Wednesday, November 6, 2013

Android World Update # Android Community

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Google Caller ID will make use of Google+ profile photos beginning next year
Nov 6th 2013, 17:05, by Robert Nelson

Android 4.4 brought a new look to the dialer and along with that comes some new features. One of those features can be found in the settings, it is listed as “Caller ID by Google.” This one is turned on by default and for now, is listed as being able to show names for people and businesses not in your contact list. Simply put, Caller ID on a mobile device, but there is more coming next year.

android-4.4-dialer-caller-id-1-319x540

For now the timeline is just listed as “early 2014″ however there was mention of phone numbers and profile photos. We mentioned the bit about the phone numbers earlier in the week. To that point, there is now a place where you can verify your phone number(s) in your Google account. That page allows you to check/uncheck your number, basically opting in or out.

Assuming you opt in, that means Google will use your number for Caller ID when someone calls you, or when you call someone. But again, you need to first verify your number and also opt-in. Along with phone numbers though, Google also has plans to use your Google+ profile photo.

According to details coming from Google, “users who have verified their phone number and have discovery turned on will have their names and Google Profile photos display whenever they call you, or you call them.” If nothing else, this should make it a bit nicer for those times when you don’t have a persons contact information stored. While this is not quite ready to go into effect, it seems like now may be a good time to make sure you have a profile image that isn’t embarrassing.

VIA: +AttilaBodis, The Verge

Swype Keyboard update adds split and mini keyboard options
Nov 6th 2013, 16:04, by Robert Nelson

SwiftKey 4.3 exited beta and arrived in the Google Play Store earlier this morning. That was the “Layouts for Living” update that added a few additional options for keyboard layouts. The update added a split keyboard for two-thumb typing and a mini keyboard for easier one-handed typing on a larger device. Well, it looks like Swype isn’t going to let the SwiftKey update go unnoticed.

swype-keyboard-update-02

The latest Swype Keyboard update arrived in the Play Store today as version 1.6.2.22328. And in this case, Swype has added what they are calling a Mini and Split keyboard. Both of these can be seen in the images here in the post, however the end result is easier typing for larger devices to include tablets and phablets.

Along with the new keyboard options, this update means the keyboard is now bilingual and also has a new theme (Blackbird) and punctuation prediction. You can now also adjust the long-press delay, vibration duration, keyboard height, keyboard layouts and word list font size.

swype-keyboard-update-01

Along with everything mentioned, there has also been some bug fixes as well as some updates to Dragon Dictation. The new Dragon Dictation features include phrase-based, real-time results and the ability to set the Dictation language independently of the main keyboard language.

Swype 1.6 can be found in the Google Play Store and this one will be arriving as a free update for those who have previously purchased the app. Finally, those looking to check out Swype, but not ready to commit with money, a free trial version is also available.

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Android World Update # T-Mobile to offer Nexus 5 in retail stores on November 20, leak suggests

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T-Mobile to offer Nexus 5 in retail stores on November 20, leak suggests
Nov 6th 2013, 16:42, by Scott Webster

T-Mobile will offer the new LG Nexus 5 smartphone in retail stores starting from November 20. According to leaked details obtained by TmoNews, the brand new device hits all channels effective two weeks from today. It’s unclear what pricing T-Mobile has in mind for the Nexus 5 but we’re hoping for something close to the Google Play Store.

We’re intrigued by the calendar’s mention of LG Sales Incentive, Samsung Holiday Sales Incentive, and Sony Black Friday Blitz. Could we be looking at drastic discounts or promotions for customers or perhaps just something to entice sales reps? There is also a line referencing LG and Sony at $0, so it gets a little more unclear.

We’ll find out more in short order!

TmoNews

The post T-Mobile to offer Nexus 5 in retail stores on November 20, leak suggests appeared first on AndroidGuys.

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Android World Update # Sony possibly making a Xperia Z Ultra with only WiFi connectivity

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Sony possibly making a Xperia Z Ultra with only WiFi connectivity
Nov 6th 2013, 17:04, by Justin Herrick

xperia_z_ultra_wifi

According to new documents, Sony may be working on a WiFi-only model of their Xperia Z Ultra. Sliding through the FCC is a device that is listed as a “mini-tablet”  and a “portable handset.” This mystery device has 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac WiFi, Bluetooth 4.0, NFC, and even a GPS; however, there is no cellular radio. With a screen that is sized at more than 6-inches, is Sony trying to aim for a new market with a small-screened tablet? We’ll just have to wait and see. Stay tuned for more info on the possibility of this interestingly unique device.

Source: FCC
Via: VR-Zone


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Android World Update # Vodafone disappears from Play Store direct carrier billing option

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Vodafone disappears from Play Store direct carrier billing option
Nov 6th 2013, 16:00, by Kris Carlon

Many European Vodafone customers up until this point in time have enjoyed the ease and convenience of being able to bill their app, movie and music purchases in the Google Play Store to their carrier account and simply pay one bill at the end of the month. Not any more. In a surprise move, both Vodafone and Google have posted announcements stating the option has been removed for certain countries. No explanation has been offered by either company.

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Now you'll have to pay upfront in the Play Store for your purchases. / © Vodafone

(This is a preview - click here to read the entire entry.)

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Android World Update # Samsung will commit half of its R&D to improving TouchWiz

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Samsung will commit half of its R&D to improving TouchWiz
Nov 6th 2013, 16:31, by Robert Nazarian

Samsung_Galaxy_S_4_Main_TASamsung just admitted what everyone already knew…TouchWiz needs a lot of work. Samsung vice chairman & CEO Kwon Oh-hyun said that the software isn’t as good as their hardware. He even compared the relationship between the two to the Boston Red Sox. The Red Sox lead the pack in batting, but their pitching was average. For Samsung, “batting” is hardware and “pitching” is software. The Red Sox were still able to win the World Series and Samsung has proven to be very successful at selling smartphones.

So the software issues haven’t slowed Samsung down, but they want to fix things before it does. The only way to fix it is to spend a little money. Kwon says that half of the Research and Development workforce will focus on improving the software. Samsung is spending roughly $12 billion annually in R&D, so this indicates they are serious.

Of course they could save a slew of money and just opt for stock Android (or at least something close to it). Wishful thinking.

source: TheVerge


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Android World Update # Samsung goes against the grain by wanting you to say “fonblet” instead of “phablet”

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Samsung goes against the grain by wanting you to say "fonblet" instead of "phablet"
Nov 6th 2013, 16:48, by Justin Herrick

samsung_fonblet

Remember when Samsung’s Galaxy Mega was known as the Samsung Fonblet? It now seems that the company wants people to keep saying “fonblet” instead of “phablet.” While speaking at Korea’s Analyst Day, CEO J.K. Shin repeatedly said the new word and it even appeared on a slide during the presentation. The word “phablet” made its way into the Oxford dictionary due to its becoming of a standard term in the industry whenever there is a handset with a very large display. Of course, it is likely that this new term will never gain traction; however, no one ever thought the Galaxy Note series would ever takeoff the way it did. Alright, maybe that’s a little bit of an exaggeration.

Source: The Wall Street Journal
Via: SamMobile


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Android World Update # Samsung sets its sights on being number one in the tablet market

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thumbnail Samsung sets its sights on being number one in the tablet market
Nov 6th 2013, 15:44, by Andrew Grush

samsung galaxy note 10.1 aa (12)

In recent years, Samsung has aggressively marketed its Galaxy smartphones and found ways to set themselves apart as the go-to brand for those looking for something different than "just another iPhone". As a result, for many less tech-savvy individuals the "Galaxy" brand has become nearly synonymous with the word Android.

Winning over the smartphone market is impressive, but Samsung has its sights on even more. At a special Analysts Day event held today in South Korea, we learned about Samsung's future tech plans when it comes to CPUs, displays and even cameras.

Beyond that, the company's CEO JK Shin also revealed that their latest goal is to steal the tablet crown from Apple, and become the "most beloved" company in the mobile world. Of course Shin gave no exact time-line for this feat.

For many consumers the iPad is still considered the "gold standard" when it comes to tablets, but Samsung is already starting to catch up. According to Shin, Sammy is expected to sell over 40 million tablets this year, double the amount they sold in 2012.

In contrast, Apple is estimated to sell around 72 million devices this year, versus 65.7 million in 2012. In other words, Apple's tablet growth is starting to slow down, while Samsung is finally starting to see a major jump up in support.

Can Samsung accomplish this goal?

So what stands in Samsung's way? If their growth continues at this rate, we imagine very little. Traditionally though, Android has been known by consumers as a "weaker" platform when it comes to tablet apps, which may have previously held back Samsung's growth.

The good news is that the number of tablet-optimized apps for Android seems to be on the rise and Google has even begun pushing several changes to its Play Store that should help further stimulate the growth of Android tablet apps.

Another area of weakness for Samsung has been its overall specs, particularly when it comes to displays. While Samsung brings its A-game with most of its smartphones, Samsung's tablets are often good but not necessarily "great" when you consider their price tag.

An example of this is the Galaxy Tab 3, which packs a dual-core CPU and a 1024×600 resolution display and yet is only $50 cheaper than the Nexus 7 2013.

Of course, not all Samsung tablets feature lower-end specs and displays — devices like the Galaxy Note 10.1 (2014 edition) come to mind. And if the rumor mill is correct, we could also see unique Samsung tablets in 12 and 13-inch form factors that could also help Samsung gain momentum in the tablet world.

What do you think of Samsung's current tablet efforts, what needs to change if the Korean giant really wishes to topple Apple's throne? Conversely, do you feel that Samsung's tablets are already some of the best Android tablets on the market?

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Android World Update # T-Mobile Moto X Android 4.4 KitKat firmware reportedly leaked

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thumbnail T-Mobile Moto X Android 4.4 KitKat firmware reportedly leaked
Nov 6th 2013, 16:05, by Chris Smith

T-Mobile Moto X KitKat

An alleged Moto X Android 4.4 KitKat version has apparently been leaked, with Google's latest Android OS having been launched less than a week.

Naturally, considering that Motorola is a Google subsidiary, we're not exactly surprised to see that a leaked KitKat build for Moto's top handset has found its way online, even though Google still maintains its "no favorites" policy when it comes to Motorola Android devices.

That said, we have no idea when the Moto X will be officially updated to Android 4.4 KitKat, as we're currently looking only at a KitKat version for the T-Mobile Moto X. Interestingly, the build appears to be "fully functional," according to xda-developers – as you can see in the screenshot gallery below, some of the KitKat design elements are already present, but not all of them.

As always with leaked firmware versions, we advise caution in case you proceed this way, not that we're encouraging you to install unofficial software on your Moto X or anything like that.

Make sure you backup your device, and follow the flashing procedure as described (see Source links below), in case you want to test it out, but we'll remind you that you're the only person responsible for whatever happens to your Moto X.

T-Mobile Moto X KitKat
T-Mobile Moto X KitKat
t-mobile-moto-x-kitkat-leak-4
T-Mobile Moto X KitKat


From a different point of view, the Moto X is only one of the Android handsets that are already running unofficial KitKat builds, with the list also including devices such as the Nexus 4, Nexus 7, Galaxy Nexus, HTC One, Xperia Z. Not to mention that work on CyanogenMod 11 is also underway.

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Android World Update # Get your fingers sticky with a little physics puzzle game called Green Jelly

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Get your fingers sticky with a little physics puzzle game called Green Jelly
Nov 6th 2013, 16:04, by Paul Acevedo

Green Jelly for Android

There's no shortage of Cut the Rope games out there, I know. But maybe you've been thinking that's not enough. You need more physics puzzlers to play on the go. I've been there, man.

One of my favorite games in that style has long been Spider Jack, which comes from a Russian developed called MaxNick. Their latest physics puzzler Green Jelly (not to be confused with Jelly Bean or that rock band) plays a lot like Cut the Rope, but it also has some clever gameplay mechanics of its own that make it worth a look.

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