Android

Sony today released Android 4.4 KitKat for some of its Xperia line of devices, including the Z, ZL, ZR, and Tablet Z. The update is rolling out based on location, as well as by carrier, so it may still be some time before you see the update notification on your particular device.

The release includes the performance optimizations and tweaks found in stock Android 4.4, but also carries various Sony enhancements.
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T-Mobile just let us know that it’s about to launch two new Samsung devices including the Galaxy Note 10.1 – 2014 Edition and limited edition metallic gold version of the Galaxy S5. Details below:
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A couple of new videos published by TK Tech News fully reveal what is claimed to be Samsung’s upcoming Galaxy S5 Active. In the videos below, we’re presented with a somewhat rugged variation of the Galaxy S5, but with a new housing. There’s no way to tell if this device is the real deal, but the videos are pretty convincing.

The Galaxy S5 Active shown in the video carries the model number SM-G870A, which aligns with previous leaks from @evleaks over the past week. This device appears to be an AT&T variant and between both videos we get a decent first look at it.

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Just a short while after releasing an update to Chrome OS, Google is now pushing out an update to the Chrome browser on Android. Although minor, the update does include a few improvements. The update bumps the app to version 35.0.1916.122, as well.

With this update, the app now has an undo tab close button, which allows you to undo closing a tab, should you have done it by accident. The app also now supports fullscreen video with subtitles and HTML5-based controls. Google also notes that Chrome now has support for some multi-window devices, as well as support for casting “some” videos with Chromecast. It’s unclear, however, what devices and videos this update adds support for. Nevertheless, casting videos with Chromecast is a great addition. Most of these features have been in beta for about a month now.

• Undo Tab Close
• Fullscreen video with Subtitles and HTML5 controls
• Support for some multi-window devices
• Support for casting some videos with Chromecast
• Other bug fixes

The update to Chrome for Android is available on the Play Store now, although it appears to be a staged rollout and may take a little while to hit your device. 

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There’s leaks, and then there’s this. @evleaks has posted a full, rotating render of the HTC M8 Prime. The Prime is rumored to have updated specs and a larger design in order to better compete with the LG G3, rumored Galaxy S5 Prime, and a larger iPhone later this year. The full render is included after the break.
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Cloud storage provider Box announced an update for its Android app today that introduces a trove of new tweaks and features. Users of version 3.0 will be greeted by a simplified menu and an overhauled previewer that can handle over 100 file types without flinching. This means that PowerPoint presentation will load directly from within the cloud for fast access on your Android device. This spiffed up previewer also displays page thumbnails and lets you search text in any document. While Box’s new apps isn’t exactly a Drive killer, it may come in handy as a back-up plan if you often find yourself working with funky file types.

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When it comes to smartphones people often go gaga for specs and while beefy processors and gigabytes of RAM always sound good, quality software can be a real game changer. For example, Samsung’s new Galaxy S5 ships with a 2.5GHz quad-core processor pushed by 2GB of RAM. On paper this handset should breeze through everyday tasks and crush a bargain bin device like Motorola’s Moto E in any performance-based challenge.

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[youtube=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=26A6-RO5MoI]

If you’ve ever been on a trip, taken tons of photos and then done nothing with them afterwards, or shot a bunch of video that is still just sitting on your phone, Google has launched a couple of new services aimed at you: Google+ Stories and Google+ Movies.

No more sifting through photos for your best shots, racking your brain for the sights you saw, or letting your videos collect virtual dust. We’ll just gift you a story after you get home. This way you can relive your favorite moments, share them with others, and remember why you traveled in the first place.

Stories will be available this week on Android and the web, with iOS coming soon …

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Ahead of its tradition “update Wednesday” regiment, Google has pushed out a minor update to the Gmail app on Android today. The update bumps the app to version 4.8 and includes some various interface tweaks, most notably in the slide-out navigation menu (via +Gmail)

One of the changes includes profile images next to individual profiles on the slide-out navigation menu, and should you have more than one account, there’s also now a checkmark to better indicate which account you’re currently using. The Settings and “Send Feedback” options have also been crammed into the slide-out panel, whereas they previously were located in the action overflow button in the upper right corner.

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Klout, the service that puts a numerical value on the your social network presence, finally released an Android app today after entirely too long of a wait. Klout gives users the ability so share content that relates to them and their audience. Then, you can track your success by viewing your Klout Score. Klout analyzes your social history and offers suggestions as to what it thinks you should be posting about in order to raise your Klout Score.

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[youtube=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QrqZl2QIz0c]

Ahead of Google’s upcoming I/O Developer Conference where the company is expected to show off more of its new Android Wear platform, Google is today asking developers to submit apps for design feedback. It is also offering some participants an opportunity to gain exposure on Google Play and during the I/O conference.
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Quite possibly the worst kept secret in the world of high-end smartphones, the LG G3 can’t manage to stay out of the spotlight. Today’s big leak: lockscreen widgets. These circular pieces of software are set to jive with the G3’s Quick Window cover that leaves just enough space for each item to be displayed. Revealed by @evleaks, it looks like we can expect to see options for a clock, pedometer, text messages and incoming calls.

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Earlier this month, ClockworkMod previewed an app that would let Fire TV users stream a video’s soundtrack through their Android device, allowing them to watch content with a private audio feed. Today, the company has officially released this new software to Google Play, along with an updated AllCast app. When paired together, users can cast pictures, videos and music from their Android devices to their TV via a smorgasbord of platforms, including OUYA, Fire TV, Roku, Xbox 360 and even Apple TV. If you’re looking to add to some new weapons to your media streaming arsenal, these two free apps are definitely worth the storage space.

The Wall Street Journal reports that Google is purchasing Divide, a company that builds mobile device management software for enterprise customers. Divide confirmed the deal in an announcement on its website saying it will be joining the Android team and that existing customers will continue to be able to access the service (above).

Divide provides a cloud-based service that lets companies and large organizations oversee and manage mobile devices used by employees on their networks. The software can create separate work environments on personal devices used by employees, offers a number of security features, and also supports both Android and iOS:
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After a couple of rumors, Verizon’s new XLTE network is now official and cranking out up to two times the bandwidth previously offered in some of the carrier’s major markets. Customers in cities throughout Alabama, Arizona, California, Indiana, Illinois and New York are among the first to take advantage of Big Red’s new AWS-powered setup.

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Samsung is looking to bring biometric sensors including fingerprint sensors and beyond to not just future flagship models but also its low-end and entry-level smartphones as well. The Wall Street Journal reports that Samsung’s senior vice president Rhee In-jong confirmed that biometric sensors for security features— such as the fingerprint scanner already included in Samsung’s flagship Galaxy S5— will also soon come to the company’s less expensive devices. In addition, he hinted that iris detection features could be the next sensor technology it taps into for high-end devices:
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Chang Dong-hoon may be out as Samsung’s head of mobile design, but his influence may still be on the company for quite a while. Pictured above is an alleged photo of the Samsung Galaxy S5 Prime, an upgrade to the South Korean electronics maker’s Galaxy S5 flagship smartphone. These images come from the folks at PhoneArena who claim the handset touts a QHD display, a quad-core Snapdragon 805 processor, Adreno 420 GPU, 3GB of RAM and Android 4.4.3 KitKat all wrapped up an aluminum chassis.

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We first heard about Google’s new “Android Silver” program back in April. The service will reportedly be centered around the idea of providing support to customers after they purchase their Android device, including things like 24/7 live support and a new “Never Lost” feature, reminiscent of the iOS Find my iPhone feature. A later report also detailed that Google would partner with Android device manufacturers for the service, perhaps as early as early 2015.

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Photo: USA Today

According to a court filing discovered by Reuters, Apple and Google’s Motorola Mobility unit have agreed to settle their ongoing smartphone patent litigation battle against each other. In a statement, the two companies said that this agreement does not include the ability cross license each other’s patents, but rather the promise to “work together in some areas of patent reform.”

The two tech giants have been battling it out over various patents for several years now, both directly and indirectly. It’s important to note, however, that this agreement is solely between Apple, Google, and its Motorola Mobility unit. This does not apply to any lawsuits between Android device manufacturers, such as Samsung and HTC, and Apple. Although theoretically, it would apply to patents owned by Google that device manufacturers are licensing.

A verdict was reached in the latest Apple v Samsung battle just a few weeks ago, with Apple being ruled as the victor, albeit small. The court ruled that Samsung owed Apple $119 million, which is far less than the $2 billion it was seeking.

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