Android Phone Fans |
- Motorola Touchless Control update brings new KitKat-only features
- Sprint reportedly looking to buy T-Mobile next year
- Nexus 7 (2013) only $180 + $20 gift card at Office Depot for a limited time [DEALS]
- Mobile Roar Podcast 25: Nokia’s Android device and Google Play Edition devices
- Chrome beta update introduces a more responsive mobile browser
- Sony brings AOSP Android 4.4 to Xperia L
- A picture of Will Smith and Justin Bieber was the most-liked Instagram photo of 2013
- Sony ‘Amami’ passes FCC, looks like Xperia Z1 Mini
- Nexus 5 appears to be shipping with physical design changes
| Motorola Touchless Control update brings new KitKat-only features Posted: 13 Dec 2013 05:37 PM PST
Hop on over to the Google Play Store and you’ll find that Motorola has pushed out another update to the Touchless Control app for their X8 equipped line of handsets. Well, some of them anyway. According to the brief changelog, a few more Google Now commands have been added that work even without first unlocking the device. New features also include a listening tone after speaking the “Okay Google Now” command so you know when your device is listening, and being able to speak your unlock PIN to your device, making for truly hands-free experience (even when secured with a PIN). Nice. Unfortunately, the changelog concluded with a disclaimer mentioning that the new features were apparently reserved for Android 4.4 KitKat devices only, leaving Motorola’s current Droid line out in the cold (at least until they can update 4.4). Those of you with Moto Xs can and update right now from the Google Play Store. Link provided below.
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| Sprint reportedly looking to buy T-Mobile next year Posted: 13 Dec 2013 01:32 PM PST
According to a new report out of The Wall Street Journal, Sprint could be preparing to make a bid for T-Mobile, already doing the leg work on regulatory concerns that might stand in their way. If reactions are favorable, the bid is said to take place during the first half of next year and could hit upwards of $20 billion. If green-lighted by anti-trust authorities, this would leave only 3 major wireless carriers battling it out for dominance in the US. With Sprint and T-Mobile’s powers combined, they’d have around 53 million customers at their disposal, a still modest number when compared against Verizon’s 95 million subscribers, or AT&T’s 72 million. Really, it’s still up in the air at this point on whether Sprint will move ahead with the bid, but word is Sprint is definitely jonesing for some Carly in her black leather. And really, who could blame them? |
| Nexus 7 (2013) only $180 + $20 gift card at Office Depot for a limited time [DEALS] Posted: 13 Dec 2013 12:34 PM PST
In the market for a new Nexus 7 (2013)? Well, Office Depot’s latest markdown might have you considering using the device as a stocking stuffer this Christmas. Sure, it’s only the black version, and sure it only has 16GB of on board storage — but at $180 + $20 gift card, you’d be hard pressed to find more Android-bang for your buck. According to the website, this promotion is valid until 12/21, so you should have more than enough time to make it down to your local Office Depot today after work. Oh, and the 32GB is also on sale, albeit at a lighter discount of $40-off. Thanks, John (and Fodografes)! |
| Mobile Roar Podcast 25: Nokia’s Android device and Google Play Edition devices Posted: 13 Dec 2013 11:53 AM PST Nokia is making an Android device? Really? The Google Play Store is filling up with more devices, but is anyone buying them? Chromecast just got a ton of new apps, are you buying one? Instagram Direct is a new messaging platform, but should it exist? All of that, and MUCH more, in this week’s Mobile Roar Podcast! Subscribe to the podcast below, or watch the video above. The News
Wins and Fails of the Week
Joe Fedewa (@jayzeroeee) - WinSource.com
This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now |
| Chrome beta update introduces a more responsive mobile browser Posted: 13 Dec 2013 10:15 AM PST Google has a new update for the beta channel of their Chrome browser that does away with a lingering drag on mobile browsers. Up until now, browsers for mobile devices have included an artificial 300ms delay to account for the familiar double-tap-to-zoom gesture. With an increase in the number of sites tailored to mobile, Google sees no reason to keep folks waiting. If 300ms doesn't sound like that big of a deal, watch the video demonstration above. That's a pretty impressive improvement. [via HTML5Rocks] |
| Sony brings AOSP Android 4.4 to Xperia L Posted: 13 Dec 2013 09:17 AM PST
A Google Play Edition of the Xperia Z Ultra is nice and all, but what about stock Android for folks that already own a Sony handset? Sony has done a pretty good job with their AOSP for Xperia program, providing builds of unadulterated Android for a variety of devices. The latest is the Sony Xperia L. The Xperia L isn't quite the device that a member of the Z series is. The handset sports a 4.3-inch display a 1GHz dual-core CPU. But owners can now install a fresh build of Android 4.4 to add a bit of life to the little guy. There is a catch, though. Sony is providing all the necessary source code, but in order to install owners will need to unlock the Xperia L's boot loader (voiding the warranty in the process) and then compile a build from scratch. No simple ROM flash here. The real kicker is that the build, while functional, lacks some basic features like GPS and Bluetooth. Hence, this is not what we would call a daily driver. It also misses out on Google Play and Google's suite of mobile apps. If this still sounds like the stock Android experience you desire, hit up the source link below. [via Sony] |
| A picture of Will Smith and Justin Bieber was the most-liked Instagram photo of 2013 Posted: 13 Dec 2013 08:18 AM PST
Folks, what you are looking at above was the most-liked Instagram photo of 2013. Is it any surprise that instead of artsy composition and striking subject matter it features two uber celebrities? The recipe for success if Justine Bieber and Will Smith bro-ing out (throw in a peace sign for good measure). The photo's status was revealed as part of Instagram's yearly re-cap, which ranked #love as the hashtag of the year behind #selfie and #tbt and reconfirmed that Thanksgivukkah was one of the social network's biggest days ever. Instagram also covered the top cities and locations of the year, which not surpassingly included Times Square, Disney World, and Las Vegas among others. The full list can be found over at Instagram's blog (along with plenty of great shots to take a gander at). Have a great shot from 2013 you want share? Drop it in the comments below! [via Instagram] |
| Sony ‘Amami’ passes FCC, looks like Xperia Z1 Mini Posted: 13 Dec 2013 07:15 AM PST
A Sony device with codename Amami recently passed through the FCC, and all indications are that the filing is for what will eventually launch as the Xperia Z1 Mini. The device, previously referred to as the Z1S, is given model number D5503. The Z1 Mini is expected to be a variant of the Japan's Xperia Z1f (pictured above) for the US and Europe. Pending any possible tweaks, it should feature a 4.3-inch 720p display and 2.2GHz quad-core Snapdragon 800. Most impressive, though, is a 20.1 MP camera. According to the filing, it looks like the Z1 Mini/Amami will launch with Android Jelly Bean rather than KitKat. An official announcement could come early next year at CES. [via FCC] |
| Nexus 5 appears to be shipping with physical design changes Posted: 13 Dec 2013 06:46 AM PST
Google and LG apear to have tweaked the physical design of the Nexus 5, according to some folks over at the XDA Developers forums. The changes appear to address a few minor issues with phone that have been bugging some users. The most noticeable change is the presence of larger cutouts for the speaker and microphone on the bottom of the device, perhaps addressing complaints about low volume. The other changes aren't as easy to spot, but the claim is the Nexus 5's physical buttons now feel a bit sturdy and the SIM tray sit more flush with the phone's body. Subtle tweaks, yes. The new design is probably no reason to return your current Nexus 5 (unless you are having major problems), but it sounds like they make a positive difference. Anyone recently purchase Google's flagship that can attest to these changes? [via XDA] |
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