Android

According to a new report out of Forbes, Google will announce both the Nexus 9 tablet and Nexus 6 smartphone tomorrow. The report claims that Google had originally planned to hold an event for the devices, but decided it against it due to it wanting to continue to fine tweak Android “L” until the last-minute. Instead, both of the devices will be announced via a blog post.

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Licorice, Lemon Meringue Pie, Lollipop, Laffy Taffy? What’s it going to be? We still don’t know for sure, but following recent rumors based on comments made by the designer of the Google sculptures that the upcoming release would be called “Licorice,” we now have compelling new evidence from a Chromium issue tracker that Google is actually going to go with “Lollipop” after all (via myce).

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What a depressing few days. I remember 1 thing that used to make me feel better, tho. No mark in deference to Nexus. pic.twitter.com/76zhSfu8rJ

— Evan Blass (@evleaks) October 14, 2014

It looks like it’s just too hard to not leak things for Evan Blass, the guy behind @evleaks who supposedly retired from the leaking game a couple of months ago. It wasn’t too long ago that we gave you an exclusive look at the Nexus 6, but now the story of Nexus 6 leaks has basically come to a close with the leak of what appears to be Google’s own stock imagery of the device.

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Following a number of leaks for an upcoming new DROID device from Verizon, we’ve now received word that Verizon has scheduled an Oct. 28 press event specifically to unveil its latest DROID product. While we know that the event will focus on the latest DROID device from the carrier, we can only assume it’s the DROID Turbo leaked through official Verizon channels in recent weeks (pictured above).
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LIEnN1KmxKk&feature=youtu.be

Microsoft has just joined the ranks of companies looking to capitalize on the success of ephemeral messaging apps like Snapchat. Through its Skype division, the company has launched a new cross-platform app for iOS, Android, and (of course) Windows Phone called Skype Qik. The premise of the application, as can be seen in the video above and screenshots below, is simple: you can record a quick video, and then share it to either one person in your address book or multiple groups of people.

By default, videos will expire after two weeks, and you can also un-send messages at any time. A cool feature of Skype Qik is the ability to pre-record various 5 second GIFs that you can send as instant replies. So, if you don’t have the ability to send a live video reply, you can just choose one of your pre-record defaults. The app is free today on the aforementioned platforms, and Microsoft says that updates, such as one for blocking iPhone contacts (that feature is available today on Android and Windows Phone), will come often to enhance the feature-set.

You can view some screenshots of the Android app in action below:

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

Three Google ads for Android L have been leaked, with the Nexus 6 teased in one and the Nexus 9 putting in an appearance in another. I don’t think we are going to make it through the week without getting an official announcement.

Droid Life uploaded the three ads to YouTube, with the Nexus 6 making an obvious appearance in the bus queue video above, while the Nexus 9 is seen in the Winnebago ad below … 
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Last week we got a peek at an old Windows operating system running on Android Wear, but the guy behind that all-too useless piece of software has now used his skill to make something markedly more interesting. As of now, it looks like owners of Android Wear devices can play some of the favorite Game Boy Color classics on Google’s wearable computer.

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FBI Director James Comey isn’t backing down from his position that Google and Apple are wrong to encrypt customer smartphone data preventing law enforcement agencies the possibility of access if requested. After last month sharing that the FBI was in talks with the two companies to discuss concerns with marketing devices as being inaccessible to third-parties including the government, the FBI Director spoke with CBS News in an interview where he continued to make the case against such encryption…
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Today we’re going to be comparing Samsung’s Galaxy Note 4 to its predecessor the Galaxy Note 3. Samsung made many improvements to the Note series where it counts, but are they enough to warrant an upgrade? Well, without wasting any more of your time, let’s going ahead and find out…

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Google’s rumored Nexus 9 tablet could be announced as soon as next week. According to Bright Side of News, the reigning internet search champ will unveil its new HTC-made slate on Wednesday, October 15th, along with its $400 asking price. While the tablet is expected to be announced this month, it reportedly won’t go on sale until November 3rd.

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One of Android’s biggest selling points is the ability to customize your device as you see fit, but sadly several wireless carriers engage in the practice of shipping handsets with locked bootloaders. For example, the LG G3 is a fine device out of the box, but one of its disadvantages is that most carriers sell it locked down. Aware of this and the device’s popularity, the folks at Team Codefire have created “Bump!,” an easy to use software tool that lets you boot into a custom recovery setup.

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Sprint formally announced plans to carry the Sharp AQUOS Crystal back in August and today the carrier has released the edge-to-edge display-toting handset on its in-house prepaid service, as well as Boost Mobile. Priced at $150, the AQUOS Crystal can be purchased at select retailers or directly from Boost’s website. In addition to an off contract option, Sprint will add the device to its postpaid roster on Friday, October 17th for no money down on a two year Easy Pay payment plan of $10 a month.

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Earlier this week, a user guide for the upcoming DROID Turbo was leaked for all to see. The guide revealed pretty much everything we needed to know about Motorola and Verizon’s latest flagship. Today, however, the official Verizon @DroidLanding account, which has been teasing the DROID Turbo for a few months now, published the above image of the device.

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Almost a year ago, Lenovo announced that Ashton Kutcher was one of its newest product engineers. At first, the move felt like another bogus celebrity title with a major company (remember when BlackBerry named Alicia Keys its creative director?), but the Dude, Where’s My Car? star actually has some tech cred. Invested in a large number of successful startups, Kutcher also studied biochemical engineering at the University of Iowa.

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Google has updated its Play Store app with a more comprehensive Material Design makeover, and a What’s New section that is both clearer and easier to use.

Version 5.0.31 sees a new, flat Play Store logo, together with flatter icons in the sidebar, and the categories now use the bright colors of the Material Design palette … 
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Samsung’s official launch of its new Galaxy Note 4 kicked off in Korea late last month, but now an unlocked variant of the device is available in the US through Amazon. The sales come ahead of the device officially shipping through carrier partners in the US later this month.
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The Wall Street Journal has published a new report claiming that Google plans to release the Nexus 6 at some point this month. The article, citing three sources, is incredibly sparse on details, but does corroborate all of what we exclusively reported last month.

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