| Google Hangouts updated with more emoji faces and speed tweaks Jul 26th 2013, 17:19, by Cory Gunther Google has been rather busy over the past few weeks. From updates to Google Maps, a new Nexus 7, Android 4.3 more, and now we’re seeing another update for their popular Hangouts chat app. It started arriving for users in stages earlier this week, but the official update for Hangouts is now readily available for all. If you like emoji support, you’ll want to grab it. 
First off we’ll start with the changes and new stuff, then talk about what’s still missing, and things we’d like to see. The update to hangouts brought more butter (like Jelly Bean butter) which is Google’s way of saying they’ve improved the performance. Hangouts should now be buttery smooth and as they said in the changelog, “faster and slicker.” The new Hangouts added tons of additional emoji options, faces, smileys, and things of that nature. So get crazy with those emojis and make something fun. Then of course like all updates it also states bug fixes. So while there isn’t too much here, hopefully the performance increase will be noticeable, because we experience a little more lag than we’d like at times. Now for what’s not here. There’s no SMS or Google Voice yet, so that’s a major bummer. That’s really all I’m waiting for and I’ll be set. Another feature would be setting notifications on/off to be separate from the desktop, but everything is synced. Overall a minor update, but grab it below and give it a try. VIA: Play Store |  | Android 4.3 update now rolling out for more Nexus 7 users Jul 26th 2013, 16:46, by Cory Gunther Earlier this week Google officially took the wraps off of Android 4.3 Jelly Bean, as well as the new and improved Nexus 7, but for those with last years model an update is on the way. As you all probably know, Wednesday Google also announced the 4.3 update was rolling out to all the recent Nexus devices, but it has been a slow and staged push. 
Both of my stock Nexus 7 tablets received the update late last night, instead of on Wednesday when Google announced the update was rolling out, and we’ve received multiple tips this morning that other users are finally seeing it today. All those tips and tricks to get it early never seem to work anyways. So for those who are sitting at home tapping that “check for updates” button still, it appears that Google’s finally rolling this out at a wider range and it should be arriving for your tablet any moment now. However, if you still don’t want to wait the official update download file is available below. 
Instead of making a long how to, we’ll just drop the official Android 4.2.2 to 4.3 WiFi Nexus 7 update.zip below, and those interested can grab it. In order to install you’ll need to boot into the stock recovery and flash it via ‘adb sideload’ with the SDK, or of course a custom recovery will have you up and running with the new update in minutes. For all that’s new with Android 4.3 hit the timeline of news links below, then grab the download file and get started. Download: Nexus 7 Android 4.3 | | Samsung Galaxy S 4 turns up in brown, blue and purple Jul 26th 2013, 16:37, by Robert Nelson We knew Samsung had plans to release the Galaxy S 4 in several additional colors and it looks like a few have recently arrived. Verizon has recently launched the Galaxy S 4 in brown and a blue version has appeared in the UK. There has also been a recently leaked image showing the handset in purple. The purple handset is still a bit of a mystery at the moment, however we do have some details on the brown and blue. 
The brown Galaxy S 4 is dubbed “Brown Autumn” and Verizon has said this one will only be available online. The black and white models of the Galaxy S 4 remain available with the carrier and the price is $199 (on a two-year agreement) regardless of the color you choose. Just to clarify though, the brown model Galaxy S 4 is only available in the 16GB variety. Those looking for 32GB of storage in a Verizon branded Galaxy S 4 will will have to choose between black or white. Similar to the Autumn Brown being an online exclusive for Verizon Wireless, the blue Galaxy S 4 is also arriving as an exclusive. The blue is dubbed “Arctic Blue” and the exclusivity is for those in the UK. This model will be exclusive with Phones 4u and available both online and in retail stores. Those looking to pick this model up will have a choice of carriers to include Vodafone, T-Mobile, Orange and EE. 
The purple Galaxy S 4 turned up on the Chinese language ePrice and there wasn’t much revealed in terms of details. This color is expected to arrive for those in Taiwan and at the moment was said to be a 16GB model that doesn’t support LTE. Those details aside, it does look like it would be a good option for those who are fans of the color purple. But with that in mind, we have yet to see anything that hints at a release outside of Taiwan. VIA: unwired view | | Samsung Galaxy Note III looks locked in at 5.7-inches Jul 26th 2013, 15:51, by Robert Nelson Another round of Galaxy Note III leaks have surfaced. This latest brings another ‘confirmation’ of specs by way of a report coming out of the Korean language MK News. Some of these specs appear to be a recap of what we have already seen, however there has also been a nice breakdown of what the various Galaxy Note III model numbers actually mean. To begin with though, lets talk some specs. 
The Galaxy Note III should arrive with a 5.7-inch 1080p display. Specifically, with a display resolution of 1920 x 1080. This bit was confirmed by way of a UAProf listing which reflected the Note III with model numbers of SM-N900T and SM-N900A. The folks at Samsung-Updates have detailed those models numbers and it looks like the “T” and “A” will be heading to the US. The N900T is destined for T-Mobile and the N900A should be heading to AT&T. Other Galaxy Note III model numbers show the N900V for Verizon Wireless and the N900S for Sprint. There was also mention of a N900R4 and N900P however those are currently unknown at the moment. The final two model numbers include the N9005 and the N900 with these being the Snapdragon and Exynos variants respectively. While still not officially confirmed, the N9005 is expected to arrive with a Snapdragon 800 processor. That MK News report also tips an LTE-A version for those in Korea. That LTE-A model will be powered by a Snapdragon 800 processor. The other bit here, that same report is suggesting that a September announcement and the 5.7-inch display size has been confirmed. Of course, as we often point out — nothing has been officially confirmed until we hear it direct from Samsung. Other still unconfirmed specs show the Galaxy Note III as having 3GB of RAM and a 13 megapixel rear-facing camera. The Note III had been previously expected to arrive with Android 4.2.2 Jelly Bean, however given the recent Android 4.3 announcement there now appears to be some hope that could change. Regardless of which version of Android ships with the Note III, the handset will also have TouchWiz. All that being said, we are expecting Samsung to end these rumors during IFA 2013, which takes place in September. | |
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