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Samsung adds to Galaxy line with new Kitkat budget phones

Samsung is looking to expand its line of Galaxy phones (does anyone actually know how many there are now?) with four new additions that will sit cleanly at the “budget phone” strata for the South Korean smartphone giant – the Galaxy Core II, Galaxy Ace 4, Galaxy Young 2, and the Galaxy Star 2. Allow us to briefly take you through the highlights of each.



The most premium of the four would have to be the Galaxy Core II, the only handset on offer I this group with a 1.2Ghz quad core processor to power an 480 x 800 4.5-inch display (207 ppi). It retains the dual-sim capabilities of its predecessor, but the Galaxy Core II is definitely an improvement from the earlier Galaxy Core primarily because Samsung decided that this group would come with Android 4.4 Kitkat out of the box. A powerful 2,000mAh battery will be a good addition to the overall mid-to-budget tier packaging of this handset.


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As with the ones that came before, this fourth edition of the Galaxy Ace concentrates on portability and simplicity. On first inspection, we can’t really see any new and radical additions to the Galaxy Ace 4 other than that it comes with Android Kitkat out of the box. It still retains the 480 x 800 4.0-inch screen (233 ppi) as with its predecessor. Samsung will be releasing an LTE-capable version of the Galaxy Ace 4, which will also have a bit more RAM (1GB for LTE, 512MB for 3G) than its 3G variant. Both variants will come with 4GB internal memory.


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The new Galaxy Young 2 now bears the “Duos” branding that was lacking in its earlier version even though it was already a dual-sim phone before. The Galaxy Young 2 is similarly compact with a 320 x 480 3.5-inch screen powered by a 1.0Ghz single core processor. The major improvement again comes with Android Kitkat, generously sprinkled over with TouchWiz Essence UI.


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Lastly, the Galaxy Star 2 also now carries Samsung’s “Duos” branding to indicate that this is a dual-sim phone (as was its predecessor, mind) and leverages on its portability. Its meager specs also include a small 320 x 480 3.5-inch screen, making the phone small enough to handle with one hand (and then some). It’s powered by a single core 1.0Ghz processor and has a modest 2MP camera for quick snaps. It comes with Android 4.4 Kitkat out of the box as well.


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As we said, this group lands squarely at the budget end of Samsung’s devices, which is well and good – but it begs the question, how much of this is marketing and how much of this is actually redundant? It may be that Samsung is positioning the devices for different regions, but with specs at the very modest end, wouldn’t it have been better to consolidate their efforts on fewer devices? But that’s just us asking the obvious questions. Whatever the reasoning, the fact of the matter is that it seems Samsung just upgraded its budget phone line up to Android Kitkat.


SOURCE: Samsung





ASUS PadFone 2 gets promised KitKat, ZenUI update

Right on the dot, ASUS is delivering Android 4.4 to its 2012 smartphone/tablet hybrid, the PadFone 2. But while many owners are undoubtedly grateful for the most recent Android version to a 2 year-old niche device, the update process for the PadFone 2 is a bit more involved and more destructive compared to other smartphones similarly updated to KitKat.



Last February, ASUS promised to deliver the then still fresh and new Android 4.4 version to almost all of its PadFone line, starting with the PadFone 2 and the older PadFone Infinity. The schedule was slated for the end of Q2 2014 which is practically today. The update for the PadFone 2 has been delivered as promised, but unfortunately the ASUS PadFone Infinity isn't so lucky, with no sign of the update anywhere in sight.


PadFone 2 owners shouldn't consider themselves completely lucky just yet. While the update is indeed already available on ASUS' support page, the process isn't as easy. Usually, Android devices would get Android updates delivered over the air, or OTA. In this case, ASUS is only providing a flashable ZIP image. Those who flash ROMs will most likely be familiar with this process, but majority of users won't. Users must also take care to backup their device before attempting the upgrade, as the flashing process will wipe out the PadFone 2. After following the instructions, which ASUS fortunately provided, they will then have to restore what they backed up in order to get back to a working state.


That said, should they survive the ordeal, users will be greeted by Android 4.4.2, up from the default Android 4.1 on the device. They will also have ASUS' custom Android experience, ZenUI, installed on the PadFone 2, taking this 2012 machine forward to the same ranks as the company's latest devices. Aside from the old PadFone Infinity, ASUS has also promised an update to the PadFone A80 for Europe around this same period. The new PadFone Infinity A86, however, is scheduled to get Android 4.4 only in the third quarter.


SOURCE: ASUS, (PDF)


First Android Wear apps appear, disappear on Play Store

Maybe it was a fluke, or over eagerness, or maybe plain human error. But what could be the first third-party Android Wear apps on Google Play Store were published a while ago. But just as quickly as it came, it also disappeared just as suddenly with nary an explanation, which makes the whole thing a tad suspicious.



The apps themselves are nothing groundbreaking or totally exciting. They're just basic utilities you may or may not want to find in a smartwatch. A compass is almost a no-brainer, considering the sensors available to smartwatches today. In fact, both the LG G Watch and Samsung Gear Live have compass apps, which makes this Wear Compass app a bit superfluous. However, the Wear Calc might be a different case. Though some might debate the usability of a calculator on small screen, anyone who has been in the situation of fumbling around trying to reach for a smartphone or a calculator at a moment's notice will likely appreciate this app.


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Unfortunately, the apps were pulled down suddenly. And like many such Google Play Store removals, there is no explanation provided, which will leave users who know about these apps left scratching their heads and conjuring up theories. Considering how new the Android Wear platform is, its not hard to imagine the apps hitting some legal or technical landmines. Some might also doubt the credibility of the developers, though its seems that app makers MKIISoft have been around the block a few times already. Whatever may be the reason, we'll just have to wait for the apps to pop up again, if they ever will, or for the flood of Android Wear apps coming our way once the first Android Wear smartwatches start shipping.


Technically, though, these two aren't the first third-party Android Wear apps overall, they just happen to be the first to plant the flag on Google Play Store, possibly with repercussions. The distinction could probably be awarded to Minuum, who yesterday announced version 2.7 of their strange virtual keyboard with support for smartwatches, not just Android Wear but Omate TrueSmart as well. Of course, Minuum doesn't come for free but at least, unlike Wear Compass and Wear Calc, it is up on Google Play Store.


Xiaomi Mi4 blurry pic shows thin bezels, round corners

With its first tablet under its belt and a new US market in its sights, Xiaomi is gearing up for its next flagship, the Xiaomi Mi 4, Mi-4, or Miphone 4, however you want to call it. It seems that aside from going with a metallic frame, the company will be taking the device on a bezel diet and will be giving back some curve to its corners.



While many on the western half of the world would quickly pan Chinese smartphones and tablets, some brands carry some more weight than others. Xiaomi is probably one of those right at the top. Their devices sell out in just minutes, at most an hour, when they launch in China. They recently came into the global spotlight when they managed to make a high-profile hire of none other than former Google VP Hugo Barra. They have recently begun their international trek outside of their home Chinese markets, but are yet to reach the US and Europe. The Mi 4 could very well be the smartphone that makes that voyage.


This upcoming flagship was previously leaked to have a metal frame, a bit unusual for a manufacturer that tries to keep its devices low-cost. This new leaked photo gives further insight to the external design direction that Xiaomi is taking the Mi 4. According to the Weibo post, the bezels have been reduced to give more room for the screen, as evidenced by this side by side comparison between the Mi 4 on the left and the Mi 3 on the right. Also noticeable is the fact that this leaked model sports more rounded corners compared to the hard edges of the Mi 3, a design that it used with the Mi 2 before.


So far only the face, and rear, of the Xiaomi Mi 4 have been leaked and we still no very little about the smartphone's innards. But judging by Xiaomi's previous flagships, we can expect it to have high-end specs competitive with its market rivals like OPPO and OnePlus. Hopefully Xiaomi won't resort to lower specs or cheaper brands just to offset build costs if it does eschew plastic for aluminum in the end.


VIA: Weibo





SuperSU updated with Android L preview compatibility

While the announcement of Android L has brought, or at least teased, several improvements for the platform, there are those that look at the next Android release with a sense of foreboding. Aside from Google potentially exercising more control over the OS' user interface direction, there are also fears about rooting becoming extremely difficult. Fortunately, SuperSU developer Chainfire's post-I/O report paints a less bleak picture.



Chainfire's previous posts were full of caution and analysis of how rooting will substantially change in future version of Android, based on source code changes in the Android Open Source Project (AOSP) codebase. Fortunately, those have not yet come to pass. This isn't actually surprising because the current state of AOSP isn't always reflected in the next Android release. It only means that the dreaded changes will be coming and that we don't know exactly when.


However, two changes previously mentioned by Chainfire did take place. These are concerns mostly for authors of rooted apps but, of course, their issues will indirectly affect users of those apps as well. In particular, apps that use dynamic linking must be built as Position Independent Executables or PIE. In a nutshell, this lets the operating system hide the memory address that the app is running in, making it harder for hackers to pinpoint the location and initiate exploits. The other change is related to the unconfined domain label in SELinux. As predicted before, this new security feature prevents files with that label from executing in the /data partition of Android devices. Unfortunately, that is exactly how root apps run. Fortunately, Chainfire already knows the solution around it and has documented it for other developers.


Chainfire has updated SuperSU to version 2.01 to incorporate fixes for these rooting hurdles. Those running on version 2.0 need not do a binary update of SuperSU. The CF-Auto-Root utility has also been updated to use this new version, so users of Nexus 5 and Nexus 7 running Android L will be able to root their devices with ease. Chainfire warns that he won't be dwelling much on fixing Android L compatibility at this early stage, since things are likely to change a lot before the new Android version finally launches later this year.


SOURCE: +Chainfire





OUYA tests All-Access Pass subscription-based game shop

Buying Android games, even in exclusive stores like OUYA's isn't exactly difficult, but OUYA wants to make it even easier, and in effect draw in more users of its hardware. The startup is now testing what it calls All-Access Pass, which will give you access to almost everything in its catalog for a relatively measly annual fee.



Getting into the program is simple, as long as you reside in one of the supported markets. Simply cough up $59.99 and you will get a digital code which you can redeem inside the OUYA interface. Once that's done, you will have access to over 800 games for 12 full months, which is over $2,000 in value, at least according to OUYA. This includes titles available on Google Play Store as well as those exclusive to the Android gaming console, like Broken Age.


All-Access Pass is not a total free pass, however. Games that are covered will show up with $0 price tags in the store. The pass covers anything below $30, including game unlocks and level add-ons. However, it does not cover in-game purchases that simply give you a boost, like extra lives or new powers. Also, you are subject to OUYA's better judgment and it has the right to revoke your pass if it feels/thinks/judges you are gaming the system. The pass is also non-refundable, so once you're in, you're in for good. That is, unless they kick you out. And you can't claim a refund for that either. Rest assured that you won't get automatically re-billed once the 12 months is over.


The system is definitely an interesting experiment, though one will wonder if there will be other restrictions to follow. After all, $60 per year is quite cheap and OUYA isn't exactly making oodles from its consoles. And it is indeed an experiment, as OUYA is still testing the waters, its powers, and gamers' interest in this new program. This testing stage is offered for a limited time only and OUYA isn't saying when it will close the doors. So if you have an OUYA and haven't filled up your catalog yet, you might want to consider this offer while it's still hot.


SOURCE: OUYA

VIA: SlashGear





Moto G GPe gets Android 4.4.4 update

As Google started slowly rolling out its 4.4.4 update, the guessing game as to when certain gadgets will get it has begun. Well Moto G Google Play edition owners will not have to wait any longer (or wait a little longer, in some cases) as Motorola has started a staged OTA rollout of the update. They will be taken straight from 4.4.2 to 4.4.4 since they did not even receive the earlier update that Google sent out a few weeks before.



However, not all devices will get the update in the first wave rollout. While there’s no official schedule released, you can head on over to this Moto G GPe stock firmware thread in order to follow the discussion on the OTA updates. Most were surprised when Google announced the 4.4.4 update just a few weeks after 4.4.3 was rolled out for most devices and despite much ado about the latter’s new features which included a new look for its dialer.


While it is still unclear as to why an immediate update to the update was needed, this time around there was no huge fanfare when 4.4.4 arrived. It is described as more of a security fix rather than having a major change in appearance and features. It has also been proven that it was not a response to the Towelroot app, as some had speculated.


The LG G Pad 8.3 Google Play Edition was one of the earliest devices to receive the 4.4.4 update, also skipping the 4.4.3 one. As it is a staggered rollout as well, not all the devices would get the OTA update immediately. Several Sony devices, particularly the Sony Xperia Z1 Compact, Z1, and Z Ultra have also started rolling out the updates as well.


SOURCE: XDA Developers





Moto X+1 specs leaked by Brazilian retailer

Many Motorola fans are probably waiting with baited breath for the company's next flagship, but some aren't exactly good at playing the patience game. Brazilian retailer Livraria Logos, for one, isn't waiting for Motorola's go signal and is leaking out details about the Moto X+1 in broad daylight for everyone to see.



Some might wonder why this particular retailer and why Brazil. Livraria Logos, as it turns out, was credited to have leaked very accurate information about the Moto E just before the budget smartphone was announced. Whether the site is privy to knowledge of the Moto X+1 as well or is simply banking on that distinction to drive traffic to its website remains to be seen. As to why Brazil, it seems that Motorola has developed close ties with the country, having launched both the Moto G and Moto E with special preference in that market. However, those two are mid- to low-tier devices, so the Moto X+1 flagship might get a different treatment this time around.


The hardware spilled by Livraria Logos isn't really all that groundbreaking. Then again, after you've heard too many flagship specs, they all start to sound too similar. The 1080p screen has been rumored before, now with a 5.2-inch size. There is a 2.3 GHz quad-core Snapdragon 800 here, curiously not an 805 or even an 801. 2 GB of RAM and 32 GB of storage make up the memory configuration, with an option for 128 GB more via a microSDXC card. WiFi, Bluetooth, and 4G are all present. There's a 12 megapixel rear camera, definitely an unconventional sensor size, and a 5 megapixel front-facing shooter. Battery is capped at 2900 mAh, which should be a bit worrying considering the hardware mentioned above.


Taken at face value, these figures would suggest a rather unimpressive successor to the popular Moto X. However, Motorola has proven itself capable of pulling out rabbits from its hat, giving the Moto X some special powers on an otherwise mediocre hardware. But that was then and hands have changed in between. Now all eyes will be on Motorola when it announces its first flagship device under the new management of Lenovo.


VIA: Droid Life





T-Mobile now accepting pre-orders for LG G3

Carrier T-Mobile will be selling the flagship LG G3 in their retail stores starting July 16, but customers who want to get their hands on this newest smartphone can reserve their units ahead of the launch. As of today, subscribers can already apply for pre-orders for the much-awaited phone, which will be shipped starting July 15.



T-Mobile realised how much their subscribers wanted the LG G3 when they had their Open Beta Sweepstakes where the flagship phones were up for grabs. There were 74,000 entries and among those, 28 were chosen to receive the smartphone and be among the first in the country to have it, before it becomes available in retail stores. Using the tagline, “Simple is the new Smart,” the LG G3 sports a 5.5” Quad HD IPS screen that boasts 4x more than the normal HD resolution. T-Mobile says it’s their first phone in the US to carry that kind of HD screen.


The LG G3 also carries a 13 MP OIS+ camera that has Laser Auto Focus technology, a dream for mobile photo fiends. The 2MP front-facing camera though is pretty common, compared to most smartphones. It boasts of a 2GB RAM and 32GB internal storage, although there were rumours before that they will be releasing a variant that will have a 3GB RAM.


T-Mobile says the LG G3 will come with enhanced 4G data speeds, their usual zero annual service contract and no hidden device costs. The unit is priced at $598.80 on the T-Mobile website with no contract, plus $10 for the SIM Starter Kit.


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SOURCE: T-Mobile





Android L heads-up notifications feature out in APK format

We told you that the Android L Developer Preview would be picked clean of its standout features, and what do you know, here’s another one. Very conspicuous in that Google I/O keynote for Android L was a new slide-down notification area, this feature apparently called “Heads-up notifications.” You will be happy to know that this is now available for non-rooted devices in APK format.



XDA senior member “Dr.Alexander_Breen” (also as “Woodblock Without Co.” at the Google Play Store) has announced on the developer forums that he has backported this new feature ostensibly for non-rooted devices running Android 4.4 Kitkat. If you’re curious about what new features this installer brings, watch the developer’s video below.




The Android L notification tray is very much a new animal for those used to Android 4.x’s styles. The looks and the functions have changed – the slide down pane now looks as if it is floating on top of whatever you have on your screen. It doesn’t reach the full width of your screen or even all the way to the bottom, creating that subtle “floating” effect. The notifications are now shown in white blocks with visibly rounded corners.


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You may be looking for the “Clear notifications” button. You’re right, there isn’t one. We looked for it too. But apart from that, notifications can be dismissed by swiping it to either side of your screen. The apk’s developer seems to have added a “whitelist” feature for the notifications, dictating which ones you would like to have. It is also good to mention that the notifications pane will now be available to you at any time, even within a game. That last feature is really nice. If you would like to support the developer, download the paid app from Google Play. The APK is free to download over at XDA.


SOURCE: XDA


DOWNLOAD: Heads-up Notifications via Google Play Store





Serious Security Threat Lurks on 86 Percent of Android Phones

Serious Security Threat Lurks on 86 Percent of Android Phones


A bug in the Android KeyStore left an estimated 86 percent of Android phones vulnerable to major security breaches, according to an advisory IBM researchers published last week.


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You Can Now Buy the Super-Private Blackphone for $630

You Can Now Buy the Super-Private Blackphone for $630


Paranoid? Or just privacy conscious? Well, the Blackphone is an Android handset that promises to keep your secrets safe, and now you can buy one for $630.


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Google, Not OEMs, Will Control The Android Wear, Auto and TV UI

Google, Not OEMs, Will Control The Android Wear, Auto and TV UI


When Android Wear, Android Auto and Android TV launch this fall, they'll solve a problem that has plagued Android since Day One: an inconsistent user experience across devices. Ars Technica's Andrew Cunningham points out that unlike Android phones from different manufacturers that sport ugly custom UIs, launchers and interacting with Android on different smartwatches was exactly the same. In fact, Google's engineering director, David Burke, told Cunningham that with Wear, Auto and TV, the underlying software and interfaces will be controlled by Google, not the OEMs.


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