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LG Odin SoC resurfaces in leaked specs for LG F490L Liger

There's a saying that goes "if at first you don't succeed, try and try until you die". Or something like that. LG has long been rumored to have its own mobile processor in the works, but that has yet to become reality. But if this latest leak of a hitherto unknown LG smartphone, the LG-F480L or "Liger", is to be believed, then the LG Odin will soon materialize. But it will not be the LG Odin as we know, or have heard, it to be, but an LG NUCLUN instead.



The rivalry between LG and Samsung is sometimes like a huge "monkey see, monkey do" comedy skit. What one has, the other needs to have as well. Since Samsung has also long been in the business of making systems-on-chip or SoCs, it is only natural that LG would want one too, even if just for its own devices. Way back December last year, a certain LG Odin was already spotted in AnTuTu, bearing 8 cores but strangely running at low speeds. Later on, the LG G3 was rumored to sport an octa-core by LG. But, of course, we know that never happened.


Second time's a charm perhaps, so LG is now believed to be making an attempt again. This time called the LG NUCLUN, the chip will still have that same mix of four high performance cores running at 1.5 GHz and four energy-efficient ones at 1.2 Ghz. The rest of the specs of the Liger are quite decent as well, including a giant 5.9-inch 1920x1080 Full HD LCD screen, 2 GB of RAM, 32 GB of storage, a 13 megapixel rear camera with OIS, and a 2.1 megapixel front camera. The battery is said to be 3,000 mAh, which sounds normal for such setups.


Of course, now the question becomes when and where will this smartphone, and the LG processor, arrive. There is no answer to that yet, but given the model name, it is likely headed only for Korea, perhaps for a bit of testing. Whether LG plans to bring the LG Odin/NUCLUN elsewhere will depend on how the chip performs there.


VIA: Blog of Mobile



Yahoo updates Mail app with travel, event notifications

Yahoo regularly updates the Yahoo Mail app. The company silently announced the update in a Tumblr post. The app now comes with event and travel notifications so you won’t have to miss your next event or flight scheduled on your calendar.



Once you input your flight information, you will be notified if flight is on time on the “Today” section. With a single tap on the screen, you can also visit the website of the airline, call the airline directly to rebook if you have to, or get directions to the airport so you won't get lost going there.


When you’ve landed at your destination, the Yahoo Mail app will show suggestions of where to go in the area. Pictures from Yelp and review of top attractions and restaurants will also be shown on your phone. If you’re going to a special event listed on Ticketmaster, Eventbrite, of Evite, you can view details and directions going to the venue so you'll always be on time.


With the updated app, you can now also share your event and travel information with friends and family via text or email. You can tell them where and when you're going so they'll have an idea how long you'd be gone.


The new features make going to events or a new destination easier now because the information you want are shown right on time, exactly when you really need it.




Download the updated Yahoo Mail app from the Google Play Store


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SOURCE: Yahoo



Samsung unveils Galaxy Note 4 Developer Edition, available on Verizon

Looks like Samsung and its partner mobile carriers are all busy rolling out the new Galaxy Note 4. Just yesterday, Samsung teased the phablet with Android 5.0 Lollipop. No exact dates have been given but at least we have an idea what models from different manufacturers are expected to get a taste of Lollipop.



First buyers of Galaxy Note 4 are also being enticed more by getting free access to OnLive gaming and for some, extended warranties. A recent teardown of the unit showed us that it’s using a Sony IMX240 camera inside. This isn’t surprising but actually a good thing because Sony’s cameras are really good.


And now, we’ve got news that a Developer Edition of Samsung Galaxy Note 4 is finally hitting the US via Verizon. The Charcoal black edition is up for grabs at $662.53 with no contract. Sadly, this version won’t be available on contract or with plans.


The Android smartphone boasts the same 5.7-in Quad HD Super AMOLED display, 3.7MP front-facing wide-angle camera, 16MP rear camera with Optical Image Statbilization, 3GB RAM, and an enhanced S-Pen with more functions and precision.


Out of the box, the Galaxy Note 4 will run Android 4.4 KitKat but it can be updated to Android 5.0 when the new mobile OS is released. What’s so special about this developer edition is that it’s best for app developers who want to look into the software and hardware. The model comes with bootloaders that can be unlocked easily. Installing custom ROMs and kernels are made easier on this special version of the Galaxy Note 4.


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SOURCE: Samsung



Big Android BBQ 5.0 Recap – XDA TV

Big Android BBQ

This fifth annual Big Android BBQ has come and gone. The speakers have spoke, the sponsors have sponsored, enthusiasts have enthused, the developers have developed and of course the BBQed meat has been consumed. Did you miss out this year?


In this video, XDA TV Producer TK talks about his experience at this year’s Big Android BBQ event. He talks about the event, shows some pictures and even interviews some attendees, with the help of XDA TV Producer AdamOutler. We’ve already posted the Opening Keynote on the XDA Roundtables channel, and we have more videos from the event to come, so be sure to subscribe. Check out this video.




Be sure to check out other great XDA TV Videos



The post Big Android BBQ 5.0 Recap – XDA TV appeared first on xda-developers.


Nova Launcher adapts Lollipop design in latest update

Even before the official announcement of Android Lollipop (actually, even before we knew it was a lollipop), we expected to see most of the apps adapt its Material Design and several other features before its official launch in the next few weeks. One such app that has done this is Nova Launcher in its latest update. Some loyal users consider this the best launcher app yet, and they will be happy to know that the update brings with it several Lollipop-esque features they can already enjoy.



The developer was able to adapt some of the expected features from Lollipop like the circle folder animation, scroll indicators, and even the icon theme applied to the calculator, clock, contacts, downloads, email, dialer, settings and SMS. While it may not be exactly the same as the Lollipop, this is still a preview of what your smartphone will look like once the new Android update has rolled out. Kevin Barry from TeslaCoil, the developer of the app, says that he is also working on getting a Lollipop app drawer animation, but it will be part of the next phase.


What he was able to do though is to adapt all these features even to devices that are running Android 4.0, instead of the usual 4.3 and above that most apps who adapted the Material Design have been able to do. This is good news to those device owners who don't want to let go of their legacy devices yet, but would like them to have a new look similar to Lollipop.


If you don't have Nova Launcher yet on your smartphone, you can download it for free from the Google Play Store. So until Lollipop is officially rolled out, you can enjoy these icons and animations first from this app.


SOURCE: +Kevin Barry


Microsoft opens up the Garage, employees working to improve on Android apps

Microsoft has opened up the Garage. Nope, the software giant isn’t showing off a collection of luxury cars and bikes. A new community of developers, musicians, hackers, artists, investors, and artists was started by Microsoft with the aim of coming together to share ideas and build new projects. The goal of the Microsoft Garage is to turn ideas into real endeavors while outsiders are given access so they can comment and give feedbacks and suggestions.



The Garage project is an effort by Microsoft to show people outside what the Redmond employees are doing during their break time. Honestly, I don’t think the hours these employees would be spending on the Garage are their free time but that’s what Microsoft wants us to believe. (Seriously, why would they sacrifice their free hours for more work? Anyway...)


With the Microsoft Garage, employees can work on other projects exactly not for their own company. They can work on other Windows stuff or iOS and Android-related projects. They can do anything as long as the project would benefit Microsoft. This is a great initiative because employees are being encouraged to think, be imaginative, and do more cross-platform apps.


It’s also a new direction for the company. Opening up the Garage for employees to work on iOS or Android apps is a brave thing to do for Microsoft. Jeff Ramos, Microsoft Garage’s manager, said, "It does represent a new direction for the company," admits Jeff Ramos. We’re evolving our culture, wanting to get better with experimentation."


Experiment. That’s what Microsoft wants its employees to do. Explore. Tinker. Invent. Who knows what the developers can do outside the Microsoft Windows or Windows Phone platforms. The only problem I see is that these employees might see the light and think that Android or iOS is better than their own. I hope not.


So far, these Microsoft Garage geeks have developed three great apps for Android: Torque, Journeys & Notes, and the Next Lock Screen.


The Torque app allows the user to simply do some gestures to ask Android Wear a question. No need to say “OK Google” just lift your arm or twist your wrist to command your Android Wear-powered smartwatch. Right now, it works best on LG and Samsung smartwatches. The app is currently having problems with Moto 360 but Microsoft is already working on a fix. (Download Torque HERE)




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Microsoft also made some innovations to the Android lock screen by introducing the Next Lock Screen. This app allows a quick launch and access to information an Android user needs. It’s a time saver lock screen that displays email, calendars, text messages, and missed calls at a single glance. When a call comes in, no need to unlock the phone because a single tap on the screen will do. Next Lock Screen shows your often-used apps for easier access. (Download Next Lock Screen HERE)




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From the Garage, Microsoft also managed to release the Journeys & Notes app. It’s a social app that lets the user to take down notes, check-in trips, connect with people traveling the same path. You can leave notes share travel tips for them. (Download Journeys & Notes HERE)




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The idea to improve on Android apps is great. It’s very generous of Microsoft, actually. But I have a few questions: Don’t these Microsoft developers have things to do? Why don’t they just work harder to make Windows Phone better? There are more things to work on within Microsoft and Windows. Forget about Android or iOS for now. Focus, Microsoft. Focus.


SOURCE: Microsoft



Yahoo's new email app, available for Android and iOS, integrates event and travel notifications alon

Yahoo's new email app, available for Android and iOS, integrates event and travel notifications alongside all your messages. Sound familiar ?


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