LG Nexus 5

It’s hard to believe that the Nexus 6 is the Nexus 5’s successor. There’s a huge difference between these two devices in almost every department, but this year you’ll pay for those changes. Today we’re comparing the Motorola-made Google Nexus 6 to the LG-made Nexus 5.

The Nexus 5 was a steal of a deal when it was first released. In fact it’s still a great device. For the money, it’s hard to find a comparable device with the same software experience. The Nexus 5 is loaded up with Android 5.0 Lollipop (update is coming soon) and even after being outdated by better specifications and other smartphones on the market, it still runs like a boss.

With the Nexus 6, you’re getting the latest and greatest that this industry has to offer. It’s also running Android 5.0 Lollipop and overall will offer the same exact software interface and features as its predecessor. With both of these devices, you’re getting a pure Android experience, just as Google intended it to be. Does the Nexus 6 bring enough to the table to justify the difference in price? Well, let’s get right into the comparison and find out…

Expand
Expanding
Close

Last week, Motorola began rolling out a soak test for Android 5.0 Lollipop to users of the Moto X Pure Edition, and today it appears Motorola is continuing its soak testing with the second generation Moto G. Several users have reported receiving the update already and Motorola has also published the full release notes on its website (via Android Police).

Expand
Expanding
Close

While the wait continues for Google to release Android Lollipop as an over-the-air software update and post official factory images of the latest operating system version, a number of developers over at XDA-Developers have taken it upon themselves to take the Lollipop source code and create builds for the Nexus 4, 5, 7, 10 and other devices.
Expand
Expanding
Close

Google, according to several user posts on Google+, has recently opened up a replacement program for people who damage their Nexus 5. While the company has yet to officially announce this program, users are reporting that if you have a damaged Nexus 5, Google will offer a one-time replacement for free.

Expand
Expanding
Close

Google is reportedly in the process of developing a new platform that will let users create custom smartphone cases and wallpapers. Referred to as “Workshop,” the budding project only works with the Nexus 5 for now, but it’s possible that it may support other devices whenever Mountain View officially opens it up to the public. Still in its infancy, Workshop is comprised of two tools: MapMe and Moments.

Expand
Expanding
Close

Just when you started getting used to KitKat, Google changed things up and announced Android L. Mountain View’s latest mobile operating system won’t officially be available to the masses until the fall, however there’s a way to check out L before its big debut and we’re going to show you the easiest ways to do it.

Expand
Expanding
Close

As it usually does with new releases of Android, Google has just posted the source code for the “L” release of Android. The code is viewable on Google’s Android Git repo page for all of the current a previous generation Nexus devices. This includes both the 2012 and 2013 Nexus 7s (WiFi and LTE models), the Nexus 4, Nexus 5, and Nexus 10.

Google has left a few things out of this release of source code, including binary packages and kernel source. This means that developers will not yet be able to build totally stock builds of Android “L” for those devices. This is to be expected, though, as “L” is still a developer preview at this point.

You can view the source code on Google’s Git repo here. If you’re still curious about Android “L,” read our first look here.

Expand
Expanding
Close

After calling it the biggest update in Android’s history, Google yesterday announced that it would be making its Android “L” update available, albeit in preview/beta form, to developers today. The files were posted on the company’s official developer website earlier, and since then I’ve installed the preview on my Nexus 5 and been digging through it, seeing what kind of changes I could find, both mentioned and unmentioned by Google…

Expand
Expanding
Close

Just as the Google announced it would be during its I/O keynote yesterday, the developer preview of the “L” version of Android is now live. Google claims that this update is the “biggest release in Android history” with over 5,000 new APIs, in addition to a new design, look, and feel. Developers can download the everything they need for Android “L” from the developer website.

Expand
Expanding
Close

After launching a red color variant earlier this year, it looks like Google is now planning to release a yellow Nexus 5 sometime soon. If you look on the official Android website and scroll down to the Nexus 5 section, you’ll now see that the description touts it as being available in “black, white, red, and yellow.” Prior to the red model of the Nexus 5 launching, there were some whispers of a yellow variant, but nothing ever came of them.

Seeing that the yellow Nexus 5 is listed on the official Android website, it seems likely that it is legit. The only question now is when it will launch officially on the Play Store. We’d assume that the shade of the yellow used will be similar to the bright yellow used on the official Google bumper for the Nexus 5.

With Google I/O taking place this week, it seems like the perfect time to launch a new color variant of the company’s flagship device. Keep your eyes on the Play Store.

Expand
Expanding
Close

Almost immediately following the pandemonium that was the release of Android 4.4.3, Google is now rolling out software version 4.4.4 of its mobile operating system to Nexus devices via an over-the-air update. Yesterday, the company released factory images of its newest version of Android, so device updates were pretty much inevitable. The new release only weighs in at 2.5MB and is believed to squash a few bugs that were missed by its predecessor.

Expand
Expanding
Close

In what comes as somewhat of a surprising move, Google has just posted Android 4.4.4 factory image for several Nexus devices. The release comes not too long after 4.4.3 was rolled out. Android 4.4.3 was a highly antipciated release that we saw several leaks of, but 4.4.4 comes as a surprise.

Expand
Expanding
Close

According to an interview done by LG’s director of communications Ken Hong with a Dutch news outlet (via Phone Arena), the company currently has no plans on making the next Nexus device. LG, of course, made both the Nexus 4 and Nexus 5 devices, but Hong says that the company is not making the next Nexus device, “at least not yet.”

Expand
Expanding
Close

Not letting T-Mobile subscribers have all the fun, Google has released the factory image and binaries for Android 4.4.3 today. These tools apply to the Nexus 5, Nexus 7 (2013) and WiFi Nexus 10, Nexus 4 and WiFi Nexus 7 (2012) models.

Expand
Expanding
Close

Today, T-Mobile announced that its Nexus 5 and Nexus 7 devices will be making the jump to Android 4.4.3. Available now, these small software patches are rolling out to the carrier’s versions of Google’s latest purebred Android gadgets, but they can be installed manually if patience isn’t your strong suit. To start the update process, tap All Apps, Settings, About device and Software update. Once installed, your Nexus 5 should reflect software version KTU84M. If you’ve also invested in last year’s Nexus 7, just repeat the process and your tablet’s software version should display as KTU84L upon completion.

Expand
Expanding
Close

Google has just released an update to its Camera app on Android, as part of its “Update Wednesday” regiment. The update bumps the app to version 2.2 and adds several new features. One of the biggest new features is the ability to shoot photos in either 4:3 or 16:9 cropped resolutions. Although, it’s important to note that the cropping affects the total resolution of the image. So if you were to shoot in 16:9 on a Nexus 5, the resolution maxes out a 6MP. This changes depending on the phone you’re using, of course.

Google has also added the timer feature back to its Camera app with this update. The company removed it earlier this year, for some odd reason. The picture timer allows you to choose either 3 and 10 second timings for taking an image.

The update also adds new modes for shooting panoramas, including a fisheye setting. There’s also now a small settings icon on the first launch.

Google’s Camera update is available on the Play Store now.

Expand
Expanding
Close

Since the device’s release Google has been selling bumper cases and QuickCover cases for the Nexus 5. Today, the company has further expanded its accessory line-up and added a new Snap Case for the Nexus 5. The case is priced at $29.99 and available in Black, Silver, Aqua, White, and Clear.

Expand
Expanding
Close

Given that the original HTC One (M7) was available in various colors, it only seems likely that its successor will also be offered in a variety of shades. Notorious Twitter leaker @evleaks has leaked a picture of the HTC One (M8) in a new red color. The device will reportedly be a Verizon exclusive, as evident by the Verizon and 4G LTE branding on the back.

The back of the device is entirely red, with the exception of the branding, camera, and a few black accents. Unlike the red Nexus 5, the front of the device is also red, aside from a small black bezel around the display.

Other than the new red color, the device has the same Sense 6 overlay, Duo Camera, BoomSound speakers, and unibody design. We wouldn’t expect to wait too long for an official announcement from Verizon and/or HTC.

Expand
Expanding
Close

This slim-bezel smartphone we have here, is said to be the LG isai FL headed to Japan at some point in the future. The press shots surfaced on Twitter via @evleaks and may hint at LG’s design philosophy for 2014.

This could indicate a possible design format for the Nexus 6 or LG G3. The isai FL features the same backside volume rocker design that was first introduced on the LG G2, but has a body style similar to the Nexus 5. Either way, there’s no way to ignore those beautiful slim bezels.

Expand
Expanding
Close