Sunday, November 3, 2013

Android World Update # Did Google just leak a Nexus 8 tablet?

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thumbnail Did Google just leak a Nexus 8 tablet?
Nov 2nd 2013, 23:11, by Adam Koueider

Nexus 8 leak

Google has certainly had a big week. It’s dropped new features for Google Plus, launched a Hangouts app with SMS functionality, and also released the much anticipated Nexus 5 and Android 4.4 Kit Kat. However, there were a few surprises, including the lack of an update to the Nexus 10.

If a tablet larger than the Nexus 7 (2013) is what you had in mind, but you didn’t like the Nexus 10, Google just might be readying a Nexus 8 tablet.

Originally spotted by Britoid on The Verge Forums, an odd looking tablet was pictured in Google’s own promotional material for the revamped Android page for Android 4.4 KitKat. The picture is found at the bottom of the Apps & Entertainment page, and reveals a woman holding a tablet with very thin bezels.

The bezels are much thinner than the ones found on the Nexus 7 (2013), and the device also appears to be running Android 4.4 KitKat (apparent due to the white status bar icons). The tablet looks to keep to a similar overall size when compared to the Nexus 7 (2013), leading us to believe that Google could be readying a Nexus 8 tablet.

While this could be a Nexus 8, it's equally likely that it's just a marketing error, and a badly simulated screenshot.

Before you get your hopes up too high, it could just be that this is a marketing mistake, and that it’s just a Nexus 7 with a poorly simulated screenshot on top. We will keep our eyes peeled for any more information on this mystery device, and we’ll keep you updated.

Do you think this is a real product that Google is preparing? Or just a simple marketing error? Would you be interested in an 8-inch Nexus tablet?

Media files:
Nexus 8 leak
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Posted by at 5:20 AM 0 comments

Android World Update # Android Community

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Photospheres getting a big fix in Android 4.4
Nov 2nd 2013, 23:12, by Nate Swanner

Photospheres are great — in theory. In practice, we often have a tough time getting it right. Sometimes, it's not even our fault, either. We stand still, we rotate slowly, but there are still half clouds or people who’s right arm sits over their left leg.

photosphere-create


That's all set to change with Android 4.4, though. According to Googler Evan Rapoport, the stitching for Photospheres is changing in the next iteration of Android. The stitching is what binds those various pics together, and what often makes them look just a bit off. Now, the software will actually give us a helping hand when stitching, not just do it for us.

The new process is called "optimal seam finding", in which your device will actually scan the pic, and the others you took, to find out just where the pic should go together. Essentially, your camera software is examining the pics, and identifying two objects that should match up correctly. The team has also made the stitching faster by using a multi-threading protocol.

This doesn't mean we can slack when taking photospheres, but it should help in those situations where you've done your job, only to have the sphere ruined by stitching. Photospheres are already a really cool leap forward, so it's exciting to see such a timely fix for one of the few things holding it back.

There's another Android smartwatch coming this December
Nov 2nd 2013, 22:44, by Nate Swanner

From Samsung to upstarts like Omate, everyone’s rushing to the smartwatch game. Whether you have one, want one, or are fairly removed from the situation, wearable technology is about to be the new proving ground for mobile technology. As we wade through the early entrants, we're still waiting on heavy hitters like google or Apple to make their mark.

Android Smartwatch


Anxiously, we wait for the true Android smartwatch from Google. We've heard rumors about it being Google Now based (yes, please), but still have nothing concrete. There is another Android smartwatch coming this December. This one is from the Android watch company, and will run — you guessed it — Android.

Their introductory commercial, which you can see below, is flashy and light on details. To us, it looks like a Pebble, except it has a color screen. It doesn't seem to do much more than push notifications and let you make calls (probably via tethering to your phone). There is no pricing mentioned, either — just a timeframe of "December".

It's another in a long line of smartwatches to… watch… but it's probably not going to make a big splash. If the price is right, they could move some units. If they support the Developers who support them, it could be that much better. If something from the likes of Google or Apple hits this holiday season, this one could be D.O.A.
VIA: Android Mixer
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Posted by at 4:50 AM 0 comments

Android World Update # Nexus 5 camera samples and first impressions

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Nexus 5 camera samples and first impressions
Nov 2nd 2013, 22:35, by Alex Dobie

Nexus 5 camera

A quick overview of the new Nexus's photographic capabilities

Google's Nexus smartphones don't have the best reputation when it comes to photography. The Galaxy Nexus's rear camera was a pretty big disappointment, and the Nexus 4's was little more than adequate, despite the introduction of new features like Photosphere. So will this year be any different? Google certainly seems to thinks so — the LG-built Nexus 5 is pitched as a device for capturing "the everyday and the epic," boasting a new HDR+ mode and optical image stabilization (OIS) while maintaining megapixel parity with the last-gen Nexus, with its 8MP rear shooter. It also boasts a larger 1/3.2-inch sensor and f/2.4 aperture.

But is it any good in the real world? Let's find out after the break.

read more


    
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Posted by at 4:35 AM 0 comments

Android World Update # Is Google hinting at a Nexus 8? If so, they aren’t very shy about it

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Is Google hinting at a Nexus 8? If so, they aren't very shy about it
Nov 2nd 2013, 21:51, by Justin Herrick

nexus_8_promotional

Google may be hinting at the release of a brand new device. Found by a member of The Verge Forums, it seems that Google could be launching a new tablet with an 8-inch screen. We know Google has a very interesting way of leading up to an announcement, just look at KitKat. In the image above (with the full size after the break), you can see that this tablet is not the usual Nexus 7. This has smaller bezels on the top and bottom with wider sides. Also, it is running KitKat. Could this launch alongside the new Nexus 10? That seems to be how this will play out if the Nexus 8 is indeed real. Google could be launching both this new device with the Nexus 10 to give consumers a wide variety of choice this holiday season.

nexus_8_promotional_fullsize

Source: The Verge Forums, Ars Technica


Come comment on this article: Is Google hinting at a Nexus 8? If so, they aren’t very shy about it

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Posted by at 3:22 AM 0 comments

Android World Update # Google assures everyone that ads are NOT coming to the KitKat Dialer

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Google assures everyone that ads are NOT coming to the KitKat Dialer
Nov 2nd 2013, 21:18, by Justin Herrick

dialer_kitkat

According to Android Police, there were strings of code hidden inside the Android 4.4 KitKat Dialer that involved advertisements. The strings in question have to do with ads being enabled and disabled. Being that it is in the Dialer app, it would mean that as you search for a contact such as a business, you would get relevant ads. Another set a strings included Google’s AdMob advertising network. But don’t worry because a reader was quick to point out that this kind of stuff has been appearing in Dialer / Phone apps in the past.

Ars Technica’s Ron Amadeo was able to get in touch with Google and the company assured him that advertisements are not coming to the Dialer app. The strings were merely old and left behind. So breathe easy move along with your day, folks.

Source: Android Police, Ars Technica


Come comment on this article: Google assures everyone that ads are NOT coming to the KitKat Dialer

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Posted by at 3:16 AM 0 comments

Android World Update # Best Buy lists 'Sprint' Nexus 5 for $449 off-contract

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Best Buy lists 'Sprint' Nexus 5 for $449 off-contract
Nov 2nd 2013, 21:10, by Andrew Martonik

LG Nexus 5

Pricing mirrors what Sprint is charging for the phone directly 

Best Buy's online store has started listing a "Sprint" Nexus 5, mirroring the same on- and off-contract pricing as the carrier's own store. We're looking at a $149.99 price for signing a new agreement, and $449.99 for the phone with no strings attached. All indications are that this is the exact same "D820" model as listed in the Play Store, which we would expect.

Many of us probably could have guessed that Best Buy was going to jack up the price a bit more, so it's good to see only a $100 premium placed on the phone outside of Google Play. Taking into account that you'll pay about $15 for shipping from the Play Store, it's not too terrible of a deal to pay $85 extra to have it right away — and with Google's own stock dwindling, you may have a better shot at picking one up from Best Buy.

The device is currently listed in both black and white in 16GB capacity on the site, and still has a "Pre-Order" button at this point. We can likely expect it to actually go on sale on November 8th, the same date Sprint is set to sell them.

Source: Best Buy


    
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Posted by at 2:44 AM 0 comments
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