Android

Google’s mobile office suite isn’t the most refined experience, but it’s there if you need to compose a document or edit a spreadsheet while on the go. Aware of its shortcomings (and competition), the company has released three new mobile apps today that aim to improve the way you handle projects when out and about. First up is Docs, a full-blown word processing application that lets users compose, edit and share documents directly from their mobile devices. The second new piece of software in Google’s big release is Sheets, which focuses specifically on spreadsheets. With similar functionality to Docs, this app lets you edit and manage rows and columns on a spreadsheet from the comfort of your smartphone or tablet.

OnePlus One expected to be available in June

Mark Hearn Apr 30 2014 - 9:39 am PT

If you’ve got an eye on the OnePlus One, but you’re not too keen on smashing your current smartphone to bits in order to get the handset early, then you’re not alone. The good news is that you shouldn’t have to wait too long to get your hands on the self-proclaimed “flagship killer.” In a recent production update alert, OnePlus revealed that after it clears its first 100 devices from its Smash the Past campaign, the company will ramp up production for a larger batch of 16GB Silk White models of its new phone in mid to late May. This production run will require a hard to get invite, so what about the rest of the world?

Android

Android grows to almost 60% US smartphone marketshare in Q1 as iOS drops

Jordan Kahn Apr 30 2014 - 7:51 am PT

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Kantar Worldpanel has released its latest numbers on US smartphone penetration just as IDC, Strategy Analytics are releasing numbers on smartphone shipments globally. In the US, with smartphone market penetration growing 10 percentage points since last year, much of that growth is attributed to Android as Apple’s share with iOS slips year-over-year.

The report puts Android at 57.6 percent of the US smartphone market as of March of this year. That’s up from 49.3 percent last year and compares to iOS with 35.9 percent marketshare this year down from 43.7 percent in March last year. Windows, BlackBerry, and the “Other” category pretty much remained flat, so the story here is that growth of the smartphone market in the US has also meant growth for Android and some of it at the expense of iOS.
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Facebook Messenger now lets you send video in messages, adds “instant photo sharing,” faster search, more

Jordan Kahn Apr 30 2014 - 6:28 am PT

Facebook has released a notable updated with version 5.0 of its Messenger app for Android today. In the update, Facebook has made it easier than ever to share content in messages with new quick links for sending photos, voice messages, stickers, and accessing the camera to snap a photo.

Version 5.0 also introduces faster search for looking up names of people and groups and the ability to send video from your device’s gallery and play video within messages directly in the app. Facebook notes that the new video feature only works on devices running Android version 4.3 and up currently.

The updated Facebook app for Android is available through Google Play now.

5.0:

More ways to message: Now it’s easier to send photos, voice messages and more

Video: Send videos from your gallery and play them right in the app. (Works on Android 4.3 and up. We’ll continue to improve video and bring it to more phones.)

Instant photo sharing: Take a photo and send it in just one tap.

Stickers shortcuts: When someone sends you a sticker, press and hold down on it to get the pack.

Faster search: Just enter the names of people and groups

Android

LG schedules press event for May 27, likely for new flagship LG G3

Jordan Kahn Apr 30 2014 - 5:58 am PT

We’ve been seeing more and more leaks in recent weeks for the upcoming LG G3, the company’s follow up to last year’s flagship LG G2 smartphone. Just yesterday the company confirmed that the device was excepted to launch within two months sometime during the second fiscal quarter, and shortly after an image appearing to be the backside of the device leaked online.

While there is no way of confirming if the event is indeed for the LG G3, the timeline would make sense and events happened simultaneously in New York, San Francisco, and London hint that a major announcement is planned. LG is also repeatedly planning a new smartwatch lineup that’s expected to make an appearance this summer.

Leaked specs for the LG G3 so far have included a quad-HD display, 2.3 GHz SnapDragon, Android 4.4.2, and a 16 megapixel camera. Other leaks have recently shown off a new flatter UI expected to arrive with the LG G3.
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LG’s G Watch reportedly launching in France in June for €199, suggests $199 in U.S.

Ben Lovejoy Apr 30 2014 - 4:26 am PT

French site Les Numeriques is reporting that LG France has said that its G Watch will launch in the country in June, priced at €199. While a straight currency conversion would mean a U.S. price of $276, gadgets are typically priced higher in Europe than in the USA (partly due to taxes), so it’s likely that LG would match the $199 price of the Galaxy Gear 2.

If the watch does indeed launch in June, it’s likely to be the first Android Wear smartwatch on the market, ahead of Motorola’s Moto 360 expected sometime in the summer. Samsung’s Galaxy Gear 2 uses instead Tizen OS. Google announced the Android Wear platform and SDK last month. As we exclusively revealed last October, the platform puts Google Now functionality at the heart of the offering …
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Spotify for Android updated with new interface, ‘Your Music’ feature

Chance Miller Apr 29 2014 - 2:24 pm PT

Earlier this month, Spotify updated its iOS app with a totally new, darker-themed interface. This, of course, left Android users in the dark and stuck with an older design. Today, however, Spotify has announced that its Android app has been updated with the redesigned interface.

The new interface features a darker theme with refreshed typography and rounded pictures and album art. The design is nearly identical to that found on iOS and the Spotify desktop app.

Motorola to discount Moto X to $299 for 24 hours on Thursday, May 1 (Reg. $349)

Chance Miller Apr 29 2014 - 1:53 pm PT

Just last week, select Moto X variants started to receive price drops to $349 and $399 for 16GB and 32GB respectively, but now the company is looking to further discount all models of the device. Starting on May 1 at 12:01AM ET and running for 24 hours, the 16GB Moto X will cost just $299. The 32GB and Developer editions will receive an even steeper price cut, from $399 down to $324.99.

It’s unclear how many units Motorola will sell at this price, or if it will simply run the entire day. You also have to keep in mind that Motorola has promised a new flagship by late-Summer. But if you’ve been waiting for your chance to snag one of the best Android smartphones out there, this is your opportunity.

Let’s just hope this sale goes better than Moto’s Cyber Monday catastrophe…

Sony Z Ultra Google Play edition discounted to $450

Mark Hearn Apr 29 2014 - 11:40 am PT

If you’ve been flirting with the idea of buying a gigantic phone or a small tablet with a vanilla Android experience but your cash flow is low, look no further than the Sony Z Ultra Google Play edition. Typically priced at $650, Mountain View has knocked $200 off the phone-tablet hybrid’s asking price. In addition to a shrunken premium, Google Play is offering free ground shipping with a standard warehouse departure time of 1-2 business days.

LG says flagship G3 coming within two months (Update: shot of the device leaked?)

Jonathan Kizer Apr 29 2014 - 9:36 am PT

LG has confirmed that the G3 will be made available in the second fiscal quarter of this year. That means that the device will be available within the next two months — much sooner than some were expecting, as the LG G2 launched in September of last year. The launch window was confirmed by LG in its earnings press release. The company expects “higher revenues” in the second quarter due to this flagship launch:
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Android

Google reportedly plans to launch “Android Silver” devices w/ partners next year

Jordan Kahn Apr 29 2014 - 9:04 am PT

Earlier this month a report from Android Police noted that Google was planning on launching a live 27/7 support service called “Android Silver.” Today, TheInformation reports on additional details of the in-development service and claims that it will extend well beyond just a support offering for customers that purchased an Android device. Accoridng to the report, Google will be spending as much as $1 billion on promoting “Android Silver” branded devices being sold through its usual OEM partners that come with access to various perks. Google plans to do so with in-store advertising and training of sales staff, but it will also apparently require Silver devices to allow users to remove third-party apps and or limit the number of third-party apps that come preinstalled.

Google is also reportedly planning on assisting OEMs in integrating new hardware features such as waterproofing and voice recognition through the Android Silver program, and it will initially be working with partners LG and Motorola opposed to the larger players like Samsung and HTC that already offer many similar features through its own program.
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Android

Sprint launching special edition Harman Kardon HTC One M8 on May 8

Jordan Kahn Apr 29 2014 - 8:30 am PT

Sprint just wrapped up its event today where the carrier unveiled a partnership with Spotify to offer 6 free months of the music service to all on its shared “Framily” wireless plans. In addition, however, the company also revealed that it will be launching a special edition HTC One M8 that it has teamed up with Harman Kardon to create. Of course the Harman Kardon team up means the companies have further refined the device’s sound quality and in the process improved the sound of streaming audio for those getting access to the new Spotify perk.
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Firefox for Android updated with new syncing accounts

Mark Hearn Apr 29 2014 - 8:25 am PT

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Mozilla announced a major overhaul of its desktop browser today and Firefox’s Android build isn’t being left behind. Now available to download from the Play Store, Mozilla’s refreshed mobile browser ships with several technical tweaks, but the standout here is Firefox Accounts for Firefox Sync.

Acer announces Iconia Tab 7 phone-tablet hybrid, refreshes its 7-inch slate

Mark Hearn Apr 29 2014 - 8:06 am PT

If you think the idea of holding a 5-inch phone to your head sounds absurd, then you’re going to love Acer’s newest doodad. Today, the company announced its new Iconia Tab 7, a 7-inch tablet that just so happens to place phone calls. This tablet/phone mashup features a a 1,280 x 800 display ( 1,024 x 600 in Mexico), a quad-core MediaTek processor, Android KitKat and a modest 3G radio — yep no LTE here. As indicated by its low-end specs, this device is targeting emerging markets, so don’t expect to see it stateside. Acer says the Iconia Tab 7 will be available in Latin America, Asia and parts of Europe. So if you hang your hat in any of these locations, you can take this hybrid device home for €149 (around $206) or 1,990 Mexican pesos (around $152).

Android

Samsung & Apple slip below 50% in global smartphone marketshare for Q1 2014

Jordan Kahn Apr 29 2014 - 7:05 am PT

Both Samsung and Apple have slipped in smartphone marketshare globally during the first quarter of 2014 according to the latest numbers from research firm Strategy Analytics. While global smartphone shipments grew 33 percent to 285 million units in Q1 compared to 213.9 million in the same quarter last year, Apple and Samsung collectively dropped from over 50 percent of the market to 47 percent. The report cites strong growth of “second-tier smartphone brands” such as Huwaei and Lenovo and lack of entry-level devices in markets abroad from Apple as the main contributors to slowed growth for Samsung and Apple. As for Apple without Samsung, it only capture 15 percent of the market compared to 31 percent for Samsung:
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Samsung S4 Zoom successor Galaxy K Zoom adds pixels, larger screen, 60fps video

Ben Lovejoy Apr 29 2014 - 4:24 am PT

[youtube=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S6pdF6pgeeo]

As teased yesterday, Samsung has officially announced the successor to the Galaxy S4 Zoom, the Galaxy K Zoom. Aimed at those who want more camera functionality than offered by the average smartphone, it’s very much what we expecting from the leaked photo and specs earlier this month.

The differences likely to matter most to anyone considering an upgrade from the S4 Zoom are a 20.7MP sensor in place of the 16.3MP one; a 4.8-inch 1280×720 display replacing the 4.3-inch 960×540 one; and a Xenon flash which Samsung claims gives more natural-looking light than LED. Video recording remains 1080p, but the frame-rate is doubled to 60fps for better slow-motion video. The processor also gets a bump from 1.5GHz to 1.7GHz Exynos …
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Samsung reports $51.8 billion in revenue, $7.3 billion net profit for Q1 2014

Chance Miller Apr 28 2014 - 6:53 pm PT

Samsung, just a week after Apple, has reported its first quarter earnings for 2014. As an entirety, the company reported $51.8 billion in revenue, up slightly over this time last year, coming out to $8.2 billion in operating profit and $7.3 billion in net profit. More specifically, its mobile division accounted for $30.29 billion of that revenue and $6.2 billon of that profit.

Sprint now pushing Android 4.4 KitKat to the LG Flex (update: T-Mobile too)

Mark Hearn Apr 28 2014 - 4:34 pm PT

Sprint customers rocking the LG Flex will start receiving an over-the-air notification advising of an update for their device. Not just a generic carrier update, this new software push will advance the curved smartphone to Android 4.4 KitKat. Sprint says the update will be rolling out in stages and may take several days to hit all of its customers.

If you’ve yet to receive any notifications and would like to try to help the update along, you can manually check for the software by tapping: Settings> Systems updates> Update LG software> Check now. If the update is available for your device, you’ll receive a download prompt. If not, you’ve waited this long, a few more days probably won’t kill you.

Update: Not to let Sprint customers have all the fun, T-Mobile is now rolling out KitKat to its LG G Flex users.

(via Sprint)

HTC reportedly planning plastic ‘M8 Ace’ to compete with Galaxy S5

Chance Miller Apr 28 2014 - 1:07 pm PT

Earlier this month, @evleaks tweeted an image of a mysterious device dubbed the HTC M8 Ace. At the time, very few details about it were known. Engadget, however, is now reporting that the HTC M8 Ace will essentially be HTC’s answer to the Galaxy S5, but cheaper.

Much like the Galaxy S5, the M8 Ace will feature an all-plastic design. The specs will also be nearly identical, with the M8 Ace packing a 5-inch 1080p display and a 2.5GHz quad-core Snapdragon 801 processor.

KitKat update arriving on Verizon’s Galaxy Note 10.1 2014 Edition

Mark Hearn Apr 28 2014 - 12:43 pm PT

Last week, international Galaxy Note 10.1 2014 Edition owners started sinking their teeth into KitKat and today it’s Verizon’s turn. An over-the-air update for Big Red’s 2014 version of the Galaxy Note 10.1 is slowly starting to trickle out to customers sporting Samsung’s slab. In addition to KitKat, the new software push ships with a few bug fixes. Highlights include: a more stable S Note widget and Chrome’s tab bar no longer flickers when in portrait mode.

If you’re new to Android 4.4, you can expect to gain Google Cloud Print support, faster multitasking and Immersive Mode, which automatically provides full screen viewing. If you’ve already managed to pull down this new software, be sure to let us know how it’s treating you and your tablet by sharing your experience with us in our comment section below.

(via Verizon)

Now back at Microsoft, Stephen Elop says Nokia X’s forked Android is here to stay

Jonathan Kizer Apr 28 2014 - 9:34 am PT

As Microsoft completed its acquisition of Nokia’s smartphone and handheld business this past week, Stephen Elop — the former Microsoft executive turned Nokia CEO — has made various comments about the future of the Android-based Nokia X line. Many, including ourselves, expected Microsoft to cancel the device the moment the acquisition was officially approved, but that doesn’t seem to be the case. Stephen Elop, now the Vice President of Microsoft’s Devices and Services unit, stated the following:

Microsoft acquired the mobile phones business, inclusive of Nokia X, to help connect the next billion people to Microsoft’s services. Nokia X uses the MSFT cloud, not Google’s. This is a great opportunity to connect new customers to Skype, outlook.com and Onedrive for the first time. We’ve already seen tens of thousands of new subscribers on MSFT services.

We are using AOSP to attack a specific market opportunity, but we are being thoughtful to do it in a way that accrues benefit to Microsoft and to Lumia.

The Nokia X is a low-cost device that runs a heavily-modified version of Android. The device is part of Nokia’s strategy to target emerging nations and the low-end device market.

This position makes sense, in light of Microsoft’s most recent strategy of focusing on services but you can’t help but wonder what it says about Windows Phone OS that Microsoft actually needs an Android product.
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Galaxy S5 “Prime” reportedly coming this June with quad-HD display as model number leaks

Jonathan Kizer Apr 28 2014 - 8:57 am PT

The Galaxy S5 may have just hit store shelves and the hands of users, but it seems as if Samsung is already planning an upgraded version of its flagship device. According to a report from SamMobile (via Phandroid), the Galaxy S5 Prime will launch in June. In addition to the quad-HD (2560×1440) display, the device would also feature higher-end specs than the Galaxy S5:
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Samsung Mobile Instagram teases Galaxy K camera phone announcement

Mark Hearn Apr 28 2014 - 6:59 am PT

Samsung Mobile posted a video on its official Instagram account today, advising followers that it will unveil its next Galaxy device tomorrow at 11AM SGT. The company’s cryptic clip shows a highly detailed camera zoom in on the Red Dot Design Museum in Singapore where the media event is going to be held. It’s widely believed that Samsung will announce the heavily rumored Galaxy K, also said to be called the Galaxy S5 Zoom.

Popular ‘Secret’ app expands into new markets ahead of Android launch

Jordan Kahn Apr 28 2014 - 5:56 am PT