CyanogenMod 11 M9 welcomes new devices

Right on schedule, CyanogenMod is announcing the latest snapshot release of CM 11, now at version M9. While this new version definitely has improvements across the board, one of its bigger highlights is the first non-nightly builds for some devices recently added to the ROM's roster.

The three new supported devices that are getting their first snapshot builds include the HTC One M8 "m8" which was added in May, the Xperia Z2 "sirius" added in June, and the Xperia Z2 Tablet "castor" which joined the group just last month. While these devices have regularly been getting nightly builds since the day they were added, this is the first semi-stable releases marked for these devices. In case you might need a refresher on what these "M" snapshots are, we covered them at some length in March.

As to changes in CM 11 M9, CyanogenMod's changelog highlights a few things, like new themable UI elements, improvements to search in the Settings app, and some new translations. There are also a number of fixes to existing functionality, like bug fixes for the new Heads Up notifications, preventing the accidental wake up of the device when the system checks whether the proximity sensor is occluded by a solid object, and fixing the built-in email app's ability to store attachments to local storage for POP3 accounts.

CyanogenMod 11 M9 is fresh off the press so naturally the build system for devices are still churning at the moment. So don't panic if you don't see your device model in the list of snapshot downloads. And even if you don't see it after a few days or even weeks, don't despair that CyanogenMod has dropped support for the device. It only means that the maintainers for that device might have run into some errors that can't be fixed in time for M9 and have decided to skip this release and wait for the M10 next month instead.

SOURCE: CyanogenMod

Story Timeline

• CyanogenMod 11 M6 goes out, switches to two-week cycle


• CyanogenMod 11.0 M7 now available


• CyanogenMod adds Protected apps, teases CMHome


• CyanogenMod 11 M8 is out, Settings app may crash

More Samsung Galaxy Alpha photos, 6.7-inch model tipped

Depending on which rumor you believe, Samsung might be unveiling the Galaxy Alpha later today or on August 13. If it does get announced today, then we will be able to prove or disprove this latest batch of photos of the purported metallic device, as well as the latest rumor that it will come in 4.7 and 6.7 inch models.

The Galaxy Alpha has already been in the rumor mill for quite a few rounds, but after Samsung's Q2 earnings report, it seems that the stakes have just been raised higher. Aside from the Galaxy Note 4 scheduled to take the spotlight next month, Samsung revealed that it was working on another high-end smartphone made out of new materials. Depending on which mix of specs you want to subscribe to, the Galaxy Alpha could very well be that mystery device. An Exynos 5433 that blows the Qualcomm Snapdragon 805 of out the water, 2 GB of RAM and a handy 4.7, or 4.8-inch, 720p display, and an aluminum frame.

The Galaxy Alpha's specs bore some resemblance to Apple's usual iPhone features. If that weren't enough to convince you that Samsung was eying for something like an iPhone, then this batch of leaked photos would. Previous images of the Galaxy Alpha that we've seen before sported a black color scheme. But in white coating, the resemblance between the two rival brands becomes even more apparent. If Samsung employed a circular home button, one might even call this device an iPhone clone. After all, it also has a fingerprint scanner there.

However, that part about the Galaxy Alpha we already know a bit. But this last minute tip is definitely new. While it says that the size of the smartphone is 4.7 inches, instead of 4.8 in the last rumor, now we're being led to believe that there will also be a 6.7-inch model. Apple was rumored to have two iPhone 6's prepared, a 4.7-inch and a 5.5-inch. This might be Samsung copying that as well. But a 6.7-inch smartphone goes well beyond its Galaxy Mega giant. Then again, the Korean manufacturer isn't one to shrink from launching a 7-inch phablet, so this 6.7-inch rumor isn't as shocking as it is perplexing.

VIA: Weibo (1), (2)

Story Timeline

• Samsung Galaxy Alpha leak: semi-metallic mini Galaxy S5


• Samsung Galaxy Alpha now leaked with 4.8-inch HD screen


• Samsung Galaxy Alpha leak: Exynos 5433, 12MP camera, August 13

Galaxy Mega 6.3 takes a bullet for man in altercation in China

You’ve probably heard someone say that someday, your smartphone just might change your life. You might be in a life or death situation, where you will have to resort to using an app or you have to Google something just to get out of a threatening scenario. However, for a man in China, he experienced this literally as his Samsung Galaxy Mega 6.3 took a bullet for him, ensuring that he lived to tell the tale after an altercation in a snack shop in Xinjiang.

According to a local news website, a man dropped his wallet while at the snackshop, where another man promptly picked it up and returned it to the owner. However, before doing so, he joked that maybe he should just keep the money so he could buy alcoholic drinks. This did not please the wallet’s owner and so he scuffled with the wallet-returner and the other people with them try to break up the fight.

But it seems like the two men really wanted to have it out, and they resumed their fight outside of the shop. The second man then pulls out a knife (although some reports say it was a sickle, although why he was carrying that around is another story probably) either just to intimidate him or to actually cause injury. What he didn’t know was that the other man had a gun which he promptly shoots. The wallet-returning guy puts up a hand to “block” the bullet but it hits him in the arm nonetheless but also goes through his body, where the unsuspecting Galaxy Mega 6.3 in his shirt pocket manages to block it.

The second man was then brought to the hospital to treat for his flesh wound, while the gun-toting man surrendered himself to the police. The lesson learned here? Either you always put your large smartphone in your shirt pocket or maybe you stop joking around with strangers because you never know when they might be carrying a deadly weapon.

VIA: SlashGear

Story Timeline

• Moto X burned and lives to tell the tale


• Samsung Galaxy S4 Active survives lawnmower crunching


• Samsung Galaxy S 4 under a pillow overheats and burns

Our Favorite Android, iOS, and Windows Phone Apps of the Week

Welcome to the weekend! Whether you're working hard or just loafing around, you're probably using your smartphone. Give it a treat with these, the best new apps this week.

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HP, Michael Bastian, Gilt team up for upcoming smartwatch

Heads up! There’s news that Hewlett-Packard is teaming up with luxury fashion designer Michael Bastian and e-commerce outfit Gilt Groupe in developing a smartwatch. With all kinds of companies jumping into the “wearables” bandwagon, HP is making sure that it doesn’t get left behind. But the team-up with Bastian – and the concept photos – say a lot about what the tech company is planning to put out.

Of course, we should be correct in assuming that the technology and device development will be handled by HP. The news is that the smartwatch will initially be distributed through Gilt’s online shopping website. But the device’s look and feel, the fashion behind it – we should look to Bastian’s talent with high end fashion.

Bastian is no stranger to watch design – he has already done work for the GANT brand on putting watches with his name on it. Would we be correct to assume (again) that he will be sticking to the looks and designs that are definitive of him? The concept pictures above say “yes, probably”. Take a look at Bastian’s watches for GANT below.

Lastly, rumors say that this watch would be compatible with BOTH iOS and Android, initially killing off the hopes that this will be launched under the Android Wear umbrella. The high-end nature of Bastian’s products would mean that it wants to get connected to both platforms. If this pushes true, then HP is totally going for a unique approach to its wearable. Watch this space, eh?

VIA: SlashGear

Story Timeline

• Moto 360 hands-on: a well-rounded smartwatch


• HTC might have accidentally leaked upcoming smartwatch


• Samsung patents rounder smartwatch, wrist strap charging

The US officially legislates Unlocking Consumer Act law

This, at its most basic, should be seen as a veritable win for the American people who first called out for the need of such a legislation – and has now reached its ultimate completion with US President Barack Obama signing into law the Unlocking Consumer Act, which basically says that any consumer who has already paid for their phone can have it unlocked and take it to the mobile carrier which they think provides the services that suit their needs best.

It needs to be said, this is the first time that a petition that traces its roots via the “We the People” website – an online platform for US citizens to offer suggestions and ideas to the government for resolving relevant issues – has actually resulted in a fix via legislation. With that in mind, this can truly be marked down as a major “win” for the US consumer.

What started with a petition by digital rights activist Sina Khanifar – actually a very a simple request, that the law would allow consumers to “unlock” their mobile phones and take it to the carrier which they think best suits their needs. The petition drew enormous support, and forced the US Congress to take heed. What resulted was a very “common sense” law that says all consumers can now have their phones unlocked. What’s more, the law also ensures that US citizens without the tech savvy to unlock their devices on their own can and should receive help in doing so.

In the end, consumers are given a free choice – a real choice with market freedom and not one bogged down by hidden profit agendas – to take a phone and switch carriers, a right that they really should have if they have complied with the device’s purchase contracts and if the phone is compatible with said carrier. This is a breath of fresh air for a sector that seems to be tying down and restricting more than it is giving freedom to communicate.

VIA: The White House

Story Timeline

• Device unlocking bill narrowly passes House


• Sony Xperia Z1 Compact finally arrives unlocked in the US


• Digital Tattoo can now officially unlock your Moto X

More devices getting Google Now launcher support

The Google Now launcher was probably the pick of the bunch of features that launched with Android 4.4 Kitkat (you can argue that point with us, of course), and it became all the more better when Google started peddling the launcher to other devices other than those bearing the Nexus prefix through the Google Play Store. After the app’s recent update, we bet more people will be happier because of the apparently wider range of devices supported.

Upon the app update, there was no obvious aesthetic or functional change to the launcher, except that – viola! – the list of devices supported seem to have grown. Now there is support for other Android devices such as Huawei’s Ascend P7, the HTC One M8, One E8, One Mini 2, and Desire 816. Some social media reports also point to support being available to the LG’s flagship phone, the G3.

The Google Now launcher was initially limited to Nexus and Google Play Edition devices, and Android users were all collectively heaving a “well, that sucks” at Google because of the limited support. Pretty soon, workarounds were being found to load it on more devices – because the Android community always seems to find a way.

This is probably at the very least an admission from the mothership that hey, if it’s really good software, then maybe a lot more people are entitled to at least make that decision on their own after experiencing it and using it. This situation has not yet been made official – no official statement from Google has come out – but you’ll be sure to hear from us if there are changes in this situation.

VIA: Android Central

Story Timeline

• Google Now launcher available in the Play Store to Nexus and GPE devices


• How to: Get the Google Now Launcher on almost any Android device


• How to: load widgets with the Google Now Launcher