5. Flip the bird to whoever you would like to at this point, because the good guys have won again. I should say, the guys who paid hundreds of dollars for a phone who want to feel like they actually own that phone, have won. The root method is an .apk file that when run, gives you root within about 15 seconds (following a reboot). There is a single button to press and you have root. I don't think I have seen a root process this easy in...I truthfully cannot remember.

So, how do you root your phone? Download the towelroot.apk file from the towelroot site below. Open that file, install the app, open the app, press the "make it ra1n" button and then sit back and wait. Your phone should reboot within 15 seconds, root included. What phones are supported? The official phone list includes the AT&T Galaxy S5, Verizon Galaxy S5, and AT&T Galaxy S4 Active. However, the root method may work for almost any Android phone with a kernel build date earlier than June 3. Many Galaxy Note 3 owners, along with RAZR HD and RAZR M owners seem to be having plenty of luck (with a bootloader unlock too). Ready? Be sure to donate if you can. TowelRoot Site | XDA Thread

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Cheers Mike, Daniel, Ben, Aaron, Tim, William, and the other couple of dozen people!

Deal: Brand New Nexus 10 16GB for $279 on eBay

Kellen — Sat, 14 Jun 2014 20:25:26 +0000

The Nexus 10, Google's 10-inch tablet that seems to have sold out forever ago through Google Play, can be had in brand new condition through eBay this weekend for $279. The tablet originally retailed for $399 with 16GB of storage, so you are looking at a substantial discount for a tablet that is still probably my favorite 10-inch slate of them all. Again - brand new, $279, 16GB of storage, and is a Nexus. To refresh your memory, the Nexus 10 did its best to push boundaries when it was initially released. With its 10-inch high resolution display (2560x1600, 300ppi), Exynos 5 processor, 2GB RAM, 9,000mAh battery, and newest version of Android, it is still a force to be reckoned. Plus, who knows if we will ever see another 10-inch Nexus tablet from Google again, with rumors suggesting that the Nexus program is coming to a close this year. The Nexus 10 deal includes free economy shipping. eBay Link

Your Vuvuzela This Weekend

Kellen — Fri, 13 Jun 2014 21:04:54 +0000

On episode 62 of the Droid Life Show, we sat back and listened as Tim took us through his week-long journey with the LG G3 as his daily phone. The staff asked him question after question about things like the phone's size, how the display performs in sunlight, if there is any lag to complain about, how long that battery lasts, and if lasers are here to stay. Once the G3 talk wrapped, we talked briefly about Google I/O (including Lookout's I/O party that we gave away tickets to), the LG G Watch, Galaxy Note 4 rumors, and a bunch of polls that we are running through this week before ending with apps and games. It was another outstanding show, though much shorter than last week's epic voyage.

This Week in the Life of DROID: 6/13/2014

Tim — Fri, 13 Jun 2014 15:55:33 +0000

Friday is here yet again. This week, Samsung introduced two new tablets, the Galaxy Tab S 10.5 and Tab S 8.4, and Huawei also came stomping its way into the US market with the Ascend Mate2. More information is popping up on the Galaxy F "Prime" device, and we finally get to start hypebeasting the Galaxy Note 4 thanks to a couple of new leaks which hit the web this week. Think June couldn't get any better? Think again! Next week, Amazon is set to announce their 3D-capable phone on Wednesday, T-Mobile has another UnCarrier announcement to make, and then the following week, it's Google I/O. June is a great month for Android lovers. Missed any of the Android goodness? Don't worry, we have your highlights below.

Happy Friday the 13th, everyone! Have a safe and enjoyable Father's Day.

Echo is Like Mailbox for Your Lock Screen and Notifications

Kellen — Fri, 13 Jun 2014 15:23:15 +0000

Let's say you go into a meeting that lasts a couple of hours and need to be away from your phone. When you come back, how does your notification situation look? Is it overwhelming? Are there lines for Gmail, Twitter, application updates, and calendar notifications all jumbled together in some random order? Probably, I know my notification area looks like that if I am away from my phone for even 30 minutes. Echo is an app that wants to help fix that frustrating situation by taking to your lock screen and organizing it with notifications. As you can see from the screenshot above, Echo takes your notifications and prioritizes them depending on a number of factors. There is a "Priority" category for the most important stuff, but also categories for things like "Work" and "Social." Echo will light up your screen for the important notifications, which would be those in the "Priority" category, while keeping things a little less in-your-face when the notifications aren't so pressing. How does it figure out what to put in "Priority?" Well, it tries to learn your habits to automatically prioritize the notifications you open often. That's about all we know for now, but the app is still technically in "beta," which means new features or more control over this category could come later on. Each category acts like a drop-down menu that shows individual notifications that can either be dismissed one-by-one or with an "X" that clears them all.

Beyond the notification organizing, Echo also takes a page out of Mailbox's book by allowing you to dismiss notifications with an option to bring them back later on. With a swipe on a notification to the right, you can tell Echo to bring that notification back by location (ex: when you are out, home, at work) or time (ex: one hour from now, in the morning, or tomorrow). To unlock your phone with Echo on, a simple swipe to the right will do it. As your lock screen, Echo also shows time, date, and your current battery percentage. If you were looking for a couple of things that need to be addressed that may prevent you from fully diving into Echo, we have a short list to suggest to the developer. For one, actionable items in notifications like Gmail messages don't seem to be there. So you can dismiss a Gmail notification, but not quickly reply to or delete it. Notifications also are not synced across devices, so Hangouts messages that were read or dismissed long ago on your computer or other device, may still be showing in Echo. And finally, notifications from the same app do not seem to be bundling, so if someone were to send you multiple Hangouts messages, they may show up on separate lines. The app is completely free and only asks that you give it access to your notifications. Feel free to give it a shot. Play Link

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Huawei Ascend Mate2 Hands-on

Tim — Fri, 13 Jun 2014 15:19:47 +0000

Announced just yesterday for North America, the Ascend Mate2 from Huawei is an intriguing device. The first thing people notice is the phone's size, coming in with a 6.1" 720p display. Although, once you learn that it comes unlocked with 4G LTE connectivity, priced at just $299, it starts looking like a sweet little package. In addition to its over-sized display (the Galaxy Note 3 features a 5.7" 1080p display), the Mate2 features a Qualcomm-made quad-core processor, 2GB of RAM, 13MP rear-facing camera, 5MP front-facing camera with Huawei's trademarked "Groufie" feature, massive 4,050mAh battery, Bluetooth 4.0, and runs Android 4.3 out of the box. When asked, a Huawei spokesperson stated that an update would be available to Android 4.4+ down the road. Not the most reassuring comment, but a comment nevertheless. As for impressions, the Ascend Mate2 could certainly make someone happy. It is a large device, so if a customer didn't want to spend as much as they would on a Galaxy Note 3, but still get that same phablet experience, the Mate2 is a great choice. At $299, it's a real bargain, plus, Huawei is offering a few bonus accessories and perks if you pre-order the device through their website. My only real beef with this phone is that it comes running a much older version of Android. Huawei is a very large manufacturer, and to me, I wished they prioritized things a bit differently when building the phone. Releasing a device with the newest software can't be all that hard, so that's my only negative take away as of this moment. The camera takes very clear photos, the performance is on par with what you would expect (not blazing fast, but speedy enough to get the job done), and the overall feel of the phone is solid. If you have any questions, throw them in the comments section. Below, we have a device gallery, as well as a full hands-on video. Gallery

Hands-on

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Friday App Sales: Out There, ShadowGun, The Amazing Spider-Man 2, and More

Tim — Fri, 13 Jun 2014 13:16:04 +0000

Don't plan to lounge on the couch watching the World Cup all weekend? Cool, I wasn't either. If you would rather spend your time playing games on your beloved Android device, you might want to check out a few of the latest app and game deals to hit Google Play. A few major titles are available for lower than their usually-listed price, those being The Amazing Spider-Man 2 from Gameloft, Out There (an awesome independent game that I love), ShadowGun from Madfinger Games, and Gangstar Vegas from Gameloft. If you have yet to try any of those titles out, then where have you been? Get on it. For the full list of app and game sales taking place on Google Play, look below.

Friday App Sales

The Amazing Spider-Man 2 - ($0.99)
Out There - ($1.99)
SHADOWGUN - ($0.99)
Abalone Brazil Edition ($1.39)
PocketBand Pro ($4.99)
WiFi Mouse Pro - ($1.99)
EMPIRE: Deck Building Strategy - ($0.99)
Pocket League Story - ($1.20)
The Walk: Fitness Tracker Game - ($0.99)
Super Soccer Champs '13 - ($0.88)
Garfield's Escape Premium - ($0.99)
Gangstar Vegas - ($0.99)
Puddle - ($2.99)

Go support those developers!

FYI: AT&T's Activation Fee for 2-Year Contracts is Now $40

Kellen — Fri, 13 Jun 2014 13:07:27 +0000

In case you are an AT&T customer who purchases discounted phones on new 2-year contracts, you should know that your activation fee is now $40 instead of $36 when upgrading phones. That's right, AT&T has raised their activation fee, a fee that doesn't exist if you buy phones through AT&T Next with a Mobile Share plan. The change went into effect June 8. AT&T confirmed the change to Fierce Wireless, stating that customers "choosing a 2-year contract plan will experience a four-dollar activation," but that those who go with AT&T Next and Mobile Share are getting a "great value" that doesn't include such a fee. Clearly, AT&T and the rest of the industry see an opportunity to make more money off of new monthly device payments plans in favor of 2-year service plans or this wouldn't be the case. Verizon charges a $35 activation fee, while Sprint's weighs in at $36.

Via: Fierce Wireless | AT&T

Video: Samsung Tells You Why Its Galaxy Tab S Line is Awesome

Kellen — Fri, 13 Jun 2014 11:32:05 +0000

Samsung announced two new tablets last night in NYC at a press event. Yes, more new Samsung tablets will soon be available for purchase. With the introduction of the Galaxy Tab S line, Samsung has now given us 11 new tablets this year alone. Just this year! And don't forget that you can still buy tablets from last year, like the Note 10.1 (2014) and the entire Tab 3 line. Anyways, Samsung is pretty excited about this new line of tablets that each sport high-resolution Super AMOLED displays. They are also incredibly thin, have fingerprint scanners and multi-tasking tools, and are dimpled up the backside, just like the Galaxy S5. Actually, they are basically giant Galaxy S5s in tablet form. So in case you missed all of our coverage about them from last night, like our hands-on videos and the official spec list, here is another video about the Tab S 10.5 and 8.4. This is an "official" and "exclusive" look at the new slates from Samsung.

Contest: $200 in Google Play Gift Cards Up for Grabs From Droid Life!

Kellen — Fri, 13 Jun 2014 11:01:43 +0000

We teased this last night on Twitter, because well, teasing is fun from time to time. And since a tease only means something if you follow through with it, it is now time to do just that. We are giving away $200 in Google Play gift cards for the hell of it! It feels like it has been a minute since we gave something away - oh wait, it has only been a minute. What I mean is, it has been a while since we gave away a whole bunch of gift cards for you to do with as you please. Maybe one of you will be able to spend it on games for that shiny, new NVIDIA SHIELD. The contest is easy as usual - jump into the Rafflecopter widget below and complete as many of the tasks as you like. None are mandatory, so pick and choose the options you are most comfortable with (or easiest). The more you complete, the better your chances are, though. Ready?

Contest

Prizes: Eight (8) $25 Google Play gift cards for 8 winners. How to enter: a Rafflecopter giveaway Winners: Our eight winners will be chosen on Monday morning (June 16) at 11:00AM Pacific.

Contest: Win an NVIDIA SHIELD for Father's Day From DL and NVIDIA (Update: Winner Picked)

Tim — Fri, 13 Jun 2014 09:46:26 +0000

Know what to get your dad (or possibly yourself) for Father's Day? Well, if you haven't quite figured it out yet, and your dad just so happens to be a gamer, then this contest should do you well. We have partnered with NVIDIA to give away a SHIELD portable gaming console, perfect for the dad that is always on the go, but still needs access to his favorite mobile games. SHIELD is still one of the cooler niche Android products available, featuring a built-in 5″ HD display, Tegra 4 processor with a 72-core NVIDIA GeForce GPU, console-grade controls, high-fidelity speakers, access to the GRID Cloud Gaming beta, and now comes running Android 4.4+ with lots of proprietary tweaks from NVIDIA to give you an awesome gaming experience, no matter where you are located. To make things easy and fair for everyone, we will use our trusted Rafflecopter widget. Follow the instructions on the widget below, and good luck! Update: We have our winner! Thanks to everyone who entered. We hope you all had a great Father's Day!

Contest

Prize - 1 (One) NVIDIA SHIELD gaming console. How to Enter a Rafflecopter giveaway Winner - Our winner will be selected on Monday morning, at 10am Pacific.

Beats for Android Receives an Update, Adds Landscape Mode and SD Card Support

Kyle — Fri, 13 Jun 2014 08:49:55 +0000

Beats may now be under Apple's management, but that doesn't mean the dev team is ceasing support for the Android app anytime soon. CEO Tim Cook said as much, and it seems he's a man of his word - Beats Music received a substantial update yesterday. The new version of the Beats Music app includes a landscape mode, plus the ability to transfer offline downloads between an SD card and your phone's internal storage. Additionally, some UI tweaks are in tow - the 'Find It' button in the left-hand navigation bar is now 'Browse,' and song recommendations have been tweaked. Finally, the new app improves playback and fixes bugs. Beats is available for download from the Google Play Store. For how long is anyone's guess. Play Link

Pebble App Gets a Google Play Beta on Android

Kyle — Fri, 13 Jun 2014 08:41:22 +0000

Pebble, makers of the eponymous Pebble smartwatch, have long self-hosted a beta version of the companion app for Android. Perhaps because the team realized how much of a pain checking a website for new APKs is, Pebble is finally embracing Google Play's built-in beta channel feature, meaning nabbing test versions of the companion app is now as simple as signing up for a discussion board and opting in through the Play Store. To kick off the improved beta, Pebble is "celebrating" with the release of v2.0.16, which improves aspects of the user interface and fixes a few bugs. Eager to get your hands on it? Join Pebble's Google Groups discussion board, then opt-in through Play. Assuming you've installed the app in the past, you'll receive an automatic upgrade to the latest version.

Via: Pebble

The Daily Show Hilariously Takes on Google Glass "Eye Douches"

Kellen — Fri, 13 Jun 2014 08:12:05 +0000

Jon Stewart and The Daily Show ran a special feature on Google Glass last night. As expected, it was hilarious. As in, you should watch this whether you own Google Glass or not. The whole clip points out step-by-step, idea-by-idea the ridiculous nature of Glass before diving into the thought that "these glasses are just f*cking stupid." It touches on the stories of poor Glass users getting denied service at bars, the insane $1,500 price tag, how it would look for a grown man to wear them by himself to a kiddie park, and why Glass wearers call themselves "Explorers." Of course, they couldn't help but point out the idea that Glass has a camera and you could be taking pictures or video recording someone at any time. But that's not really the best of the feature. No, when "eye douches" is pulled out, you will forever love interviewer Jason Jones and The Daily Show.

Samsung Galaxy Tab S 10.5 and Galaxy Tab S 8.4 Hands-on

Tim — Thu, 12 Jun 2014 19:07:56 +0000

We were in attendance tonight when Samsung announced the new Galaxy Tab S 10.5 and Galaxy Tab S 8.4 (full specs) at the Galaxy Premiere event in New York City, and thankfully after the presentation, the company opened up a fancy experience section where members of the press and a few Samsung employees were able to go hands-on with the new devices. Both tablets sport gorgeous Super AMOLED displays, featuring a resolution of 2560 x 1600. Both models presented were powered by Octa-core processors with 3GB of RAM, featured 8MP rear-facing cameras, NFC, are just 6.6mm thick, and run Android 4.4.2 out of the box. As far as impressions go, I was actually quite surprised by both the display and thinness of the tablets. The displays are extremely crisp and bright, while the weight and portability of the tablets sets them apart from other devices in their field. It is almost unreal how light they are, and when you are viewing a high-res video, it almost seems hard to imagine how far display technology has come over the past couple of years for mobile devices. Below we have full galleries and hands-on videos for the tablets. If you have questions, you know where to drop them.

Gallery

Galaxy Tab S 10.5

Galaxy Tab S 8.4

Hands-on Videos

Galaxy Tab S 10.5

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Galaxy Tab S 8.4

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Samsung Galaxy Tab S Specs (10.5 and 8.4)

Kellen — Thu, 12 Jun 2014 18:58:26 +0000

The Samsung Galaxy Tab S devices, in both 10.5 and 8.4 variants, are now official and coming soon to an electronics store or carrier near you with WiFi and LTE connectivity. Each device features a high resolution Super AMOLED display in either a 10.5-inch or 8.4-inch form factor. Samsung seems to be incredibly excited about the viewing experience of a massive high-res AMOLED screen like these two sport, so that's something to focus on going forward. The rest of the set of specs is as high-end as you would hope, as well. Each features 3GB RAM, 16 or 32GB of storage, micro SD slot for added storage, an Exynos 5 Octa or Snapdragon 800 processor (depending on the market), 8MP/2.1MP cameras, massive batteries, and come as WiFi-only tablets, but can also be purchased with LTE at all of your favorite carriers (AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile, and Verizon). Each tablet runs Android 4.4.2 "Kit Kat" already. The full specs can be seen below.

Galaxy Tab S 10.5 Specs

Processor: Exynos 5 Octa (1.9 GHz QuadCore ＋ 1.3 GHz Quadcore) or Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 2.3 GHz Quadcore*
Display: 10.5” 2560x1600(WQXGA) Super AMOLED
OS: Android Kitkat (4.4)
Cameras: 8MP w/ Flash LED + 2.1MP Full HD
RAM: 3GB (RAM)
Storage: 16/32GB internal memory; microSD up to 128GB
Connectivity: WiFi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac MIMO, WiFi Direct, Bluetooth®4.0, IrLED
GPS: GPS, GLONASS, Beidou(not supported in USA, Canada)
Sensors: Accelerometer, Fingerprint Sensor, Gyro Sensor, Geomagnetic Sensor, Hall Sensor, RGB Sensor
Dimensions: 247.3 x 177.3 x 6.6 mm , 465g(Wifi)/ 467g(LTE)
Battery: 7,900mAh
Audio: MP3, AAC, AAC+, eAAC+, WMA, Vorbis, FLAC
Video: H.263, H.264(AVC), MPEG4, VC-1, WMV7, WMV8, VP8
Recording : FHD(1920 x 1080) @ 30fps
Playback: WQHD (2560x1440) @ 30fps
LTE : 800/ 900/ 1800/ 2600+850/ 2100 3G : 850/ 900/ 1900/ 2100 2G : 850/ 900/ 1800/ 1900

Galaxy Tab S 8.4 Specs

Processor: Exynos 5 Octa (1.9 GHz QuadCore ＋ 1.3 GHz Quadcore) or Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 2.3 GHz Quadcore*
Display: 8.4” 2560x1600(WQXGA) Super AMOLED
OS: Android Kitkat (4.4)
Cameras: 8MP w/ Flash LED + 2.1MP Full HD
RAM: 3GB (RAM)
Storage: 16/32GB internal memory; microSD up to 128GB
Connectivity: WiFi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac MIMO, WiFi Direct, Bluetooth®4.0, IrLED
GPS: GPS, GLONASS, Beidou(not supported in USA, Canada)
Sensors: Accelerometer, Fingerprint Sensor, Gyro Sensor, Geomagnetic Sensor, Hall Sensor, RGB Sensor
Dimensions: 125.6 x 212.8 x 6.6mm, 294g(Wifi) /298g(LTE)
Battery: 4,900mAhh
Audio: MP3, AAC, AAC+, eAAC+, WMA, Vorbis, FLAC
Video: H.263, H.264(AVC), MPEG4, VC-1, WMV7, WMV8, VP8
Recording : FHD(1920 x 1080) @ 30fps
Playback: WQHD (2560x1440) @ 30fps
LTE : 800/ 900/ 1800/ 2600+850/ 2100 3G : 850/ 900/ 1900/ 2100 2G : 850/ 900/ 1800/ 1900

Samsung Announces Galaxy Tab S 10.5 and Tab S 8.4, Both Feature Super AMOLED Displays

Tim — Thu, 12 Jun 2014 18:39:21 +0000

Tonight at Samsung's Galaxy Premiere event in New York City, the company announced two new tablets under the Galaxy Tab S series, in addition to multiple new partnerships with content providers, allowing buyers to get the most out of their new devices. The Galaxy Tab S 10.5 and Galaxy Tab S 8.4 both feature "unprecedented viewing experiences" with their Super AMOLED WQXGA (2560 x 1600) displays, and are both powered by either Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 or Samsung Octa-core processors, depending on the market. In addition, both tablets feature 3GB of RAM, NFC, an 8MP rear-facing camera, 2MP front-facing camera, and come running Android 4.4.2. The Galaxy Tab S 10.5 features a 7,900mAh battery, while the Tab S 8.4 features a 4,900mAh battery. Besides the Super AMOLED displays, both tablets are extremely thin, measuring in at 6.6mm. For comparison, the Nexus 7 (2013) measures at 8.65mm and the Galaxy Tab 3 is measured in at 9.9mm. So yes, these two tablets are extremely thin, allowing for a lightweight and comfortable holding experience. On top of specs and viewing experiences, Samsung has partnered with content providers such as Netflix and Marvel, who will bring special content to Galaxy Tab S owners exclusively. Netflix will offer Full HD titles to stream, and Marvel has a new application, which brings hundreds of high-res comic books right to your tablet. The WiFi models of the Tab S 8.4 will be available for $399.99, while the Tab S 10.5 will be priced at $499.99. Pre-orders for WiFi devices begins June 13 at 12:01 a.m. Eastern at Samsung.com. The Tab S will be available for purchase in July at a large selection of retailers. Later this year, the Galaxy Tab S will come to AT&T with LTE, Sprint (10.5) with Sprint Spark, T-Mobile (10.5) with LTE and Verizon Wireless (8.4 and 10.5) with LTE.

Galaxy Tab S 10.5

Galaxy Tab S 8.4

Promo Video

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Press Releases

Galaxy Tab S Available for Pre-Order Starting Tomorrow in the U.S. Market

Stunning Display Combined with Premium Design Delivers the Most Entertaining Tablet Experience
New York, June 12, 2014 –Samsung Electronics America today introduced the first tablets in its new flagship Galaxy Tab S line. In both 8.4- and 10.5-inch versions, the Galaxy Tab S offers the ultimate viewing experience with the world’s first high-resolution Super AMOLED display. Galaxy Tab S combines Samsung’s thinnest and lightest tablet design with the most advanced WQXGA Super AMOLED display to launch Samsung’s most premium line of tablets ever. The Wi-Fi versions of the Tab S 8.4 will be available for $399.99, while the Tab S 10.5 will be $499.99. Pre-orders for Wi-Fi devices begin June 13 at 12:01 a.m. ET at Samsung.com. The Tab S will be available for purchase in July at Samsung.com, Amazon, Best Buy, Fry’s, Office Depot, Office Max, PC Richard & Son, Sears, Tiger Direct and Walmart.com. Later this year, the Galaxy Tab S will come to AT&T with LTE, Sprint (10.5) with Sprint Spark™, T-Mobile (10.5) with LTE and Verizon Wireless (8.4 and 10.5) with LTE. “Building on the heritage of the Galaxy S smartphone line, the Galaxy Tab S line delivers on our commitment to bring meaningful innovation that our customers care most about,” said Gregory Lee, president and CEO of Samsung Telecommunications America and Samsung Electronics North America Headquarters. “We know consumers want the best screen when purchasing a tablet, and as an undisputed leader in display technology, we’ve brought our industry-leading Super AMOLED screen to the Tab S for an unrivaled viewing experience in both connected and Wi-Fi options.” The Galaxy Tab S Makes Viewing Better Display is a key purchase driver for tablets, and the Galaxy Tab S was designed with screen quality and style in mind, to bring users the most immersive viewing experience. The Tab S delivers an unprecedented viewing experience with a WQXGA Super AMOLED display offering a wider color range, deeper contrast, truer blacks and our own adaptive display technology to provide an improved viewing experience in any environment. The Galaxy Tab S is one of the select few Android devices in the U.S. to offer Netflix HD content viewing. Samsung’s lightest, thinnest tablet is even easier to take with you wherever you go. With both tablets measuring just 6.6mm thin and Tab S 8.4 weighing less than one pound, the Galaxy Tab S was designed for portability and provides a more comfortable experience over long periods of usage. Meaningful Groundbreaking Features The Galaxy Tab S offers customizable settings and privacy features for sharing with family members of all ages. Kids Mode offers easy access to kid-friendly content, and gives parents the ability to control the content that kids access, as well as length of play. The Galaxy Tab S features a built-in fingerprint sensor, making multi-user access easy and secure. In Multi-User Mode, the fingerprint scanner allows for access to individual, customized user profiles. Galaxy Tab S also offers more apps compatible with Multi Window, allowing users to open up to two windows at once. The latest version of SideSync allows you to make and receive calls from your tablet via the connection to your phone, as well as drag and drop files from your phone to your Galaxy Tab S. Packed with Premium Content The Galaxy Tab S includes premium content and services that are part of the integrated Galaxy ecosystem, which makes sharing, watching, collaborating, and working on multiple devices more seamless than ever. With WatchON™ users can access the program guide directly from the Tab S, or use Tab S as a remote control. The service provides Video on Demand so users can find their favorite movies and TV shows with ease. The Galaxy Tab S is the first tablet compatible with Milk Music™ powered by Slacker, a free and ad-free radio service, offering an effortless and entertaining way to enjoy the music you love and discover unexpected music. Milk is designed with an elegant, easy-to-use interface and more than 200 stations that offer a fully customizable experience to your personal taste. Samsung continues to partner with leading entertainment, productivity and news providers through Galaxy Gifts. On Tab S, Galaxy Gifts includes one-year free of Gogo In-flight Wi-Fi access (up to 36 segments), a 12-month subscription to Bloomberg BusinessWeek, 6-month trial subscription to The Wall Street Journal and The Washington Post, 3-month subscription to The New York Times, 3 months free Sirius XM Radio, and 3 months free subscription to Audible. Samsung Papergarden debuts on Tab S and includes popular magazine titles, like Cosmopolitan, Elle, Elle Décor, HGTV Magazine, Vogue, Architectural Digest, GQ, Rolling Stone and US Weekly and more optimized exclusively on Tab S for a rich, immersive reading experience. Papergarden is offering all single issues free of charge through July 31^st, 2014. Also included are National Geographic’s 50 Greatest Photos and a 3-month free trial of Marvel Unlimited. The Tab S line also offers all the features today’s professionals demand, with the freedom to work wherever, whenever. Tab S is compatible with office documents, and is enabled for e-meetings with multiple devices. Remote PC allows for quick access to the office from anywhere. Quickly share content between devices with Quick Connect, which identifies the best way to share content with nearby people and devices. Quick Connect also allows screen-sharing and device control with Wi-Fi direct. Tab S will launch with a variety of accessories including Bluetooth keyboard book covers, standalone Bluetooth keyboard, flip covers, book covers, S Action Mouse, USB LAN Hub, power saving cable and portable battery packs.

Turn Up the Color with the Samsung Galaxy Tab S
June 12, 2014
Stunning Galaxy Tab S tablet delivers the most advanced mobile display on the market; Richer, lighter, more immersive
New York, USA – June 12, 2014 – Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd today announced the Galaxy Tab S, Samsung’s thinnest and lightest tablet to date. This Super AMOLED tablet combines the most advanced display technology with a full range of premium content for an unrivaled entertainment experience. The Galaxy Tab S is also powered with enhanced productivity features for effortless multitasking, all elegantly housed in a highly stylish, yet practical design. "The tablet is becoming a popular personal viewing device for enjoying content, which makes the quality of the display a critical feature,” said JK Shin, CEO and President of IT & Mobile Division, Samsung Electronics. “With the launch of the Galaxy Tab S, Samsung is setting the industry bar higher for the entire mobile industry. It will provide consumers with a visual and entertainment experience that brings colors to life, beautifully packaged in a sleek and ultra-portable mobile device.” Turn up the Color with the Industry’s Best Mobile Display – Super AMOLED The Galaxy Tab S embodies the next evolution in mobile display technology, delivering a wider range of rich and crisp colors. Its industry-leading WQXGA (2560x1600, 16:10) Super AMOLED display delivers more than 90% of Adobe RGB color coverage – expressing more colors than ever before – and has a remarkable 100,000:1 contrast ratio which provides deeper and more realistic images by making blacks darker and whites brighter. The Galaxy Tab S also features additional Samsung screen technologies that go beyond the hardware specifications. The tablet’s Adaptive Display ensures the best visual experience anywhere, anytime by intelligently adjusting gamma, saturation, and sharpness based on the application being viewed, the color temperature of the viewing environment and ambient lighting. Pre-set professional modes – AMOLED Cinema and AMOLED Photo – also let users manually adjust the display settings for bright, dynamic results for both video and photo content. In addition, Galaxy Tab S users can fully enjoy content clearly and easily outdoors, even in bright sunlight. The tablet’s advanced outdoor visibility technology makes on-screen content look bright, natural, and easy to view. Since Super AMOLED technology doesn’t require a backlight, the Galaxy Tab S consumes less energy than comparative LCD displays while maintaining a very portable design. Both models have a sleek 6.6mm profile and at only 465g (10.5-inch) and 294g (8.4-inch)*, that are light and easy to carry. With its longer-lasting battery, and Ultra-Power Saving Mode, the Galaxy Tab S lets consumer enjoy hours of entertainment without having to worry about recharging. * Device weights are measured with Wi-Fi only version of Galaxy Tab S 10.5-inch and 8.4-inch Premium Content Eco-System The Galaxy Tab S is made for entertainment and comes packed with a variety of content including: - Samsung’s magazine service, “Papergarden” debuts on the Galaxy Tab S. An optimized viewing environment for digital interactive magazines, users will be able to view a wide range of popular magazines with vivid and true-to-life colors. - Galaxy Gifts: Samsung has teamed up with more than 30 of the world’s leading mobile content and service providers to offer its Galaxy Tab S users the ultimate home, work, and play entertainment experience through premium content and services across a wide range of industries. Some of these include: o With Samsung's strategic partnership with Marvel, Galaxy Tab S users will be able to access over 15,000 Marvel Comics through 3 months of unlimited free membership to Marvel’s “Marvel Unlimited” app. o Kindle for Samsung: Exclusively for Samsung customers, and customized for the Galaxy Tab S, users will receive a free book every month through Samsung Book Deals, plus the ultimate e-reading experience with access to a vast selection of e-books in the Kindle store. - Samsung has also partnered with Google Play, Google’s online digital entertainment store offering apps, games, music, movies, books and magazines. To get Galaxy Tab S users started, Samsung and Google Play are offering several gifts: access to a range of movie and entertainment content, including the Warner Bros. Academy Award winning movie “Gravity” as well a variety of books and magazines from top publishers through the “My Library" widget. Furthermore, Galaxy Tab S users can now enjoy Netflix, available in high definition for the first time for Galaxy users in select countries. Stylish Form Factor and Practical Accessories Beautifully crafted and designed with architectural aesthetics, the Galaxy Tab S is modern and sleek. Extending this design identity, the Galaxy Tab S offers a choice of several fashionable and practically designed custom accessories. The Book Cover accessory configures to three different display angles to provide the most comfortable position to watch videos, read or type. For users looking for the same protective structure of the Book Cover but with a slimmer design, Samsung offers the Simple Cover that offers a perfectly fitting, lightweight protection. The Bluetooth Keyboard is a new, ergonomically designed ultra-slim keyboard designed specifically for the Galaxy Tab S which perfectly pairs the device with the keyboard with a clasp for better protection. The Galaxy Experience - Productivity Features That Help You Multitask The Galaxy Tab S delivers an unmatched selection of enhanced productivity and security features that provide users with the ability to effortlessly and safely multitask. Users can make and receive calls directly from their phone to their Galaxy Tab S, anywhere at home, no matter where their phone is with the Call Forwarding feature via SideSync 3.0. The Galaxy Tab S also allows consumers to truly multitask, enabling them to surf the web, watch videos, share content and make calls simultaneously without having to worry about closing out of one to access another. With Quick Connect, Galaxy Tab S quickly finds and connects to nearby devices, for easy content sharing. These features are all available on both WiFi and LTE versions. Additional useful features include a ‘Multi User Mode’ that enables users to create their own personal optimized profile, safe and convenient access with a built-in ‘Fingerprint Scanner,’ and a specially designed ‘Kids’ Mode’ with its own dedicated interface and kid-friendly applications. The Samsung Galaxy Tab S will come in a variety of connectivity options: Wi-Fi, or Wi-Fi and LTE, available in 16/32GB* + MicroSD (up to 128GB). Users can also choose between the 10.5-inch and 8.4-inch versions, in Titanium Bronze or Dazzling White. The Galaxy Tab S will be available in selective markets from July, 2014.

Google to Launch "Google Fit" at I/O, Will Announce Wearable Partners Too

Kellen — Thu, 12 Jun 2014 16:24:45 +0000

According to a report out of Forbes, Google will unveil a new service called "Google Fit" at its I/O developers conference in a couple of weeks. The service will collect and aggregate data from fitness trackers and health-related apps; think steps or heart rate or other fitness activities. Google is also said to be ready to announce partnerships with wearable device makers at the conference. No mention of who those partners would be was included, but we already know that that Motorola and LG have Android Wear smartwatches on the horizon. Companies like Samsung, HTC, and Asus are some of the other Android Wear partners. The report could not confirm if Google Fit would be a part of a new version of Android or as a standalone app. My money would be on a standalone app or service, since we have seen Google continue to pull pieces of Android out and place them on the Play store over the last year. Google Fit's arrival in two weeks couldn't have better timing, with Apple announcing HealthKit at WWDC a week ago and Samsung also recently unveiling its own wearable platform. Health tracking is the new hot topic in mobile, especially with wearable devices on the verge of exploding. No other details were mentioned in the report other than the service's existence. Since Google has major Android Wear plans for I/O, you should probably dress appropriately on June 25 and 26. I'm talking headband, sleeveless shirt, jock strap, knee high socks, and Chuck Taylors.

Via: Forbes

Cheers Tony!

UK Accessory Site Claims It Knows Moto 360 Pricing

Kellen — Thu, 12 Jun 2014 15:57:18 +0000

UK accessory dealer, Mobilefun, announced today that it has the "first UK price" for Motorola's upcoming smartwatch, the Moto 360. So how much will it run you? For £199.99.99, the most anticipated smartwatch of the year can be yours, through a pre-order. We should point out that Mobilefun also has a US-based site, which now lists the Moto 360 for $279.49. So, what do we make of these prices? Well, Motorola has yet to announce a thing in terms of pricing or specs for the Moto 360, which means these numbers are far from official. Keep in mind that we previously saw Motorola value the Moto 360 at $249 (before distancing themselves from it), so $279 could be either high or low. And keep in mind that accessory companies do things like this often to try and build up buzz around their site prior to the launch of a product. Look at all the case manufacturers who hypebeast cases and dimensions of upcoming phones before OEMs can even announce them. That could be exactly what we are dealing with here. Actually, I would almost guarantee that this is exactly what is happening. If I were in the market for a smartwatch, and the Moto 360 was topping my list, I wouldn't jump on this pre-order. Motorola could come in at a price that is far lower than $279 in the US. Plus, when launch arrives, you may be able to purchase and receive it more quickly through another outlet, like say, Motorola's own site. See, we aren't the only ones around these parts who hypebeast.

Via: Mobilefun

Watch Live: Samsung Premiere Event, "Tab Into Color" at 4PM Pacific

Kellen — Thu, 12 Jun 2014 13:53:08 +0000

Tonight at 4PM Pacific (7PM Eastern), Samsung is hosting a Galaxy Premiere event called "Tab Into Color." If that name didn't give you hints as to what they plan on unveiling, then spoiler alert, it will be tablets. Most expect it to be for a new tablet line called Galaxy Tab S that will feature both 8.4-inch and 10.5-inch slates. Each is rumored to use a 2560x1600 display, with either a Snapdragon processor or Exynos Octa, 3GB RAM, 8MP/2.1MP cameras, 16/32GB internal storage, micro SD slot, WiFi, 4G LTE (optional), and manage to weigh in at just 6.6mm thick. All will be official shortly. Tim is on the scene to report back all of the goodies. Watch it here!

Thursday Poll: Tiered or Unlimited Data?

Kellen — Thu, 12 Jun 2014 12:50:24 +0000

Back in April of 2012, almost a year after we started to see tiered data plans takeover the wireless market, we asked our readers to vote in a poll, letting us know if they were still on unlimited data or part of a tier. Since then, the industry has continued to change, with the introduction of shared data pools and unlimited plans that offer up a limit on fast data before throttling you. We know that many of you are doing whatever you can to hang onto those old, grandfathered unlimited data plans while others have had to jump ship, whether it be to upgrade or because they found what they considered to be a good enough deal. So some have let tiers take over, others have at least gone the unlimited-plus-throttling route. What we want to know today, is where you fall? Are you still hanging on to full unlimited or have you had to switch it up? Feel free to let us know what your current plan looks like in the comments. [poll id="303"]

Securing Your Passwords with an Android Password Manager [Beginner's Guide]

Eric — Thu, 12 Jun 2014 12:25:04 +0000

Let's just get this out there: remembering passwords is the worst. We all know that we are supposed to have complicated, long passwords that have nothing to do with our history. We are supposed to have a new password for every site and the list goes on from there. Unless you are a human supercomputer, doing all that is not very easy. Luckily for us, there is a growing market out there for password managers and lockers that make the whole process very easy. Let's take a look at few of these services that are out there and discuss just how you can use them to keep your accounts and passwords safe. There are a lot of terms to understand when looking at the business of keeping passwords safe. For the sake of understanding a little bit deeper let's get a few things straight. Encryption. Encrypting data is a process which takes the information that you have and makes it unreadable to anyone but you. When you encrypt something, you are telling the program to make a key that you control that unlocks your information. There's a lot of complex computer science and algorithms that go into this encryption, stuff that can be explained better by people far smarter than me, but for our purposes encryption is necessary to what these products do. Multi-factor Authentication. This is something that you are seeing more companies adopt as online transactions become more important. This feature is when you input your password, you have to prove that you are really yourself to have access to your information. Inputting a password once is one factor. If you have to then input another password after that first one, that is another factor. Google, Twitter, Facebook and other websites have already implemented 2 step authentication for their services, but not every online website that you put your credit card information into does. That's where these following services come in.

LastPass

Price: Free, $12/year Out of the three services that we have here today, LastPass offers the most robust collection of features to keep your passwords and online presence safe. It is also the only option that offers a free version; the other two services require payment on all fronts. The free version of LastPass offers applications for Mac, Windows and browser extensions to be everywhere you need it when you are on your desktop. Once you login to your account with one strong, but still memorable password, you have access to an encrypted vault where you can keep your long string and secure passwords. LastPass even offers a security check once you have all your passwords input so they can help you get your act together. But LastPass really shines when you pay for Premium. Not only do you get access to the LastPass mobile applications, but so much more as well. By adding in the mobile application, you can enable multi-factor authentication so that anytime someone tries to get into your LastPass account on a desktop, they need your phone as well. If you are an owner of the Galaxy S5, LastPass recently updated their application to work with the fingerprint scanner as a way to unlock your device. And if that still isn't enough security for you, LastPass even works with companies like YubiKey. These two companies have worked together to make your thumb drive a tangible password key to your LastPass vault. No one gets into your vault unless they have that USB thumb drive plugged into that specific computer. Total lock down. LastPass Premium costs $12 each year, but for the amount of security and flexibility that it brings, it's a very small price to pay to keep your information safe.

[responsive_vid vid_url="RM0fzHxMASQ"]

1Password

Price: Free until August 1, Supported by in-app purchases after 1Password has been around on Android for a long time. So much so, that they had to almost completely overhaul their application because it had not seen any love since the Gingerbread days. However, they have since relaunched their app and are letting everyone try it out for free until August when the app will require in-app purchases to continue working. 1Password operates in the same way that the other two services do. - generate one password and use that to unlock your vault of passwords, credit card information and website logins. These can be accessed on computers or mobile, once you have purchased licences to access all of the portals that 1Password offers. 1Password uses Dropbox to sync the data between devices so to use this across platforms, you must also have a Dropbox account, but who doesn't have one of those these days? 1Password, like these other services, makes it easy to auto-fill information on websites since remembering all these long passwords won't be the easiest thing in the world. We do not have any information as to how much 1Password will be when August rolls around, but for iOS users, the app is a one-time $17.99 purchase. Windows and Mac are separate purchases as well, but only one time as opposed to LastPass's yearly subscription.

mSecure

Price: $9.99 mSecure is another popular, multi-platform password security service that has extended out to Android. mSecure bolsters their service with a 256bit Blowfish that they say has "never been cracked" before. Once purchased for Android or any other type of computer, mSecure offers mostly the same services that the other two do as well. mSecure offers a multitude of security options once you get your account going. If you have your passwords stored in a messy spreadsheet or with a competitor, you can import them all easily right into your new vault through their software. As a last ditch line of defense, mSecure offers an optional "self-destruct" mode that will go into effect after someone tries to hack your password a certain number of times. If there are important items that you do not want getting out, that could be your best bet. mSecure also uses Dropbox to allow you to keep your information accessible across multiple platforms. Nothing is more dangerous in having software like this if you can't access your randomly generated bank password when you need it most. Like 1Password, mSecure requires separate purchases for different platforms of their service. Make sure to pick the one you'll use the most.

[responsive_vid vid_url="p7siAIz0DQA"]

Now, the underlying irony of this situation is that to protect your passwords across the internet, you are giving them all to one company to keep in the same place. There is a sense of trust that must be extended to these companies that they aren't the one abusing your passwords or playing fast and loose with. Each one of these applications is unique, so doing your research and finding out which one is the best for you is almost mandatory. If you are looking into securing your passwords and online presence, these are only a few of the options available out there for you. We have heard some of our readers talking about these specific services, but if you have any other suggestions be sure to drop them in the comments below.

AT&T Galaxy Mega Receives a Mega-Sized Update Including Android 4.4.2 and Much More

Eric — Thu, 12 Jun 2014 12:00:47 +0000

Were you one of the few customers that heard of the 6.3" Samsung Galaxy Mega smartphone and immediately said "Yes, I need that"? If you were, today is your lucky day. AT&T is rolling out a massive update to the enormous phone over the next few days that not only brings Android 4.4.2 Kit Kat to the device, but a list of fixes and improvements as well. When the Mega first launched, the combination of a Snapdragon 400 processor and Android 4.2.2 turned a lot of people off that might have been interested. You can't change the processor, but Samsung is addressing the other problem by pushing out this latest update. As well as bringing the phone up to Android 4.4.2, In addition to all the upgrades that a new version of Android brings, Samsung and AT&T have pre-loaded the Beats Music and ISIS Wallet applications for you, if you didn't have enough bloatware already. The list doesn't stop there, however. AT&T made sure to bring the Mega as up to date as they could. These are just some of the changes that are being implemented:

On-device memory status and profiling
Camera shortcut in Lock screen
Unified Location Menu
User can set preferred Network & Automatic in security policy update
Home and Message application default option
GMS applications update (GMS 4.4.2_r2).
Wireless Printing enabled
Video player closed captioning
Additional application and settings options

This massive update should be available to users today, but if you don't see it immediately, keep checking back over the next few days as AT&T rolls it out.

Via: AT&T

Report: Two Galaxy Note 4 Models Being Produced, One With a Curved OLED

Tim — Thu, 12 Jun 2014 11:31:20 +0000

On Tuesday, news broke on a rumor that pinned Samsung to produce the Galaxy Note 4 with a QHD display and Snapdragon 805 processor. Today, more rumors are pouring in, claiming that there isn't just one version of the Galaxy Note 4 this year. According to Korea Times, sources claim there will be two models of the Note 4, one which features a regular flat OLED display for the masses, and then another model which could feature a curved OLED display for niche markets. The last time we saw Samsung produce a phone with a curved display, it was for the Galaxy Round. That phone, with its taco shape, was released in small quantities, never really making it to meaningful markets. The phone was generally thought to be nothing more than a way for Samsung to show off curved display tech. I wouldn't go as far as to call it a bust, but it took what most would consider to be the wrong approach to a curved display. LG got it right with the G Flex, by putting the curve through the horizontal axis. In addition to two variants of the Galaxy Note 4, which are reported to be announced sometime around IFA in September, Samsung will also introduce a new line of wearables. These wearables could be based around the new Android Wear platform, as Samsung was introduced as an OEM partner for the platform when it was announced by Google. No information as to what to expect from the wearables in terms of specs, though. Note fans and wearables fans have a lot to look forward to, especially if Samsung intends to possibly introduce a curved OLED QHD display. It was not mentioned in the report what the resolution of the curved display would be, but as the saying goes, go big or go home, Samsung. Throw your thoughts below; we're dying to hear them.

Via: Korea Times

Verizon's Kit Kat Update for the Samsung Galaxy Note 2 is Live

Kellen — Thu, 12 Jun 2014 10:54:20 +0000

Yesterday, Verizon approved the Android 4.4 "Kit Kat" update for its variant of the Samsung Galaxy Note 2. Today, that update has gone live and is available for download. The update is build VRUFND7 and jumps the phone up to Android 4.4.2. It includes Samsung KNOX 2.0, restyled notification bar, the option to choose a default SMS app, emoji, a new keyboard, and all sorts of bug fixes. You can see the full details here. To check for it, head into Settings>About Phone>System updates.

Cheers Ariel and Jordan!

Starbucks Begins Nationwide Rollout of Wireless Chargers in Coffee Shops

Kyle — Thu, 12 Jun 2014 10:45:06 +0000

We have to agree with Chief Digital Officer of Starbucks Adam Brotman on this one - hunting around for an outlet for your phone charger at the café can be a bit of a chore. That's why the coffee shop giant will begin to use Duracell chargers as "Powermat Spots" within Starbucks and Teavana shops to let you wirelessly charge your devices. The rollout will begin slowly - only Boston and San Jose offer Powermat charging today - but Starbucks has plans to expand the initiative nationwide in 2015. Stores in the San Francisco Bay area will see it sooner. Unfortunately for most of us, Powermat uses the PMA standard for wireless charging rather than Qi. Most phones today with built-in wireless charging are Qi-compatible, not PMA compatible. So the only way you will be able to take advantage of these Powermat Spots, is to either buy a separate PMA-ready case to put on your phone, or buy soon-to-be-released "ring" receivers that can be plugged into your micro USB port. If you're so inclined, you can track the rollout at www.powermat.com/locations.

Via: Starbucks

LG Announces Availability for New G Pad Tablets, Begins in Europe Starting Next Week

Tim — Thu, 12 Jun 2014 10:20:34 +0000

Back in early May, LG announced a new G Pad lineup, consisting of three tablets - the G Pad 7.0, G Pad 8.0, and G Pad 10.1. However, following LG's new-found philosophy of announcing devices then giving no release date, we had no idea when to expect the tablets to arrive in the US. And technically, we still don't. LG announced European availability this morning, stating that buyers in Europe can pick up a G Pad 7.0 beginning next week, with G Pad 8.0 and G Pad 10.1 availability coming in the next few weeks. But still, no official word on a US launch from the manufacturer. Don't worry, though. When LG shows sign of US availability, we will let you know. Need a refresh on G Pad specs? Take a look below. Specs G Pad 7.0 Key Specifications

Display: 7.0-inch IPS (1280 x 800, WXGA)
Chipset: 1.2GHz Quad-Core
Memory: 8GB eMMC / 1GB RAM / microSD slot
Camera: Rear 3MP / Front 1.3MP
Battery: 4000mAh
Size: 189.3 x 113.8 x 10.1mm
Weight: 293g
Connectivity: Wi-Fi
Color: Black, White, Luminous Orange, Luminous Blue
Other: QPair 2.0, Smart Keyboard, Knock CodeTM

G Pad 8.0 Key Specifications

Display: 8.0-inch IPS (1280 x 800, WXGA)
Chipset: 1.2GHz Quad-Core
Memory: 16GB eMMC / 1GB RAM / microSD slot
Camera: Rear 5MP / Front 1.3MP
Battery: 4200mAh
Size: 210.8 x 124.2 x 9.9mm
Weight: 342g
Connectivity: Wi-Fi
Color: Black, White, Luminous Orange, Luminous Blue
Other: QPair 2.0, Smart Keyboard, Knock CodeTM

G Pad 10.1 Key Specifications

Display: 10.1-inch IPS* (*1280 x 800, WXGA)
Chipset: 1.2GHz Quad-Core
Memory: 16GM eMMC / 1GB RAM / microSD slot
Camera: Rear 5MP / Front 1.3MP
Battery: 8000mAh
Size: 260.9 x 165.9 x 8.9mm
Weight: 523g
Connectivity: Wi-Fi
Color: Black, Red
Other: QPair 2.0, Smart Keyboard, Knock CodeTM

Yes, OnePlus One "SandStone Black" Orders are Shipping Today

Kellen — Thu, 12 Jun 2014 09:49:35 +0000

I noticed that a handful of confused media outlets are reporting that shipments of the OnePlus One may have started as early as today. To end the confusion, here is the proof (below). Yes, OnePlus One orders, in Sandstone Black with 64GB of storage, have begun shipping. Well, shipping information has at least been received, so orders are indeed ready to go out as soon as OnePlus gives them to DHL. We do not have a confirmation on arrival time, but as you can see, our order in particular is coming straight from Hong Kong, en route to Portland. I can't say if the white model is shipping or not, but OnePlus already told us that the black 64GB variants have been given priority and should ship first. Any others receiving shipment notifications? Did anyone else order one at all (with an invite of course)?

Amazon Launches Prime Music, Free Song Streaming Service for Amazon Prime Members

Kyle — Thu, 12 Jun 2014 09:15:12 +0000

It seems Amazon's negotiations with the recording industry have finally come to fruition. Amazon's oft-rumored music streaming service was announced today as Prime Music, a benefit to Amazon Prime subscribers, providing unlimited and ad-free song listening. Amazon's music service, which has been rebranded as Amazon Music, is placing a big focus on curated playlists. The service has Prime Playlists for genres, artists, and activities, all available at launch, with more to come in the future. Alternatively, Amazon is using personalized recommendations to serve up individual songs and albums you'll ostensibly enjoy. Like Beats and Spotify, Amazon Music has an offline mode - you can download music and listen to it without a data connection. Unlike Spotify and Beats, the music selection isn't all that great. Amazon Music's competitors boast a catalog of more than 20 million songs, while Amazon Music is limited to over a million. Also, much of the music available for streaming is not very new. Depending on the label, Amazon may have to wait six months before adding songs to Amazon Music. In addition, Amazon has not managed to broker a deal with Univeral Music Group, meaning notable omissions like Lady Gaga and Kanye West. Still, if you are a Prime subscriber, it's hard to complain about yet another added benefit. For those who don't subscribe to Prime, Amazon is offering a free 30-day trial for Prime Music. Sign up through the app to get started. The Amazon MP3 app for Android has now been rebranded as Amazon Music. Play Link

Via: Amazon

AT&T's 4G LTE Rollout Continues, New Markets Lit Up This Morning

Eric — Thu, 12 Jun 2014 08:56:53 +0000

AT&T told us that by the "end of this summer" it would be wrapping up its rollout of 4G LTE markets across the country. That date is only a few months away, and since AT&T already covers well over 500 markets and 280 million Americans, new markets getting lit up are hard to come by. Only a short list of cities/towns are going live today, but who can complain about more people getting to access the great speed that LTE downloads can bring? We have today's list of new cities and markets below.

New Markets

Santa Barbra, CA
Santa Maria, CA
Goleta, CA
LaGrange, GA
Warsaw, IN
Casper, WY

Enjoy those new-found speeds, folks.

Via: AT&T

Huawei Ascend Mate2 Features 6.1" 720p Display and 4G LTE, Only Costs $299

Tim — Thu, 12 Jun 2014 08:45:34 +0000

Huawei is going in hard to the American smartphone market. Today, the company announced availability of the Ascend Mate2, a device for the phablet-loving, budget-minded folks among us. The device will be directly available to anyone who would like to purchase a unit, unlocked with access to 4G LTE connectivity, for the price of $299. For specs, the Ascend Mate2 features a 6.1" 720p display, Qualcomm-made quad-core processor clocked at 1.6GHz, 2GB of RAM, 16GB of on-board storage, Bluetooth 4.0, 13MP rear-facing shooter, 5MP front-facing camera with "Groufie" feature, 4,050mAh battery, and comes out of the box running Android 4.3 (upgradable down the road to Android 4.4+). Huawei was kind enough to give us a unit to play with, and the first thing you will notice is the overall size. It feels very large, even making the Galaxy Note 3 and Sony Xperia Z2 feel somewhat manageable with one hand. Unless you are Shaq, this will be a two-hand device for most humans. For $299, with the access to 4G LTE on T-Mobile or AT&T, the Ascend Mate2 is quite an unlocked deal for American smartphone buyers. If you ask us, there are not enough unlocked, cheaper options for US buyers to choose from. Whenever you get down into the $300 range, OEMs drastically cut specs in order to make some type of return, but Huawei looks to have found a comfortable middle ground. While the display is only 720p, it does feature fine-enough detail, plus you can expect your massive battery to last you two days easy with nothing crazy for it to power. The camera is decent enough for being 13MP. Huawei's skin still needs a bit of serious work, and with the device launching with only Android 4.3, we find ourselves frustrated. The company states an update will be announced sometime in the future. Have questions about the Mate2? Ask them in the comments section and I will answer them promptly. Huawei Pre-order Link

Galaxy F "Prime" Allegedly Pictured Next to Galaxy S5, the Bezels Run Thin

Kellen — Thu, 12 Jun 2014 08:16:55 +0000

Rumors of a "Prime" version of Samsung's Galaxy S5 date back to well before the Galaxy S5 ever launched. Executive denials and a barrage of model numbers for new devices haven't slowed them either. Take todays purported leak, which PhoneArena believes shows the Galaxy F, which is the name we are currently rolling with for the "Prime" Galaxy S5. As you can see from the image above, the device on the left appears to be a Galaxy S5-like device, though it sports a slightly larger display and substantially less bezel. The Galaxy F is said to be a more refined, premium Galaxy S5 with a metal housing or a non-cheap looking design. It is also expected to carry a Quad HD display (likely Super AMOLED), similar to what the LG G3 has (QHD, LCD). While you can't exactly tell the resolution of the display or material finishes from this photo, I can't help but admit that I wish this is how the original Galaxy S5 ended up. We also have two images below that are said to be of the Galaxy F. They appear to be similar to the image up top, but also show a brushed metal backside and minimal bezel. You can still see the heart rate sensor, coupled with a camera flash under the camera sensor, just like in the regular Galaxy S5. Unfortunately, there really is no way to tell if the device is metal or not from a photo. Should this device arrive in the near future, I would love to hear reactions from Galaxy S5 owners.

Via: PhoneArena

Cheers flosserelli!

Update Rolling Out to AT&T Variant of the LG G2, Knock Code and Calendar Enhancements in Tow

Kyle — Thu, 12 Jun 2014 07:48:06 +0000

Starting today, owners of the LG G2 on AT&T can expect a 39 MB software update, firmware D80020u. It sadly isn't Android 4.4.3, but the OTA does include a new way of protecting your lock screen: Knock Code. For the uninitiated, the G2's unique button arrangement necessitated LG's Knock On, which lets you wake your device by simply tapping the display. Knock Code is the natural extension of this concept, allowing you to record a security pattern of taps to unlock your G2. Sound familiar? A third-party app enabled similar functionality two months ago. Still, it's good to see such a feature officially incorporated into firmware. LG also reports that the new update enhances Calendar/Exchange Active Sync (EAS) support. Updating your AT&T G2 is as simple as navigating to About phone > Software update > Update Now in the settings menu. Expect a prompt to download the OTA over the next few days.

Via: AT&T

Did Google Really Tease Android 5.0 in These Screenshots?

Kellen — Thu, 12 Jun 2014 07:38:50 +0000

The screenshots including above may look like Google is sharing info on how you can keep up with the World Cup through Google Now. And you know what? They are. But, there is something else that the hypebeasts in the building will have a field day with, and that's the clock. What does "5:00" in a series of screenshots have to do with anything? Well, if you have been following the Android game at all over the years, quite a bit actually. Is it a hint at Android 5.0? Maybe. You see, whenever a new Google product is released, typically a Nexus device, Google uses the clock to show the version of Android that it is running. For example, the Nexus 4 was introduced with "4:20" as the time, because it ran Android 4.2. The Galaxy Nexus showed "4:00" because it ran Android 4.0. The original Nexus 7 had "4:10" in the clock for Android 4.1. If you look at current pages for the Nexus 5, Nexus 7, or Nexus 10 on Google Play, they all show clocks with "4:40" as the time. Yes, that is in reference to Android 4.4 that they are now running. Hell, even the Nexus S showed "2:30" in the clock in reference to Gingerbread, Android 2.3. If you can't tell, Google has been doing this for a long time. So, does that mean that Google just teased us with Android 5.0? Well, if you buy into the idea that Google shows the time as the version of Android, then yes. If you buy into Google as the ultimate troll, then you have that as well. Keep in mind that the @GoogleNexus account gave us a preview of the new dialer through Twitter, weeks before it was released in Android 4.4.3. These things do happen. The bigger question is - when is it potentially coming? With Google I/O only two weeks away, is there any chance that we see it then? That's a tough call. If they do, then Google has done a brilliant job at keeping it completely secret. Or again, they could be trolling the fanboys that pick up on things like a clock meaning version of Android. Thoughts?

Via: @Google | reddit

The Droid Life Show: Episode 62

Tim — Wed, 11 Jun 2014 22:00:42 +0000

The DL crew is back this Wednesday evening at its usual time of 6pm Pacific for Episode 62 of The Droid Life Show. Tonight, we will talk about the LG G3, since we have had it in our hands for the past few days, and we will discuss the device as a daily driver. On top of the LG G3, we will also look forward to Google I/O, as it is only two weeks away. We will go over our hopes and dreams, as well as what we should actually expect to see at this year's developer conference. Other topics will include a bit of hypebeasting for the Galaxy Note 4, reported launch info for the G3 on Verizon, and much more. We are live tonight at 6:00PM Pacific (9:00PM Eastern). If you miss us live, feel free to subscribe to us by following one of the links below.

Subscribe | iTunes | Show Page

[responsive_vid]

Rumor: Google Once Again Introducing New Design Guidelines, so Developers can Ignore Them Too

Kellen — Wed, 11 Jun 2014 14:31:29 +0000

According to the latest rumor du jour, Google is going to introduce yet another set of design guidelines for not only its apps, but for the rest of the app world too (including iOS). You know, because developers really bought into Holo and hamburger menus and all that stuff so quickly...mmhmm. This is just what we need! So, this new design direction is reportedly called Quantum or "Quantum Paper" and it will be introduced with the "L" version of Android, which if you aren't keeping track, follows Kit Kat. We still don't know if that will be Android 4.4.4 or 4.5 or 5.0, but should continue the candy trend for names. The idea of Quantum is to unify design framework across all platforms for Google apps, while also encouraging third party developers to do the same. According to today's report, Google will slowly rollout Quantum-styled apps of their own leading up to the release of the "L" version of Android. Apps like the newly revamped Google+ are a part of this new initiative, in case you were looking for current Quantum examples. Leaked screenshots showing a potentially massive Gmail overhaul also fall under Quantum. If you couldn't tell, a re-done header with bold colors appears to be part of the focus. Once the "L" version arrives, the Quantum framework will be made available to third party developers, who we hope can adopt it easily. So yeah, rumored design talk. Such fun. Edit: I realized that this came off as the most negative post in recent memory. Apologies for that. I guess I just have had a front row seat to developers failing to adopt the previous design guidelines, so pardon me if I'm failing to get excited about a new set for developers. I'm all for Google making more beautiful apps that integrate similar experiences everywhere, but I think the idea that third party developers will jump on board is pretty unlikely. Then again, maybe Google has figured out the magic this time around. Hope so!

Via: Android Police

Google Voice Receives Update to V0.4.3.8, Not Much to be Seen

Kellen — Wed, 11 Jun 2014 13:47:59 +0000

Google Voice received a minor update today on Android to version 0.4.3.8, up from version 0.4.2.82. As you would expect with a minor jump in build number, there isn't much to see here. This does not appear to be a massive make-over or bring full Hangouts integration or produce unicorn tears. The only thing I'm noticing that could be new, is how Google is handling international calls. After updating, Google Voice shows a pop-up that leads you to this support page with an explanation on whether or not you are correctly making an international call with Google Voice. Seeing anything that we aren't? Play Link | Download Link

Cheer Aaron!

Verizon Galaxy Note 2 Gets Kit Kat!

Kellen — Wed, 11 Jun 2014 12:44:16 +0000

The Samsung Galaxy Note 2 on Verizon is receiving Kit Kat (Android 4.4.2)! If you can believe it, after the extremely long waiting period that plagued the VZW Note 3's Kit Kat, today's update actually brings the 4.4 love to Verizon's Note 2 before both AT&T and T-Mobile variants. The update adds support for Samsung KNOX 2.0, which includes features like Dual Persona, real time kernel protection, VPN framework, and a universal MDM client. If the enterprise side of the update means nothing to you, then know that you are also getting a brand new keyboard, along with other Kit Kat goodies. Verizon's changelog doesn't get deep into the details, but you should see a revamped lock screen with enhanced media controls, the option to choose a default SMS app, restyled notification bar, wireless printing, and more. The update has been approved by Verizon, so rollout to your handset should happen with a couple of days. To check for it, head into Settings>About Phone>System updates.

Via: Verizon

Wednesday Poll: Do You Own an Android Tablet?

Tim — Wed, 11 Jun 2014 12:02:42 +0000

Android tablets - there are a million different models to choose from, more than half of which are probably Samsung-made. There are Nexus tablets from Google, Transformer Pads from ASUS, and of course, plenty of Galaxy Tabs and Notes from Samsung. Deals are constantly being held online for tablets, so if you don't already own one, we would be quite surprised. The last time we ran this poll, back in October of last year, 25% of folks said they did not own an Android tablet and 75% said yes, they do own an Android tablet. A few people mentioned that they owned a tablet made by Microsoft or Apple, so of course, that adds to the "no" category, given that those are not Android tablet. Let's update our numbers to see if anything has changed. If you have been reluctant to purchase an Android tablet, we would love to know why. Tell us below in the comments section what would get you to take the plunge?

[poll id="302"]

Deal: Factory Reconditioned Nexus 7 (2013) WiFi+LTE 32GB for $269

Tim — Wed, 11 Jun 2014 11:05:05 +0000

What, you are telling me that you don't already have an Android tablet? It's time to fix that. Android tablets are great. You can leave them on your couch, play games or browse the web, plus they are the perfect companion devices for a few of your favorite shoes. Regardless of what you will use it for, Woot! currently has a deal on reconditioned Nexus 7 (2013) WiFi+LTE tablets, pricd at $269.99, which usually retail at $349.99 on Google Play. The tablets comes with 32GB of storage, a 7" 1920 x 1200 HD display, Snapdragon S4 Pro processor, 2GB of RAM, plus plenty of other specs to keep you entertained. With the LTE connectivity, you can take this tablet to either AT&T, Verizon, or T-Mobile, then set it up with mobile data. That way, no matter where you go, you can be surfing the web or playing your games in style. What are you waiting for? Woot! Link ($269.99)

Google I/O App Updates for 2014 Conference

Kellen — Wed, 11 Jun 2014 10:18:54 +0000

The official Google I/O app received an update today for this year's 2014 conference. The update introduces an updated design, with a bold blue top bar, slideout menu, and a look that Google fanboys should be familiar with. As Google noted in the updated app listing, this app was "built to be your co-pilot" at the conference. Whether you are attending or watching events from afar, you can explore the conference agenda, create your own personalized schedule, watch the keynote and live streams, get reminders of events, guide yourself onsite with a conference map, and even use a widget to quickly check the happenings. If you are going to be at I/O, you will find a feature that pre-configures the conference WiFi on your device. Go grab it! Play Link

EvolveSMS Partners With PushBullet, Lets You Respond to Texts From Your Computer

Kyle — Wed, 11 Jun 2014 09:34:47 +0000

Pushbullet is capable of many things, but one feature the app has been sorely missing is the ability to reply to text messages from PC. Financial and technical limitations may prevent the Pushbullet team from adding the functionality themselves, but thanks to a partnership with EvolveSMS, the folks at Pushbullet have come up with a pretty good stopgap. The latest beta version of Pushbullet extends notification mirroring to work with EvolveSMS. When you receive notification of a text message on your PC, you can reply to the message. After you finish, Pushbullet will send what you have written to EvolveSMS on your phone and automatically text it. Pretty nifty. To leverage the new feature, you will need to sign up for both the Pushbullet and EvolveSMS beta programs. You can do so by joining their respective Google+ communities (+Pushbullet, +EvolveSMS) and by opting into the betas on Google Play (see the instructions posted on Google+). You will also need the latest version of Pushbullet's Chrome extension. The Pushbullet team hopes to integrate more messaging apps in the future. Google Voice, anyone? (I kid.) [responsive_vid]

Via: Pushbullet

LG G3 Pre-order on Verizon Tipped for July 10, Availability Begins July 17

Tim — Wed, 11 Jun 2014 08:57:39 +0000

According to a leaked screenshot posted by @evleaks, Verizon customers with intentions to pick up the LG G3 can mark July 10 and July 17 on their calendars. From what is indicated on the screenshot, Verizon intends to launch pre-orders for the G3 on July 10, with in-store availability beginning July 17. Another question many are asking concerns the pricing of the device. We can only speculate, but the G3 will probably be priced about the same as the Galaxy S5 when it first launched, which was $199 on contract. We can't confirm that, but it at least gives you an idea of what to expect. The G3 is undoubtedly one of the most hyped phones of 2014. It features a 5.5" QHD (2560 x 1440) display, quad-core Snapdragon 801 processor, 13MP rear-facing camera with OIS+ and laser auto focus, and comes out of the box running Android 4.4.2. When this information is announced and confirmed by either Verizon or LG, you can expect to see another post about it. Get your camping gear ready. We're pulling an all-nighter for this one.

Via: @evleaks

Candy Crush Saga Sequel Soft-launched Outside of US, Candy Crush Soda Saga

Tim — Wed, 11 Jun 2014 08:51:18 +0000

At one point in time, Candy Crush was possibly the most addictive, most downloaded app on Google Play. Thankfully, those times appear to have passed, but with the soft-launch of the developer's sequel to the title, Candy Crush Soda Saga, we could be in for another long addictive ride. The sequel has been launched outside of the US, and looks to be just like the original Candy Crush, but with different treats to match. Instead of chocolates and crunchy sweets, players must match up fizzy treats and gummy fish. With an unrealistic amount of IAPs, for special powers and advancing to further levels, there was never a doubt that a sequel for Candy Crush would come. There is no exact word on when the US will be able to try their hands at Candy Crush Soda Saga, but of course, we will keep you posted on when it goes live. If you are in Canada, Sweden, Spain, or the Netherlands, check the game out for yourself. Play Link

Via: Pocket Gamer

SwiftKey Keyboard Hits Version 5, Now Free With Tons of New Features

Kyle — Wed, 11 Jun 2014 08:24:09 +0000

SwiftKey is pretty darn useful, especially for one-handed typing. That said, more than a few people undoubtedly had a hard time justifying the price, which was admittedly high for a third-party keyboard. Starting today, the developers of SwiftKey are addressing that complaint by offering the base experience for free. The change reflects SwiftKey's business model going forward, which will focus on the sale of theme packs through the new SwiftKey Store. Members who previously paid for the app can download a "Premiere Pack" - 10 packs in total - at no charge, which is a $4.99 value. Themes and a price drop are not the only additions to the latest version of SwiftKey. A new theme, Nickel, refines the look of the keyboard's old Cobalt skin. A toggleable number row is present, along with new language support and improved flow trails. And the prediction engine has been vastly refined, extending even to emoji - SwiftKey can suggest appropriate emoji (from a database of 800) to use with a given word or phrase. Speaking of emoji, the new SwiftKey also includes an emoji selector. Note that you will need a device running Android version 4.1 or above to use it. The new SwiftKey is live in Google Play, so grab it while it's hot! Play Link [responsive_vid]

Via: SwiftKey

Deal: Refurbished Galaxy Gear for $89 at Best Buy

Kyle — Wed, 11 Jun 2014 07:58:59 +0000

Want a smartwatch but are not willing to wait for the bevy of Android Wear devices releasing later this summer? If you are willing to settle for Samsung's first generation Galaxy Gear, Best Buy has got you covered - the retailer is selling it refurbished for $89, or $60 off retail. The deal is the cheapest we have seen by $10 - eBay had the Galaxy Gear for $99 a few weeks ago. It may not be the sharpest electronic timepiece on the market, but Samsung has certainly remained committed to the Gear - the device received an update to Tizen just last month, which brought with it improved battery life and a bunch of new features. Interested in a Galaxy Gear? Pick one up at the source link. Best Buy Link: Galaxy Gear ($89.99)

Feedly is Down From DDoS Attack

Kellen — Wed, 11 Jun 2014 07:49:10 +0000

If you use Feedly as your RSS service of choice (like I do), then you probably noticed that their web and mobile apps are not working at all this morning. Well, there is a reason for that. According to Feedly, around 2AM Pacific, "criminals" began attacking Feedly with a distributed denial of service (DDoS) attack. Those same criminals are asking for cash in order to stop the attack, which of course, Feedly has refused to do, so the service remains down. As of 6:25AM Pacific, Feedly began making changes to their infrastructure to allow them to bring their RSS service back online, but has admitted that it could be a number of hours before the process is complete. They also noted that "none of your data was compromised or lost in the attack." I certainly hope not. So, if you use Feedly, you will likely be without all of your RSS feeds for a while. We will update this post as we learn more.

Via: Feedly

Five LG G3 Features That Are Awesome

Tim — Tue, 10 Jun 2014 15:16:12 +0000

We spend plenty of time talking about the LG G3's display and camera, since those features are highlighted quite frequently by LG, but what about other cool features that come preloaded on the device? Well, we are about to show you a few. For starters, let's talk about five cool features you can use on the LG G3. While the features are not necessarily specific to just the G3, potential owners will most certainly want to check these features out when they pick up their new device. Let's check 'em out.

Camera Software / Magic Focus / Immersive Mode While the camera itself is quite remarkable for being attached to a smartphone, the UI and software for the camera on the G3 is also quite well done by LG. The nicest feature I would claim is the immersive mode that can be toggled when shooting stills. What this mode does is hide all of the settings buttons from the UI, allowing you to view only what you are shooting. For those of us easily distracted by a massive amount of buttons and toggles, this is a step in the minimal direction. When toggled, the camera turns to a tap-to-shoot mode, instead of a tap-to-focus mode. But thanks to the laser built into the rear side of the device, you can still count on taking crisp and well-focused shots, even without tapping on the display. Finally, much like the Galaxy S5 and One (M8), the G3 features a mode called Magic Focus. With this mode enabled, the G3 takes a small series of photos during a single press of the shutter button. In the gallery, you can later go back to refocus on a certain part of the photograph. I will say, it doesn't seem as well-tuned as it does on the One (M8) or Galaxy S5, but it is still there for anyone who chooses to use it.

Knock Code With Knock Code enabled, users can designate a random set of display taps to unlock their device. When setting Knock Code up under the Lock Screen settings menu, there are four quarter areas placed on the screen. Inside those four quarters, you decide what your code will be. For example, you can tap in the top right corner three times, then two times in the lower left corner. The choice is yours. While it isn't the craziest innovation since sliced bread, it is a breath of fresh air compared to pattern and pin lock codes that users have been forced to use since the dawn of man. Plus, let's be real, does anyone actually use Face Unlock?

Smart Notice For users of Google Now, Smart Notice will sound deadly familiar. Located on your home screen when you have the widget in place, Smart Notice shows you cards based on weather conditions and upcoming events. For example, when it's a nice day out, but the temperature is expected to drop quite a bit, a card will remind you that you would be better off bringing a jacket or umbrella with you when you leave the house. The card is always at the bottom of the Smart Notice widget, which also displays the current weather conditions, as well as the local time. However, keep in mind it isn't quite as comprehensive as Google Now is. In time it may be, but for now, it only handles weather, calendar events, and a few reminder settings. We would like to see LG bring more functionality to Smart Notice in the future.

Guest Mode When you buy your LG G3, you can expect to have a lot of people who will want to play with it. And even if you don't have many friends, maybe your kids or wife will need to use your phone from time to time. Phones can contain a lot of personal information, so when you don't want a person to have access to those files, you can set up a Guest Mode that will make sure you are protected. Set up through your main Settings menu, when Guest Mode is enabled, owners can choose which applications are usable in the mode itself, which means if your kids are using the device, you can grant them access to Google Play, plus a few apps and games for them to play with; no need for them to have access to system settings or your work email. As stated in the intro for this piece, a Guest Mode is nothing exclusive to the G3, but potential buyers, you might be happy to hear that it has made its way to this phone.

Dual Window First introduced on Samsung devices as Multi Window, LG's Dual Window is a fantastic copy of the software. To enable Dual Window, simply long press on the "Back" button located on the navigation bar on the bottom of your display. With the feature enabled, users can run two compatible applications simultaneously, on top of each other. This means that when you are browsing the web on Chrome, you can also catch up on the latest YouTube videos or posts on Droid Life in a window above or below Chrome. Awesome, right? Of course, compatibility is very limited for what apps you can use Dual Window with, but you can always expect more apps to be made compatible down the road. We have seen compatibility grow for Samsung's Multi Window over time, so we can expect the same from LG and app developers as well.

Sprint's Galaxy Tab 3 7.0 Receives Update to Android 4.4.2 "Kit Kat"

Kyle — Tue, 10 Jun 2014 14:00:38 +0000

Owners of a Galaxy Tab 3 7.0 on Sprint, today is your lucky day. An update to Android 4.4.2 "Kit Kat" is rolling out to the Sprint variant of the budget tablet, bringing with it a number of new features and improvements. The new firmware brings most, if not all, of Kit Kat's standard functionality, including immersive mode, enhanced UI, and a ton of other things. From Samsung's changelog, expect to see a restyled status and navigation bar, expanded emoji icons, wireless printing, and full-screen album art and media controls on the lock screen. Improved performance is also in tow. The new firmware has begun rolling out to Sprint Galaxy Tab 3 7.0 devices. For the impatient among you, manually updating is as easy as navigating to Settings > About tablet > Software updates.

Via: Samsung

Tuesday Poll: Still Interested in Google Glass?

Kellen — Tue, 10 Jun 2014 13:38:37 +0000

In May of last year, just when Google Glass was getting its first big push through the Explorer program, we asked DL readers if Google Glass was a product that they were interested in. The results came back pretty mixed, with only about a third of the votes going towards "Yes, I'm very interested." Another quarter said "No, I couldn't care less," while the other 40% were waiting to see if developers could do anything cool with it. Here we are a year later, the Explorer program is now open to anyone with an enormous amount of disposable income to blow through, and Glass seems to be everywhere. Athletes are showing it off on the regular, celebrities have worn it, fashion houses have featured pairs in shows, new bars are banning Glass by the day, and designer lenses are now a reality. But with all of that happening, we still aren't seeing Glass in its retail form yet. So we are curious, again, if you are still interested in Google Glass? Has a year made a difference? Are you seeing enough from developers? Are there enough new use-cases to warrant a pair? Are the constant updates from Google making this product more appealing? Let us know in the comments. [poll id="301"]

To Celebrate Father's Day, Buy an HTC One (M8) for Only $99 on Two Year Agreement

Eric — Tue, 10 Jun 2014 12:45:19 +0000

As a company, HTC might not be in the best place right now, but the One (M8) is still a fantastic Android phone. Packed with specs, except for maybe the camera, and wrapped in a metal body, the M8 is one of the best phones on the market. For the next week, HTC is letting you grab this year's flagship for only $99. Of course, this price is only available when signing up for a new 2 year contract, but for graduates looking to start their own wireless bills or maybe your dad's aging device that needs to be replaced, it could be a decent pick up. The deal runs on Verizon, AT&T and Sprint. All you have to do is head over to HTC's page, select your color and carrier, then go from there. Head on over to HTC's landing page for this deal if you are interested, but be quick. It only lasts for a week. HTC Link

LG G Watch Specs Show 36 Hour Standby Time, Price and Release Date Rumored Too

Kellen — Tue, 10 Jun 2014 12:13:38 +0000

The LG G Watch is rumored to be the reference device for Android Wear, meaning that this is the device that Google has done most of its Android Wear development and testing on, but it is also the device that will set the table for other Android Wear products. Should that idea be true, then you should expect the G Watch to be the first Android Wear device to launch, likely around Google I/O (June 25-26). A new rumor out of Modaco corroborates that idea, stating that we could see the G Watch hit retail shelves around July 7 for a price below Samsung's lower end Gear 2 Neo ($199). They did not reveal exact pricing. In related news, G Watch leaker @upleaks has given us a spec list for the Android Wear watch. According to images posted to Twitter, the LG G Watch will feature 4GB storage and a 1.65-inch TFT LCD display, weigh 61g, and sport a standby time of 36 hours, thanks to a 400mAh battery. Sensors on board include those for ambient, touch, pedometer, and tilt. We already dug through the system dump from the G Watch, revealing all sorts of Android Wear cards for Google Now items, plus clock faces, potentially apps, and the full build.prop. What do you guys think about the G Watch now? I know that the Moto 360 is still the early favorite to earn your cash, but we now know quite a bit about the G Watch. Is 36-hour standby time enough? Does that mean we are getting one day of actual use? How good would a sub-$200 price be?

Via: @upleaks | Modaco

Cheers Tony!

Galaxy Note 4 to Feature Snapdragon 805, QHD AMOLED Display, 16MP Camera With OIS

Tim — Tue, 10 Jun 2014 11:28:24 +0000

According to an exclusive report from SamMobile, who takes their Samsung news seriously, a few specifications for the upcoming Galaxy Note 4 (model number N910) from Samsung have leaked. For fans of devices over 5.5", this news should have your attention. To kick it off, US variants of the Galaxy Note 4 will reportedly come packed with a Qualcomm Snapdragon 805 processor, Sony-made 16MP rear-facing camera with optical image stabilization (OIS), the same 2MP front-facing camera found on the Galaxy S5, and it is stated from sources that the phone will feature a QHD (2560 x 1440) AMOLED display. Need to have the phone now? Well that's too bad, as no date has been set yet by Samsung for the phone's unveiling. History does tend to repeat itself, though, and you should look for Samsung to announce the Note 4 sometime around this year's IFA in Berlin, which takes place this September. With Samsung reworking the overall look of their flagship devices, which now feature faux leather backs and chrome wrapping, we are most curious to see what Samsung is planning for the Galaxy Note 4. Besides the display, processor, and camera, are there any must-haves you need to see in the Galaxy Note 4 for you to be interested in dropping your current device?

Via: SamMobile

FoxFi Update Brings WiFi Tethering to Verizon HTC Phones (Updated)

Kellen — Tue, 10 Jun 2014 11:15:31 +0000

Back at the end of April, popular WiFi tethering app, FoxFi, received an update that brought back WiFi hotspot abilities to non-rooted Samsung phones on Verizon. Today, a new update makes the same feature available to HTC phones on Verizon's network, including the DROID DNA and HTC One. The developer didn't specify if that includes the One (M8), but I would imagine that it does. Keep in mind that in order to use the WiFi hotspot feature, you have to trust in FoxFi, because it opens a VPN connection and installs a certificate. To get around Verizon's attempts to block free tethering, trickery is almost certainly involved on some level, so understand what you are getting yourself into. For those new to WiFi tethering, just understand that apps like FoxFi are a way for you to fully use the data connection you already pay your carrier handsomely for. By setting your phone up as a hotspot, you can give things like a computer or tablet internet access from anywhere in the world. It's awesome. Well, carriers don't exactly think so. Carriers used to like to charge you a single price for your data package, but then limit you on the uses for that data package. Before shared data, you used to have to buy a data plan to use with your phone, but then buy a separate plan if you wanted to use that data connection to give data to other devices. It was a complete, double-dipping scam by carriers. The need for tethering apps has diminished over the years, mostly because carriers now include hotspot for free with their shared/tiered data plans. They now include it because your shared data plan has a limit that they would love for you to eclipse, so that they can charge you an arm and a leg in overages for. Fun, right? Play Link UPDATE 11/21/15: Verizon seems to have killed FoxFi for the time being. Read more here.

Cheers @Mavericksfolife!

Fully Revamped 1Password App Hits Google Play, Features Free Protection for the Rest of Summer

Eric — Tue, 10 Jun 2014 11:06:02 +0000

Just a while ago, we got word that 1Password was going to be updating their Android application that looked like it was lifted straight out of the Froyo days. They promised a new app with a new face and said that it would be coming on June 10. True to their word, the updated application has just gone live in Google Play. 1Password is a popular name in a quickly growing market of password lockers. Every day it seems like a corporation or website is being hacked and people's passwords are being leaked. 1Password allows you to keep longer, more secure passwords in a safe place. What is better than getting more secure passwords? Getting those passwords for free. Along with this new Android application, 1Password is offering up all their premium services for free for the rest of the summer. Install the app today and start securing your passwords. After August 1st these features will be locked behind in-app purchases so if you decided you liked the extra security, you can keep them locked away. If you want to give it a shot, head on over to the new 1Password page in Google Play and up your security game. Play Link

Deal: Grab a Nest Thermostat on Amazon for $229, $20 Off Retail

Tim — Tue, 10 Jun 2014 10:47:30 +0000

You know what would make an awesome Father's Day gift? A Nest thermostat. For a limited time only, you can grab a Nest smart thermostat from Amazon for $20 off of the retail price, bringing your total to $229. Not a bad deal for your tech savvy dad. For those not familiar, Nest is a thermostat that you can install by yourself, in your home, in place of your current thermostat. The company claims to save you money throughout the calendar year by performing more efficiently than your current thermostat, since it learns your patterns and adjusts temperatures based upon them, automatically. Nest has apps on both Android and iOS along with a web interface, so more times than not, you can control Nest from anywhere. It sports a modern industrial design, is easy to setup in your house, and can be paired with multiple Nest thermostats throughout your home. It's a pretty sweet accessory for any homeowner (or renter). Follow the link below to grab the deal. Amazon Link ($229)

Sonic Jump Fever Announced for This Summer, Takes the Classic Game and Turns It 90 Degrees

Eric — Tue, 10 Jun 2014 10:22:15 +0000

When you think of Sonic, running across a horizontal landscape as fast as he can, grabbing as many coins as he can carry should probably come to mind. After all, that is what Sonic is all about. It's a true gaming classic. Many different Sonic games have been introduced over the years, but Sonic Jump Fever sticks to the simple one-direction platforming formula, but turns it on its head. With Jump Fever, SEGA has added in a fast-paced competitive environment to play against your friends. Not only are you controlling your character from the Sonic universe (there is Sonic, Knuckles, and Tails to name a few), but before each race, you are shown a leaderboard of your friends and other players around the world. Getting to the top of the ladder one time won't be enough, however. Twice a week the ladder will reset and you will have to prove your worth all over again. The game will be coming to Google Play for free "sometime this summer." Just enough time to find a few friends to play this with you when it launches.

[responsive_vid]

Via: Triple Point

Honeywell Unveils Lyric, a Competitor in the Smart Thermostat Race

Kyle — Tue, 10 Jun 2014 09:09:27 +0000

In case you have not noticed recently, "smart home" products are the hottest thing this side of automation. Companies are literally flooding the market with gadgets, trying to build their own unique ecosystems inside of your home. It is for that reason we see things such as Honeywell's new Lyric, a smart thermostat, that does not seem all that different from the competition based purely on aesthetics, but is in terms of useful features. On the surface, the $279 Lyric looks like a more expensive Nest thermostat. Like Google's Nest, it leverages geofencing to detect when people are not around, and is also configurable with a companion application. Honeywell says its ace in the hole, though, is Lyric's Fine Tune feature, which factors indoor and outdoor temperature, humidity, and weather into an algorithm that calculates an optimal home temperature. Beat that, Nest. The company says that is a first for self-service thermostats. You would expect any home thermostat more than $200 to have intuitive controls, and the Lyric delivers on that front. It has a touchscreen display, which allows you to perform maintenance or access weather information, plus built-in LEDs to indicate temperature adjustments are in progress. Both features power off by default, activated by the built-in proximity sensor. Interested in picking one up? You will have to wait a while. The Lyric is available to heating and cooling contractors now, but Honeywell says it will not launch retail units until August.

Via: MarketWatch

Razer Nabu Open Beta Begins, Razer Looking for 500 Hardcore Razer Fans for Testing

Eric — Tue, 10 Jun 2014 08:12:50 +0000

Back in January at CES, the gaming-hardware company Razer jumped into the wearable technology race with their announcement of the Nabu. When CES ended, the Nabu was something we were eagerly awaiting, but since then news of the wristband has died down. Part of that silence is due to the fact that Razer had to delay a previously announced beta preview of the product to make sure that it was fully hypoallergenic. The last thing Razer wanted to encounter with their new wearable was a situation similar to that which required a recall by Fitbit. Razer is coming back swinging today by announcing an open beta for the Nabu - they are looking for fans of their products to test it for them. Sign-ups for this program start today and there are only 500 spots open. Razer only wants the most "hardcore fans" to prove themselves, so they can get into this beta test. If selected, the Nabu will be offered for only $1 to these lucky testers with the devices slated to ship by July 10. Razer points out that if you are highly active on social media like Twitter, Facebook and YouTube, your chances to be accepted will be greater. Selection ends on July 3, so if you do get picked your Fourth of July should be a little sweeter. If you are ready to prove to Razer that you are a hardcore fan, head on over to the sign-up website. Make sure to let us know if you get accepted.

Via: @Razer

Amazon Kindle App Gains Whispersync for Voice, Lets You Switch Between Text and Audio Seamlessly

Kyle — Tue, 10 Jun 2014 08:06:14 +0000

In lieu of self-driving cars, audiobook narrations are a great way to progress through books while driving. But keeping track of your place between book and audio can become a bit annoying - in the book, you have to search for the page you've reached, and on the audio file, fast forward or jump around for the spot you left off. If you do your reading on Amazon's Kindle app, though, that inconvenience is now a thing of the past with Amazon Whispersync for Voice. A feature previously exclusive to Kindle Fire devices, Whispersync for Voice lets you seamlessly transition between books and their companion Audible audiobook with the touch of a button. Your current page - audio or text - is synced across devices, meaning a lot less searching for your place and a lot more reading. Amazon helpfully points out that your existing library can be scanned for companion audio using the Matchmaker feature. Audible audiobook upgrades are available for as little as $0.99, or $3.99 for bestsellers. The new app is available today from Google Play and the Amazon Appstore. Play Link

Via: Amazon

Monday Poll: Do You Use NFC on Your Smartphone?

Tim — Mon, 09 Jun 2014 16:19:13 +0000

When first announced for Android devices, NFC was a pretty exciting feature. It allowed for tap-to-pay services to launch in stores, it brought Android Beam into existence, and allowed other devices to quickly connect to Android phones and tablets via Bluetooth with no user input needed. Times were good. Now, in mid-2014, we find ourselves using NFC less and less. Services like Google Wallet and Isis haven't been taking off like expected, and we find that the convenience of NFC isn't actually worth having the feature enabled on our phones. Sure, it has its time and place, but for the most part, NFC is still kind of useless to most users. Our question to you is, are you using NFC these days? Back in February of last year, we asked this same question, with the results not showing much love for NFC. 53% of people who answered said they did not use NFC, 33% said yes, and 14% of poll responders didn't even have a phone with NFC built in. It's time to update our results. Share your experiences with NFC in the comments below, and tell us if you think there is something that could make NFC better or more desirable.

[poll id="300"]

A Silent Wood Offers Minimal Take on RPG Titles, Available on Google Play for $0.99

Tim — Mon, 09 Jun 2014 15:11:57 +0000

Personally, I am a FPS guy, but there have been plenty of RPG games that have consumed my life for months at a time. It is hard for me to get very consumed on long games for Android, but once in a while, I stumble upon one that catches my attention very well. The newest RPG to interest me is called A Silent Wood. Surprisingly, the game features no crazy graphics or imagery, but you are met with only a somewhat-spooky soundtrack and text on your display. In the game, you are in the woods, alone in the dark. Quickly, you light a fire, encounter new folks, and build up your own little establishment. While at times it is hard to understand what to do, the story is quite intriguing. To start off, your main goal is to collect fire wood (to keep your fire going), build carts and traps for food, and meet new people who can help you. All in all, it's a neat game, but we just wish there was a bit more character and story development throughout. The games costs $1, featuring no IAPs. Go check it out. Play Link ($0.99)

"Orange Is The New App" Released to Google Play, Netflix's Series Gets Its Own App

Tim — Mon, 09 Jun 2014 14:02:17 +0000

Have you been watching Orange Is The New Black, Netflix's exclusive series, taking place inside of a female correctional facility? If you have been hesitant to give it a try, go for it - it's actually pretty funny. Anyway, Netflix has released an official companion app for the series, allowing users to dive even deeper into a comedic drama that takes place inside Litchfield. For example, users can shop their own face onto a character, who is Alex's "little spoon." While it is rather odd, fans of the series may get a kick out of it. You can also create your own character memes, then share them with the Interwebz with the app's built-in social network integration. Of course, the app is completely free, so give it a shot if you love yourself some Piper Chapman. Warning: This app contains season 2 spoilers. If you hate spoilers, don't download. Play Link

Samsung Galaxy S5 Prime (SM-G906) Stops by FCC?

Kellen — Mon, 09 Jun 2014 13:40:40 +0000

A Samsung device under the model number SM-G906 stopped by the FCC within the last few days, with support for LTE bands 17 and 5. As you may recall, the SM-G906 has long been rumored to be the Samsung Galaxy S5 Prime, or the premium version of Samsung's 2014 flagship with a Quad HD display. The listing doesn't tell us much, but does give us three potential models of G906K, G906S, and G906L to keep an eye on. It is an odd listing, because LTE Bands 17 and 5, along with GSM compatibility on 850 and 1900 doesn't exactly scream "US carrier!" If these were devices headed for AT&T, they would support band 17 and 4. If they were headed to T-Mobile, the GSM compatibility would need to change. They certainly aren't Verizon or Sprint phones. So what are they? Well, they are either the Prime or just another variant of the Galaxy S5. There is a model number listed for the battery used (EB-BG900BBK) in the device during testing by the FCC that brings back nothing by Galaxy S5 hits. I guess the question now is - does an FCC sighting mean we are closer than ever?

Via: FCC | PocketNow

Minecraft: Pocket Edition Receives "Biggest Update Ever," Brings Unlimited Worlds and Tons of New Blocks

Tim — Mon, 09 Jun 2014 13:05:16 +0000

Minecraft, the world's most beloved sandbox game, received an major update today, which Mojang is calling the game's "biggest update ever." Inside, users will have access to a ton of new blocks to build and play with, as well as new mobs to die from. The list of additions is so long that it would be rude for me to spam you with the list, so check out Mojang's blog post for the full list of additions and new features. Feel like being a Minecraft tester? Of course you do! Sign up for the Google+ community, then grab yourself the beta apk from Google Play. Play Link ($6.99)

Via: Mojang

DL Answers Your Questions About the LG G3

Tim — Mon, 09 Jun 2014 12:18:05 +0000

On Friday, we received an LG G3 to review, but we know many of our readers don't feel like waiting for us to pump out a full review, which usually takes 1-2 weeks. To help kill time, we opened up the DL hotline, giving you a chance to ask us anything you wanted to know about the phone. Clearly, everyone wants to know about four major things - the display, battery life, how it feels in hand, and LG's new skin. We have had the device for four days now, and have a pretty good feel for everything this Korean model of the G3 has to offer, so check out our answers to your top-rated questions below. How's the Quad HD display? Worth the hype? I think that's the biggest question concerning this device? Does a smartphone actually need a QHD display? With a resolution of 2560 x 1440, the G3 has the highest resolution of any smartphone released in the United States. Sadly, but not in a bad way, it's painfully obvious to notice this fact. As of this writing, content to consume on a QHD display is limited, especially for smartphones. While you can find yourself a 4K wallpaper, which will look great, anything else you view (apps, games, YouTube videos, MLB At Bat streams) won't take advantage of this hardware. Maybe in a few years, when QHD becomes the new standard, and mobile app developers and content creators are making higher resolution a priority, these types of displays will be useful. However, like all things that were first of their kind, we need to start somewhere. I applaud LG for taking the leap into QHD, getting the ball rolling on introductions of new technologies for smartphones. In terms of purely looking at the display, it is easily one of the best viewing experiences on a smartphone I have ever had. My fingers are crossed that more higher-res content is created for G3 owners to enjoy. How's the battery? It is hard to say exactly how the battery is, since we have been given a Korean model, which is running on AT&T's 4G LTE network. When not on WiFi, I am pulling speeds of 13MB down and 3MB up, which seems a tad slow in comparison to what I am used to. I am thinking the device is not optimized for the networks here, and that may directly relate to lower-than-expected battery life. However, when on a mix of WiFi and LTE, this device surprised the heck out of me. From the mornings around 9am to 11pm, the phone handles a full charge, with about 15% battery remaining. With the device featuring a QHD display, I was surprised at how well it kept a charge. Of course, your milage may vary depending on usage, network connection, and things like that. It "only" has a Snapdragon 801. How's performance? I have been surprised as to the criticism of the Snapdragon 801. After seeing a few reviews of the device, it seems that everyone was hoping for a Snapdragon 805, meaning the 801 could never live up to expectation. Thankfully, my experiences have been nothing but positive in terms of performance, as the G3 feels responsive, handling mobile gaming like a champ. Even after seeing a few benchmarks posted on other sites, I found my results to be much different. Here are the results. While a faster processor and more powerful GPU might have been nice, I feel that anyone who decides to pick up the G3 will be pleasantly surprised with its performance. How does it feel in hand? For being 5.5", it's completely manageable. Unlike the Galaxy S5 and One (M8), this device features little bezel, plus it has a very ergonomic feel to it. It feels right. While there will be plenty of people who claim it's too big, I'm not one of them. Coming from a One (M8) and Nexus 5 as my daily drivers, the G3 feels awesome. My best answer would be to go feel the phone for yourself when it is launched in retail stores. Is it water resistant like the Galaxy S5? No, please do not dunk this phone in your pool, as it is not waterproof or even water resistant. How's the camera? The camera is so nice, we did a separate camera comparison post which you can read here. We placed the G3 against the Galaxy S5, One (M8), Nexus 5, and iPhone 5s. The results won't surprise you, unless you thought the G3 camera was somehow going to be bad. To sum up that post, the G3 cameras is awesome. It has super fast auto focus and great color reproduction. How is the rear-facing speaker? While LG promoted the speaker at the G3's unveiling, something only HTC is known for doing with BoomSound, I don't find it to be all that awesome. Being a BoomSound fan myself, there is no doubt that those dual front-facing speakers beat out any other smartphone in terms of audio quality. The G3 does get loud, but the sound is rather harsh on the ear, featuring nothing but high ends. Even after bumping a few rap tunes, low end on the G3 speaker is hard to come by. How does the display do in direct sunlight? The G3 display can be set very high, so viewing in sun should not be a problem. However, I think the One (M8) does a bit better in direct sunlight, as its top brightness setting is ridiculously high. How is LG's skin? You know, it's not that bad. LG's skin has been evolving, much like Samsung's TouchWiz, and it's only getting better. While their launcher is basically unusable, as it tends to lag up just a tad, the overall settings menu, gallery app, camera app, and other necessary system applications all look just fine. As a major non-fan of OEM skins, LG has done alright in my book. However, a two finger pulldown is not present, even though the phone is running Android 4.4.2. I enjoy the pulldown to view all of my system toggles, so for me, this was a con. Does it feature wireless charging? The device does not come out-of-the-box with wireless charging capability. You will need to buy LG's QuickCircle case for that functionality. How much storage is available to user out of the box? I was given the 32GB model, then after downloading my apps and setting the device up, I have about 21GB left. The system data takes roughly 6.5GB right off the bat, so be aware of that if you plan on purchasing a 16GB model. This move is nothing new from companies, and Samsung is still the worst, usually taking around 8-10GB of storage with their skin and applications. If you have any follow-up questions, I can answer them in the comments below.

Deal: SanDisk Micro SD Cards 70% Off at Amazon, 64GB Card for $30

Kellen — Mon, 09 Jun 2014 11:37:16 +0000

Amazon is hosting one of their most commonly seen deals today, one for SanDisk memory with prices slashed by as much as 70%. You will find Ultra (speeds up to 30MB/s) micro SD cards with 32GB limits for as little as $14.99. They also have 64GB Ultra micro SD cards for $29.99. If you want similar amounts of storage but faster speeds, we are talking the Extreme line (speeds up to 45MB/s) which comes in 32GB and 64GB sizes as well, with prices running $20.99 and $44.99, respectively. SanDisk did not include their 128GB micro SD card in the deal, so it will still run you $99. Devices like the Galaxy S5, LG G3, and HTC One (M8) all supports micro SD storage. Amazon Link

Camera Shootout: LG G3 vs. Galaxy S5 vs. One (M8) vs. Nexus 5 vs. iPhone 5s

Tim — Mon, 09 Jun 2014 10:24:32 +0000

The 13MP camera featured on the LG G3 is certainly one of its main highlights. Much like last year's G2, the camera features optical image stabilization (OIS+), as well as a fancy new laser built right into the backside of the device to create super-fast auto focus times. Over the weekend, we put the LG G3 through the camera paces, coming away extremely impressed. For comparison purposes, we took out five top devices, just to see if we could try to come away with something useful. Down below in the gallery, we have shots from the LG G3, Samsung Galaxy S5, HTC One (M8), Google Nexus 5, and Apple iPhone 5s. You may ask, why did we use an iOS device? If you follow smartphones, then you should know that the iPhone 5s has arguably one of the best situational cameras ever featured on a smartphone. It has an 8MP sensor, but takes great shots. Without going into each camera's performance, and to keep this short and sweet, I will only discuss the G3's performance out in the field. The first thing you notice when snapping a photo with the G3 is the lightning-fast auto focus. When taking photos of a flower in the breeze, the quick speed of the shutter helps capture the shot you want, with little to no blur coming through. As someone who personally loves the macro shots, this device delivers one of the best experiences I have had on a smartphone. Colors are true, performance is fast, and thanks to the 13MP resolution, you can crop and zoom in with nothing to worry about. All photos were taken with out-of-the-box settings, and no editing or cropping has been done. Each photo has been resized to make things even across the board. Got questions? Shoot 'em below. Note: Ordered from left to right - G3, Galaxy S5, One (M8), Nexus 5, iPhone 5s.

Gallery

Bonus shot. This was the first photo I took with the G3 after opening the box. I wasn't lucky enough to have all of the other phones with me to compare, but I wanted to share the photo because it came out so nicely.

LG Highlights G3 Features in Series of Videos: Smart Keyboard, Dual Window, and More

Kellen — Mon, 09 Jun 2014 09:31:14 +0000

Our full-time LG G3 coverage is only beginning, but as you wait patiently for a couple of reports from Tim after a full weekend with the device, we thought we would share a handful of tip videos that LG posted this morning. In the videos below, you will get tutorials on how to use features like the new Smart Keyboard on the G3. From resizing the keyboard on the fly to swiping to quickly delete words, LG is really bragging about its improved keyboard design. But the videos also talk about using the QuickCircle case, setting up a Guest Mode, and customizing your unlock pattern with Knock Code. LG even talks about using Dual Window, which is very similar to Samsung's Multi Window feature. If you plan on picking up a G3, if it ever arrives here, then these would be good videos to watch. Smart Keyboard

[responsive_vid vid_url="Ynbs7B5x2eU"]

QuickCircle

[responsive_vid vid_url="2M5elKnJwWg"]

Guest Mode

[responsive_vid vid_url="iuFNd_rmiEo"]

Smart Tips/Notice

[responsive_vid vid_url="His00gohfys"]

Dual Window/Browser

[responsive_vid vid_url="WRINwyfnJZk"]

Knock Code

[responsive_vid vid_url="BRQNHyAt6Fw"]

AT&T News: Google Glass Coming to Retail Locations, May Offer NFL Sunday Ticket

Tim — Mon, 09 Jun 2014 08:50:18 +0000

According to a tweet published by @evleaks, AT&T retail locations will be one of the first places the public will be able to purchase Google Glass. The question, since Glass was first revealed, has been when can we get it, and for how much? The Google Glass Explorer program is currently open to anyone willing to pay the $1500 entry fee, but the general public would do much better in waiting for Google to announce the finalized version of the hardware and software. There is no doubt that the general release version will be a bit cheaper and may even look a tad bit more refined. However, there is still no official word on a launch date or final price. Google I/O on June 25 could be when we get a few answers from Mountain View.

In separate news, The Wall Street Journal is reporting that if AT&T can completely finalize its deal to buy DirecTV, which was announced in mid-May, the carrier may choose to allow wireless customers to stream NFL Sunday Ticket exclusively. If you have not followed NFL streaming rights, then you should know that besides watching a game on TV, streaming an NFL game without DirecTV's Sunday Ticket was basically impossible. The only thing standing in the way of AT&T wireless customers and their beloved sport are the regulators in Washington. The deal is currently worth $49 billion to DirecTV, but large acquisitions of this nature do take time to unfold. Two questions - how much do you think Google Glass will cost when finalized for the public, and in the event AT&T does offer Sunday Ticket to subscribers, would you add it to your monthly plan?

Via: @evleaks | WSJ

HTC One (M8) Gallery Update Brings Blur Level Adjustments to UFocus Photos

Kellen — Mon, 09 Jun 2014 08:12:41 +0000

If you own an HTC One (M8), be sure to cruise into Google Play today and grab the update to the HTC Gallery application. The update introduces a focus intensity slider to your UFocus photos, which means you have more control over that bokeh. The update also allows any Sense 6.0 device to view Dimension Plus and Pan 360 photos. To use the new intensity slider, all you need to do is take a photo, view that photo in the Gallery, tap "Edit," then "Effects," and then UFocus. Once there, a new slider will appear on the left side with the top being the most blur and the bottom being less blur. It works, as advertised. Play Link

Deal: Moto X 16GB for $274, Nexus 5 16GB for $334, Galaxy S4 for $349

Kellen — Mon, 09 Jun 2014 07:49:53 +0000

There is quite the list of discounted phones over at eBay today, along with the Nexus 7 (2013) deal we already told you about. Phones like the Moto X with 16GB of storage can be had for as little as $275. The Nexus 5 with 16GB is also back at its $335 price, in all three colors. Even the LG G2 and Galaxy S4, two of last year's best phones, are discounted to $433 and $350, respectively. All of the phones are brand new, not refurbished. The Moto X falls under model XT1058, which is the AT&T model. The listing claims that it is unlocked, so it could potentially work on T-Mobile as well. The Nexus 5 is the same Nexus 5 you would get through Google Play, so it will work on AT&T, T-Mobile, and Sprint. The G2 and Galaxy S4 devices will likely only work on AT&T's HSPA+ here in the US. Each deal includes free shipping. eBay Links: Moto X ($274.99) | Nexus 5 16GB ($334.99) | Nexus 5 32GB, white ($384.99) | LG G2 ($432.99) | Galaxy S4 ($349.99)

Deal: Nexus 7 (2013) 32GB for $189, Regularly $269 (Updated)

Kellen — Mon, 09 Jun 2014 07:24:29 +0000

Update: A new deal has popped up that is even better than the original we featured. eBay is selling a brand new Nexus 7 (2013) with 32GB of storage for $189.99. That's $10 cheaper than the refurbished model. [eBay Link] Update 2: It looks like the original deal for the refurbished model has now dropped from $199 to $169. Both are solid deals. So you can either grab a brand new Nexus 7 (2013) with 32GB of storage for $189 or a refurbished version for $169. The Nexus 7 (2013), a tablet that many would still consider to be the best of the last year, can be had in "manufacturer refurbished" form through eBay today for $199 with 32GB of storage. Again, the device is refurbished, so it is not brand new. But like we mention in almost any post that features a deal for a refurbished product, there are those who consider manufacturer refurbished products to be almost better than new, since it gives the manufacturer an opportunity to button up any known issues and potentially re-release the product in better shape. A brand new Nexus 7 (2013) with 32GB of storage currently retails through Google Play for $269, so you are looking at around $70 in savings. Keep in mind that this eBay deal also includes free expedited shipping, whereas Google will only give you free shipping on 3-5 day ground. As a refresher, the Nexus 7 (2013) sports a 7-inch HD display (1920x1200), 1.5GHz Snapdragon S4 Pro processor (quad-core), 2GB RAM, 5MP rear camera, 1.2MP front camera, dual stereo speakers, and runs the latest version of Android, which is 4.4.3. eBay Link

Moto X Now Available With 64GB of Storage for $449

Kellen — Mon, 09 Jun 2014 07:02:36 +0000

From day 1, Motorola's Moto X was available in two storage options - 16GB or 32GB. Since the phone does not support micro SD cards for expandable storage, you can imagine that some were begging for more, especially in a time of growing image sizes, HD video, and massive game files. To give heavy downloaders an option, Motorola added 64GB of storage as a choice in the "Memory" section of Moto Maker. We now have three pricing tiers for the Moto X of 16GB for $349, 32GB for $399, and 64GB for $449. Even at $449, the Moto X with 64GB is still quite the reasonable price. Most other flagships, even ones from last year, retail with no contract above that. With that said, we are fully expecting a new Moto X from Motorola within the next couple of months. While we love the original Moto X and even called it our best phone of 2013, we would recommend waiting just a bit to see how this new model shakes out. Also, the LG G3 should arrive on US shores within that time as well.

Via: Motorola

Won't Cramp in the 4th Quarter This Weekend

Tim — Fri, 06 Jun 2014 23:00:16 +0000

King James may have had a rough time last night, but you know who didn't have a rough night? The DL crew, as they got together on Wednesday at the normal time and place, discussing all things Android during Episode 61 of The Droid Life Show. Topics for the show included Amazon's upcoming announcement of a 3D-capable phone, Apple's announcement of iOS 8, Samsung's Tizen-powered smartphone, a new picture of the Moto 360 showing off its size, and the sad news that Motorola is closing their Texas plant.

This Week in the Life of DROID: 6/6/2014

Tim — Fri, 06 Jun 2014 16:55:00 +0000

It was an action-packed week here at DL, topped off with the arrival of an LG G3 at our doorstep. It feels good to have this device in our hands again, and over the weekend, we will be putting it through much poking and prodding. This week's news focused a lot around Apple's WWDC event, where the company announced iOS 8. For fun, we wrote up a few of the features we would like to see make their way to Android in the future, but we weren't very fond of our beloved OS being called a toxic hellstew of vulnerability. Oh well, life goes on. In other news, being more Android-related, Motorola announced a new "Try Then Buy" campaign for the Moto X, Android 4.4.3 was launched onto the masses, HTC announced the One (E8), and the NVIDIA SHIELD 2 went through the FCC. It was a packed week, to say the least. If you missed anything, we have your highlights below.

Watch: The Droid Life Show - Episode 61 [Subscribe]
Contest: We're giving away 10 tickets to Lookout's Google I/O party.
We have an LG G3, ask us what you want to know.
Here are a few features we'd like to see come to Android after being announced for iOS 8.
Motorola set to begin limited-time "Try Then Buy" campaign for Moto X.
Motorola codenames leak, point to Verizon VoLTE.
Android 4.4.3 update available for Nexus 5, Nexus 4, Nexus 7, and Nexus 10.
Amazon announced the date to reveal their 3D phone.
HTC announces the One (E8), basically a plastic version of the One (M8).
Moto 360 pictured on wrist, looks pretty massive.
LG G Watch system dump leaks, we rip it apart to find goodies.
Google announced a Project Tango tablet, powered by Tegra K1 and 4GB of RAM.
T-Mobile VoLTE now live in San Francisco.
T-Mobile and Sprint reportedly agree on price for acquisition.
Moto X, Moto G, and Moto E all getting Android 4.4.3.
DROID MAXX, Ultra, and Mini getting bumped to Android 4.4.3.
NVIDIA SHIELD 2 hit the FCC.
LG G3 for Verizon also stopped off at the FCC.
HTC One Remix for Verizon pictured again.
Qualcomm demoes Samsung prototype tablet, features 12.2" 4K display and Snapdragon 801.

Enjoy the weekend, folks!

Friday App Sales: AirFighters Pro, Bombcats: Special Edition, Camera 2, and More

Tim — Fri, 06 Jun 2014 15:32:22 +0000

It is time for the weekly app sales post. This week, there is a massive list of apps and games on sale through Google Play, so be sure to look it over if you planned on doing any app shopping this weekend. As for big titles, meaning ones you might be familiar with, we have AirFighters Pro (a sweet fighter jet simulator), Fast Burst Camera (self explanatory), as well as Clean Calendar Widgets Pro, Bombcats: Special Edition, and Camera 2. We have the full list below.

Friday app sales:

Camera 2 - ($0.99)
FLASHOUT 2 - ($0.99)
Earth and Legend - ($0.99)
ABBYY Lingvo Dictionaries - ($0.99)
Imperium Galactica 2 - ($1.99)
Smart Booster Pro - ($1.89)
Inferno+ - ($0.99)
Ballistic SE - ($0.99)
Bombcats: Special Edition - ($0.99)
Fireball SE - ($0.99)
CRUSH - ($0.99)
Slydris - ($0.99)
GA2: Siege of the Necromancer - ($1.99)
Mobile Observatory: Astronomy - ($2.27)
Lightning Launcher eXtreme - ($1.49)
SleepCloud Backup - ($0.99)
Clean Calendar Widget Pro - ($0.59)
EnbornX - ($1.00)
AirFighters Pro - ($2.99)
Fast Burst Camera - ($1.00)

Go gram 'em.

AT&T Brings GoPhone Plans to Compatible Tablets

Tim — Fri, 06 Jun 2014 14:49:52 +0000

AT&T's GoPhone plans are no-contract, 30-day, hassle-free plans that allow you to pay what you want, for exactly what you need. Starting this week, you can pick up a GoPhone plan for your tablet, as long as your tablet is compatible. To set up a GoPhone plan is easy. Choose your plan, buy a SIM, then activate your account. The account is live for 30 days, then at the end of 30 days, you simply add more money to keep it alive. For now, there are three tiers to choose from for tablets - $15/month for 250MB of data, $30/month for 3GB, and $50 for 5GB. Of course, this is data only, so the GoPhone price is a bit cheaper than for a smartphone which uses messages and minutes on top of data. I personally use a GoPhone plan for my phones, the $60 for 2.5GB of data. It's a good deal, plus AT&T's 4G LTE network is fast and reliable. Own a tablet that is compatible? Check it out.

Via: AT&T [2]

Motorola Offers "Try Then Buy" Campaign for Moto X

Tim — Fri, 06 Jun 2014 14:02:36 +0000

If you have been thinking that the Moto X is the perfect phone for you, but are just afraid to take the plunge, Motorola is offering you a chance to test the phone for yourself for two weeks, then you can choose to either send it back or pay for it. It's all part of a new "Try Then Buy" campaign, which will allow users to create their very own Moto X through MotoMaker, then they can use the device to see if its everything they ever dreamed of. If you are not satisfied after two weeks, just send the phone back, hassle free. While the device is in your possession, Motorola will hold a $0.01 charge on your credit card, which anyone should be able to handle. Pretty sweet deal, right? It doesn't end there, though. For $100 more than the 16GB version, you can select a 64GB version, bringing the off-contract price to $449.99. Here’s how “Try Then Buy” works:

Consumers go to motorola.com starting Sunday, June 8, at 11:00 p.m. to sign up and receive a special code.
Then it’s over to Moto Maker, our online studio, to design a custom, no-contract device. A penny charge will be placed on their credit card while the try out the device for the next two weeks.
After 14 days, if the consumer likes their phone, their credit card will be charged. If not, Motorola will pay to ship the Moto X back. Those who keep the phone get a promo code for 30% off accessories as a welcome to the Moto X family.

On Sunday, June 9 at 12am EST (9pm Pacific), you will want to be at www.motorola.com for your opportunity to be a part of this event. Supplies will be limited. Will you be taking advantage of this?

Via: Motorola

Google Search is Ready for the World Cup

Kellen — Fri, 06 Jun 2014 12:55:50 +0000

Google Search is ready to bring you up-to-the-minute World Cup news as you need it on your mobile device. As Google noted today on G+, they have "you covered with match schedules, group information and more." For example, you could search for "world cup" starting today, and see the upcoming daily match schedule. Once the action starts on June 12, a quick search of "world cup" or your favorite team will bring you live scores, team rosters, and major plays.

Via: +Google

We Have an LG G3 in House, It's Q&A Time!

Tim — Fri, 06 Jun 2014 12:20:23 +0000

The new G3 from LG is in the house, meaning you can expect to see a whole lot of stories here at DL on this device. As we are working up to a full review, we would love to help answer any questions you might have about the G3. Is the QHD worth it? How's the camera and laser auto focus? Those, plus many other questions will be answered as soon as we have spent a bit of time with the device. In the mean time, is there anything you are dying to know? We currently have a Korean model, running on AT&T's LTE network, but we are more than happy to answer anything you need to know. We have already done a hands-on video, plus a couple of comparison videos, so be sure to check those posts out. Drop any questions about the G3 below in the comments section. We will be answering them promptly.

Gallery

5 Fresh Icon Packs: Nimbus, Aurora UI, KooGoo, Noventa, and Lunar UI

Kellen — Fri, 06 Jun 2014 11:30:03 +0000

It has only been a couple of weeks since we last brought you five fresh icon packs, but in that time, we received another five that are just too good to not share immediately. As you all know, we are on a never-ending quest to find the next best icon pack. We have our favorites for sure, but the quality of work that continues to come from some of our favorite icon gurus just seems to keep going next level. These five packs are all awesome in their own right. And guess what? Only one utilizes somewhat of a long shadow! We are evolving, in a good way. Here are the next fresh five icons.

Nimbus

The long-shadow trend for icons may be on the outs, so that means a new trend must arrive. It looks like that could be the center-crease, similar to what we saw with Kovdev's Domo. Nimbus, uses a similar center fold and bottom edge, to give dimension to a pack that deploys a tasteful array of colors. I wouldn't describe any of the 1,000+ icons as necessarily bright, but they have just enough color pop to standout on a home screen without overwhelming it. You get a left-focused lighting that drapes a minimal shadow over the right side of each, all which carries rounded corners to fit both rectangular and rounded setups. Nimbus also includes 8 wallpapers. Nimbus includes a control panel app and works with popular launchers like Nova, Apex, and GO. Play Link ($1.99)

Aurora UI

As you can tell from the top image, I am currently using Aurora UI on my One (M8). This icon pack is beautiful, with its rounded, pastel-like style on over 1200 icons. Many of the icons use that long shadow trend that I just said was dead, but it isn't the standout feature of these icons - the colors and gradients are. You get color pops that let your icons take center stage, all sorts of alternate colors for some of the most popular icons (like phone or the app launcher), and a set of wallpapers that accents the pack better than most. It may come off a little iOS-like, but hey, it looks great in my book. The developer of Aurora UI also put out this really hot Zooper Widget to go along with the icons. Aurora includes a control panel app and works with popular launchers like Nova, Apex, Action, Next and GO. Play Link ($1.64)

KooGoo

KooGoo brings you rounded icons, bold colors, and edge shadowing that somehow give them a bubble-like depth while allowing the set to work in almost any situation, but especially on dark or black backgrounds. There are over 1,700 icons in the pack, along with over 80 wallpapers and a bunch of docks for Nova Launcher. KooGoo includes a control panel app and works with popular launchers like Nova, Apex, Aviate and GO. Play Link ($1.89)

Noventa

If you want to completely leave the realm of shadows, pastels, and rounded corners, take a look at Noventa. This icon pack includes 700+ pure square icons with natural colors and a design language that has kept the icons in a familiar state, though it happens to be a flattened one. When you look at the Instagram icon, you know what it is. Same thing with the Hangouts, Chrome, or Google Calendar icons - you know exactly what they are. Often times, we see icon packs get so wild with colors and restyling, that it's tough to figure out what they are. Noventa is there for traditionalists that still want some flavor. Noventa includes a control panel app and works with popular launchers like Nova, Apex, Aviate and Action. Play Link ($1.69)

Lunar UI

Like Nimbus, Lunar UI uses creases or folds through the center of some of its icons, while casting a subtle shadow from left-to-right. But Lunar UI differs because of the cartoonish-like styling of the icons and the randomness to its choices for shadowing. There are many icons with long-shadows, others with the crease, and some that have neither. Lunar UI is a mixed bag, yet somehow works, for the most part, some of the time. I like Lunar because of its bright attitude and beautiful set of HD wallpapers, but my OCD might take over if I used it for too long. Lunar UI includes a control panel app and works with popular launchers like Nova, Apex, Aviate and Go. Play Link ($1.28)

You can see all of our past icon coverage here. If you have new icon packs that you would like to see featured, be sure to drop us a tip.

T-Mobile Introduces Underground, a Marketplace For Exclusive and High-end Devices

Tim — Fri, 06 Jun 2014 11:14:28 +0000

Think of yourself as a tech enthusiast? Well, you are reading Droid Life, so it wouldn't surprise anybody if you said "yes." T-Mobile has a surprise for you, in the form Underground, a special marketplace for those of us who can't get enough high-end device hotness. T-Mo claims this will be a place for customers to purchase exclusive, performance-oriented devices. As of right now, the only "exclusive" device they have listed is a Galaxy S5 in Gold. Underground also features discounts on select low-end devices, as well as access to iPhones from Apple. Want to be part of the Underground? Check it out here.

Via: +T-Mobile

Orange Demos Samsung Prototype Tablet With 12.2" UHD Display, Snapdragon 801 (Updated)

Tim — Fri, 06 Jun 2014 09:50:30 +0000

Display technology for mobile devices is booming - phones and tablets are seeing displays well over Full HD (1080p), with QHD being all the rage right now. Recently, at an event in Paris, Qualcomm was caught demoing a prototype tablet from Samsung, which featured a reported 12.2" 4K (aka UHD) display. Qualcomm was showing off streaming capabilities of the device, powered by a Snapdragon 801 processor, but the incoming stream was only 720p. However, the rep began streaming multiple feeds, allowing the clarity of the device to soak through to the viewers. Qualcomm's Senior VP of Product Management, Raj Talluri, told TechRadar at the event that 4K tablets would be with us before the end of this year. So, are consumers ready for 4K on our tablets? LG recently unveiled the G3, which features a 5.5" display, pushing a QHD resolution of 2560 x 1440. Public feedback for the device seems overly positive as of right now, so maybe 4K for larger displays is the logical move for OEMs. What are your thoughts on the pixel war? Update: It was actually Orange showing off an LTE demo, not Qualcomm.

Via: TechRadar

Deal: Nexus 5 16GB (in Any Color) for $334 on eBay, With Free Shipping

Kellen — Fri, 06 Jun 2014 09:18:29 +0000

Nexus 5 deal! In a daily deal on eBay, you can pick-up Google's latest Nexus smartphone (maybe their last, too?) with 16GB of storage in any color (black, white, or red) for $334. The phone retails for $349 through Google Play, so this isn't a massive discount, but if you factor in the $15 savings on the phone, plus the free shipping, it actually is a pretty solid deal. Google charges $9.99 for their cheapest shipping option. As you all know, we love the Nexus 5. In fact, we called it the 2nd best phone of 2013, right behind the Moto X. The Nexus 5 is a phone that both Tim and I couldn't wait to go back to after reviewing the Galaxy S5 and HTC One (M8). It may not have the best camera on the block, but it runs stock Android, is already on Android 4.4.3, and may be the last of our favorite line of Android phones. eBay Link

T-Mobile VoLTE is Live in San Francisco

Kellen — Fri, 06 Jun 2014 08:53:52 +0000

T-Mobile went live with VoLTE service in Seattle back at the end of May. As of this week, they have expanded to San Francisco, according to CEO John Legere. For those not familiar, Voice-over-LTE (VoLTE) allows users to place higher quality voice calls over their LTE data connection, but also use data at the same time. It is the future of LTE, a service that both AT&T and Verizon have already announced plans for. AT&T launched VoLTE on May 23 in a handful of smaller markets, while Verizon is waiting until later this year to go live with a full, nationwide launch. Currently, the Samsung Galaxy Note 3, LG G Flex, and Sony Xperia Z on T-Mobile can take advantage of VoLTE. On a related note, we have also heard from readers who are seeing VoLTE service in Chicago and NYC.

Via: @JohnLegere

Cheers Paul!

Samsung Releases Teaser for Next Week's Galaxy Premiere Event

Tim — Fri, 06 Jun 2014 08:46:21 +0000

Next week in New York City, Samsung intends to host a press event, asking attendees to "tab into color." More than likely, Samsung is going to launch at least one (probably multiple) Galaxy tablets, rumored to be the Galaxy Tab S 8.5 and Galaxy Tab S 10.5. Of course, yours truly will be on hand in NYC for the festivities, so tune in on Thursday, June 12 for all of the details on what Samsung announces. And no, the event is not for the Galaxy Note 4 or Galaxy S5 Prime. Sorry to crush your dreams.

Contest: We are Giving Away 10 Tickets to Lookout's Google I/O Party!

Kellen — Fri, 06 Jun 2014 08:14:41 +0000

Like we have done for the last couple of years, we are once again partnering with Lookout to give away a bunch of tickets to their Google I/O party! Not familiar with Lookout? Just know that they are really into security on your Android phone - like really into it. Their products can help you find your lost phone, remotely wipe said lost phone, scan apps for malware, offer you security advice, and even let you backup contacts and media. They also stay up on malware trends around the industry and even created a Heartbleed scanner during that massive security ordeal. Oh, they like to party during Google I/O too. For as far back as I can remember, Lookout has been hosting a pre-I/O party that seems to grow each year and is always a lot of fun. There are free prizes to the first who show up (this time from Lookout and T-Mobile), food, drinks, and more. We will also be in attendance! The last couple of years we were able to meet a handful of DL readers, which was awesome. If you will be available in San Francisco on Tuesday, June 24, and would like to join us at the party, then get ready, because we have 10 tickets to give away. Keep in mind that those 10 tickets allow you to bring a friend as well, so we are really giving away 20 spots, if you think about it.

Here are the full details: Going to be in San Francisco for Google I/O 2014? Come kickoff this year's event in style at Lookout's annual "Hangout with Lookout" party on June 24. This year's party will feature delicious food, unlimited drinks, great entertainment and cool giveaways from Lookout and T-Mobile. This year’s event is shaping up to be the best one yet! When: Tuesday, June 24 at 7:30 pm Where: Novela, 662 Mission Street, San Francisco, CA What: Lookout's annual Google I/O kickoff party, "Hangout with Lookout." Drinks will start flowing at 7:30 pm at Novela in San Francisco and we'll have tasty food and awesome entertainment. Free giveaways for the first 200 who show up at the door (arrive early: we had a line around the block last year!). *Please note that this event is 21 and over. Please be sure to confirm that you will be able to attend the event if you win. We’ll be accepting entries until Friday, June 13. How to enter: a Rafflecopter giveaway Winners: We will select our 10 winners at random next Friday, June 13, at 8AM Pacific.

Action Launcher Beta 2.1 Adds "OK, Google" Hot Word, Double-tap to Sleep

Kellen — Thu, 05 Jun 2014 17:48:41 +0000

Action Launcher, Chris Lacy's 3rd party launcher option, received a solid beta update today to v2.1, in case you happen to be participating in the app's beta program. One of the standout features of the update is the introduction of "OK, Google" hot word support for launching hands-free Google searches, similar to what Nova Launcher just received. That's not all, though. The update also allows you to double-tap or "knock off," if you will, to turn the screen off. All you have to do is find an open space on a home screen, then tap twice and the screen will power off. There is a new option for enabling Roboto Condensed, additional "fine-grained" control over icon labels, and improved icon scaling throughout. The update is sizable, so be sure to join the beta and check it out if you haven't already. To join the beta, follow these instructions:

Join the Action Launcher Google+ Community.
Opt in to the beta group on Google Play.
Update to the latest beta via the Play Store app the way you would any normal app.

Via: +ChrisLacy

Cheers jason!

theScore Receives Major Update to Get Ready for the World Cup

Kellen — Thu, 05 Jun 2014 17:32:52 +0000

Are you ready for the World Cup? One of our favorite sports apps, theScore, released an update today to help get you ready. The update allows for "deep personalization," including data and news from favorite games, teams, and players that automatically appears and is updated in real-time. You can do things like add your team's schedule to your calendar, so that you never miss a game. You can receive alerts for breaking news on teams or for goals, red cards, match start/end times, etc. You can get the same info on favorite players, see the biggest news, track shots, find player stats, and check out the entire "bracket view" of the Cup. The update is live now, so feel free to go grab it.

Deep Personalization – Fans can follow the action that matters most to them:

Data and news from their favorite games, teams and players will automatically appear and be updated in real-time as each game plays out in their very own personalized Feed, which is found in My Score.

Fans can add their favorite team’s schedule to their device’s calendar and never miss a game.

Real-Time Alerts – Up-to-the-second alerts, including:

Teams: Fans can receive alerts for breaking news from their favorite teams, as well as for every goal, red card, match start, match end, close match and half time score.

Games: Follow single or multiple games, every game that day or every game from the entire tournament and get alerts for goals, red cards, match start, match end, close match and half time score.

Players: Fans can select their favorite players and get breaking news alerts, as well as alerts for goals, assists, substitutions, yellow and red cards and clean sheets (goalkeepers only).

Mobile-First Content - Tournament content perfectly packaged for mobile devices:

Real Time News: The biggest stories from Brazil, delivered in real-time by theScore’s mobile-first Content Team.

Shot Tracker: theScore will show fans exactly how every goal is scored with its Shot Tracker, found within each game’s box score.

Player Stats: theScore’s Player Card feature breaks down the key stats on every player involved in the tournament.

Bracket View: Fans can track their favorite team’s route to the final in Brazil thanks to our fully interactive World Cup bracket view.

Play Link

Hitman: Sniper, Shooting Its Way Onto Google Play Later This Year

Tim — Thu, 05 Jun 2014 15:04:37 +0000

Having just released Hitman: GO to Google Play yesterday, Square Enix is not done dropping news quite yet. This morning, the game company announced Hitman: Sniper, an intense shooter with emphasis on the "subtlety of execution." With a tag like that, it's a safe bet this won't be a title for the kids. The game isn't expected to launch until later this year, but in a blog posted to the official Hitman website, Square Enix goes into detail as to what mobile gamers should expect from the title.

You’ll need to have your wits about you to complete scenario-driven contracts that contain a number of targets and assignments. Each one is designed to have a high level of replayability, not only to fine-tune your approach but to explore creative alternatives and to achieve the ultimate score on the leaderboards.

The game will launch later this year free of charge for multiple platforms. IAPs will be available for the players who wish to customize their gaming experience. For example, if you wish to upgrade your rifle without unlocking boosts in-game, then you may do so. However, they are specific that everything you can buy will be unlockable by simply advancing in the game. Basically, if you want to be lazy, you can buy whatever you want. Once it hits Google Play, we will let you know.

Via: Hitman

How to: Grab the OTA File URL for Nexus Updates

Kellen — Thu, 05 Jun 2014 13:39:46 +0000

Every time a new update surfaces for a Nexus device (like Android 4.4.3), there is a mad dash to find the OTA URL from Google's own servers so that those who were not lucky enough to receive the update over-the-air can sideload the .zip file. You know, because none of us have any patience whatsoever these days. The problem is, we often see users get prompted with the update who don't know how to capture that URL for everyone. So we thought we would put together a quick tutorial on how to do just that - capture a Nexus OTA URL. That way, should Android 4.4.4 or 4.5 or 5.0 show up some day, we will all be prepared to bring update love to the rest of the world.

Instructions (adb short version)

*This is a set of instructions that works for everyone. You do not need to be rooted to do this. **You do need adb up and running on your computer with the Android SDK. ***You need to have USB Debugging enabled on your phone. (Settings>Developer options)

1. When you get prompted to download an update on your Nexus device, immediately plug your phone into a computer. 2. From that computer, open a command prompt, type "adb logcat" and hit enter. (On a Mac it's "./adb logcat") 3. The command prompt will then begin to spit out information from your phone. 4. Feel free to then tap the "Download" button on the update from your phone. 5. Once the download starts, you will be able to find the URL of the file that is downloading in the logcat. 6. You can do a handful of things now to find it-

a) See if you can spot a URL in the command prompt that starts with "android.clients.google.com" - or -
b) Copy the logcat info, paste into a text editor and then search for that string - or -
C) You could also search for the codename for the device (Ex: Nexus 5 is "hammerhead")

7. Once you have the full URL, copy it, and then run to the Droid Life contact form and send it to us. Pretty simple, right?

We will be adding more detailed instructions soon for those who need more help with adb or the Android SDK. For now, bookmark this for the next round of updates.

Aereo TV and DVR Service Now Available for Chromecast

Tim — Thu, 05 Jun 2014 12:15:31 +0000

Aereo, a service that allows users to cut the cord from their TV providers, is now capable of streaming through Google's Chromecast HDMI dongle. With Aereo, you can stream live TV, record shows with a cloud-based virtual DVR, then access those shows remotely on your Android device. Now, with Chromecast support, your shows can now be watched on the big screen in your living room. Ready to cut the cord from your cable provider? Here are the subscription details taken from Aereo's press release.

Aereo membership begins at $8 per month, for access to Aereo’s cloud-based antenna/DVR technology and 20 hours of DVR storage. For an additional $4 per month, consumers can upgrade their membership and receive 60 hours of DVR storage for a total of $12 per month. Consumers who join Aereo will currently get their first of month of access for free.

For right now, the Aereo subscription service is only available in a select amount of metropolitan areas. Those areas include New York, Boston, Atlanta, Miami, Houston, Dallas, Detroit, Baltimore, Cincinnati, San Antonio, and Austin. Throughout 2014, the service will be expanded to additional cities, so keep your eyes peeled for announcements regarding your city. To get started, you will need to grab the Aereo beta application from Google Play. If you are an Aereo customer, let us know what you think of the service. We know a lot of people here might be curious to hear your experience with them. Play Link (Beta)

Via: Aereo

New Motorola Codenames - XPlus1, xWatch, Titan, Quantum, and ULine - Talk Carriers and Verizon VoLTE

Kellen — Thu, 05 Jun 2014 11:53:14 +0000

Motorola's Punit Soni may or may not have just confirmed to us that the next Moto device will have a 1080p screen. The question now is - what phone was he using? Is it the Moto X+1 or something else altogether? Thanks to a leak through Hello Moto HK, who did some digging around in Motorola's Bug2Go software, we may have a couple of options to consider. They were able to find six codenames for unreleased Motorola devices, a couple of which could be for the Moto 360, another than has to be the Moto X+1, and one that mentions "VoLTE" and "VZW." We aren't exactly sure how they got inside Bug2Go, but as you can see from the screenshots below, we have all sorts of goodies to talk about from the digging. First off, we have a codename of "Xplus1" which has to be the oft-rumored Moto X+1. There are separate lines for AT&T, Latin America, Sprint, T-Mobile, and Verizon variants, so like last year's Moto X launch, we should expect the new model to be everywhere we need it to be. Another couple of codenames that stood out were "xWatch" and "xClock." Both sound like they could be Moto 360 variants, though we are not sure why the need for two codenames. Either way, keep them on your list of codenames to search for. And finally, Titan (a name we heard a lot in early 2013 from sources, but never saw surface), Quantum, and ULine also made appearances. I'm not sure what happened to Titan, but the lines mentioning ULine also talk about VoLTE and Verizon. Is that a reference to a VoLTE-only phone on Verizon or just one that is capable of running on Verizon's soon-to-be-launched VoLTE network? Codenames do not often tell us all of the dirty details, but they almost always help lead us down a path that ends up providing them. Codenames tend be spotted on places like benchmark sites that could give us clues into device specs. We love codenames.

Via +hellomotoHK

Cheers Antony!

Tip: Google Search Results Now Show Recipe Ingredient Checklists

Kellen — Thu, 05 Jun 2014 11:23:49 +0000

OK, this could be old, but we were not aware of it until Google Tweeted a picture of it moments ago. The tip is this - if you are searching for a recipe or food type, you can have search results display an ingredient checklist for you that can be checked off to narrow your list of recipes. Again, this may have been buried in the search options for a while, but if you look at Google's Tweet or the duplicate post to Google+, everyone seems to be as lost as we initially were. Thankfully, a little poking around has led us to the ingredient list promised land. So this is how you get a checklist of ingredients to help narrow your search, as is pictured above:

Search for a recipe in Chrome on your phone.
When the search list pops up, tap on the "More" button in the top right.
Then tap "Search tools."
You should now have new line of search tools, one of which is "Ingredients."
Tap "Ingredients" and you will see a list appear with check boxes for "yes" or "no."
As you tap "yes" or "no" the page should refresh with recipes that feature those ingredients.

Also, I like the zero bezel phone render used. :)

Via: @Android

New Wikipedia Beta App Goes Native With UI Overhaul, Editing, and More

Kellen — Thu, 05 Jun 2014 10:40:35 +0000

Wikipedia introduced a new beta app today on Android that includes all sorts of goodies that Wiki fans will be proud of. First of all, the app got a full redesign that is now native. Everything should be faster (from searching to browsing to "settling a bar bet"), we have a hamburger slideout menu, table of contents, bookmarks, and maybe most importantly, the ability edit articles from your phone. This is a major update that you will want to check out. Also, they are calling this a "beta," but you don't need to sign-up for a beta program. All you have to do is download the app from Google Play like any other app.

What's New

A major design update (we went native!)
Editing – help improve Wikipedia articles from your phone!
Everything is faster, whether you’re searching, browsing, or settling a bar bet
Table of contents to help you navigate long article and get to the information you need
Wikipedia Zero support – data charges waived for select participating mobile operators (Wikipedia is of course freely licensed)
Search any language Wikipedia
Bookmark pages
Random article
Recent browsing history

Play Link

Via: Wikipedia

Google Announces Project Tango Tablet Dev Kit - 7-inch Display, NVIDIA Tegra K1, 4GB RAM, and More

Kellen — Thu, 05 Jun 2014 09:29:06 +0000

Most of you are familiar with Google's Project Tango, right? That would be the project lead by Google's ATAP (Advanced Technologies and Projects) group that is designed to "give mobile devices a human-scale understanding of space and motion." The original Project Tango device (which was a phone) used advanced cameras and sensors to 3D map environments in real time. The benefits include opportunities for 3D gaming environments or helping the visually impaired or even something as practical as helping place furniture in your house in a virtual environment to see how it looks and if it will fit. The phone was the only the beginning, though, as Google has unwrapped a tablet development kit for Project Tango. The tablet development kit is powered by an NVIDIA Tegra K1 processor and 4GB RAM. It also has 128GB of storage, 4MP rear camera coupled with a motion tracking camera, integrated depth sensor, a 120-degree front camera, and of course, runs Android. Keep in mind that this kit was created for serious developers who are interested in the future of mobile 3D sensing. If you fit that description, you can sign-up today to get more information. To learn more about the NVIDIA Tegra K1 integration, check out this post.

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Motorola's Punit Soni Posts Screenshot From Motorola Device With 1080p Resolution?

Kellen — Thu, 05 Jun 2014 09:04:03 +0000

Motorola currently has a number of phones on the market - Moto X, Moto G, Moto E, and a whole line of DROID phones. Can you tell me how many have a 1080p display? The answer is zero. So why is it that Punit Soni, the company's VP of product management, is posting screenshots that weigh in with a 1080p resolution? Your guess is as good as mine. The screenshots comes to us in a response that Soni posted about the Moto G displaying current network names in the statusbar. He shows a shot of a box that can be checked to toggle that option on or off in a new update to Android 4.4.3 for the phone. But the thing is, the screenshot couldn't have been taken from the Moto G. The Moto G only has a 720p display. So in other words, he is showing the carrier name status bar option check box from a phone that we have yet to see or has not been made official by Motorola. Is it the Moto X+1? Maybe. Current rumors suggest that the next Moto X will be updated with a 1080p display that could be 5 inches or bigger. It may even look like this. We know that a new Moto X is supposed to arrive this summer, so you would hope that their top execs are already well into testing these devices in the wild. It could be that Punit just gave us our first real evidence of its existence. Thanks, Punit, the hypebeasting is back in full force.

Via: +Punit Soni

YouTube Update to V5.7.36 Lets You Choose Video Quality, Up to 720p

Kellen — Thu, 05 Jun 2014 08:06:34 +0000

YouTube received an update last night to v5.7.36 that includes one major new feature - video quality playback. In the past, YouTube on mobile would only allow you to toggle between standard and high quality streams, but with the new update, you can manually choose anything from 144p up to 720p. An Auto mode exists as well, just like it does on the web, so assuming your connection is proper, I would imagine that it will default to 720p. There are also options for 240p and 360p. Download way. Play Link | Download Link

NVIDIA SHIELD 2 (P2570) Hits FCC, Curved Backside Shown Off

Tim — Thu, 05 Jun 2014 07:27:01 +0000

Thanks to a recent FCC filing, we can now be on the lookout for an announcement regarding a SHIELD 2 device from NVIDIA. A controller-shaped console hit the Commission with model number P2570, and with the original SHIELD unit sporting model number P2450, there are not many other devices this could be. Looking at the lonely diagram taken from the official filing, we can see that SHIELD 2 will likely be a bit slimmer than the original SHIELD, as that device was a tad on the bulky side. Besides the backside, no other images can be found within the report. However, being the fantastic speculators we are, our guess is that NVIDIA will throw in its Tegra K1 processor to power this device, as well as give the display a nice bump up to Full HD from the current 720p resolution SHIELD sports today. Those two improvements would be worth the upgrade by themselves. Do you have anything on your list for what you would like to see from the SHIELD 2?

Via: Engadget | FCC

Prime World: Defenders Hits Google Play, a Tegra-enhanced Tower Defense Game

Tim — Thu, 05 Jun 2014 06:10:12 +0000

A new Tegra-enhanced, Unity-based game has hit Google Play this morning for Android devices, Prime World: Defenders. From independent game developer Nival, Defenders is a mix between a Tower Defense title, and Collectible Card Game. To win levels, players must rank up their respected heroes, collect/upgrade cards to improve towers, destroy enemy totems, and maintain control over key areas of a map. For those worried that the game won't be able to run on your device because it features Tegra enhancements, fret not. All Android devices running Android 4.0+ are compatible, but those people running an Android device powered by a Tegra chip from NVIDIA will notice special enhancements throughout the game, such as more detailed graphics and lighting effects. The game is free to download, but does feature IAPs. Considering that it costs $5 to download on iOS, the fact that Android users can try it out for free is actually kind of nice. Go check it out, defenders. Play Link

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The Droid Life Show: Episode 61

Tim — Wed, 04 Jun 2014 23:15:17 +0000

The crew is assembling tonight at 6pm Pacific for Episode 61 of The Droid Life Show. On tonight's show, we will discuss the idea that Amazon is about to release a smartphone to the market (unveiling set for June 18) with "3D-like" viewing capabilities and see if anyone cares. Topics will then flow into Google recently showing off the Moto 360 and LG G Watch with their displays on (360 looks larger than previously expected), changes we have seen in the update to Android 4.4.3, HTC's continued decline in revenues, the first Samsung Tizen smartphone, and a whole lot more. Oh, did Apple announce a bunch of iOS stuff too? Yes they did. And if you are really nice, we might be able to squeeze in a bit of live Q&A. We are live tonight at 6:00PM Pacific (9:00PM Eastern). If you miss us live, feel free to subscribe to us by following one of the links below.

Subscribe | iTunes | Show Page

Report: Sprint, T-Mobile Agree on Price for Acquisition

Tim — Wed, 04 Jun 2014 15:47:54 +0000

On April 30, news broke that Sprint was readying a bid to purchase T-Mobile. Today, according to sources familiar with the deal, the two companies have agreed on a price, settling at about $40 per T-Mo share. At that price, and with T-Mobile's reported debt of about $14.5 billion, the company's "theoretical enterprise value" sits around $40.8 billion. Not only is it reported that the companies have agreed upon a price for purchase, but have also agreed on a value if the deal is broken up, much like we saw when AT&T put in a bid for T-Mobile in 2011. What is still left to finalize, as stated from Bloomberg's sources, is who will run the company. Our vote would naturally be for John Legere, but he may be a little too "UnCarrier" for Sprint's taste. The deal is rumored to be completely finalized and announced as early as July of this year. Thoughts?

Via: Bloomberg

Android Distribution Updated for June 2014 - Kit Kat Jumps to Almost 14%

Kellen — Wed, 04 Jun 2014 15:16:08 +0000

Google updated their Android distribution numbers today, showing a big jump for Kit Kat (Android 4.4+) to 13.6%, up from the 8.5% we saw in May. Jelly Bean, on the other hand, saw a drop to 58.4% from 60.8%. The rest of the older Android builds fell as well, like Ice Cream Sandwich which now sits at 12.3%, Gingerbread at 14.9%, and Froyo at 0.8%. Honeycomb is now no longer listed. Throw your bad self a party, 3.0. And that's that.

Via: Android Developers

LG G3 for Verizon Stops by FCC

Kellen — Wed, 04 Jun 2014 14:57:22 +0000

Back in May, we saw LG G3 models that looked destined for AT&T stop through the FCC for approval. Yesterday, the Verizon variant joined them as the LG-VS985. The FCC documents don't necessarily provide anything new, since the device is 100% official, including specs and carrier availability (sort of). Instead, we get confirmation on things like LTE support on bands 4 and 13, plus roaming on GSM bands 850 and 1900. Oh, there is also a mention of the FCC's need to test out a wireless charging cover, since the standard cover more than likely does not allow for wireless charging. Instead, that will need to come from an additional purchase of a QuickCircle case or official wireless charging back plate. The Verge reported earlier in the week on US variants not having wireless charging built-in because carriers have agreements in place that prevent such a thing. In other words, they want you to pay for features like wireless charging. Still no official launch date, but things like FCC approvals certainly make things a step closer.

Via: FCC

Cheers Ncrypt3d!

Deal: Buy a Nexus 7 from Google Play, Get 3 Free Months of All Access

Kyle — Wed, 04 Jun 2014 14:16:19 +0000

In case you needed a reason to pick up a spare Nexus 7 (2013) or two, Google is offering fairly good incentive for residents of the US. From now until September 30, you can get 3 free months of Google Play Music All Access with the purchase of a Nexus 7 through the Play Store. Only customers who aren't subscribed to All Access or who haven't already activated a free trial before are eligible. The Nexus 7 16GB is still going for $229 on the Play Store, which is a little pricier than what we've seen elsewhere. Still, if you consider the 3 month trial a $30 value, that knocks the price down to $199. Very clever, Google. The full terms and conditions of the promotion can be found at the source link. Play Link

Amazon Hosting Press Event June 18, Most Likely For Its 3D Smartphone

Tim — Wed, 04 Jun 2014 13:33:43 +0000

Rumors and speculation have run wild the past couple of months over Amazon's rumored smartphone, reported to be capable of a 3D-like user experience. With the announcement of a press event, set to be held by Amazon in Seattle on June 18, we will finally see what the company has been working on. In the video associated with the announcement, we can see users tilting their bodies and heads, as if manipulating a 3D image with their eyes. There is no doubt, whether it be a gimmick or not, we are just a tad excited to see what Amazon has in store for the tech community. Would you like to attend Amazon's event in person? They are taking requests right here.

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Google Hangouts Updates to V2.1.223 - Introduces Custom Sounds and Ringtones for Conversations (Updated)

Kellen — Wed, 04 Jun 2014 13:16:03 +0000

Google Hangouts is receiving a new update today to version 2.1.223. The update, which is a jump from 2.1.100, appears to be pretty minor. So far, all I am seeing are a couple of new options in conversations that allow you set custom sounds for messages, as well as custom sounds for Hangouts calls. Otherwise, that is about it. To see these new options, open a conversation, tap on the Menu button ("action overflow"), hit "People & options," and then set your custom sounds. Seeing anything else? Play Link | Download Link

Update: As a handful of readers noted in the comments, Google+ seems to no longer be attached to contacts. In the past, when you tapped on a contact card in a conversation, you were taken to their Google+ page. Now, Hangouts simply pops up their contact card. Odd or expected?

AT&T Finally Gets Around to Updating HTC One M7 to Sense 6, Rolling Out to Phones Today

Eric — Wed, 04 Jun 2014 12:25:49 +0000

Last week when Verizon announced that its carrier version of the One (M7) was receiving the update to Sense 6.0, one of our readers commented, "Your move, AT&T." While we cannot confirm or deny that today's news is a direct cause of that comment, AT&T's update is rolling out to devices across the country. With today's announcement, plus the following rollout, all of the major carriers have updated their M7 devices to Sense 6.0. This update has brought the new BlinkFeed to all customers, updated their camera gallery applications, and added in new features such as personalization options that were not present before. If you have not received the update yet, keep checking your phone settings over the next day or so and it will show up eventually. For a company that has a bad history with Android software updates, it is good to see HTC sticking to their promises for last year's flagship. Keep it up, HTC.

Via: HTC

HTC Springing More Leaks, One Remix for Verizon Pictured Again

Eric — Wed, 04 Jun 2014 11:57:32 +0000

HTC is notorious for having their upcoming products leaked repeatedly. Today, thanks to the ever-present @evleaks, we get our most complete look at the One Remix that is reportedly coming to Verizon. The last leak only showed the front of the device, leaving us to speculate that it would also sport a large Verizon and 4G LTE logo on the back. Sadly, we were correct. Unfortunately, we don't get much additional information, other than another visual confirmation of what the One Remix looks like. We still have yet to hear anything official on the specs for the device, but it should not be too much longer before this device is made official by HTC and Verizon. If you are dying to know the specs, you can safely assume they will be similar to what is found on the One Mini 2 which HTC announced a couple of weeks ago.

Via: @evleaks

Motorola Assist Update Brings Home Mode, Bug Fixes

Kyle — Wed, 04 Jun 2014 11:43:19 +0000

The last time Motorola Assist was updated, it introduced new assistive features for use when driving. Now, Motorola is repurposing some of that functionality for "effortless" interaction with your phone at home. The upgrade introduces Home mode, which - should you enable it - announces callers and incoming text messages. Motorola also notes that driving detection has been improved, meaning Assist should have an easier time telling when you're on the road. Several readers noted that Assist now has learning capabilities similar to Google Now. If you decide to opt in (under Privacy in the settings menu), Motorola will attempt to learn your habits with various data, and associate the information it collects with your Motorola Device ID. The company says everything it records will be used to "create useful new features and functions." Sounds neat. The update is live on Google Play, so go grab it if you can. Play Link

Cheers Jaxon and Droidrazredge!

Hitman GO Launches for Android, Boils Hitman Series Down Into a Board Game

Eric — Wed, 04 Jun 2014 11:12:24 +0000

Anytime you see a Square Enix game launch on Google Play, you can expect a good amount of polish to come with it. Today's launch of Hitman GO for Android on Google Play is no different. The Hitman series is one of the longest running, as well as most respected stealth and shooting series in the business. Now, Android users get to experience a very unique take on the franchise. At the base of every stealth-based video game is the idea of being in the right place at the right time. If you are spotted by a guard, enemy or passerby while doing something that you shouldn't be doing, the game is over. Hitman GO takes this idea down to the basics, turning the matter of killing men silently and moving around without notice into a board game. You play as Agent 47 from the Hitman series, moving him, or I should say his piece, around the board to take out enemies, which completes a level. Sounds simple enough, but when you add in guns, noise distractions, plus clothing changes, the game gets decidedly more difficult. Probably the best part about the game are the stunning and refreshing visuals. The Hitman series have always been good in the graphics department, but instead of trying to recreate those graphics (and difficult gameplay) on a mobile interface, Square Enix instead went for a board game/diorama approach. The game costs $4.99 in Google Play, but it is well worth the money to check it out. In the time that I have spent playing it, I have already found a few levels that have taken me more than a few tries to complete. Further on into the game, in-app purchases are available for players, but the base price is well worth it. Play Link ($4.99)

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Humble Bundle 10 Adds 3 New Games, Pay Over $5 and Get $164 Worth of Titles

Eric — Wed, 04 Jun 2014 11:00:43 +0000

True to form, the 10th edition of the Humble Bundle has added a few new games to its lineup after the initial launch that took place a couple of weeks ago. All you have to do is pay more than the average, which right now is at $4.90, then you will get over $164 worth of games in response. Who can say no? Fieldrunners 2 was released in the initial version of the Humble Bundle, but there was so much demand that they decided to bring in the original for you to play as well. Alongside Fieldrunners, Frozen Synapse bills itself as the "ultimate tactical game" that allows you to plan out your squad's moves in advance and once you hit "Prime" they will run what you tell them to. Different game modes and even multiplayer against other people make this game definitely worth the $5 by itself. The last new game is Ittle Dew. After all the tactical fighting and shooting in the rest of the Humble Bundle, you can wind down with Ittle Dew and her sidekick Tippsie in this modern take on the classic Zelda-style adventure games. These three games and seven more for any price that you want to pay. And of course, you get to choose where and who the money goes to. Head on over to Humble Bundle's website to get the low down.

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Deal: Brand New, Unlocked HTC One (M7) for $349

Kellen — Wed, 04 Jun 2014 10:33:30 +0000

Looking for one hell of a deal on last year's HTC One (M7)? Here you go. eBay is running a daily deal on the AT&T variant of the device at a price of $349. That's the full retail price; there are no contracts involved here. This phone is also brand new and comes in the original packaging. Sure, it may not be this year's HTC One (M8), but the original One (M7) still has a lot going for it. The device sports 32GB of storage, a 1080p LCD display, BoomSound speakers, HTC's Sense skin, Beats Audio (lulz), 4MP ("UltraPixel") camera, and a 2300mAh battery. This particular model works on AT&T's network, with support for both HSPA and LTE. I know that Motorola is currently running a deal on their 32GB Moto X for $349, so you have some work ahead of you in making a decision. Be sure to check out our Moto X review, followed by our HTC One review to help with that. eBay Link

Leak Reveals Verizon Variant of the Xperia Z2 Tablet

Kyle — Wed, 04 Jun 2014 10:10:16 +0000

If you were disappointed that the pre-order page for Sony's Xperia Z2 tablet lacked any mention of US carrier support, fret not, as leaker extraordinaire @evleaks has released images of a Z2 variant with Verizon branding. Presumably, once it passes "certification," we can expect the LTE version of the tablet to support Big Red's bands. We were quite impressed by the Xperia Z2 tablet when it was revealed at Mobile World Congress in March, and still are. The 10.1" tablet packs a punch with a Snapdragon 800 processor and 3GB of RAM, but Sony's touting the Full HD TRILUMINOS display as a standout feature. Unfortunately, we haven't been overly impressed with Sony's displays in the past, but we will reserve judgement until our eyes can check it out. Other notable bullet points include waterproofing and dust resistance (IPX5/IPX8), plus and 8.1MP rear-facing camera, 16GB of internal storage, and a microSD slot. It's also impressively thin at 6.4mm, which is nearly a millimeter thinner than Samsung could manage on its Galaxy Tab Pro 10.1. Nicely done, Sony. Sadly, we have no idea when the LTE edition of the Xperia Z2 tablet is coming to market, but we can probably expect it sooner rather than later - the product page for the WiFi variant has been up for more than a month. Regarding pricing, you can definitely expect something north of $499, as Sony is nowhere near shy when it comes to pricing their tablets.

Via: @evleaks

T-Mobile Offering $100 Discount on Select Tablets, 2014 Galaxy Note 10.1 Included

Eric — Wed, 04 Jun 2014 09:30:55 +0000

Normally around this time of year, I am only worried about a gift for my father to celebrate Father's Day. However, being a freshly-graduated adult has shown me that you sometimes have more to worry about. For people possibly in the same situation, T-Mobile is offering up a discount on their tablet line, allowing customers to save a few bucks. Starting today, running through June 15, T-Mobile will be offering up to $100-off select tablets to new and existing customers. This discount includes the 2014 Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1, with T-Mobile stating it to be one of its most popular tablets. The Note 10.1 is fully capable of taking advantage of T-Mobile's LTE network, so you can break free of the "WiFi zone" that T-Mobile says we are all stuck in. Keep in mind that new and existing customers get 1GB of free data through the end of 2014, with 200MB for life when you sign up a tablet on your voice plan. If you are on a tighter budget, T-Mobile announced that they will be offering the new Alcatel Onetouch Pop 7 tablet starting this month. Starting June 18, this new 7" tablet will be available at the "screaming" deal of $168. That is full-retail price, so if you choose to pick up this budget tablet, your wallet will thank you. Head on over to T-Mobile's website to browse through the tablet selection to see if anything strikes your fancy.

Sony Intros SmartBand, Now Available for $99

Tim — Wed, 04 Jun 2014 08:51:04 +0000

This morning, Sony introduced announced the SmartBand (model SWR10) for Android devices. The band is NFC enabled, allowing for easy one-press syncing with Android device that can install the Lifelog application from Google Play. The band is "waterproof," made to be worn all day and night. With its lightweight design, the SmartBand can track an array of activities, such as running, walking, and even sleep motion activity. When paired with the Lifelog app, SmartBand can act as a wireless extension to your smartphone, providing users smart alarms, vibrations for incoming calls, messages, calendar events, and much more. Sony even threw on quite an aggressive price for this hardware, as it sits on Sony's online store for just $99. In the coming weeks, additional band colors will be available too, so keep that in mind. Sony Store Link

Press Release

Live smart with the sony smartband, now available in the U.S.
The Sony SmartBand SWR10 is available beginning today for purchase at Sony Stores and online at store.sony.com for $99.99. SmartBand is designed to be worn all day, every day. It’s waterproof, comfortable and stylish, with a removable core unit inside an adjustable silicone wristband. The core’s accelerometer technology tracks your motion and sends the data to the Lifelog application in your Android smartphone. Lifelog collects data from both the SmartBand and your smartphone to tell a broader story of what happens in your life — fitness, location, weather, photos, music, personal notes (life bookmarks) and more. Lifelog displays the information in a colorful, versatile interface that helps you reflect on what you did each day and set goals for the future. Lifelog displays your activity in a colorful, multi-faceted interface that lets you view your information in various ways. In addition to tracking your walking, running and sleep motion activity, SmartBand also works as a useful, unobtrusive extension to your smartphone with functions that include smart alarm and vibration notifications for incoming calls and messages, calendar events and more. With the smart alarm feature, SmartBand can silently wake you up at the best time in your sleep cycle without waking up everyone else. When listening to music on your smartphone, SmartBand can also be used to play, pause and skip tracks through a combination of pressing SmartBand’s power button and tapping the band. You can also think of SmartBand as a wireless leash for your smartphone. Whenever you get to the limit of Bluetooth range between the devices, SmartBand will warn you with a distinct vibration pattern. You won’t have to run back to the restaurant in a panic because you left your smartphone there. Setup is easy with one-touch NFC pairing, or you can use the standard Bluetooth pairing process. Key Features:

Waterproof1, rated IP55/58

SmartBand communicates with your smartphone to provide vibrating alerts regarding calls, messages or other notifications.

LifeLog is available free for download from the Google Play Store

Automatically records your physical, social and entertainment activities to set activity goals and monitor progress

Smart alarm tracks motion during your sleep cycle to wake you up at the best time with a gentle vibration

Life Bookmark key lets you capture moments worth remembering

Sony SmartBand is compatible with Android 4.4 smartphones

Available for sale in Black

Additional colored bands can be purchased from Sony Stores or online through store.sony.com later this month

DROID ULTRA, MAXX, and Mini Jumping Right to Android 4.4.3

Kellen — Wed, 04 Jun 2014 08:25:54 +0000

Been curious why the DROID ULTRA, MAXX and Mini have not yet been updated to Android 4.4.2? Well, because Motorola ran into an issue and decided to wait until Android 4.4.3 was ready. According to David Schuster, Motorola's senior direct of software product management, there was an issue with "requirement churn" that didn't allow them to get out 4.4.2 as quickly as they would have liked. Since that issue arose and they knew that 4.4.3 was around the corner, rather than continue on with 4.4.2 and then make DROID owners wait months for 4.4.3, they made the decision to skip 4.4.2 altogether. That's right, DROID owners will jump past 4.4.2 and get Android 4.4.3 as soon as it is ready. Schuster didn't give us a time frame, but did say that they are "working to get this update to you shortly." He also noted that he will update us as we get closer to its release. Here is the full quote:

I see a lot of comments on a couple different threads asking about the 2013 DROID plans. Now that KitKat 4.4.3 is publicly available I am able to give more information about our plans. As I have stated previously, we ran into some issues with requirement churn on getting KitKat 4.4.2 out as quickly as we wanted too. Once that got resolved last month we had a decision to make with respect to rolling out KitKat 4.4.2 vs. waiting for KitKat 4.4.3, which we knew, was coming out shortly. We were concerned that if we used KitKat 4.4.2 it could be months before we were given the opportunity to get you KitKat 4.4.3. Consequently, we made the decision to wait for KitKat 4.4.3 as the base for our next update to the 2013 DROID family. We are working to get this update to you shortly, as it gets closer I will let you guys know. Thanks for your patience.

Via: +David Schuster

Cheers Rick!

Google Drive is Struggling at the Moment (Updated)

Kellen — Wed, 04 Jun 2014 07:55:20 +0000

According to Google's Apps Status Dashboard, Google Drive is experiencing difficulties. If you are experiencing issues, know that Google is already looking into it. To keep an eye on the status of Drive, head over to the Status Dashboard. Update: Google says that all things are back to normal. Go spreadsheet something.

Cheers Susan!

LG G3 Apparently Selling Three Times Better Than Samsung's Galaxy S5 in Korea

Tim — Tue, 03 Jun 2014 16:13:00 +0000

According to Korea's ET News, the LG G3 is absolutely dominating sales over Samsung's Galaxy S5. For right now, LG's newest flagship is only available in Korea, but that does not mean the company is not selling a ton of units. In fact, according to the report, LG is selling 25-30,000 G3 units daily to smartphone-hungry consumers. As for the Galaxy S5, Samsung's flagship device was only seeing 7-8,000 units sold daily during its launch period. It is stated that LG's marketing presence is no where near Samsung's in Korea, so with the company allowing the device's specs to do the talking for them (such as the 5.5" QHD display, Snapdragon 801, and 13MP camera w/ OIS+), it is a relief to see LG chipping away at Samsung's undisputed Android throne. So, do these numbers confirm that the world is not impressed with Samsung playing it safe with this year's Galaxy S5? We would like to think so. Let's see a show of hands - who here is picking up a G3 when it launches in America? /me raises hand

Via: ETNews

DynamicNotifications Updated Through Google Play, Brings Action Swipes for Apps

Tim — Tue, 03 Jun 2014 15:50:43 +0000

DynamicNotifications, formerly titled ActiveNotifications, is an app that sets out to bring all of the Active Display goodness from the Moto X to all other Android devices. The app has gone through a name change, plus is being actively updated, but today, a good-sized update went live on Google Play, so it's a good time we remind you that it exists. In the update, customizable actions are coming to your lockscreen for certain applications, with the addition of new action-swipe targets. Before, users would usually swipe to open an app or dismiss a notification, but now with action swipes, you can choose an action for apps, such as "reply" or "delete" for Gmail messages. In addition to new actions, an option to disable lockscreen sound when breathing has been added, as well as a new feature for rooted users who use Xposed. Check out the full changelog below.

What's New

New Action-swipe-targets (e.g. "Archive" and "Reply" for Gmail-notifications).
New bottom info-row, showing a preview of the secondary-notifications content.
Option to disable lockscreen-sound when breathing (requires "WRITE_SETTINGS"-permission).
Root: Xposed-module to suppress "Immersive mode" help messages (non-root users: Disable immersive mode under "Advanced appearance options" --> "Advanced").

Play Link

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Google Expands Shopping Express to Northern California, Offers Overnight Shipping

Kyle — Tue, 03 Jun 2014 15:15:53 +0000

After expanding Shopping Express to East Coast cities in early May, Google is giving Northern California some love. The company announced on its Google Commerce blog that Berkeley, Concord, Danville, and additional cities will soon have the option of selecting Google-powered overnight delivery on certain items. Shopping Express, if you will recall, relies on brick-and-mortar retailers like Target, Walgreens, Staples, and Whole Foods to fulfill deliveries. That strategic partnership allows Google to eliminate the costly overhead of warehouses, probably much to Amazon's chagrin. Northern California is a rather large region, so Google isn't expanding availability to every municipality just yet. For the time being, these are the cities that Shopping Express overnight now reaches. More will be added gradually over the next few months.

Berkeley
Concord
Danville
Dublin
Fremont
Oakland
Pleasanton
Richmond
Walnut Creek

Orders placed before 7:00 p.m. will arrive the next day. Google's endgame is to attract more eyeballs to its web offerings. Shopping Express is a convenience only available to shoppers who use Google. In the regions where overnight and same-day shipping is available, the search giant has the potential to increase the number of people who rely on Google Search to find products, which translates to more advertising dollars. Non-members can use the Shopping Express, but a $4.99 delivery fee applies to each order. If you are interested in trying the service, Google's currently offering a free 6-month trial membership.

Via: Google

Madfinger Games Celebrating 4 Year Anniversary by Updating Popular Titles This Month

Eric — Tue, 03 Jun 2014 14:45:18 +0000

There are few companies out there that have taken the mobile gaming industry by storm quite like Madfinger Games. This is the company behind games we have been playing for a long time, such as DEAD TRIGGER, Shadowgun and Samurai Vengeance. Four years and 60 million downloads of their games later, here we are today, and Madfinger wants to celebrate by giving us more of what we love. Throughout the month of June, Madfinger's latest games will be getting updates that improve gameplay and zombie killin' for all players. First up is Samurai Vengeance, which is receiving a host of upgrades that include an immersive mode, better graphic performance, and multi-platform cloud save support. Shadowgun will be getting the same upgrades, but also new support for gamepads and achievement leaderboards to see how your fragging stacks up against your friends. DEAD TRIGGER 2 is also slated to receive an update, but we have only been told that it is "coming soon," and no changelog has been mentioned yet. Samurai Vengeance will be getting its update on June 5, with Shadowgun set to receive its update on June 12. Head on over to Madfinger's anniversary website for the rest of this month to get in on the fun.

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Via: Madfinger

Sony Announces the Xperia T3, its "Next Big Thing"

Eric — Tue, 03 Jun 2014 14:20:39 +0000

Yesterday, Sony was teasing us with an announcement of an upcoming device, promising that it was going to be "the next big thing." Apparently, Sony had its announcement already queued up, because this morning, the new Xperia T3 was announced. The Xperia T3 is an incredibly thin 5.3" device, coming with what will be seen as mid-range specs, but it's not all bad. For a phone with as big of a screen as the T3 has, the resolution is not that high. The T3 features a 5.3" screen, but only packs 720p display. Inside, there is a quad-core 1.4GHz Snapdragon processor, 2,500mAh battery and 8MP rear-facing camera. The T3 may lack specs, but makes up for it in looks. The device is only 7mm thick, hardly the slimmest in the world, but as it only weighs 148 grams, this phone was made to look high-end. Sony is placing a lot of emphasis on the T3's camera. Yesterday's leak was a promotional shoot with German photographer Benjamin Kaufmann. Sony boasts the ability to take quality pictures in any light with the 8MP Exmor RS rear camera, speaking to their camera history as helping them with the device. Sony announced that the phone would be available globally at the end of July, but declined to give a price for which we could expect. Since Sony is known to have interesting carrier strategies in here in the States before, Americans should not get too excited to see it hit our shores too soon. Once additional launch information is provided, we will keep you posted?

Via: Sony

T-Mobile Moto X Gets Android 4.4.3, Moto G and Moto E Too

Kellen — Tue, 03 Jun 2014 13:50:44 +0000

Remember the invites for participation in a soak test of a new software update that Motorola sent out last week to owners of the T-Mobile (unlocked) Moto X? Remember how we had no idea what it was? We now know. It's Android 4.4.3 and what is more than likely a new record for an Android version update for non-Nexus or Google Play Edition phone. The update, as can be seen in the screenshot above, not only includes Android 4.4.3, but introduces improved image quality and the ability to pause video while recording, as well. Users will also see the new dialer application that we highlighted yesterday, plus support for Motorola Alert, an app that was previously an exclusive to the Moto E. Keep in mind that the T-Mobile (unlocked) model of the Moto X is controlled by Motorola, so it can easily push updates to it, which is why they were able to do this so fast. The other variants (AT&T, Verizon, and Sprint) will need to go through that whole carrier approval processor that often slows things down. Still, pretty impressive, right? Update: Motorola has now announced Android 4.4.3 for the Moto G and Moto E as well, along with confirming the update for the T-Mobile variant. Here are the devices receiving 4.4.3 starting today:

Moto X T-Mobile users
Moto G users who bought online in the U.S. (includes Moto G 4G LTE) and at retail in Brazil
Moto E users who bought online in the U.S. and Canada. For Moto E users, you are still up for the next major Android update as well. Consider this the cherry on top.

And here is the full changelog:

Improved camera image quality for Moto X including better consistency of exposure, more realistic flash coloring, and improved photos in low light conditions using front camera.
For Moto X and Moto G, pausing for video recording with a convenient pause/resume button on the viewfinder.
Motorola Alert in this update for Moto X and Moto G users. This new app helps give peace of mind by sending periodic messages to the contacts you choose.

Cheers L!

Samsung Galaxy S4 Google Play Edition Already Getting Android 4.4.3 (Updated: M7 and M8 Too)

Kellen — Tue, 03 Jun 2014 13:40:13 +0000

According to at least one proud owner of the Samsung Galaxy S4 Google Play Edition, Google has already started rolling out Android 4.4.3 to the device. As you can see in both screenshots above, the update weighs in at a solid 156.2MB. As we noted yesterday, stock Android 4.4.3 includes a newly skinned dialer, along with a slightly improved People app. The rest of the update is mostly behind-the-scenes bug fixes. HTC One (M7) or (M8) GPE owners, seeing anything? Update: HTC One (M7) GPE is receiving it as well!

Update 2: HTC One (M8) GPE now seeing the love as well.

Cheers @NotEged, Brett, Nicholas and @Nemicys!

Moto 360 Prototype With Screen on Makes Appearance, Looks Hefty

Kellen — Tue, 03 Jun 2014 13:09:38 +0000

The Moto 360 in "prototype" form with its screen on made an up-close appearance today, thanks to the official Android Developers blog. The new image of the 360 comes courtesy of Googlers Roman Nurik and Timothy Jordan, who have the watch on wrist while testing a new Android Wear app in preparation for Google I/O. The image itself doesn't give us new features or an understanding of its magical charging powers, but we can see how it looks with the display lit up, on someone's wrist, in a real life situation. Up until now, we had really only seen this device on the wrist of Motorola executives who refused to power it on for media members or in fancy press renders and promotional images. While this is marked as a "prototype," I don't think I'm out of line in saying that this thing looks a lot bigger than I originally expected. That's not to say that it doesn't look incredibly awesome still, but just keep in mind that this isn't going to be a small watch, unless this prototype is incredibly old and Moto has worked out some magic to reduce its size. Be prepared for big. In the GIF below, you get another look at it with some movement next to the LG G Watch. Thoughts?

Via: Android Developers

Sprint to Host Press Event June 23, Claims "This is Happy Connecting"

Tim — Tue, 03 Jun 2014 12:45:31 +0000

Sprint announced a press event this afternoon, set to take place in Chicago the Monday before Google I/O (6/25), on June 23. On the invite, Sprint states "this is happy connecting," which could only point to a type of network enhancement they are ready to unveil. On the invite, we see a cell tower pumping out content, which is stringed together with lines. What could Sprint be announcing? More 4G LTE? Expansion of HD Voice? We shall see soon enough, but until then, throw your ideas below.

Nova Launcher Update Adds "OK, Google" Hotword Detection, Other Beta Features

Kellen — Tue, 03 Jun 2014 12:16:16 +0000

Nova Launcher 3.0 "stable" is rolling out to all on Google Play, this afternoon, bringing with it the list of new beta features that were introduced a week ago. The update one-ups the beta, though, by bringing with it "OK, Google" hotword detection from home screens. That means you can say "OK, Google" from any home screen and launch a voice search - no need to tap in a search box or on a microphone. After updating at the link below, you can activate "OK, Google" by heading into Nova settings, tapping on the "OK, Google" option, and then checking the box to enable it. Play Link

Google Announces New DVF Designer Frames for Google Glass

Eric — Tue, 03 Jun 2014 11:57:06 +0000

In the continual struggle to make Google Glass more consumer friendly, Google has announced new designer frames made specifically for Glass. Google contracted the work of American designer Diane von Furstenberg, hoping to see a new take on not only normal glass frames with Google Glass, but sunglasses as well. Starting on June 23, five new frames will be purchasable for your Glass, and you can choose from eight new shades as well. These will be on sale through the Google Glass website and through NET-A-PORTER. Google is looking to expand the choices that Glass wearers have, allowing Explorers to not all wear the same looking device. It's all about personalization. Any designers that you would like to see try their hand at making Glass frames? Paul Frank? Michael Kors? Gucci?

Via: +Google Glass

HTC Revenue Falters in May, Posts Year-on-year Decline of 27%

Kyle — Tue, 03 Jun 2014 11:25:16 +0000

Apparently, a Hardan Karman edition of the HTC One (M8) wasn't enough to save HTC from disappointing quarterly financials. The Taiwain-based smartphone manufacturer reports that revenues were NT21,065 ($700) million, a decline from April's NT22,079 ($754) take. That represents a year-on-year decline of 27.37 percent. The drop in sales is only the latest in a long string of disappointing numbers from the company. HTC has struggled to maintain profitability for the better part of two years, selling off its stake in Beats, as well as focusing on mid-range and low-end devices for developing markets to help buoy revenues. HTC gave investors a bit of consolation, though. The company is maintaining its Q2 guidance despite the decline, a sign it believes May sales were an aberration, not indicative of a trend. HTC could be betting on the HTC One (M8) Prime or the mythical Nexus 8 tablet to boost sales. Whatever the company's rationale, we hope that its accountants are accurate, for HTC's sake.

Via: HTC

LG G Watch System Dump Reportedly Dumped Online, Shows Legit Android Boot Animation (Updated)

Tim — Tue, 03 Jun 2014 10:58:06 +0000

A system dump for the G Watch from LG has hit the web, showing off an incredibly fancy Android boot animation. We have yet to dig into the dump ourselves, but the Twitter account @UpLeaks was kind enough to upload the dump for anyone to sift through. System dumps don't usually provide too much, but they do offer a look at what apks could come installed on the device, and sometimes they offer a few wallpapers from the manufacturer. So far, the only thing of interest is the boot animation. We have posted it below for your viewing pleasure. Want to check out the system dump yourself? Download it here.

[responsive_vid]

Update: We are digging through the dump now, so we will update this post as we have more. For now, here are the clock faces that will come stock on the device.

Update 2: For some reason, the G Watch says "Powered by Google" all over, instead of "Powered by Android."

Update 3: Here are some of the cards that will appear for Google Now items, like birthdays, package deliveries, traffic, weather, places, stocks, etc.

Update 4: Here is the build.prop - codename "dory" and product name "platina."

# begin build properties # autogenerated by buildinfo.sh ro.build.id=KKV51 ro.build.display.id=KKV51 ro.build.version.incremental=1187829 ro.build.version.sdk=20 ro.build.version.codename=REL ro.build.version.release=4.4W ro.build.date=Thu May 22 02:59:18 UTC 2014 ro.build.date.utc=1400727558 ro.build.type=user ro.build.user=android-build ro.build.host=wpds11.hot.corp.google.com ro.build.tags=release-keys ro.product.model=G Watch ro.product.brand=lge ro.product.name=platina ro.product.device=dory ro.product.board=dory ro.product.cpu.abi=armeabi-v7a ro.product.cpu.abi2=armeabi ro.product.manufacturer=LGE ro.wifi.channels= ro.board.platform=msm8226 # ro.build.product is obsolete; use ro.product.device ro.build.product=dory # Do not try to parse ro.build.description or .fingerprint ro.build.description=platina-user 4.4W KKV51 1187829 release-keys ro.build.fingerprint=lge/platina/dory:4.4W/KKV51/1187829:user/release-keys ro.build.characteristics=nosdcard,watch # end build properties # # ADDITIONAL_BUILD_PROPERTIES # ro.opengles.version=196608 ro.sf.lcd_density=240 dalvik.vm.heapstartsize=5m dalvik.vm.heapgrowthlimit=48m dalvik.vm.heapsize=128m dalvik.vm.heaptargetutilization=0.75 dalvik.vm.heapminfree=512k dalvik.vm.heapmaxfree=2m ro.carrier=unknown ro.config.low_ram=true persist.sys.dalvik.vm.lib=libdvm.so dalvik.vm.dexopt-flags=m=y net.bt.name=Android dalvik.vm.stack-trace-file=/data/anr/traces.txt

Update 5: We are about done combing through the G Watch dump, but wanted to point out that there is a remote shutter .apk, which I would assume means there will be a way to remotely snap a picture with the G Watch connected to your phone. There are also mentions of a step counter, potential calorie counter, and a compass app. It definitely doesn't look bloated the way that Samsung bloated out its Gear devices. The list of .apk files is relatively small. This watch appears to be all about Google Now functionality, but with a few added features thrown in for good measure.

Via: @UpLeaks

Deal: 32GB Moto X Will be $100 off June 4 and 5 From Motorola

Kellen — Tue, 03 Jun 2014 10:44:46 +0000

Moments ago, we told you about a really good deal on an unlocked AT&T Moto X with 16GB of storage that could be had for $275 through eBay. That's still a really good deal. But, if you wait until tomorrow, Motorola will sell you a 32GB version of the Moto X, likely from any carrier (Verizon, AT&T, Sprint, and unlocked for T-Mobile), for $100 off. The 32GB Moto X currently runs $449 (from the major carriers), so you could pick one up June 4 or 5, directly from Motorola, for $349. Not bad.

Via: Motorola

Sprint's Open Enrollment for Device Insurance Taking Place

Kyle — Tue, 03 Jun 2014 10:40:16 +0000

For bumbling folks like me, going without phone insurance is like playing a constant game of Russian roulette - every time I drop a smartphone or tablet could result in its permanent death and untimely death. Problem is, I couldn't obtain insurance even if I wanted to, because I never think I'll need it at the time of purchase (even though I typically regret not purchasing it). Sprint understands I'm not the only one in a pickle. Throughout the month of June, the carrier is allowing subscribers to enroll retroactively in the a device protection plan. Even if you chose to opt out at the time of purchase, you're eligible to take advantage as long as your device is "functioning" and "in [your] possession." Insurance is $7 per month for prepaid devices and ranges from $8 to $13 for postpaid tablets and handsets. Here's a breakdown of Sprint's options:

Total Equipment Protection

Protection for prepaid devices
Covers loss, theft, and liquid or physical damage
In-store repairs and mechanical or electrical failures caused by defects and ware and tear
$8 to $11 per month, plus a deductible from $50 to $200

Total Equipment Protection Plus

Protection for higher-tier devices
All features of the Total Equipment Protection plan
Antivirus security, automatic backup of photos and videos, and tech expert hotline
First two device repairs/exchanges are free, then $25 thereafter within a 12-month period

Advanced Protection Pack

Protection for tablets, netbooks, and notebooks
Covers mechanical or electrical breakdown due to defects or normal wear and tear, accidental damage, loss, or theft
Includes technical support, including antivirus software
90 days of online credit monitoring in the event of theft
$13 per month per device, plus a $100 deductible for accidental damage, loss, or theft

Via: Sprint

Deal: Brand New, Unlocked AT&T Moto X on eBay for $275

Kellen — Tue, 03 Jun 2014 10:19:14 +0000

The Moto X may be almost a year old, but you could argue that it is still one of the best smartphone values on the market, and that's with its current full retail price of around $399. When you consider today's deal on eBay, that lists an unlocked AT&T model for $275, you are in full "steal" territory, approaching the exit for "impulse buy" territory. The deal, which is available in limited quantities, includes a brand new (not refurbished or any of that jazz), in-the-original-box Moto X (XT1058) in white with 16GB of storage. We are talking $275 for a brand new phone that we called the best smartphone of 2013. The listing claims that this is the XT1058, which is the AT&T model. If you buy it, you should have great service on LTE with AT&T service. Free shipping is included as well. eBay Link

Cheers Brett!

HTC Announces the One (E8), a Plastic Version of the Company's (M8) Flagship

Tim — Tue, 03 Jun 2014 09:59:10 +0000

A new HTC device was announced late last evening, the HTC One (E8). The device is being prepared for Asian markets, so Americans should not get too excited over its debut. The device is made of a polycarbonate unibody frame, making the device much lighter than the One (M8). In fact, the device features quite the little spec sheet, making it much like the One (M8), except minus the UltraPixel camera and metal body. For specs, the One (E8) features a 5" 1080p display, Snapdragon 801 processor, 2GB of RAM, 13MP rear-facing camera (say what?), 5MP front-facing camera, 2,600mAh battery, 16GB of on-board storage, BoomSound speakers, and runs Android 4.4+ with Sense 6 on top. All in all, it seems to be a plastic version of the One (M8) flagship device. HTC has the One (E8) slated for a late June release in select markets, coming in four colors - Polar White, Electric Crimson, Maldives Blue, and Misty Gray. Thoughts?

Via: HTC

Instagram Gets Update to Version 6.0, Brings Actual Photo Editing Capabilities

Tim — Tue, 03 Jun 2014 09:19:28 +0000

A major update is set to hit Instagram on Google Play and the App Store for iOS today. Version 6.0 introduces actual photo editing capabilities, allowing users to do much more than simply applying filters to their photos. Starting today, users can tweak many different aspects of their work, such as the brightness, saturation, shadows, warmth, and much more. Below, you can see the full list of improved tools, as well as newly-introduced tools for Instagram users. Improved tools

Straighten
Border
Blur/Tilt Shift
Crop
Lux
Rotate
Simplified video uploads on iOS

New tools

Filter strength
Adjust
Brightness
Contrast
Warmth
Saturation
Highlights
Shadows
Vignette
Sharpen

Ready to get your edit on? Head on over to Google Play and grab the update once it is live. Of course, staged rollouts will likely be in full effect, so if you don't see the update right away, stay patient. Play Link

Via: Instagram

Motorola Teases Moto Stream, A $50 Music Streaming Bluetooth Thingy (Updated)

Kyle — Tue, 03 Jun 2014 08:57:24 +0000

As far as teaser videos go, this one is fairly chock-full of information. Judging by the video release this morning through Motorola's official YouTube channel, the company is set to launch Moto Stream, a tiny pentagonal prism that connects to your stereo and plays music via Bluetooth. If the device evokes images of the ill-fated Nexus Q, that is because it is similar in some ways - up to five devices can connect to it at a time and que music, and it plugs into speakers via what looks like a 3.5mm jack. It is even replete with multicolored LEDs, so someone at Motorola must have really admired the Q team's work. Or they thought they could make the concept successful by simplifying connectivity with Bluetooth and wire. Either way, I can't deny the thing looks awesome. We know what the device can do, but far less about availability. Personally, I'm hoping this thing is the Chromecast of music streaming, but we should find out soon enough. Update: That was fast. Motorola has officially unveiled Moto Stream, and it's even more like the Nexus Q than I thought - it has NFC pairing! Beyond that technical tidbit, Motorola elaborated on the pairing capabilities of the device. It is interoperable with smartphones, tablets, and computers, and has an impressive range of up to 300 feet. Just like the video showed, multiple devices can connect to Moto Stream at once, and people can "heist" - AKA, change the music - at any time. Moto Stream will retail for $50 at Motorola.com today, and in stores at Radio Shack starting June 6. In the box, you get a 3.5mm to RCA connector.

[responsive_vid]

Chromecast Adds WatchESPN, Major League Soccer, and Google+ Photos

Kellen — Tue, 03 Jun 2014 08:15:15 +0000

Your Chromecast just became the ultimate hub for watching all things World Cup. Thanks to a new update to the WatchESPN app, you can now cast anything streamed through ESPN's live streaming sports app to your TV, which includes all 64 World Cup games. That also includes the NBA Finals (which kick off Thursday) and the X Games. Not interested in ESPN? What about Major League Soccer? MLS Matchday and MLS LIVE now have Chromecast support as well. Finally, Google is giving Google+ some Chromecast live by now allowing you to cast photos and videos from G+ apps on iOS and Android.

Via: Chrome Blog

Official: Verizon Adds Gold and Red HTC One (M8) to Lineup, Available June 5

Kellen — Tue, 03 Jun 2014 08:06:20 +0000

We broke news on this last night, but Verizon has made the HTC One (M8) in Glamour Red official for June 5. They are also adding the Amber Gold variant, both of which will be available for $199 on 2-year contract. Both new colors can be purchased both online and in Verizon stores starting Thursday. For a limited time, Verizon is offering $100 off any smartphone priced $199 or higher, so the One (M8) and its two new color variants are included. Of course, the $100 is only for contract signing. The specs remain the same for the the gold and red variants, meaning you are looking at a 5-inch 1080p LCD display, 2.3GHz Snapdragon 801 processor, 2GB RAM, 4MP ("UltraPixel" Duo Camera, Sense 6.0, and that beautiful all-metal body. Be sure to read our HTC One (M8) review if you have not already.

Via: Verizon

Download: Android 4.4.3 OTA Update for Nexus 5, Nexus 7 (2013), Nexus 10, Nexus 4, and Nexus 7 (2012)

Tim — Tue, 03 Jun 2014 07:46:24 +0000

Android 4.4.3 is hitting Google's servers, which means everyone is going to be hitting the "check for updates" button on their Nexus devices. To skip the waiting game, you can download the OTA update from below and sideload it yourself using adb. That's why you have a Nexus device, right? Below, hit the download link for the zip file that matches your device. Please note, you will need to be running the most recent version of Android available for your device in order for these zip files to work. Note: We will update this post as more update zip files are made available. Continue to check back.

Download

Nexus 5 - [KTU84M from KOT49H, 92.2MB]
Nexus 4 - [KTU84L from KOT49H, 77.9MB]
Nexus 10 - [KTU84L from KOT49H, 72.6MB]
Nexus 7 (2013) WiFi - [KTU84L from KOT49H, 73.9MB]
Nexus 7 (2013) LTE - [KTU84L from KVT49L, 54.6MB] or [KTU84L from KOT49, 77.5MB]
Nexus 7 WiFi (2012) - [KTU84L from KOT49H, 67.7MB]
Nexus 7 WiFi+3G (2012) - [KTU84L from KOT49H, 68MB]
HTC One (M8) Google Play Edition - [125MB]
HTC One (M7) Google Play Edition - [163MB]
Samsung Galaxy S4 Google Play Edition - [156MB]

For instructions to sideload using adb, check here.

Other Android 4.4.3 news:

Here is Verizon's HTC One (M8) in Red, Should be Here Thursday

Kellen — Mon, 02 Jun 2014 18:49:49 +0000

Back in late April, we saw press renders for a red variant of the HTC One (M8) that was reportedly headed for Verizon. Today, we are getting a look at a real unit in the wild, with sources telling us that we should expect to see it in Big Red stores on Thursday, June 5. There isn't much else to say about the device, other than the fact that it is a shiny red color. This will carry the same 5-inch 1080p LCD display as the original One (M8) and Snapdragon 801 processor, plus 2GB RAM, Sense 6.0, and the 4MP ("UltraPixel") Duo Camera. Any takers?

People Also Sees Much-needed Polish in Android 4.4.3

Kellen — Mon, 02 Jun 2014 18:27:58 +0000

We are still digging through Android 4.4.3, looking for major changes to talk about, like the newly re-skinned dialer that we already showed you. Unfortunately, the update is starting to look as minor as expected, so we aren't finding much much else in terms of up-front overhauls to give you a look at. The People app did receive some much-needed love, though, making it look a lot more like Gmail and a lot less drab. As you can see from the images above, your contacts without contact images are now a lot more colorful. In place of the greyed-out icon for contacts that you will find in Android 4.4.2 and below, we now have colored boxes with letters to represent the first letter of the name of the contact. If you are a Gmail user, then this will look very familiar. In individual contact pages without contact images, we are also seeing that letter and color from the "All Contacts" page carry through. It certainly brightens up the People app. And that's about it. A little polish that goes a long way, in this case. Noticing anything else in 4.4.3 that we are missing?

Fresh New Dialer Arrives in Android 4.4.3

Kellen — Mon, 02 Jun 2014 17:26:16 +0000

Android 4.4.3 is going to slowly rollout over the next couple of days, now that the update has hit AOSP and the factory images have been released. As that happens and more people get their hands on the new goodness, we will undoubtedly find subtle changes here and there that Google has tossed in. The first that we are noticing is a brand new skinned dialer that carries a much lighter theme than we saw in builds below 4.4.3. This dialer has actually been seen before, thanks to the official @GoogleNexus Twitter account that accidentally used a screenshot from the new dialer back in April. The new skin, as you can see, includes all sorts of blue, white, and grey, rather than the blue, black, and white combo that we have seen up until now. There are also subtle changes to the history page, where a history button has been used in favor of the previous dialer's call logo. You will see new green colors in places where you don't have a contact image. Previously, Google used a grey icon. So not a huge change, but definitely a bunch of little things to go along with the color switch. If you don't want to wait for the OTA to hit your device, you can always flash a factory image to get things like this new dialer. Just keep in mind that flashing a factory image will completely wipe your phone clean. You will lose everything.

Deal: Verizon Moto G Only $50 For Limited Time at Best Buy

Tim — Mon, 02 Jun 2014 15:50:24 +0000

Listed at the cheapest price we have seen so far, customers can pick up a Moto G on Verizon's pre-paid network for only $49.99 through Best Buy. The device features a 4.5" HD display, quad-core processor, 1GB of RAM, 5MP rear-facing camera, Bluetooth 4.0, 8GB of on-board storage, and runs Android 4.3 "Jelly Bean" with an update to Android 4.4 available. It's a great little device, and you might be surprised at what a $50 can offer you. However, don't plan on getting 4G LTE connectivity or taking awesome high-res photos with it. If you want it, go grab it. Best Buy Link

Cheers Jonathan and Brian!

Here Comes Android 4.4.3 - Factory Images and Binaries Posted

Kellen — Mon, 02 Jun 2014 15:14:04 +0000

Google just posted factory images and binaries for Android 4.4.3. T-Mobile was right, the update is coming today. We are seeing Android 4.4.3 images for the Nexus 5, Nexus 7 (2013) WiFi, Nexus 10, Nexus 4, and Nexus 7 (2012) WiFi and Mobile. The Nexus 5's Android 4.4.3 will be build KTU84M, while the rest will see KTU84L. To flash a factory image, you will find instructions here. Links: Factory Images | Binaries

Samsung Galaxy W Announced, a True "Phablet" Device

Tim — Mon, 02 Jun 2014 15:01:09 +0000

Samsung announced a new smartphone over the weekend, the Galaxy W. The "W" should stand for "WTF," as the Galaxy W comes packed with a display size of 7" at a resolution of 1280 x 720. Imagine holding that device up to your head for placing calls. It would seem rather silly to anyone witnessing such a sight. Beyond its massive display size, the device comes with a 1.2GHz quad-core processor, 1.5GB of RAM, 8MP rear-facing camera, 2MP front-facing camera, 3,200mAh battery, comes in Black, Red, and White color options, and runs Android 4.3 "Jelly Bean." Worried about seeing someone attempt to pull this out of their pockets? Don't. The device is set for Korea-only launch, with chances of it ever hitting our shores being extremely slim. Specs below for your viewing.

Via: Samsung | CNET

Google Adds "Permissions" Shortcut to App Listings on Web Store

Kellen — Mon, 02 Jun 2014 14:54:20 +0000

Ever wanted to see the permissions that an app requires on Google Play without having to tap on the "Install" or "Purchase" button? Google appears to be adding a "Permissions" link under its "Additional Information" area on app listings in the web store today that shows you just that. A click on "View Details" in this section will pop-up a list of the permissions that the app uses. Again, this is a similar box to what you would see if you went to install an app, but this now allows you to quickly see the list without having to feel like you are on the verge of installing an app you don't want. It's a small change, but I actually like it.

New iOS 8 Features That Android Actually Needs to Adopt

Kellen — Mon, 02 Jun 2014 13:49:16 +0000

Apple is done with its WWDC keynote, where they introduced a bunch of new features for iOS 8, plus a new version of OS X called Yosemite. We poked fun at a handful of them already, but believe it or not, we are also capable of giving props when we see something cool or that we would like to see on Android at some point. I know, I know, you are probably wondering what I have been drinking over the last couple of hours, but hang with me for a second. You have to admit that Apple is really doing a great job at making all of the experiences seamless from iPhone to iPad to computer. They are also doing a pretty impressive job when it comes to making it easy to get in touch with or share things with the people you chat with the most. So here we go - these are the iOS 8 features that were introduced today that we actually found to be pretty cool. Feel free to agree or disagree, of course.

Interactive Notifications With Interactive Notifications, Apple is giving you actionable items in a notification. These aren't groundbreaking by any means, but something as simple as being able to quick-reply to someone in a message without leaving your current app, is pretty cool. We have something similar on Android (have had for a while), but these seem to take the idea one step further. With Android, when you tap a button in a notification, you are taken out of your current app and into the app attached to the notification. On iOS 8, a text notification lets you respond (with a keybaord) within the notification without leaving your current position. Sure, there are 3rd party apps that do this on Android already, but building this functionality into the OS would be awesome, especially so developers from all sorts of apps could take advantage of it.

Automatic Hotspot and Phone calls Apple introduced a way for an iPhone to automatically become a hotspot for your computer and then also give you the ability to answer or make calls through your computer. I know what you are going to say, "We have Google Voice and Hangouts and hotspot apps already on Android!" But see, that's the thing - this is all seamless integration that doesn't require launching an app or signing up for Google Voice. With Apple's new voice call and hotspot integration, everything is just ready to work. With the Hotspot idea, your computer recognizes that your iPhone is near and then lets you connect to it via hotspot to use your phone's data connection. It just appears in your list of WiFi options to connect to without ever turning anything on on your iPhone. On Android, you could tap on a widget or icon to load up your hotspot, then activate it, but automatic is automatic, and something I think we would all prefer. With voice calls on iOS 8, you can answer or place calls on your computer as long as your iPhone is attached (likely tethered) to your computer. Now, you can do this with Google Voice/Hangouts integration on Android, but that's another app or service you have to sign-up for. Apple is allowing you to do all of this without signing up for something separate. Google seems to be moving this direction with Hangouts (or has at least promised that it's coming), but here we are still waiting for it to arrive while Apple is rolling it out.

Quick Access to Favorite People In iOS 8, a double tap on the iPhone's home button not only brings up a list of your recently used apps, but it now shows you recently talked to people, along with a swipe that will quickly bring in your favorites. You can see how awesome this would be for those of us who talk to a number of people throughout a day. On Android, you would either need to load up Hangouts or the People app to call or start a conversation with someone (after you locate them), but wouldn't it be nice to always have those people a quick gesture or shortcut away? It seems like Google could add a favorite/recently-talked-to people section to their multi-tasking screen. Again, there are apps on Android that can make accessing your favorite people pretty easy, but this is built right into iOS 8 and always available from any screen.

Messages, Group Messaging, etc. Hangouts is a decent messaging app on Android, but iMessage or Messages on iOS is a much better, more well-rounded solution. Apple introduced all sorts of new group controls today, like a map that shows locations of participants in a group message, a list of attachments gathered together, easy DND, and even a way to add or remove contacts at any time. They added voice notes and video notes (that play natively), along with even more access through Messages on other Apple devices. I mentioned this above, but a lot of this stuff could be coming to Hangouts, it just seems like Google is taking their sweet timing bringing it to us.

Family Sharing Apple introduced family sharing of a number of items today, but most importantly, is content purchased through iTunes. Your family now all (up to six devices) have access to items purchased with the same credit card on their iOS devices. So if you are all using a same credit card and if someone used that card to buy a new album or movie, you can grab it too, at any time without having to pay for it again. With Android devices, you would have to add the same Gmail account to multiple devices in order to experience something similar. I actually have a setup like this with my wife, and I can tell you right now that it is a pain in the ass.

App Bundles The final feature we saw from the lengthy WWDC keynote that we would love to see on Android, was the announcement that the Appstore will enable developers to sell app bundles. An app bundle is exactly what you think it is - a group of apps that can be purchased for a single price. That could be a game developer bundling all of their games together for a discounted rate for a period of time. Or maybe Google could grab a bunch of their favorite apps from top developers and bundle them together for a promotional deal on Google Play to celebrate a holiday. You get the point. Apple is there, Google is not, yet.

Anything else you saw from WWDC today that you were a fan of? Anything you would like to take a jab at? Share it below.

Deal: Refurbished LG G Pad 8.3 For $199 On Woot

Kyle — Mon, 02 Jun 2014 12:40:55 +0000

Has the rumored HTC-made Nexus 8 got you thinking about an 8-inch Android tablet? If you just can't wait to experience one for yourself, now is the chance to pick up a "factory reconditioned" (i.e., refurbished) 8.3" LG G Pad 8.3 for $199 on Woot. That's $100 cheaper than retail, and $50 less than Newegg had it in February, so it is a great deal. A Snapdragon 600 paired with 2GB of RAM drives the G Pad's Full HD (1080p) IPS display, which is rounded out by a 5MP rear-facing camera and 16GB of storage. We found the hardware quite solid in our unboxing and impressions video. Sadly, the version of the G Pad 8.3 Woot! is selling is not the Google Play Edition, but hey, that's what third-party launchers are for. It also does not have cellular connectivity, which might be a dealbreaker for a few folks. Still, the price is definitely right. Woot Link ($199)

Rumor: Google KITT is a Car Home Replacement with Always-On Listening and Read-Aloud Notifications

Kyle — Mon, 02 Jun 2014 12:00:15 +0000

Always-on listening is super convenient in the car, so it's only logical that Google is working on making it easier to invoke while driving. Android Police reports that the company is experimenting with a revamped car interface - referred to internally as KITT, or "Android Eyes Free" - that relies on the "Ok, Google" hotword and hand gestures for interaction. The most exciting part of the project is the extension of always-on listening beyond the homescreen. Like the Moto X, Google plans to enable screen-off hotword detection, meaning "Ok, Google" will wake your device from any state and take you right to Google Search. To save on battery, always-on listening may initially require your device be plugged in and charging to activate, but devices with always-on listening chips could avoid that limitation. Voice isn't the only way you will be able to activate Search. It can reportedly be configured for use with Bluetooth devices and headsets, and even activated with the wave of a hand. Another aspect of Google's car mode is voice feedback in more places, although the specifics are in flux. In addition to all incoming notifications, Search will apparently read aloud the content of Google Now cards. Text-heavy results like web searches may result in a prompt to save them for later, when reading is safer. If all goes according to plan, enabling these features will be as simple as checking boxes within Search settings. That day may be a long ways off, but the prospect of a worthy Car Home replacement is beyond exciting.

Via: Android Police

3rd Party Widgets, Keyboards, and Sharing All Finally Coming to iOS

Kellen — Mon, 02 Jun 2014 11:45:22 +0000

After reinventing the keyboard with predictive text in iOS 8, and trying its hand at Google Now-like integration and Google Voice, Apple moved on to a new SDK feature that they are calling "Extensions," today at WWDC. What are extensions? Well, they do a number of things, like enable 3rd party widgets, sharing, and keyboards. Impressive, right? So those keyboards, like Swype, Swiftkey, or any of the other four-dozen keyboards on Android that you all have had available for years, could potentially make their way to Apple, so that you could avoid using that impossible-to-type-on Apple 'board. Apple enthusiasts should be throwing the biggest party in history, just for that announcement alone. With sharing, that means that Dropbox or Box or Pinterest or a non-official Twitter app could build in the ability to share directly from an app. In the past, Apple only allowed specific apps to have this power, like the official Twitter app. But with this new 3rd party sharing extension, almost any developer can add in sharing. So on Android, how since the dawn of time, you were able to share things with any Twitter app you choose or to Instagram or to another browser or to WhatsApp, you will soon be able to do the same on iOS. And finally, Widgets are here! Now, to be fair, Apple introduced their own closed-off widgets integration a while back - these are "widgets" that hang out in the notification pulldown. But now, with iOS 8, 3rd party developers can introduce widgets as well, all of which can be displayed in your notification pulldown. This may not be full-widget-integration with all sorts of control like you get on Android, but it is certainly a step ahead from where widgets used to be on iOS. I'm sure we will have more. Stick with us for all the WWDC reinventions that a person can handle.

Galaxy NotePRO 12.2 and Galaxy Tab 4 10.1 Coming to AT&T's LTE Network Starting June 6

Eric — Mon, 02 Jun 2014 11:16:44 +0000

If you have been waiting patiently for AT&T to pick up more tablets to add onto your data plan, today is your lucky day. Today, AT&T announced that on Friday of this week, you will be able to pick up two new Samsung LTE equipped tablets - the Galaxy NotePRO 12.2 and the Galaxy Tab 4 10.1. If you are looking to pick up the smaller of the two tablets, the Tab 4 10.1, you can do so for $379.99 with a new two-year contract. This model only sports a 1200x800 resolution display, spread across 10.1 inches, topped with 1.5GB of RAM and a 1.2GHz quad-core processor underneath. 16GB of storage can be expanded with a microSD car, plus a whopping 6,800mAh battery comes packed in as well. If money is no object, feel free to look at the NotePRO 12.2, which will set you back an incredible $799 with a new two year contract. This device features a 2560x1600 display that is stretched over a 2.3GHz Snapdragon 800 processor. 3GB of RAM, expandable storage and the S Pen make this a beast in the spec department, but make sure your wallet can afford it. AT&T is offering a few deals to try and get customers in the stores and thinking about these tablets. If you buy the NotePRO you can save $30 on a Bluetooth keyboard and if you buy either, you can save $50 on a brand new Galaxy S5 or S5 Active.

Via: AT&T

Apple Copies Every Android Keyboard on Earth, Introduces QuickType Predictive Text

Kellen — Mon, 02 Jun 2014 11:02:32 +0000

Hey, WWDC is happening (our live blog is here) and we are beginning our list of things that Apple has invented in the new version of their mobile operating system, iOS 8. If you didn't catch the sarcasm in that line, what I really mean is, a list of features that have been on Android for years that Apple is just now getting to. First up, QuickType, a feature added to Apple's keyboard. What does QuickType do? It predicts what you want to type by showing you suggestions. Think Swiftkey, Google Keyboard, Swype, and every other keyboard introduced on Android since, I don't know, 2011? More reinventions on the way.

Tim Cook: Android to Apple Switchers "Sought Better Life"

Kellen — Mon, 02 Jun 2014 10:52:47 +0000

Want your first fighting words out of today's WWDC event? Tim Cook just dropped some of the dirtiest in years, essentially claiming that your life sucks if you own an Android device. When talking about the 130 million customers of theirs that purchased their first Apple devices this year, Cook brought up the fact that many (no specific number) came over from Android. Of course, he couldn't just say that they came over from Android, he had to say that they made a mistake by purchasing an "inferior" device initially, and sought a "better life," so they came to Apple. Here is the exact quote:

"They had bought an Android phone, by mistake, and then had sought a better experience, and a better life. And decided to check out iPhones and iOS."

Yep. Things are only heating up at our live blog.

PushBullet Opens Beta Testing for Google+ Community Members and Updates Desktop Notifications

Eric — Mon, 02 Jun 2014 10:20:58 +0000

When Google announced that community pages for Android apps in the Play Store would allow members to take part in beta testing new features for apps, people who like to live on the cutting-edge everywhere rejoiced. Those same pioneers are likely fans of PushBullet's cross-platform notification system. Luckily for them, PushBullet has opened up beta testing to the public and now has a few new features that need testing. To kick off the early-access goodness, PushBullet is letting everyone test one of its new features that allows users to pick where they want the notifications to go. By long pressing in the app, you can bring up a list of devices and contacts that you can toggle on and off so that those mirrored notifications don't go anywhere you didn't want them to. A small update to start, but PushBullet promises more features will be rolled out to beta testers soon. As if that wasn't enough, PushBullet is also updating its desktop application for receiving messages on your computer. Users won't have to rely on Firefox and Chrome anymore to get their notifications and overall, this new system should be a lot more stable and easy. The browser extensions and desktop app are built to work together, so you don't have to choose one or the other. If you haven't yet installed the desktop app, you can grab it here. If you want to get in on the PushBullet community, head on over to their Google+ page to sign up.

Not Content With Balloons, Google Plans to Use Satellites to Expand Internet Access Around the Globe

Kyle — Mon, 02 Jun 2014 10:00:53 +0000

Not content with hot air balloons, Google has its sights on higher-flying objects. According to The Wall Street Journal, the search giant plans to spend between $1-3 billion constructing a fleet of satellites to provide internet access to people in remote areas of the world. The report says Google will begin with a small fleet, but the company's endgame is to blanket the sky with cheaper, lightweight (less than 250 pounds) satellites that would beam internet access to inexpensive ground antennas. The effort is being spearheaded by Greg Wyler, founder of the engineering startup O3b Networks Ltd. He and O3b's chief networking officer recently joined Google, along with several employees from satellite company Space Systems/Loral LLC. In all, the WSJ's sources say about 15 people are working on the project. Other companies have pursued similar strategies without much success. A Microsoft-backed effort ballooned to $9 billion and faced regulatory and technical hurdles impossible to overcome. Satellite internet provider Iridium Satellite LLC entered bankrupty less than a year after it began offering service to customers. WSJ spoke with a consultant who said the cost of satellites has dropped in recent years, who estimated Google could launch 180 satellites for as little as $600 million, but the plan is still at risk of cost overrun. Luckily, satellites are only one of many ways Google intends to spread internet around the globe. Many speculate the company's acquisition of aeronautics company Titan Aerospace two months ago will lead to the replacement of Project Loon's balloons with solar-powered, internet-deploying drones. Don't be surprised if a Google satellite passes over your hometown one day.

Via: WSJ

Reported Photos of Motorola XOOM 3 Leaked, Show Off What Never Was

Tim — Mon, 02 Jun 2014 09:30:48 +0000

Over this weekend, reported photographs of an abandoned tablet, unofficially called the XOOM 3 from Motorola, were posted online for all to see. The tablet features a rather slim design, but it's main characteristic is the full-Kevlar backside, just as we saw on many of the DROID smartphones from Motorola last year. With Verizon branding on its backside, it is possible that this was a carrier-exclusive device; possibly a DROID or XYBOARD device. However, as it is claimed from the source, this tablet has been abandoned by Motorola, and no one should expect it to hit the market at all. Take a look at the photos below, and see what never came to be.

Via: +hellomotoHK

Cheers Antony!

Deals: Unlocked Galaxy S4 for $350, G2 Mini for $250 on eBay

Kellen — Mon, 02 Jun 2014 09:05:04 +0000

In the mood for a smartphone deal? We have two today, both of which seem like steals. The first is for an unlocked Samsung Galaxy S4. Sure, the phone is more than a year old, but at $350 without a contract, you are talking Moto X territory. Many would argue that the Galaxy S4 is still one hell of a phone, even with the Galaxy S5 now available. In fact, I would argue that the phone feels much better in hand. It also has a beautiful Full HD Super AMOLED display and one of the best cameras ever put into a mobile device. This is the unlocked international variant, so it should work just fine on AT&T's HSPA here in the US; LTE compatibility may be a toss-up. You can buy it in white, black, purple, or blue - the device is brand new. If you want something even cheaper, take a look at the LG G2 Mini. At $249, you are looking at a device with a 4.7-inch display (qHD), quad-core Snapdragon 400 processor, and 8MP camera. This phone is not a flagship, but if you need a smartphone on the cheap, until you can grab a flagship, this wouldn't be a bad option. Most phones these days run $200 on-contract, so $249 has got to be tempting. eBay Links: Galaxy S4 Unlocked ($349) | LG G2 Mini ($249)

Sony Teases Picture of a Very Slim Device, Calls It "The Next Big Thing"

Eric — Mon, 02 Jun 2014 08:45:40 +0000

In a move that is sure to make Samsung lawyers start drafting up a lawsuit, Sony released a picture teasing us with a new device this morning. Apparently, Sony has "the next big thing" this season, and this is our first look at it. The teaser picture is just that, a tease. We do not get so see much of this new device, but we can make out what seems to be a power button, maybe a volume rocker and what could be a SIM card slot. It definitely looks like a mobile device, not one of the many other products that Sony produces, but that's also where it is interesting. Sony just announced the Xperia Z2 in February at Mobile World Congress. Could we be looking at a new variant of the Z2? Maybe a Z2 Compact? Possibly a Z2 Ultra? A full-sized Z2 tablet already exists and the Z2 itself is already a whopping 5.2", so a Note-like device would have a hard time fitting in as well. Right now we will just have to wait and see what Sony has in store for us. What is your best guess for this mysterious device?

Via: Sony

Live Blog: Apple's WWDC 2014 - Incredible. Beautiful. Fantastic. Great. Amazing.

Kellen — Mon, 02 Jun 2014 08:25:20 +0000

Today, is WWDC day. In other words, all of tech stops to watch and see what Apple has reinvented to make the world a better place. This is the kick-off to Apple's developer conference, which typically means we will see big updates to iOS and OSX. There may be new hardware involved, but this week is often reserved for the software side of things. As Apple announces new features and versions of their operating systems, Android fans will sit back with a smirk and say things like, "We have been doing that on Android forever - how is that new?" or "Welcome to 2010, Apple fans." Apple fans will respond back with, "But Apple did it better!" It's a silly time, really, but one that we love to participate in. After all, the competition between Apple and Android hasn't really slowed over the years. Tech fans are an opinionated bunch who like to take sides. So even though we are an Android site, watching Apple keynotes and live blogging them has become a ritual around here. We like to see what Apple is up to, but more importantly, we love to see how you all react. The keynote kicks off at 10AM Pacific (1PM Eastern). Apple will live stream today's WWDC happenings here. You will probably need an Apple product in order to watch it, though. To follow along without the live stream, be sure to hit up the live blog below.

Samsung Announces First Tizen Smartphone - Uh Oh?

Kellen — Mon, 02 Jun 2014 07:52:39 +0000

Last night, Samsung made its first major step toward leaving Android behind. OK, that's a load of bullsh*t, but I am sure you will read headlines that say as much all day today. The fuel for this sensationalized journalism is the Korean company's announcement of their first smartphone running Tizen, a mobile operating system that is certainly not Android. The phone is called the Samsung Z and it is headed for Russia in Q3, with more markets planned thereafter. Tizen is the operating system that powers Samsung's wearable devices, but it has also been built to work with smartphones. Some eye it as a direct competitor to Android and a way for Samsung to ditch Android completely, while others, including our own Ron Offringa, think Samsung would be shooting themselves in the foot if they plan to ditch Android for it at any point in the near future. I would have to agree; Android has a firm grasp on the world's smartphone market and Tizen has little going for it at this point (think app ecosystem). But hey, I guess in 5 years, things could look a lot different. The Samsung Z, for those living in Russia, has a 4.8-inch HD Super AMOLED displkay, 2.3GHz quad-core processor, 8MP rear camera, 2.1MP front shooter, 2GB RAM, 16GB internal storage, micro SD slot, 2600mAh battery, and runs Tizen 2.2.1. It has has a handful of Samsung's TouchWiz-like software features, including S Health 3.0, Download Booster, and Ultra Power Saving Mode. The phone features a fingerprint sensor as well. Since Tizen has almost no app ecosystem at this point, Samsung is trying to provide incentive to developers who are willing to work on the platform by offering some sort of promotional program.

Specs

Press Release

Samsung Launches Industry's First Tizen Smartphone - the Samsung Z
June 2, 2014 Samsung Z offers a unique user experience with advanced web performance and usability Seoul, Korea, June 2, 2014 – Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd, today introduced the Samsung Z, the first commercially available smartphone powered by the Tizen platform. The Samsung Z will be on show at the Tizen Developer Conference, San Francisco from June 3rd. Built on top of unparalleled quality and the cutting-edge technology of Samsung’s latest premium smartphone, the Samsung Z is optimized with a Tizen platform that offers fast and powerful software performance. Complete with a 4.8-inch HD Super AMOLED display and a 2.3 GHz Quad-core processor, the Samsung Z makes the perfect choice for consumers who want a differentiated user experience in an efficient and light-weight smartphone. "Samsung is committed to enhancing the mobile experience of consumers with innovation that is both personal and unique to their needs," said DJ Lee, President and Head of Global Sales & Marketing Office, Mobile Communications Business, Samsung Electronics. “The Samsung Z integrates the power and adaptability of the Tizen platform, enabling users to browse the web faster and utilize applications more effectively.” Quick and Efficient The Tizen platform delivers a fast, optimal performance with improved memory management. The Tizen-based Samsung Z offers a faster startup time and immediate multi-tasking capabilities, The Samsung Z fully supports superb 2D and 3D graphic qualities, smoother scrolling and an improved rendering performance for web browsing. Users will also be able to enjoy safe and secure privacy protection using the built-in fingerprint sensor. An Ultra Power Saving Mode lets the phone stay operational even at minimal battery levels in emergencies. Tailored For Smarter Living The Samsung Z features a distinctive home and application layout, for easy access to favorite features and apps. Using Dynamic Box and Color Theme settings, users can tailor their device to what suits them best. The external design of the Samsung Z also offers a completely new look. The device features a slim, angular design with sophisticated lines, providing a differentiated look and feel while maintaining Samsung’s overall design identity. The Samsung Z will be available in two refined colors: Black and Gold. The Samsung Z will be available in Q3 in Russia and is planned to expand to other markets. Users will be offered to access additional applications through the Tizen Store at the launch of the Samsung Z. In order to celebrate the launch the world’s first Tizen smartphone and to encourage more developers to join, the Tizen Store will provide a special promotional program to all developers for one year. Furthermore, Samsung plans to host a Tizen local app challenges in Russia and CIS countries to enrich the Tizen eco-system at the launch of the device.

Verizon Tweaks EDGE Device Payment Plan - Now 20 Payments, Plus 60% Paid off to Upgrade

Kellen — Mon, 02 Jun 2014 07:23:58 +0000

Verizon tweaked their EDGE plan beginning June 1 to take the number of monthly payments for a device from 24 months down to 20 months. They also changed the percentage you need to have paid off before you can upgrade, raising the amount from 50% to 60%. These moves bring them close in line with AT&T's Next plan, which uses a 20-month/60% ratio as well. Previously, if you purchased a new phone from Verizon and signed up for EDGE, you were asked to make 24 equal monthly payments, with the option to upgrade after you had participated in the program for 30 days and had paid 50% off of the phone. With the number of payments dropping to 20 months, monthly payments will now likely be more expensive than they were previously. With the percentage for upgrade also being raised, you now have to fork out more cash to get a new phone. If you were a part of EDGE before June 1, I would imagine that Verizon has to honor your 24-month, 50% deal.

Via: Verizon

Cheers Cameron and Jeff!

T-Mobile Says Android 4.4.3 is Coming to the Nexus 5 Today (Updated: Nexus 7 and Nexus 4 Too)

Kellen — Mon, 02 Jun 2014 06:51:09 +0000

According to T-Mobile support, the Nexus 5 will receive an update to Android 4.4.3 starting today. The update includes "security enhancements" and "various bug fixes." The build number is KTU84M. And that is about all we know. The Android 4.4.3 update has seemingly been in the works for a few months, with supposed rollout said to happen "at any minute" a couple of times. Update: T-Mobile says the Nexus 7 (2013) is getting Android 4.4.3 today as well, build KTU84L. Cheers BiggiePhat! Update 2: Nexus 4 now added to the list. Is today finally the day?

Via: T-M0bile [2] [3]

Blowing in LeBron's Ear This Weekend

Tim — Fri, 30 May 2014 22:13:20 +0000

Episode 60 of The Droid Life Show took place this past Wednesday night, with our main topic being the official unveiling and announcement of the LG G3. Finally, no more G3 hypebeasting. The crew gave their initial feelings toward the device, plus Kellen and I, who were at the announcement event, spoke on our emotions toward the new flagship. To sum that talk up, we are pretty excited about it. Other topics included Apple's confirmed purchase of Beats for $3 billion, T-Mobile's announcement of an UnCarrier 5 event (what could it be?), plus we had plenty of time for a live Q&A session. If the G3 interests you, then you probably should not miss this episode.

This Week in the Life of DROID: 5/30/2014

Tim — Fri, 30 May 2014 16:21:04 +0000

It was LG G3 week here at Droid Life, with most news surrounding the Korean manufacturer's latest flagship device. With the phone now official, there is good reason that the G3 has garnered so much attention. It features awesome specs, like its QHD display, Snapdragon 801 processor w/ 3GB of RAM, and 13MP camera with OIS+, plus you can't deny that it is one hot-looking device. Other news from the week included Apple's purchase of Beats, purported pictures showing up of the Moto X+1, Samsung's announcement of the Galaxy S5 Active, and Motorola's news to close its Moto X plant in Texas. If you missed any of the highlights, we have them below.

Watch: The Droid Life Show - Episode 60 [Subscribe]
Video: LG G3 hands-on and overview.
Video: LG G3 size comparison to One (M8), Galaxy S5, Note 3, etc.
Initial thoughts on the LG G3 from Kellen and Tim.
Top 5: Apps of May.
Top 5: Games of May.
LG announces the G3.
Samsung unveils the Galaxy S5 Active for AT&T.
T-Mobile announces UnCarrier 5.0 event, taking place June 18.
Motorola to close Texas factory where MotoMaker resides, but MotoMaker isn't dying.
HTC planning One Wear smartwatch, competitor to Moto 360.
Is this our first look at the Moto X+1?
Video shows LG G Watch in action.
Apple bought Beats for $3 billion.

Have a great weekend, folks.

Motorola Confirms That Moto Maker Will Continue

Kellen — Fri, 30 May 2014 14:24:03 +0000

This morning, Motorola told members of the press that they would be closing the Texas plant where they assemble custom orders for their 2013 flagship, Moto X. The first question we asked after being told this news was, "What about Moto Maker?" Moto Maker, for those not familiar, is the web interface that allows customers to customize a Moto X through options like the color and material used on its back plate, how much storage is included, and if your phone will greet you with a saying upon boot-up. It is without a doubt, one of the biggest selling points for the Moto X, and a service we hope lives on for future Motorola products. According to a short-but-sweet note from Motorola, we now know that Moto Maker will indeed continue on. That's all we know, though. Going forward, without a plant located so closely to customers, we are curious to see how Motorola plans to quickly fulfill orders. Remember, one of the originally goals for Moto Maker orders was to have them at doorsteps within four days. Can Motorola do that if they are assembling devices outside of the US? We will hopefully know that soon enough.

Google Readying Android TV Platform for Launch at I/O

Tim — Fri, 30 May 2014 14:10:12 +0000

According to a new report, Google is readying launch of its new Android TV platform, with announcement set for this year's Google I/O developer conference in San Francisco on June 25. The platform, based entirely around ease of use, will allow users to quickly search through content, and begin playback of titles without having to enter third party applications, a pain that is experienced on most other set-top boxes currently available. Although, the Fire TV from Amazon allows for instant playback from the Home screen, but only for Prime titles. The UI will be based around cards, and should resemble a screenshot that was actually leaked from The Verge some time ago.

Many questioned why Google would need an additional place in people's living rooms, given the apparent success of Chromecast. Well, Chromecast can only do so much over a WiFi and HDMI connection. For example, gaming sucks. With Android TV, the company hopes that the countless amount of Android game titles would be playable on the system, allowing for much more content consumption through set-top boxes and built-in integration through partner OEMs. To us, Google TV is a shot at Amazon's Fire TV, while also being a complete platform for partners to take advantage of through their own products. If you ask us, June 25 can't come soon enough.

Via: GigaOm

Samsung Has Reportedly Partnered with Oculus to Produce a VR Headset

Kyle — Fri, 30 May 2014 11:52:39 +0000

Last we heard of Samsung's VR ambitions, the company was going it alone, attempting to beat Oculus and Sony to the market and undercut both on price. According to Engadget, though, that's not the whole story. Samsung is actually working with Oculus to produce a media-focused headset for use with smartphones and tablets. Who would have thought?

Both companies get something out of the partnership. Engadget sources state that Oculus is developing the software for Samsung's prototype - firmware reportedly based on Oculus' mobile SDK - while Samsung is providing top-of-the-line, higher-than-1080p OLED screens to Oculus for inclusion in Rift.

Reportedly, Samsung's headset is more like a peripheral than standalone hardware. It has no screen of its own, instead relying on your smartphone, which you plug into a slot on the device - the phone's screen becomes the display. As you would expect, you can use the phone's hardware to an extent, like viewing the outside world with the rear camera. The headset won't use your phone for everything, though. It apparently contains motion sensors of its own, and buttons including Home, Back, and Recent App controls. Samsung's headset allegedly works with gamepads, but is designed to be used without them. The company wants to focus on media playback, and so the primary means of navigation right now are voice and touch. That said, games are apparently in the works for the headset. When and if the device retails, it will likely be compatible only with Galaxy devices - Engadget says Samsung is fine-tuning the experience on its handsets. Anyone eager to see Samsung's take on VR?

Via: Engadget

Kickstarter Project 2Heads Makes Navigating a Smartphone Easier for Dyslexics

Kyle — Fri, 30 May 2014 11:10:07 +0000

Dyslexia is a punishing disorder that makes reading tasks that seem simple to others - like making sense of a book or a menu in a restaurant - quite difficult for the afflicted. Treatments exist, but dyslexia is a lifelong condition that can never be fully cured. That's why entrepreneur Dusten Pecor is Kickstarting 2Heads, a smartphone app that aims to help the dyslexic function better in everyday life. 2Heads works by presenting contextually relevant data, mostly by relying on location. Drawing from a database of web, manually entered, and OCR-scanned documents, the app tries to present the most helpful information at the right time. That could be a menu at a restaurant, for instance, or signage at a public facility. Pecor hopes to partner with retail and restaurant chains in the future, so that the app can one day greet users with custom audio recordings and instructions. Beyond that, the team aspires to integrate the app into everything from grocery store products, to pharmacy prescriptions with QR codes. At the time of writing, the app's funding sits at $3,800, which is sadly far from the team's goal of $35,000. If I had to guess, the deficit may have something to do with the relatively expensive donation required ($20) to gain access to the beta app, but here's hoping the team adjusts the funding tiers and donations pick up soon.

Via: 2Heads

HTC Rumored to Create One Wear, Rival to Moto 360 Smartwatch

Tim — Fri, 30 May 2014 10:40:57 +0000

According to Taiwanese sources of TK Tech News, HTC is planning a rival to Motorola's Moto 360 smartwatch, called One Wear. The smartwatch, which was purportedly demoed, is scheduled to be released around late August or early September. The watch, said to come in "polycarbonate (fancy name for plastic) and metal flavors," is shaped in a circle, much like the Moto 360. If you were to ask most people who have their eyes on the Moto 360, it's the watches design that has them swooning for it, even before we know what all it is capable of doing. We are still a few months out from the reported time frame of release, but if HTC's track record for leaks means anything, we could see the watch much sooner than the company would like. One Wear, anyone?

Via: TK Tech News

Tizen Update Available to Original Samsung Galaxy Gear Owners

Kyle — Fri, 30 May 2014 10:15:08 +0000

A pre-release version of Samsung's promised Tizen update for the original Galaxy Gear smartwatch leaked two weeks ago, but we have not heard a peep about it since. That changed this morning, with Samsung releasing the new firmware via the web and its Kies desktop software. The update, version 2.2.0, completely replaces the Gear's Android-based OS with the Samsung-developed Tizen. The change is not as radical as you might think, though. Most of the changes lie beneath the surface, as the user interface is nearly identical to the Android-based software. Still, in tow with Tizen are many of the Gear 2 and Gear 2 Neo's features, such as improved battery life, OS performance, new apps, sleep monitoring, and theming options. The fastest way to upgrade your Galaxy Gear is by using Samsung Kies. If you would rather avoid installing Kies, though, SamMobile has the firmware available for manual installation. Warning: the update will wipe all data on your Gear. Also, some third-party apps have not been updated to support Tizen, so be aware that some of the applications on your Gear might not install after the upgrade.

Via: SamMobile

Deal: Samsung Galaxy TabPRO 12.2 for $399 on eBay

Kellen — Fri, 30 May 2014 10:04:07 +0000

We mentioned yesterday that Android tablet deals pop-up on the daily and that you should almost never pay full price for one. If you needed any further proof of that tip, look no further than the current deal running for Samsung's new Galaxy TabPRO 12.2 tablet through eBay. You can pick up Samsung's latest flagship tablet - that would be the PRO line - for $399. The tablet is "manufacturer refurbished," but keep in mind that brand new Galaxy TabPRO 12.2 tablets originally retailed around the $650 mark. The Galaxy TabPRO 12.2 features a 12.2-inch Super Clear LCD display with a resolution of 2560x1600, 9500mAh battery, 3GB RAM, Exynos 5 Octa processor, 8MP rear camera, 2MP front camera, USB 3.0, and Android 4.4 "Kit Kat." It also includes all of Samsung's proprietary multi-tasking and software tools. It does not include an S Pen, though, that would be an exclusive feature to the NotePRO. We went hands-on with the massive tablet back at CES in January. Be sure to check that out to get a feel for the device. eBay Link

Motorola is Closing Its Texas Smartphone Factory (Updated)

Kellen — Fri, 30 May 2014 09:32:47 +0000

According to the Wall Street Journal, Motorola is closing its Texas factory that has been used to build custom versions of its Moto X due to weak sales and high costs. The close isn't happening immediately, but will be done before the end of the year. As you all know, the factory opened only a year ago and was used to build custom versions of the Moto X through a site called MotoMaker. The whole point was to quickly assemble made-to-order devices that could be shipped to US customers within a couple of days. Since sales of the Moto X did not exactly top charts, Motorola wasn't able to keep costs low enough. The company originally employed as many as 3,800 people, but has since shrunk its workforce to around 700. Sources of ours tipped us to a shrinking workforce months ago, so this report doesn't exactly come as a surprise. We should also point out that during an interview shortly after the announcement that Lenovo would try to acquire Motorola from Google, that Lenovo wouldn't commit to keeping the Texas plant alive. That shouldn't shock anyone, since Lenovo likely has great connections in China for building products at low prices. The question now is - is MotoMaker officially dead? It could be, but if Motorola is keeping the factory open until the end of the year, maybe they will make one last push with the new Moto X+1 before signing off. That's pure speculation on my part, so don't be shocked if the whole customization game is officially over. Maybe the new Moto X will ship with a replaceable back, like the Moto G and Moto E. Edit: Motorola PR confirmed the WSJ story to us, but wouldn't comment on the future of MotoMaker at this time. Update: Motorola confirmed to us that MotoMaker will continue on. Kind of sad, right?

Via: Wall Street Journal

Render of Samsung Galaxy S5 in Blue Leaked With Verizon Branding

Tim — Fri, 30 May 2014 08:58:23 +0000

It looks as if another colorway for the Galaxy S5 from Samsung is being prepared to launch on Verizon's network. Thanks to @evleaks, this is our first look at the blue-hued GS5, sporting a couple of Big Red logos on its backside. If you have not already guessed, this phone will be exactly like the White and Black models that are currently available, with the only difference being the color. You will still have a 5.1" 1080p display, Snapdragon 801 processor, 2GB of RAM, 16MP rear-facing camera, fingerprint scanner, dedicated heart rate monitor, and Android 4.4 with Sammy's TouchWiz running on top. No word as to when the device will launch, but if history tells us anything, it's that the blue variant should launch quite soon on Verizon. Given that this render was probably taken from Verizon's site somewhere on the backend, then it's likely Verizon will announce it soon. Does the color make the GS5 in Blue a must have? Doubtful, but there is probably someone that really likes it.

Via: @evleaks

GO Launcher Updated to Version 5, Gives Away Prime ($5.99) for Free to Celebrate

Kellen — Fri, 30 May 2014 08:26:18 +0000

GO Launcher, one of the most popular 3rd party launchers around, received a major UI and UX update to version 5.0 today. As the GO team puts it, the new update makes for a "simple and intelligent new mobile experience." The UI has been flattened, everything feels much more polished, there are full-screen folders, and something called "GO Panels" have been introduced, which allow for "different functions on screens." In even better news, the GO team is giving away the Prime version of GO Launcher for the next two days to celebrate version 5.0. GO Launcher Prime typically runs $5.99, so you may as well follow the steps below to unlock it, just in case you ever feel like giving it some serious run down the road. Play Link To get Prime for free, install GO Launcher EX, then head into Preferences>About GO Launcher EX and enter activation code "appsales" or "appszoom."

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Moto X+1 Makes First Appearance?

Kellen — Thu, 29 May 2014 22:28:49 +0000

Is that the first image of the Moto X+1, the rumored Moto X follow-up from Motorola? That we don't know, but there are some clues that could help us decide what it is. Well, it certainly isn't the original Moto X. On the original, the sensors, speaker grill, and front-facing camera are pushed up to the top of the phone and also not perfectly centered together. The Moto X also does not come with a gold front. The only front panel color options for the Moto X are white or black. We also know that this isn't the Moto G or Moto E. The Moto E is out because it doesn't even have a front-facing camera, like this device. The Moto E also has a big ol' chin with front-facing speaker - this device has neither. It isn't the Moto G because well, it doesn't look like the Moto G. The Moto G has much more bezel, along with a front-facing camera placed to the left of the speaker grill. On this phone, we are seeing the front-facing camera to the right, just like on the original Moto X. So is this the Moto X+1? Until Motorola announces it or we see more to give us additional proof, that's a tough call. It does indeed look like a Moto X that has been more refined. You could also argue that the screen looks longer than on the original, maybe because the screen size has grown over the original's, which weighed in at 4.7-inches. Thoughts?

Via: +Antony Cheng

AT&T Announces Exclusive Galaxy S5 Active, Available Now

Kellen — Thu, 29 May 2014 21:31:26 +0000

AT&T just announced the Samsung Galaxy S5 Active. The device is available now online and in AT&T stores for $199 on contract or starting as low as $27.50 per month with an AT&T Next plan. The device should live up to its "active" name, thanks to a shock, water, and dust resistant casing. It also has a "convenience" key on the side that can launch apps related to outdoor activities. Like its shinier brother, it tracks heart rates as well, with a built in monitor underneath the camera. If you care about specs, then know that this is identical to the regular Galaxy S5 with its 2.5GHz Snapdragon 801 processor, 5.1-inch Full HD Super AMOLED display, and 16MP camera. The Galaxy S5 comes in camo green, ruby red, or titanium gray.

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Via: AT&T [2]

HTC One (M8) in Amber Gold Available for $99, Tomorrow Only

Tim — Thu, 29 May 2014 16:40:33 +0000

HTC is hosting a special deal tomorrow, and tomorrow only. For a limited time, 24 hours to be exact, customers can pick up a One (M8) in Amber Gold for just $99 on-contract. That's $100 off the usual on-contract price of $199. The Amber Gold variant is not as tacky as a few might assume. It's actually quite tasteful, and if the same ol' silver and gunmetal grey color offerings are not exciting you, then Amber Gold is the way to go. It will feature all of the same specs - 5.0" 1080p display, Duo Camera experience, Snapdragon 801 processor, 2GB of RAM, and Android 4.4 running Sense 6 on top. The deal starts at 12:01 a.m. CST, Friday, May 30. You can grab it here.

T-Mobile Moto X Update on the Way, What is It?

Kellen — Thu, 29 May 2014 16:23:56 +0000

Motorola is inviting owners of the T-Mobile Moto X to participate in a soak test for a new software update. No other details have been provided to members of the Motorola Feedback Network. Keep in mind that the phone is already running the most current version of Android, which is 4.4.2. So what is it? Your guess is as good as ours. We did see a Motorola exec tease something for this week, saying that his company has a release that we will "really enjoy," but that could be app-related rather than firmware-related. Once this update begins rolling out, we will try to find out what is new.

Hi, Thanks for joining the Motorola Feedback Network. We are inviting owners of Moto X on T-Mobile to participate in a preview of a new software release, and provide feedback. If you are not currently using a T-Mobile Moto X, please excuse and ignore this email. This is a confidential test under the terms of the Motorola Feedback Network. Please do not post any details or information about this on any public sites or report it to sites that cover our industry. Click this link -- XXXXXXX -- to take the enrollment survey if you wish to take part. Note that you must be a member in good standing of the Motorola Owners' Forums to be included. The registration window could close without notice so please respond as quickly as possible. Thanks -- please understand that start times are always fluid. We ask for your patience if you register but don't hear from us right away. Matt Motorola Owners’ Forums Motorola Feedback Network

Cheers L and T!

HTC One Remix for Verizon Render Leaked, Shows Off Gorgeous Bezel With Tasteful Branding

Tim — Thu, 29 May 2014 15:42:37 +0000

The One Remix, also known as the One Mini 2 from HTC, has been rumored to hit Verizon's network since the Mini 2 was announced earlier this month. Today, a render of the One Remix headed for Verizon was leaked thanks to @evleaks. Let's have a look at what to expect, shall we? The first thing we notice is that near the bottom of the device, there is a massive bezel. Usually, this is where HTC would place its logo. However, since this is Verizon, we see a tasteful Big Red logo smack dab in the center. It's also safe to assume that there is an additional Verizon logo on the backside, as well as a 4G LTE logo. Stay classy, Verizon. No exact confirmed specs are known, but it is a safe bet to say that the One Remix should feature nearly identical specs to the One Mini 2. Keep in mind, however, that this body looks somewhat plastic in comparison to the Mini 2's metallic body. Specs could include a 4.5″ HD display, 13MP rear-facing camera, Snapdragon 400 processor, 1GB of RAM, and more than likely Android 4.4 “Kit Kat” with Sense 6 on top. It doesn't sound like too bad of a little phone, but there are so many options out there. We will keep you posted if more info hits.

Via: @evleaks

Top 5 Android Apps: May 2014

Tim — Thu, 29 May 2014 14:56:35 +0000

May was a busy month for apps and games, making it kind of hard to narrow down the top five. Luckily, there were a few easy choices, such as Beautiful Icon Styler and Secret, so we think this is a solid list of apps that everyone should check out. We posted up the top five games for May already, so here are the top five applications that should keep you busy for a while. If you think we screwed up, please let us know in the comments below. Without further delay, here are DL's top five apps for the month of May.

1. Beautiful Icon Styler (Free w/ $0.99 IAP) We are all about customization, and especially love icon packs and wallpaper packs. What makes Beautiful Icon Styler so important is that it allows users to theme icons when using the stock launcher that comes on your device; something that is not made easy by Google or the company that manufactures your phone. Usually, to have a custom icon pack on your phone, you would need to use a third party launcher. With BIS, you are free to use whatever launcher you want, and can still take advantage of all of the great icon packs out there by just tapping a button. The app is free to download, but a few features are limited until you pay a dollar through IAP. Once paid, all of the functionality of the application is open. Best dollar you will ever spend if you prefer the stock launcher over the other offerings on Google Play.

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2. Sunrise Calendar (Free) This app is extremely new to Google Play, but with its slick and sexy design, it has earned a spot on our list. For those who get frustrated with the limitedness of Google Calendar, Sunrise Calendar is sure to brighten your day. The application features a very well laid out UI, allowing users to easily see when their next free time is available. In addition, the app comes with a plush-looking widget, allowing users to see what is on their agenda while on their home screen. Best of all? The app is completely free.

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3. Secret (Free) Oh, Secret. What to say about Secret. The best way to describe Secret is by calling it the evil twin to a Facebook Wall. On Secret, people anonymously post "secrets" which their friends can heart or share with their friends. There is no end to how far a secret can go, and sometimes, you will read a few outlandish things. When creating your own secret, you can simply upload text, or you can decide to upload a picture and make your secret stand out from the rest. If you have the goods to dish, and you don't mind other people gawking over it, then let's hear it! If you don't mind a little NSFW talk, then go check it out for free on Google Play.

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4. Swarm (Free) Swarm, made by Foursquare, is an application that shows you where all of your nearby friends are and what it is they are doing. If you want to meet up with them, give them a buzz on the app. Did you think of a sweet plan you want to get together for? Message all of your friends right through the application and get to planning. You might be surprised at how many of your friends check in all over town, and this app will let you know where all of the local hotspots are. The app is totally free, going perfectly with Foursquare. Check it out if "checking in" is something you enjoy doing.

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5. Bright Weather (Free w/ IAP) From the makers of Beautiful Widgets, Bright Weather is the last weather app you will ever need. Showcasing a gorgeous UI, users can get all of their needed local weather information for the days ahead, plus view weather satellite imagery from around the world for accurate info. The app features lovely photography, which reminds us all that the world is a miraculous place, full of wonder and beauty. Sounds nice, right? Featuring heat maps, week-long forecasts, and the ability to share your own photos with the world, it truly is a well-made weather application. It is free to download, but there are IAPs available if you need a few more features.

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Report: Microsoft Smartwatch Incoming, Will Work With Android Phones

Kellen — Thu, 29 May 2014 14:07:25 +0000

According to sources of Forbes, Microsoft is working on a smartwatch that will work with not only Windows Phone devices, but Android phones and iPhones too. The report speculates that the watch could be here as soon as this summer to compete in a wearable market that Samsung has tried to get a jump start on. Forbes' sources claim that the watch will "draw on optical engineering expertise from Microsoft’s Xbox Kinect division" and be sensor-rich with features like constant-heart rate monitoring. Battery life could weigh-in somewhere around two days, which is similar to Samsung's Gear devices. The design might be similar to Samsung's Gear Fit (our review), the fitness tracker that features a curved AMOLED display. Sources claim that the Microsoft watch will have a touch-screen that resembles a half-stick of gum, that is placed on the under side of a wrist to keep information displayed private. Cross-platform compatibility could be a major advantage for Microsoft if this is all true. At this time, Samsung has locked their wearables to Galaxy devices. LG is also trying to enter the market with devices like the Lifeband Touch, which works on both iOS and Android devices, but LG has yet to put much of a marketing push behind it. In the end, I think the success of something like this from Microsoft will depend on functionality. Will it only be a fitness tracker or will it do more? Oh, and they better hurry before Android Wear and the Moto 360 show up. If Microsoft put out a smarwatch or fitness band, would you consider it?

Via: Forbes

Cheers Tony!

LG G Watch Gets Fondled, Well, an Early Barely Functional Prototype Did

Kellen — Thu, 29 May 2014 13:08:16 +0000

A German tech site managed to get its hands on the LG G Watch during the London unveiling of the LG G3, giving us a glimpse into...well, not much. Even with translations turned on, there really isn't much to see (or hear) other than what appears to be an early prototype of the G Watch running an incredibly early build of Android Wear that can't do much. You can see a settings menu with a white background and blue icons. There is a dedicated button for voice commands. A clock makes an appearance at some point too, though only as a tiny icon that can't be read. And yeah...oh, this is the gold and white version of the G Watch. Am I missing something? I hope we see something more polished than this at Google I/O in a couple of weeks.

Shots of the Galaxy S5 Active for AT&T Leak, Looks Like a Tank

Kyle — Thu, 29 May 2014 11:50:36 +0000

The clearest images yet of the Samsung Galaxy S5 Active leaked today, courtesy of @evleaks. Bound for AT&T, the ruggedized twin of the Galaxy S5 looks to endure all of the concrete and liquid you can throw it at. Nothing was revealed beyond the new pictures, but we do know a little about the upcoming smartphone. The Galaxy S5 Active will reportedly lose the fingerprint sensor, but gain a dedicated key that acts as a camera shutter button or can be used to launch apps. The Active will also have a removable back cover, as well as a reinforced exterior to lessen the impact of accidental drops. No word on when the device will launch officially, but if Samsung chooses to debut the S5 Active around the same time as its predecessor last year, we should learn more very soon.

Via: @evleaks

Deal: 16GB Nexus 7 (2013) for $139 on eBay

Kellen — Thu, 29 May 2014 11:30:26 +0000

If you want an Android tablet, finding a good deal on one is not difficult. In fact, I don't know why anyone would pay full price for an Android slate at this point. Whether it's something from Samsung or the latest Nexus tablet from Google, someone is bound to have a discount worth considering. Take today's deal on eBay for example, where you can grab a refurbished 16GB variant of the Nexus 7 (2013) for $139.99. The device originally retailed for $229 in a "brand new" state, but thanks to the manufacturer having to tinker with it, you can save $90. The Nexus 7 (2013) may be almost a year old, but it is still widely considered to be one of the best available. eBay Link

Top 5 Android Games: May 2014

Eric — Thu, 29 May 2014 11:15:38 +0000

Here we find ourselves on the eve of a brand new month. Let us commemorate the achievement of the passing of another 31 days with a list of the best Android games from last month. If your bank account has taken a hit after acquiring all of these games don't worry, we are here to comfort you. After April brought top titles like The Walking Dead and XCOM, May had a lot to live up to, but certainly did not disappoint. Below we have put together our list of the best games that this past month had to offer. Take a look and see if you missed any. Tell us below in the comments if you think there were any games we missed or if you completely agree with everything we said (which never happens on the internet).

1. Monument Valley ($3.99) By far and away the best game to be released this month, Monument Valley comes from the creators of Whale Trail, but couldn't look or play any differently. The game will bring on memory of the indie console game Fez, which has you solving puzzles by literally spinning the world around to open up new pathways to get to your destination. Gameplay is smooth and responsive and fit for a mobile device's touchscreen, which is more than a lot of games for Google Play can say. And as if unique and fun gameplay wasn't enough, the game looks gorgeous. This is the type of game that you want to play on those enormous high definition screens that Android has adopted. There is a story line, but its a subtle one that you aren't presented with up front. All things considered, this game is definitely worth the $3.99 price tag that it comes with. You don't want to miss out on this one. [responsive_vid vid_url="wC1jHHF_Wjo"] 2. Trials Frontier (Free) Trials Frontier is the expansion of the wildly successful Trials franchise available for mobile devices. Grabbing a motorcycle and getting from point A to point B has never been so difficult. Early levels in Trials games are deceptively easy, but then the difficulty starts ratcheting upwards very quickly. You will be begging for checkpoints in certain spots because some jumps and stretches of the game will take you over 50 tries to complete. But it is still amazingly addictive. As if conquering each map for yourself wasn't hard enough, Trials is known for its time challenges against your friends. Once you grab some buddies to play the game with, you can race each track against their ghost. Either you can blow past them and show them how bad they are, or realize that you might want to uninstall to hide the shame of your failures when compared to them. The game is free and supported by in-app purchases that allow you to access new bikes and other goodies. If you are looking for a fun game to kill some time, this is definitely worth picking up for free. Just be careful to not get too addicted. [responsive_vid vid_url="4QkWauePAaw"] 3. Half Life 2 ($9.99) The reason these next two games are not 1 and 2 on this month's list is because of their NVIDIA Shield exclusivity. Half Life 2 tops the list as my favorite game of all time. It is really that good. Debuting in 2004 as one of the bearers of the Source engine, HL2 just did everything right. It had a great story, amazing gameplay, broke new ground by using the Source engine's physics and looked great throughout, although 10 years later the graphics may look a bit dated. You play as Gordon Freeman, living in a futuristic world where the Combine rule everything with strict rules and even stricter punishments. The story unfolds in front of you as your task is to escape the dangerous City 17 and help to try and free the world from the "benefactors" control. Probably the most impressive feat of HL2 is the range of gameplay that it features. At points it is a First Person Shooter, but then it changes into a horror-survival game that encourages you to save your bullets. It can easily change into a physics-based puzzle game as well: all on the fly. It transitions between different gameplay styles so easily and effortlessly that the game is constantly engaging and fun. Back in 2004 when I first purchased HL2, it came with 6 (yes, six) installation discs. But now we have advanced to the point where the entire game can be installed over WiFi onto your Shield device. This is the same game that has won so many awards throughout the years for being done so well. If you have a Shield and you haven't played this game, do yourself a favor and pick it up. [responsive_vid vid_url=UKA7JkV51Jw] 4. Portal ($9.99) What can I say about Portal that hasn't already been said? Another amazing game that we are lucky has come to Android. If you have never played it, I suggest watching the video below as the gameplay can get rather tricky at times. You play as Chell, almost literally a lab rat stuck in a scientific testing center with the center's artificial intelligence, GLaDOS. You are presented with a device that allows you to shoot an opening and exit to a portal that you or objects can travel through and, well like I said, the video explains it better. Ask anyone who has played Portal and they will most likely be able to spout off a few lines that GLaDOS gives you throughout your time in the game. The dialogue is incredibly well written for just one speaking character and you will enjoy the comic relief as you struggle to figure out some of the later puzzles in the game. "Thinking with portals" is more than just a tagline in this instance, the game really does require you to think outside the box if you want to complete it. You will come out of Aperture Science thinking that you are a genius in physics, momentum and gravity. Another must play game if you have an NVIDIA Shield, even at the $9.99 price. [responsive_vid vid_url="TluRVBhmf8w"] 5. Dark Lands (Free) Last but not least we have Dark Lands. A new game in the side-scrolling genre, but with some new aspects. The central point of the game is still to get your warrior hero as far along his endless journey that he can, but it is more than just running and jumping over traps. You use your weapons to take down enemies and bosses while continuing to move forward until you die. And then load it up to try again. This time you can upgrade your weapons and armor to help you get past the guy that defeated you last time. The art style of Dark Lands is what caught our eyes. The stylized black characters with a colored background makes it very clear what you are supposed to do and where you are supposed to go. At first glance it reminds me of Limbo, an indie platformer that you can find on consoles. This is definitely the type of game you will want to keep on your device for a while to see how high your score can get. For the low price of free, how can you turn down this game? [responsive_vid vid_url="JWyvwjmnnxE"]

Don't forget to look back at all of the previous top 5 games of the month posts!

Die For Metal Again is a Headbanger's New Favorite Game

Tim — Thu, 29 May 2014 10:54:30 +0000

A new game for all of you metal heads hit Google Play today, titled Die For Metal Again. This is technically a sequel to the first Die For Metal game, which was one of the more challenging titles I have ever played. You die in that game. A lot. You play a headbanger who must work his way through countless levels, dodging saw blades, pissed off bouncers, and creatures from the abyss. You run, jump, and try your best to save your character from the inevitable death that awaits him. The actual "story" for the game is quite interesting.

Rob Grinderface experienced an exploding death trying to listen to the new Gory Wardeath album. It was just too heavy. But there was no more room in hell for him, so now he has to fight his way through a dark afterlife to earn his place in hell.

That's right, you are trying to get into Hell. While playing, you will be treated to an amazing metal soundtrack, featuring tracks from bands such as Novembers Doom and These Are They. The game costs a mere dollar, so go grab it if this type of music and imagery pleasing your blackened soul. Horns up, people. Play Link ($0.99)

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Download: Android Device Manager Version 1.2 with Guest Mode

Kyle — Thu, 29 May 2014 10:18:20 +0000

I would argue that Android Device Manager is not quite as seamless or pretty as its iOS equivalent, but it is getting better. Google debuted the app form of ADM late last year, but for people without a second Android device, it was not of much use if their one device was ever lost or stolen. Today, the company has made Android Device Manager a little more practical with the addition of a guest mode. Guest mode is exactly what it sounds like: it allows you to manage your devices from another person's Android phone or tablet. Once you login to the ADM app, you can ring, lock, wipe, or find the location of your various gadgets. After you finish, a "Sign Out" button will remove your credentials from the device you used. Guest mode seems to be the only major change in Android Device Manager 1.2, but we will keep looking for more. If the update is not live for you yet on Google Play, we have provided a download link below. Play Link | Download Link

Download: Terrain View Makes a Return in Google Maps 8.1.0

Kyle — Thu, 29 May 2014 09:34:00 +0000

Update Wednesday may have come and gone, but Google's not finished with bug fixes and enhancements yet. A wide swath of apps have already been graced with upgrades, but Google Maps is the latest, and its a doozy. Sort of. Version 8.1.0 marks the triumphant return of terrain view, the topographic map layer that has been missing since the Maps overhaul last July. If you recall, terrain view shows the elevation of geographic features like cliffs, valleys, and mountains, which could be useful when planning a hike. Or cheating on a geology test. Either way, regaining such a feature can only be perceived as a positive thing. Unfortunately, terrain view seems to be the only user-facing change in Maps 8.1.0. Given the complete overhaul Maps received earlier this month, though, we probably should not have expected much. Here's hoping for more substantial improvements around I/O. We have provided a direct download link below, that way you don't have to worry for the update to populate on Google Play for your device. Just sideload as you would any other application. Play Link | Download Link

12 of the Best Moto 360 Design Concepts

Kellen — Thu, 29 May 2014 09:10:51 +0000

A week ago, Motorola opened up a contest that asked designers to reveal their vision of the Moto 360. The prize? A Moto 360, of course. The contest itself didn't grab our attention initially because Motorola included a potential price for the soon-to-be-released smartwatch of $249. But now that a week has passed since Motorola attempted to shut that price down, we can focus on all of the beautiful designs that have come through the contest, and boy, are there some great ones. The entries are flooding in by the day, with the entry period closing on June 10. Since there are bound to be at least another 12 gems designed between today and the end of the contest, we may do this again. For now, we have put together a list of our top 12. If this doesn't get you excited for the potential of the Moto 360, then I don't know what will. Should Motorola allow third party skins or clock faces like this to be installed on their watch, then this could end up being the best piece of technology in the last few years. Here is our list.

It's clean, classic, yet still shows calendar events and notification counts for things like email and messages. +Andy Kim

It may not have notifications or app shortcuts, but this digital clock face brings you the time in an easy-to-read format, which is important with a clock. It then adds in calendar, weather, and location without overdoing it. +Alex Mostoufi

There is a lot going on here, yet the concept manages to keep the important items, like time and current weather at the forefront. You also get navigation info, heart rate, future alarms, the date, and current location as added bonuses. +Ferenc Kaszas

Simple time, current weather and date, plus a small area dedicated to missed messages. It comes off a little Galaxy Gear-ish, but a font change would probably change that. +Nazariy Kulyak

It's a classic watch styling, but then it becomes tech-forward with colorful icons to weather, Gmail, and Hangouts. I do wish the clock hands were white or grey, to make them easier to read, but I like the contrasting styles together. +Evan DeGray

By showing love for Muzei Live Wallpaper, you can see how this clock could change depending on your wallpaper mood. The possibilities really become endless. Couple that with a clean watch font that shows time and date, along with simple and minimal icons at the bottom for frequently used apps, and you have a winner. +Sean Smith

I really like the Google Now-esque look here, plus you get a familiar clock face with weather and date. +Luigi Elisino

For those who want their clock face to just show time and date, here is a concept that could animate as the time changes. Minimal and beautiful. +Marcin Stepien

A big, bold time on the right, with shortcuts on the left. It doesn't have some of the complexity of others, but do you want your watch to be complex? +Denoix Louis

Similar to the last design concept, the focus here is on the time, but with shortcuts to your most used apps. This is a watch first, by the way. +Rafa Valdez

It's cartoonish, yet fun. I don't know what else to say, other than it would be fun to use for a couple of days. +Gen Gao

Because pretty animation. +Hope Olszewski

To see all of the other amazing designs, cruise through this Moto 360 community on Google+. Let us know if you find others that are equally as awesome.

Sunrise Calendar Available for Android, Brings 3-Day View and Sleek Widget

Tim — Thu, 29 May 2014 08:59:55 +0000

When it comes to calendar apps for Android, there are plenty to choose from on Google Play. It is easy to rely on the official Google Calendar or the one of many calendar apps that come pre-installed on any given device, but they are never all that good. Sure, they do their job, but are never all that extensive with regard to special information. Third party calendar applications allow for so much more, and the newest one to hit Google Play, called Sunrise Calendar, is worth a look. The overall UI of Sunrise is extremely clean. It reminds me somewhat of UpTo Calendar, except there are no "layers" or other event calendars to add to your schedule. Instead, Sunrise is all about displaying the times you are free. Thanks to a 3-day look, you can see just when you can squeeze in a drink with the guys or have time to hit the gym. The application also includes a widget that users can place on their home screens, plus access to adding events from other networks such as LinkedIn, Twitter, Foursquare, and Facebook. The app is free with no IAPs, so if you find yourself getting lost in your own schedule, check it out. Play Link

AT&T 4G LTE Lights Up in 9 New Markets Today

Eric — Thu, 29 May 2014 08:35:39 +0000

What is the point in having the newest and greatest mobile device if you live in a city that can't access the newest and greatest network? At this point in AT&T's 4G LTE rollout, the company is well past the larger metropolitan areas, starting to get coverage out to the smaller towns around the country. Today, customers from Oregon all the way to parts of Michigan are getting the increase of 4G LTE speeds. With the new handful of markets, AT&T should be well past the 500 market mark. Grab the full list below.

New Markets

Altoona, Pennsylvania
Alpena, Michigan
Worthington, Minnesota
Alice, Texas
Bay City, Texas
El Campo, Texas
Klamath Falls, Oregon
La Grande, Oregon
Roseburg, Oregon

Via: AT&T

Sprint Galaxy Note 2 Gets Kit Kat Update Today

Kellen — Thu, 29 May 2014 08:05:30 +0000

Sprint and Samsung are pushing out the Kit Kat (Android 4.4.2) update to the Galaxy Note 2 starting today. If my notes (no pun) and our Kit Kat update list are correct, this is the first Note 2 from a US carrier to receive the update to 4.4. Good job, Sprint. In the update, users will get to experience all that is new in the latest version of Android. We are talking an updated lock screen (new camera shortcut and media controls), the option to choose a default SMS app, restyled notification bar, better location management, emoji, wireless printing, and more. The update should be available today, so head into Settings>More>System update.

What's New

Android version 4.4.2, KitKat
New Lock Screen Access
- Media Controls - full-screen album art and media controls when listening to music
- Camera Shortcut - access the Camera application right from the lock screen
SMS App Chooser - select a default application for sending and receiving SMS text messages
Restyled Status and Navigation Bars - status and navigation bars are translucent and can sit on top of apps, along with simplified status bar icons
Consolidated Location Settings - location services are integrated and more detailed by new Location menu
Expanded Emoji Icons
Wireless Printing – supports printing over Wi-Fi and Bluetooth
Prevention Information pop-up message is suppressed.
Samsung Knox 2.0

Via: Samsung | Sprint

The Droid Life Show: Episode 60

Tim — Wed, 28 May 2014 22:15:47 +0000

Episode 60 of The Droid Life Show is taking place tonight, at its usual time of 6pm Pacific. The crew will be discussing LG's latest announcement, the G3 flagship device, plus we will also chat about Apple's purchase of Beats that was made official today. These are the two big topics, but we will have others as well. We know many of you have questions about the LG G3, so we will be taking a nice long viewer Q&A this evening, that way we can try to field all of your questions about the device. We are live tonight at 6:00PM Pacific (9:00PM Eastern). If you miss us live, feel free to subscribe to us by following one of the links below.

Subscribe | iTunes | Show Page

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New Broadcom Chip is Compatible With Every Wireless Charging Standard

Kyle — Wed, 28 May 2014 14:50:39 +0000

To say wireless charging is confusing to the average consumer is a massive understatement. A myriad of competing standards - Qi and tech from the Power Matters Alliance, for example - make picking out power docks compatible with your smartphone generally unpleasant. Even worse? When the time to upgrade your handset comes, you may be stuck with an incompatible dock and have to settle with a plug-in adapter dongle. Annoying. Thankfully, Broadcom thinks it has the answer to that particular problem. The company has developed a new wireless power receiver, the BCM59350, that is compatible with every wireless charging technology on the market. No more having to worry about whether your charging plate is Qi-compatible or not - if your device contains the chip, it'll charge regardless. The new chip also features 7.5W support versus the standard 5W, which Broadcom says can help devices charge even when they're further away from a power source. The higher voltage should also translate to faster charging times. The company was rather coy on the subject of manufacturing partners. However, Broadcom said test samples have gone out to a select few parties. Cooperation between consortiums is the only way to truly alleviate the problem of competing standards, but the new chip seems like a good interim solution.

Via: Broadcom

T-Mobile Holding Uncarrier 5.0 Event on June 18

Kellen — Wed, 28 May 2014 14:27:35 +0000

T-Mobile announced this afternoon that they will hold Uncarrier 5.0 on June 18 at an event in Los Angeles. The only wording included in the invite says "We don't play it safe and sound." To be perfectly honest, I have no idea what that is hinting at. In the past, we have seen T-Mobile eliminate contracts, move to monthly payment device plans, change how often you can upgrade phones, pay early termination fees (ETF) for customers who leave current carriers to join their network, hand out free tablet data for life, give plans free international data, and more. The Uncarrier moves have worked in terms of gaining new subscribers. Now, T-Mobile has to work to become profitable. Any guesses for Uncarrier 5.0?

Deal: Moto G on Verizon Only $70 Through Amazon

Tim — Wed, 28 May 2014 14:00:53 +0000

For the budget-minded among us, the Moto G through Verizon's pre-paid service is now available for only $70, off contract on Amazon. The Moto G won't blow you away with its specs, but it is a handy little device that features a 4.5" HD display, quad-core processor clocked at 1.2GHz, 5MP rear camera, and comes running Android 4.3 with an update for Kit Kat also available. The phone is usually priced at $99, so getting $30 off retail is not bad at all. Have at it. Amazon Link ($69.98)

Apple Finally Makes It Official, is Buying Beats for $3 Billion

Kellen — Wed, 28 May 2014 13:48:36 +0000

Hey, look, Apple finally decided to announce that it is buying Beats. The cost of the acquisition will run Apple $3 billion, a price that includes a purchase price of $2.6 billion plus another $400 million that will vest over time. Apple is buying both Beats Music and Beats Electronics. This acquisition was first rumored back on May 8, so we aren't exactly sure why it took Apple so long to announce it. Some think the delay was due to Dr. Dre's YouTube celebration, where he spouted out drunkenly that he was “The first billionaire in Hip-Hop, right here from the motherf***in’ West Coast, believe it.” Either way, it's all official now. Beats co-founder Jimmy Iovine said in the press release for the acquisition that he has "always known in my heart that Beats belonged with Apple." Excuse me while I go vomit a little. Iovine and Dre will both join Apple. Beats Music will apparently continue to live on, for those of you with an Android device that use the service. Congrats, Dre.

Via: Apple

Google Camera Update Adds 16:9 Photos and a Timer (Updated)

Kellen — Wed, 28 May 2014 12:46:31 +0000

Google Camera received an update today to build 2.2.024. The update isn't massive, but it does give users the choice to shoot photos in 16:9 versus the traditional 4:3. Google also tossed in a timer that can be set to take photos in either 3 or 10 seconds. We are pretty sure that is it. You can download it below. Update: The update also includes a couple of crazy new panorama modes, one of which is a fish-eye mode. Play Link | Download Link [Mirror]

Cheers Ryan!

Deal: Sony Xperia Z2 Just $599 Through eBay

Tim — Wed, 28 May 2014 12:42:07 +0000

Sony's newest flagship to not come to America, the Xperia Z2 (hands-on here), is available today through eBay for only $599.99. The device typically retails for around $799.99, making this deal good for $200 off the sticker price. Not too shabby, eBay. You have your choice of colors - Black, White, and Purple, with all models sporting 16GB of storage, 20MP rear-facing camera, 5.2" 1080p display, quad-core Snapdragon 801 processor, 2GB of RAM, NFC, microSD slot, and come running Android 4.4.2. If the Sony Xperia Z2 has been on your shopping list, and you don't mind running it on either T-Mobile or AT&T's network, then have at it. eBay Link. ($599.99)

Cheers Justin!

Lenovo Debuts a Superphone That Will Probably Never Come to the US

Kyle — Wed, 28 May 2014 11:26:57 +0000

Think the LG G3 specifications are impressive? Then wait till you see Lenovo's new monster. At an internal event yesterday, the soon-to-be owner of Motorola Mobility revealed its follow-up to the Vibe Z, a smartphone that debuted overseas last year. Dubbed the Vibe Z2 Pro, bound for international markets, its specs should leave you longing. If the 6" QHD display and Snapdragon 801 processor don't impress, the 4,000mAh battery, 16MP camera with dual flash, metallic body, and very narrow bezels should do the trick. The Z2 Pro also sports standard accoutrements, such as dual-SIM support with LTE and NFC. Oh, and it is only 7.7 millimeters thick. Your move, LG. It's tough to get excited when the Vibe Z2 Pro will almost assuredly never see US shores, but perhaps these are the types of devices we can look forward to once Lenovo fully absorbs Motorola. Hey, I can dream.

Via: Sina Weibo [2]

Google Reveals New Self-Driving Car Model Without Wheel, Accelerator, or Brake Pedal

Kyle — Wed, 28 May 2014 10:59:02 +0000

Google's self-driving cars may have racked up over 700,000 miles without causing an accident, but the broader project still faces technical and legislative hurdles; the cars struggle to drive in rain and have never been tried in snow, for instance, and the testing of autonomous vehicles is only legal in three states. That's not stopping the search giant from taking meaningful - albeit small - steps towards a market debut, though. Yesterday, Google revealed a version of the the company's self-driving car with nothing but a start button, stop button, and LCD screen. There is no wheel, accelerator, or brake pedal. It's the purest embodiment of Google's driverless vision yet. The car, which is electric and seats two, can be summoned with a smartphone. It has a range of about 100 miles and is limited to a speed of 25 mph - indications of its intended use for taxiing folks around town. On the engineering front, the car has an upgraded sensor mount more accurate than the arrays found on Google's self-driving Lexus and Toyota vehicles, and has a body designed to minimize damage from a crash. Google says it will begin testing the cars next year. The company's ultimate goal is to start a small pilot program in a couple of years. That, of course, will hinge on how well the self-driving car team is able to perfect the vehicles' software and hardware, and whether or not regulatory questions are resolved before then. Still, Google's progress is encouraging.

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Via: Google

Verizon HTC One M7 Sense 6.0 Update Rolling Out Now, Full Changelog Here

Eric — Wed, 28 May 2014 10:34:32 +0000

As we reported on yesterday, the update to Verizon's HTC One (M7) is rolling out to devices starting today and over the next few days. This brings the device up to Software Version 4.10.605.3 and includes Sense 6.0 along with some other bug fixes and improvements. Big improvements to BlinkFeed, refinements to the overall user interface of the phone and other new features will be a welcome sight for owners of this phone. Bug fixes include addressing the WiFi connectivity and ISIS wallet are also in the downloads. Verizon and HTC patched up some other odds and ends, but the headliner of this update will be Sense 6.0 bringing new life to last year's flagship. To see the full list of fixes and improvements, see the changelog below. Keep checking through the rest of today and tomorrow if you do not have it already. To check for the update, head into Settings>Phone update>Check for update.

Via: Verizon

Pocket Premium Subscription Introduced, Strives to be Dropbox of Web Content

Eric — Wed, 28 May 2014 10:28:53 +0000

With as many screens as we have connected to the Internet at any given time, we need a convenient way to move content across them quickly and easily. Pocket, formerly Read It Later, wants to be the first name you think of when that comes to mind. Today, the company announced a premium service of its already great offering, giving users more options when deciding where they want to consume their content. Available on Google Play today, Pocket Premium gives users the ability to search the web, then auto-tag stories and content that they save with Pocket. Premium even provides a permanent archive for those links as well. A few years down the road, when you are looking for the cooking recipe that you saved, it will still be there even if the link has long gone from the web. In a survey of Pocket users, this archive feature was requested "off the charts" by its users, so they gladly delivered. Access to these premium features comes at a cost, though. Pocket Premium will run you $5 a month, but if you want to do a yearly subscription to save some money, it will be $42. If you are ready to start building your library of links and content that will be around for the rest of your years, check out Pocket in Google Play below. Play Link

Via: Pocket

Moto X+1 Reportedly Pictured in Chicago Subway, Could Sport 5"+ Display

Tim — Wed, 28 May 2014 09:54:46 +0000

A purported picture of the Moto X+1 has hit the web, said to be taken recently in a Chicago subway. The device, whatever it may be exactly, is clearly being used inside of a dummy box, which OEMs often use when an unreleased device is out for field testing. The only true sign that points to it being Motorola property is the company's logo which is spotted, albeit a bit blurry, in the top left corner of the device. We have seen this mark on all leaked images from Motorola for the past year. According to the tipster who sent it in to @evleaks, we could be looking at a display size of 5" or more, but that's all we know at this point for hardware. We can also see that there are on-screen buttons, it appears to be running Kit Kat, and lastly, this user is skimming through Google+. If the next Moto flagship comes featuring a 5"+ display, are you still interested?

Via: @evleaks

Sony Launches Wireless Charging Accessories for Xperia Z2 Owners

Tim — Wed, 28 May 2014 09:04:34 +0000

Sony announced two wireless charging accessories for the Xperia Z2 this morning, a charging cover and a charging plate. Both incorporate Qi technology, which utilizes electromagnetic induction to send juice to your phone's battery without the help of cords and wires. The WCR12 charging cover snaps around your Xperia Z2, much like a smart cover would on any other device. To use it, you will need the WCH10 charging plate, which allows you to just place the phone down for it to begin to charge. And if the cover interests you already, you will be happy to hear that it doubles as its own phone stand, too. Both accessories are listed on Sony's site, but neither show a price or US availability dates. This shouldn't come as too much of a surprise, though, as the Xperia Z2 is not available through any US carriers. However, if you are interested in buying either accessory for your imported smartphone, UK's Clove retailer has both of them here.

Via: Sony

Chromecast, Google Music All Access, and Nexus Devices Available in Handful of New Countries

Kellen — Wed, 28 May 2014 08:44:32 +0000

Just a quick heads-up to the international crew, once again, but yesterday during all of the LG G3 festivities, Google made some of their services and devices available in new countries. Items like the Nexus 5 and Nexus 7 (2013), plus Chromecast and Google Music All Access can now be enjoyed by new parts of the world.

New Countries

Google Music All Access: Denmark and Poland
Chromecast: Australia, Belgium, Norway, Switzerland, Japan, and Portugal
Nexus 5: Norway and Switzerland
Nexus 7 (2013): Norway and Switzerland

Via: Google [2]

LG G3 Promo Video Hypes Laser Auto Focus, Quad HD, Metallic Skin

Kellen — Wed, 28 May 2014 08:26:27 +0000

Does anyone else feel like they have an LG G3 hangover after the lengthy press festivities of yesterday? Or do you need more G3? If so, LG has uploaded a "product movie" to highlight all of the device's new stand-out features, like laser auto focus in the 13MP camera, the massive amount of pixels in the 5.5-inch Quad HD display, the metallic skin on the backside atop the "floating arc design," its 1-watt speaker, 3,000mAh battery, and new flat LG UI. I'm curious, do you have any new thoughts on the G3 now that everything has soaked in a bit? Worried about the GPU powering all those pixels? Excited to see how good the camera can be? Wondering why the delay in shipping to US carriers? Let us know.

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Asus Padfone X From AT&T Will Finally be Available June 6 for $199

Kellen — Wed, 28 May 2014 08:05:14 +0000

AT&T and Asus gave the Padfone X a release date today, only about six months after it was first introduced to the world. Originally announced back at CES in January, the Padfone X has been teased and mentioned by AT&T for weeks, but only now do we know how much it will cost and when it can be bought. June 6 is the day. For $199 on 2-year contract or as low as $22.92 per month with AT&T Next. For those new to the Padfone X, you are looking at a phone that docks into a tablet shell, allowing it to be both phone and tablet. The phone phone portion of the duo brings you a 5-inch Full HD (1080p) display, 13MP PixelMaster camera, 2.3GHz Snapdragon 800 processor, 16GB of on-board storage, micro SD slot for more, wireless charging, and Android 4.4. The tablet portion brings you a 9-inch Full HD display with front-facing speakers that are powered by the phone once docked. Keep in mind that the tablet has its own battery as well, so when you dock your phone, the tablet shell actually charges it. After all these months, are you interested?

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Via: ATT

LG G3 Initial Thoughts and Impressions

Tim — Tue, 27 May 2014 17:30:28 +0000

Finally, after weeks and weeks of leaks and hypebeasting, the LG G3 is official. Kellen and I were on hand in San Francisco, where we were able to spend quality time with LG's latest flagship device. Naturally, we have had a lot of people asking for our thoughts on the device, so here they are in one big post. With its 5.5" QHD display, 13MP OIS+ camera with laser auto focus, and a ton of sweet proprietary software from LG, you would think the G3 is the phone of the future. Well, it most certainly could be. Have a look below to read Kellen and I's initial impressions on the LG G3.

Tim: I have been very open this year about my optimism for the LG G3. I adored last year's G2, with its slim body, awesome camera with OIS technology, and the outstanding performance delivered from the Snapdragon 800. It was easily the year's most underrated device, and didn't receive as much praise as it should have, thanks to the Moto X taking all of the 2013 glory. Putting my fondness for the G2 aside, I must say that the G3 from LG doesn't look to disappoint. We spent a few hours with it at LG's press conference in San Francisco, where they live streamed the London event which was taking place simultaneously. Afterwards, we were allowed to play with the G3, however, they were all Korean and overseas variants; no American carrier models were on hand. My takeaway from the phone is that I am very excited for LG to release this device to the public here in the US. A few people are saying it is either too big or that they had hoped to see a Snapdragon 805 processor inside, but I feel that once people have the device in their hands, they will instantly fall in love with the phone. With a 5.5" display, Kellen and myself were turned off at first based solely on the number, but with LG's design and the overall ergonomic feel of the device, I don't think I will mind this size of a device for my daily driver one bit. With the QHD display (2560 x 1440), it was as if I was looking at a crispness of display I had never experienced before, which is always a plus for me, since I spend a lot of time with the latest and greatest devices from all other OEMs. To see a company try something different, and to show that the massive display shouldn't hinder overall performance of the device (or battery), I am hoping that other companies will look to incorporate the QHD technology into their devices. The top thing I am looking to really test out is the camera. From the time we spent with it, I have very high hopes. The auto focus was just as responsive as they marketed in the livestream, which was actually quite surprising. No idea how photos taken on this phone will translate into social networks such as Twitter and Instagram, though, both of those services destroy picture resolutions when uploading from an Android device. Given the quality of the photos you can take on the G3, folks may have to start looking into sharing their masterpieces elsewhere. As for the custom skin that LG bakes in, I would place it close to Samsung's TouchWiz in terms of scale. It seems quite refined, probably the most appealing skin from LG I have seen to date. While it sometimes seems a bit overwhelming, I usually find myself installing a third party launcher which fixes all of those issues for me.

Kellen: As you all know, I'm not a fan of the current smartphone trend of bigger is better. Manufacturers seem to think that the only way they can innovate is by making phones that are larger than their predecessors. It sucks. My hands are done growing; they quit stretching long ago. Yours probably did too. Phones, though, may not have even reached a peak yet. So when rumors for the LG G3 started popping up over the last couple months, with talk of the device featuring a massive 5.5-inch Quad HD display, I immediately became concerned. I like what LG has done recently, especially with the minimal bezel job they performed on both the G2 and Nexus 5, but 5.5-inches of glass? That's scary. And then today, I had a chance to play with the G3. While I only spent around an hour with the phone (review units are coming much later), I can tell you right now that I'm ready to give it a legitimate shot. In fact, I want this phone, in white. I can't exactly explain why either. It's huge. It's a big phone - bigger than the HTC One (M8) and Galaxy S5, two phones I told you were too big. It goes against everything I have ranted about to the DL community. So why the G3 then? Well, it has almost zero bezel. When you hold it, it is as if it does not feel as big as it really is. Its curves hit your palm gently, you can almost reach the top of the display without much of a shimmy, and it does not come off as slippery or uncomfortable. There is no wasted space - this phone is all display, but with a slight chin. It doesn't have the massive chin/forehead/unnecessary-black-bar combo of the One (M8) or the added all-around bezel of the Galaxy S5. LG did not mess around with this phone's design. It is gorgeous. With that said, I am still a bit skeptical. Large phones still frustrate me, but if done properly, which the G3 may be, I would hope that I could adapt to one. I'm not making any guarantees, but this phone is looking very promising. Outside of the size, the rest of the package is super exciting. The QHD display is absolutely stunning. The 13MP camera with its laser autofocus might be game-changing. Plus, you have a micro SD slot, 3GB RAM, a removable battery, and a brand new LG UI that doesn't look terrible. Give me one now, LG. I need more time with the G3.

If you have any questions about the G3, please don't hesitate to drop it below in the comments section.

Google to Shutdown Chrome Extensions Not Installed From the Chrome Web Store

Kellen — Tue, 27 May 2014 17:15:33 +0000

Shady, third party YouTube downloaders, your run has come to an end (sort of). Google announced today that it will begin shutting down Chrome extensions that were installed outside of the Chrome Web Store (CWS). They also announced that going forward, users can only install extensions that are hosted on the CWS. At this time, this new change seems to only affect Windows users. Google noted in a post to the Chrome blog, that malware can be hidden in extensions, allowing the bad guys to do damage to your life while working silently in the background. Dirty extensions could track your browsing activity or inject unwanted ads into your Chrome experience. If you notice oddly placed ads or a sluggish browser, you may have a bad extension installed. If you are a "developer," Google will "continue to support local extension installs during development as well as via Enterprise policy." To find out more details on this new extension policy, hit up the source link below.

Via: Chrome Blog

Search Now App Lets You Search Through Everything on Your Phone or the Web

Tim — Tue, 27 May 2014 17:08:11 +0000

A new app called Search Now recently hit Google Play for Android devices. For anyone who has wished the built-in search function on Android was a bit more comprehensive, this may be the app for you. With it, users can search for pretty much anything that is on their device or even on the web thanks to built-in browser tools. For example, if I want to search for a picture, I can search by a folder name or a specific file name. If I want to search by a bookmark that I have on Chrome, I can do that as well. Search Now also allows for users to use different search tools, too - instead of Google, you can select Yahoo, Bing, Ask, or from many others. Users can search through contacts, the web, applications, bookmarks, web history, music, videos, calendar items, and even system settings. It is quite extensive. You can choose to have a movable little widget placed on your home screen or a full bar widget, whichever you prefer. The app is completely free, so go check it out on Google Play. Play Link

Cheers Droid Ronin!

Nova Launcher 3.0 Beta 1 Released, Brings a Ton of Enhancements and New Features

Tim — Tue, 27 May 2014 15:00:01 +0000

Thought Nova Launcher development was dead? Think again. Today, Nova Launcher received a massive beta update, bringing it to version 3.0. With so much time going by since the last major update to Nova, the changelog is quite extensive for today's update, with plenty of new features and tools to help trick out your home screen experience. The update includes a new persistent search bar look (sexy honeycomb), sub-grid positioning, custom label colors, full 4x1 widget support in the dock, greater control of placement/size/cropping of app icons, and a ton more. Take a peek below at a partial amount of the massive changelog.

What's New

Subgrid positioning.
Snap widgets/icons to half cells.
Greater control of placement/size without shrinking/cropping app icons.
Custom label colors (desktop, dock, drawer).
Individual drawer tab colors (tap on the tab and select Edit).
New tab style Colorblock.
Vertical drawer scrolls under transparent navbar.
Backup/Restore using Kitkat's Document Provider (supports ext-sdcard, Drive, Box, etc).
Full 4x1 widget support in dock.
Individually toggle widget padding (long-press on widget and select Padding).
Nova Action for First Item In Folder (Use with swipe/tap action of folders).
Honeycomb style persistent searchbar available on phones.
Slight visual refresh (settings screen, menu icon, color picker).

The changelog looks massive, so head here to see the whole thing. If you are not already a beta tester, join this Google+ community, click the Play link below, opt into the beta, then download from Google Play. Play Link

Via: +Kevin Barry

Google Now Weather Card Changes to Show Multiple Cities, Not Multiple Cards

Kellen — Tue, 27 May 2014 14:21:44 +0000

The Google Now weather card received an update last week to a more simplified, multi-city appearance. We had at least one reader send it over, but it wasn't until today that the card started to rollout to everyone. So yes, you should see it, assuming you have travel plans in the near future. The card typically shows the weather for the city you are in. In fact, it still does. But should you travel or have plans to travel to a new city, it now shows multiple cities stacked into a single card. In the past, Google Now would stack multiple cards on top of each other that could be toggled between. I actually preferred the multi-card approach, but hey, I'm not an app designer.

Cheers Chris, Anthony, and me!

Spotify Advises Android Users to Update Following Data Breach

Kyle — Tue, 27 May 2014 14:00:16 +0000

Like so many companies before it, Spotify has suffered a data breach. Thankfully, only one customer's non-sensitive account data was accessed, but the service is taking preemptive steps to ensure other users are not affected. The Spotify team recommends updating the Spotify app when prompted on Google Play, which should be shortly (follow the instructions here to see if you have latest.) The update has the side affect of deleting offline playlists, but should fix the vulnerability that led to the data hack. The team also advises against downloading and installing Spotify from any source other than Google Play, the Amazon Appstore, or m.spotify.com. The instructions are for Android users only. No need to do anything if you use Spotify on any other platform.

Via: Spotify

Humble Bundle 10 Released, Features Metal Slug 3, Symphony and More

Eric — Tue, 27 May 2014 13:15:20 +0000

You know what makes a good week even better? A new Humble Bundle for us to get our hands on. The tenth edition of the original Humble Bundle is upon us offering up some great games for a great cause. Let's get to it. For those of you who don't know, the Humble Bundle is an effort to promote great indie developed games in a way that benefits the developers and charity more than the big game companies. Not only do you get to pay what you want, but you get to decide how much money goes to the developers, charities and such. This time around, the three base games are Symphony, Draw a Stickman: EPIC, and Galcon Legends. Symphony lets you turn your own music collection into a battle ground. We have featured Draw a Stickman before and loved the unique drawing gameplay it brings and Galcon Legends allows you to try and take over the galaxy. Those three games come with any amount you pay, but if you pay above $4.74 (at the time of this writing), you can unlock four more games. Metal Slug 3, Skulls of the Shogun, Fieldrunners 2, and Breach & Clear all come with your purchase as long as you pay above the average price. What's great is that all of these games are cross platform, meaning you can play them on Android and Steam and with some games on Mac and Linux as well. As if that wasn't already enough good news, the Bundle usually grows a week after it launches, so if you pay above the average you get the extra games that are released later as well. If your game library needs something new, head on over to Humble Bundle's website and check it out. [responsive_vid]

Video: LG G3 vs. G2 vs. Galaxy S5 vs. Note 3 vs. Nexus 5 (Updated)

Kellen — Tue, 27 May 2014 12:42:15 +0000

After running through a quick overview and tour with the LG G3, here at one of the satellite press events, we also took a couple of minutes to compare the size of the device to most of the flagships currently available. ~~We somehow forgot to compare the G3 to the HTC One (M8)~~, but did put it side-by-side with the LG G2, Samsung Galaxy S5 and Galaxy Note 3, and Nexus 5. As noted in the overview video, the phone, even with its 5.5-inch display, feels really great in hand. It's big, that's for sure, but it is certainly manageable for a big device. You will most definitely have to shimmy the phone in your hand from time-to-time to get up to the notification bar, but that move comes standard with almost every phone these days. It is slightly bigger than all phones shown, outside of the Note 3 where it is substantially smaller. Compared to the Galaxy S5, G2, and Nexus 5, though, it's not a giant leap up. If you can handle those phones, I get the feeling that you can handle the G3 as well. More coming! Update: We added a quick comparison of the LG G3 to the HTC One (M8) and the Sony Xperia Z2.

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LG G3 Hands-on and Overview

Tim — Tue, 27 May 2014 12:25:09 +0000

We are live from LG's satellite event in San Francisco, where the company showed off the brand new G3 to US press. We have been fortunate enough to receive hands-on time with the device, and so far, Kellen and I are both loving the G3. If you have not been paying attention, the G3 features a 5.5" QHD display (2560 x 1440), Snapdragon 801 processor, 2GB or 3GB of RAM depending on the storage option, a 13MP OIS+ rear-facing camera, special Selfie camera on the frontside, 3,000mAh battery, an absolute ton of proprietary LG software, and comes running Android 4.4. To say it is a top-tier device might be a bit of an understatement at this point. Check out the full hands-on video and picture gallery below. Full impressions post coming from K and I shortly.

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Verizon HTC One M7 Set to Receive Sense 6.0 Update This Week

Eric — Tue, 27 May 2014 12:00:05 +0000

HTC might have moved on to this year's One (M8), and maybe even a more "Prime" device, but HTC still has promises to keep. In addition to pledging to update some of their older devices to Android 4.4 Kit Kat, it also said that Sense 6.0 was a priority as well. Today, we have gotten word that Verizon's One (M7) should be receiving that update later on this week. When this initiative was first announced, "end of May" was given as a timetable for when we could expect to see these upgrades finished. After this update, only the AT&T and Sprint versions of the M7 will remain without. However, it is good to see HTC sticking to their word and trying to update these phones as soon as possible. This update brings a lot of new features and fixes to your phone. Blinkfeed changes, new personalization options, font changing abilities and a power saving mode have all been worked into the T-Mobile and International M7 already. We will keep you posted as soon as we hear more about this update. If you need a reminder of what Sense 6.0 will look like, check out our video overview.

Via: @Leigh Momii

T-Mobile Announces Contest for LG G3, Win a "Beta Model" Before Official Release

Kyle — Tue, 27 May 2014 11:45:17 +0000

As expected, T-Mobile will be one of four major US carriers to sell LG's G3 when it launches in the US later this year. Uniquely, though, the carrier announced a contest for entrants to win a G3 before its official release. T-Mobile will give away an advanced release "Beta model" every day through June 29. Much like the carrier's Galaxy S5 promotion, registration for the contest will require pre-registering for the G3 (i.e., providing an e-mail address and contact details) through the carrier's website. You can sign up beginning today. The contest is not limited to T-Mobile customers. Contest Sign Up

Via: T-Mobile

Specs Comparison: LG G3 vs. Galaxy S5. vs. HTC One (M8)

Kellen — Tue, 27 May 2014 11:07:52 +0000

If you are considering the LG G3, you probably want to know how it compares to the other flagship phones of the moment. Devices like the Samsung Galaxy S5, HTC one (M8), and maybe even the Nexus 5 are all more than likely on your radar. To help you decide, we put together a classic comparison sheet of their specs, so you can at least see how they stack up to one-another on paper. The G3 is the first of the bunch to use a QHD display, so in terms of display, it clearly stands above the rest. But is the 13MP camera, metallic body, new flat LG UI, 3000mAh battery, and combination of storage and RAM enough to make it the best of them all? Tough to say until we all spend more time with the G3. More coverage coming!

LG and Carriers Announce G3 Availability

Kyle — Tue, 27 May 2014 10:28:39 +0000

Perhaps the most exciting part of LG's G3 press event wasn't the confirmation of the Snapdragon 801 processor or the laser auto focus, but the announcement of a launch window. The G3 will retail on more than 170 carriers globally, beginning May 28 in Korea. Word on US availability was unfortunately vague - the best LG PR offered was "later this summer." When it launches, the G3 will be available in 16GB and 32GB capacities (both have microSD slots compatible with cards up to 128GB). The differences between the models expands beyond the amount of internal storage: the 16GB model has 2GB of RAM, while the 32GB bumps the memory up to 3GB. Beyond that, though, the variations are identical. No info on preorders - it sounds like stateside carriers may be getting the device later than others - but we'll be asking LG representatives to clarify. All of the major US carriers will sell the device, including Verizon, T-Mobile, AT&T, and Sprint. Sprint has announced that it will exclusively carry the gold model. T-Mobile announced the device individually as well, and is launching a special contest that will award lucky customers with a free G3 through June 29. AT&T said it will carry the device "this year." Verizon took to Twitter to confirm a G3 adorned with lovely carrier branding is coming to its network this summer.

Via: LG

Tuesday Poll: Are You Buying the LG G3?

Kellen — Tue, 27 May 2014 10:22:16 +0000

It's official! The LG G3 has been announced. Quad HD is here. Laser autofocus too. We even have a metallic skin that doesn't look cheap as an added bonus. The phone does contain a Snapdragon 801, though. I know many were hoping for the Snapdragon 805 with its new GPU. The rest is exactly what we were all looking for - there even seems to be a version with 3GB of RAM. Unfortunately, we don't have a solid release date in the US other than "later this summer" or a price. Full specs here. Announcement here. So, it's time to tell us - are you buying one? Also, be sure to tell us which carrier (and maybe even which color you like the best). [poll id="299"]

LG G3 Specs

Kellen — Tue, 27 May 2014 10:05:14 +0000

Now that the LG G3 is official, I'm sure you are all dying to know the official specs. Does it have a Snapdragon 801 or an 805? Does it have 2GB RAM or 3GB RAM? Is the display really a 5.5-inch Quad HD IPS? Is the battery 3,000mAh? How much storage does it have? All of that can be found below.

Chipset: Qualcomm Snapdragon™ 801 (up to 2.5GHz Quad-Core)
Display: 5.5-inch Quad HD IPS (2560 x 1440, 538ppi)
Memory: 16/32GB eMMC ROM / 2/3GB DDR3 RAM / microSD slot (128GB max)
Camera: Rear 13.0MP with OIS+ and Laser Auto Focus / Front 2.1MP
Battery: 3,000mAh (removable)
Operating System: Android 4.4.2 KitKat
Size: 146.3 x 74.6 x 8.9mm
Weight: 149g
Network: 4G / LTE / HSPA+ 21 Mbps (3G)
Connectivity: Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, Bluetooth Smart Ready (Apt-X), NFC, SlimPort, A-GPS/Glonass, USB 2.0
Color: Metallic Black, Silk White, Shine Gold, Moon Violet, Burgundy Red
Other: Smart Keyboard, Smart Notice, Knock CodeTM , Guest Mode, etc.

LG Announces the G3

Kellen — Tue, 27 May 2014 10:00:32 +0000

LG just made their new 2014 flagship official, say "Hello!" to the G3. As expected, the device has a 5.5-inch Quad HD Display, Snapdragon 801 processor, 2 or 3GB of RAM depending on the internal storage, 16 or 32GB of storage, and a 13MP OIS+ camera. We are currently in the middle of the unveiling event, so as details emerge, this post will see updates. As that is happening, be sure to follow along with our live blog and live video stream! The LG G3 will be available starting May 28 (tomorrow) in South Korea. An LG rep at our press event told us to expect it in the US later this summer on all the major carriers. You will be able to buy the LG G3 at Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile, Sprint, and Best Buy.

Gallery

Specs

Chipset: Qualcomm Snapdragon™ 801 (up to 2.5GHz Quad-Core)
Display: 5.5-inch Quad HD IPS (2560 x 1440, 538ppi)
Memory: 16/32GB eMMC ROM / 2/3GB DDR3 RAM / microSD slot (128GB max)
Camera: Rear 13.0MP with OIS+ and Laser Auto Focus / Front 2.1MP
Battery: 3,000mAh (removable)
Operating System: Android 4.4.2 KitKat
Size: 146.3 x 74.6 x 8.9mm
Weight: 149g
Network: 4G / LTE / HSPA+ 21 Mbps (3G)
Connectivity: Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, Bluetooth Smart Ready (Apt-X), NFC, SlimPort, A-GPS/Glonass, USB 2.0
Color: Metallic Black, Silk White, Shine Gold, Moon Violet, Burgundy Red
Other: Smart Keyboard, Smart Notice, Knock CodeTM , Guest Mode, etc.

Press Release

NEW LG G3 SMARTPHONE, REDEFINES CONCEPT OF SMART AND SIMPLE

‘Simple is the New Smart:’ New LG G3 Builds on Legacy of Acclaimed G Series

May 27, 2014 - 1:00pm

NEW YORK AND SAN FRANCISCO, May 27, 2014 — LG Electronics (LG) today introduced to the world its eagerly anticipated LG G3 smartphone, the successor to the company’s popular LG G2. With launch events taking place in six cities worldwide — London, New York, San Francisco, Seoul, Singapore and Istanbul — the LG G3 aims to redefine the definition of a global smartphone for global customers.

The all-new LG G3 will arrive on U.S. soil later this summer with T-Mobile, Sprint, AT&T, Verizon, Best Buy and Best Buy Mobile specialty stores.

Developed under the Simple is the New Smart concept, LG G3 is a culmination of consumer research based on LG’s product development philosophy, Learning from You. The LG G3 was empowered with the best of what current technology has to offer, providing consumers with a user experience more ambitious than anything offered before by LG.

“The smartest innovation in a fast evolving smartphone market is creating harmony between advanced technology and a simplified user experience,” said Dr. Jong-seok Park, president and CEO of the LG Electronics Mobile Communications Company. “The LG G3 is the result of our effort to actualize that idea into a tangible product. And we are extremely pleased with the result.”

Highlights of the new LG G3 include:

5.5-inch Quad HD display with 538ppi with four times the resolution of HD and almost two times higher resolution than a Full HD display

13MP OIS+ (Optical Image Stabilizer Plus) camera with a revolutionary Laser Auto Focus that can shoot stunningly sharp images in a fraction of the time required by conventional phone cameras

Polished metallic skin on the rear cover that is lightweight, fingerprint-resistant and most of all, aesthetically pleasing

Floating Arc form factor that feels incredibly comfortable in one hand and incorporates the innovative design heritage of the Rear Key

Redesigned graphic user interface (GUI) consistent with the Simple is the New Smart concept of the LG G3

True-to-Life Viewing Experience LG’s development of the LG G3’s breathtaking Quad HD display was the result of years of innovation in display technology. With a pixel density of 538ppi, the LG G3’s Quad HD display sets new viewing standard producing images that are sharper and clearer than traditional smartphone displays. At 5.5-inches, the LG G3 boasts a screen ratio of 76.4 percent with thin bezels all around so the phone feels as comfortable in the hand as a smaller traditional smartphone.

The high-resolution display on the LG G3 also required LG engineers to pair it with battery technology that was just as innovative. LG equipped the LG G3 with a 3,000mAh removable battery and advanced optimization technologies to further maximize battery efficiency. By replacing the metal in the battery cathode with graphite, LG engineers were able to extend the lifespan of the LG G3’s battery. The result is a battery that can keep up with the Quad HD display’s ultra-high performance without losing steam in the middle of the day.

Simply Captivating The LG G3’s advanced 13MP OIS+ camera is designed to quickly and easily capture life’s special moments as they occur. This is made possible with LG G3’s innovative Laser Auto Focus. This technology enables the LG G3 to capture the best moment — even in low light — by measuring the distance between the subject and the camera using a laser beam. So fuzzy pictures of your son scoring his first football goal or missed shots because your camera couldn’t decide quickly enough which toddler in the playground to focus on is virtually a thing of the past. Combined with the proven and popular OIS+ technology first seen in the G Pro 2, the LG G3 is sure to impress even the most discerning shutterbugs.

LG also simplified the process of actually capturing those special moments. Rather than having to focus on the subject in preview mode and then pressing the shutter button, with the LG G3, tapping the subject to focus will simultaneously also trigger the shutter. What’s more, the LG G3’s 2.1MP front camera incorporates several new enhancements such as a larger image sensor and larger aperture for more light throughput and better-looking selfies. A unique twist has been added to the standard timed selfie mode by incorporating gesture controls — when ready to shoot, simply clench your hand into a fist and the LG G3 will recognize the gesture and begin the automatic three-second countdown. It couldn’t get any simpler than that.

For video, the LG G3 offers superior sound quality with instinctive microphones that measure the environment to identify the optimal audio level for the clearest recording. And with the built-in 1W speaker with Boost AMP, users can enjoy videos and music accompanied by richer sounds and clearer tones.

Balanced and Simplified Design Language The Floating Arc design of the LG G3 with its ergonomic arch and slim side profile provides an extremely comfortable grip for everyday one-handed use. The Rear Key continues to anchor LG’s innovative design language, with newly designed power key and volume buttons as well as more premium quality materials and finish. LG also refined sophisticated technical features and advancements located on the rear by arranging them in a clean and singular layout consistent with the LG G3’s well-balanced design language. The stylish metallic skin with matte finish that keeps the LG G3 looking clean and fingerprint-resistant will be offered in five vibrant colors: Metallic Black, Silk White, Shine Gold, Moon Violet and Burgundy Red.

To complement the new external design, LG adopted a minimalistic user interface design with flat graphics. The circular motif of the graphic assets in the new UI was derived from the shape and concept of LG’s logo, reflecting its unique visual style and identity.

Simplified UX to Reflect Simple Pleasures In addition to the advanced core technologies, LG took its Learning from You approach to a higher level with new UX features to offer LG G3 users a unique experience unlike any previous LG smartphone. Highlights include:

Smart Keyboard: Adaptive technology learns as you type for faster input with fewer mistakes. Smart Keyboard reduces input errors by tracking and analyzing typing habits and intuitively “knowing” what word the user intended to type. The height of the keyboard can also be adjusted to better fit the user’s hands and position of the thumbs. Individual keys can also be customized with frequently used symbols for even faster input.

Smart Notice: Like a personal assistant, Smart Notice provides suggestions and recommendations based on user behavior, phone usage patterns and location to offer user information when it’s needed the most. Smart Notice can remind you of a call you declined earlier and ask if you would like to call that person back. If you have a large number of unused files or apps on the LG G3 taking up valuable space, Smart Notice will ask if you would like to delete or uninstall them. But what sets Smart Notice apart from other personal assistants is its natural language capabilities. For example, instead of just displaying today’s temperature and weather forecast, Smart Notice will make a recommendation such as, “You may want to take an umbrella today since it will rain this evening.”

Smart Security: Understanding the importance of maintaining and securing confidential data when smartphones are shared, misplaced, lost or stolen, the LG G3 offers a number of enhanced security features such as:

Knock Code™ enables users to unlock their device with a pattern of taps. Merging security and convenience, users can create a personalized code that can be entered anywhere on the screen. With the LG G3, users have the option of being able to use KnockON to wake the screen to check the time or enter the home screen directly via Knock Code™.

Content Lock keeps personal files safe and hidden from view when sharing the LG G3 with friends. When the G3 is connected to a PC, Content Lock prevents file previews so the data is still safe. The locked files can reside either on the LG G3’s internal memory or on the microSD card.

Kill Switch gives LG G3 owners the ability to disable their phones remotely in the event of theft. The Kill Switch also allows content on the LG G3 to be wiped so personal information won’t be compromised. Kill Switch also includes antivirus scanning and remote wipe and lock, among other essential features.

LG will also be offering a collection of new premium accessories to accompany the LG G3:

QuickCircle™ Case: Available in five colors, QuickCircleTM Case allows easy access to frequently used functions such as calling, text messaging, music and camera all from the QuickCircle window without opening the cover. In addition to the QuickCircleTM Case, LG will offer a lineup of Slim Guard Cases and premium Slim Hard Cases to protect the LG G3 in style.

LG Tone Infinim™ (HBS-900): Developed in collaboration with Harman/Kardon, the Bluetooth stereo headset delivers premium audio quality sound in a stylish design. Built with retractable wire management technology and jog buttons for easy search, Tone Infinim also features Name AlertTM to verbally notify you who is calling before you answer.

Wireless Charger: Compact and foldable, LG’s Wireless Charger is optimized for easy portability. Compatible with Qi’s wireless power charging technology, the Wireless Charger from LG makes staying powered up as convenient as possible.

The LG G3 will begin rolling out worldwide (starting on May 28 in South Korea) on over 170 carriers. Additional details will be announced locally at the time of availability.

Deal: Get Google Play Music All Access Free for 6 Months with the Purchase of Any Sonos Player

Kyle — Tue, 27 May 2014 09:07:44 +0000

Like music, but would rather not pay for it? Sonos has the deal for you. From now until July 5, you can get 6 months of Google Play Music All Access for free with the purchase of any Sonos player. The timing of the promotion is impeccable, as Sonos recently added support for Play Music and All Access to its Sonos Controller for Android. The latest update integrates Play Music into that app's universal search function, and allows you to beam tunes from Google's service to one or many Sonos speakers. For the uninitiated, All Access is Google's answer to subscription music streaming services like Spotify and Rdio. It may exist in a field crowded with competitors, but features like high-quality (320kbps) music streaming, Chromecast compatibility, and a library of over 20 million songs put it a cut above the rest. The offer is valid at participating retailers, including Target, Amazon, and Best Buy.

Via: Sonos

From the Weekend: Google and Nest Reportedly Looking into Home Security with Dropcam

Eric — Tue, 27 May 2014 08:30:43 +0000

Google's movement into smart home territory has caught many people's attention and with a new report, they might be looking to expand that reach even further. After a $3.2 billion acquisition of Nest, the smart thermostat company, reports are now coming out that Google is also contemplating bringing Dropcam on board as well.
Dropcam has made a name for themselves with its IP webcams that stores images and videos in the cloud and allows users to check them from wherever they have internet connection. By bringing them in, this will build on the smart home platform that Google is already working on with Nest thermostats and monitors. Adding in Dropcam as a potential home security system with video feeds that all work into Android and Google's existing ecosystem would make its offering into smart homes more diverse and comprehensive, if it happens.

At this time, the report states that Google has only considered adding Dropcam, this is far from any kind of a done deal. However, during the acquisition of Nest, Google hinted towards getting into the home safety sector as well.

Would you think about picking up Dropcam for your home if Google acquired them?

Via: The Verge

LG Grabs #3 Phone Manufacturer Spot in Q1 of 2014

Tim — Tue, 27 May 2014 08:08:49 +0000

As we have been stating for the past couple of months, 2014 should be a big year for LG. So far, Q1 looks to have treated the company well, with reports declaring that the Korea-based OEM nabbed a podium spot, behind Samsung (#1) and Apple (#2), as the world's #3 phone manufacturer. The #3 spot has eluded LG for quite a bit of time (being #4 for a few quarters), as Nokia always seemed to creep up high in the numbers. According to analysts, the G2 helped LG reach its highest position ever in Q1 of 2014, selling more than US$3.18 billion worth of mobile phones in a three-month period. Without trying to be premature, we would like to think that LG's position would not fade away too quickly. The G3 is one of most hotly-anticipated devices of the year, and if it lives up to expectations, there should be many people across the globe picking this device up. LG is set to announce the G3 in only a couple of hours. Let's hope they don't disappoint.

Via: Yonhap News

Live: LG G3 Unveiling!

Kellen — Tue, 27 May 2014 07:50:30 +0000

The LG G3 will be officially unveiled at 10AM Pacific (1PM Eastern). And even though the LG Netherlands site ruined almost any form of surprise for today's event, we are still pretty damn excited for what LG has in store for us. The G3 is by all means going to be the flagship of the moment with its Quad HD display, 13MP OIS+ camera, new LG skin, and "metallic" design. This is next level, smartphone stuff. Tim and I are en route to one of the press gatherings, which means we will have all sorts of time after the phone is announced to get our hands on it. You won't want to miss any of our coverage. We will have comparisons, general hands-on with the phone, and hopefully, some thoughts after the dust settles. Until we get our hands on it, we will be live blogging the event below. We are still waiting for official word on a live stream, so until we get that, you will want to keep up with our play-by-play action. Should we get an embeddable feed, we will include that in this post. You all ready? [responsive_vid]

Rosewood Replaces Walnut for Custom Moto X Orders (Updated: or not)

Kellen — Mon, 26 May 2014 10:41:15 +0000

Update: Motorola reached out to let us know that Rosewood replacing Walnut was a back-end bug or issue that has been fixed. In other words, Walnut is back, Rosewood is gone again. Rosewood, one of the original "natural" backs shown off at last year's Moto X launch, is now available as an option through MotoMaker. We aren't sure why it took this long to get Rosewood in the line-up, but we should point out that it seems to have replaced Walnut. So if you had your sights still set on a custom Moto X with a Walnut finish, those days are over. Rosewood is here. The finish is still an additional $25 add-on, just like Ebony, Teak, and Bamboo. Also, if anyone cares at this point, rumors suggest that Motorola is potentially considering adding a 64GB storage option. Hopefully, this option will only arrive with the new Moto X later this summer, because I would hate to see anyone purchase the Moto X with the new one only a couple of months away. Don't get me wrong, the Moto X is still an awesome phone, but before the end of August, we should have a new Moto X to obsess over. Here is the proof that the option is at least being tested in the background:

Via: Motorola

Cheers Steven!

LG G3 Fully Outed on Dutch LG Site, Everything You Need to Know is Here

Kellen — Mon, 26 May 2014 10:04:12 +0000

The LG G3 isn't official until tomorrow, but thanks to an official Dutch LG site, we now know almost everything there is to know about the device. I'm talking everything from specs to software features, to the "metallic" design of the body, we have it all. I guess the only thing we need now is a US price and date for retail availability. So what are we looking at, you ask? The specs are now confirmed as a 5.5-inch Quad HD display (2560x1440, 538ppi), "advanced" 13MP camera with OIS+ and laser autofocus, 2.1MP front camera, "lightweight metallic design," 1 watt speaker with "boost amp," brand new "easy to understand and attractive" interface, wireless charging, removable 3,000mAh battery, micro SD card slot, and support for the QuickCircle case. The specifications tab apparently only shows a Snapdragon 801 and 2GB of RAM, whereas we had seen a Snapdragon 805 and 3GB RAM mentioned in previous leaks. The specs page is no longer accessible, so I can't confirm that myself. Does that mean we really aren't going to get a Snapdragon 805 and 3GB RAM or are there two variants? That is the question that remains to be answered.

Gallery

Here is the full page, since the cached version will likely go away:

Via: LG | Portable Gear

Verizon's Testman Site Outs LG G3 Sign-Up Early

Kellen — Sat, 24 May 2014 11:27:35 +0000

Not that there was any doubt in our minds that Verizon would be carrying the LG G3 shortly after the device's unveiling, but Big Red went ahead and confirmed as much through the publicly viewable "testman" page for their online shop. For those new, the "testman" page is Verizon's testing area for items that will soon hit their main website. As you can see above, the listing states that the G3 is "coming soon" and that you can sign up to get the latest information, such as pre-order availability, device specifications, and an eventual release date. Of course, if you click on any of the links, they all point to pages that are not yet live. But hey, feel free to call it "confirmed."

Via: Verizon

Cheers Marco!

Your Days of Future Past

Kellen — Fri, 23 May 2014 19:48:25 +0000

On episode 59 of this week's Droid Life Show, the crew took to the latest in LG G3 rumors, including what may be a list of official specs out of a private event in Korea. After that, it was on to potential Moto 360 pricing, what the end of the Nexus program means and if our depression about that idea can be cured, whether or not Google is really more valuable now than Apple, and if HD Voice and VoLTE will make any of us use our phones for calls any more than we already do (which isn't much). We also managed to sneak in a quick Q&A with listeners on air before finishing off with apps and games of the week. In related news, if you need advice on where not to buy your dog food and which pizza chain to avoid, Tim has you covered there as well. If you miss our live shows, be sure to subscribe to us through various ways by following the links below. Our normal show night is Wednesday at 6PM Pacific (9PM Eastern).

This Week in the Life of DROID: 5/23/2014

Tim — Fri, 23 May 2014 15:43:01 +0000

It was a news-packed week the past few days, with most of the hypebeasting surrounding LG's upcoming G3 announcement (taking place May 27), HTC's alleged M8 "Prime," and Samsung's "Prime" device of their own. Also making headlines was Verizon's announcement of XLTE, T-Mobile's lighting up of VoLTE in Seattle, Nest recalling 440K Protect units, Google toppling Apple as the world's most valuable brand, and so much more. We were also able to conduct Episode 59 of The DL Show, which was one of the more humorous shows we have had in a while. If you have not watched or listened to the show yet, I fully recommend it. With the three day weekend now beginning, we shall bid you au revoir and safe travels! If you missed any of the action from this week, catch all of the highlights below.

Have a fantastic weekend and holiday, folks.

Revamped 1Password Coming to Android, Hits Google Play June 10

Tim — Fri, 23 May 2014 14:50:31 +0000

Popular iOS and Mac application 1Password is already available for Android, but if you view the screenshots on Google Play, you may come away horrified. The app's UI appears to be from the Gingerbread days, and an update is desperately needed. Thankfully, the application's developer, Agile Bits, announced that an update is set to hit Google Play on June 10. The update is a completely rewritten version of the application, complete with new UI, features, and more. 1Password allows users to securely store all of their protected information in one place, ending the worry that many people have of losing or forgetting passwords. The following line is from the app's description on iTunes. "1Password creates strong, unique passwords for every site, remembers them all for you, and logs you in with a single tap. It’s the best way to stay secure and the fastest way to use the web." Stated in the press release, the new and improved 1Password will be launched free for a little while, then will switch to feature IAPs for pro options.

It is an entirely new and full-featured app, built for both phones and tablets! It is also an experiment. All new features will be unlocked and free for everyone to use through August 1, 2014. After that, 1Password 4 for Android will go into a reader mode, and all features can be unlocked for an in-app purchase.

When it hits Google Play on June 10, we will let you know.

Via: Agile Bits

Join Us Tuesday Morning for the LG G3 Event!

Kellen — Fri, 23 May 2014 13:55:15 +0000

As a quick reminder before we head into the long holiday weekend, we wanted to make sure you don't forget that Tim and I will be on hand in San Francisco on Tuesday morning for the unveiling of the LG G3. That's right, May 27 is almost upon us! The event kicks off at 10:00AM Pacific in San Francisco and 1:00PM Eastern in New York. There is also a global launch happening at the same time in London. We are hoping that LG puts out a live stream for the world to watch as the event unfolds, but so far are without one. Should we get one, we will be sure to pass that information along. Until then, we thought we should give you the opportunity to sign-up for our live blog (sign-up is below), so that you don't miss anything from the event. Expect plenty of hands-on time, comparisons, and general thoughts on LG's new flagship. Also, if you have questions or something in particular you would like us to test out once we have the device in-hand, this would be a good place to ask.

Leaked Verizon LG G3 Render Tells You Twice Who It Belongs To

Tim — Fri, 23 May 2014 13:31:38 +0000

Waiting to see what type of branding Verizon would throw onto the LG G3? If this render from @evleaks is legit, then you now have your answer. The G3 looks to sport almost identical branding as the G2 on Big Red did last year, with two logos on the backside, and one on the front. However, in a bit of good news, it appears Verizon has decided to use the same rear buttons that we have seen in previous leaks, which is a good thing. Last year, they used alternate rear-facing keys which did not look too hot. We know Verizon loves covering up the backside in Verizon and 4G LTE branding, but the only real downer is that they felt the need to place a logo on the top right corner again. It really throws off the overall clean look of the frontside. Oh well.

Via: @evleaks

Friday App Sales: Gunship II, RAM Manager Pro, Weather Station, and More

Tim — Fri, 23 May 2014 13:15:39 +0000

Friday App Sales is a segment where we attempt to roundup all of the good app and game sales taking place on Google Play, which will hopefully allow you to get the most of your weekend. This week lacks a bit of big titles, but there are still a few good productivity apps which should help you out. Let's talk about a few of the apps up for grabs this week on Google Play. If you are somewhat obsessive over your current partner, then Couple Tracker might be the app for you. With this app, you can remotely track the GPS location of your loved ones, and even check their SMS and call history without needing to ask to see their phone. Hey, if they don't have anything to hide, then it shouldn't be a big deal. /s As far as games go, Gunship II is available on sale for just $0.99. In this game, you command a helicopter during the Vietnam war. Run missions throughout the war, helping US troops battle the evil forces that inhabit the dense jungles. With rich 3D graphics, you should easily get your buck's worth out of this one. In addition, mobile gamers can grab Oil Rush: 3D Naval Strategy, Pirates! Showdown, and Mind Games Pro, all on sale through Google Play. Check the full list below for the goods.

Friday app sales

Field Recorder ($3.39)
Gunship II ($0.99)
Mind Games Pro ($2.99)
Oil Rush: 3D Naval Strategy ($1.45)
ABBYY TextGrabber + Translator ($1.79)
RAM Manager Pro ($1.36)
Weather Station ($0.99)
Couple Tracker - Phone Monitor ($3.49)
Ultimate Dynamic Navbar ($1.99)
Pirates! Showdown Premium ($0.99)
Animaonline SNES Emulator ($0.99)

Developers. They need you. Go support them.

Buy an HTC One (M8) at AT&T, Save $50 on FitBit One or Flex

Tim — Fri, 23 May 2014 11:57:57 +0000

Starting today, if you pick up a One (M8) from HTC at an AT&T retail location, you could walk away with either a FitBit One or FitBit Flex for $50 off of its suggested retail price. Apparently, AT&T is the only carrier to pre-install the FitBit app as bloatware on its version of the One (M8), a fact we were unaware of. Without the $50 discount, both FitBit devices retail for $99, so bringing them to $49 sounds like quite the bargain. Here is an excerpt from the presser.

Starting Friday, May 23rd, AT&T customers can save $50 on a Fitbit One or Fitbit Flex with the purchase of a HTC One (M8). In addition to this offer being available exclusively to AT&T customers, AT&T is the only U.S. carrier with the Fitbit app pre-loaded on HTC One (M8). Fitbit achievements are integrated directly into the experiences of the HTC One (M8) with results displayed in HTC BlinkFeed™ and the Fitbit dashboard, which makes it quick and easy to check progress. HTC One (M8) is available for zero down or no commitment, or $199.99 with a two-year agreement. With AT&T NextSM there is no down payment, no activation fee, no upgrade fee and no financing fee. The device comes in Gunmetal Gray and Glacial Silver.

Ready to get your fitness on? Head to AT&T to grab the deal.

The Walking Dead Season Two Comes to Kindle Fire HDX and Fire TV

Kyle — Fri, 23 May 2014 11:10:18 +0000

The Walking Dead Season Two, a continuation of the fantastic The Walking Dead saga by developer Telltale Games, is now playable on the Kindle Fire HDX and Fire TV. Available for download from the Amazon Appstore for owners of the aforementioned devices, The Walking Dead Season Two follows a young girl named Clementine, in her attempt to survive the zombie apocalypse. The first episode is free, but the season pass is $15. Telltale set a frustrating precedent by releasing The Walking Dead Season One on Kindle devices first and Android months afterward, and that trend continues with Season Two. Hopefully Amazon's exclusivity period is a lot shorter this time around, but I'm not holding my breath. Of course, sideloading is always an option for the impatient. A recommendation: Season Two stands alone fine, but I highly recommend playing Season One first. The decisions you make will carry over, and you will have a much better context going in. Appstore Link

(H/T AP)

Trials Frontier From Ubisoft Hits Google Play, Not Your Typical Racing Game

Tim — Fri, 23 May 2014 10:35:25 +0000

A new game called Trials Frontier hit Google Play this morning, from publisher Ubisoft Entertainment. The game features fast-moving motorcycles as they attempt to get over hundreds of different obstacles, all while trying to complete the course as quickly as possible. But be careful, your rider can get seriously injured if you are not too careful. Trials Frontier employs gorgeous 3D graphics and well-balanced physics, which gives environments a very realistic feel. If you do good, you can rack up points, which allow you to upgrade your bikes and their parts. The game allows you to challenge friends to courses, in a battle to the finish line. If you rocked an Xbox or any other console that featured a Trials game, you will know exactly how it all works. Trials Frontier is free to download, but does feature IAPs. These are for ranking up and unlocking goodies quicker. Play Link

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Samsung Standalone Call-capable Smartwatch may Debut as Early as June

Kyle — Fri, 23 May 2014 10:10:49 +0000

If you have ever dreamed of communicating with someone by talking into a smartwatch (which is not connected wirelessly to a smartphone), your wish may be on the cusp of coming true. According to a report out of The Wall Street Journal, Samsung is exploring a standalone smartwatch that it may announce as early as June or July. Unlike Samsung's Gear 2 or Gear 2 Neo, which require a smartphone for most of their functionality, the new device will operate independently of any companion device. Complete with a SIM slot for cellular connectivity, it will make and receive phone calls, coming packed with an array of sensors like GPS, Bluetooth, a heart monitor, and a camera. WSJ reports that the watch will run Tizen, much like its Gear brethren. The report implies Samsung is aiming for a global launch. The company is in talks with carriers in the U.S., South Korea, and Europe about the smartwatch. As it turns out, this is not the first time Samsung has tried to take the market by storm with a watch phone. The SPH-WP10 debuted in 1999, but was discontinued because of poor sales. Perhaps the South Korea-based giant will be more successful this time around. Anyone here interested in a fully functional watch-phone?

Via: WSJ

AT&T Introduces Multi-Device Protection Plan, Insurance Program for Multiple Non-Connected Devices

Kyle — Fri, 23 May 2014 09:30:15 +0000

I'm a perennial breaker. If you are like me, you damage your expensive electronics often. Not by choice, mind you, but whether it be a hard fall onto concrete or an unfortunate dip in a snowbank, my gadgets have taken quite the accidental beating. Sure, I could buy insurance, but it would only cover my smartphone, not my laptop or tablet. So what are my options? Until very recently, nothing affordable, but AT&T must have heard my prayers. Starting today, the carrier will begin offering the Multi-Device Protection Pack, a program which insures a smartphone and up to two additional devices. The plan, which runs $29.99 a month, must first be applied to a postpaid smartphone connected to the AT&T network. The second two devices, though, do not have that requirement; any eligible tablet, laptop, or handset - connected or non-connected - is applicable for coverage. AT&T is also introducing so-called "vanishing deductibles" with the Multi-Device Protection Pack. The longer you enroll in the plan without filing a claim, the higher the discount on your standard deductible. Six months without a claim is 25% off, while 12 months is 50%. If I were an AT&T subscriber, I would probably jump on this plan in a heartbeat. Until Verizon pries unlimited data from my butterfingers, though (which wouldn't be all that difficult), I guess I'm resigned to be "more careful." We will see how that works out.

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Via: AT&T

Google Building Tablet for Project Tango Developers

Tim — Fri, 23 May 2014 08:59:19 +0000

A report out of the Wall Street Journal last night, states that Google is in the process of creating a special tablet for developers, specifically designed to go hand-in-hand with the current Project Tango smartphone. For those unfamiliar, Project Tango as we know it right now, is a smartphone with an abundance of sensors built into it, allowing users to 3D map an entire room within seconds. The main purpose would ultimately be to help the visually impaired navigate inside of buildings with ease. Using IR blasters and a plethora of built-in cameras, the Android-powered phone takes in all of the data, then recreates a 3D render of a room it is being used in. As of right now, Project Tango is available to an extremely limited amount of developers, as Google continues to try o find the perfect consumer applications for the technology. As WSJ reports, Google is developing a tablet now, to be used with this same Tango project. The tablet will more than likely still come packed with a ton of sensors and cameras, but again, will be limited to a select group of hardware and software developers. WSJ states that Google will produce roughly 4,000 units of the device. No exact word was given when Google might release the tablet to developers.

Via: WSJ

Motorola Updates Contextual Services Too, Teases New Release Next Week

Kellen — Fri, 23 May 2014 08:39:13 +0000

Motorola updated Contextual Services for the Moto X and DROID line this morning, in addition to the update to Modality Services that we saw yesterday. The update adds "support for location detection," improves driving detection using audio (similar to what the Modality update did), and fixes bugs. Motorola doesn't appear to be done, though. In a post to G+, Mark Rose (senior director product management) told us to expect another release next week that Motorola thinks we will "really enjoy." Tough to tell if it's related to the updates to Contextual and Modality services or not, but either way, we have something to look forward to from Moto next week. Play Link

LG G3 Design, Camera and QHD Display Teased in New Videos

Kellen — Fri, 23 May 2014 07:58:26 +0000

The LG G3 will be announced on Tuesday. We feel like we know most of what LG will unveil, like specs, the design, and that QuickCircle case, but the teasing hasn't stopped yet. In a series of videos posted to LG's Korean YouTube channel, the camera, Quad HD display, and phone design are all being given one last hypebeast. And actually, LG shows off the design, almost in full, in one of the clips, just before cutting away. So yeah, if you weren't buying the two-dozen leaks, this should just about confirm that. Everyone ready for Tuesday morning? Tim and I will be on hand for the festivities, ready to bring you all there is to bring about the LG G3. Is it odd that this is the first time this year that I have been truly excited about a new phone? Something just feels different this year with LG and the G3. It feels like people are ready for someone else to lead the Android charge. Is that LG? Maybe. If so, boy have they come a long way over the last couple of years. Or am I smoking something?

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Deal: Unlocked Sony Xperia Z2 for $672 Through eBay

Kellen — Thu, 22 May 2014 17:04:21 +0000

Since the Sony Xperia Z2 is not coming to the US any time soon, those of you who want to purchase this year's flagship from Sony are going to have to either import it or buy an unlocked model from a reseller. Neither is an affordable option. Importing from the UK could run you upward of $900, while most of the unlocked resellers in the US have the price of the Xperia Z2 set no lower than $750. That's a lot of cash for a smartphone. But, if you really, really want the Xperia Z2, then you may want to rush over to eBay today for the best price I have seen to date. Through a daily deal, you can pick up the device for $672.98, which includes free expedited shipping. That's almost $100 less than most resellers. That may even be cheaper than what Sony will sell it for on its own website later this summer. The phone listing claims that it will work fine on AT&T, including LTE. I can tell you that my unlocked unit works fine on AT&T. I'm running Cricket (formerly Aio) and seem to hit my 8Mbps cap on every speed test. This model appears to be the same as the model I have. The listing says there are "limited quantities" available, so if you are interested, you may want to cruise over there soon. eBay Link We have already unboxed the Xperia Z2 and compared it to devices like the Galaxy S5 and HTC One (M8). Be sure to check out all of those videos. Our review will be ready shortly.

Report: Samsung is Creating a VR Headset to Pair With Its Phones and Tablets

Kellen — Thu, 22 May 2014 14:18:20 +0000

According to a report out of Engadget, Samsung is currently working on a VR headset that will pair with its phones and tablets to potentially bring you an intense gaming experience. Similar to the Oculus Rift or Project Morpheus from Sony, a VR headset tries to insert you into a game in the most immersive way possible. The content is in your face, looks as if it's surrounding you no matter where you turn, and reacts to your movements - it's as if you are in the game. VR headsets are all the rage these days as a potential, future game changer. The details are scarce on Samsung's supposed headset, but sources claim that Samsung will try to undercut both Oculus and Sony on price in a rush to market. The device will also connect with phones and tablets (via wire, not wirelessly), so that your Android games will enter a virtual world. Of course, developers would have to build out games specifically for Samsung's headset, since current games wouldn't exactly work properly or in any way different, even with a VR headset on. And that's about all we know. The report states that this VR headset will arrive some time this year and is different than Samsung's rumored Google Glass competitor. Interested?

Via: Engadget | IMAGE

Google Play Movies Now in Belgium, Philippines, Uganda, and Switzerland

Kellen — Thu, 22 May 2014 13:26:26 +0000

A quick note for our international readers - Google Play Movies is now available in four new countries: Belgium, Philippines, Uganda, and Switzerland. Enjoy!

Via: Google Support

LG G Pro 2 Lite Bound for Verizon (LG-VS880) Passes Through FCC

Kyle — Thu, 22 May 2014 12:45:52 +0000

The last we heard of LG's mid-range G Pro Lite smartphone was at a foreign launch event in December. Despite LG's silence on the G Pro Lite's sales performance thus far, the phone must have sold well enough to justify a follow-up. Thanks to a leak, it appears the company is expanding the reach of the phone's successor, the G Pro 2 Lite, to American shores. Recently filed FCC documents point to a variant with model number LG-VS880, compatible with Verizon's LTE bands and CDMA network. The AT&T (LG-D631) version was spotted on LG's website several weeks ago, and a Sprint (LG-LS885) model was accidentally posted on the carrier's website in March before promptly being removed. The phone carries the "lite" designation for a reason. Rumored specifications of the G Pro 2 Lite include a 5.7-inch 720p display, an 8MP rear camera, 1GB of RAM, and 8GB of internal storage. Needless to say, the phone is not going to break benchmark records anytime soon. There is one exception to the middling components; a 3200 mAh capacity battery. Considering the low power draw of the Snapdragon 400 and 720p display, that would provide hours upon hours of charge, should the rumors prove accurate. No clue as to when LG plans to launch these devices, but when more information pops up, we will be there.

Via: My LG Phones | FCC

Peek From Paranoid Android ROM Worked Into Standalone App, Available Through Google Play (Updated)

Tim — Thu, 22 May 2014 12:22:29 +0000

A new application called Peek has hit Google Play this afternoon, one which many custom ROM users should already be fully aware of. Peek has been baked into Paranoid Android for a while, and is now its very own standalone application, costing folks $4 through Google Play. Peek's primary goal is handling notifications easily and elegantly. With Peek enabled, any time that a notification comes in, resulting in the user picking their phone up or removing it from their pocket, the display will automatically turn on and show a preview of the notification that came in. For Moto X owners, this may sound a bit like Active Display. With its launch on Google Play, the developers state that the app has received a bit of a makeover, with easier functionality and control of which applications can be blacklisted from showing up on Peek. If you are not a fan of flashing all of the ROMs out there, go try out Peek for yourself. Update: The developer has unpublished the app for the time being, stating that, "there is an ugly issue blocking it from working on some specific devices." We will update the post when the app is made available. Sorry, folks! Update 2: It's back again. Play Link ($4.09)

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Motorola Hosting Live Moto E Hangout at Noon

Kellen — Thu, 22 May 2014 11:49:44 +0000

Have questions about the newly launched Moto E from Motorola? Maybe just interested in listening to Motorola talk about their latest entry-level device? Tune in to the video below at noon Pacific for a live chat with VP of Product Marketing Steve Sinclair and Product Manager Bill Park. If you have specific questions that you would like to see answered, hit them up on Twitter with your question and the hashtag #askmoto. Once you are done watching their chat, be sure to check out our Moto E unboxing and comparison to the Moto X and Moto G. We also have a unit in-house, so if you have specific questions, be sure to drop those in the comments.

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Pushbullet Updated With Notification Mirroring Across Android Devices

Kyle — Thu, 22 May 2014 11:35:17 +0000

Remember the ability to sync notifications across Android devices that was highlighted at last year's Google I/O? Many developers have clearly yet to take advantage, but thankfully, the fantastic developers at Pushbullet decided to take matters into their own hands with a notification mirroring solution of their own. You may know Pushbullet as a great app for quickly transferring files, links, messages, and to-do lists from your phone to computer (and vice versa), but it will do a whole lot more than that starting today. The app has had PC mirroring for quite a while, but the update will extend that functionality to your other Android devices. That means you can see who is calling or texting you while using your tablet, for example, or swipe notifications away on one device to dismiss them everywhere. Cross-device notification mirroring is currently in beta. To enable the feature, install Pushbullet on all of the Android devices you wish to sync. Then, navigate to the settings screen on each device and check the requisite box. Note that only devices running Android 4.3 and up will be able to take advantage of notification mirroring. Pushbullet is free in the Google Play Store. Play Link

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Via: Pushbullet

Motorola Updates Modality Services With Better In-vehicle Detection

Kellen — Thu, 22 May 2014 11:10:11 +0000

Motorola just pushed out an update to a new app for its current line of phones called Modality Services. Modality Services should help your Motorola phone (Moto X, DROID ULTRA, MAXX, or Mini) "respond more intelligently to motion, phone orientation (e.g. face up/down) and stowed state." In other words, Modality Services know if your phone is moving, how its lying on your desk, and if you have it in or out of your pocket. The update specifically helps with in-vehicle detection by using ambient audio signals. As is noted in the listing for the app, it is best to keep Modality Services up to date because it works with Active Display and Motorola Assist. Play Link

Cheers Droidrazredge!

Apple Acknowledges iMessage Bug That Affects Android Converts, Issues Partial Fix

Kyle — Thu, 22 May 2014 11:00:15 +0000

A serious iMessage bug that has plagued Android converts for years, is now finally getting the attention it deserves. Today, Apple said it has issued a server-side fix for an issue that causes people who switch from an iPhone to any other phone, to miss SMS messages. The problem has long stemmed from iMessage's behavior associating cell phone numbers, numbers the messaging service uses to identify iPhones. When an iPhone user texts an iMessage to another iPhone, the process works as intended - the message is identified as an iMessage and is sent through Apple's servers to the recipient. However, should the user ever switch to a non-iPhone, iMessage doesn't always disassociate the user's phone number, meaning texts from other iPhones are misidentified as iMessages, then lost in server limbo. Apple says the bug hasn't quite been solved completely, though. The company states it is working on a device-level fix that will come in a future software update, but that some former iMessages users should be able to receive texts from iPhone users without issue now. Luckily, the company has plenty of motivation.

Via: Engadget

T-Mobile VoLTE has Gone Live in Seattle

Kyle — Thu, 22 May 2014 10:25:28 +0000

Begun, the VoLTE wars have. A few days after Verizon announced its VoLTE intentions and AT&T flipped the switch on VoLTE in a few cities, T-Mobile has made an advancement of its own. Starting today, T-Mobile customers who own a Samsung Galaxy Note 3 or LG G Flex can take advantage of VoLTE in Seattle, Washington. VoLTE dramatically improves the quality of voice during phone calls. It also has the added benefit of letting you use LTE data while on call. Plus, T-Mobile says, call setup times are almost twice as fast as non-VoLTE calls (for whatever that's worth). If you own one of the two compatible handsets, check this post for instructions on how to get the update that enables VoLTE compatibility.

Via: T-Mobile

T-Mobile Galaxy Note 3 and LG Flex Get Updates That Turn on VoLTE

Kellen — Thu, 22 May 2014 10:01:34 +0000

T-Mobile just announced that they are turning on VoLTE in Seattle. To make sure that they have phones which can take advantage of the new Voice-over-LTE feature, they are issuing updates to both the Samsung Galaxy Note 3 and LG G Flex. The updates appear to be minor, with each only listing that they are flipping the switch on VoLTE for Seattle. The G Flex's new software version will be D95920m. The Galaxy Note 3 will be on N900TUVUDNE6 following the update.

Via: T-Mobile [2]

Samsung Galaxy Tab 4 8.0 and 10.1 Renders Leaked En Route to Verizon

Tim — Thu, 22 May 2014 10:00:36 +0000

Renders for two models of the Galaxy Tab 4, the 8.0 and the 10.1, both headed for Verizon's network have been leaked by @evleaks this morning. The Samsung tablets were announced by the manufacturer on April 1, with global pre-orders beginning April 24, but at the time, no clues were dropped as to which exact US carriers they would be seen on. Now that time has passed, it appears both tablets will come packed with 4G LTE radios on Big Red, likely with the ability to take advantage of the network's new XLTE bandwidth. Both tablets feature a 1280 x 800 resolution display, 1.4GHz quad-core processor, 1.5GB of RAM, 3MP rear-facing camera, 1.3MP front-facing camera, 4,000+mAh battery, and come running Android 4.4. The specifications will not blow you out of the water, so don't expect the Galaxy Tab 4 series to be priced out of reach. When they become official, which should be very soon, we will let you know.

Via: @evleaks [2]

Motorola Responds to Moto 360 $249 Pricing

Kellen — Thu, 22 May 2014 09:30:03 +0000

Yesterday, we noticed that Motorola, through a contest, had placed an approximate retail value on their upcoming smartwatch, the Moto 360. At $249, most of us considered the price to be quite consumer-friendly and had already begun shuffling cash aside for the minute Motorola told us we could buy one. But is $249 an accurate price? Motorola took to Google+ to suggest that we should not consider $249 to be the suggested retail price, even though the number is the "approximate retail value." Here is the quote:

Thanks for your excitement around our Moto 360 Design Face-Off contest! We want to make clear that the "Approximate Retail Value" (ARV) indicated in our rules is included for tax purposes only and should not be interpreted as the suggested retail price of the Moto 360 when it becomes available for purchase.

I'll just say this - when you hold a contest, you have to give an approximate value to your prize by law. You can't just make up a random price, especially when you consider the fact that the price is listed for tax purposes. We mentioned this yesterday, but the price is certainly in the ballpark of where it will be at the time of launch. In other words, the Moto 360 could be slightly lower or higher when it hits retail shops. Will it be $199? Maybe. Will it be $299? Maybe. Will it end up at $249. Potentially. Just keep in mind that Motorola isn't going to give the Moto 360 a value of $249 if they do not plan on setting the suggested retail price with the vicinity. For reference, in past contests involving Motorola devices, we saw ARVs for the DROID X and BIONIC at $569.99 and $589.99, respectively. The BIONIC ended up being $699 off-contract, which is completely ridiculous and outside of the norm. The DROID X was actually $569 off-contract when it launched. How much would you pay at max, for the Moto 360?

Via: +Michal Tajchert | reddit

T-Mobile Galaxy S5 Receiving Update to Fix SMS/MMS Failure Issue

Kellen — Thu, 22 May 2014 08:52:59 +0000

T-Mobile's variant of the Samsung Galaxy S5 is receiving a new update starting today, to address an issue that was causing SMS/MMS messages to fail. The new update brings the phone to build G900TUVU1ANE5. The exact wording for the update is "Intermittently incoming SMS/MMS failure." If you were experiencing texting issues on your GS5 through T-Mobile, you will want to grab this update as soon as possible. To check for the update, head into Settings>General>About>Software update.

Via: T-Mobile

Download Select Free Apps From Amazon Over Memorial Day Weekend, Get 1,000 Coins

Tim — Thu, 22 May 2014 08:37:23 +0000

Amazon kicked off a new Memorial Day deal this morning, which allows Appstore users to get up to 1,000 free Amazon Coins, a $10 value. For the coins, all you have to do is download up to five different free apps, all giving you 200 coins each. Download all five, get the 1,000 coins. These coins can be used towards IAPs in the games or you can use them to purchase other games in the Appstore. The games are not the most thrilling titles we have ever seen, but they could certainly be a lot worse. We have iHeartRadio, Strawberry Shortcake Bake Shop, Don't Step the White Tile, Food Network in the Kitchen, Dr. Panda's Restaurant. A few of the titles may sound extremely painful to download, but think of the free coins you can have. To take advantage of this deal, click the Appstore link below. Appstore Link

NVIDIA No Longer Focusing on Smartphones, Unless It's the Porsche of Phones

Kellen — Thu, 22 May 2014 08:26:10 +0000

In an interview with CNET, NVIDIA CEO Jen-Hsun Huang has for-the-most-part admitted that his company is moving on from the smartphone market to instead focus its efforts elsewhere. After their Tegra 4i failed to catch on in the main-stream market, Huang has realized that they would rather spend time adding value to certain areas of the mobile tech world, like in cars or gaming-specific devices, set-top boxes, and even in TVs. That doesn't mean that we won't see a Tegra superphone or tablet at some point, but NVIDIA is going to make one unless someone wants to make the "Porsche of tablets or phones." The bulk of the interview is centered around the failings of Tegra 4i, a slimmed down variant of NVIDIA's Tegra 4 that finally included 4G LTE and was supposed to be a game-changer in the main-stream, entry-level phone market. It never did catch on, because of companies like Qualcomm, who have similar chips that I'm guessing are much more affordable for manufacturers to use. Huang also references MediaTek, an up-and-coming chipset maker that is somewhat successfully tried to undercut Qualcomm to enter the market. Don't worry, though, NVIDIA isn't leaving mobile in full. They continue to invest in SHIELD as a platform, so we could see a new SHIELD device at some point. NVIDIA is also going to try and dominate the set-top box market, the smart TV market, and cars, something their CEO loves on a deep, personal level. But if you were holding out for the next magical Tegra phone, you may be holding out for a long time. Unless a partner comes to NVIDIA to build the ultimate gaming phone or tablet where NVIDIA can add a lot of value, like Xiaomi has tried to do with their latest slate, it's just not currently in the plans. Thoughts on NVIDIA mostly exiting the game? I guess it's tough to fully miss them, since we haven't seen a Tegra chip in anything major since the original Nexus 7.

Via: CNET

The Droid Life Show: Episode 59

Kellen — Wed, 21 May 2014 22:11:29 +0000

The Droid Life Show is back tonight with episode 59. On the show, we have two weeks worth of topics to run through, but we will try to keep the whole thing down to about an hour. We know you are busy. Topics will include the latest on the LG G3, including a somewhat official looking set of specs out of Korea. We also may have a Moto 360 starting price, a 360-degree render of the HTC M8 Prime, bad news on the Nexus front, Google overtaking Apple in value, and all of the best new apps and games of the moment. If we have time, we may even try to sneak in another reader Q&A. We are live tonight at 6:00PM Pacific (9:00PM Eastern). If you miss us live, feel free to subscribe to us by following one of the links below.

Subscribe | iTunes | Show Page

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LG Shows Off G3 QuickCircle Cover With Support for Wireless Charging

Kellen — Wed, 21 May 2014 19:40:39 +0000

This evening, LG announced the first official accessory for their next flagship, G3, which will be announced next Tuesday. The accessory is called the QuickCircle Case, and is a form of protection that "does more than just protect," it makes the G3 "infinitely more useful." As LG mentioned in their brief press release for the product, this isn't just a typical folder-style case. With its massive circular window, owners of the G3 will be able to use their phone without ever having to open the cover. The window allows you to do things like check the time, place calls, send text messages, take photos, listen to music, or get an update on health activity. It comes in five "eye-catching colors" that include black, white, gold, aqua, and pink. The case is designed to both protect and provide "grip-ability" while maintaining the device's "sleek" lines. The case is also compatible with the phone's Qi wireless charging. No pricing was given.

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Via: LG

Leaked Image Hints Towards FitBit Force Relaunch Later This Year

Eric — Wed, 21 May 2014 14:15:58 +0000

In January, reports started to surface suggesting that people who purchased the FitBit Force were having an allergic reaction to the material used in the band. Even though these reports only constituted 1.7% of the customer base, FitBit issued a recall for the device and offered refunds for anyone affected by it. They have not been on sale since, but @evleaks seems to have found evidence that they are working on getting it back out there. In the slide that was leaked, there is a list of features next to two images of a slightly modified Force band. The list of features is mostly similar - tracking steps, sleep and calorie goals, while also being able to sync to your phone wirelessly to keep it all organized. Caller ID and real-time run stats were also listed, which would be new features for the Force if this leak is true. The iOS version had notification support, but that never made it to Android before the recall. The price is set at the same price as it was before the recall, $130. It does look like they have changed the design since its initial version, and @evleaks states that this new edition is hypoallergenic to make sure that no one has reactions to it again. It is also supposedly "more waterproof," but the original Force was never that secure against water to begin with. Willing to give FitBit another shot if this leak ends up being true?

Via: @evleaks

Gold Galaxy S5 Coming to All Carriers May 30, Not Just T-Mobile

Eric — Wed, 21 May 2014 13:39:56 +0000

Earlier today, Samsung put out a press release for all of the "tastemakers" out there. If you tastemakers were jealous that T-Mobile was the only one getting the B~~and-Aid~~ Gold Galaxy S5, today is your lucky day. Samsung announced the new colorway will be available to more people on more carriers around the globe. On May 30, T-Mobile will not be the exclusive carrier to offer the phone. AT&T, Sprint, Verizon (through select indirect retailers), and even U.S. Cellular will be offering up the Gold Galaxy S5 option for its customers. Other than the new color of the backplate, this is the same device that we reviewed a few weeks back. However, Samsung was quick to point out that Father's day is coming up, and this would be the perfect gift to help add a little "swagger to his wardrobe." Would you ever enhance your or someone you love's wardrobe with this new Galaxy S5 color?

Via: Samsung

Nest Recalls 440,000 Smoke Detectors Due to Potential Hazard With Nest Wave Feature

Tim — Wed, 21 May 2014 13:21:35 +0000

Last month, Nest abruptly halted sales of its smart smoke detector, stating that while conducting internal testing, they found a bug which could lead to potential hazards. Nest Wave, the feature that allows users to turn off their Nest Protect units in the case of a false alarm, after being used in a "unique combination of circumstances," could become deactivated, leaving home owners at serious risk in the event of a real fire. Now, a product recall is taking place, with Nest stating the hazard being "Activity near the product during a fire can prevent the alarm from immediately sounding when the Nest Wave feature is enabled." Nest is repairing units sent in and is also offering refunds to those who wish it. Speaking with GigaOm, a Nest spokesperson stated that, "Current customers can continue to use their Nest Protects once the Nest Wave feature has been disabled via software update. Even with the Wave feature disabled, the Nest Protect Alarm will continue to perform its essential safety functions, monitoring for increased levels of smoke and CO, and alerting users via voice alerts and Nest app alerts (if set up) as soon as there is a potential issue." If you own a Nest Protect, and don't feel like hassling with the recall, you should download the OTA update immediately from here.

Via: CPSC | GigaOm

Google Play Paid Newsstand Content Now Available in France and Germany

Kellen — Wed, 21 May 2014 12:28:08 +0000

Just a quick note to our friends in other countries - paid Newsstand content is now available in France and Germany through Google Play. Paid content refers to premium news subscriptions (New York Times, WSJ, etc.) and magazine subscriptions. France and Germany join the short list of countries that includes Australia, Canada, Italy, United Kingdom, and the United States.

Via: Google

Select HBO Programming Begins Streaming on Amazon Today

Kyle — Wed, 21 May 2014 12:20:51 +0000

If ever there was a day to binge watch entire seasons of quality television, today would be that day. Amazon has made good on its promise to bring select HBO programming to Prime Instant Video, which means subscribers to Amazon Prime can now watch award-winning shows like The Wire, The Sopranos, and Deadwood at no additional charge. Amazon's arrangement with HBO extends beyond shows, though. The deal will also see HBO's catalog of movies, mini-series, and documentaries join Amazon's streaming library. From the press release, here is a list of what you can expect:

All seasons of revered classics such as The Sopranos, The Wire, Deadwood, Rome and Six Feet Under, and of recent favorites such as Eastbound & Down, Enlightened and Flight of the Conchords

Select seasons of current series such as True Blood, Boardwalk Empire and Treme

Epic miniseries, including Band of Brothers, The Pacific, John Adams, Parade's End and Angels in America

Hit original movies like Mary and Martha, Temple Grandin and You Don't Know Jack

Hilarious original comedy specials from Louis CK, Ellen DeGeneres, Lewis Black and Bill Maher

Pedigreed documentaries including When the Levees Broke, Ghosts of Abu Ghraib and the Autopsy and Iceman series

Over the course of the multi-year agreement, Amazon states it will add more seasons and shows like Girls and The Newsroom. For the Fire TV owners out there, that should definitely hold you over until HBO Go makes its way to your platform. All I can say is, Amazon Prime is an amazing value. If you were on the fence about subscribing, is the HBO deal enough to get you to sign up?

Via: Amazon

Contest: Toast Wood Covers Now Available for Galaxy S5, We Have Two to Give Away

Tim — Wed, 21 May 2014 11:23:45 +0000

Wood fiends who own a Galaxy S5 can finally get their fix, thanks to the latest release from Portland, OR-based company, Toast. We have talked about this company plenty of times (and have held giveaways), posted up a complete inside look into their factory here in Portland, and just yesterday, they released their newest creation - hand-made wood covers for Samsung's latest flagship device, the Galaxy S5. The wood covers start at $29 for plain back covers, but potential buyers can choose to be creative if they want. Toast allows for custom text branding to be burnt into the wood, plus they offer a variety of different materials for your cover to be made out of. Toast currently offers the Galaxy S5 cover in Walnut, Ebony, Bamboo, and White-washed Ash. After applying the cover to my Galaxy S5, you can rest assured that all functionality of the device remains intact. While the fingerprint scanner took a bit of work to get going, it does work. All sensors are still exposed, and of course, they left the heart rate monitor intact for all of you health nuts. Fan of wood? Who isn't? You can buy one by following the link below, or better yet, enter for your chance to win one for completely free. Follow the instructions on the Rafflecopter widget below to enter. Buy. (Covers start at $29)

Contest

Prizes One of two ( 1x Ebony and 1x Walnut) Galaxy S5 wood covers from Toast. How to enter

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Winners Our two winners will be selected randomly tomorrow morning (May 22) at 10am PST.

Facebook Intros New Way to Share TV Shows and Songs with Friends

Kyle — Wed, 21 May 2014 10:50:41 +0000

Thought your Facebook Newsfeed could not possibly be littered with more junk? Think again. For media connoisseurs that just have to share with the world what they are watching and listening to, Facebook is introducing a new sharing feature - audio identification for TV, movies, and music. If you have ever used Shazam or ever had Google Now identify a song, you are already familiar with how the new functionality works. When you are writing a status update in the Facebook app, an audio icon will move, indicating the app is using your phone's microphone to identify a TV show, movie, or music. If Facebook finds a match, you can then choose to add the media to your status. Different types of media will appear in your status different ways. Songs will pop up as a 30-second preview. TV shows will indicate the season and episode you are watching. And movies will link to an official Facebook page, as is the current behavior. Facebook says the feature will be available on Android and iOS "in the coming weeks." The functionality will be off by default, so remember to opt-in if you want to try it out.

Via: Facebook

Google Replaces Apple as World's Most Valuable Brand in Latest Rankings

Eric — Wed, 21 May 2014 10:24:42 +0000

This year's report of the 100 most valuable brands on the planet has a shake up on the top of the list. Apple's brand worth, according to the Millward Brown BrandZ report has fallen 20 percent from last year's ranking and allowed Google to step into the number one spot. This yearly report uses figures that are tightly guarded by Millward Brown, but are usually spot on. In relation to last year's ranking, Google's brand worth has risen a whopping 40 percent which allowed them to overtake Apple at the top of the list. The BrandZ list pings Google's brand value at $159 billion dollars, whereas Apple's has fallen down to $148 billion. The evolution of Google Glass, Google's driverless cars, plus projects like Project Ara are just a few of the things associated with Google's brand, certainly contributing to this growth. A few other notable names on this list - AT&T is ranked 8, Amazon and Verizon are 10 and 11, respectively. Facebook is ranked 21, two spots ahead of the Disney corporation. And for as much domination as Samsung has over the Android marketplace, it only gets them the 29th spot.

Via: CNET | Millward Brown (pdf)

LG Optimus G Pro on AT&T Gets Kit Kat Update Today

Kellen — Wed, 21 May 2014 10:01:13 +0000

The LG Optimus G Pro on AT&T is receiving an update to Kit Kat today. As surprising as that may sound, the update weighs in at 700-800MB and can be downloaded over-the-air. The software version post-update is E98020g. You can find a mini-changelog below, but similar to the G Flex and G2 updates, the G Pro will see a restyled status bar for Kit Kat, stronger security, Immersive Mode, improved battery performance, cloud print settings, and even better processing speed. The update should also include NFC Tap&Pay for mobile payments, lock screen media art, Emoji, and more. What's changing?

Restyled status and navigation bars
New full-screen mode
Stronger security
Battery performance improvements
Google Cloud Printer support
Enhanced processing speed
Kit Kat benefits.

To check for the update, head into Settings>About phone>Software update>Update now.

Via: ATT

LG Allegedly Confirms G3 Specs at Secret Event in South Korea

Kyle — Wed, 21 May 2014 09:36:56 +0000

Regarding the G3, LG has dropped all pretenses of secrecy. Korean forum users report that during an event at a South Korea-based retailer, the smartphone manufacturer revealed the highly anticipated flagship's specifications in full. LG reiterated details about the G3's display, like its 5.5-inch footprint and impressive Quad HD (1440 x 2560) resolution, but the company said the increased size does not come at the expense of a much larger device. Instead, its dimensions measure 145.3 x 74.6 x 8.9 mm, which is mere millimeters taller and wider than its predecessor (the G2 was 138.5 x 70.9 x 8.9 mm). That's partly thanks to a shrink in bezel length from 2.65mm to 1.15mm. As predicted, the G3 packs a number of improvements on the camera front. The 13 MP camera has OIS+ technology, just like LG's G Pro 2, plus an integrated laser beam will assist with autofocus, speeding up camera focus considerably. Somewhat disappointingly, a Snapdragon 801 processor will power the G3 instead of an 805, but the smartphone will sport 3GB of RAM, 32GB of storage, and a 3000 mAh battery which is a bit of consolation. All in all, the G3 is shaping up to be a blockbuster phone. I may have written it a hundred different ways this month, but May 27 really can't come soon enough.

Via: Clien [2] | Seeko

Game of Thrones Muzei Add-on Lets You Choose a Side in the Battle for Westeros

Eric — Wed, 21 May 2014 09:21:40 +0000

We are quickly nearing the end of the fourth season of Game of Thrones on HBO, so if you haven't already, it's time to pick a side. Whether it be House Targaryen, Lannister or Stark, you can now fly your favorite house's banner on your phone to show your allegiance. This new Muzei add-on was created by using the artwork of Nickorama144, who put together a few stylized images of the major houses from Game of Thrones. In addition to the three mentioned earlier, House Baratheon and House Greyjoy are included in the app. Users also get to choose whether they would like text included that touts the house's saying, or just the sigil itself. The developer plans to add more to the application as quickly as the art is completed. As a Muzei extension, it works similar to any other additions in terms of picking your background of choice. And to top it all off, the app is free to download. If you can't wait until Sunday for the new episode, hit the link below. Play Link

"Secret" App Released for Android, iOS Users Proceed to Complain

Tim — Wed, 21 May 2014 08:43:24 +0000

"We're letting those people in?" "There goes the neighborhood." "Time to delete this app." "I hope they don't just talk about Android." These are only a few of the comments I read when I noticed a post on the new Secret app, now available for all Android users through Google Play. As we saw when apps such as Instagram and QuizUp launch, a few users, typically iOS device owners, think that our low-end "cheap plastic" handsets will bring down their amazing exclusive communities. Well, I am here to tell you that we might. On Secret, users quickly sign up using an email and phone number (optional), then begin sharing secrets with friends that are found through your address book. If a secret is juicy enough, it could spread around the world thanks to the app's "heart" button. Think of the heart as you would on Instagram. The more hearts a post acquires, the more people will see it. Users can customize their posts with pictures and colors, all while staying completely anonymous. Anonymity is the main goal. The one tiny bit of info you are given about the person posting is in the lower left-hand corner of cards where it will read "friend" or "friend-of-friend." Other than that tiny bit of information, you will have no idea who are posting these secrets. While I personally am not much of a secrets guy, so don't worry iOS owners I'm not here to ruin your good thing, but a few of you reading this may be. You can grab the application off of Google Play for completely free. Try it out and let me know what you think. I'm dying to know. Play Link

Motorola Contest Pegs Moto 360 at a Value of $249

Kellen — Wed, 21 May 2014 08:17:06 +0000

This morning, Motorola announced a new contest that could land one spectacular designer a brand new Moto 360 smartwatch. The contest asks for anyone really, to submit design ideas that represent their vision for the Moto 360. They even included .psd files to help get you on your way. But you know what? That's not the juicy part of this story, at least for the hypebeasts in the building. No sir, in the contest rules you will find the ARV (average retail value) of a Moto 360, according to Motorola. Is this the potential retail price for Motorola's smartwatch? Maybe. According to the rules document for this contest, the ARV of a Moto 360 is $249.99. In other words, Motorola is putting a value on their smartwatch, which has yet to be fully announced. Does this mean that the Moto 360 will end up costing $249.99 at launch? I would say that the price will certainly be in the ballpark of $249.99. After all, it wouldn't make a lot of sense for Motorola to put a false value on a product they are giving away. Also, and this could mean something or nothing, the contest winner will be notified on June 24. That could be the launch date of the Moto 360 or it could be late or early. Just know that if a winner will be selected by June 24, that there is a pretty good chance the product will be available within the vicinity of that date. To fully fuel the conspiracy theorists in the building, understand that June 24 is the day before Google I/O. Take that as you will. How does $249.99 sound for the Moto 360?

Via: Motorola (Drive)

Cheers Matthew!

T-Mobile Adds "Limited Edition" Gold Galaxy S5, Galaxy Note 10.1 (2014) to Line-up

Kellen — Wed, 21 May 2014 07:59:51 +0000

T-Mobile announced this morning that they have added the gold version of the Samsung Galaxy S5 to their line-up of phones, along with the Galaxy Note 10.1 (2014) tablet. The Note 10.1 (2014) is up for pre-order starting today for $99 down, with in-store availability beginning June 4. The gold Galaxy S5 will arrive May 30 for a "limited" time at select retail stores and online. For those new to the Galaxy Note 10.1 (2014), the highlights of the device include its brilliant 10.1-inch Full HD display (2560x1600), 2.3GHz Snapdragon 800 processor, 3GB RAM, 32GB of internal storage, micro SD card support, 8220mAh battery, Android 4.4, and suite of multi-tasking features and S Pen functionality. As for the gold Galaxy S5, well, it's the same Galaxy S5 we reviewed last month, only now it comes in gold. Pricing wasn't mentioned in our press release, but would assume you can pick it up for the same $0 down with $27.50 monthly payments for 24 months. Update: Samsung announced availability on other carriers as well. Those details can be found here.

Via: T-Mobile

eBay Tells Users to Change Their Passwords Following Cyber Attack

Kellen — Wed, 21 May 2014 07:42:45 +0000

eBay has suffered a "cyber attack." Through a brief note originally posted to PayPal's press site this morning, password changes are being recommended, thanks to the attack which "compromised an eBay database containing encrypted eBay passwords and other non-financial information." eBay took a while to confirm the news, but has now confirmed the attack and that its users should change passwords immediately. PayPal, who is owned by eBay, mentioned in their brief press release that PayPal accounts should be fine after the attack. They are claiming that "extensive forensic research has shown no evidence of unauthorized access or compromise to personal or financial information for PayPal customers." They also said that "PayPal customer and financial data is encrypted and stored separately, and PayPal never shares financial information with merchants, including eBay." eBay mentioned in their post that the attackers gained access by compromising eBay employee credentials, which allowed access to the corporate network. Information like eBay customers’ name, encrypted password, email address, physical address, phone number and date of birth were accessed. However, this database did not include any financial info. To read more about the attack, hit up the source links below. Before you do that, be sure to change your eBay password.

Via: eBay | PayPal

Video: First Look at the Samsung Galaxy S5 Active on AT&T?

Kellen — Tue, 20 May 2014 17:14:19 +0000

A device has popped up YouTube this afternoon that may be the Samsung Galaxy S5 Active on its way to AT&T. According to the leaker, this is a prototype of the rugged version of this year's Galaxy S5, which we wouldn't necessarily argue against. In the video, you can see the boot-up animation that specifically says "Galaxy S5 Active." But beyond that, there is extra padding at the corners of the phone, an extra casing of sorts that should help the phone take a good drop, and the three physical buttons on the front that we saw on last year's model. It looks like a hefty phone that would live up to the name "Active." Outside of the body, the display is said to be "more crisp" than the regular Galaxy S5, though we aren't sure how a normal person can tell just by looking at it. We will need a screenshot with full resolution or a benchmark that lists out specs in order to fully buy into that idea. The model number is SM-G870A, it runs Android 4.4.2, has a removable battery, has a heart rate monitor, and appears to run the same version of TouchWiz that you are now used to with the Galaxy S5. If we learn more, we'll be sure to update this post.

[responsive_vid]

Sprig Mobile Gets Overhaul on Android, Can Finally Deposit Checks

Kellen — Tue, 20 May 2014 16:42:40 +0000

If you are like me and happen to use a smaller credit union to do most of your banking, then chances are that you may need to use an app like Sprig to manage accounts while on the go. For those not familiar, Sprig is a "virtual credit union wallet" with support for over 300 different credit unions across the country. It allows you to transfer money between accounts, send money to others (P2P payments), find ATM locations that support full credit union services, and as of today, thanks to an update, deposit checks without ever stepping foot inside a credit union location. I know that many of the popular banking applications these days do all of that stuff, but hey, not everyone puts their money in those institutions. If you were using the old Sprig app, feel free to uninstall it. The Sprig team, in partnership with CO-OP, released a brand new app with an all new UI. Your login from the previous app will get you into this new app, so don't worry about having to create a new account. Play Link

5 Fresh Icon Packs: Ivory, Voxel, Luna, Banded, and Black Moonshine

Kellen — Tue, 20 May 2014 16:10:18 +0000

It has been almost a month since we last gave you a handful of fresh icon packs to get busy with, so here are another five. You do need new packs to check out, right? In the Android customization game, a true pro never stays still for too long. A home screen change-up is necessary on an almost-weekly basis. OK, that might be overkill, but the icon addicts in the building know exactly what I am talking about. In this month's batch, we have some with long shadows (the trend still lives!), one with a round and colorful palette, another that is dark and simple, and others that are their own category. Here they are, five fresh new icon packs to check out.

Ivory

As you can see from the images above, Ivory does indeed include the popular long-shadow styling of so many icon packs before it. But I really like Ivory because of the combination of its white (or is it ivory?) base and colorful icon identifier. The white icons pop on almost any background, especially those muted with something like Muzei. There are over 1,700 icons in total, a handful of HD wallpapers to match the pack, and an icon mask that helps with icons that need theming on the fly. Ivory supports all of your favorite launchers, has a well-built dashboard-like app for applying wallpapers or full themes, and lets you request missing icons. Play Link ($1.99)

Voxel

Voxel is another icon pack that shows love to the long-shadow, but its strong colors, simple white icon identifiers, and perfectly square styling makes it ideal for almost any setup. There are almost 700 icons in total, 11 HD wallpapers, and support for all of your favorite launchers. Did I mention that it's free? Play Link

Luna

Moving out of the long-shadow realm, we have Luna, an extremely colorful set of round icons that all have a subtle glow. As the developer mentions, you won't have any trouble finding an icon. The icons are also given a bit of dimension, thanks to a lower bezel. With almost 900 icons and five HD wallpapers, plus icon requests, you are looking at another icon pack worth exploring. As you can see from the image above, that glow goes beautifully with darker, softened photos. All of your favorite launchers are supported. Play Link ($2.02)

Banded Dark

Banded comes to us from Alex Miller, the man behind other popular icon packs like Influx, which we have featured in the past. I really like Banded because of its simplicity. There aren't complex colors or shadows or depth, it's a simple dark icon identifier with a rounded square. They work beautifully on any light wallpaper or could give you a mysterious look if you kept it semi-dark. The icon set comes with a dashboard app, custom HD wallpapers, Muzei and major launcher support, and a custom analog clock widget. Play Link ($1.99)

Black Moonshine

The final icon pack on our list is called Black Moonshine. It's different, that's for sure. It's colorful, yet plenty dark. There are shadows with some icons, but not with others. The icon set is actually based off an upcoming rumored Android icon overhaul which has reportedly been dubbed "Moonshine." In other words, these are a take on what could be the next set of official icons, only they have a much darker tone to them. There are over 500 custom designed "Moonshine" icons, multiple color options of individual icons, 56 custom HD wallpapers, a custom designed clock widget, an icon requester, and more. Play Link ($1.00)

Tuesday Poll: Which Device are You Most Looking Forward To?

Tim — Tue, 20 May 2014 14:00:51 +0000

As we cruise through 2014, there appears to be a lot of good things to look forward to, especially in regard to upcoming smartphones from our favorite manufacturers. All of the top OEMs look to have top-tier devices on the horizon, plus we still have yet to see flagship devices from both Motorola and LG. Since we know pretty much everything you might need to know about the LG G3, and its unveiling date is set for May 27, our community has not been shy when sharing their high hopes for the device. We share their enthusiasm for the G3. Motorola has been placed high upon a pedestal, having received our Android Phone of the Year in 2013 with the Moto X. Whatever the company does intend to unveil for 2014, whether it be called the Moto X+1 or not, we do hope they don't let us down. Interestingly enough, Samsung and HTC both appear to be preparing a "Prime" device, featuring rumored QHD displays and top-tier specifications. To round it all off, the Galaxy Note 4 is reportedly in the works from Samsung, just as you would expect from a company that isn't about to ditch a winning formula they have been milking since 2011. So, the question is simple - which device are you looking most forward to? Share your thoughts and concerns down below. [poll id="298"]

Chrome for Android Sees Update to v35, Includes Undo Button and Chromecast Support

Kellen — Tue, 20 May 2014 13:30:05 +0000

Back in April, Chrome Beta for Android received an update that introduced what has become one of my favorite features in the mobile browser - an undo button for closed tabs. That feature has finally made its way to Chrome stable, thanks to build 35.0.1916.122 that is rolling out today. Now, when you accidentally close a tab or close one before realizing that you need back into it, you can do so with a pop-up undo button. The update also brings fullscreen video with subtitles and HTML5 controls, support for some multi-window devices, and support for casting "some" videos with Chromecast. Grab it on Google Play. Play Link

Samsung Galaxy Note 4 Reported to Feature 5.7" QHD Display

Tim — Tue, 20 May 2014 12:57:59 +0000

The first bit of Galaxy Note 4 hypebeasting is taking place today, thanks to a leak out of GSM Arena. According to sources of theirs, who were not too stingy on information, we may now know what to expect from Samsung's upcoming phablet display. From what was reported, the Galaxy Note 4 (codenamed Muscat) should come with a 5.7" QHD display (2560 x 1440) with 515ppi. Last year's Galaxy Note 3 also featured a 5.7", but only with a 1080p resolution. As history shows, Samsung likes to give a good bump in specifications to its newest devices over the previous year's, with the Note 4 looking to be no different. However, each Note device year-over-year received an increase in screen size. Could it be that Samsung thinks that the current 5.7" is just the right size, not needing to make it any larger? Further rumored specifications for the device include models powered by either Exynos Hexa or Snapdragon chipsets, water resistance (like the Galaxy S5), and a 20MP rear-facing camera. As with all other things in this world of tech, nothing is confirmed.

Via: GSM Arena

U.S. Cellular Announces Shared Connect, Discounts for BYOD And Monthly Device Payment Plans

Kyle — Tue, 20 May 2014 11:59:25 +0000

New cellular plans seem all about BYOD and monthly device payments these days. It comes as little surprise, then, that like T-Mobile, AT&T, and Verizon before it, U.S. Cellular is introducing Shared Connect, a plan that offers a discount to subscribers who either pay for their smartphone in monthly installments or bring their own device. Under Shared Connect, U.S. Cellular states that a family of four can share 10GB of data with unlimited voice and messaging for $140 a month. The carrier is quick to point out that's $20 less than Verizon and AT&T plans, but fails to mention T-Mobile offers a comparable plan for the same price. Ultimately, the decision between the two will come down to coverage area. But competition is never a bad thing. Full press release with details has been placed below.

*U.S. CELLULAR ANNOUNCES LOWER PRICES ON SHARED CONNECT PLANS*

*Company offering four lines of service sharing 10 GB of data for $140 per month*
*CHICAGO (May 20, 2014) –* U.S. Cellular (NYSE: USM) announced today that it is lowering the cost of its Shared Connect plans for customers who bring their own device or choose the company’s recently launched device installment option. Beginning today, a family of four can have unlimited voice and messaging and share 10 GB of data for $140 per month, $20 less than Verizon and AT&T. A business with five employees can have unlimited voice and messaging and 10 GB of data for $150 per month, $25 less than Verizon and AT&T. U.S. Cellular is offering discounted device connection charges on all of its Shared Connect plans for those who choose to pay for their smartphone in monthly installments or bring their own device. The monthly connection charge is just $10 per month for smartphones on 10 GB plans or higher and $20 per month on plans with 8 GB or lower. “Wireless customers who come to U.S. Cellular can now get the best plans along with a best-in-class network that works where they work, live and play,” said Grant Leech, vice president of brand marketing for U.S. Cellular. “The overall value of these plans is increased when you add in our valuable rewards program that provides consumers and businesses opportunities to get new devices faster and free accessories that can enhance their wireless experience.” With U.S. Cellular’s $0 down retail installment option (for qualified customers), customers pay tax on a new device at the point of sale, and then make 24 monthly payments that are conveniently added to their wireless bill. Customers can upgrade this device in as little as 12 months if they trade it in for the latest model. They can also choose to pay off the full balance of their device anytime they want. With the discounted device connection charges, these plans offer an even better value for customers. In addition to these market-leading plans, U.S. Cellular is continuing to pay off customers’ old contracts, up to $350 per line, when they switch to a Shared Connect plan and choose the device installment payment plan. Anyone who ports their number from another carrier and sends in their final bill with the early termination fee on it will receive a prepaid debit card for that amount. U.S. Cellular, in partnership with King Street Wireless, offers 4G LTE service to nearly 90 percent of its customers, and more than 93 percent of customers will have 4G LTE speeds by the end of 2014. *New Retail Installment Contract, Shared Connect Plan and credit approval required. Financing terms are zero down, zero APR; 24 monthly payments. ETF Promo: Valid for up to four Consumer lines and 25 Business lines. Must port in current number to U.S. Cellular. Customer will be reimbursed for the ETF reflected on the final bill up to $350 per line. 4G LTE not available in all areas. See uscellular.com/4G for detailed coverage info. 4G LTE service is provided in partnership with King Street Wireless. LTE is a trademark of ETSI. Additional terms, conditions, taxes and charges may apply. See uscellular.com for details.* *About King Street Wireless, L.P. * King Street Wireless, L.P. currently holds 700 MHz wireless spectrum in 27 states and is partnering with Chicago-based U.S. Cellular to deliver high-speed 4G LTE service to U.S. Cellular’s customers in several of the carrier’s markets. King Street Wireless is headquartered in Alexandria, Virginia where it is recognized for its involvement in its community both through its economic development and philanthropic efforts. To learn more about King Street Wireless, visit www.kingstreetwireless.com. *About U.S. Cellular* U.S. Cellular rewards its customers with unmatched benefits and industry-leading innovations designed to elevate the customer experience. The Chicago-based carrier has a strong line-up of cutting-edge devices that are all backed by its high-speed network that has the highest call quality of any national carrier. Currently, nearly 90 percent of customers have access to 4G LTE speeds, and more than 93 percent will have access by the end of 2014. U.S. Cellular was named a J.D. Power and Associates Customer Champion in 2014 for the third time in four years. To learn more about U.S. Cellular, visit one of its retail stores or uscellular.com. To get the latest news, promos and videos, connect with U.S. Cellular on Facebook.com/uscellular, Twitter.com/uscellular and YouTube.com/uscellularcorp.

Complete 360 Degree Render of HTC M8 "Prime" Leaked

Tim — Tue, 20 May 2014 11:19:19 +0000

This morning, a small portion of what now appears to be a full 360 degree render hit the web, which was reported to show off the backside and Duo Camera layout of the rumored M8 "Prime" from HTC. Now, @evleaks is at it again, this time posting the full circling render of the device. As we can see, this could be quite the premium device. It clearly features BoomSound speakers, a power button on the side of the device instead of the top, front-facing shooter, sensors right above the display, black bar across the front with the HTC logo, un-flush Duo Camera on the back, dual flash, and an overall sleek Black and Silver color combo. Of course, if more information shows up, we will post it up. Thoughts?

Via: @evleaks

LG G3 Models D850 and D851 Pass Through the FCC

Kyle — Tue, 20 May 2014 10:45:47 +0000

If you have a penchant for news about LG's highly anticipated G3, you're in the right place - there is no shortage of it to hold you over until the official reveal. FCC filings released today reveal two variants of the G3 - D850 and D851 - recently passed through the agency's certification process. The nomenclature is in line with the model number that leaked earlier today, so it's probably safe to say they're identical with the exception of different radios. From the FCC filing, the D850 supports LTE bands 2, 4, 5, 7, and 17, while the D851 supports LTE bands 2, 4, 7, and 17. A few of those are T-Mobile and AT&T bands - there isn't any mention of CDMA in the documents from what we have found. Another point worth noting is that both listings mention wireless charging, a feature the G3 has been rumored to include for a while. The G2 had wireless charging on Verizon. It's not uncommon for phones to pass through the FCC months before release, but it does give us hope that the G3 will go on sale shortly after its May 27 reveal.

Via: FCC

Hangouts 2.1+ Drains An Excessive Amount of Battery, Google Working on a Fix

Kyle — Tue, 20 May 2014 10:15:28 +0000

SMS in Hangouts may have come a long way since its initial integration, but it is still quite rough around the edges. Case in point? A few users on Reddit and the Hangouts Google Group have reported experiencing higher-than-normal battery usage - as high as 30% - caused by excessive wakelocks, potentially as a result of having a large number of saved conversations. A Google employee acknowledged the issue and said engineers may have found a fix, but was unable to provide an ETA. In the interim, users have reported that downgrading to a Hangouts version below 2.1 fixes the issue. Let's hope Google squashes the bug soon (and adds Google Voice support while they're at it). Have you been experiencing this issue?

Via: Hangouts Google Group | Reddit

HTC M8 "Prime" Render Appears Online, Shows Off Un-flush Duo Camera

Tim — Tue, 20 May 2014 09:50:35 +0000

Yesterday, @evleaks tweeted out a decently-sized spec list for the rumored "Prime" device from HTC, which included a 5.5" WQHD display, Snapdragon 805 processor, 3GB of RAM, Cat 6 LTE radios, and water resistance. Today, we could have our first small look at the rear side of the device, which shows HTC's infamous Duo Camera, and a not-so-flush main camera sensor. From the image below, we can take away that this phone does have Duo Camera, dual flash, and the same banding that HTC has used on all previous iterations of the One lineup. The only real difference we can spot so far is the completely un-flush main camera sensor. Why would it need to stick out so far? Could it be HTC is throwing in a massive sensor? Could it be a type of attachment for different photo effects, such as fisheye? From a company that takes design ultra serious, it is really hard to imagine that this design would receive a green light. While this may be an extremely early look at the Prime, and the overall design of the camera could change (we sort of hope it does), what are your initial thoughts so far?

Via: @evleaks

Verizon Makes VoLTE Plans Official, Arrives Nationwide in "Next Few Months"

Kellen — Tue, 20 May 2014 09:21:54 +0000

Verizon has officially announced plans for the rollout of their new VoLTE (voice over LTE) service. It's not happening tomorrow or next week, though, so try to contain yourself. We are looking at time frames of "next few months" and "later this year." In other words, it could be end of summer or in the fall or early winter or December. OK, so VoLTE is coming this year, but we still don't know exactly when. Great. VoLTE, a service that that AT&T recently announced would go live on their network May 23, brings an HD Voice experience, including the "best voice quality available" for wireless calls. It also offers video calling options direct from contact lists and a feature that allows you to switch between video and voice calls instantly. When the service launches "later this year," Verizon will have a "robust" set of handsets that can take advantage of it. Some will have VoLTE support at the time of purchase, while other devices will receive updates enabling VoLTE support. Like with AT&T's VoLTE service, both parties will have to be in a VoLTE area with a VoLTE-enabled phone in order to experience HD Voice. Verizon did mention that their VoLTE rollout would be nationwide, whereas AT&T is starting in select markets and then continuing to rollout slowly.

Via: Verizon

Box for Android Sees Major Update to 3.0 - Partners With LG for Free 50GB Promo

Kellen — Tue, 20 May 2014 08:59:55 +0000

Box, one of the most robust cloud storage options available, received a major update on Android today to version 3.0. The update is being called "one of the biggest updates" ever for the company, because it introduces an overhauled UI, new image gallery, fully native OneCloud, two new languages, and added security. Beyond the big update, Box is also announcing a new partnership with LG. In this new deal, Box is handing out 50GB of free storage (for a year) to anyone who owns an LG G-series device. All you need to do is login to the Box app from your LG G-series device and the storage is yours. Again, only for one year. The app is live on Google Play now, for free. Feel free to grab it What's New

An overhauled, polished UI
A new image gallery, with a lightning-fast document previewer (allows even historically difficult file types, like PowerPoint, to render perfectly)
A fully native OneCloud app gallery (sign contracts, annotate reports, e-fax spreadsheets—right from Box; also, when you preview a file, easily see which apps are compatible with that file type)
Two new languages (26 total)
MobileIron Android App GA (for added security)

Play Link

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Via: Box

LG G3 Landing Page Shows Up on LG's UK Site, Sports Model Number D855

Tim — Tue, 20 May 2014 08:43:14 +0000

A landing page for the G3 from LG has appeared on the company's official UK website, acting as a placeholder for when the device is announced. The page shows model number D855, but does not give us any additional details. There are sections for technical specs, reviews, and features, but they are completely empty. The only piece of info on the site is the model number, plus the same teaser video that was released earlier this month. We have placed it below for your viewing once again. 7 days from today, folks. That's when LG makes the G3 known to the world.

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Via: LG

Deal: Nexus 7 (2012) 32GB for $99 From eBay

Kellen — Tue, 20 May 2014 08:36:27 +0000

It might be two years old at this point, but eBay is running a flash sale on the original Nexus 7 (2012) with 32GB of storage for $99. The device is manufacturer refurbished, but as we have mentioned countless times, many believe that refurbishing a product gets rid of issues and actually makes a product better in some situations. The device runs a Tegra 3 processor, has 1GB of RAM, and a 7-inch display. It also runs the newest version of Android, which is Kit Kat 4.4.2. If you need a super cheap tablet that also carries the Nexus brand and stock Android, this isn't a bad deal. The deal also includes free shipping. eBay Link

Google+ for Android Introduces 9 New Features, Like Auto Awesome Stories and Movies (Updated)

Kellen — Tue, 20 May 2014 07:37:30 +0000

New leader of all things Google+, Dave Besbris, posted a list of nine new things we should expect to see in the Google+ for Android app once an update is pushed live through Google Play today. Nine is a pretty big number for an app like this. Are any of them useful? They certainly sound like they are. New Auto Awesome Stories and Movies a part of the update. As announced by Google this morning, Stories and Movies are ways for you to view travelogues of your best photos (Stories) or highlight videos of them, with effects, transitions, and soundtracks (Movies). You can read more about Stories and Movies here. The update allows you to create animated GIFs and photobooth-style images on demand, access "really big photo" libraries, browse entire photo libraries (as well as highlights) by date, and displays total content views of profiles on both Android and the web. It also includes a new navigation menu that makes it easier to switch between circles and communities, plus sharing content is now easier than ever. Finally, the app menu slides away as you scroll, to let posts fill the entire screen. Again, it's a big update. If you see it pop-up on your device, be sure to let us know! Play Link | Download (Cheers Brian!) Update: This is the new Google+. Talk about a brand new app. And, umm, where is the slideout menu, Google?

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Via: +Dave Besbris

Gmail on Android Updated to Version 4.8 - UI Polish Included, Save to Drive, and More (Updated)

Kellen — Mon, 19 May 2014 17:02:49 +0000

Google pushed out an update to its Gmail Android app this evening, an update that jumps the version up to 4.8. The update includes a bit of polish in the hamburger, slideout menu. We are now seeing profile images next to individual Gmail accounts should you have more than one, along with a check mark that shows which account you are currently using. Google also pushed the Settings and "Send Feedback" options down into the hamburger menu, a move that has become somewhat of a standard for Google apps as of late. They previously took up space in the action overflow menu, up in the top right corner. The pull-to-refresh animation is now full-Google-color, instead of the thin blue animation previously included. So far, that is all we are seeing, but there could be plenty more. We will keep digging and update this post as we have it. In the mean time, you can sideload the new Gmail 4.8 app through the download link below. Play Link | Download

Update: Friend of the site, Scott, said that this screen is also new. You are looking at an empty inbox, with Google telling you to go enjoy your day. The exact wording is, "You're all done! Please enjoy your day." This is somewhat of a play on Mailbox's inbox zero. Who knows if Google will ever take it further than this, though. Still, a nice touch to let you know that you have done a good job. Update 2: It looks like Google added imagery to a few specific folders. The Inbox, Trash, and Spam all show fun little graphics if you empty them completely. Others just say "There is no mail here."

Update 3: We are also seeing a "Save to Drive" option for attachments, plus access to the slideout menu from with messages as well.

Update 4: Google actually gave us a changelog through the Gmail Google+ page. It is as follows:

Save to Google Drive Instead of downloading attachments to your device which takes up valuable space, you can now save attachments directly to Google Drive. Files saved to Drive are easily accessible from any smartphone, tablet or computer. Spam explanations Have you ever wondered why a message ended up in spam? You'll now find an explanation at the top of every spam message. Improved RTL support If you’re an English speaker, you’re used to reading sentences from left-to-right. But there are a lot of languages out there that are written from right-to-left (RTL), such as Arabic, Hebrew and Persian. If you’re a speaker of one of these languages, Gmail on Android now looks and feels the way you'd expect with profile pictures and the navigation menu on the right instead of the left. Faster access to the side navigation menu It’s easier to get wherever you need to go in the app. While reading messages, you can now swipe from the left edge (or right edge for RTL languages) to quickly access your accounts and labels. You’ll also find Settings, Help, and Feedback in the side menu.

Cheers Josh!

Official Klout App Hits Android, Allows Easy Sharing of Content From Around the Web

Tim — Mon, 19 May 2014 16:12:44 +0000

Klout, the website that grants users the ability to give a numerical value to their reach across social networks, has finally published its official Android application. The service, which has taken on a different roll in recent months, is now all about sharing content from across the web. Klout gives users the ability to discover and share content that relates to them. Thanks to Klout's software that recognized topics that you share already, whether on Twitter or Facebook, it generates stories from around the web that relate to you. For example, Klout is able to determine that I tweet primarily about Android and Android-related topics. With that information, they show me stories from around the web relating to Android that I can then share to my followers. Got it? Good. For those who are familiar with Klout, you will already know that based on your score, the service allows you to obtain "Klout Perks." These Perks can be gift cards to McDonalds, free Gillette razor blades, free dog and cat food, plus plenty of more interesting goods and services. To check out the Klout app for Android, head on over to Google Play and pick it up. Play Link

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Via: Klout

Samsung Smartwatch Marketshare Hits 71%, Sells 500K Units in Q1

Tim — Mon, 19 May 2014 16:00:10 +0000

According to a report from Strategy Analytics and Yonhap News, Samsung's sales of smartwatches trump all competitors, holding at 71% of the marketshare. Thanks to selling a reported 500,000 smartwatches in Q1, Samsung easily maintains seniority over other competitors such as Sony, Qualcomm, and Pebble. Compared to last year, Samsung sold roughly 1 million smartwatches over the course of four quarters, but thanks to a monstrous marketing push for the Galaxy Gear (you undoubtedly saw it on the wrist of many NBA stars and commentators), Samsung saw a major boost in sales. With Android Wear on the horizon, sales of smartwatches are likely to see a boom like none other this year. With LG, Motorola, Samsung, and HTC all expected to be partners of Google's on the Android Wear platform, you might be hard pressed to find someone not at least a little bit interested in purchasing a smartwatch.

Via: Strategy Analystics | Yonhap News

LG Lifeband Touch Now Available From Best Buy for $149

Kellen — Mon, 19 May 2014 15:17:39 +0000

LG's take on fitness trackers, the Lifeband Touch, is now available at Best Buy in two sizes for $149.99. First announced at CES in January, but then seemingly shelved for months, the Lifeband Touch does everything you would expect a modern day fitness tracker to do. The Lifeband Touch tracks steps, distance, and speed, along with workout run time, calories, pace, climb, and activity vs. inactivity. It's capable of showing you notifications for calls and text messages, has media playback controls, and is manipulated through its 0.9-inch OLED touch display. It does not track your heart rate, but is compatible with a number of heart rate monitors. From a spec standpoint, the band includes Bluetooth LE support, compatibility with LG's fitness app, has a 3D accelerometer, water-resistant design, and a rechargeable battery that lasts 2-3 days. The Lifeband Touch is compatible with most Android devices running Android 4.2+, unlike Samsung's wearables (Gear Fit, Gear 2, etc.) which only work with Samsung devices. Best Buy has both the medium and large sizes of the Lifeband Touch available. Best Buy Links: Lifeband Touch (medium) | Lifeband Touch (large)

Google Joins Instagram

Kellen — Mon, 19 May 2014 14:18:00 +0000

If you weren't getting enough from Google's social presence on Google+ or Twitter, then feel free to give them a follow on their newly unveiled Instagram account. Through a Tweet sent out that mentioned Google's current celebration of the Rubik's Cube, Google announced that it could use more squares in its life going forward and would be joining Facebook's image-friendly social network. Give 'em a follow.

Via: @Google | Google (Instagram)

LG G3 Lock Screen App Screenshots Leaked

Tim — Mon, 19 May 2014 14:07:14 +0000

More leaks for the LG G3 have hit the web today, this time as screenshots of the device's lock screen applications. In a couple of earlier leaks, and even shown off in LG's promo video, we saw that special attention was being paid to a circular area that remained lit up while the rest of the display was turned off. From what we saw in the promo, it was only a clock widget being used, but thanks to this leak, we now know that the round space will be used for much more. Seen in another leak, a smart cover would be one accessory available for the device, which featured a round cut out. That cut out will be used specifically with these applications, which are all built with a circular view. From what we see in the images below, there will be a healthy assortment of clock widgets, ways to check messages, accept phone calls, view health data, access device settings, and plenty more. No doubt LG will go over all of the applications buyers can utilize when the device is announced next week on May 27. If you plan on taking full advantage of these widgets, let us know below.

Via: @evleaks

After Deal Falls Through, Facebook Readies Snapchat Competitor Codenamed Slingshot

Tim — Mon, 19 May 2014 13:02:40 +0000

At the end of last year, the public was made aware of a deal-gone-south between Facebook and Snapchat, which had Facebook's CEO Mark Zuckerberg offering a reported $3 billion for control of the company. As we all now know, that deal never transpired, leaving Facebook to work tirelessly on a rival application, codenamed Slingshot. According to sources of Financial Times, Slingshot is being overseen directly by Zuckerberg, who may still scrap the entire project before it ever sees the light of day. However, if Slingshot does go live, it could be launched "this month." The application, much like Snapchat, would allow users to send short videos to friends by only pressing a couple of buttons which can only be viewed once. It would be fast, sleek, extremely easy to use, and would be a standalone offering much like Facebook Messenger according to sources. There is no doubting Snapchat's popularity among the younger crowd, as even my 10-year old niece with an iPod Touch won't stop talking about it; even though her mother refuses to let her create an account. After the unveiling of live video between users in the app's latest update, it seems Facebook will have a lot of catching up to do if they plan on stealing any users away from Snapchat. When and if more information is made available, we will post it up.

Via: Financial Times

Super Monkey Ball Franchise Coming to Android Later This Summer

Eric — Mon, 19 May 2014 12:40:50 +0000

The long-standing gaming franchise, Super Monkey Ball, will be making its debut on Android this summer. SEGA announced today that Super Monkey Ball Bounce, the new title built for mobile, will be landing on Android phones and tablets in only a few weeks. Where older SMB games were focused more on the racing aspect of your monkeys, Bounce has been specifically built for mobile devices. Taking inspirations from pachinko, Peggle, and pinball machines, Bounce brings a new face to the series while still keeping the same lovable monkey AiAi. Clear the board with different monkeys in different ways to rack up points and combos. There are over 120 levels included in the new game, which is sure to keep you playing for a good amount of time. So far, the only release date we have is "later this summer," but we will be sure to keep you updated as soon as we hear more.

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T-Mobile and Walmart Team Up to Provide Affordable 4G Tablets

Eric — Mon, 19 May 2014 12:20:19 +0000

When Android tablets first launched, we clamored for versions that did not require us to tie into expensive data plans. Most of us ended up choosing WiFi-only tablets because of the premium price tag attached to 4G or LTE-ready slates. Doug Chartier, senior VP at T-Mobile, says this has lead us to become trapped in the "WiFi zone" and is looking to give more people the affordable option of picking up a data-enabled tablet. He and T-Mobile are turning to Walmart for help. Starting today, Walmart is offering the 4G-powered Apollo Brands Quad Core tablet for $179. However, this budget device will be overshadowed when Walmart will start selling the 4G-powered HP Slate 7 HD for $229 next month. Both of these devices are aiming to come in at an affordable price point to get more tablets in the hands of people. Each features an HD display, dual cameras, and low level processors. But tablets are only so useful without internet connections.By picking up either of these tablets at Walmart, T-Mobile is offering 200MB each month of 4G speeds "for life." Of course, if you are looking to use more than the paltry 200MB data limit, T-Mo and Walmart will have passes for you - $35 per month gets you 3.5GB or $50 for 5GB. If you are in the market for an affordable (read: cheap) tablet solution to pair with a mobile plan that won't sink your bank account, this might be for you.

Via: T-Mobile

AllCast Receiver App Lets You Stream Music, Pictures, and Video to Any Android Device

Kyle — Mon, 19 May 2014 12:00:04 +0000

Remember AllCast, Android developer Koushik Dutta's AirPlay-like application that lets you cast content to different devices? The app's streaming capabilities were previously limited to only players and set top boxes that Dutta implemented support for, but the release of AllCast Receiver, a companion app for AllCast, changes that. Install AllCast Receiver on any network-connected Android device, and that device instantly becomes a cast target for AllCast. You can sling local media like music, pictures, and videos seamlessly, just as if you were casting to Chromecast. Pretty much every Android device is supported, including popular set-top boxes like Fire TV, Ouya, and Google TVs. AllCast Receiver is free, but requires AllCast to work. The full version of AllCast is $4.99. AllCast Play Link | AllCast Receiver Play Link

Beautiful Icon Styler Lets You Use Custom Icons on Stock Launchers Without Root

Kellen — Mon, 19 May 2014 11:26:00 +0000

Let's say you own an Android device, yet aren't thrilled about running a 3rd party launcher, but still want to swap out the icons in your stock launcher for a more customized look. What are your options? I hate to break it to you, but you don't have many. Beautiful Icon Styler is one option, an option that doesn't even require root to work. With Beautiful Icon Styler you can keep your Google Now, BlinkFeed, TouchWiz, and Motorola launchers, but still get that custom look with icons that other launchers provide. The app, without root, allows you to swap out individual or full sets of icons with the press of a couple of buttons. Should you decide that you don't like the look, simply revert or choose another icon pack to apply. It works with Nova/Apex-ready icon packs. Now, I should point out that the app doesn't theme the apps in your app drawer, only the apps on your home screens. So it's not the ultimate solution, but it certainly gets the job done for those who rarely enter their app drawers and do not mind if those apps aren't themed. The app is incredibly simple to use. Assuming you have a few icon packs installed, open Beautiful Icon Styler and you should see them listed. To apply, simply tap the "apply" button next to each and the app will do the work for you. If you would like to individually choose icons to style, you can do that as well, but that feature is only available in the paid version. If you need help finding icon packs, be sure to check out our long list of recommendations. The app is free to try for "3 stylings." To upgrade, so that you receive infinite stylings and the one-by-one selection feature, you are looking at a price of $0.99. Play Link

Google Buys Enterprise Android Company Divide (Formerly Enterproid) for an Undisclosed Sum

Kyle — Mon, 19 May 2014 11:10:45 +0000

Following reports of a rumored acquisition of Twitch that hit the web this weekend, Google has officially acquired Divide (formerly Enterproid), a startup company that specialized in securing Android devices in corporate environments. Few details were disclosed, but Divide said its team will join Google's Android division. Divide, which was backed by Google Ventures and had raised more than $25 million from investors, took a "container approach" to BYOD. Using Divide's proprietary software, corporate data was separated from personal information on employees' devices, giving companies remote management capabilities, while allowing owners the freedom to install apps and games. The purchase of Divide aligns nicely with rumors that Google will emphasis enterprise security in the next version of Android. Back in March, we heard about the possibility of stronger encryption, storage of data on secure chips, and new APIs for managing devices remotely; features which sound right up Divide's alley. It might take a while for the acquisition to bear fruit, but rest assured, Google is finally taking enterprise seriously.

Via: Re/code

Sprint Bolsters Its Total Equipment Plan With Help From Asurion

Eric — Mon, 19 May 2014 10:50:51 +0000

Once we get our hands on a shiny new phone or tablet, top priority is keeping it safe. Sprint is helping to keep its customers even more safe starting today, with the announcement of its upgraded Total Equipment Protection Plus plan. The addition of Sprint's Total Equipment Protection Plus, along with a new Protect app, takes its device coverage to a new level. Before today's announcement, Sprint's Protection Plan covered the basic physical problems that you could run into - loss, theft, damage, and malfunction. With the upgrade to TEP Plus, Asurion comes on board and protects your device's information, as well as the device itself. There is a whole list of features that Asurion brings to Sprint owner's devices:

Automatically back up and secure data
Identify threats with built-in antivirus and privacy protection
Access monitoring and optimization tools to maximize battery life and improve a phone’s overall performance*(Android only)
Remotely find a phone from the secure web portal using GPS or lock and erase personal information from a missing phone (lock is Android only)
Provide one-click direct access to a tech expert for premium support to address any smartphone issue – no matter how simple or complex.

Sprint's regular Equipment Protection plan costs $11 each month, and they are offering the TEP Plus plan for only $2 more each month. If you are a Sprint customer, and have trouble keeping your phone safe physically safe and cyber secure, you might want to check this new Plus protection plan out.

Via: Sprint

Alleged HTC One M8 "Prime" Specs Leaked Thanks to Twitter Beef

Tim — Mon, 19 May 2014 10:10:05 +0000

Over the past few hours on Twitter, @evleaks has taken to de-mystify an upcoming HTC product, known currently as the M8 Prime. The leak is thanks to HTC's Global Communications Manager Jeff Gordon, who ambiguously told his followers on Twitter to be careful where they get their news from. Gordon's initial tweet stated, "In the past few days, a well-known leaker has been completely wrong about at least two of his leaks." Taking this tweet personally, even though Gordon states it was not even about him, @evleaks decided to pull back the curtain on a few specifications for the device from Gordon's company. According @evleaks, the device will feature an exotic build material; a "composite of aluminum and liquid silicone." As for what is inside, the "leak artist" states the M8 Prime will sport a 5.5" WQHD display, Snapdragon 805 processor, 3GB of RAM, Cat 6 LTE radios, and will be water resistant, much like the Galaxy S5 from Samsung. If this does not paint a pretty exciting picture for HTC fans, then who knows what will. We should note that these specifications align pretty well with another leak that took place back on May 6. The M8 Prime is shaping up to be a very solid-sounding device. If anymore info is leaked, we will be sure to post it.

Via: @evleaks [1] [2] [3] [4] [5]

LG G3 Multi-angle Press Renders in Titanium, Gold, and White

Kyle — Mon, 19 May 2014 09:36:49 +0000

Just when you thought the LG G3 had been leaked in its entirety, the proverbial floodgates open yet again. Over the weekend, famed Twitter personality @evleaks posted multi-angle press images of the G3 in gold, white, and titanium. If you'll recall, those are the colors expected to be available at launch. LG G3 rumors have run the gamut, but the leaks over the past week have given us a pretty good idea of what to expect. That odd second sensor near the phone's 13MP rear camera is likely a cutout for laser autofocus, and the phone is sporting either a Snapdragon 801 or 805 processor. 3GB of RAM is a likely shoe-in, as is a high-capacity battery greater than 3000mAh. On the software front, a reworked Android skin - LG's so-called Flatter UI - is imminent, possibly along with a new virtual assistant or contextually-aware widgets and apps. All in all, the G3 is shaping up to be LG's biggest smartphone launch ever. Who else is excited for the launch event on May 27?

Via: @evleaks [2]

Reports Suggest Google Planning Acqusition of Twitch for $1 Billion

Eric — Mon, 19 May 2014 09:02:09 +0000

Over the weekend, a report from Variety suggested that Google was in the final stages to announce plans to buy video game streaming service Twitch for roughly $1 billion. A separate report from the Wall Street Journal, who must have much different sources, claims that the deal is still early, and that Twitch may decline whatever offer is made, opting for additional funding instead of selling off the company to Google. For those not familiar with Twitch, it is a streaming website service that launched in 2011, but has grown exponentially. It single-handedly accounted for 1.35% of all downstream bandwidth usage in March of 2014. As big as YouTube has become at video sharing, they never seemed to get their finger on streaming, and that is where they hope Twitch can help. The reported all-cash deal is expected to be announced sooner, rather than later, according to Variety. However, YouTube and Twitch are reportedly preparing to fight for the deal, as they expect US regulators will have something to say about the #1 video content site acquiring the #1 video streaming site. From the WSJ sources, who paint a much different picture, the public may never learn the actual value of the deal, and a lot of talks must be completed before anything official is announced. No YouTube or Twitch representatives have commented on the deal. Only time will tell if this deal will benefit the consumers to all of this online content. Twitch has a fairly well-established monetization strategy with their channels, and we can only assume Google won't mess with that. What do you think? If Google does end up purchasing Twitch, is this good or bad for the young company?

Via: Variety | WSJ

Post Your Verizon XLTE Speed Test!

Kellen — Mon, 19 May 2014 08:47:39 +0000

With Verizon XLTE now official in over 200 markets across the US, we thought we would do something that hasn't been done around these parts in quite some time. A speed test post! Verizon XLTE is doubling bandwidth in heavily trafficked areas, but should also give us greater peak data speeds. In other words, you may be able to show off impressive data speeds once again on Verizon's network! So let's do this - download the Speedtest.net app, run it, and then post the a screenshot of your results to the comments. That's it! This is really just a, "Hey, look how awesome (or not awesome) my speeds are! Praise me!" type of post. To make this open to everyone, we will ask for speed tests from all readers, but try to note in your post if you are in an XLTE city or not. And be aware that even if you are in an XLTE city, you may not be in a part that's covered all of the time. Take for example my speed test above. I'm in Portland, OR, yet I'm also in a terrible area for Verizon service just south of downtown and am likely not covered by AWS. We really just want to see how Verizon's network is holding up these days. Here is a list of Verizon XLTE cities. Here is a list of Verizon XLTE devices. Show us what you got!

Verizon XLTE Cities

Kellen — Mon, 19 May 2014 08:09:25 +0000

Verizon has made its new AWS-backed XLTE network official, so I can imagine that you are curious if you live in a city that can take advantage. Chances are that you do because the list is massive, but to make sure, you will want to take a look at the official list below. According to Verizon, all of the cities below have active XLTE as of today. As a reminder, XLTE is simply Verizon putting to use their AWS (Band 4) LTE spectrum in major cities to double the bandwidth of its LTE network. Users will also see faster peak data speeds, without having to do anything other than own an XLTE-ready device. Thankfully, almost all of Verizon's recently announced phones can take advantage. Check the list here.

XLTE Cities

Alabama

Birmingham
Decatur
Florence
Mobile
Montgomery
Tuscaloosa

Arizona

Flagstaff
Phoenix
Prescott
Tucson

Arkansas

El Dorado-Magnolia
Fayetteville-Springdale
Fort Smith
Hot Springs
Jonesboro
Little Rock
Russellville

California

Bakersfield
Chico-Oroville
Fresno
Los Angeles
Merced
Modesto
Redding
Sacramento
San Diego
San Francisco - Oakland - San Jose
San Luis Obispo
Santa Barbara
Stockton
Visalia-Porterville
Yuba City-Marysville

Colorado

Colorado Springs
Denver
Fort Collins
Greeley
Pueblo

Connecticut

Greater Fairfield and New Haven
Hartford
New London County

Delaware

Dover
Fort Myers
Fort Pierce-Vero Beach

District of Columbia

Washington DC

Florida

Beach
Gainesville
Lakeland-Winter Haven
Melbourne-Titusville
Miami-Ft. Lauderdale
Orlando
Pensacola
Sarasota-Bradenton
Tallahassee
Tampa-St. Petersburg
West Palm Beach

Georgia

Athens
Atlanta
Augusta
Columbus

Hawaii

Honolulu
Kahului-Wailuku

Illinois

Bloomington
Carbondale
Champaign-Urbana
Chicago
Danville
Decatur-Effingham
Kankakee
La Salle-Peru-Ottawa
Mattoon
Peoria
Rockford
Springfield

Indiana

Anderson
Bloomington-Bedford
Columbus
Elkhart
Evansville
Indianapolis
Kokomo-Logansport
Lafayette
Marion
Richmond
South Bend-Mishawaka
Terre Haute
Vincennes-Washington

Iowa

Cedar Rapids
Des Moines
Sioux City
Blackfoot
Burley
Pocatello

Kansas

Dodge City
Garden City
Hays
Manhattan-Junction City
McPherson
Salina
Topeka
Wichita

Kentucky

Lexington
Louisville
Louisiana
Baton Rouge
Lake Charles
Monroe
New Orleans
Shreveport

Maryland

Baltimore
Salisbury

Massachusetts

Boston
Hyannis-Mid-Cape
Pittsfield
Springfield
Worcester-Fitchburg

Michigan

Benton Harbor
Detroit
Flint
Grand Rapids
Houghton
Lansing

Minnesota

Bemidji
Brainerd
Duluth
Fergus Falls-Alexandria
Minneapolis-St. Paul
Rochester
St. Cloud

Missouri

Jefferson City
Kansas City
St. Joseph

Montana

Billings

Nebraska

Grand Island-Kearney
Lincoln
North Platte
Omaha
Scottsbluff

Nevada

Las Vegas
Reno

New Hampshire

Manchester-Nashua

New Jersey

Atlantic City

New Mexico

Albuquerque
Santa Fe

New York

Albany
Binghamton
Buffalo
Elmira-Corning-Hornell
Ithaca
New York
Rochester
Syracuse
Utica

North Carolina

Asheville
Charlotte-Gastonia
Fayetteville-Lumberton
Raleigh-Durham
Wilmington

North Dakota

Bismarck
Dickinson
Fargo
Grand Forks
Minot
Williston

Ohio

Canton
Cincinnati
Cleveland-Akron
Columbus
Dayton-Springfield
Findlay-Tiffin
Lima
Mansfield
Marion
Portsmouth
Toledo

Oklahoma

Bartlesville
Lawton
Liberal
Oklahoma City
Tulsa

Oregon

Eugene-Springfield
Portland
Salem-Albany-Corvallis

Pennsylvania

Allentown-Bethlehem
Altoona
Erie
Harrisburg

Indiana

Lancaster
Pittsburgh
Reading
Scranton-Wilkes Barre
Shamokin
Sharon
State College
Stroudsburg
Williamsport
York

Rhode Island

Greater Providence

South Carolina

Charleston
Columbia
Florence
Greenville-Spartanburg
Greenwood
Myrtle Beach

South Dakota

Aberdeen
Rapid City
Sioux Falls

Tennessee

Chattanooga
Cleveland
Cookeville
Dyersburg
Jackson
Knoxville
Memphis
Nashville

Texas

Amarillo
Austin
Beaumont-Port Arthur
Bryan-College Station
Corpus Christi
Dallas-Ft. Worth
Houston
Laredo
Longview-Marshall
Paris
San Antonio
Sherman-Denison
Temple-Killeen
Tyler
Waco
Wichita Falls

Utah

Logan
Provo
Salt Lake City-Ogden

Virginia

Charlottesville
Fredericksburg
Greater Hampton Roads
Harrisonburg
Richmond
Roanoke
Winchester

Washington

Longview
Olympia
Seattle-Tacoma
Spokane

Wisconsin

Appleton-Oshkosh
Eau Claire
Fond du Lac
Green Bay

Verizon Announces XLTE

Kellen — Mon, 19 May 2014 07:51:47 +0000

Verizon has announced its new XLTE, a beefed up version of its massive 4G LTE network that we told you was coming today. So what is XLTE? XLTE is basically how Verizon has taken the AWS (Band 4) LTE spectrum that they own and deployed it in cities to strengthen the data experience for customers. We are talker faster peak data speeds and a minimum of double the bandwidth in high traffic areas. And that is basically it. Verizon has finally put to use their AWS spectrum to help make their LTE network better for all of its customers. Nearly all devices that Verizon currently sells already work with XLTE, so customers see the benefit automatically. More than 35% of devices running on Verizon's network can take advantage. There is no separate plan or service to activate. If you have a supported phone, many of which we have detailed here, you can experience XLTE today. Here is the full list of XLTE Cities.

Via: Verizon

AT&T to Acquire DIRECTV for $48.5 Billion

Kellen — Sun, 18 May 2014 15:05:30 +0000

Last week, a report surfaced suggesting that AT&T was on the verge of acquiring DIRECTV for close to $50 billion. Today, that deal became official for $48.5 billion. Together, AT&T thinks the companies can become a content distribution leader across mobile, video and broadband platforms. To be more specific, the deal will help AT&T and DIRECTV "better meet consumers’ future viewing and programming preferences, whether traditional pay TV, on-demand video services like Netflix or Hulu streamed over a broadband connection (mobile or fixed) or a combination of viewing preferences on any screen." Consumer bundles that include everything from video and high-speed broadband to mobile services could be a part of the future, plus the combination of the companies creates all sorts of operating efficiencies. For the most part, at least for now, this move shouldn't impact your AT&T wireless service at all. From the press release - "This purchase price implies a total equity value of $48.5 billion and a total transaction value of $67.1 billion, including DIRECTV’s net debt."

Via: ATT

Goodbye, Aio: Cricket Wireless Takes Over With New Plans, Pricing, and Phones

Kellen — Sun, 18 May 2014 09:37:40 +0000

Back in March, AT&T announced that Cricket Wireless and Aio Wireless would soon merge, leaving Cricket as the name of their prepaid wireless service. That day has come, meaning Aio Wireless is no more. Well, all of the Aio plans seem to have carried over under the Cricket name, but the Aio color scheme (which T-Mobile hated) and website are a part of wireless history. Oh, the little "Aio" mentions on your lock screen and notification pull down now say "Cricket" as well. So what does Cricket Wireless now offer? Again, the Aio package, just under the Cricket name.

Plans

Smartphone packages run $40, $50, and $60 per month, but if you sign-up for autopay, you will receive a $5 per month discount, leaving you with $35, $45, and $55 plans. All plans include unlimited talk and text, but each differs in terms of data package. The $40 plan includes 500MB of high-speed data per month; $50 plan ups that to 2.5GB of high-speed data per month; $60 plan maxes at 5GB of high-speed data per month. All of those plans will see throttled/reduced data speeds once their caps are reached until the next billing cycle begins.

4G LTE

The new Cricket Wireless plans can connect to AT&T's ever-expanding 4G LTE network. We should point out that these plans do not offer full 4G LTE data speeds, though. Download speeds are always capped at 8Mbps. Should you reach your high-speed data allotment for the month, they decrease from there.

Group Discounts

If you want to add a group of people to your Cricket Wireless account, you could see significant savings of up to $90 on up to 5 lines. The 2nd lines gives you a $10 discount, 3rd line a $20 discount, and lines four and five can save you an additional $30 each.

Aio Customers

If you were an Aio Wireless customer, it doesn't look like anything is changing for you other than the name that will show up on your phone's notification and lock screens and the website you will visit to pay your bill. If you head to cricketwireless.com today, you can login with your Aio account username and password. Actually, the website looks identical to Aio's, just with a different color scheme. Again, nothing is really changing other than the name of your wireless provider. Your bill and plan are not changing, from what I can tell.

Other Notes

For a limited time, new Cricket customers can receive $50 off most smartphones after a mail-in-rebate.
To thank customers, Cricket will give you $50 credits to spend towards new phones after 12 months of on-time payments.
The Cricket phone line-up includes the Moto G, Galaxy S4, Lumia 520, iPhone 5c, and iPhone 5s.
Nearly 3,000 redesigned and rebranded Cricket stores are open now and ready for business.

Any questions?

Via: Cricket

Verizon XLTE Phones, Tablets, and Hotspots

Kellen — Sat, 17 May 2014 19:28:32 +0000

With Verizon XLTE expected to be announced on May 19, we have had a number of readers ask about which phones will be able to take advantage of the upgraded speeds. As you may have guessed, most of Verizon's phones that have been released within the last year are compatible. All they need is support for Band 4 LTE, which is the AWS spectrum that Big Red is pumping into cities to create this XLTE coverage. Phones like the Galaxy S5 and S4, Moto X, DROID ULTRA and MAXX, and One (M8) are all going to be a part of the fun. Below, you will find a solid list of the types of phones that will work with XLTE, courtesy of our sources.

Phones

Moto X
DROID ULTRA
DROID MAXX
DROID MINI
HTC One (M8)
HTC One Max
LG G2
LG Lucid 3
Samsung Galaxy Note 3
Samsung Galaxy Galaxy S5
Samsung Galaxy S4
Samsung Galaxy S4 Mini
Samsung ATIV SE
Lumia Icon
Blackberry Q10
Blackberry Z30
iPhone 5C
iPhone 5S

Tablets

iPad Air
iPad Mini Retina
LG G Pad
Samsung Note 10.1
Samsung Galaxy Note Pro

Jetpacks and Modems

UML295 USB Modem
Jetpack MHS291L
Jetpack Mifi5510L

This is the full list of Verizon XLTE cities. To learn more about the benefits of XLTE, be sure to read our exclusive report. Also, this list may not include every single device that is compatible with Verizon XLTE. This is only the initial list that we have been given. If Verizon does go ahead and announce XLTE on May 19, we should have an even better grasp on compatibility.

Report: No Nexus 6, Android Silver is Coming in February With LG Leading the Charge

Kellen — Sat, 17 May 2014 12:44:38 +0000

According to @evleaks, the Nexus program is essentially dead. According to information he has seen, there will be no Nexus 6. Instead, the rumored Android Silver program will become the future from Google, with arrival of the first devices happening in February of next year. One of the initial launch devices may be from LG as a device running a Qualcomm MSM8994, which is a next-level Snapdragon 810 with 64-bit architecture. This isn't the first time that we have heard about the end of the Nexus program as we know it - a report at the end of April said the same thing. That report mentioned that the Nexus line was indeed being killed off in favor of Android Silver, a program made up of high-end Android phones that have been hand-picked and heavily funded by Google, though still built by top tier manufacturers. LG and Motorola are thought to be some of the first to participate. Google will apparently take Android Silver into carrier stores, something that hasn't happened with the Nexus program. They may also pay for heavy marketing and development costs to get the program up and running. Android Silver devices will run near-stock Android, receive updates in a hurry, and become the premium line of Android devices. The whole program sounds a lot like Google Play Edition phones, but with more backing and promotion from Google. I can't help but admit that I'm disappointed by this news. I have been in this game since the birth of the Nexus line, so to think that it will no longer be around is quite saddening. Year after year, the Nexus phones continue to rank high in our lists. Let's hope Android Silver can somehow manage to bring the same high-end package of technology with Google's vision of Android at an amazingly reasonable price. Thoughts?

Via: @evleaks [2] [3]

Are These the First Pictures of the Samsung Galaxy S5 Prime?

Kellen — Sat, 17 May 2014 12:14:47 +0000

A "Prime" or premium version of the Samsung Galaxy S5 has been rumored since before the regular GS5 ever arrived. Even with denials about the phone's existence by Samsung executives, evidence continues to pile up suggesting that the phone is real and could be here this summer. Pictures posted today by PhoneArena claim to be the first of the phone in yet another leak that should frustrate anyone who bought the regular Galaxy S5. What do these pictures show us? Well, it looks like some sort of a Galaxy S5 variant, only with a slightly different USB port cover and metallic rim around the device. The backside also has a squared-off camera housing that appears to connect the lens with the heart rate monitor into a single housing. The backside still carries the dimpled exterior from the regular Galaxy S5, only it looks slightly more robust, potentially thanks to a larger battery. I would argue that it looks much shinier than the regular GS5 as well. It's tough to tell if it is metal or not. The version of Samsung's TouchWiz looks identical to that on the current Galaxy S5. We are even seeing the fingerprint scanner setup as the unlock method for the home button. And that is really all I'm seeing. Assuming these are real, the differences could be very minor on the outside other than the metallic additions. On the inside, we are expecting Samsung to use a Quad HD (2560x1440) AMOLED display and an upgraded Snapdragon 805 processor. Current rumors suggest that the model number for the Galaxy S5 "Prime" is SM-G906. It may come in black, white, gold, blue and pink.

Thoughts?

Via: PhoneArena

Google and Apple Drop Lawsuits Against Each Other, Will Work Together on Patent Reform

Kellen — Sat, 17 May 2014 11:56:57 +0000

According to the Wall Street Journal, Google and Apple have decided to drop all lawsuits between each other and instead work toward "some areas of patent reform." The lawsuits that have been called off are actually between Motorola and Apple, but since Google still technically owns Motorola until the proposed Lenovo deal is finalized, this was their problem to deal with. The WSJ's report claims that this truce doesn't mean that the companies are licensing patents from one another. A statement from Apple also noted that this doesn't affect Apple's ongoing patent litigation with Samsung, even though Google's name has been brought up numerous times since Samsung's devices in question run Android. Finally, Google still faces litigation from Rockstar Consortium, an Apple led group of companies that has been on the attack against Android since 2013. This is a positive step for these two companies. Unfortunately, this is by no means the end of the patent wars in this industry.

Via: Wall Street Journal

T-Mobile HTC One (M8) Gets Extreme Power Saving Mode, One (M7) Gets Sense 6.0

Kellen — Sat, 17 May 2014 11:34:01 +0000

If you have an account with T-Mobile and own either variant of the HTC One, you should see an update this weekend. The One (M8) is finally receiving its update that includes Extreme Power Saving Mode, while the One (M7) is seeing Sense 6.0. The update for the One (M8) brings you to build 1.57.531.7. The changelog is below:

Improves battery life
Audio quality
Adds Extreme Power Saving
Improves Wi-Fi performance

The update for the One (M7) brings you to build 5.14.531.1, and again, introduces the device to Sense 6.0. To get a good feel for all that is new in Sense 6.0, check out this overview from HTC. To check for updates on each, head into Settings>About>Software updates.

Via: T-Mobile [2]

This Week in the Life of DROID: 5/16/2014

Tim — Fri, 16 May 2014 16:00:44 +0000

Another week down here at DL HQ, with plenty of excitement and hypebeasting taking place over the last few days. For starters, plenty of sexy LG G3 press renders have been hitting the web, getting us more excited for this device than probably any other so far this year. Of course, that could change once we see what Moto and Google are both cooking up for later this year. A few of the top stories from this week include Motorola announcing a new low-end device called the Moto E, HTC unveiling the One Mini 2, and Verizon reportedly cooking up XLTE for launch next week. Tis exciting times in the Android kingdom. If you missed any of the crazy action, be sure to check out the highlights we have provided below.

Video: Moto E unboxing and full tour.
Video: Moto E vs. Moto G vs. Moto X.
Video: Hands-on with BLU Life Pure XL.
Video: Sony Xperia Z2 vs. HTC One (M8).
Quick Review: Nexus 5 Snap Cases.
Contest: Enter to win an NVIDIA SHIELD!
Additional info confirms our previous report of Verizon's upcoming XLTE.
This could be Verizon's first commercial for XLTE.
HTC One Mini 2 now official. [Specs]
LG G3 press renders hitting the web, make us feel happy in pants.
Red and Blue One (M8) smartphones announced by HTC.
The 2014 Google I/O schedule is now live.
AT&T launching HD Voice and VoLTE on May 23 in select markets.
Motorola senior VP thinks current smartwatch offers are "pretty crappy."

Have a great weekend, folks!