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Showing posts with label Android. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Android. Show all posts

Thursday, December 26, 2013

HTC One mini Android 4.3 and Sense 5.5 update arrives

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AppId is over the quota

The HTC One mini Android 4.3 Jelly Bean and HTC Sense 5.5 update is available to download now.

Launching as an over the air update, the HTC One mini users will now have access to the Android 4.3 Jelly Bean and Sense 5.5 UI update.

This now means that all of the HTC One family, including the flagship HTC One and fingerprint-sensor offering HTC One Max, will run on Android 4.3 and feature the latest HTC Sense 5.5 UI.

The HTC Sense 5.5 UI boosts the HTC One mini’s performance and improves the BlinkFeed news aggregator home screen with content from Instagram, Google Plus and other sources.

HTC has also introduced the ability to lock focus and exposure in the camera app, added a new video highlights reel with customisation options.

Android 4.3 adds features like Restricted Profiles, OpenGL ES 3.0 support and Bluetooth 4.0 LE.

HTC One mini Features
The HTC One mini has a 4.3-inch 720p HD display with a 431ppi image density and is a full five millimetres smaller in height and width than the HTC One.

Powered by a dual-core 1.4GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon 400 processor with 1GB of RAM and 16GB of internal storage, the One mini has a 1800mAh battery.

It lacks a microSD card slot, but comes with Bluetooth 4.0, Wi-Fi and 4G LTE connectivity. It also has HTC BoomSound technology and the dual forward-facing speakers.

In the rear is the same HTC UltraPixel camera as the HTC One, offering f/2.0 aperture and 28mm lens with Full 1080p HD and HDR video recording.

The front-facing camera option for the HTC One mini was downgraded to 1.6-megapixels from 2.1 in the HTC One.

Read more: Best smartphones of 2013


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Wednesday, December 25, 2013

Nokia Android phone leaked yet Normandy

Controversial Android phone on Nokia appeared again in the form of a leaked print rendering.

December saw several pieces of information regarding the so-called emerging Nokia project Normandy-very unexpected effort to run an operating system Android based on a Nokia device.

Project Normandy, first appeared in a leaked image from a reliable informant ever @evleaks, which has been confirmed by several sources. Apparently, this was a Nokia Asha equivalent, or an entry-level smartphone aimed mainly to developing countries.

Normandy apparently uses a forked version of Android that, like the Amazon Kindle Fire range, would be unrecognizable from the OS. Still, with his heart Android project Normandy would be able to perform a much wider range of current range of apps 8 Windows Phone from Nokia.

Given the special relationship of Nokia with Microsoft and the fact that the latter is ready to buy the Finnish company in the new year, still wouldn't quite bring ourselves to accept the existence of such a device.

Sure enough, last week reports suggested that Nokia had scrapped the project in Northern France to develop wearable intelligent devices. This was apparently without the intervention of Microsoft, but you have to suspect that looming shadow of society had a role in the decision.

Balance was restored, he thought. But this latest image by @evleaks (again) offers the slightest hope that we'll see an Android device Nokia-built sometime in 2014.

Well, probably not if we're honest. But grant us one last wistful look (probably) what could have been if Nokia had taken a different path several years ago.

Read more: tricks and Windows Phone 8


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Friday, December 13, 2013

Android update phonebook 4.4 KitKat S4 of Samsung Galaxy Mini

Samsung is preparing an update of Android 4.4 KitKat for a mid-range number Galaxy phones including the Samsung Galaxy S4.

An image containing the list of allowable mid-range handsets for Android update 4.4 KitKat was leaked online.

Apparently the official list titled "update KRT16 under investigation for mid-range devices" lists seven devices that Samsung looking to upgrade.

S4 Galaxy mini is named alongside Samsung Galaxy 3, Ace mini S3 Samsung Galaxy, Samsung Galaxy Ace 2, Samsung Galaxy S, Samsung Galaxy Advance Core and Samsung Galaxy fame in the United Kingdom.

Samsung has already said the flagship S4 Galaxy of S3 Samsung, Samsung Galaxy, Samsung Galaxy Samsung Galaxy 3 and note Note 2 will be getting a taste of KitKat.

Unfortunately, there aren't any dates for these updates download KitKat but we keep abreast of any updates.

One of the features of Android KitKat 4.4 definition is that it is compatible with older smartphones with less memory.

"With KitKat, we slimmed down Android memory footprint to do things like remove unnecessary background services and reducing the memory consumption of features that you use all the time," explained Google at launch.

KitKat 4.4 Android can run on Smartphones with less than 512 MB of RAM, so it makes it easier for producers to update entry-level phones and mid-range.

Samsung must change its TouchWiz UI to be compatible with Android 4.4 lower-specced KitKat of devices before the rollout can begin.

Other features of Android KitKat 4.4 include voice search, improved multitasking capability and priority-based contacts who communicates with most.

Google also controls local businesses for a game when you receive a call from an unknown number on Android 4.4.

Google mail app has been ditched in favor of a new, best app of hangouts. This contains all the messages from a single contact in one place, whether it's an e-mail, text or other type of chat.

Read more: review Google Nexus 5

Via: TheMobileBlog


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Thursday, December 12, 2013

Nokia Android phone codenamed Normandy, 2014 expiration

New information emerged surrounding heavily said that Android smartphone on Nokia, suggesting manufacturing is steaming ahead.

According to multiple sources "familiar with the company's plans," Android phone on Nokia is codenamed Normandy, but is known internally under several different monikers.

The Android phone will be the next step in the line of low-end smartphone by Nokia with access to a wider range of applications.

Similar to Amazon Kindle Fire OS, Nokia apparently develop own special "forked" version of Android not directly aligned with the Google operating system.

An image of the Nokia phone Android has been released from the notorious tech @evleaks informant in December, showing a device style Lumia without capacitive navigation buttons.

RIM's sources say that Nokia Normandy is a Android Asha equivalent with access to more traditional applications that are not available on Windows Phone. This is something that the company has struggled with Asha's line and already supports applications such as Skype.

Nokia employees are been said Normandy will be released next year, with one insider said that the production is "full steam ahead".

The sale of Nokia to Microsoft is currently underway and it would seem odd for Microsoft enable Nokia to use Android for low-end phones on your Windows Phone OS.

Nokia can only get away with a release of Android if it can exit the device prior to the completion of the acquisition by Microsoft.

Microsoft may well stress of Normandy junkheaps If Nokia is too late to release it.

Currently we have no information about any specific to the phone of Normandy, but don't expect to be rivaling any flagship phones.

Read more: tricks and Windows Phone 8


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Tuesday, December 10, 2013

Samsung Galaxy S3 Android 4.3 update resumes roll out

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AppId is over the quota

The rollout of the Samsung Galaxy S3 Android 4.3 update has resumed having been pulled last month due to a number of bugs.

With the original introduction of the Samsung Galaxy S3 Android 4.3 update having seen a number of users complain of severe battery depletion and bricking handset, the Korean manufacturer hastily pulled the software patch, with the replacement only now resuming its rollout.

"The fix for the issues with Galaxy S3 Jelly Bean 4.3 upgrade has begun rolling out to selected users in the UK, and will continue to do so,” an official Samsung spokesperson said in a statement issued by the company.

With users of the original Samsung Galaxy S3 Android 4.3 update having also reported freezing screens and Wi-Fi issues, Samsung added: “We are sorry for the inconvenience this has caused."

Available now for unlocked Samsung Galaxy S3 handsets, the Android 4.3 update will be rolled out across network locked devices in the near future.

"Specific upgrade schedules will vary by mobile operators. Please check your phone for the upgrade," Samsung stated.

Bringing a range of new features to the ageing smartphone, the Android 4.3 update sees the Samsung Galaxy S4 predecessor add support for the company’s recently launched smartwatch, the Samsung Galaxy Gear.

Next, read all the latest Samsung Galaxy S5 news and rumours

Via: BBC


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Thursday, November 28, 2013

Google’s Eric Schmidt writes guide on switching from iPhone to Android

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AppId is over the quota

Google executive chairman Eric Schmidt has taken the unusual step of writing his own guide to switching from iPhone to Android.

The high-powered Google executive, who was also on the board at Apple as recently as 2009, recently took to Google+ with a post entitled "Eric’s Guide: Converting to Android from iPhone."

Schmidt opens by claiming that "Many of my iPhone friends are converting to Android," before launching a stinging slap to the likes of HTC and LG by omitting them from his casual list of top Android brands.

"The latest high-end phones from Samsung (Galaxy S4), Motorola (Verizon Droid Ultra) and the Nexus 5 (for AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile) have better screens, are faster, and have a much more intuitive interface," says Schmidt.

He then embarks on a lengthy list of basic tips for new Android owners, including how to move your  Gmail, contacts, and music across from an iPhone. The contacts part in particular is relatively in-depth, and could be useful for some.

At the other end of the useful scale we have tips on how to move your SIM card across ("you may need an adapter), and we particularly liked Schmidt’s advice on how to transfer your apps to your Android phone: "download in the Google Play Store all the applications you normally use (for example, Instagram)." Thanks Eric!

He also manages to take a pop at Safari with the following advice: "Be sure to use Chrome, not Safari; its safer and better in so many ways. And it’s free."

It’s nice to see that all’s well in the ongoing smartphone war.

Next, read Google Glass – the privacy problem and how to solve it.


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Tuesday, November 26, 2013

Samsung Galaxy S4 Android 4.4 update expected in January

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AppId is over the quota

A Samsung Galaxy S4 Android 4.4 update has been teased, with the software refresh set to be introduced in January.

With Android 4.4 KitKat having been introduced earlier this month aboard the Google Nexus 5, the Samsung Galaxy S4 looks set to be one of the first none-Nexus devices to add the latest iteration of Google’s mobile operating system.

According to a leaked internal Samsung document detailing the company’s Android 4.4 update plans, the Samsung Galaxy S4 will make the jump to KitKat in January, alongside the company’s latest stylus-hosting handset, the Samsung Galaxy Note 3.

With the most recent flagship phones set to add Android 4.4 at the start of the year, the leaked document has also revealed that last year’s Samsung Galaxy S3 and Samsung Galaxy Note 2 will add an Android 4.4 update between March and April of 2014.

Earlier this month the Samsung Galaxy S4 was updated to Android 4.3 Jelly Bean, with the software patch adding compatibility with the Samsung Galaxy Gear, the company’s handset-connecting smartwatch device.

With Android 4.4 KitKat bringing a range of new features to compatible handsets, the software refresh sees an all new search incorporating homescreen brought to devices.

Earlier this week, a Google Nexus 4 Android 4.4 update was rolled out. According to Google, the update “adds a number of new features and improves performance.”

Exact updates include “Hangouts, which can now bring all of your SMS and MMS messages alongside your other conversations and video calls.”

Further improvements will see “search for nearby places in the all new phone app, and identify unknown callers with caller ID by Google.”

Next, read all the latest Samsung Galaxy S5 news and rumours

Via: SamMobile


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Samsung Galaxy S4 Mini Android 4.3 update rolled out

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AppId is over the quota

Despite Google releasing Android 4.4 KitKat aboard the Google Nexus 5 earlier this month, many handsets are still yet to receive the now older update of Android 4.3 Jelly Bean.

However, Samsung today announced that this older software would be available to owners of the dainty Samsung Galaxy S4 Mini, with the launch set to begin in Canada, via the Rogers, Telus and Bell networks.

The Android 4.3 Jelly Bean update is a considerable 790 MB in size and includes Samsung’s KNOX services, a security update that allows users to utilise a set of ‘secured’ applications, shielded from harmful malware and viruses.

Further benefits of the 4.3 Jelly Bean update sees the Samsung Galaxy S4 Mini made compatible with the Samsung Galaxy Gear Smartwatch. Bluetooth 4.0 LE smart technology compatibility and OpenGL: ES 3.0 graphics support, are also added enabling a better gaming experience.

With Samsung Galaxy S4 customers reporting cases of substantial battery loss and trouble connecting to Wi-Fi networks since their flagship phones were handed the Android 4.3 update, the Korean manufacturer will be hoping that the 4.3 Jelly Bean update will have a smoother roll out to owners of the Galaxy S4 Mini.

The Android update for the Galaxy S4 Mini is build version 1257MVLUAMK5 and requires a stable Wi-Fi connection and at least 75 per cent charge to install.

Next, read all the latest Samsung Galaxy S5 news and rumours

Via: MobileSyrup


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Wednesday, November 13, 2013

Android 4.4 KitKat Phone Review

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AppId is over the quota
Android 4.4 is the latest version of Google's mobile operating system. The first phone it features in is the Google Nexus 5, and we've been using that mobile to find out what's new in Android 4.4, known as KitKat.

SEE ALSO: Google Nexus 5 review

New features win most of the spotlight in any Android update, but one of the most important changes in Android 4.4 KitKat is its new approach to interface design.

The software doesn't look radically different, but there are some quite fundamental, important alterations. The line that used to separate the shortcut icon dock from the rest of the home screen has disappeared, and so have the apps/widgets tabs in the apps menu.

It may sound trivial, but makes Android 4.4 much simpler, visually, than Android 4.3. And this change has clearly been made following some careful thought about how people actually use the system.

SEE ALSO: iOS 7 review

Android 4.4 KitKat 6

The blunt truth – people don't change widgets much. You generally find a clock you like, and perhaps one or two more utility widgets if you're a bit of a techy fan, and you're done. By filing the widgets menu away, out of plain sight, Google has made the system look a lot more rudimentary, in a good way.

Adding widgets is still easy, though. Hold a finger down on an empty part of a home screen and a wallpaper/widgets menu pops up. We're not yet sure if the widgets tab will remain in the Android 4.4 tablets, though.

You'll also notice that app icons have been given a refresh. They're now a bit curvier, a little bit more cartoony.

SEE ALSO: Nexus 5 vs Nexus 4: what's the difference?

 Android 4.4 KitKat 7

Android 4.4 KitKat's friendlier look should make it easier for technophobes to get on with. And its pared-back style is marginally better to use all-round. However, anyone who's used Android recently will feel at home. Basic navigation hasn't changed – it has just been given a bit of an intelligent spring clean.

The notifications bar is very simple compared with that of most custom Android user interfaces, though. There are no feature toggles and no brightness slider on the top level – features we find pretty useful. Instead, getting to these things takes a couple of taps.

Android 4.4 KitKat 5Like iOS, Android is also continually merging with its desktop relatives a bit.

There's deep integration with Drive – Google's cloud storage service – and SMS text messaging has been folded into Google Hangouts, the online chat side of the Google Plus social network.

It's a pretty aggressive move that wants to nudge things like Whatsapp out of the picture, but it is terribly easy to use and dead handy if you already have a pretty Google-centric digital life (i.e. you use Gmail).

However, Google has hedged its bets on this one. In the Settings menu there's a separate entry that lets you specify the SMS app you want to use.

As standard, there's only Hangouts in this menu, but you can download others from Google Play. Handcent SMS is a popular one.    

Android 4.4 KitKat 3It's not just chat clients that Android 4.4 is trying to squish, either. The pre-installed Google Keep app also wants to take down Evernote.

It lets you make coloured virtual post-its, complete with pictures and audio clips.

It's easy to use, and also lets you create reminders for future events or tasks as well as basic notes. Keep was introduced in March 2013, but it only got more advanced features in August 2013.

For example, you can now set location-based reminders – it'll give you a buzz with the reminder once your phone's GPS realises you're in the right spot.


View the original article here

Monday, November 11, 2013

Sony Xperia Z1 Android 4.4 update confirmed alongside additional handsets

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AppId is over the quota

Sony has confirmed the Sony Xperia Z1 will be getting an Android 4.4 KitKat update, along with a host of other handsets.

A week after Google announced Android 4.4 KitKat, Sony has revealed its upgrade plans for the Xperia Z1 and other high-end handsets.

The Sony Xperia Z, Xperia ZL, Xperia Tablet Z, Xperia Z Ultra and Xperia Z1 will all be getting the Android KitKat update, but Sony hasn’t yet outlined any time-frames.

The Japanese electronics manufacturer did say that the aforementioned devices will make up “the first raft” of updates, suggesting that more devices will be upgraded to KitKat in the future.

Sony also revealed that a number of handsets would also be getting an Android 4.3 Jelly Bean update “from next month”.

These are: the Xperia T, Xperia TX, Xperia V, Xperia Z, Xperia ZL, Xperia ZR, Xperia Tablet Z, Xperia SP, Xperia Z Ultra and the Xperia Z1.

HTC has also confirmed its plans for Android 4.4 updates, with unlocked HTC One handsets getting the latest Android edition within 30 days of Google’s announcement. Network locked versions will get Android KitKat within 90 days.

Android 4.4 KitKat Features

Launched alongside the Nexus 5, Android 4.4 KitKat introduces a load of minor changes over Android 4.3 Jelly Bean, rather than a huge UI overhaul.

When on the Google Now screen or home screen, you can now say “OK Google” to launch voice search, send texts or access other smartphone features.

Google has also slimmed down the memory footprint of Android KitKat so that it only requires 512MB of RAM to run, making it more compatible with lower-end, budget handsets. Memory optimisation has also increased multitasking capability in KitKat.

There’s a new Hangouts app in KitKat too, which replaces the original messages app. It collates all messages from a single contact in one conversation – regardless of whether it’s an email, SMS, MMS or other chat format.

Next, read our iPhone 5S vs Sony Xperia Z1 comparison.


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Wednesday, October 9, 2013

BlackBerry Messenger for iOS and Android landing this weekend, as the massive job cuts loom

For better or worse, it was a day rich in BlackBerry news, with the launch of its new 5-inch portable Z30 followed by reports of imminent cuts and job confirmation that BBM will land on iOS and Android this weekend.

After weeks of speculation, as well as the odd loss and suggestion, the troubled smartphone maker says that BlackBerry Messenger will be available by Google Play store Saturday and Apple App Store the next day.

Announced may, BBM's expansion plan aims to make the chat time honored dominant service messaging service on mobile platforms, but faces stiff competition from the likes of Google Hangouts, WhatsApp, Skype and many others.

The app will enable cross-platform real-time chatting with groups and individuals, as well as photos and voice note sharing. BBM pin functionality also means users do not have to provide their phone number or email account to "casual" new contacts.

Pushing the merits of the new app, which will require 6 and 7 iOS iOS or Android's Ice Cream sandwiches and upwards, the company said: "BBM gives you a private social network for real conversations, active and has more than 60 million customers on BlackBerry alone. The vast majority USE BBM an average of 90 minutes per day. BBM, collectively, customers send and receive more than 10 billion messages every day, almost twice the number of messages per user per day compared to other mobile messaging applications. BBM messages are typically read in seconds, reflecting how truly engaged customers BBM are. "

However, in a somewhat less promising news, The Wall Street Journal reports that the company based in Waterloo, Ontario is planning to cut a massive 40 per cent of its workforce by the end of the year.

The beleaguered company is currently courting a potential sale of some or all of its business after the new OS BB10 failed to raise the fortunes.

As an era draws to a close, as the curtain on exclusivity BBM, fall of the once-great BlackBerry may not be far in conceding to the dominance of iOS and Android.

Via BGR


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Samsung Galaxy S5 tipped to launch in both Android and Tizen forms

Samsung Galaxy S5 rumors are heating up, with latest news, suggesting that the phone manufacturer's flagship Korean generation will be released in Android and flavored Tizen forms.

While the flagship Samsung smartphones, including the Samsung Galaxy S4 are all powered by Google's Android OS, it has been suggested that with the company working on your operating system, Samsung Galaxy Tizen S5 next year could be made available with two different operating systems.

A potentially risky move that could damage sales and kill the OS Tizen before its found its footing, a dual handset OS is only the latest in a growing line of items to Samsung Galaxy S5.

Although the claims of a powered Samsung Galaxy Tizen S5 are far from confirmed, Samsung co-CEO Boo-Keun Yoon recently suggested that the company would use its software Tizen to create uniform and connected experience among all Samsung products.

Samsung Galaxy S5 further entries highlighted in recent reports include the Android version of the laptop is powered by the Android 4.4 KitKat recently confirmed. Expected to launch in October alongside the Google Nexus Android take 5, KitKat, a series of updates to the dominant mobile OS.

With the Samsung Galaxy S4 having being criticized for its plastic form factor, it has been suggested that the Samsung Galaxy S5 will be eligible for a new build of metal, similar to that of 5S of the iPhone or HTC One.

Elsewhere, the camera of the Samsung Galaxy S5 add optical image stabilization to an enlarged and more Megapixels sensor shooting as it looks to compete with improvements made by LG G2.

Read more: iPhone 6 voices

Via: IBTimes


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Monday, October 7, 2013

Launch of Nexus point 5 for 14 October, alongside 4.4 Android

A Nexus 5 launch was tipped for October 14, with the Google smartphone arriving next Android-themed chocolate 4.4.

The long awaited Google Nexus was scheduled 4 reportedly for a launch on 14 October that the new Android 4.4 KitKat announced last week.

After the launch on 14 October, the release date of the Nexus 5 could see the phone arrives in November, which would follow the same schedule as the Nexus 4 launch.

The unnamed source, speaking of AusDroid, also revealed that the device seen in the Android video 4.4 KitKat is definitely the Nexus 5.

Further arguing this is a Nexus 5 made by LG has through the Federal Communications Commission, offering us a few pictures of the upcoming smartphone from Google.

With another look at LG has made Google Nexus 5, FCC documents provide a trove of pictures of a fully assembled device complete with sensor camera large.

As seen in the video 4.4 KitKat, FCC's images of the smartphone have a matte finish, great camera lens but lack the landscape-oriented Nexus branding seen in the video.

The FCC filing, spotted by PhoneScoop, also hints that the Nexus 5 will be based on LG G2 smartphone flagship, similar to the way the Nexus 4 was a modified version of the LG Optimus G.

This may well mean that the Nexus 5 has a Qualcomm Snapdragon processor of 2.26 GHz 800 with 2 GB of RAM and a 2, 300mAh battery.

Previous FCC filings argue that Nexus could measure up to 5 5.19 inches tall and 2.69-inch wide, smaller than the Nexus 4, despite supposedly coming device with a 5 inch screen. This will no doubt down to super-thin frame.

Expect to be the first device to run Android KitKat 4.4 out of the box, the Nexus 5 could be used to show the new Google mobile OS and it's features.

These are tipped to include new notification widget fragmentation changes, new views, new animation API and miracast updates.

Next, read our choice of the best Android smartphone of 2013.

Google Nexus 5Google Nexus 5Google Nexus 5Google Nexus 5


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Tuesday, October 1, 2013

Android 4.3 update for HTC one is coming this month

HTC America Präsident Jason Mackenzie answered some questions on Twitter about the HTC a upcoming Android 4.3 update.

He says the Android 4.3 development for the HTC one is direct the plan and the rollout will start late this month, as promised. This applies to the United States and the EU HTC a units.

Update: To continue to lend the credibility of rumors, the following image we sent one of our readers. It shows a 4.3 Android run HTC. Supposedly, the image on the IFA was filmed. Thanks for the tip, d!


Discovered at the IFA 2013 run a 4.3 Android HTC

It seems that HTC manages, seeds of Android 4.3 update ahead of the competition. Samsung, that release to the flagship in October to bring 1 H, and Sony announce a time plan for the Xperia Z updates.

Thanks to Geordieboy for the tip!

Source | About


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Monday, September 30, 2013

Android in August 2013: donut and Eclair, no longer in the charts

Google has stopped information instrument distribution on Android version 1.6 donut and Eclair 2.1 as the two not the Google game store app support. Since the developers care above all the phones that support this, Google is no longer post these supposedly irrelevant numbers. Last month the two iterations of Android accounted for only 1.3% of the total platform customer base so it is no big loss anyway.

Google shows now devices that have in the last 7 days, as opposed to 14 as before Ping in the game store.

As always, jelly bean keeps rising (all three sub versions of it) and now accounts for almost half of the distribution of of Android (45.1%) while the most popular versions of gingerbread and ice cream sandwich steadily losing ground. Gingerbread has 30.7% (compared to 33.1% last month), while ICS has 21.7% (down from 22.5% last month).

Source | About


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Friday, September 27, 2013

4.3 Android update Samsung Galaxy S4 coming next month

The Samsung Galaxy S4 will receive a 4.3 Android update in the coming weeks, confirmed the South Korean manufacturer.

Making the announcement during the IFA press conference 2013 Mobile Unpacked, Samsung has confirmed that an update 4.3 Android Samsung Galaxy S4 will be implemented in October, with the flagship smartphone also set to achieve compatibility with the smartwatch Samsung Galaxy Gear just unveiled.

While the newly confirmed Samsung Galaxy 3 note will be pre-installed with the latest Android version when it lands this year, Samsung has confirmed that it will try to bring his old in-line devices, the Samsung Galaxy S3 also set to get in on the last act of Jelly Bean.

This week Google has officially announced that Android 4.4 would be known as Kit Kat. Despite the announcement, software features still need to be detailed and is currently not available on all products.

Added compatibility Galaxy Gear for the S4 will allow owners of the latest high-end Samsung laptop pairing their devices with the next timepiece techy.

Anticipating the arrival of questioned Apple iWatch, the Samsung Galaxy Gear boasts a 1.63-inch touchscreen display with a resolution of 320 x 320 pixels. The clever wrist wear adds a 800 MHz processor alongside Bluetooth 4.0.

Sync wirelessly with your smartphone, Android based watch will offer a range of alerts and warnings directed at the wrist and can be filled with a selection of fitness and communication apps. Comes with built in speakers, 4 GB of storage and an inherent 1.9-megapixels housed inside of waistband.

To learn more: Samsung Galaxy items S5

Via: Engadget


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Tuesday, September 24, 2013

Android KitKat 4.4 – characteristics that we want

Google has just announced that the next version of Android is not Android 5.0 Key Lime Pie but Android 4.4 KitKat. And, Yes, this is a tie-in with the Nestle chocolate bar of the same name.

But what will the next version of Android offer? We don't know yet, but here is what we would like to see. Let us know your suggestions in the comments.

KitKatMultiple profiles for mobile phones
With Android 4.3 Jelly bean, Google introduced multiple user profiles for Android. However, the feature's only available on tablets, phones.

Would come almost as useful in an Android phone, though. You don't want to give your phone to your child only to find that they have deleted all your apps and spent £ 50 on Google Play store.  Multiple profiles are not only protecting your data, either – can protect you too. Of, for example, by restricting your applications and web pages have access to.

Improvements to manage Android devices
In August 2013, Google unveiled its own version of find my iPhone, called Android Device Manager. This is designed to help you recover your Android device, should get affected.

It's been long overdue, but it is currently not good enough as longtime alternative to Apple's iPhone. You can make your Android fire off the ringtone, and you can also delete its contents. However, you cannot send a message to the device.

KitKat 2It is also a simple app downloads, meaning anyone nicks phone can easily get rid of it. To be truly effective, it must be built into the Android system.

Downloadable maps in Google Maps
One of the few bragging points Nokia phones Lumia have on Android phones is their ability to download an integer value of maps using the suite in fact Nokia Maps here. When you are abroad, this is an absolute godsend as it means that you don't have to search for the signal 3 g/Wi-Fi and you don't have to worry about roaming costs when trying to find out where the heck bloomin' six.

Google Maps does not currently lets you download maps for offline use, and is one of the few real sore spots on the roster otherwise rather great Google applications. It's a real shame when other aspects of Google Maps is still the best free mapping solution out there.

A native of Google TV app controller
High-end phones are starting to offer an IR Transmitter features more or less ' standard ' this year. This allows a telephone transmitter that mimic the signals sent by remote controls TV and those of any home entertainment gadget.

KitKat 1Is a great idea. The problem? None of the applications that let you do this are pretty, well still. For a universal remote control to be useful, it must be easy to install and easy to use. The app is made by HTC and Samsung for the Galaxy S4 and HTC One is none of these things.

If Google waded and produced its own app ' home automation ', people might actually start using this feature. We talked to IR-capable phones by most people don't even know they can do this stuff.

iMessage/Whatsapp equivalent built in messenger
We will be straight with you – iMessage to Apple is a bit rubbish. Gets confused, often leads to you missing out on posts and is a nightmare if you happen to go abroad. However, allow you to send images quickly and easily for free, which is missing from Android.

Of course, you can get this functionality with a 3rd party app like Whatsapp, but wouldn't it be nice to have everything integrated into Android? The obvious obstacle is that only this service would probably be compatible with devices running Android KitKat 4.4 or newer, there would be a large amount of use for the first few months at least.

KitKat 3Native support for app downloads direct-to-SD
One of the top annoyance of an ultra-cheap Android phone is that there is often just not enough internal memory to install some applications. And while many phones allow you to download apps on an SD card, the initial installation must be carried out in internal memory.

We found that this flat-out stops you from being able to install high-end games in some cheap phones. If Google enabled direct-to-download SD card, this problem would be solved. Unfortunately, it seems unlikely as Google Nexus devices show a tendency to ' SD-free ', being the ideal of Android.

Shared photo stream
One of the neatest features of iOS is Streaming photos shared. These allow you to share a virtual photo album with your friends without having to upload to Facebook.

Is one of the main advantages of a unified system as iOS, but it shouldn't be too difficult to implement both in Android. As with the feature of Whatsapp style ' we are dreaming, however, it is likely that this would work only between tablets and Android phones are updated.

Let us know what you want to see in Android 4.4 KitKat.

Next, read our
10 reasons why you should care about 4 K TV


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Sunday, September 22, 2013

Incontrare l'Aura di Nokia: il telefono Nokia Android che non sarĂ  mai

Today we learned that Microsoft is buying Nokia. It is a sensible move that will see Nokia to continue to produce phones Lumia-high quality series running Windows Phone 8. That is a good thing.

However, puts to rest a dream we've had for a long time – the dream of a Nokia phone Android. But what would a modern-day Nokia Android look like?

Discover we have rummaged around in the back of our closet brooms imagination to create the ...

Nokia Aura

* Yes, we realize the crappy Motorola Aura exists. But then the Aura of Nokia is a phone packed with genuine to 100%.

Here are the top 10 features of Nokia Aura.

Nokia was the company that made us realize plastic body phones can be quite pleasant. Polycarbonate bodies used in many of Lumia high-end Nokia phones are colored to the core, rather than with a thin layer of color on top. So if you scratch them, they do not end up with a white line down the phone.

The Aura of Nokia has only one of these bodies unibody. Is 155 g, 9.7 mm thick and has curves to die for. Is a shade thinner than 1020 Lumia.

The first wave of colors include turquoise, Canary yellow, red, black and white.

Free from the chains of Windows Phone, Nokia was able to get up there with the best Android rivals from the get go. The Aura of Nokia features a Super IPS display 4.7 inches that is actually quite comparable to that seen in HTC One. Predictably, Nokia's ClearBlack branding splashed over the thing.

Is 1080 p display with searing brightness and razor-sharp text and images. Browsing full web pages is not a problem for the Aura of Nokia.

Perhaps learning from his time making Windows Phone 8 mobile phones, Nokia has not fiddled with the 4.3 Android software running the show Aura of Nokia. Has a few tweaks light interface that helps give the phone its visual style without slowing down the phone.

A super stylish Clock widget that sits on the default splash screen as standard, plus some sharp color-shortcuts combined app that help maintain the Aura sensation consistent with his cousins Lumia-series.

However, otherwise it's just like any other Android phone.

Unlike the first phones Lumia, the Aura of Nokia has state-of-the-art core specifications. It uses the Snapdragon chipset 800, which offers a performance edge on Samsung Galaxy S4 is HTC One.

Like those phones, has 2 GB of RAM for snappy day-to-day performance. And thanks to the Adreno GPU 330, will be able to handle the first 3D game for a good few years yet.

The feature of Nokia's flagship is its Aura camera array, which is very similar to that of 1020 Lumia and aged PureView 808. Has a 1/1.5 sensor giant (for a phone) with 41 megapixels at its disposal.

Has very low light performance better than almost every other phone on the market, thanks to its optical image stabilization and its ability to bundle of pixels of the image sensor for improved accuracy.

The Aura of Nokia also has a xenon flash, that is an extreme rarity on phones these days and a physical shutter Lumia-style button on the right edge of the phone. Nice.

It is quite common for high-end Android phones to leave out a slot for memory card these days, but the Aura of Nokia does not follow the trend. Has 32 GB of internal memory and a microSD slot clean on its left edge.

Like the Nokia Lumia 720, uses a paper tray that needs a paper clip to release. This allows the Aura incorporate a card slot without using a removable backplate. The slot sits on the left edge of the phone.

As with Silver 925 Lumia, Nokia has decided to leave out the integrated charge Aura. However, you can connect to any wireless charging plate Qi if you buy a simple case of ' Q ' Aura.

This adds wireless charging capability, hooking up to three metal contacts on the back of little Aura.

It may still be at the top of all tick the box list of features, but the Aura of Nokia has fairly complete wireless connectivity. Offers all the basics, plus NFC and 4 g connectivity. Nokia's Aura uses Google Maps as its primary mapping app, but it keep some bits and bobs from here were we suite maps in Nokia phones Lumia. It's pre-installed unit, which allows you to download entire countries maps before you go on your hols. No more terrifying roaming bills. As part of the launch of the Aura, Nokia has teamed up with Logitech, creating an app called harmony within. This engages the Logitech Harmony database of electronic devices to allow you to control almost all your gadgets with your Aura.

It does so by using the phone's IR blaster. This leaves mimic the signals produced by most remotes. The harmony within app offers comprehensive support macro too which allows you to turn on the TV, DVD player and digibox on with the push of a button.

You might get the picture already – there is little wrong with the current approach of Nokia on the hardware. And even hardware improvements that we make are areas where Nokia is restrained from Windows Phone 8 system that is currently linked. Still, wouldn't want an Aura of Nokia?

Is there anything else you'd like to see on your phone Nokia Android dream?

Next, read our review of Nokia Lumia 925


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Thursday, September 19, 2013

Say hello to Android 4.4 KitKat, come the next in the series

Recently, Google announced the latest version of Android - 4.3 jelly bean, which turned out to nothing earth-shattering. Since then the next iteration of the Android OS has the spotlight and was the talk of the town.

Just when we all thought that Android 5.0 key lime pie that upcoming version of Android OS would be next, Google announced that the successor of the Android 4.3 would be called jelly bean KitKat (Yes, the brand) and it Android 4.4, not 5.0 is as before the rumor.

Sundar Pichai, confirmed head of the naming of the next version of Android the Android and chrome. Android is 4.4 Nesltes KitKat chocolate bars, popular is named after protected and Hershey in the United States licensed.

Google also says that "it a great Android experience for anyone available to make our goal with Android KitKat's '. Google plans, also the bold statement according to the next iteration of Android in Smartwatches, game consoles and other electronic devices use.

Sundar Pichai in his Google + post also shows that Android device activations now, have passed 1 billion and says he "eagerly awaiting the next version of the platform."

Here is the list of the last Android dessert versions with the naming scheme:

Android 1.5: Cupcake

Android 1.6: Donut

Android 2.0: Eclair

Android 2.2: Froyo

Android 2.3: Gingerbread

Android 3.0: Honeycomb

Android 4.0: Ice cream sandwich

Android 4.1: Jelly bean

Android 4.2: Jelly bean

Android 4.3: Jelly bean

Android 4.4: KitKat

Source 1. Source 2


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Tuesday, September 10, 2013

Archos makes his IFA lineup early: Android phones and tablets galore

Archos was a few days too early in the new his IFA lineup many tablets and Smartphones, all powered by pure, skinning Android included.

The company is introducing a new line of oxygen. The ARCHOS 50 oxygen has a FullHD screen, 13MP main camera and secondary 5MP camera, quad-core processor with 1,5 GHz runs Android 4.2 and 16 GB memory.

The new mobile phones in the field of titanium start at 99 with 4 'screen, dual SIM connectivity, 5MP main camera, dual-core processor with Android 4.2. New phones to see are the Platinum range, but Archos is to reveal all the details for them and their other new phones at the IFA in Berlin.

The ARCHOS 97 Platinum Tablet an iPad is 4 competitors with aluminum casing, a 9.7 "screen with 2048 x 1536 pixel resolution. The French company is also from his Gen11 tablets with the ARCHOS 101xs2 with HD-IPS screen, stereo speakers on the front and a magnetically attached keyboard. Both have run quad-core processor and Android 4.2.

The Xenon line see 3 new tablets with HD screens, 3 G and 3 g + (whatever that means) connectivity, quad-core processor and Android 4.2. There is a continuation of the ARCHOS gamepads (a tablet with built in game controllers), but details will only be made available at the IFA in Berlin.

Finally there are a few child-oriented ChildPad tablets with Android 4.2 and game store for child-friendly content filtered. There is an 8 "and a 10.1" tablets and the "magnetic figures" can use for the specific game.

Source (PDF)


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