Android

The teases and leaks have gone into overdrive this week as the Mobile World Congress approaches, and now the familiar @upleaks Twitter account has shared some press renders that purportedly show the upcoming HTC One M9—with the “M9” name sans the parentheses as has been widely speculated.

FTC fines apps that falsely claimed to detect melanoma using smartphone camera

Jordan Kahn Feb 24 2015 - 8:42 am PT

The FTC is fining the creators of two different smartphone apps, both of which were previously available as paid apps on Google Play and the App Store, for falsely claiming to detect symptoms of melanoma. Most versions of the apps, MelApp and Mole Detective, have long been removed from sale, although a version of Mole Detective remains on Google Play for $4.99. Apple appears to have cracked down on similar apps somewhat that were available on its store as recently as early 2014, while some apps with similar claims continue to be available on Google Play.

The Federal Trade Commission has challenged marketers for deceptively claiming their mobile apps could detect symptoms of melanoma, even in its early stages. In two separate cases, marketers of MelApp and Mole Detective have agreed to settlements that bar them from continuing to make such unsupported claims. The agency is pursuing charges against two additional marketers of Mole Detective who did not agree to settle.

It’s not the first and it likely won’t be the last time app makers face scrutiny from government officials over health care claims as fitness becomes more of a focus on mobile devices and companion wearables. As recently as November, the FTC was said to be pressing Apple on how it plans to use sensitive health related data collected from its upcoming Apple Watch launching in April.

‘Pebble Time’ officially announced at $199 with color e-paper display, new timeline interface, Kickstarter discounts

Stephen Hall Feb 24 2015 - 7:06 am PT

Update: Less than 30 minutes after launching its Kickstarter campaign, the Pebble Time is fully funded.

Pebble has this morning announced the next generation of its smartwatch, called Pebble Time. The device, as we reported last week, sports a color e-paper display, a thinner design, a microphone on board, and a completely revamped ‘timeline’ interface. Pebble Time is launching on Kickstarter with early bird pricing tiers at $159 and $179, but the device will retail for $199.

Gorgeous design of the LG Watch Urbane shown off in new promo (Video)

Stephen Hall Feb 24 2015 - 6:30 am PT

LG announced the LG Watch Urbane earlier this month, and the first impression of many was that it was entering the market to compete with the to-be-released Apple Watch. But whether or not that was the Korean company’s intention with this device, it’s undeniably classy and gorgeous. Now LG has given us a better look at the upcoming Android Wear watch, showing all its edges from dozens of angles in a new promotional video…

The device is basically a G Watch R in a different body, sporting IP67 dust and water resistance, a thinner bezel, and either a gold or silver trim. LG says that the details you’re probably interested in—like its price and release date—will be unveiled next week at the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, Spain. We’ll be on the ground to keep you in the loop, so stay tuned for more information on this beautiful watch.

Twitter for Android updated with ‘while you were away’ timeline recap

Mike Beasley Feb 24 2015 - 12:45 am PT

Twitter for Android was updated tonight with support for Twitter’s “while you were away” recap feature, which surfaces tweets the app finds relevant to you when you’ve spent some time away from the microblogging service.

A lot can happen while you’re on the go. To fill in some of those gaps, we will surface a few of the best Tweets you probably wouldn’t have seen otherwise, determined by engagement and other factors. If you check in on Twitter now and then for a quick snapshot of what’s happening, you’ll see this recap more often; if you spend a lot of time on Twitter already, you’ll see it less.

The feature first rolled out to iOS users last month. You can grab the update for free from the Google Play Store.

Nexus 6 now available on Amazon with Prime shipping

Chance Miller Feb 23 2015 - 5:16 pm PT

The often hard to come by Nexus 6 is now available directly from Amazon. Previously only available via third-party retailers on the site, which often increased prices due to availability, the Nexus 6 is now available on Amazon and ships directly from the site’s warehouses. Before tonight, the Nexus 6 was only available from Motorola and Google Play.

Render of Verizon’s 2nd generation Moto E w/ LTE leaks out

Stephen Hall Feb 23 2015 - 1:37 pm PT

The second generation Moto E was spotted earlier this month on the Best Buy website, but now we have what looks to be a render of the device all stamped up and ready to ship on Verizon (via Android Police). And to the delight of many, it looks like the device is going to pack 4G LTE, a feature that isn’t common in phones in the price range this one will likely fall into.

Google opens invite-based Inbox app to Google Apps for Work users

Jordan Kahn Feb 23 2015 - 9:20 am PT

Just days after Google’s Sundar Pichai announced the company’s new Inbox email app would arrive for Google Apps customers soon, today an invite system is launching to allow for exactly that.

Like the invite system that is currently being used to allow new users to download the Inbox email app, Google is today allowing Google Apps for Work admins to request service access for their users. Google said it will let in only select users that request access as it works to get feedback from early adopters and improve the experience:
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Google buying ‘some’ tech & IP from Softcard, Wallet to be pre-installed by select carriers

Stephen Hall Feb 23 2015 - 9:14 am PT

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Google has announced this morning that the company is planning to pre-install its Google Wallet mobile payments app on the phones of some carriers, notably those sold by AT&T Mobility, T-Mobile USA and Verizon Wireless. While Google was reportedly in talks to acquire the mobile payments company Softcard—previously known as ISIS— earlier this year, the Mountain View company says that it is at this time simply acquiring “some” technology and intellectual property…

HTC teases ‘bigger boom’ for upcoming HTC One M9

Stephen Hall Feb 23 2015 - 8:50 am PT

The teases keep rolling in as HTC, Samsung, and others compete for the spotlight this week going into the Mobile World Congress. We’ve already seen several HTC One M9 leaks from @upleaks, including the device’s purported specs and another today that revealed the device’s three color variations. Now the HTC Ireland Twitter account has come out with a video that looks to be teasing the device’s speakers.

Not long ago a system dump of the device revealed the apps that will be packed with HTC’s Sense 7, making it clear that software-wise, the next HTC One isn’t going to be much of a departure from its predecessor. The below tease tells us that we’re six days away from the announcement of the device, but a recent tweet from the Taiwanese company’s UK Twitter account originally revealed that the “new HTC One” will be announced March 1st.

Get your hands on bigger boom #ComingSoon #6days #MWC15 https://t.co/UTpE5tAY4E

— HTC Ireland (@HTCIreland) February 23, 2015

YouTube Kids mobile apps arrive w/ family-focused content & parental controls

Jordan Kahn Feb 23 2015 - 7:13 am PT

[youtube=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OUmMAAPX6E8]

Google just announced that its new YouTube Kids app is available for both iOS and Android devices starting today. The new app for kids is the first of its kind for Google, but the launch follows reports that Google was preparing kid-friendly versions of YouTube, Chrome, Search and other apps.
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HTC One M9 purportedly coming in both ‘Dark Gunmetal’ & ‘Gold’ color variants

Stephen Hall Feb 23 2015 - 6:10 am PT

Purported HTC One M9 renders <a href="http://9to5google.com/2015/01/28/evleaks-htc-one-hima-render-m9/">via Evleaks</a>

The next HTC One is right around the corner, but more and more details continue to stream out as the device’s March 1st reveal date gets closer. Most recently, a system dump of the software shipping on the HTC One M9—codenamed “Hima”—leaked out, giving us an idea of what HTC’s Sense 7 software is going to look like (spoiler: not much different than Sense 6). Today, the same source of that information has come out to share the color variants of the device.

Toyota has “no plans” to offer Android Auto, prefers own in-car entertainment system

Ben Lovejoy Feb 23 2015 - 5:55 am PT

Toyota, which makes three of the top-ten best-selling cars in the USA, has told the NY Times that it “currently has no plans” to offer Android Auto in US-sold cars.

John Hanson, the national manager of Toyota’s advanced technology communications, said while the company talked frequently with both Google and Apple, it currently had no plans to adopt Android Auto or CarPlay in the United States.

“We may all eventually wind up there, but right now we prefer to use our in-house proprietary platforms for those kinds of functions,” Mr. Hanson said.

Google created the Open Automotive Alliance for manufacturers committed to bringing the Android platform to cars, whether through original in-car entertainment systems or after-market equipment. Toyota was a notable omission from the 28 car manufacturers listed.

The company is also going it alone on the self-driving car front, currently testing a Lexus LS 600h using what appears to be the same laser-scanning equipment used on Google’s autonomous cars.

New wider color-screen smartwatch appears on Pebble’s website

Stephen Hall Feb 23 2015 - 5:19 am PT

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Update: The image has been removed and replaced with the below image of an actual pebble… Oops?

We told you last week that Pebble is likely about to announce the next-generation of its smartwatch, featuring a thinner design, a color e-paper-like display, and a revamped OS. Now, thanks to an image hosted on Pebble’s own servers, we have a look at a device with a physical appearance matching the device we described. The device looks to have a larger bezel, as well as buttons that are smaller compared to its predecessor.

T-Mobile shows us the best picture yet of the Samsung Galaxy S6

Seth Weintraub Feb 22 2015 - 7:38 pm PT

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In T-Moble’s new “Six Appeal” microsite, they throw out the above image which plainly shows the Galaxy S 6 profile with its curved display beaming out some magenta. March 1st is the day of announcement but something tells me we’ll hear more before then.

Review: A-Audio’s Icon headphones pack Bluetooth and active noise cancellation in a premium package (Video)

Dom Esposito Feb 22 2015 - 2:40 pm PT

These days, it seems like there is an endless variety of headphones to choose from. With new models popping up on a weekly basis, it’s hard to sort through the crowd to find the ones that fit you best. When it comes to active noise cancellation this elite selection thins out a bit, but there are only a handful that fall into the same category as A-Audio’s Icon over-ear headphones.

From a functionality perspective, these headphones give you everything but the kitchen sink. They can be used wirelessly via Bluetooth with active noise cancellation, in passive (wired) mode, and even feature dual sound profiles. Along with that, they include a wide variety of accessories that offer more than enough for any situation…

Developer hacks Android Wear to show iPhone notifications (Video)

Stephen Hall Feb 22 2015 - 9:04 am PT

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Android Wear is great, but if you’re an iOS user, it looks like the Apple Watch is going to be your only option for a while. Google has yet to make any of Android Wear’s functionality compatible with Apple’s operating system, and it doesn’t look like they plan to do so any time soon. But that’s not stopping one developer, Mohammad Abu-Garbeyyeh, from hacking Android Wear to at least support notifications from iOS devices.

Samsung’s new Galaxy S6 teaser video reveals major details about its design

Dom Esposito Feb 21 2015 - 11:38 am PT

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Samsung has recently published another teaser video for “the next Galaxy” that provides major hints about its design. There’s a lot to take in from this video as it clearly defines what we can expect from Samsung’s Galaxy S6. It even goes as far as revealing the top half of its design…

Judge dismisses class-action anti-trust suit against Google over Android & Search practices

Chance Miller Feb 20 2015 - 5:58 pm PT

Last May, Google was hit with an class-action anti-trust lawsuit over several of its Android and Search practices. The case centered around the idea that Google was forcing Android handset manufacturers to make its search engine the default on all their devices, as well as pre-load apps such as YouTube. These practices, in turn, drove up the price of Android devices. Reuters reports this evening, however, that a federal judge has dismissed the lawsuit due to a lack of evidence from the plaintiffs.

New search box user interface rolling out to Play Store Android app

Stephen Hall Feb 20 2015 - 1:59 pm PT

A server-side update is rolling out the Play Store Android app that packs a pretty subtle-yet-big update to the way search works. Currently, there’s a large toolbar at the top of the app labeled “Play Store,” and searching for something means tapping the magnifying glass icon in the top-right corner. This update, which was first posted about on the Google+ page of Kirill Grouchnikov, replaces that toolbar with a much more prominent search box.

Additionally, users will notice that tapping the magnifying glass from elsewhere within the app will slide out the search box from the right. This update will bring the Play Store app more in line with the design of some of Google’s other apps, the one you’re most familiar with likely being the Google Now launcher:

According to another post on Grouchnikov’s Google+ page, the update is coming “soon”. And, as mentioned, this is a server-side update that Google will push over-the-air. Don’t bother checking the Play Store because the app is going to be updated behind the scenes. Like magic.

Sprint says its new $90/month 12GB Family Share plan offers best value among US carriers

Jordan Kahn Feb 20 2015 - 9:00 am PT

Just one day after T-Mobile CEO John Legere announced the wireless provider surpassed Sprint to become the number three carrier in the country, Sprint today announced a new aggressive shared data plan that it says offers better value compared to T-Mobile, AT&T, and Verizon.
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Samsung shares another cryptic Galaxy S6 teaser hinting at its materials

Chance Miller Feb 20 2015 - 8:05 am PT

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Samsung this morning has shared yet another teaser for its upcoming Galaxy S6 flagship, expected to be unveiled at Mobile World Congress next month. This teaser comes in video form with a narration that says “I am crafted from the beautiful things around me” and “They shape who I am.”

Android

Motorola plans ‘exciting announcement’ for Feb. 25, sending out mystery boxes to press

Jordan Kahn Feb 20 2015 - 8:03 am PT

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Motorola is inviting press to an “exciting announcement” later this month with a mystery box scheduled to land on the doorstep of select press on Feb. 25. The invite reads:
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WSJ: Google looking to revive Wallet to compete with Apple Pay, relaunch at I/O in May

Chance Miller Feb 20 2015 - 7:01 am PT

According to a report out of The Wall Street Journal, Google is currently working to boost its Wallet payment service in order to keep up with Apple Pay. Citing “people familiar with the matter,” the report claims that Google is currently in talks with carriers, banks, and device makers about reviving Wallet. The company currently plans to launch its new service at Google I/O in late May, according to the report.