Android Phone Fans |
- How to install the Google Experience Launcher with working “Ok Google” hotword on your Android device [VIDEO]
- Android 4.4 KitKat Factory Images Now Available for Nexus 4, Nexus 7, Nexus 10
- Google’s latest transparency report shows huge increase in FISA requests (but we still can’t see them)
- Sideload the Nexus 5 version of Google Wallet to get tap-and-pay on your 2013 Nexus 7 with KitKat
- T-Mobile Nexus 5 16GB now available for $450 unlocked, or $41.99 down payment for $17 per month
- Get the Verizon Moto X for $50 through Moto Maker [DEALS]
- Woot.com has the 2012 Nexus 7 WiFi starting at $130 today only [DEALS]
- ISIS payments go live nationwide for Verizon, AT&T and T-Mobile
- Facebook Messenger update with Holo redesign now available for everyone
| Posted: 14 Nov 2013 03:29 PM PST Yesterday we told you guys about the new Google Search update that, aside from bringing new Google Now cards and conversational dialog to Search, also silently carried full Google Experience Launcher compatibility. While Google still hasn’t provided the actual launcher in the Play Store, some simple sideloading of the GoogleHome.apk we found in the Nexus 5′s factory image, along with the updated Google Search app, got everything up and running. Here’s our easy how-to on getting GEL installed and fully functional on your Android device.
First, make sure to enable the sideloading of apps by going into your device Settings > Security > and checking Unknown sources. From there download the updated Google Search and Google Home from us (linked below). Jump into your Downloads app and install both the apps you just downloaded (press the descriptions, not the check boxes), selecting “done” after every installation.
From there, press the home button and select “Launcher” as your default homescreen — this is the new Google Experience Launcher. You’ll notice the always listening “Ok Google” command doesn’t work from the Google Experience Launcher. No worries, turning it on is easy.
Once in Google Now, scroll all the way to the bottom and press the 3 dot menu to select Settings. From there, select “voice” > “offline speech recognition” (manage downloaded languages). Now, we’re going to work our way from the right tab, all the way to the left.
Select the Auto-Update tab from the top and choose one of the auto-update options (we recommend leaving it on “over WiFi-only”). After that, scoot over to the All tab and find English (US). You’ll notice it already says “pre-installed”. Don’t listen to it. Select English (US) anyway. From there, jump to the Installed tab and press “English (US)” where you’ll be asked to download the latest version (version 28 at the time of writing). Hit “Download” and the updated version will be downloaded and installed. After it’s finished downloading, press the home button where you’ll notice “Ok Google” will now be displayed inside the Google Search widget. Simply speak that phrase whenever you’re on your homescreen to perform a Google Search or voice actions. That’s it. Was relatively painless, right? Thanks, Justin! |
| Android 4.4 KitKat Factory Images Now Available for Nexus 4, Nexus 7, Nexus 10 Posted: 14 Nov 2013 12:20 PM PST
In typical Nexus fashion, Android 4.4 build KRT16O is now available for the Nexus 7 (both 2012 and 2013), Nexus 10, and the Nexus 4.
Download: Nexus 4, Nexus 7 2012, Nexus 7 2013, Nexus 10 |
| Posted: 14 Nov 2013 11:57 AM PST While many thought the controversy caused by the NSA, FISA and all sorts of government initiatives for monitoring communication and requesting access to user information would die down, Google is not letting it. In fact, the company — which, along with Microsoft, is one of the few begging to be able to be more transparent with their users — went so far as to sue for the right to share more information. So what can they share with us now? Well, a little bit, but how much of it is useful to you will depend on what you were hoping to learn. For starters, Google has revealed that FISA requests for national security reasons have more than doubled worldwide since 2009, and more than tripled in the United States alone in that same time period.
Unfortunately, that’s as much as they are allowed to give us. It’s one thing to censor the types of requests, but the fact that they can’t even share the amount of requests is alarming — what actual harm is there in knowing how many requests there have been? What we do know Google was allowed to share a bit more, though, such as which countries request the most information (of any type) from January 2013 through June 2013. The United States was, by far, the most nosy country, with nearly 11,000 requests (the next closest was India with just 2,700). Of the United States’ requests, a combined 90% were for the purpose of gathering subpoenas and warrants. Other court orders, pen register orders and emergency disclosure reports (information needed to avert a crisis, such as death) accounted for the remaining 10%. Interestingly enough, the US also lead the rest of the world in the amount of data they were actually able to obtain from each request. Google illustrates that they were able to produce meaningful, relevant data for 83% of the requests (the next highest was the United Kingdom at 67%).
This transparency report is the latest in Google’s attempt to get the government to allow them to release information pertaining to FISA requests. Google wants users to know that they don’t want to be sneaky — being upfront, honest, and clear is the only way they want to be. That alone awards them another few brownie points under their “don’t be evil” mantra that they’ve always operated by. We might not ever get the information we want due to government secrecy, but we’ll never know if things can change unless we try. Kudos to El Goog for deciding to take the charge. Read the full transparency report here if you’re interested. [via Google] |
| Sideload the Nexus 5 version of Google Wallet to get tap-and-pay on your 2013 Nexus 7 with KitKat Posted: 14 Nov 2013 10:19 AM PST Want to use tap-and-pay with Google Wallet on your Nexus 7 2013? As ridiculous as that would look, you might be happy to learn that there’s a way you can do just that (so long as you have Android 4.4 KitKat). You can take the APK of the Nexus 5 version of Google Wallet (which is different than the version currently available in the Google Play Store for other devices) and sideload it onto your Nexus 7 2013.
Install that APK like normal (make sure you enable installs from non-trusted sources) and you should be good to go. You’ll now find Google Wallet as an option under the tap-and-pay menu under settings. Give it a try the next time you find yourself in position to use it (which, again, might just look downright ridiculous to any passersby). PS: this may work on other NFC-equipped phones and tablets with Android 4.4 KitKat. You can give it a try if you want, but note that you do so at your own risk. Let us know how things fare for you in the comments section below. |
| T-Mobile Nexus 5 16GB now available for $450 unlocked, or $41.99 down payment for $17 per month Posted: 14 Nov 2013 08:57 AM PST
If, for some odd reason, you decided to get your Nexus 5 through T-Mobile, you’ll be glad to know that the handset is officially available for purchase starting today. T-Mobile pricing isn’t as attractive as what you can buy in the Google Play Store, with the carrier pricing their 16GB model at $450 unlocked. You can get the same exact model from the Google Play Store for $350, though you might have a more tough time as shipping delays have hit crept up in recent days. For that matter, T-Mobile’s 16GB model is $50 more expensive than the 32GB model in the Play Store. Of course, T-Mobile customers can also opt to get the device for a down payment of $41.99, which makes you responsible for payments of $17 per month for 24 months. We can’t say we’re too surprised that T-Mobile’s offering is more expensive considering we went through the same ordeal with last year’s Nexus 4. Carriers have to make money too, folks, so it’s never wise to expect the same healthy subsidization Google gives you for buying it straight from the Google Play Store. That said, if you don’t have a problem with paying a bit extra to get the extra “perks” you’ll be entitled to (such as insurance, customer support and more), then be sure to swing by Magenta’s website and order one right away. Our full review is on its way, so be on the lookout for that if you need more convincing. |
| Get the Verizon Moto X for $50 through Moto Maker [DEALS] Posted: 14 Nov 2013 08:08 AM PST
Looking for a good reason to get Verizon’s Moto X through the Moto Maker? Perhaps a price tag of $50 (following a new two-year contract agreement) will do the trick for you. It took a while for the phone to come to the Moto Maker after a lengthy period of exclusivity for AT&T, but if you haven’t already given up on getting a custom Moto X then there’ll be no better time than now. You can get the device to your exact liking, including a multitude of color choices for the body and accents of the phone. You can also get custom engravings, change your wallpaper, and even get your Google account setup ahead of time. We’d love it if Motorola could get a move on with those custom wooden backplates, but we’re just happy to have Moto Maker support for all at this point. Head to Motorola’s website to start customizing yours if you’ve been waiting on a good deal for this solid smartphone, and be sure to read our full review if you want to know what’s up with Motorola’s 2013 workhorse. |
| Woot.com has the 2012 Nexus 7 WiFi starting at $130 today only [DEALS] Posted: 14 Nov 2013 07:13 AM PST
The Nexus 7 2013 is such a good tablet that it may be hard to recommend the 2012 edition to anyone, but if you want to save some serious dollars on a holiday gift then Woot.com’s daily offer might not be a bad option. The daily deals site has the 2012 Nexus 7 WiFi on sale starting at $130 for the 16GB model. You can add just $20 more if you want the 32GB option. This 7-inch 1280 x 800 tablet was the talk of the town last year, with a Tegra 3 processor and 1GB of RAM to help folks do what they needed to in a jiffy. While it may have been handily outclassed by the 2013 version (with its full HD resolution and quad-core Snapdragon S4 Pro), it’s definitely worth checking out for just a fraction of the cost. As is typical with these ridiculous one-day deals, you can expect this tablet to be in refurbished condition. That doesn’t mean there will be much to worry about, though — these things are reconditioned and certified to look and perform as good as new. Never mind the fact that most “refurbished” items are simply returned products that folks decided they didn’t want. Have I quelled your fears? Do you want a cheap Nexus 7? Then head to Woot.com to get started. |
| ISIS payments go live nationwide for Verizon, AT&T and T-Mobile Posted: 14 Nov 2013 06:42 AM PST Verizon Wireless has announced that their mobile payments provider ISIS is now available for all of their customers on a nationwide basis. With ISIS, you’ll be able to use your smartphone as a wireless payment option at over 200,000 retail locations using a simple tap of any of Verizon’s 15 supported smartphones. Those retail locations include Jamba Juice, Toys R Us, and even some tap-to-pay Coca Cola vending machines. You probably already have a good idea of which phones are supported (those with NFC inside), but here’s a quick list in case you need one:
That’s 13 by our count, but we’ve already dropped a line to Verizon to see if we can figure out what the other two are. To entice you to use ISIS, Verizon is offering folks a $10 credit to American Express Serve customers by simply downloading the ISIS app to their compatible device from the Google Play Store. Another $10 credit can be earned after your first transaction at a Verizon Wireless location with the service. ISIS is pin-protected, and should you happen to lose your smartphone Verizon will help you disable your ISIS account in a jiffy to save you the trouble and headache of dealing with unauthorized purchases. Alongside “participating” credit cards from America Express and Chase, ISIS will work with loyalty cards from several retailers, which should help folks cut back on all the plastic sitting in their back pockets.
Verizon says folks will need an “enhanced SIM” to use ISIS. We’re trying to figure out what, exactly, this SIM is, and if there’s a chance users might already have it in some of Verizon’s latest smartphones. Otherwise, you can order one from the Verizon Wireless website or get setup with one at a Verizon retail location. Some might be hesitant to give ISIS a chance with Google Wallet being an attractive option, but Verizon’s hoping you won’t find much to dislike in the service they prefer to support. Be sure to download it from the Google Play Store (it’s not off to a good start with one and a half stars) and give it a shot at your earliest convenience, and watch the video above to see if Big Red can convince you that this is the new (and only) great way to pay with your smartphone. [Update]: ISIS is also available starting today for AT&T and T-Mobile customers. Click the respective links to find them in the Google Play Store. |
| Facebook Messenger update with Holo redesign now available for everyone Posted: 14 Nov 2013 05:43 AM PST
It was only a couple of weeks ago that Facebook began issuing an upgrade to their Facebook Messenger app to select beta users. This upgrade brought us a complete redesign, giving us a healthy helping of the #HOLOYOLO UI we’ve all come to know and love. It was kind of a big deal — Facebook seemingly hated Holo. Well, the fact that their main app hasn’t been upgraded to follow the latest Android design guidelines led us to believe that much, anyway. Those of you disappointed that you weren’t able to get in on the fun right away can rest easy now, as Facebook has finally issued the upgrade to everyone in the Google Play Store. Facebook says the upgrade should provide a faster, more reliable user experience, something that’s no doubt welcomed after suffering with previous versions of the app for so long. Alongside a fresh new user interface, Facebook has also made it more obvious which version of Facebook messaging recipients are using, and has given users the option to send messages through either Facebook or SMS (granted you have a verified phone number on file). It’s a pretty big deal, so you won’t want to wait too long to get it from the Google Play Store. Go, go, go! |
Being a Nexus device gets you a few nice perks from big daddy El Goog. Nexus devices generally get 
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