QuickPic now supports more cloud apps to organize your pictures

With the amount of pictures that we take and upload everyday, storing images in our devices and organizing them into easy to search and view galleries is a challenge. One of the best apps that can do this for you is is QuickPic and their latest update brings you even more features including support for Android 5.0 Lollipop and support for other cloud storage apps.

No matter how many pictures you have either in your device or on a cloud storage facility, QuickPic can list thousands at once, with the newest ones you've synced or uploaded easily discovered. The photos can also be grouped by time and location, calling them "Moments" (which iOS users should be familiar with). If you're particular about some of your photos' privacy, you can hide specific photos or albums from the gallery and protect them with a password.

The latest update to the app is of course optimized now for Android 5.0 Lollipop and visually now has the Material Design look that Google has rolled out for their products. QuickPic also now supports other online album services like Picasa, Google Drive, Dropbox, OneDrive and 500px. The app also has an internal picture editor in case you don't want to transfer apps when you want to rotate, shrink or crop your pics. And in terms of managing them, you can also sort, rename, move, copy and even create new folders for your photos.

The developer advises users to back up their photos first before they do any major file operations, just to be on the safe side. You can download QuickPic for free from the Google Play Store.

Train to be a “security expert” with new Cryptoy app

If you're the type of person that is fascinated by spies, covert operations, coded messages and the likes, you might want to consider going into the cybersecurity or even just security industry. And to train yourself for such a career, maybe you'd need an app for that. Cryptoy is one such app, teaching you the ways of encryption and decoding secret messages.

But lest you think that this sort of thing may be illegal, the app is actually from the Government Communication Headquarters (GCHQ), the British equivalent of the NSA and developed by STEM (science, technology, engineering and maths) students who were interning at the organization. It's targetted for 14-16 year olds, but who are we kidding, adults would also love to learn such things.

Basically, the app teaches you all about cryptography; its history, the different kinds of encryption (shift, substitution, vigenere, enigma) and of course how to actually do the encoding of messages. What makes it more fun is that you can send these encrypted messages to your friends, either through email or social networks, and they can try deciphering it on their own or with the help of the app too.

The app is not intended as a surveillance tool, or whatever our paranoid brain can come up with. A spokeperson from GCHQ said that part of their purpose for the app is to encourage younger people to be more interested in maths and computer science for a future in cybersecurity. But even if you're not the target audience, you can still have fun using Cryptoy. You can download it from the Google Play Store for free. It has only been tested on Android devices running on 4.1.2 up to 4.4.2.

LG G3 receives Android Lollipop in Europe

Owners of LG G3 in Europe must be relieved to know that their phones will finally get a taste of Lollipop. Yep, Android 5.0 software is coming to the LG G3 D855 via the D885520e update. LG has started to push the Android Lollipop update to the phones. (Maybe slowly but definitely surely this time.) LG has rolled out the Android Lollipop update just last Friday, December 12 so I'm guessing a lot of LG G3 users already know what Lollipop tastes like on the LG Android phone.

The 16GB model LG G3 from Vodafone UK is now ready for an Android Lollipop. LG G3 in other countries will soon follow: Austria, Baltics, Belgium, Croatia, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Portugal, Romania, Spain, and of course, United Kingdom.

The update will be sent over-the-air which means you will have to wait for a while to receive it on your phone. To check if Android 5.0 Lollipop is supported, you can check the LG PC Suite Software or the LG mobile Support Tool. If you see the Android 5.0 L update, this means you can use the LG Mobile Support tool to upgrade.

VIA: My LG

Story Timeline

• LG G3 also getting the Android Lollipop update


• LEAKED: Android Lollipop for LG G3, plus screenshots and video


• LG G3 Lollipop ROM appears, rooted for your convenience

Name Your Price, Learn to code and make pretty websites

If you haven't had your fill yet of deals that help you become a programming pro, then better brace yourself for yet another one. This time, however, Android Community Deals is doing it a bit differently. Doing it a bit like Humble Bundle, this collection of 8 programming online courses can be yours if manage to beat the average price. But even if you only end up paying the minimum, you get two courses, including Programming Java, which is what you'll need if you want to make Android apps.

This current bundle covers quite a range of topics, from Java to making website to web programming with Python and even (cough) iOS programming. As with the previous courses, this one comes straight from Udemy so the same benefits apply, including the 30 day money back guarantee and lifetime ownership of all courses.

The mechanics are a bit different from your usual shopping experience but those familiar with Humble Bundle would feel right at home. It's a "pay what you want" system, but be aware that the amount that you pay determines what courses you can claim. If you pay the very minimum (which is just over a dollar), you get access to Programming Java for Beginners and PSD to HTML5/CSS3. But if you pay more than the average, which currently stands at $15.05, you get access to all 8 courses. If you're feeling magnanimous, you can pay the recommended $79 which still gives you a 91% discount off the regular price. And if you want to really beat the rest, you can try to get your name on the leaderboard.

Aside from benefiting from this deal, you also get the chance to help out others as well. When you make your purchase, you can choose between Child's Play, the World Wildlife Fund, and Creative Commons as the charity of your choice to receive 10 percent of your payment. Now you can become a master programmer, make your own web site, and help those in need, all in one go. Head on over to Android Community Deals to avail of this opportunity.

Android Community Deals is brought to you in cooperation with StackSocial. Generated revenue helps fund this site. Deals are curated by StackSocial and are not representative of the opinions of the Android Community staff.

Samsung Galaxy S4 Google Play Edition finally gets Android Lollipop

The Samsung Galaxy S4 Google Play Edition is finally getting the much-awaited Android 5.0 Lollipop. This means the smartphone will be a lot sweeter as the software update has started to roll out. Last year's flagship phone from the South Korean giant was the first GPE device but is now among the last ones to get a taste of the sweet Lollipop. This brings new platform features to the bestselling Galaxy S4 but it will only be the Android 5.0.0 and not the 5.0.1 update recently released. The preview we saw earlier this month was true after all.

There was a bit of delay in Galaxy S4 getting the Lollipop because it's up to the device manufacturer when it will be released. Google already made the update available but maybe Samsung was too busy the past few weeks to worry about the last generation flagship phone.

A Google Play Edition of any smartphone is special because it's actually a stock version of the Android OS. A GPE unit has no customizations yet from manufacturers so it's almost like the Nexus line. Other Google Play Editions include the HTC One M7, HTC One M8, Sony Z Ultra, LG G Pad 8.3, and the Moto G.

Android 5.0 Lollipop now on the Galaxy S4 means it will also have the Material Design. If you're a Samsung Galaxy S4 owner and has been wanting to upgrade to Android Lollipop, make sure you have at least 500MB of free space. Software update is expected to roll out in the next few days.

VIA: SlashGear

Story Timeline

• Android Lollipop build on Samsung Galaxy S4 leaked


• KitKat vs Lollipop on Galaxy S4: It's like a new phone


• Preview of Android Lollipop on Galaxy S4 GPE leaked

BBM for Android update: Lollipop, stickers and longer timer

Just in case you've somehow forgotten, BlackBerry Messenger is still alive and is on other platforms as well, giving the loyal BlackBerry users a free messaging connection to those on Android, iOS, etc. The latest update brings a host of other features that has been available in other messaging apps but is now just being adapted by BBM. Still, better late than never.

Since Google has slowly (with emphasis on slowly) been rolling out its Android 5.0 Lollipop to its various devices, BBM is also now ready to support the latest major update in both design and features. Stickers are also now available on the messaging app, which is a must-have given that all others have used this new way of communicating as a selling point. The sticker packs are also on sale, with each pack at $0.99 for a limited time only.

If you want ephemeral messages, then the timed messages feature of BBM is a good way to go. The latest update has extended the life of these messages to 60 seconds. And they can also view them more than once, until the timer expires. If you feel more comfortable reading and typing out messages when your device is horizontal, landscape mode is also now available for the messenger. If your photos or attachments are on your smartphone or tablet's SD card, you can now send it also through your BBM.

There are already a lot of messenger apps in the market, but if you still have a lot of friends using Blackberry, then this may be the best, free way to communicate with them. The update is already rolling out to users, but if you don't have BBM yet, you can get it for free from the Google Play Store.

SOURCE: Blackberry

Android Community Weekly Digest: Dec. 14, 2014

Things have been relatively quiet on the mobile front this week, seemingly the great quiet before the storm. Of course, that doesn't mean nothing of importance passed us by. This week saw one of the biggest updates to Android Wear: official support for watch faces. We've also seen a good number of games land on Android. India also continues to be mired in controversy . This is your latest edition of Android Community's Weekly Digest, covering the period from December 8 to December 14, 2014

Android Wear Faces

After asking developers to hold off from going berserk with watch faces, Google has finally released the official API for making them. Now developers and designers need not rely on hacks, workarounds, and pieces of code that may change right from under their noses. And to start the Android Wear watch face support with a bang, Google is launching over a dozen watch faces from big brands.

The latest Android Wear update isn't just about looks either. Both the smartwatch OS and the companion Android app have been improved to be faster, quicker, and easier to access. New smart modes have been added that adjust to your situation, like Sunlight mode or Theater mode. All in all, Android Wear is slowly, but surely, shaping up to be a formidable companion to your Android smartphone.

India's Growing Presence

It seems that the drama between OnePlus and Cyanogen, Inc. is far from over. Taking one step forward and two steps back, Cyanogen clarified that while it will indeed support OnePlus One devices in India with continued OTA, there is a subtle, confusing, and arbitrary caveat: It will not update OnePlus One smartphones bought from India, specifically the ones being distributed through Amazon India. This is supposedly to respect its exclusive partnership with Micromax, though it does disregard its already existing partnership with OnePlus.

But OnePlus isn't the only Chinese company having problems in the sub-continent. Chinese mobile star Xiaomi has been banned from selling its products in India due to an ongoing patent lawsuit from Ericsson and its India office. Although Xiaomi is hardly the first one to meet this kind of adversity from Ericsson, with India's own Micromax experiencing the same, the timing couldn't be worse as the Chinese OEM tries to spread its wings to other parts of Asia.

Games Galore

A lot of promised games were finally delived to Android this week. Marvel's "console-like" brawler Contest of Champions, with its promise of high quality graphics and more intuitive touch controls, punches its way through Google Play Store. The Game of Thrones Adventure Game, a point and click, er, adventure game also arrives for fans of both novel and TV series to enjoy. Minecraft makers Mojang also release the card slash board game Scrolls, with the assurance that you do not need to pay to win. Next year we'll be anticipating the mobile port of Heroes of Might and Magic III as well as the super-deformed Transformers: Battle Tactics.

Head on over to our Friday roundup of games for more details, and be sure to check out our Gaming selection for more.

Devices

Vivo unveils the incredibly and ridiculously thin X5Max, with a 4.75 mm profile that will make super models die of envy. OPPO's R5, while not exactly that thin, proves in a video ad that thin doesn't have to mean fragile or bendable. While details of what Samsung has in store for "Project Zero" a.k.a. the Galaxy S6 are still relatively slim, it seems that the Korean OEM is quite busy with its SoC expansion. For one, Samsung is rumored to have an Exynos chip with Cat. 10 LTE support, speculated to be heading for the Galaxy S6. But even here and now, Samsung might out a Galaxy Note 4 edition solely for Korea, at least initially, that bears the 64-bit Qualcomm Snapdragon 810 processor.

Apps

Power users, customizers, and developers have quite a bit to chew on this week. Google has finally released version 1.0 of Android Studio, the official Android Integrated Development Environment (IDE). Meanwhile, several new app launchers have hit the market, starting with the newest, and rather controversial, Action Launcher version 3.0, updated not just with Material Design but in code as well. Sadly, it is also missing some features. Flow Home is a launcher that keeps your social network feeds just a swipe away, ala HTC's BlinkFeed but for everyone. Microsoft has also pushed out a new version of its unexpected Next Lock Screen, bringing in weather information and customization options. And speaking of Microsoft, Redmond surprisingly continues to expand its Android apps roster.

Google has also revealed its top app picks for 2014, so be sure to check that out as well.

Updates

A long time coming, Amazon has finally updated it Kindle app for Android, adding the much desired X-Ray functionality as well as flashcards for making studying easier. VLC finally sheds off the Beta tag after many years of development. Nokia's HERE Maps, on the other hand, clings to that Beta title, but at least it can be downloaded from Google Play Store now. Keeping up with the times, Hangouts has added stickers to its feature list. Google Fit added support for 100 more activities to track, some of which you can customize on your own. YouTube gets another Material Design makeover and adds offline support in some countries.