Samsung Galaxy Note 4 wins at display color accuracy test

DisplayMate’s Color Accuracy Shoot-Out has a couple of premises – first, that users have been used to mediocre color accuracy since day one, and secondly, that manufacturers do not calibrate their devices for display color accuracy from the factory. This results in devices not being equal in terms of color accuracy. So DisplayMate is on a mission to pick out which devices has the best “Absolute Color Accuracy” – and it turns out the Samsung Galaxy Note 4 is the winner.

DisplayMate’s test is based on a number of elements – including the Full Color Gamut accuracy, Skin Tone Color accuracy, Organic Color accuracy, Blue Region Color accuracy, and White Point Color accuracy. More details about the test at the source link below. The shoot-out does not include all smartphones and tablets – that’s impossible to do. It only tests the ones that have reputations of great displays to begin with – so for this shoot-out they tested the Amazon Kindle Fire HDX 8.9 (2013), Apple iPad Air 2, Apple iPhone 6 Plus, Microsoft Surface Pro 3, Samsung Galaxy Note 4 (Basic Screen Mode), and the Samsung Galaxy Tab S 10.5 (Basic Screen Mode).

Taking all this into account, DisplayMate declares the Samsung Galaxy Note 4 as the clear winner, topping all but one of the elements of the test. The Apple units were very poor in other tests but ran second and third in the very important Skin Tone accuracy and Organic Color accuracy. The Microsoft Surface Pro 3 did very well, tied for overall second place with the Samsung Galaxy Tab S 10.5.

So what does this prove? Oh nothing much, just that Samsung really has the display element of their devices down pat. Seriously though, the other manufacturers better pay attention to this. DisplayMate’s objective is to raise enough awareness so that all devices strive for “Perfect Color Accuracy” using factory calibration with standard instrumentation. Not a bad idea, actually.

SOURCE: DisplayMate

Story Timeline

• The Ditto Note 4 ROM for your Galaxy Note II


• Lollipop continues: Galaxy Note 4 preview, Galaxy S5 firmware

Sony Xperia TX Also Gets Unofficial CyanogenMod 12 Build

The Sony Xperia TX is the slightly taller and thinner sibling of the late 2012 flagship device from Sony, the Xperia T, albeit lesser known. And like the Xperia T and the rest of the 2012 lineup, the Xperia TX was unfortunately given the no-go on any future updates after Jelly Bean 4.3. But as seen with unofficial Android 5.0 builds popping up for Xperia devices of similar age, such as the Xperia S and Ion, aftermarket developers always have these things covered, and the Xperia TX is no exception.

Android 5.0 on the Xperia TX comes in the form of an unofficial CyanogenMod 12 build courtesy of XDA Senior Member updateing, however it is still in a highly experimental state. This means that it may well be quite unstable in usage, with some features missing, and you may experience failures to boot up the device. On the other hand, features which are functional include:

• NFC


• Bluetooth


• Google Apps


• GPS


• Camera


• Calls

Despite the instability of the ROM, fixes for bugs are continuously being sought, and this progress as well as remedies for bugs can be seen and are provided in the forum post.

If you would like to check this out, head over to the Xperia TX CM 12 thread for more details.

The post Sony Xperia TX Also Gets Unofficial CyanogenMod 12 Build appeared first on xda-developers.

Galaxy Alpha is the first smartphone to use Gorilla Glass 4

The Samsung Galaxy Alpha smartphone has been on the market for a few months now and we have learned a new detail about the device from Corning. Corning has announced that Samsung's Galaxy Alpha is the first smartphone to use Gorilla Glass 4 to protect the screen from breakage.

Samsung is using 0.4mm thick Gorilla Glass 4 as the discrete touch cover glass in the Galaxy Alpha. Corning says that Gorilla Glass 4 is its most damage-resistant cover glass ever produced. Gorilla Glass 4 is the result of extensive research into why glass breaks in use according to Corning.

Researchers found that 70% of glass failures in the field were the result of sharp contact to the glass. The researchers at Corning developed methods to test devices in the lab using the data learned about real world breakage and created Gorilla Glass 4 to help prevent breakage, while still supporting sleek and thin form factor devices like the Galaxy Alpha.

Corning also notes that Gorilla Glass is now used in over 3 billion devices around the world. In total, 1395 product models use the Corning product.

SOURCE: Corning

Pimp Your Xperia with Impressive Animations

Unlike Apple’s iOS or Microsoft’s Windows Phone, Android gives users tons of customization options. Almost every element of the user interface can be changed through third party applications, Xposed Framework modules, or simply through reverse engineering. Additionally, many OEMs also apply their own custom UIs in order to make their devices seem unique.

One OEM with quite a lot in terms of skin customization is Sony. Animations and fancy transitions are just a small part of Sony’s UI tweaks. If you feel that there could be more, XDA Senior Member kalel2012 prepared a guide that shows you how to add an animated background to the pulldown notification and system settings.

The provided method uses Apktool and any available notepad app. If you are using Windows, you should consider using Notepad++. The process of adding these animations is very simple, as kalel2012 provided all resources required in the process. If you’re planning to add them to your current Sony ROM, you need to edit just a few lines in SystemUI.

The guide can be used if your device is running the official or modded Sony firmware in the version 4.4. If you’re looking to get into some device customization, head over to the Animated Background System And Puldown Notification thread to learn more.

The post Pimp Your Xperia with Impressive Animations appeared first on xda-developers.

Android Wear update makes quick actions quicker

The point of having a smartwatch, at least in theory, is that you can get to important notifications and actions faster than you would if you had to whip out your smartphone first. Of course, that becomes moot when you have to swipe through half a dozen screens just to get to the parts that you want or the settings that you need. Android Wear's latest update tries to address that by putting important or recent actions just a swipe or tap away from your current screen.

Just tap on your watch face and see the most recently used actions you've performed right at the top of the list. This is based on the presumption that you are most likely to repeat those actions than start a new one. Swipe down from the top of the screen and you get quick access to commonly used settings. And in case you accidentally dismissed a card, a simple swipe right then and there will bring it back, much like Chrome's undo close tab feature.

These are just some of the changes coming to Android Wear that have been introduced based on user feedback. The latest update pools together the previous new features we've also seen, like increasing outdoor readability via the new Sunlight Mode or turning the screen off and automatically switching to vibrate when you're in a dark room thanks to the new Theater Mode. On the companion app side, you also get a more detailed look at your smartwatch's battery and storage usage, similar to how Android presents its own stats.

Together with the new Watch Face API and designs, Android Wear early adopters are definitely in for a treat this week. The updates start rolling out today, so don't panic if you don't receive that notification immediately. And for those still on the edge about getting one, there are now at least six official Android Wear smartwatches to choose from, including the LG G Watch, the round LG G Watch R, the Samsung Gear Live, the Moto 360, the Sony SmartWatch 3, and the ASUS ZenWatch, all with their particular quirks and appeal.

Story Timeline

• Asus Zenwatch adds to Android Wear catalog for the holidays


• Android Wear companion app gets an Android Lollipop update

Listen to Music Phone-Free with Android Wear

Google's latest update for its Android Wear software features one very useful upgrade: The option to listen to music from your smartwatch, no phone required. It's a bonus for travelers, joggers and anyone else who doesn't want to carry their mobile with them at all times. Here's how to set it up.

Read more...

Asphalt Overdrive gets new cars, new storyline

A few months back, Gameloft released the Asphalt Overdrive spinoff with an 80’s California feel. Developer Gameloft is quick to update the game with two news cars, new storyline and a whole new infinite joyride race.

Asphalt Overdrive now features two new cars that must be unlocked: a white Lykan Hypersport and a blue Renault Alpine. We're no auto experts but the two cars run fast and look really nice. Feel free to use the new cars or any of the models available in the selection.

Gameloft added a new gameplay mode too. You can now enjoy a Joyride Race game if you don't want to drive like crazy and try to beat other racers. With the new racing mode, you can drive and stop only until you're tired and bored cruising through the streets and highways of Southern California.

Asphalt Overdrive's storyline has also been updated. Additional stories have been added so it's like getting a new storyline. The only way for you to find out what those new stories are about is to download the game and see for yourself.

Download Asphalt Overdrive from the Google Play Store

Story Timeline

• Asphalt 8: Airborne "Great Wall" update adds six new tracks


• Asphalt 8: Airborne update adds new location and cars


• Gameloft outs Asphalt Overdrive, spinoff with an 80's California feel