Android Phone Fans |
- Google Search update brings new Google Now cards, Google Experience Launcher functionality, and more [DOWNLOAD]
- Ski Safari update brings cloud game saves via Google Play Games
- Android 4.4 KitKat for Nexus 7 (2012) now available for download and manual installation
- LG G Flex self-healing back shown on video; tipped for AT&T, Sprint and T-Mobile
- Hands-on: Spigen Ultra Fit case for Nexus 5 [VIDEO]
- First Moto G ad hits YouTube as Verizon confirms plan to carry it, but will you buy it? [POLL]
- Official: HTC One Max for Sprint launches November 15th for $250 (or $25 per month)
- Verizon Moto X soak test suggests Android 4.4 could be coming soon
- Google+ for Android update brings Android Beam, Daydream support and more
- Cyanogen Inc to bring official CyanogenMod phone with 2.5GHz Snapdragon “8974AC” [RUMOR]
- Motorola says the Moto X is getting KitKat “within weeks”
- Motorola officially announces the Moto G; starts at $179.99 unlocked for 8GB model
- How to manually download and install the Android 4.4 KitKat upgrade on your 2013 Nexus 7 WiFi
- PS4 compatible PlayStation App now officially available on Google Play
| Posted: 13 Nov 2013 05:20 PM PST
Right on schedule, an update to the Google Search app is now rolling out on Google Play. Besides bringing new “What to watch,” News topic,” and “Website update” cards to Google Now, the update also introduces a little hidden functionality as well, but more on that later. New Siri-like conversational voice commands we told you about last week were also added. Users can have a much more natural dialog within Google Search, with the app asking for clarification when multiple options exist or further confirmation is needed to perform an action. Here’s some screenshots of a dialog between myself and Google Search when attempting to text a family member.
Alright, here comes the fun part. A few weeks back we also told you guys about a way to get the Google Experience Launcher up and running on your Jelly Bean device. You know, the home screen found exclusively on the Nexus 5, that Google somehow forgot to include in the KitKat update for the Nexus 7 and 10. Yeah, that one. Well, the setup process involved the installation of several key Android 4.4 Google apps, one of which was Google Search. Today, the newly updated Google Search app now features compatibility with the leaked Google Experience Launcher.
All you need to do is sideload the GoogleHome.apk after updating Google Search and boom. You should now have the Google Experience Launcher up and running on the Android device of your choosing (Jelly Bean+). Where this might sound like a benevolent move by Google, keep in mind that GEL still isn’t available in the Play Store, something we hope will change in the near future. The Google Search update is rolling out gradually, but if you don’t feel like waiting around, it’s already been ripped and available for download and installation below. We also included Google Home (GEL), in case any of you wanted to get up and running with the new Google Experience Launcher as well. Enjoy!
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| Ski Safari update brings cloud game saves via Google Play Games Posted: 13 Nov 2013 04:03 PM PST
It was back in May during Google’s Nexus 7 (2013)/Chromecast event that the internet giant took the wraps off Android 4.3 and Google Play Games. A new set of APIs for developers, Google Play Games allowed game makers to incorporate new features like multiplayer matchups, leaderboards, trophies and achievements, and best of all: the backing up of game saves to the cloud. The single most convenient feature of Google Play Games, we were hyped at the idea of taking our game progress with us as we moved from our smartphones to our tablets, the only problem is months down the road, we’ve yet to see game developers take advantage game save backups.
Today, developer Defiant Development has updated Ski Safari — an old Phandroid favorite — adding Google Play Games integration, most notably cloud backups. Simply sign in with your Google+ account, and your game progress will be synced online, allowing you to pick up where you left off on your tablet, or future Android device. Pure. Freakin’. Genius.
We couldn’t be more excited about this feature and are excited to finally see more Android developers implementing cloud game saves into their games. Noticed any other games now using this feature? Shout ‘em out in the comments, we’d love to invest our time and money into them. |
| Android 4.4 KitKat for Nexus 7 (2012) now available for download and manual installation Posted: 13 Nov 2013 03:14 PM PST
It was in the wee hours of last night that Google announced Android 4.4 KitKat would soon be rolling out to Nexus 7 (both 2012 and 2013) and the Nexus 10. Of course, as we later found out, the tablet version of KitKat was missing the Google Experience Launcher. For those that didn’t feel like waiting around on Google to finally push out the update to their devices, a flashable OTA zip file for the Nexus 7 (2013) was provided manual installation. Now the Nexus 7 (2012) is finally getting in on the action with KRT160 provided by a user on XDA. If you know what you’re doing, you can apply the update and have KitKat in time for dinner. Enjoy. Download: Nexus 7 (2012) OTA |
| LG G Flex self-healing back shown on video; tipped for AT&T, Sprint and T-Mobile Posted: 13 Nov 2013 01:51 PM PST The LG G Flex’s durable ways aren’t confined to the virtually indestructible display. If you don’t remember, LG also touted the fact that they used a back material that was able to heal itself. This means the phone can look as new in 2 years as it did when you first bought it. It’s one of the biggest things LG is proud of with the release of the G Flex, so they saw fit to make an entire video to show you just how well it works. You can find that quick video above if you’re interested — it might not persuade you to buy the thing, but it’s something cool to watch nonetheless. With that, you might be wondering where you’ll be able to find this phone in the United States. New rumors from @evleaks suggest AT&T, Sprint and T-Mobile will all be looking to launch the device for your flexible needs. Verizon is notably missing from that list, but Big Red is always hit-or-miss when it comes to non-flagship devices. Things could change, of course, but for now it’s not worth betting on. |
| Hands-on: Spigen Ultra Fit case for Nexus 5 [VIDEO] Posted: 13 Nov 2013 01:19 PM PST With the Nexus 5 coming and going on Google Play, we’d be willing to guess that more than a few of you purchased the phone as an early Christmas gift to yourself. Whether you already received yours or are still waiting for your shipment to arrive, you’re probably going to want to protect your new investment with a case. Back when the phone first launched, we showed you the (overpriced) official OEM accessories available from the Play Store. If those were a little too rich for your blood, you’ve probably been exploring 3rd party options. No worries, we did the same. The case we decided to give a spin was this slim case (SGP10560) from the boys at Spigen.
First off, this case comes in a variety of colors and finishes, but only the black model features a near identical soft touch finish (SF) to the Nexus 5. It’s not rubbery and wont pull your pockets inside out when slipping it out. It feels silky. Almost like some kind of organic lambskin. After slipping the case on the Nexus 5, you’ll notice the tops and bottoms of the phone are left relatively unprotected. This is common in slim hard shell cases. The case is a little bulkier than we’d like, but we suppose the added thickness should help with small drops. The main issue we have with the case is the sharp edges along the tops and bottom. When I hold my phone, I prop it up with my pinky to keep it from slipping downward. This was incredibly uncomfortable for me using this case, but depending on how you hold your phone, your results may very.
Overall we were pleased with the design of the case. The color and finish blend in perfectly with the Nexus 5. The best part is Spigen includes a bonus screen protector to keep the front of your phone protected as well. Trust me, it’s not a throw away. You’ll want to use it (I already have a long scratch on my display). You can find Spigen’s slim case for the Nexus 5 for $10 with Prime shipping via the link below.
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| First Moto G ad hits YouTube as Verizon confirms plan to carry it, but will you buy it? [POLL] Posted: 13 Nov 2013 12:04 PM PST Earlier this morning, Motorola announced an affordable new smartphone that would give people a decent experience for under $200 unlocked. It’s the Moto G, a 4.5-inch 720p handset with a 1.2GHz quad-core processor, 1GB of RAM, 5MP camera and more. Don’t worry in case you missed it — Motorola’s first ad hopes to be enough to get you to see just how big this value proposition is. To top all of that off, the first major carrier to announce plans to carry the device happened to be… Verizon? That’s right — Big Red is looking to offer this thing in early Q1 2014, though you’ll only be able to get it as a pre-paid smartphone through their network. Of course, this comes with one unfortunate caveat — without any 4G LTE radios, the Moto G has to stick to Verizon’s EVDO 3G network. While their 3G network isn’t horrible, it certainly isn’t holding a candle to what AT&T and T-Mobile have been able to do with HSPA+. If you’re going with the Moto G for your smartphone then Verizon doesn’t look to be the best carrier to stick with. That they’re only offering this on prepaid accounts makes it that much easier for you to find a carrier that it would make a lot more sense on. Where will you look to use your Moto G? |
| Official: HTC One Max for Sprint launches November 15th for $250 (or $25 per month) Posted: 13 Nov 2013 10:47 AM PST We’d been hearing reports that Sprint would look to launch the HTC One Max this Friday, November 15th, and now the carrier has made the news official. You’ll be able to get the big phablet for $249.99 with a new two-year contract, or $25 per month for 24 months without any down payment through the Sprint One Up program.
The 5.9-inch HTC One Max is an interesting phone. It is literally an HTC One with a bigger screen and a fingerprint scanner. The internals and specs remain largely the same. Here’s the list in case you’ve forgotten:
That fingerprint scanner will bring some unique functionality, including the ability to have the phone launch different apps for different fingers. It’s pretty neat stuff and adds more to the experience than just a simple unlocking mechanism. Critics haven’t been nice to the HTC One Max, but if you need a big phone and aren’t a big fan of Samsung’s, this is what you have to work with. Psst: one more thing — you’ll want to prepare for a day-one OTA update once you get your phone. Sprint has already posted the details right here. It won’t change much, but it’s good to know anyway.. |
| Verizon Moto X soak test suggests Android 4.4 could be coming soon Posted: 13 Nov 2013 10:26 AM PST We get a lot of e-mails from tipsters, but none do we like more than the type flooding our inbox as we speak: exclusive updates rolling out in real-time. Several readers have told us they’ve just received E-Mails from Verizon with, “an invite to participate in an early preview of a new software release,” for the Motorola Moto X.
What software? We’re not sure… but Android 4.4 KitKat would be a good guess. Google has already started rolling out Android 4.4 KitKat updates to the Nexus 4, Nexus 7, and Nexus 10, so it’s no wonder that the next closest thing to a Nexus device would get OTA treatment. If anything is surprising, it’s that Verizon is getting in on the action.
That being said, I want to reiterate that there has been NO indication thus far that this soak test is actually testing Android 4.4 KitKat. It could be a system update that fixes minor bug problems, LTE issues, or anything else. Stay tuned to Phandroid as details emerge. Sorry if this soak test thing is a bit like a cold bath. [Thanks, Tipsters!] |
| Google+ for Android update brings Android Beam, Daydream support and more Posted: 13 Nov 2013 10:11 AM PST
Google has just announced a brand new upgrade for Google+, but this isn’t some laid back bug fixer. A wealth of great, new features have been introduced that should delight photo enthusiasts everywhere. Here’s what’s new in the latest version:
Google also mentioned a number of performance boosts, though they weren’t interested in getting into too much detail about what, exactly, has been boosted. Regardless, it sounds like an upgrade you’ll definitely want to take, so find it in the Google Play Store with haste! PS: the update is rolling out in stages, so you might not see it on your phone right away. We’ll see if we can’t get an APK for you shortly. |
| Cyanogen Inc to bring official CyanogenMod phone with 2.5GHz Snapdragon “8974AC” [RUMOR] Posted: 13 Nov 2013 09:16 AM PST We’re not quite sure what to make of this just yet, but here it is anyway: there’s an official CyanogenMod phone coming, and it’s going to be unlike anything else on the market right now. Trusted sources have revealed to Phandroid that the smartphone will house a mysterious 2.5GHz Qualcomm Snapragon “8974AC” processor, which would indicate it’s only a slight bump from the MSM8974AB (Snapdragon 800 family) that currently pushes 2.4GHz of power (which is already sitting inside upcoming smartphones such as the Xiaomi MI3). The phone “Steve” always wanted? So what’s the deal with this thing? Sources revealed to Phandroid that the phone in question won’t be like the Oppo N1 — that is, it won’t just be a phone that officially supports installing CyanogenMod. No, this mystery phone has actually been designed specifically with CyanogenMod in mind.
What does that mean in the grand scheme of things? Well, for one, it means it’s going to be the device that Steve Kondik has always wanted to build. It’ll be nice to see the dream phone of one of the scene’s biggest developers come to reality. It also means that you can expect the beast that is CyanogenMod to work seamlessly and near-flawlessly, because the two were literally made for each other. It takes two to tango So just who will this phone be made by? Some would probably guess Oppo, considering that was the first big company to publicly do business with Cyanogen Inc by making it easy to install on the Oppo N1 (there’s even a special edition of the phone that comes with CyanogenMod pre-installed). That might not be the case when it comes time for the details to flow in, though. We’re hearing from sources that Oppo might not be the OEM involved in this huge undertaking. Where do we go from here? Perhaps this report from Chinese outlet Yesky could help shed some light. A recent report by the publication suggests a smartphone dubbed the “ELIFE E7″ will soon be launching (the photo below is the ELIFE E6), and would launch with the very same Snapdragon 8974AC processor that we mentioned above.
A bit of sleuthing reveals that the ELIFE series is made by Chinese manufacturer Gionee, who has a pretty long track record in the smartphone game despite not being well known. A quick stroll through Chinese social network Weibo reveals the profile of Gionee CEO Lu Wei Bing, who couldn’t help teasing the E7 and its Snapdragon 8974AC processor. Gionee’s corporate profile also saw fit to do the same, with the following rough translation being thrown out there:
Small partners, eh? Could mean something. Could mean nothing. You never know with these translations. Nevertheless, it’s interesting. Like Xiaomi, Gionee is aiming to be another one of those companies looking to break out of the Chinese market and become one of the big boys by taking on the likes of Samsung, HTC and more. Aspirations are one thing, but to actually work toward achieving those goals is another — such a move could be the big step they need to become what we’d call “the next Oppo.” That these two reports have come out in such close proximity might not be mere coincidence — it could be the connection we’re looking for to figure out the who, the what, the when, the where and all the rest of those W’s. Of course, it could very well end up being Oppo (which would make the most sense under current circumstances). Either way, one thing is for sure — a CyanogenMod phone is coming, and it’ll be sure to make some waves in the smartphone game. We’re still digging for more, folks, and we wouldn’t be surprised if more and more information about this starts to trickle out more rapidly in the weeks to come. Stay tuned! |
| Motorola says the Moto X is getting KitKat “within weeks” Posted: 13 Nov 2013 07:43 AM PST
Motorola already announced that the Moto X would be among the several phones in their lineup getting Android 4.4, and now the OEM has released a more pointed timeline for its arrival. In the Moto G announcement press event, Motorola CEO Dennis Woodside mentioned that the Moto X would be receiving Android 4.4 KITKAT within a matter of weeks. While that still doesn’t give us a great idea of when to expect it, it’s safe to say that the wait won’t be terribly long. Woodside mentioned that the newly-launched Moto G would get KitKat by the end of January 2014, so it’s safe to assume that Motorola’s flagship smartphone should be on an even more accelerated timeline. Of course, delivery of the goods will ultimately depend on carrier testing and approval, so actual OTA dates might vary from person to person. Let’s just hope none of these guys drag their feet on getting this seriously delectable treat out to the masses once Motorola makes it ready for consumption. |
| Motorola officially announces the Moto G; starts at $179.99 unlocked for 8GB model Posted: 13 Nov 2013 06:10 AM PST In case you’ve forgotten, Motorola held a live Google+ event to announce a new smartphone they’re calling the Moto G. This device has long been rumored as a lesser version of the Moto X, which would make it an affordable option for budget-conscious folks (specifically those living in developing countries).
They made that announcement official, and the device is everything we thought it’d be. Motorola wants to give everyone a “today” experience for a third of the price of your typical high-end smartphone — around $200 unlocked, according to their examples. So what does this thing pack under the hood? Hardware and Specs The affordable Moto G isn’t dressed to impress, but this spec sheet does impress us when you consider it’s coming at us for less than $200. Here’s what you’re getting:
No, it doesn’t have 2GB of RAM. It doesn’t have a Snapdragon 800. It doesn’t even have an 8 megapixel camera. But folks won’t be thinking about those “shortcomings” when they dig into their wallet for the few bills it’ll cost. (Not to mention Android 4.4 KitKat is designed to work well on smartphones with specs that are even more limited than the Moto G’s.) Software Motorola is shipping the device with Android 4.3, which they say is the latest version of the OS that devices in this class are shipped (meaning the cheapo bunch). Beyond that, they’re also guaranteeing a future upgrade Android 4.4 (due by January 2014). The Chicago company says their software strategy is simple — work with Google’s services, don’t replace them. Don’t bog down the user interface with tons of customization and custom apps. Focus on the fundamentals with extreme attention to detail. We saw all of that in the Moto X and their latest DROID phones, and that hasn’t changed with the Moto G. In fact, the Moto G might be even “cleaner” than the aforementioned phones — there are no Touchless Controls or Active Notifications (though those features are just as welcome as any other). Motorola does offer a custom camera app, Motorola Migrate, and Motorola Assist to help make life easier, but that’s it — the rest is all Google and all Android. Accessories Motorola also mentioned the Moto Shells, a set of colorful interchangeable backplates that also double as cases. They have exposed-display designs for those who just want to protect the sides and the back, and a flip design that also covers the display (opening the cover will automatically wake the phone up). These join the colorful headphones and other accessories that can be bought from Motorola’s online storefront, of course, so you can express yourself however you see fit without having to cash in on your 401K. Pricing and availability To give you an idea of how this thing will be priced around the world, the Moto G has been priced at $179.99 for the 8GB version, and $199.99 for 16GB in the US, with both options being available straight through Motorola with a SIM card. And no, folks, that’s not after signing a new two-year contract — that’s the unlocked, unadulterated price. Carrier pricing might be different, of course, but we wouldn’t expect two-year contract prices to be in the hundreds range. In fact, this might be the perfect $0 – $50 phone carriers love pushing. We’ll have to wait for their individual announcements, though we’ll worry about which carriers will be looking to offer this device before worrying about price. The device is available today in Latin America, parts of Europe, Canada, and parts of Asia. Launches in the US, India, Middle East, and more of Asia, will go down by the end of January 2014. Motorola says the device will be in more than 40 different countries with more than 60 partners, meaning it shouldn’t be hard to find one of these no matter where you lay your head. |
| How to manually download and install the Android 4.4 KitKat upgrade on your 2013 Nexus 7 WiFi Posted: 13 Nov 2013 05:50 AM PST Yesterday, we were surprised to learn that Google would begin rolling out Android 4.4 KITKAT upgrades to owners of several older Nexus devices, including both Nexus 7 units, the Nexus 10 and the Nexus 4. While the data-enabled versions of the Nexus 7 tablets will be a tad delayed, the WiFi versions should be getting them by the end of this week. If you don’t feel like waiting for the OTA upgrade you can also manually download and flash it yourself. Here’s a quick primer on how to do just that for the 2013 Nexus 7 WiFi, but before we continue you’ll need to remember one key thing: this is your device, and your device alone.
Anything you do to it as a result of these instructions is at your own risk, and you assume all responsibility. Do not try this on anything other than a 2013 Nexus 7 WiFi. It’s also worth noting you might void whatever warranty you still have, so keep that in mind before moving on. Before you begin There are a couple of things you need to take care of before starting, natch.
With all of that in place you should be ready to go. Let’s get into the thick of things! How to flash Android 4.4 KITKAT on the 2013 Nexus 7 WiFi If you have taken care of everything above, it’s time to flash! (No, not in that way. We’re not sickos here.) This process is pretty simple, so be sure to take your time, read all of the instructions word for word before trying it yourself, and pay close attention to detail. PS: we’ll be assuming that you named your update file KitKat.zip in these instructions.
This process doesn’t wipe the tablet, so your settings, apps and everything else should stay in tact whenever you get back to the system. Remember that you will have lost root at this point, but it’s easy enough to get that back. Enjoy! If you need help with any of this, you’ll find a community full of members willing and able to lend a hand over at the All Things Root section of AndroidForums.com’s Nexus 7 section. Be careful, be safe, but have fun! |
| PS4 compatible PlayStation App now officially available on Google Play Posted: 12 Nov 2013 09:15 PM PST
While you still have to wait until this Friday to get your hands on the PlayStation 4, the official PlayStation App — with PS4 compatibility — is now available on Google Play. This PS4 companion app will let you do everything from manage and chat with your friends, compare trophies, and brings second-screen functionality to your Android device on games that support it. You can even download games or demos from the PlayStation Store directly to your PS4 from your Android, making sure they’re ready to go by the time you get home. Of course, the app is still free and is currently waiting for you to install via the link below. Friday can’t come soon enough.
[via PS4Daily] |
For those wondering what the heck is a soak test, it rolls out the software update to a limited and growing number of participants to ensure that software is stable. Consider it the equivalent of running a closed beta so that one big massive update doesn’t get accidentally pushed with a glitch causing widespread problems. If all is good with the soak test, Moto X owners on Verizon could be seeing the update relatively soon.
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