HTC One M8 Gets a New Update. Android 4.4.2 Hits the T-Mobile LG G-Flex. – Device Updates
Monday is almost over my friends, so let’s see if your device is getting an update. Not too many updates this week. The unlocked and developer edition of the HTC One M8 gets a nice little update, while the T-Mobile LG G-Flex gets some tasty Android 4.4.2. So keep on a lookout for those.
Device Updates
Developer and unlocked HTC One M8 gets an update
T-Mobile LG G-Flex gets Android 4.4.2
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AMD plays both sides of the CPU wars with chips that use the same socket
Typically, you can’t reuse many parts when you switch processor technologies; if you change chips, you change the entire motherboard at the same time. That won’t be true for AMD in the future, though. It’s working on a common chip framework, Project Skybridge, that will let 2015-era ARM and x86 system-on-chip processors share the same pin layout. In other words, a basic motherboard design could handle both CPU types.
This doesn’t mean that you’d get to walk into a computer store, buy a motherboard and use your choice of ARM or x86 hardware in your new desktop. Rather, Project Skybridge would be for mobile and embedded gadgets — neither AMD nor device makers will have to reinvent the wheel just because they’re thinking of building x86-based Android tablets or ARM-based industrial gear. It’s also a hedge against obsolescence. AMD sees the computing world shifting toward ARM, and it doesn’t want to be stuck supporting only Intel’s x86 technology in the long run.
That’s just the start of the semiconductor firm’s expanded ARM plans, too. A 2016 core, K12, will be AMD’s first 64-bit ARM design. Most of its details are a mystery, but AMD says that the new processor focuses on high frequencies (clock speeds) and expanding ARM’s sphere of influence. That suggests that K12 will target heavy-duty tasks. It may not wind up in your pocket, then, but it could handle more duties that were previously reserved for desktops.
Via: AnandTech (1), (2)
Source: AMD
Frontback – A Photo Sharing App for the Selfie Generation
There is no shortage of great social networks that are focused on sharing pictures. Frontback (which initially gained popularity on iOS some time ago) has made the leap to Android, and brings with it all the goodies that you would expect.
Frontback, at its core, is an application that utilizes the front and back cameras on your Android devices, and stitches them together into one fun image.You need to create an account to join in on the fun, and Frontback has made that easy by making login with Google a possibility. After login, Frontback will suggest some popular users in its community of over 1 million users, and you’re off. You can begin snapping your front and back photos to your hearts desire, and share them on Frontback’s network, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Tumblr.
Some of Frontback’s features include the ability to switch between cameras, retake photos, set a self-timer, and flip images. The practical implications are great, but there are also some wildly creative and fun ways to utilize both cameras. You can check out the staff picks to get some creative ideas!
For a free app, Frontback is well made, and will continue to grow. The community is active and the photos are great! I definitely recommend checking this one out.
The post Frontback – A Photo Sharing App for the Selfie Generation appeared first on AndroidGuys.
Samsung’s Galaxy S5 now comes in a tweaker-friendly Verizon model
Fancy a Galaxy S5 on Verizon, but still want the freedom of tweaking your smartphone to your heart’s content? Today’s your lucky day. Samsung has just released a Developer Edition of the Android smartphone that’s built for Big Red’s network. The device is largely identical to what you’d find in the local carrier store, including branding. You’re just getting an unlocked bootloader that will make it easier to install unofficial firmware. This special GS5 is also expensive at $599 contract-free, but that’s what you’d shell out for the regular Verizon model on similar terms — if you’re already willing to pay full price, you might as well get more control over the device you buy.
Filed under: Cellphones, Mobile, Samsung, Verizon
Via: Droid-Life
Source: Samsung
Nokia Refocusing on HERE Maps Integration for iOS and Android [iOS Blog]
A pair of LinkedIn job listings spotted by Nokia Power User is being interpreted as a sign that Nokia’s HERE mapping and location services may be returning to iOS, but Nokia’s Pino Bonetti points out that the company is simply focused on delivering SDK tools to allow third-party developers to incorporate HERE maps into their apps.
Hi guys, just to clarify, a mobile SDK is not an app. We are providing tools to our partners so that they can build apps with our maps. We already announced this on our blog (HERE Three Sixty) and you can already see some action: Amazon is using our maps in their Kindle Fire, Deutsche Telekom is using our maps for their Arrival Control app on iOS and Android.
With Microsoft having closed its purchase of Nokia’s devices unit late last month, a scaled-down Nokia will need to focus on other areas where it holds a leadership advantage, and HERE is one way Nokia can leverage its NAVTEQ mapping expertise.
As for a standalone HERE app for iOS, it does not appear that Nokia has any public plans to return to the platform. Nokia’s HERE Maps app was previously available to iOS owners, but the app was pulled by Nokia last December due to compatibility problems with iOS 7. The company put the blame for the removal on Apple, claiming that changes in iOS 7 “harm the user experience.”
The job listings seek experienced developers to work on the company’s mobile engineering team as they assist in the building of “advanced location-based services applications for the Android and iOS platforms.”
As an Android / iOS developer you will be a key member of our growing mobile engineering team, developing industry-leading mobile SDKs / applications. This is an experienced position that requires fluency in the latest Java capabilities and improvements in the Android and iOS SDK. The ideal candidate is motivated to explore and deliver the best possible solutions to our customers.
Formerly known as Nokia Maps and Ovi Maps, the HERE service uses the Nokia-owned NAVTEQ mapping database to provide navigation services, transit maps and points-of-interest information. Nokia HERE is one of three business units remaining after Microsoft acquired Nokia’s mobile devices and services business.
HERE is attempting to gain traction in a crowded iOS marketplace dominated by rival Google Maps, iOS Maps and other third-party apps from Navigon and TomTom. After a rocky start in iOS 6 and some improvements and visual changes in iOS 7, Apple is rumored to be bolstering its Maps application in iOS 8 with new transit information, expanded points of interest, and improved cartography.
John McAfee’s latest project is yet another secure messaging app
Now that John McAfee’s days of running from the law appear to be over, he’s been left with plenty of time to slam the company he founded and mull over products that originally made him famous. We’ve already heard about DeCentral, a pocket-sized device that’s designed to block government agencies by creating secure private networks (that we’ve yet to lay eyes on), but the anti-virus pioneer has also been working on some new software tools too. One of those is Chadder, a secure messaging app that joins a long list of existing encryption-toting messaging services (think Wickr or Telegram) that promise to stop your communications from being spied upon by the NSA and other nefarious types.
What makes it different from its rivals? At the moment, nothing. Its design is basic, users aren’t afforded many customization options and the app’s friend-finding tools make it extremely difficult to do exactly that. It does have a engaging tagline though: “Say what you want! (We can’t see it anyway!)” McAfee and co. will hope the personal touch will kickstart downloads of the beta app, which is available on both Google Play and the Windows Phone Store. Expect to see it go live on the App Store “in the coming weeks.”
Via: Business Insider
Source: Chadder, (Google Play), (Windows Phone)
FTL: Faster Than Light on Android could be a future possibility according to designer Justin Ma
FTL: Faster Than Light was the surprise indie game story of 2012 whereby indie developer Subset Games managed to produce a game that was so addictive and engaging for its players that it has warranted an iOS version and an updated Advanced Edition release earlier this year. It’s not often that indie developers hit gold like this in an industry that is increasingly thriving with indie projects, but in an interview with Pocket Gamer, designer Justin Ma and Subset Games intend to use their success to help launch their future projects which could include FTL: Faster Than Light on Android.
While Ma says that “we’re really PC guys at heart” and that I doubt we’ll start a project with touchscreens in mind”, they’re surprised at the sales performance of FTL on iOS despite its higher pricing than most other games on the App Store. In that same vein, Ma says that “we’ll be looking into the possibility of getting FTL onto Android tablets” which is definitely something I think we’d all love considering how popular FTL has been on every platform it has touched. As for whether Subset Games is planning a sequel to the game that shot them into the limelight, Ma says “I wouldn’t entirely discount the possibility, but it’s definitely not something we’ll be diving into any time soon.”
Would you be interested in FTL: Faster Than Light on Android? Have you played the game on PC or iOS, and what did you think of it? Share your experiences with us in the comments.
Source: Pocket Gamer via Phone Arena
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If you want to make an Android phone with Google, here’s some of the rules
Before large (and even larger) sums of money were asked of Samsung and Apple, the legal brawl between the pair kept dragging a third party, Google, into the discussion. A big part of this was the Mobile Application Distribution Agreement (MADA) between the internet company and Samsung which laid out how the latter would support the former in patent claims. Now the spotlights on this agreement, with a recent class action suit claiming that parts violate antitrust laws. Recode‘s uploaded the agreements between Samsung, HTC and Google, which touch on some of the rules of making an Android smartphone.
According the paperwork, If manufacturers want to use a single Google app on their forthcoming Android phone, then you have to install all of them. Even Google Play Newstand. Other (obvious) points outline that Google must be the default search engine (we’re shocked), and that the search box (and some apps like Google Play, then Android Market), be “at least immediately adjacent to the Default Home Screen”. And if you’re a smartphone maker willing to forgo Google Maps, Gmail and the rest, well, there’s always that open source version.
Filed under: Cellphones, Mobile, Samsung, HTC, Google
Via: Recode
Source: Samsung’s MADA, HTC’s MADA
HTC One (M8) Mini 2 leak reveals a single rear camera
Notorious leaker Evleaks has taken to Twitter to reveal what looks like the HTC One M8 Mini or what it is actually being called the HTC One Mini 2 according to the leak, dropping the M8 designation.
In addition to the name change, it seems that the HTC One Mini 2 won’t have the same Duo Camera setup as seen on the HTC One M8, but instead will have a single 13-Megapixel camera.
HTC One mini 2, 2014 pic.twitter.com/s3wXCD1gyA
— @evleaks (@evleaks) May 4, 2014
The upcoming HTC One Mini 2 will run Android 4.4.2 KitKat with the latest Sense 6.0 UI and will be powered by a quad-core Snapdragon 400 processor running at 1.7GHz. In addition, the device will have 1GB of RAM, a 4.5-inch display, and a 720 x 1280 resolution, with 16GB of internal storage via a microSD card.
So there doesn’t seem to be any surprises when it comes to the look of the device, but it seems HTC have chosen to drop the M8 naming convention the big brother device seems to have adopted to differentiate from its earlier version.
The post HTC One (M8) Mini 2 leak reveals a single rear camera appeared first on AndroidGuys.
Google Drive to lose document editing, prompt downloads of Docs and Sheets apps
Looks like the new Docs and Sheets apps were harbingers of changes for Google Drive. The good folks at Android Police parsed Drive’s new, currently unreleased version and discovered that it no longer has document or sheet editing capabilities. Should you try to make changes, the app prompts you to download the appropriate app to do so. Choose not to download and attempt to open a file, and you’ll be greeted by a view-only mode. While users may be a bit miffed at being force-fed a pair of new apps, it may prove beneficial. Separating the doc editing and cloud storage components will (presumably) let Google streamline the experience for each and give you option to download only the apps you need.
Source: Android Police
AIVAnet 