Android

I don’t often use this terminology but there is “something for everyone” here.

Twitter for Android 6.0 brings photo sharing to DMs, redesign, more

Zac Hall Dec 10 2013 - 2:44 pm PT

Twitter for Android received a major update today bringing yet another user interface update and a handful of feature additions.

Namely, users can now share images over Direct Messages, which is now featured prominently on the bottom tab bar. Previously, users had to rely on third party services for sharing links to images in DMs, but now with native image support images appear inline.

Photo sharing over Direct Message appears to only be supported in the official Twitter apps (iPhone, iPad, Android) and lacks an API, so photos shared over DM currently cannot be composed by third party Twitter clients. The update contains a handful of other features as well (full changelog below):

Google releases new folio case for 2013 Nexus 7, available now for $49.99

Chance Miller Dec 10 2013 - 2:19 pm PT

Google this afternoon released a new folio case for its Nexus 7 tablet. The case is a lot like Apple’s Smart Cover for the iPad, as it does not cover the back of the device. Though, Google’s case does not attach like Apple’s, but rather is fit to the device and covers the sides. It does, however, turn on and off when you open or close the front cover.

The folio can hold the Nexus 7 up at two angles, one of which is better for watching video content, while the other is better for typing.

The case is not cheap by any means, coming in at $49.99. It is available in Bright Red and Black and is available to ship within 1-2 business days.

Play Store: Bright Red – Black

Google releases white Nexus 7, available now in WiFi-only, 32GB model for $269

Chance Miller Dec 10 2013 - 11:27 am PT

In a flood of device announcements this afternoon, Google has just released a white Nexus 7 to go along with the black model this holiday season. Unfortunately, the white color option is only available in the 32GB storage option and with only WiFi connectivity. This means that those looking for LTE are forced to choose the black model.

The white Nexus 7 will run you $269.99, but thanks to a promotion Google is currently running, you will also get a $35 Google Play credit, which is essentially a free Chromecast. Other than the color, the white variant is identical to the Nexus 7 that we’ve come to know and love.

The white Nexus 7 is available on Google Play now, and is listed as shipping within 1-2 business days.

Android

Google announces Play Edition Sony Z Ultra, available now for $649

Chance Miller Dec 10 2013 - 11:20 am PT

Hot on the heels of announcing the LG G Pad 8.3 Play Edition, Google has just released the Sony Z Ultra in a Play Edition model, as well. The device is available now on the Play Store and comes in at $649 for 16GB of storage. Just like the G Pad, the Z Ultra is listed as shipping within 1-2 business days.

In terms of specs, the device is packing quite a punch. It features a 6.4-inch display with a full, 1920 x 1080, 1080p resolution. The phone is powered by a quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 processor, clocked at 2.2GHz with 2GB of RAM. Other specs include an 8MP rear camera with an Exmor RS sensor, and a 2MP front facing shooter. It will ship with Android 4.4 KitKat installed, as well.

Google and Sony also tout that the device is build strong to be “touch and waterproof” and can be kept under 1.50 metres of freshwater for up to 30 minutes.
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LG G Pad 8.3 Google Play Edition now available, starts at $349

Chance Miller Dec 10 2013 - 11:12 am PT

Earlier today, we reported that the mysterious LG V510 tablet that evleaks leaked was not the new Nexus tablet, but rather a Google Play Edition of LG’s 8.3-inch G Pad. Moments ago, the device officially went live on the Play Store, with a price of $349 for 16GB of storage.

As far as specs go, the device features a 1.7GHz quad-core Snapdragon 600 processor, 2GB of RAM, and a 4600mAh battery. The G Pad will ship with the latest version of Android, 4.4 KitKat. On the back of the device is a 5MP camera, while the front houses 1.3MP shooter. The display comes in with a resolution of 1920 x 1200, which equates to 273 pixels per inch.

The Play Store quotes the Google Edition G Pad 8.3 as shipping within 1-2 business days, so there shouldn’t be any problems getting it in time for the holidays.
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LG V510 supposedly not the next Nexus tablet, but rather a Google Play Edition G Pad 8.3

Chance Miller Dec 10 2013 - 8:58 am PT

Earlier this week, evleaks reported that a mysterious LG V510 tablet was indeed the next Nexus tablet. At the time, this seemed rather believable, as the Nexus 5 and Nexus 7 had already been refreshed for the year, leaving the Nexus 10 as the odd-man out. According to some source code shared by LG, however, the V510 is not in fact a Nexus tablet, but rather a Google Play Edition of its 8.3-inch G Pad (via Droid Life).

To see for yourself, simply download the source code file from LG’s website and unzip it. Within the .zip will be three files, two of which mention the V510 as an LG G Pad 8.3 Google Play Edition.

LG-V510(G-Pad 8.3 Google Play Edition)_Android_KK_V510_10d.Android.tar.gz
LG-V510(G-Pad 8.3 Google Play Edition)_Android_KK_V510_10d_Kernel.tar.gz
V510_README.txt

Chromecast picks up 10 new apps including Plex, Vevo, & Songza

Zac Hall Dec 10 2013 - 8:25 am PT

(via <a href="http://www.flickr.com/apollo_zac" target="_blank">Flickr</a>)

Google announced today a major round of app additions for its media streaming Chromecast HDMI stick including Plex, Vevo, Songza, and more.

Chromecast, which retails for $35 (currently $32.88 on Amazon Prime), can now play local files synced with your Plex media library from iOS, Android, or Chrome. Plex support is highly requested and offers a major advantage for content consumers looking to play content from a device to an HDTV.

Today’s update also brings support for the music video streaming service Vevo as well as the music discovery radio Songza.
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Could an LG G2 mini with 4.7″ display be on the horizon?

David Beren Dec 10 2013 - 7:11 am PT

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The LG G2 is arguably one of the most underrated but best performing flagship smartphones on the market. Unfortunately, a recent report indicates sales of the device are performing below the expectations of its Korean manufacturer. However, that doesn’t seem to be stopping the company from pursuing a “mini” version of the device with a 4.7″ display.

Dramatic cut in Samsung’s smartphone forecasts, blaming high-end saturation

Ben Lovejoy Dec 10 2013 - 7:10 am PT

Korean site ET News reports that Samsung has cut its smartphone sales target for 2014 from 360M handsets to 330M. The company’s original goal would have represented 25 percent year-on-year growth, now reduced to just 14 percent.

The company is blaming saturation at the top end of the market, with many existing owners of flagship handsets having reduced their upgrade cycle from annual to bi-annual.

Samsung as a whole isn’t hurting – it recently announced record revenues and profits – but the bulk of those earnings came from lower-end handsets and its chip manufacturing business. The ET News piece says that Samsung also plans to move into a whole bunch of new areas, including cloud computing and hi-tech materials …
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Google Play Store to add new game categories in February 2014

David Beren Dec 10 2013 - 6:31 am PT

Play Store gamers take note as Google plans to introduce a whole slew of new game categories to the Play Store in February of next year. The new categories began appearing for developers yesterday, however changes will not take place until the new categories go live for the public next year.

The ‘Phablet’ will never die as Samsung ships 10 million Galaxy Note 3 units

David Beren Dec 10 2013 - 6:19 am PT

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Samsung is keeping the Phablet life going single-handedly as they confirm shipment of 10 million Galaxy Note 3 units around the world. While those numbers don’t make the Galaxy Note 3 the fastest selling Galaxy device ever, it’s the fastest selling Galaxy Note.

Google Hangouts updated with MMS bug fixes, group message toggle

Chance Miller Dec 9 2013 - 2:55 pm PT

Google this morning rolled out a minor update to the Hangouts app on Android. The update bumps the app to version 2.0.2 and includes a handful of bug fixes and enhancements. The only new feature is the ability to toggle off group messaging by MMS and switch to sending an SMS to multiple people. This means that replies will not be seen by everyone, like with MMS group messaging.

MMS sending and receiving has been improved all around, with many bugs being squashed.

Fixes for MMS sending/receiving
You can turn off group messaging (MMS) in Settings to send SMS to multiple people

The update is a staged rollout so it may take awhile for it to hit your device. If you don’t feel like waiting, head over to Droid Life, where they’ve snagged the APK.

Android 4.4.2 begins rollout even as Android 4.4.1 continues delivering

David Beren Dec 9 2013 - 2:24 pm PT

4 Comments

Hold the phone! As Android 4.4.1 approaches a week in age, Google has already started a rollout of Android 4.4.2 for Nexus devices. As of now, the update is already confirmed to be appearing on Nexus 5, Nexus 4 and Nexus 10 devices. According to a change-log provided by Sprint of all places, the update includes fixes for:

LG G2 not selling as well as anticipated with 2.3 million units sold

David Beren Dec 9 2013 - 9:23 am PT

A story out of Korean publication Asia Today is indicating some bad news for fans of LG’s G2 flagship smartphone. According to the publication, sales of the device are falling well below expectations with just 2.3 million units sold in the four months post launch. LG had projected 3 million units for the third quarter alone and have only hit 600,000 units in their home country of Korea.

Edward Norton pimps 48 hour battery life on Verizon’s DROID lineup

David Beren Dec 9 2013 - 8:15 am PT

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v6AvIxUVQGo&w=560&h=420]

This “new” Verizon video includes Edward Norton and a whole lot of silly situations someone can get into during a 48 hour period. The video, which actually went live at the tail end of November is making the rounds this morning after a teaser earlier in November hinted at something relating to 48 hours.

Reminder: Moto X sale begins at 12 noon as company updates Active Display

David Beren Dec 9 2013 - 6:42 am PT

As the Moto X continues to be all the rage and with another Cyber Monday sale beginning in just under 2.5 hours the company has updated Active Display. The last of the two extended days caused by a severe Motorola.com outage on Cyber Monday, the company is selling the Moto X for $349 beginning at 12pm ET/9am PST today. As we wait for the clock to strike noon, a new update to Active Display should make existing Moto X owners a tiny bit happier this morning. Available through Google’s Play Store, the update to Active Display is brief but important:

Tipster hints LG V510 is new Nexus device, announcement imminent?

David Beren Dec 9 2013 - 5:40 am PT

There’s little question a new Nexus 10 device is on the horizon, in fact we’re already passed a set of rumored release dates. In fact, we’ve already seen the LG-V510 surface thanks to a leaked image via Reddit that showed off a Nexus homescreen. In other words, there’s no “surprise” with this @evleaks tip, but one more confirmation is one step closer to believing this is the real deal.

Samsung shows off something Just Simple, Just Elegant…Just for you

David Beren Dec 7 2013 - 11:46 am PT

4 Comments

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cuEDOkn-Yr4&w=560&h=400]

Samsung’s new YouTube video courtesy of their Taiwan channel is teasing something elegant, fast, simple and something just for us. There’s plenty of rumors we could fan with this one as the boys from Android Central point out upon their discovery of the video.

Google reportedly gearing up to launch Android-powered ‘Nexus TV’ set-top box

Chance Miller Dec 6 2013 - 4:49 pm PT

3 Comments

For the past few months, rumors have been swirling that another living room device will soon be released by Google. In July, the Wall Street Journal reported on a device with a motion sensor and video camera, while GigaOM reported in October that Google was planning to drop the Google TV branding in favor of “Android TV.” This time around, The Information’s Amir Efrati reports that Google is planning to release a “Nexus TV” set-top box that will run Android.

Review roundup: LG G Flex bends, flops, still feels like a prototype

Jordan Kahn Dec 6 2013 - 9:44 am PT

2 Comments

Reviews for one of the first smartphones with a truly flexible, curved OLED, the recently announced LG G Flex, have just started hitting online. While the first reviews seem to be mixed, the recurring theme seems to be that the curved display and overall hardware experience doesn’t justify the nearly $1000 price tag. Most reviewers describe it as still feeling like a proof of concept, despite mostly decent reviews on the rest of the hardware and software experience. The LG G Flex is still only available Korea, but it will soon be launching in Hong Kong, Singapore, and Europe. Head below to get a taste of what the reviews are saying:
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The QWERTY smartphone returns with leaked image of T-Mobile bound LG F3Q

David Beren Dec 6 2013 - 7:35 am PT

The super smartphone leaking machine known as @evleaks is back yet again with a first look at another upcoming smartphone headed for T-Mobile USA. What makes this smartphone the current buzz around town is its place as the first QWERTY device to catch our eye in some time. While the device itself looks to be low-end, it catches our attention as some of us believed the life and times of the QWERTY smartphone era were in our rear-view mirror.

The Google Voice Command trivia challenge: how many of these 50 things did you know it could do?

Ben Lovejoy Dec 6 2013 - 7:04 am PT

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2vT0AWDq3DE]

PhoneBuff has put together an interesting video showcasing fifty things Google Voice Command can do, and we think there’s a pretty high chance you won’t be aware of all of them. It’s getting on for eight minutes long, but well worth a look if you want to make sure you’re getting the most out of Google’s virtual assistant.

The video includes examples of linked queries, where Google knows who or what you are referring to based on your previous question.

PhoneBuff did a similar thing with Apple’s Siri, and although they don’t use the same questions – each video designed to illustrate their respective capabilities rather than a head-to-head challenge – it does make for an interesting comparison. Siri video below.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MtwVQhEXCcc]

Google Play Store updated with new activity feed, minor UI tweaks

Chance Miller Dec 6 2013 - 5:45 am PT