Sunday, April 27, 2014

TalkAndroid Weekly Recap for April 21 – April 27, 2014

TalkAndroid_Weekly_Recap


One of the bigger news stories from this week had nothing to do with a device. The departure of Vic Gundotra from Google was a shock and leaves us wondering what the future of Google+ is. The OnePlus One is getting as much buzz as other flagships, but will you be able to get your hands on one (no pun intended)? The LG G3 seems primed and ready to steal the spotlight this summer, but don’t count out the Moto X+1. It’s time to get caught up and get ready for what is sure to be another exciting week in the world of Android.


Guides


10 hidden features of the Galaxy S 5 that you need to know


How to setup and use the fingerprint scanner on the Galaxy S 5


How to setup and use the Galaxy S 5 fingerprint scanner to make Paypal payments


How to use S Health on the Galaxy S 5



Samsung Galaxy S 5 camera software walkthrough


How to use ‘Shot & More’ for Drama Shots, Eraser, and more on the Galaxy S 5


How to use ‘Selective Focus’ and ‘Out of Focus’ on the Galaxy S 5


Accessories


HTC Dot View Case hack will allow more notifications to work with the flip cover


Here’s a good look at the OnePlus One StyleSwap replaceable back covers


Apple vs Samsung


Expert witness claims Apple’s damage calculations are wrong


Google will pay some of Samsung’s costs from Apple lawsuit in addition to joining defense


Apps – New


New Sony background defocus app released to the Play Store


IFTTT finally makes an Android version available


Apps – Updated


Domino’s Pizza now allows you to pay with Google Wallet


Google updates Hangouts app to version 2.1


Google leaks new Dialer screenshot via Twitter


Beats Music subscriber count is real low, not everyone is feeling the beat


HD Widgets 4 beta available now, to be rolled out May 1st


New image surfaces of revamped Dialer for Android


Hulu Plus adds remote control feature for gaming consoles


New YouTube update released bringing improved automatic playlist for music videos


Mailbox update delivers actionable notifications and some fixes


Cameras


Oppo to get into the attachable smartphone camera market to compete with Sony


Carriers


AT&T offering off-contract, certified like new Galaxy S 4 for $179


50GB Google Drive offer on AT&T HTC One M8 down because of glitch


LG Optimus L70 and L90 being added to Metro PCS and T-Mobile


Motorola Moto X price drops for Republic Wireless, Amazon does the same for the GSM model


Sprint Samsung Galaxy S5 to get update to fix camera and alarm bugs


Android 4.4.2 KitKat update rolling out to Verizon, US Cellular Samsung Galaxy S 4 owners


Verizon Galaxy S 5 owners experiencing ‘Camera Failed’ issue


Samsung suggesting hardware replacements for Galaxy S 5 camera failure


Android 4.4 update for Verizon’s DROID DNA starts rolling out right on time


Picture of red Verizon HTC One M8 leaked


HTC One (M8) mini said to be landing on Verizon


The Kyocera Brigadier coming to Verizon sometime soon


Chromebooks


Samsung Chromebook 2 gets delayed with no explanation


Chromecast


[New Chromecast App] – Cloudcaster allows you to cast files from the cloud


PlayOn to bring over 100 channels to Chromecast


Cloud Storage


LyveHome personal cloud device for media open for pre-orders


Gaming


Google hosting Spring Google Play sale on several premium games


NVIDIA Shield successor shows up in benchmarks with Tegra K1 CPU and 4 GB of RAM


Humble Mobile Bundle 5 adds three more titles to the package


Google


Apple and Google provide promotional offers to developers to get exclusive games first


Google issues Play Store credit for those who bought the fake “Virus Shield” app


Google is working on a stronger encryption level in Gmail


Google leaks new Dialer screenshot via Twitter


You can now buy the Nest Learning Thermostat from Google Play


Google will pay some of Samsung’s costs from Apple lawsuit in addition to joining defense


Google hosting Spring Google Play sale on several premium games


Google ‘Stars’ being tested with Chrome, allows favoriting URLs and more


Google Maps now lets you look at old Street View collections


Android mobile ad traffic trumps iOS for the first time, still lags in ad revenue though


[Breaking] Vic Gundotra is leaving Google


Google testing a mobile UI redesign called LEGO


‘Ok Google’ to get major expansion and new navigations coming to Android


Google could soon be offering WiFi service to all cities with Google Fiber


Google+


Google+ might be killed off after Vic Gundotra’s departure


Google Glass


Google Glass update brings SMS for iPhone and Calendar Glassware


Google opens Glass orders to the public, price remains at $1500


Google says Glass store opening is only temporary


United Airlines to passenger: Take off Google Glass


Home Automation


You can now buy the Nest Learning Thermostat from Google Play


Phones – Amazon


New details about Amazon’s smartphone customizations revealed


Amazon Prime Data could be major selling point for new smartphone


Phones – HTC


HTC One (M8) mini said to be landing on Verizon


Picture of red Verizon HTC One M8 leaked


50GB Google Drive offer on AT&T HTC One M8 down because of glitch


New report shows HTC One (M8) attracting Apple, Samsung owners


Android 4.4 update for Verizon’s DROID DNA starts rolling out right on time


Phones – Huawei


Huawei Ascend P7 specs leak, confirming quad-core CPU, 13 megapixel camera and extremely thin design


Phones – Kyocera


The Kyocera Brigadier coming to Verizon sometime soon


Phones – LG


LG G3 picture leaked, shows back mounted keys


Screenshots of LG G3 interface leak showing flatter, rounder design


LG G3 specs tweaked in updated Sprint UA profile


LG G3 Mini appears in leaked document and UA profile revealing a few specs


LG Optimus L70 and L90 being added to Metro PCS and T-Mobile


Phones – Meizu


Two variants of Meizu MX4 rumored to be released in August


Phones – Motorola


Next generation Motorola smartphone (XT912A) shows up in benchmark


Moto G LTE and Moto G Ferrari could be released soon


First joint Motorola / Lenovo phone could be released in October / November


Motorola Moto X price drops for Republic Wireless, Amazon does the same for the GSM model


Phones – Nexus


Low-cost Google Nexus phone may use 64-bit MediaTek chip


Phones – OnePlus


Ladies and Gentlemen, the OnePlus One has arrived — And boy does it look gorgeous


Are you willing to smash your current phone for a chance to buy a OnePlus One?


OnePlus officially starts ‘Smash the Past’ campaign, signups now live


Here’s a good look at the OnePlus One StyleSwap replaceable back covers


OnePlus One camera samples compared to Nikon 3100 DSLR, 4K sample video too


Phones – Samsung


New Galaxy phone with 2560 x 1440 display is codenamed Project KQ


Samsung SM-G906K appears in Indian shipping database, presumably belongs to Project KQ


Galaxy Note 4 display could be revealed in patent application


Samsung Galaxy K (formerly Galaxy S 5 Zoom) shows up in more photos


Samsung Galaxy S 5 Mini expected to be water and dust resistant, arrive next month


Galaxy Beam 2 listed on Samsung’s Chinese web site


Samsung Galaxy Core 2 pictures and specs leaked


Galaxy S 5 outsells iPhone 5S during respective launch weekends [Infographic]


Forget metal, Galaxy S 5 crystal edition to be launched next month


Verizon Galaxy S 5 owners experiencing ‘Camera Failed’ issue


Samsung suggesting hardware replacements for Galaxy S 5 camera failure


Sprint Samsung Galaxy S5 to get update to fix camera and alarm bugs


Samsung showcases Galaxy S 5 water and dust resistant features in new commercial


New Galaxy S 5 commercial shows how its filled with innovations that make everyday moments better


Android 4.4.2 KitKat update rolling out to Verizon, US Cellular Samsung Galaxy S 4 owners


Samsung starting to issue Android 4.4 update for the international Galaxy Note II


AT&T offering off-contract, certified like new Galaxy S 4 for $179


Korean Samsung Galaxy Note 3 Neo gets Android 4.4 KitKat


Phones – Sony


Sony Xperia Z2 is scheduled to be released in the United States this summer


Set-top boxes


Amazon, HBO reach content sharing agreement, bringing HBO GO to Fire TV


Smartwatches


Upcoming LG G Watch will offer Champagne Gold and Stealth Black color options


LG ‘W Watch’ name surfaces before the G Watch is even released


Samsung launches “Gear App Challenge” for Gear 2 apps


Sony rolls out updates to SmartWatch 2 platform


Tablets


4K tablets on the horizon


Next generation of LG tablets surface at FCC


HTC reportedly tapped for 8-inch Google Nexus tablet


Samsung Galaxy Tab 4 will be available in the U.S. starting May 1


Samsung SM-T2558 gets certified in China, sports a 7-inch display on a smartphone’s body


Sony Xperia Z2 Tablet goes up for pre-order starting at $499 for 16GB


Updates


Korean Samsung Galaxy Note 3 Neo gets Android 4.4 KitKat


Sony rolls out updates to SmartWatch 2 platform


Sprint Samsung Galaxy S5 to get update to fix camera and alarm bugs


Android 4.4 update with Sense 5.5 approved for Droid DNA, rollout to begin on April 24th


Android 4.4 update for Verizon’s DROID DNA starts rolling out right on time


Samsung starting to issue Android 4.4 update for the international Galaxy Note II


Wearables


Samsung cleared initial stock of 250,000 Gear Fit devices in 10 days


Samsung releases ad for Gear Fit showing off fitness and social features


Sony updates Lifelog app and opens it up to non-Sony smartphones


Miscellaneous


Samsung opens new Innovation Museum


Motorola Solutions signs licensing agreement with Microsoft


Netflix set to raise prices for new members by a dollar or two in some countries


Beats Music subscriber count is real low, not everyone is feeling the beat


According to study, Samsung’s apps are mostly unloved


Motorola shipped 6.5 million devices globally in Q1


Punit Soni’s Motorola Hangout now available for playback


Xiaomi plans to enter 10 new countries in the coming year


Samsung ramping up flexible display production capability


Big Android BBQ 2014 taking place October 16-18





Come comment on this article: TalkAndroid Weekly Recap for April 21 – April 27, 2014



TalkAndroid Weekly Recap for April 21 – April 27, 2014

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