Google's apps are front-and-center on newer Android phones for a reason: Google wants you to use its services on Android, and it has contracts in place to that end.
Galaxy Tab Pro 10.1 gets CyanogenMod 11 support
CyanogenMod 11 is a popular alternative to plain vanilla Android and the software that Samsung and others install on their smartphones by default. Typically, when we are talking about CyanogenMod 11, we are talking about the software coming to another variety of smartphone.
Today owners of the Samsung Galaxy Tab Pro 10.1 tablet can get their hands on CyanogenMod 11 nightlies for the tablet. Nightlies for the smaller Galaxy Tab Pro 8.4 have been available for a while. With support for the Pro 10.1, two of the four tablets in the Pro line have CyanogenMod 11 access.
The Galaxy Tab Pro 12.2 and the Galaxy Note Pro are still without CyanogenMod 11 support at this time. For now only a singly nightly build of the software is offered for the Tab Pro 10.1 tablet, the software is called picassowifi on the CyanogenMod page.
I wonder why they don’t just call the software something that makes it easier to tell what device it goes with. Another caveat with the software for the Tab Pro 10.1 is that it only works with the WiFi version of the tablet.
VIA: AndroidPolice
Motorola reveals new Motorola Migrate video
Motorola migrate isn't new, but it was updated earlier this month. The update brought Migrate the ability to move your contacts and other information from traditional dumb phones over to shiny new Motorola smartphones. I'm sure this feature will keep lots of us from having to manually move contacts for our parents.
The update also brought with it a slew of bug fixes. The app is currently in version1.5.0.03 and weighs in at 4.3MB in size. It has had as many as 50 million installs according to Google Play.
The only caveat in moving from a dumb phone to a Motorola device is that the old phone does need Bluetooth for the process to work. As always, the app supports migration from iPhones via iCloud as well. The big news here isn't the update though; it's that Motorola has rolled out a new video to help people with migration.
The video is on YouTube and goes over the process of transferring all those contacts with a single click. You can check out the video below to see for yourself. Motorola migrate will bring your contacts, photos, and videos to the new device with a single press of a button.
SOURCE: Google Play
Archos launching new ‘Platinum’ entry level phones
First things first, you don’t usually name an entry level anything “Platinum”, but apparently there’s no rule against that – so here is ARCHOS, known purveyor of Android devices for the masses, with two new phones aimed at people who might be buying and using smartphones for the first time. The ARCHOS 45c Platinum and the 50b platinum are the newest devices out of the French electronics device company. Let’s see what they’re like.
The ARCHOS 45c Platinum has a 4.5-inch 854x480 display while the 50b Platinum has a 5-inch qHD (960x540) screen. This might be the main difference of the two phones, as they both sport the same MediaTek 1.3Ghz quad-core processor, supported by 512MB of RAM and a Mali 400MP2 graphics unit. Both will have a meager 4GB of internal storage, both expandable via the microSD slot. The bonus for buyers of the 50b will be an 8GB microSD that comes extra out of the box. (45c gallery below)
The 50b also curiously has a plastic protector case that comes with it out of the box – where this is usually relegated to an accessory that the user buys separately. As you can see, these two phones are not going to win any awards for bleeding edge hardware, but they are targeted squarely at a very specific portion of the entry level market. You see, these two phones offer Android 4.4 KitKat out of the box, which may not be the case for other entry level phones. We’ve seen Samsung upgrade their entry level gadgets to KitKat as well. (50b gallery below)
At a retail price of USD$100 and USD$120 respectively, we can be pretty sure that you will get what you paid for in terms of features and hardware. Both units have dual SIM capability, and even have a tolerable 8MP/5MP main shooters and a 2MP front-facing camera. Togeher with the large screens and Android KitKat out of the box, these devices will fight toe-to-toe with all the other entry level devices out there, and it might just win a few battles or so.
What iOS Still Needs To Learn From Android
Now that iOS 8 is finally in the hands of millions, it's worth taking a step back to look at just how far Apple has pushed your iPhone's capabilities—and how much farther it still has to go. Especially compared to what Android lets you get away with.
LG VC100 smartwatch crosses the FCC, heads to Verizon
A new LG smartwatch has crossed the FCC to get the certifications it needs to come to market. This version of the G Watch is called the LG-VC100 and is destined for Verizon. Interestingly, this smartwatch will have its own SIM card.
That indicates it will be capable of making calls without needing a smartphone. The FCC says that the device is a smartwatch with CDMA network support. This is an ellipse shaped smartwatch, which can be divined from the measurements of the watch excluding the strap offered by the FCC.
We know the watch itself measures 57.5mm long and 35.5mm wide. It will operate on CDMA2000 (BC0 and BC1) networks. This device might fit into the existing G Watch line or it may be a new device altogether, only time will tell since the FCC doesn't call out an official name for the product. So far, LG has already launched the G Watch in square form factor, as well as announced the G Watch R in round shape.
LG G Watch R
There are some outstanding details that we just don’t have at this time, like when the watch will launch, what hardware it will use, and what it will cost. The only thing we can do is wait, sometimes after crossing the FCC products take months to come to market and other times they land shortly after the FCC stamps them as good. I'm sure LG would like the product to be on the market in time for holiday shopping.
SOURCE: MyLGPhones
NVIDIA Shield Portable updated, fix for auto-rotate glitch
To be fair, NVIDIA has been very vigilant about the user experience on its premium SHIELD devices – the SHIELD Tablet and the SHIELD Portable. This is why the devices, especially the portable, have been diligently updated with bug fixes – and this new update is no different. This hefty new update is set to fix the auto-rotate glitch that has been bugging users every so often.
The new update for the NVIDIA Shield Portable is a heavy download at almost 481MB, but it fixes a number of issues with the gadget. Primarily, there were complaints of a bad issue that caused the screen to not auto-rotate with the gyro sensor – the update fixes that. The update also improves GameStream quality, and there is also a fix for a bug that made the Twitch icon disappear for short periods of time.
You might remember – if you own said device – that the gadget was updated recently in early August for GameStream bugs, Ethernet issues, and the addition of wireless controller support. The new update should be available already as of today, and it will just be one single download – a heavy one in terms of update size, but small enough to not be cut into update rollout stages.
Full change log:
- Fixes intermittent streaming issues for some users in GameStream
- Fixes a bug on the home screen that occasionally replaces the Twitch icon with an Android icon that does not work
- Fixes auto-rotate screen feature; enable option from Settings → Display → (select) Auto-rotate screen
- Fixes auto turning issue on select racing games that may require gyro-sensor support
To get the update, just power up your device and there should a notification for you. Have you been enjoying your SHIELD Portable so far? Do you have any outstanding issues with the device? What the best game you play on it? Give us some love in the comments section.
SOURCE: NVIDIA
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